⚖️ Our Verdict
SumUp suits very small businesses doing under £3,000/month. For established businesses, EPOS Direct's flat fee and richer software features make more financial sense within 12 months.
SumUp vs EPOS Direct: At a Glance
| Feature | SumUp | EPOS Direct ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | £0/month + 1.69% per transaction (hardware £299–£499 upfront) | From £549 one-time flat |
| Contract | No contract but locked into SumUp payment processing | No contract — flexible |
| Ownership | You own the hardware but pay transaction fees forever | Own outright from £399 |
| Works Offline | Basic offline mode for payments only | ✓ Full offline mode |
| UK Phone Support | Limited or chat only | ✓ 08000 336 888 |
✗ SumUp Weaknesses
- ✗1.69% on every transaction — no cap, no opt-out
- ✗Limited EPOS software features on POS One
- ✗No multi-site management
- ✗Cannot choose your own payment provider
- ✗Limited reporting and stock management
✓ EPOS Direct Advantages
- ✓Choice of payment provider — Dojo, Teya, Global Payments and more
- ✓Full stock management, staff logins, and reporting
- ✓Multi-site capable from day one
- ✓No transaction fees — flat monthly or one-time cost
- ✓Richer software with more integrations (Xero, QuickBooks, Deliveroo etc.)
Complete EPOS + Teya Card Terminal
£549 + VAT
One-time — or own outright from £399 — no monthly software fees ever
- ✓ Hardware + software included
- ✓ Teya card terminal (1% rate)
- ✓ No monthly software fees
- ✓ No long-term contracts
- ✓ Works offline
- ✓ UK-based support team
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SumUp good for a restaurant or café?
SumUp POS One handles basic order taking, but lacks the table management, course firing, and kitchen display features most restaurants need. EPOS Direct is purpose-built for hospitality businesses.
Can I use my own card machine with SumUp POS?
No. SumUp POS One is locked to SumUp's payment processing at 1.69%. EPOS Direct works with any major UK payment provider so you can negotiate better rates as your business grows.
What does SumUp POS cost over 3 years?
SumUp hardware: £299–£499. Transaction fees at 1.69% on £5,000/month = £84.50/month = £3,042 over 3 years. Total: £3,341–£3,541. EPOS Direct at £549 + VAT one-time = £549 total over 3 years (plus Teya's 1% card rate) — saving you £2,500+.