Best Payment Apps for UK Tradespeople 2026

Waiting days for a bank transfer after finishing a job is one of those frustrations that tradespeople have just accepted as normal. It doesn't have to be. The right payment app lets you get paid on site, the same day the job is done — by card, by link, or by tap.

Here are the best payment apps for UK tradespeople in 2026, what they cost, and which one suits your situation.

What to Look for in a Payment App

Before comparing options, it's worth knowing what actually matters for tradespeople specifically:

• Transaction fees — most apps charge a percentage per transaction. Even small differences add up over a year
• Hardware cost — some require a card reader, others work entirely from your phone
• Speed of payout — how quickly does the money actually land in your account?
• Ease of use on site — you're not sitting at a desk. It needs to work quickly from a phone with muddy hands
• Integration with invoicing — the best setups connect payment directly to your invoicing so everything is recorded automatically

1. SumUp — Best Overall for UK Tradespeople

SumUp is the most popular card reader among UK sole traders and small trade businesses for good reason. It's simple, reliable, and the fees are transparent with no monthly subscription required.

Key features

• Card reader from around £39 — works with chip and PIN, contactless, and phone payments
• 1.69% transaction fee on all card payments — no monthly fee on the basic plan
• Payouts within 1–3 business days as standard, 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

Best for: Sole traders who want a straightforward card reader with no monthly commitment and low fees.

Pricing: No monthly fee. 1.69% per transaction. Card reader from £39.

2. Square — Best for Tradespeople Who Also Invoice

Square started as a payment app but has grown into a full business management platform. For tradespeople who want payment processing and invoicing in one place without paying for separate software, it's a strong option.

Key features

• Free card reader available on sign-up (basic model)
• 1.75% transaction fee for in-person payments
• 2.5% for payments taken 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 sales reporting

Best for: Tradespeople who want payment and invoicing combined without needing separate apps.

Pricing: Free card reader. 1.75% per in-person transaction. No monthly fee on basic plan.

3. Stripe — Best for Payment Links and Online Deposits

Stripe isn't a card reader — it's an online payment processor. For tradespeople, its most useful function is sending a payment link via text or email that a customer can pay immediately by card without needing to do a bank transfer.

This is particularly useful for collecting deposits before a job starts. Send the quote, include a Stripe payment link, and the customer can pay the deposit on their phone in 30 seconds.

Key features

• No monthly fee — pay per transaction only
• 1.5% + 20p per UK card transaction
• Payouts within 2 business days standard
• Send payment links via text, email, or WhatsApp
• Integrates with most invoicing and job management software

Best for: Collecting deposits and remote payments without needing a physical card reader.

Pricing: No monthly fee. 1.5% + 20p per transaction.

4. Zettle by PayPal — Best for Tradespeople Already Using PayPal

Zettle is PayPal's card reader product and is a solid choice if you already use PayPal for any part of your business. Payments go straight into your PayPal account and can be transferred to your bank or spent via a PayPal debit card immediately.

Key features

• Card reader from around £29
• 1.75% transaction fee
• Instant access to funds in your PayPal account
• Basic invoicing included in the app
• Works with iPhone and Android

Best for: Tradespeople who already use PayPal and want fast access to funds without waiting for bank transfers.

Pricing: Card reader from £29. 1.75% per transaction. No monthly fee.

5. Tradify — Best When Payment Is Part of the Whole Job

Tradify isn't purely a payment app — it's a full job management platform built specifically for UK tradespeople. But it includes invoicing with online payment built in, which means you can quote, schedule, complete, and get paid all from the same app without jumping between different tools.

For tradespeople who want to get off paper and run their whole business from their phone, Tradify is the most complete solution on this list. The payment functionality alone isn't the reason to use it — but if you're already managing jobs and quotes in Tradify, getting paid through the same system just makes sense.

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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
Tradify	Varies	From £29/month	Full job management with payment

Which Should You Choose?

Just want to take card payments on site? Go with SumUp. It's the most straightforward option with the lowest fees and no monthly commitment.

Want invoicing and payments in one free app? Square gives you both without paying for separate software.

Need to collect deposits remotely before a job starts? Stripe payment links sent via WhatsApp or email are the slickest way to do it.

Want to run your whole business from one app? Tradify handles quotes, jobs, invoices, and payments — and it's built specifically for tradespeople.

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. For more on protecting your cash flow, see our guide on how to manage cash flow as a tradesperson.

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