SumUp vs Toast
Last updated August 2026
Looking for a European alternative to Toast? Here's how SumUp compares, on EU hosting, GDPR and what it does.
Our pick for a European buyer: SumUp. We weight data residency, GDPR and EU jurisdiction above everything else — that is the constraint this directory exists to solve.
What it is
London-based POS system with EU-hosted data, no monthly fees and transparent transaction pricing for small businesses.
not established
Headquarters
🇬🇧 GB
No
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
not established
DSGVO / GDPR
Yes
not established
Certifications
ISO 27001
not established
Price from
$2.6% + $0.10
not established
Free plan
No
not established
Open Source
No
not established
Ratings
No
Integrations
WooCommerce, PrestaShop, Wix, Medusa, Vendure +13
not established
We have not yet completed our own research on Toast; rows above show only what we can evidence. Check the vendor for specifics.
Where each one wins
SumUp
Strengths
- +Straightforward setup process, often completed in under 10 minutes from unboxing to first payment
- +No monthly fees and low entry cost (card readers from £39), making it highly accessible for small businesses and seasonal sellers
- +Transparent and fair transaction fees, easy to calculate for low-volume merchants
- +Portable, compact, and well-built card readers supporting debit, credit, and contactless payments
- +Free EPOS system, online store, and basic sales reporting included without additional costs
- +Reliable performance with swift transaction processing when connected to mobile data
- +Clean, intuitive mobile app with graphical interaction for easy use
- +Generally positive customer support ratings, with phone support available during business hours
Limitations
- −Customer service responsiveness is frequently criticized for poor communication, unreachable hotlines, and lack of feedback on critical issues like refunds or failed payouts
- −Account verification processes are described as overly complex and cumbersome
- −Percentage-based transaction fees become less economical for high-volume merchants (over £50k annual turnover), making fixed-fee alternatives more attractive
Toast
Review sentiment not yet compiled.
Data residency & compliance
SumUp
Toast
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
not established
Transfer mechanism
Not required — data stays in the EU
not established
Certifications
ISO 27001
No
Pricing
SumUp
- Transaction Fees (In-Person) $2.6% + $0.10 per transactionNo monthly minimums or hidden fees · Supports all major card schemes
- Transaction Fees (Online & Manual Entry) $3.5% + $0.15 per transactionNo monthly fees for online payments · Manual entry option for phone orders
- POS with Connect Plus $199 per monthCloud-based POS system included · Customer rewards and automated marketing · Two standard SMS/email promotions per month
- POS with Connect Pro $289 per monthAll Connect Plus features included · Unlimited marketing promotions · Daily AI-enhanced SMS and email promotions
- Invoicing $2.9% + $0.15 per online payment receivedNo monthly fees for invoicing · Charges apply only when customers pay online
Hardware is sold separately. Transaction fees and pricing may vary by region.
Toast
No published pricing we could verify.
Features
SumUp
- Payment Processing
- Accepts in-person payments via card readers, Online and manual entry transactions, Supports multiple payment methods and card schemes, AI-based anti-fraud protection included at no extra cost
- Point of Sale (POS)
- Cloud-based POS system, Sales tracking and reporting, Staff scheduling and management, Inventory management and product catalog customization
- Customer Loyalty & Marketing
- Customer rewards programs, Automated marketing via SMS and email, AI-enhanced promotions, Google review boost feature
- Invoicing
- Send payment requests and invoices, No monthly fees for invoicing, Charges apply only when customers pay online
- Hardware
- Portable card readers (Solo, Terminal, Air, 3G, PIN+, Go), No upfront costs for hardware, 30-day money-back guarantee
Toast
Feature breakdown not yet compiled.