Best card terminals for charities in 2026

Registered charities, churches and not-for-profits collecting donations. Distinct from commercial card acceptance because of Gift Aid, lower-volume seasonality, and different acquirer underwriting. The Faith Institutions section covers donation hardware in depth; this page is the broader charity-sector summary.

Our pick for charities

SumUp Solo

Manufacturer: SumUp · Acquirer: SumUp · Rate: 1.69% per transaction

SumUp Solo is the strongest fit for most UK charities at 2026 rates. No contract, 1.69% flat rate, low hardware cost, and no monthly minimum, which suits low-volume seasonal donation collection. For church-style donations specifically, dedicated donation kiosks (covered in our Faith Institutions section) are often a better fit. SumUp also offers a charity-specific 0.99% rate for registered charities; check eligibility.

Full SumUp Solo review →

Shortlist for charities

1. SumUp Solo

4.2 / 5

Portable terminal with built-in receipt printer (Solo Lite is no-printer) · 1.69% per transaction · No contract

SumUp Solo is the strongest no-contract UK terminal for sole traders, mobile businesses and low-to-medium-volume retailers. Pay-as-you-go, no monthly fee, transparent rate. Locked into the SumUp ecosystem; not the right ...

2. Square Terminal

4.1 / 5

All-in-one countertop terminal with receipt printer · 1.75% per transaction (UK) · No contract

Square Terminal is the strongest all-in-one no-contract terminal for UK retail and hospitality looking for software-rich POS without a monthly fee. Tighter integration with Square's wider stack (online store, invoices, p...

3. Tide Card Reader

3.8 / 5

Compact Bluetooth-paired reader (similar to Zettle / SumUp) · 1.5% per transaction (UK) · No contract

Tide Card Reader is the in-app card-acceptance product for Tide Business banking customers. Cheapest mainstream UK rate at 1.5% per transaction. Best fit if you already bank with Tide; less compelling otherwise because t...

4. Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)

4.2 / 5

iPhone XS or later running iOS 16.4+, no separate terminal · Same as the underlying acquirer · Same as the underlying acquirer

Not a hardware terminal but covered here because it is the most disruptive UK card-acceptance product of 2025-2026. Take contactless card and Apple Pay payments directly on a compatible iPhone with no separate reader. Be...

What matters in charities

  • Charity-specific reduced rates (SumUp offers 0.99% for registered charities)
  • Low-volume economics (no monthly minimum)
  • Gift Aid handling (typically via separate platform like GoodBox or Stewardship)
  • Donor-receipt provision
  • Trustee-level reporting and reconciliation

Sector profile

Average transaction
£5 to £25 (event donations) up to £50+ (planned giving)
Contactless share
~80%+ of transactions (donor expectation)

Watch outs

  • Gift Aid is not handled at the terminal; you need a separate Gift Aid declaration capture (usually paper or a donation platform).
  • Charity-rate eligibility requires registered charity status (England and Wales: Charity Commission registration).
  • Donor-receipt obligations differ from commercial transactions; consult HMRC guidance.
  • Faith institutions have a separate dedicated set of products covered in /faith/.

FAQs

What is the best card terminal for a UK charity?

SumUp Solo at the registered-charity rate (0.99%) is the strongest fit for most UK charities at 2026 rates, on the strength of no contract, low hardware cost, and no monthly minimum. For church donations specifically, dedicated donation kiosks (GoodBox, Tap2Donate) covered in our Faith Institutions section are often a better fit.

Can a charity claim Gift Aid on card donations?

Yes if the donor is a UK taxpayer and signs a Gift Aid declaration. The card terminal captures the donation; the Gift Aid declaration is captured separately (paper, email, or via a donation platform like Stewardship or GoodBox). Speak to your charity treasurer or accountant for the HMRC reporting flow.

Do charities pay the same card-acceptance fees as businesses?

Sometimes lower. SumUp publishes a 0.99% rate for registered charities (England and Wales: Charity Commission registered). Square and Stripe do not publish charity-specific rates but will negotiate for high-volume registered charities. Speak to your acquirer.

What about church donations at services?

See our Faith Institutions section. Dedicated donation hardware (GoodBox G2 kiosk, Tap2Donate) is built for low-touch contactless giving in worship settings. Generic card terminals work but lack the donor-receipt and Gift Aid integration that purpose-built kiosks offer.

How do I report card donations for charity accounts?

Card donations are reported as income in the charity's SORP-compliant accounts. The acquirer's monthly statement is the audit-trail document. Gift Aid claimed on the donations is reported separately via HMRC's Charities Online service. Annual reports filed with the Charity Commission must include both.

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Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 2026-05-09.