Choose the wrong card machine, and a 1.75% fee can cost you thousands each year. That’s why most small businesses in the UK look at Dojo vs Zettle when picking a payment system.

Dojo promises fast payouts and local support. Zettle offers a contract-free setup with PayPal behind it. 

But which one really works better for your business?

In this guide, you’ll get:

• A clear comparison of fees, hardware, and setup
  
  

• How quickly do payouts land with each provider
  
  

• The pros and cons of small businesses are mentioned most
  
  

• Who should pick Dojo, who should pick Zettle, and when to try an alternative
  
  

By the end, you’ll know exactly whether Dojo or Zettle is the smarter choice for 2025.

What Is Dojo?

Dojo is a UK-based payments provider (from Paymentsense) that has grown quickly by positioning itself as a faster, simpler alternative to legacy card machine providers. 

Its main hook is next-day payouts (even on weekends), something that appeals to cash-flow-sensitive businesses.

Add in UK-based customer support and transparent contracts, and it’s become one of the most talked-about payment systems for SMEs.

Key Points

• Next-day payouts: Money lands in your account faster than traditional providers.
  
  

• UK customer support: Accessible 7 days a week, with live chat and phone support.
  
  

• All-in-one package: Hardware, payments, PCI compliance, and EPOS integrations rolled into one.
  
  

• Fast transactions: Dojo claims card payments process up to 58% quicker than the market average.
  
  

Hardware & Products

• Dojo Go: A portable Wi-Fi + 4G card machine with built-in printer, designed for high-pace businesses.
  
  

• Dojo Pocket: Lightweight, handheld device for taking orders and payments at the table or on the move.
  
  

• Dojo Wired: Countertop, tethered machine for kiosks or fixed locations.
  
  

• Tap to Pay on iPhone: Accepts contactless payments directly on an iPhone with no extra hardware.
  
  

Target Market

Dojo positions itself strongly with hospitality and retail businesses that need speed and reliability:

• Busy restaurants and cafés (quick-service and full-service).
  
  

• Retailers that want faster transactions and EPOS integrations.
  
  

• Mobile vendors who need portable devices with built-in 4G backup.
  
  

• Healthcare and dental clinics looking for simple, secure payment flows.
  
  

Why Businesses Choose It

• Faster payouts mean better cash flow.
  
  

• 400+ EPOS integrations reduce admin.
  
  

• Always-on connectivity (Wi-Fi + 4G auto-switching) ensures minimal downtime.
  
  

• Simplified PCI compliance saves businesses time and stress.
  
  

In short, Dojo isn’t just selling card machines; it’s pitching itself as the #1 SME payments partner in the UK, with speed, uptime, and support as its differentiators.

What Is Zettle by PayPal?

Formerly iZettle, now Zettle by PayPal (rolling into PayPal Point of Sale), it’s PayPal’s lightweight POS built for small UK businesses that want contract-free payments tied directly to a PayPal Business account.

Key Points

• Contract-free, budget-friendly entry.
  
  

• Fast access to funds: takings typically reach your PayPal balance within minutes, with free scheduled bank transfers.
  
  

• All-in-one POS app on phone/tablet: sell in-store, at the table, or on the go.
  
  

• PayPal ecosystem: payments, invoicing (via PayPal), debit card, and e-commerce tie-ins.
  
  

Hardware lineup (pick your setup)

• Tap to Pay on phone (iOS & Android): accept contactless cards and wallets with no extra hardware.
  
  

• PayPal Reader (card reader): large touchscreen; pairs by Bluetooth or USB-C.
  
  

  • From £29 (excl. VAT) for new business users; extras like a Dock (£29) available.
    
    

• PayPal Terminal (all-in-one reader + POS): Wi-Fi/4G, optional barcode scanner.
  
  

  • From £149 (excl. VAT); optional Printer & Dock (£89).
    
    

POS software highlights (app)

• Inventory: bulk upload, real-time sync across online/in-store, low-stock alerts.
  
  

• Checkout: fast, robust flow at till, table, or online; on-screen tipping; digital receipts; full/partial refunds.
  
  

• Reporting: real-time sales, staff performance, top products, YoY comparisons; export daily/monthly reports.
  
  

• Product library: photos, categories, barcodes; quick edits on mobile.
  
  

• Staff tools: quick user switching; track performance.
  
  

• Security & compliance: strong customer authentication; simplified bookkeeping hand-off.
  
  

Integrations (plug & play)

• POS integrations (pair the reader with third-party POS if needed).
  
  

• Accounting: send data to modern cloud accounting.
  
  

• E-commerce: webshop/social selling via integrations; inventory stays in sync.
  
  

Why Businesses Choose Zettle

• No contracts, low upfront cost (£29 reader).
  
  

• Funds in PayPal balance within minutes.
  
  

• Tied into the PayPal ecosystem (invoicing, debit card, e-commerce).
  
  

• Wide POS and accounting integrations.
  
  

• Easy to start small and scale.

Now that we’ve broken down their features, let’s put Dojo and Zettle head-to-head in a quick comparison table.

Dojo vs Zettle: Feature Comparison

👉 Takeaway:

• Zettle = best for small shops, freelancers, and low-volume traders (simple, cheap, no contracts).
  
  

• Dojo = best for cafés, restaurants, and high-volume retailers (fast payouts, UK support, premium hardware).
  
  

Pricing Breakdown: Dojo vs Zettle

Dojo

Zettle

Side-by-side

Notes:

• Zettle Payment Links are “temporarily unavailable for new sellers.”
  
  

• Zettle legacy QR/Invoice fees apply only to sellers who joined before 8 May 2023; new sellers invoice via PayPal Business at PayPal’s rates.
  
  

• Dojo’s Fix plan wording implies £39.99 covers processing up to £3,999 CTO/month, then 1% on turnover beyond that; Flex/Pro are quoted individually and add a platform fee (Flex).
  
  

• Hardware prices exclude VAT; delivery fees apply for both.

User Review Analysis – Most Mentioned Pros vs Cons

Dojo: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Quick setup & onboarding — terminals arrive fast; install is guided and simple.
  
  

• Helpful, proactive reps — named account managers fix issues and handle transitions.
  
  

• Easy to use — intuitive app/terminal; PCI made simpler; clear dashboard & payment links.
  
  

• Fast, reliable payouts — next-day settlements reported by many.
  
  

• Competitive pricing (for some) — users cite savings vs previous providers.
  
  

• Solid connectivity — Wi-Fi/4G works well across venues.

Cons

• Aggressive sales & spam calls — repeated cold-calling and pushy retention tactics.
  
  

• Contract surprises — “30-day trial” or rolling terms alleged to become 12-month deals; exit fees.
  
  

• Pricing drift — rate hikes announced later; card-not-present rates seen as high.
  
  

• Support inconsistency — slow escalation or unhelpful responses in tougher cases.
  
  

• Payout/device hiccups — delayed settlements for some; poor battery life/start-up lags; SIM issues.
  
  

• Policy/eligibility limits — online gateway requires a reader; certain transactions refused; EPOS compatibility gaps.
  
  

Zettle: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy setup and use – The app is straightforward, and businesses can start taking payments quickly.
  
  

• Low upfront cost – The card reader starts at around £29, making it affordable for small businesses and startups.
  
  

• Fast access to funds – Sales usually appear in the PayPal balance within minutes.
  
  

• Compact hardware – The reader is small, portable, and the battery lasts well for many users.
  
  

• Integrations – Works with accounting tools and POS systems, useful for connecting with existing setups.

• Many mixed reviews about this one- Helpful support (when you get through) – Support staff can be polite, knowledgeable, and quick to resolve issues.
  
  

Cons

• Customer support inconsistency – Many reviews mention slow responses, poor follow-up, or being passed between Zettle and PayPal.
  
  

• Device lock and error codes – Readers sometimes lock or display errors, often just after the warranty ends, leaving businesses to pay for replacements.
  
  

• Account holds and chargebacks – Payments can be frozen for long periods (120–365 days), with merchants shouldering the burden of proof during disputes.
  
  

• Hardware reliability and warranty – Devices fail more often than expected, and replacements come with minimal discounts.
  
  

• App and update issues – Updates can break features, and older Android devices are being forced into upgrades, creating extra costs.
  
  

UseTapp: The Better Alternative 

With Usetapp.io, you can run your POS from the phone you already own, launch an AI-built eShop in ~60 seconds, accept Tap to Pay, take bookings, and get AI insights that spot trends and recommend upsells. 

It’s the lean way to sell in-person and online without rental boxes, lock-ins, or bolt-ons.

Addressing Common Complaints of Dojo and Zettle

• Kill the hardware tax → Dojo and Zettle revolve around readers/terminals; Tapp uses your phone as the card reader (Tap to Pay), so there’s no device to buy, charge, or replace.
  
  

• Zero lock-in → Dojo often involves 12-month price locks; Zettle is contract-free but pushes hardware. Tapp is contract-free and hardware-free from day one.
  
  

• Omnichannel by default → Zettle’s webshop and Dojo’s payments need add-ons. Tapp gives you an AI-generated eShop, gift cards, and online bookings out of the box.
  
  

• Faster service, less friction → Tap to Pay on your phone and a slick checkout help speed up sales by up to 18%, cut queues, and keep staff focused.
  
  

• AI that actually helps → Get demand forecasts, trend alerts, and suggested upsells—no spreadsheets required.
  
  

• Predictable payouts → Weekly payouts on Starter; daily on Pro, with status shown in-app so cash flow is clear and calm.
  
  

• UK-ready compliance → PCI DSS & GDPR, strong encryption, Apple Pay/Google Pay, and major cards supported.
  
  

• Built to scale → Start on your phone; add team members and locations on Pro when you’re ready—without changing systems.

Tapp pricing at a glance (UK)

• Starter: Free forever → 1 location, up to 5 staff, fees from 1.49%, unlimited transactions, weekly payouts.
  
  

• Pro: £29/mo → Multi-location & team support, fees from 1.29%, daily payouts, AI advanced insights, premium support.
  
  

When to choose Tapp

• You want modern payments without terminals or contracts.
  
  

• You need one setup for in-person, online, and bookings—live in minutes.
  
  

• You care about lower running costs than reader-centric models (Dojo/Zettle) and straightforward fees.
  
  

Conclusion: Dojo vs Zettle vs Tapp, what should you pick?

• Choose Zettle if you’re ultra-price-sensitive on day one and happy with a budget reader and PayPal tie-ins.
  
  

• Choose Dojo if you’re a busy café/restaurant that wants premium terminals and next-day payouts, and you’re fine with plan commitments.
  
  

• Choose Tapp if you want the simplest, lowest-overhead route: no terminal, no contract, Tap to Pay on your phone, AI-built eShop & bookings in ~60 seconds, and clear pricing (Starter free, Pro £29/mo) with fees from 1.29–1.49%.
  
  

If you’re a UK small business that values speed, flexibility, and cost control, Tapp is the most future-proof pick because the best card machine in 2025 is no card machine at all.

POS + eShop + bookings. One app.

→ Try Tapp Pro free for 14 days — daily payouts, AI insights, premium support.