SumUp

SumUp has democratized card acceptance for small businesses across Germany, making it possible for any business—from market vendors to hairdressers to food trucks—to accept card payments without the complexity and cost of traditional merchant accounts. The company's card readers are affordable, often available for one-time purchases under €50, with no monthly fees and straightforward per-transaction pricing of 1.39%. This simplicity has made SumUp ubiquitous among small German businesses that previously relied on cash only. The ecosystem has expanded beyond simple card readers to include point-of-sale systems, online payment links, invoicing, and even a business account. For retail and hospitality businesses, SumUp's POS solutions manage sales, inventory, and staff with an intuitive touch interface. The online payment capabilities let businesses send payment requests via link, useful for service businesses taking deposits or balancing invoices. While SumUp's per-transaction fees are higher than negotiated rates from traditional acquirers, the zero monthly cost and simplicity make it economically sensible for businesses with moderate card volume. For any physical business not yet accepting cards, SumUp provides the fastest path to modern payment acceptance.