Zettle

Zettle review

PayPal's point of sale: card readers and a free POS app from £29, with no monthly fees

By Ciroapp Editorial Team · Updated Sep 17, 2026

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Zettle homepage screenshot

At a glance

Quick overview for Zettle: rating, pricing summary, key features, and highlights.
Pricing verified Oct 12, 2026

Ciroapp score

3.7/ 5

Zettle, now PayPal POS, pairs a free app with one-time hardware from £29, so you can take cards without a monthly bill. It covers payments, inventory, reports, and fast payouts, but the unpublished transaction fee and extra-cost accessories add up. Overall, it's a solid, low-risk pick for small and mobile sellers.

Pros

  • Pros:No monthly subscription or long-term commitment — you pay one-time hardware prices (£29–£169) plus a per-transaction fee, keeping costs predictable for seasonal or low-volume sellers
  • Pros:Low barrier to entry — the £29 Card Reader sets up in minutes over Bluetooth, and Tap to Pay in the PayPal app lets you take contactless payments with no hardware at all
  • Pros:The free POS app combines payments, inventory tracking, low-stock alerts, discounts, and sales reports, so you don't need separate tools when starting out

Cons

  • Cons:Accessories are priced separately — the countertop Dock, Terminal Printer & Dock, and barcode scanner all cost extra, so a full counter setup costs more than the headline hardware price
  • Cons:Per-transaction fees apply on every sale, and custom rates are only available through a separate agreement at PayPal's discretion, so high-volume sellers may find better terms elsewhere
  • Cons:The £29 Card Reader offer is limited to one reader per new eligible business user; additional readers cost £69 each, which adds up if you run multiple tills
Best for
  • Market traders, food stalls, and pop-up sellers who need a cheap, portable way to take card payments — the £29 Card Reader pairs with their phone in minutes
  • Solo sellers and new businesses that want to test in-person sales without subscriptions, using Tap to Pay on their phone before investing in any hardware
  • Cafés and small shops building a permanent counter, who can start with a Customised Store Kit from £169 and add hardware as they grow
This section is a summary. Detailed sections about features, use cases, pricing, and reviews follow below.

What is Zettle?

PayPal Point of Sale, formerly known as Zettle, bundles payment acceptance and sales tracking into one system for small business owners. You can start with nothing but your phone, add a £29 card reader, or build out a full counter setup — all without a monthly subscription. This review covers what the platform does well, where it falls short, and which sellers it actually fits.

Zettle, now PayPal Point of Sale, is a point-of-sale platform that combines a free POS app with optional hardware. The app handles payments, inventory, discounts, and sales reporting, while hardware options range from a Bluetooth card reader for your phone or tablet to an all-in-one Terminal with the app built in. Payments are secured with encryption and tokenization, and funds typically land in your PayPal Business account within minutes.

Should you choose Zettle?

Quick buyer guidance before you compare plans or click through.

Choose it if

  • Market traders, food stalls, and pop-up sellers who need a cheap, portable way to take card payments — the £29 Card Reader pairs with their phone in minutes
  • Solo sellers and new businesses that want to test in-person sales without subscriptions, using Tap to Pay on their phone before investing in any hardware
  • Cafés and small shops building a permanent counter, who can start with a Customised Store Kit from £169 and add hardware as they grow
  • Busy vendors who want their phone free during shifts — the £149 Terminal runs the POS app standalone over wifi or 4G

Skip it if

  • High-volume retailers processing large sums, since standard per-transaction fees can add up and custom rates require a separate agreement at PayPal's discretion
  • Businesses needing advanced retail features like staff scheduling, multi-location management, or deep integrations, which the simple POS app doesn't cover
  • Sellers who want to try before buying — there's no free trial or refund window on hardware, and delivery fees apply to orders

Next steps before buying

  1. 1Download the free PayPal POS app and create your account — onboarding takes just minutes and existing Zettle accounts carry over unchanged
  2. 2Start with Tap to Pay on your phone to accept contactless cards and digital wallets with zero hardware cost, or order the £29 Card Reader (one per new eligible business user) if you want a physical reader
  3. 3Add your products with prices in the app, set low-stock alerts, and run a few test transactions before your first real sale
  4. 4Check delivery terms before ordering hardware — expect roughly 1–2 business days and delivery fees — then expand with extra readers (£69 each), a Terminal (£149), or a Customised Store Kit (from £169) as your sales grow

Zettle Key Features

📱 Take payments with just your phone

You don't need extra hardware to start selling. Open the PayPal POS app on your phone and accept digital wallets and contactless cards on the go. It suits solo sellers with straightforward operations.

Every transaction is secured with encryption and tokenization, and funds reach you quickly.

✨ Pick hardware that fits your counter

The Card Reader pairs with the free POS app on your phone or tablet for in-store payments. Prefer one device? The Terminal has the app built in, so you can accept payments and manage inventory without a phone.

Both set up in minutes, and you can add hardware as you grow.

✨ Run daily operations in one app

The free POS app keeps everyday tasks together, so checkout stays quick when it's busy. You can feature products, take payments, and apply discounts to keep customers coming back. Inventory stays under your control too:

  • Add products and set prices
  • Get alerts when stock runs low
  • Track sales and bestsellers in reports

✨ Turn sales data into smarter choices

Detailed reports show what's selling and when. You can spot bestsellers, monitor sales activity, and use those insights to guide your next moves. Need room to grow?

Apply for working capital based mainly on your account history, then repay automatically with a share of your PayPal sales.

✨ One platform, many ways to get paid

In-person sales are just the start. The same platform supports online checkout, invoicing, QR codes, payment links, and recurring payments, so customers can pay how they prefer. It's a simple way to keep every sale, wherever it happens, in one place.

Use Cases

📱 Sell anywhere with just your phone

You run your business solo and just need to get paid. Use Tap to Pay in the PayPal app to take contactless cards and digital wallets — no hardware to buy or carry.

Expected outcome: You accept payments on the go without extra gear.

☕ Café and shop counters

You want a tidy, permanent setup at your till. Pick a Customised Store Kit from £169 and add the accessories your counter needs. The free POS app keeps payments and stock in one place.

Tip: Add more hardware as you grow — no need to start over.

🎪 Markets, fairs, and pop-ups

Selling away from a fixed shop? Pair the £29 Card Reader with the free POS app on your phone or tablet. It connects over Bluetooth in minutes, so you can start taking cards right away.

🖥️ Busy shifts, one device

Your phone needs to stay free during rushes. The £149 Terminal has the POS app built in and connects to wifi or 4G. Track inventory, apply discounts, and spot bestsellers from a single device.

Zettle pricing

  • 3 plans

Prices checked on Oct 12, 2026 from Zettle's pricing page

Zettle pricing page screenshotView pricing page screenshot
PlanBilled monthlyBilled annuallyIncludes
Card Reader
£29
—
£29 offer limited to one reader per new eligible business user; additional readers cost £69
  • Sets up in minutes
  • Connects to your mobile device via Bluetooth
  • Accepts major payment methods
  • Optional countertop Dock at additional cost
  • USB-C cable and power adapter included
Terminal
£149
—
Terminal Printer & Dock and barcode scanner are sold separately
  • PayPal POS app built in
  • Connects directly to wifi or 4G
  • Accepts major payment methods
  • Optional barcode scanner at additional cost
  • USB charging cable and wall plug included
Customised Store Kits
£169
—
Delivery fees and terms apply
  • Mix and match accessories
  • Sleek, space-saving kits
  • Easy setup and connection
  • Add more hardware as you grow

Price history

Tracking prices since Oct 9, 2026. No price change detected yet.

Pricing types: Free plan, One-time payment, Usage-based pricing

Pricing notes

Zettle (now PayPal POS) has no monthly subscription fees — you pay one-time hardware prices from £29 to £169, plus a fee on each transaction you process. Options include the Card Reader (from £29), the all-in-one Terminal (£149), and Customised Store Kits (from £169), with the POS app itself free to use.

Zettle costs between £29 and £169 as a one-time hardware purchase, with three options: Card Reader from £29, Terminal from £149, and Customised Store Kits from £169.

All prices exclude VAT, and delivery fees apply. There are no monthly subscriptions — you pay once for the hardware you need, plus a fee on each transaction you process.

Card Reader

Price: From £29 one-time (excl. VAT); additional readers £69 each Best For: New business users who want a simple way to take card payments through their phone or tablet Other Features:

  • Sets up in minutes and connects via Bluetooth
  • Accepts major payment methods
  • Countertop Dock available at an extra cost
  • USB-C cable and power adapter included; delivery in about 1–2 business days

The £29 offer covers one reader per new eligible business user, and it's the cheapest way to start selling in person 🎉 If you later need more readers for extra tills, just budget £69 each. Keep in mind this is hardware, so the cost is upfront rather than spread across a monthly bill.

Terminal

Price: £149 one-time (excl. VAT) Best For: Sellers who want payments and point-of-sale combined in a single device Other Features:

  • PayPal POS app built in, so no phone is required
  • Connects directly to wifi or 4G
  • Accepts major payment methods
  • Barcode scanner sold separately; USB charging cable and wall plug included

The Terminal replaces the phone-and-reader combo with one all-in-one device. That makes it a solid pick if you'd rather keep your phone free during busy shifts. Just note that the printer, dock, and barcode scanner are all separate purchases.

Customised Store Kits

Price: From £169 one-time (excl. VAT) Best For: Businesses building a full counter setup they can grow into Other Features:

  • Handpick your accessories
  • Sleek, space-saving kits
  • Easy setup and connection
  • Add more hardware as you grow

Kits let you mix and match hardware to match how your counter actually works. They suit cafés, shops, and market stalls that want a tidy, permanent setup. As you grow, you can add more pieces instead of starting over.

The POS software itself is free, with no monthly fees or long-term commitments — you pay per transaction and for the hardware you choose. If you sell solo and don't need hardware at all, Tap to Pay in the PayPal app accepts contactless payments with just your phone. No free trial or refund window is shown on the pricing page, so it's worth checking the delivery terms before you order.

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Why use Zettle?

Most POS providers charge monthly software fees on top of hardware costs, which hurts sellers with thin margins or seasonal income. Zettle's model is different: you pay once for the hardware you choose and a fee per transaction, with no subscriptions or long-term commitments.

Beyond payments, the same platform covers online checkout, invoicing, QR codes, payment links, and recurring payments, so in-person and remote sales stay in one place. Built-in reports and low-stock alerts also mean you don't need a separate inventory tool when starting out.

Zettle alternatives

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Square Point of Sale is a central hub combining essential hardware and software. It enables businesses to streamline operations and accept almost any payment method. This system supports transactions, tracks inventory, and helps analyze sales data from one platform. Square is designed to scale easily, supporting businesses from a single location all the way up to specialized, complex operations. Setting up is easy, and you can be ready to sell in just a few minutes.

Shopify POS

Shopify POS

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Shopify POS is a complete system blending powerful hardware and software designed for seamless in-person sales. It provides the tools necessary to processes transactions and accept payments anywhere. This POS system is flexible enough to support retailers of every size, from new stores to those running multiple locations. If you sell products both online and in person, this tool is specifically designed to unify those channels. Your entire business is managed from a single back office, helping you simplify daily tasks and save time.

Lightspeed

Lightspeed

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Lightspeed is a comprehensive commerce platform built specifically for growing businesses. It provides one seamless touchpoint for all your operational needs. Whether you run a retail store, a fast-paced restaurant, or a specialised golf facility, Lightspeed helps you manage crucial tasks better. It’s an innovative, easy-to-use system that combines multilocation tools, integrations, and reports into a single hub. This reliable platform is trusted by businesses in over 100 countries, supporting roughly 144,000 customer locations globally.

Shore

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Shore empowers service and retail businesses to grow — online and in-store. With smart booking, marketing, and an integrated POS system with Shore Pay, Shore offers a flexible all-in-one platform. POS and payment solutions are currently available in DACH region only

SumUp

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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.

Clover

Clover

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Clover provides essential tools for small businesses seeking better payment solutions. It integrates both a complete POS System and reliable Credit Card Reader technology. If you need a trustworthy platform to handle transactions and processing, Clover is ready to deliver.

Zettle FAQ

Has Zettle's price changed recently?

No. We have not detected a price change since we started tracking on Oct 9, 2026.

How secure are payments processed through Zettle?

Transactions are secured with encryption and tokenization, which scramble and mask customers' card details during payment. It's the protection the site highlights for contactless and wallet payments made with Tap to Pay.

How quickly will I get my money after a sale?

Funds typically arrive in your PayPal Business account within minutes. You can spend the balance there or set up automatic transfers to your bank with no added fee.

Zettle is now PayPal POS — do I need a new account?

No. Only the name changed; it works the same way, and existing accounts stay unchanged. If you're new, onboarding takes just minutes, so you can start selling right away.

Is there a limit on the £29 card reader deal?

Yes. The £29 price covers one reader per new eligible business user, subject to availability. Additional readers cost £69 each, excluding VAT, so budget for that if you need extra tills.

Ready to try Zettle? Check out the official site or pricing.

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