Best Payment Apps for UK Tradespeople 2026
Waiting days for a bank transfer after finishing a job doesn't have to be normal. The right payment app gets you paid on site, the same day the job is done — by card, by link, or by tap. Here's what's worth using in 2026.
What to Look for in a Payment App
Transaction fees
Most apps charge a percentage per transaction. Small differences add up significantly over a year.
Hardware cost
Some require a card reader, others work entirely from your phone. Factor in the upfront cost.
Speed of payout
How quickly does the money actually land in your account? Same day, next day, or 2–3 days?
Invoicing integration
The best setups connect payment directly to your invoicing so everything is recorded automatically.
The Best Payment Apps for UK Tradespeople in 2026
1 — Best overall
SumUp
Simple, reliable, lowest fees — no monthly commitment
The most popular card reader among UK sole traders for good reason. Simple, reliable, transparent fees, and no monthly subscription required.
- Card reader from ~£39 — chip and PIN, contactless, and phone payments
- 1.69% transaction fee — lowest of the main options
- Payouts within 1–3 business days, or next day with SumUp One
- Send invoices with a payment link directly from the app
- Works offline and syncs when you're back on signal
2 — Best for payment + invoicing
Square
Free card reader, invoicing and payments combined
Square started as a payment app but now covers invoicing too. For tradespeople who want both in one place without paying for separate software, it's a strong option.
- Free card reader on sign-up (basic model)
- 1.75% for in-person payments, 2.5% via invoice link
- Send professional invoices with a pay-by-card link
- Instant payouts available for a small additional fee
- Free point-of-sale app with basic sales reporting
3 — Best for deposits and remote payments
Stripe
Payment links via WhatsApp, text, or email — no card reader needed
Stripe isn't a card reader — it's an online payment processor. Its most useful function for tradespeople is sending a payment link via text or WhatsApp that a customer pays immediately by card. Perfect for collecting deposits before a job starts.
- No monthly fee — pay per transaction only
- 1.5% + 20p per UK card transaction
- Send payment links via text, email, or WhatsApp in seconds
- Payouts within 2 business days standard
- Integrates with most invoicing and job management software
4 — Best for PayPal users
Zettle by PayPal
Instant access to funds in your PayPal account
Zettle is PayPal's card reader product — a solid choice if you already use PayPal for any part of your business. Payments land in your PayPal account instantly and can be spent via a PayPal debit card or transferred to your bank.
- Card reader from ~£29
- 1.75% transaction fee
- Instant access to funds in your PayPal account
- Basic invoicing included in the app
- Works with iPhone and Android
5 — Best all-in-one
Jobber
Quote, schedule, invoice, and get paid — all in one app
Jobber isn't purely a payment app — it's a full job management platform built for UK tradespeople. But it includes invoicing with online payment built in, automated payment reminders, and a client portal where customers can approve quotes and pay online. For tradespeople who want to run their whole business from one app, Jobber is the most complete solution on this list.
- Online payments built directly into invoices
- Automatic payment reminders chase overdue invoices for you
- Client portal — customers approve quotes and pay without calling you
- Integrates with Xero and QuickBooks
- Covers quoting, scheduling, job management, and invoicing in one place
Quick Comparison
| App | Transaction fee | Monthly fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SumUp | 1.69% | None | Simple card payments on site |
| Square | 1.75% | None | Payment + invoicing combined |
| Stripe | 1.5% + 20p | None | Online deposits and payment links |
| Zettle | 1.75% | None | PayPal users wanting fast access |
| Jobber | Varies | From ~£29/month | Full job management with payment |
Which Should You Choose?
Jobber sends automatic payment reminders, lets customers pay online via a client portal, and handles your invoicing, quoting, and scheduling all in one place. No more chasing bank transfers.
Try Jobber Free for 14 Days →Whatever you choose, getting set up with at least one payment option beyond bank transfer will speed up how quickly you get paid and reduce the friction that leads to late payments.
TradeStack HQ helps UK tradespeople find the best tools to run smarter businesses. Some links on this page are affiliate links — we may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.