Best Payment Processor UK: 2026 Rankings & Reviews
UK Payment Processor Rankings 2026
We've ranked the UK's leading payment processors based on pricing, transparency, contract terms, features, and customer satisfaction. Scores are out of 10.
| Rank | Provider | Score | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stripe | 9.2 | Online / ecommerce | 1.5% + 20p |
| 2 | Square | 9.0 | Small business / omnichannel | 1.75% in-person |
| 3 | Worldpay | 8.5 | Established retail | IC++ from 0.3% |
| 4 | Dojo | 8.4 | Hospitality | From 1.4% |
| 5 | Barclaycard Payments | 8.3 | SMEs with Barclays | IC++ from 0.35% |
| 6 | SumUp | 8.2 | Micro / mobile business | 1.69% |
| 7 | Global Payments | 8.1 | Higher volume | IC++ from 0.3% |
| 8 | Adyen | 8.0 | Enterprise | IC++ from 0.6% |
| 9 | Takepayments | 7.9 | Traditional SMEs | IC++ from 0.4% |
| 10 | Zettle (PayPal) | 7.8 | PayPal users | 1.75% |
How We Score Payment Processors
- Pricing (30%) — total cost including transaction fees, monthly charges, and hidden fees.
- Transparency (20%) — clarity of pricing, statement readability, and fee communication.
- Features (20%) — POS software, online payments, invoicing, reporting, and integrations.
- Contract terms (15%) — flexibility, exit fees, and auto-renewal practices.
- Customer support (15%) — availability, response times, and resolution quality.
Best Payment Processor by Business Type
Best for Small Businesses
Square — zero monthly fees, no contract, free POS software, and the ability to accept payments in-person and online from day one. The 1.75% rate is slightly higher than IC++ but the simplicity and zero fixed costs make it ideal for businesses under £5,000/month.
Best for Online Businesses
Stripe — best-in-class API, extensive ecommerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce, custom builds), and competitive 1.5% + 20p rate for UK cards. No monthly fees. The go-to for developer-led businesses.
Best for Hospitality
Dojo — fast contactless terminals, next-day settlement, and 24/7 UK support. The Dojo Go terminal is particularly popular in restaurants and cafés. Rates start from 1.4%.
Best for High Volume
Global Payments or Worldpay — IC++ pricing from 0.3% + interchange. At volumes above £25,000/month, these traditional acquirers offer significantly lower total costs than blended-rate providers.
Use our comparison tool to find the best payment processor for your specific business, or get a free fee review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best payment processor in the UK?
It depends on your business type. For small businesses: Square or SumUp (simple, no contracts). For established SMEs: Worldpay or Barclaycard (IC++ pricing, account management). For online businesses: Stripe or Adyen (developer-friendly APIs).
What should I look for in a payment processor?
Key factors: transparent pricing (IC++ preferred), contract flexibility, settlement speed, customer support quality, POS/gateway integration options, and total cost of ownership including all monthly and per-transaction fees.
How much does payment processing cost?
UK transaction fees range from 0.5%–1.75% depending on provider and volume. Monthly fees range from £0 (Square, SumUp) to £25+ (Worldpay, Barclaycard). Total annual cost for a business processing £10K/month is typically £1,200–£2,100.
Can I use multiple payment processors?
Yes, many businesses use different processors for different channels — e.g. Stripe for online and Square for in-person. This can optimise costs but adds complexity to reconciliation.