POS Comparisons

PayPal Zettle vs SumUp: Which POS Is Better? (2025)

By Mauricio Sep 22, 2025 3 min read

Choosing between PayPal Zettle and SumUp for your business? Both are popular multi-industry solutions, but they serve different needs. PayPal Zettle starts at $29 (card reader) + 2.29% per transaction and is PayPal mobile POS with no monthly fees, while SumUp starts at $39 (reader) + 2.75% per transaction and is Mobile card reader with simple pricing. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.

Quick Comparison: PayPal Zettle vs SumUp

FeaturePayPal ZettleSumUp
CategoryMulti-IndustryMulti-Industry
Starting Price$29 (card reader) + 2.29% per transaction$39 (reader) + 2.75% per transaction
Rating4.2/54.3/5
Target BusinessSmall BusinessSmall Business
Pricing ModelTransaction-basedTransaction-based
Free TrialNoNo
Free VersionYesNo
Best ForSmall businesses wanting pay-per-transaction modelSmall businesses and mobile sellers

PayPal Zettle Overview

PayPal Zettle is a mobile POS system with card readers and simple POS software. Features no monthly fees on the basic plan, integration with PayPal, and affordable hardware options.

PayPal Zettle is offered by PayPal (founded 2010) based in Stockholm, Sweden. The system focuses on Retail, Service, Mobile Businesses.

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Key Features:

  • Mobile POS
  • Card Reader
  • Inventory Management
  • Reporting
  • Digital Receipts
  • PayPal Integration

SumUp Overview

SumUp provides mobile payment solutions and card readers for small businesses. Features simple pricing, no monthly fees, and easy setup for accepting card payments on the go.

SumUp is offered by SumUp (founded 2012) based in London, UK. The system focuses on Retail, Service, Mobile Businesses.

Key Features:

  • Card Reader
  • Mobile Payments
  • Invoicing
  • Payment Links
  • Reporting
  • No Monthly Fees

Feature Comparison

PayPal Zettle Features:

  • Mobile POS
  • Card Reader
  • Inventory Management
  • Reporting
  • Digital Receipts

SumUp Features:

  • Card Reader
  • Mobile Payments
  • Invoicing
  • Payment Links
  • Reporting

When comparing features, PayPal Zettle stands out with No monthly fees, while SumUp differentiates itself with No monthly fees. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.

Pricing Comparison

Pricing AspectPayPal ZettleSumUp
Starting Price$29 (card reader) + 2.29% per transaction$39 (reader) + 2.75% per transaction
Pricing ModelTransaction-basedTransaction-based
Price RangeBudgetBudget
Free TrialNot availableNot available
Free VersionYesNo

PayPal Zettle offers a free version, which is great for testing or small operations. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.

Pros and Cons

PayPal Zettle

Pros:

  • No monthly fees
  • PayPal integration
  • Affordable hardware
  • Easy setup

Cons:

  • Processing fees on every transaction
  • Limited advanced features
  • Basic reporting

SumUp

Pros:

  • No monthly fees
  • Simple flat-rate pricing
  • Easy setup
  • Portable

Cons:

  • Higher per-transaction rate
  • Limited POS features
  • Basic reporting

Who Should Choose PayPal Zettle?

PayPal Zettle is ideal for Small businesses wanting pay-per-transaction model. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Service, Mobile Businesses.

However, PayPal Zettle may not be the best fit for High-volume operations where processing fees add up.

Who Should Choose SumUp?

SumUp is ideal for Small businesses and mobile sellers. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Service, Mobile Businesses.

However, SumUp may not be the best fit for High-volume businesses where percentage fees add up.

Our Recommendation

Both PayPal Zettle and SumUp are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose PayPal Zettle if you’re Small businesses wanting pay-per-transaction model. Choose SumUp if you’re Small businesses and mobile sellers. SumUp has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.2). Also, choose PayPal Zettle if you want to start with a free version. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.