Comparisons · Card payments
Comparison
Square vs Dojo
Card payments, till software, invoices and online booking, with a free plan. UK card machines with next-day payouts, a blended transaction rate for smaller businesses and an optional Plus plan.
| Square | Dojo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free plan: £0 a month. In person: 1.75% for UK cards (1.75% + 1.95% for non-UK cards); manually keyed: 2.5%. Square Reader from £19 + VAT. Plus: from £29 a month, paid monthly, cancel any time. | 1.2% blended rate on all card transactions below £100,000 annual card turnover; custom rates above. Dojo Pocket £239; Dojo Wired £179 upfront. Plus plan £25 a month per location (£11.99 offer for new customers when checked). Tap to Pay on iPhone available. |
| Free plan | Yes. No set-up or monthly fees; you pay when you take a payment. | No. No free plan listed; the Essential package covers core payments, with Plus as a paid upgrade. |
| Best for | Shops, cafés and mobile traders taking card payments. | Shops, salons and hospitality with steady card takings who want UK phone support. |
| Watch out for | Transaction fees apply on every payment; check the rates for your payment types. | Card machines cost more upfront than phone-paired readers; check contract terms for your package. |
| UK notes | UK prices in pounds. | UK company, prices in pounds. |
| Made by | Block | Dojo |
| Checked | 2026-10-15 | 2026-10-15 |
Our verdict
On in-person fees, Dojo costs less than Square at all three levels of takings in our table below. Device prices differ too: Square Reader £19 + VAT against Dojo Pocket £239; Dojo Wired £179 upfront. Fees aren't everything: check payout speed, contract terms and support before choosing.
Who should pick which?
- Choose Square for: shops, cafés and mobile traders taking card payments.
- Choose Dojo for: shops, salons and hospitality with steady card takings who want UK phone support.
Fees at £1,000, £3,000 and £6,000 a month
In-person card fees a month on the cheaper option for that level of takings, read from each pricing page on 15 October 2026. Assumes an average payment of £150 (this only affects fixed per-payment fees). Device costs are one-off and not included.
| Square | Dojo | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry device | Square Reader £19 + VAT | Dojo Pocket £239; Dojo Wired £179 upfront |
| £1,000 a month | £17.50 1.75% (UK cards, in person) | £12.00 1.2% blended, before any package fee |
| £3,000 a month | £52.50 1.75% (UK cards, in person) | £36.00 1.2% blended, before any package fee |
| £6,000 a month | £105.00 1.75% (UK cards, in person) | £72.00 1.2% blended, before any package fee |
See all five readers side by side, with fee tables and what suits which business, in best card readers for UK small businesses.
Other card payments to consider
SumUp
Card readers and payment links for small traders, with pay-as-you-go fees.
Zettle by PayPal
Card readers and a point-of-sale app from PayPal, with one transaction rate and no monthly fee.
myPOS
Standalone card machines with a free business account and instant payouts.
Full details
Square tool page · Dojo tool page · How we check prices
Sources
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