National Processing vs SumUp
National Processing and SumUp offer very different payment processing solutions for businesses. National Processing aggressively targets high-volume merchants with low advertised rates. SumUp focuses on offering transparent, simple POS software for small retail users. The choice boils down to transaction rate pursuit versus operational simplicity and user trust.
Competitive Rates, Extreme Service Risk
We note that National Processing presents competitive, tiered pricing structures and guarantees low transaction rates. However, user experiences consistently describe significant hidden fees, outright deception regarding billing, and functionally non-existent customer support. Overall, we cannot recommend a provider whose operational transparency and reliability are this severely compromised.
Pros
- Explicitly structured 3-tier pricing with low advertised transaction rates.
- Advertised transaction fees start competitively low (2.41% + 10¢).
- No PCI compliance fees for compliant merchants are advertised.
- Option for free reprogramming of existing POS equipment.
Cons
- Massive discrepancy between advertised rates and fees actually charged (hidden fees).
- Customer support is widely reported as consistently unresponsive and unhelpful.
- Long or indefinite holds placed on merchants' processing funds.
- Complaints about unreliable and mediocre POS equipment quality.
Simple payments meet growth tools.
We find SumUp offers a compelling package for small businesses seeking transparent pricing and robust POS tools starting at $99/month. While users consistently praise the intuitive interface and affordable transaction fees, we observed significant recurring concerns regarding hardware reliability and slow customer support response times. Overall, SumUp is a powerful, low-cost solution best suited for users who value simplicity and can tolerate occasional technical glitches.
Pros
- Highly user-friendly app and intuitive interface for easy tracking.
- Transparent pricing with competitive in-person transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢).
- Next-day payouts boost cash flow efficiency.
- Comprehensive POS plans include dedicated installation and training.
Cons
- Customer service is often reported as slow, unhelpful, or inaccessible.
- Mobile/tap-to-pay functions sometimes prove unreliable or slow.
- Connectivity issues reported with card readers and WiFi stability.
- Some users felt surprised by unannounced changes to pricing or features.
AboutNational Processing
National Processing offers comprehensive merchant services and credit card processing. This service covers everything you need, whether you require in-person terminals or seamless online eCommerce integration. They provide tailored payment solutions to businesses across all industries, including retail, food service, and enterprise. For over 17 years, NP has focused on offering transparent and reliable solutions, earning them recognition as a top-ranked U.S. processor. ✅
AboutSumUp
SumUp provides comprehensive payment solutions including Card Readers and POS Systems. This integrated ecosystem is designed to help you run your entire business smoothly. It manages everything from processing orders to full customer acquisition. Over 4 million businesses worldwide have already chosen SumUp to be their partner 💡.
You can select products based on your specific needs, including powerful POS tools, Card Readers, and Invoicing capabilities. The platform serves a wide range of entrepreneurs, from coffee shops and fast casual restaurants to barber shops and clothing boutiques. Simply download the free SumUp App to access these business solutions quickly.
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Transaction Rates
National Processing advertises lower rates for high volume; SumUp offers highly competitive, transparent flat rates.
National Processing advertises in-person rates as low as 2.41% + 10¢ for Premium users. This rate is conditional and attractive for large businesses. National Processing offers a $500 guarantee if they cannot beat your current rate. SumUp maintains a simple, flat in-person rate of 2.6% + 10¢ for all transactions. This clarity means every small business gets a highly competitive, predictable rate structure. For most in-person transactions, National Processing holds a slight potential rate advantage. However, this lower rate usually requires high volume and the Premium plan commitment. SumUp provides better upfront fairness without volume requirements necessary to access competitive rates. National Processing is clearly superior for e-commerce, offering 2.9% + 30¢ vs. SumUp's 3.5% + 15¢. If your volume is high and rates are everything, National Processing is technically cheaper.
Pricing Transparency
SumUp excels with transparent, clear fees; National Processing's advertised clarity is undermined by hidden fee reports.
National Processing promotes transparent pricing and three explicit plan options to choose from. User reviews widely report encountering hidden fees, unexpected charges, and deceptive billing practices after signing up. SumUp explicitly guarantees no administrative costs, annual fees, or minimum monthly processing requirements. SumUp pricing is simple: a fixed monthly fee plus clearly defined transaction fees. This dramatically reduces the possibility of surprise charges. SumUp offers financial confidence and stability, which National Processing users rarely experience due to alleged deceit.
Customer Support
Both tools have support issues, but National Processing reviews reveal severely damaging, critical service failures.
National Processing advertises highly-touted, unmatched 24/7 U.S.-based expert customer support. Reviews reveal customer support is widely unresponsive, unhelpful, or inaccessible when critical issues arise. SumUp also provides 24/7 support access for its users. Users tend to complain about support being slow or inaccessible but rarely report deceptive practices. SumUp offers a more reliable service experience overall, despite minor complaints about speed. National Processing's severe support issues, including fund holds and delayed service, tilt the decision heavily toward SumUp.
POS System Tools
SumUp provides integrated cloud POS software; National Processing focuses primarily on facilitating external POS access.
The National Processing Premium plan ($19+/month) grants access to top-tier Point of Sale systems. Their focus is connecting you to good hardware and low rates. National Processing is a processor first, rather than a dedicated POS software provider. SumUp offers comprehensive, integrated cloud-based POS software starting at $99/month. This powerful software includes a customer database and order processing tools. SumUp also provides dedicated installation and training with every POS subscription. SumUp is the better choice for businesses needing true operational POS software integration.
Cash Flow and Payouts
SumUp offers guaranteed next-day payouts; National Processing only provides faster funding as an optional feature.
Standard funding with National Processing usually takes 2–3 business days after a completed transaction. If you need quicker access, faster funding is an optional, unspecified extra cost on the Premium plan. SumUp emphasizes efficient cash flow with guaranteed next-day payouts. This payment speed is available when utilizing the associated SumUp merchant account. For small businesses that rely on immediate access to funds, SumUp’s integrated Business Account is a huge advantage.
Equipment Flexibility
National Processing allows equipment reprogramming; SumUp requires using their integrated POS hardware.
National Processing will offer free reprogramming of your existing equipment during the setup process. This is excellent for merchants trying to switch processors without immediate hardware costs. You can use your existing terminals seamlessly with National Processing. SumUp systems are designed around the use of their own card readers and integrated cloud POS systems. While this ensures compatibility, it often means buying new, proprietary SumUp hardware. SumUp minimizes setup hassle by including dedicated installation and training services. National Processing offers valuable flexibility by avoiding mandatory new hardware purchases.
Loyalty and Marketing
SumUp provides robust loyalty tools and automated marketing; National Processing lacks specific customer growth features.
National Processing emphasizes simply processing payments and providing secure data ownership through their 'Deed to Your Data.' They do not appear to offer integrated features for customer retention or marketing campaigns. SumUp provides built-in customer rewards and automated marketing tools in its Plus and Pro POS plans. The Pro plan offers unlimited AI-enhanced SMS and email promotions and a Google Review boost. SumUp actively helps businesses grow their customer base and visibility. National Processing is purely transactional, whereas SumUp helps drive repeat business.
E-commerce Cost
National Processing has significantly lower e-commerce rates, making it far cheaper for online volume.
National Processing charges 2.9% + 30¢ for all e-commerce and MOTO transactions on their Basic Online plan. This plan costs only $14.95 monthly, making it very aggressive for pure online sellers. SumUp charges 3.5% + 15¢ for online sales or remote manual entry. This higher rate reflects their focus on in-person retail. For a monthly e-commerce volume above $5,000, National Processing will be substantially cheaper. Businesses primarily focused on digital sales should review National Processing first for the cost savings.
Our Verdict
This comparison truly is a clash between promised cost savings and guaranteed reliability. For most users, **SumUp is the clear, trustworthy victor**. SumUp offers transparent pricing and stable tools for daily business operations. National Processing’s rates look great, but the reports of hidden fees raise major red flags. National Processing’s superpower is the potential for ultra-low transaction rates. Merchants processing $10,000 or more monthly can aim for that low 2.41% + 10¢ rate. They even offer a $500 guarantee if they cannot beat your current rate. However, this pursuit of savings often brings non-existent support and alleged fund retention problems. SumUp’s superpower is its commitment to transparency and integrated POS functionality. Start with the $99/month Connect Lite plan for an intuitive cloud-based POS system. You get guaranteed next-day payouts and powerful customer loyalty tools for growth. SumUp removes minimum processing requirements, ensuring financial clarity. Your decisive factor is your business volume versus your risk tolerance. If you have extremely high volume and can monitor every fee closely, National Processing might save you money. For the typical small business or startup needing simplicity and a reliable POS, **choose SumUp**. SumUp means less stress and more predictable budgeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper for small businesses: National Processing or SumUp?
National Processing has cheaper monthly startup fees ($14.95) but higher reported hidden costs. SumUp charges a high monthly POS fee ($99+), but explicitly guarantees transparent pricing. For very low volume, National Processing is cheaper; for functional POS, SumUp offers better overall value.
Does National Processing offer an all-in-one POS system like SumUp?
National Processing provides access to top-tier POS systems with their Premium plan, focusing on hardware terminals. SumUp provides its own proprietary, integrated cloud-based POS software with included customer management tools. SumUp is better if you want integrated POS software out of the box.
Which company has better customer support: National Processing or SumUp?
Based on user sentiment, SumUp's support is significantly better than National Processing. National Processing advertises 24/7 U.S.-based support, but users often report that staff are unresponsive or unhelpful. SumUp has issues with speed but is generally more reliable.
How fast are payouts with National Processing compared to SumUp?
SumUp offers guaranteed next-day payouts when using their associated SumUp Business Account. National Processing’s standard funding takes 2–3 business days. Faster funding with National Processing is an optional, extra-cost feature only available in the Premium plan.
Can I use my existing card reader with SumUp or National Processing?
National Processing offers free reprogramming of your existing payment terminal equipment when you switch to their service. SumUp primarily requires you to use their own proprietary card readers and integrated systems for seamless operation. National Processing offers superior equipment flexibility.
Is SumUp better for e-commerce than National Processing?
No, National Processing offers a better e-commerce transaction rate (2.9% + 30¢) compared to SumUp (3.5% + 15¢). National Processing's Basic Online plan is specifically optimized and priced aggressively for pure digital sales volume.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.