For independent cafés comparing payment models
A SumUp Order & Pay alternative for independent cafés
SumUp Order & Pay and Café QR both let guests order from their phone, but their published pricing models are different. One starts with no monthly fee and a transaction percentage; the other uses a fixed monthly subscription plus Stripe processing.
SumUp is a trademark of its owner. Café QR is not affiliated with or endorsed by SumUp. Competitor information was checked on 4 August 2026.
Café QR
£29/month + 0% platform fee
SumUp published price
£0/month + 2.50% per transaction
Guest app
Not required by either product
Side-by-side
Compare the published details
Prices exclude payment-processing charges unless the row says otherwise. Check the linked provider pages before making a decision.
| Detail | Café QR | SumUp Order & Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly software price | £29 per café after a 14-day trial | £0 |
| Published order charge | 0% Café QR platform fee; Stripe processing charges apply | 2.50% transaction fee |
| Dine-in ordering | Table QR, live menu and paid order sent to staff screen | Table QR ordering with ticket sent to the relevant station |
| Other ordering channels stated | Current focus is in-café table ordering | Ordering ahead and click and collect |
| Loyalty and marketing stated | Optional post-order sign-up, café-controlled list and 500 messages/month | Not stated on the official Order & Pay page reviewed |
01
When SumUp may fit
SumUp’s published £0 monthly price can suit an owner who wants to avoid a software subscription and prefers a percentage charged on each transaction.
Its official page also lists ordering ahead and click and collect. Those channels may matter if the café wants one product for table and advance orders.
02
When Café QR may fit
Café QR may suit an independent café that prefers a fixed £29 software subscription, a 0% Café QR platform fee and a product centred on table ordering and repeat visits.
Each café connects its own Stripe account and remains the merchant. Guests can separately opt in to the café’s list after ordering; payment does not automatically create marketing consent.
03
What to calculate before choosing
Compare the full payment cost using your expected card mix and order volume. The published headline rates do not by themselves show the total cost for every café.
Also decide whether advance ordering is essential, whether a customer list matters, and how staff should receive paid orders during a busy service.
Sources
Official pages reviewed
Last checked 4 August 2026.
Ask before buying
Details we could not verify
- Whether SumUp’s 2.50% published transaction fee covers every card type and whether VAT applies to any part of it.
- SumUp Order & Pay’s customer marketing, loyalty and data-export capabilities.
- The exact merchant settlement and payout terms for SumUp Order & Pay.
14-day free trial
Try Café QR at your tables.
£29 per café, per month after the trial. No card required to start and 0% platform fee.
Start free trial →