Dojo vs Square: Which Card Machine Suits Your Business in 2026?

Choosing the right card machine for your UK business in 2026 is more important than ever. With contactless payments now the norm and consumer expectations high, the payment provider you pick can directly affect your costs, customer experience, and cash flow. Two names that come up repeatedly for small and medium-sized businesses are Dojo and Square. Both offer slick hardware and competitive rates, but they serve quite different needs. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to make the right call.

Pricing Comparison

Pricing is usually the first thing business owners look at, and the two providers take very different approaches.

Dojo offers two main plans (see dojo.tech/pricing for the latest details):

• Fix plan: £39.99 per month, which covers up to £3,999 in card turnover. Above that threshold, a 1% flat rate applies.
• Flex plan: Custom rates negotiated based on your business volume, suited to higher-turnover merchants.

Square UK takes a simpler, pay-as-you-go approach (full details at squareup.com/gb/en/point-of-sale/pricing):

• In-person payments: 1.75% flat rate per transaction, with no monthly fee.
• Online payments (UK cards): 1.4% + 25p per transaction.
• Online payments (non-UK cards): 2.5% + 25p per transaction.

It is worth noting that Square raised its in-person transaction fee in January 2026, so if you have been with Square for a while, your rate may have changed. Always check your current agreement.

For lower-volume businesses processing under roughly £2,300 per month, Square’s no-fee model will typically work out cheaper. Above that level, Dojo’s Fix plan starts to look more attractive.

Hardware

Both providers offer purpose-built card terminals, though the hardware ranges differ in scope and cost.

Dojo keeps its hardware offering focused:

• Terminals are available from £109 upfront or on a subscription from £15 per month.
• The Dojo Go is a portable, 4G-enabled device designed for table-side payments, popular in hospitality.

Square offers a broader range of hardware at various price points:

• Square Reader: From £19 + VAT, a compact device that plugs into a smartphone or tablet.
• Square Terminal: £149 + VAT, a standalone all-in-one device with a built-in receipt printer.
• Square Register: £649 + VAT, a full point-of-sale system with a customer-facing display, suited to busier retail environments.

Square’s entry-level Reader makes it very accessible for new businesses or those testing the waters, while Dojo’s hardware is built with a more professional, always-connected use case in mind.

Contracts

Contract terms are a critical consideration, particularly if your business circumstances might change.

Dojo offers two contract options:

• 30-day rolling contract: Flexible month-to-month commitment. If you switch from a competitor, Dojo will cover cancellation fees up to £500.
• 12-month contract: A longer commitment in exchange for potentially better rates. Dojo covers competitor cancellation fees up to £3,000 when you switch.

Square has no contract and no monthly fees. You simply pay per transaction and can stop using the service at any time without penalty. This makes it one of the most flexible options on the market.

For businesses that value flexibility above all else, Square’s no-contract model is hard to beat. Dojo’s cancellation fee cover, however, is a genuine incentive if you are currently locked into a contract with another provider.

Pros and Cons

Dojo

Pros:

• Competitive rates for higher-volume businesses
• 4G connectivity on portable terminals, ideal for hospitality
• Cancellation fee cover makes switching easier
• Next-day settlement available
• Dedicated UK-based support

Cons:

• Monthly fee on the Fix plan may not suit very low-volume sellers
• Hardware costs are higher than Square’s entry-level options
• Flex plan rates require negotiation, less transparent upfront

Square

Pros:

• No monthly fees and no contract
• Very low entry cost (Reader from £19 + VAT)
• Broad ecosystem: POS software, invoicing, online store, payroll
• Easy to set up and use, great for beginners
• Free POS app included

Cons:

• Transaction fees increased in January 2026
• Can work out more expensive for higher-volume businesses
• Customer support options are more limited than Dojo’s
• No dedicated account manager for most plans

Who Each Suits

Dojo is best suited to:

• Established businesses with consistent, higher card turnover
• Restaurants, cafes, and hospitality venues that need reliable table-side payments
• Businesses currently tied into a contract with another provider and looking to switch
• Merchants who want a dedicated account manager and UK-based support

You can explore Dojo’s full offering at /provider/dojo.

Square is best suited to:

• Startups and new businesses that want to get up and running quickly with minimal upfront cost
• Market traders, pop-up shops, and mobile businesses
• Low-volume sellers who do not want to commit to a monthly fee
• Businesses that want an all-in-one ecosystem covering payments, invoicing, and online sales

Verdict

Dojo and Square are both strong choices, but they are built for different businesses. Square wins on flexibility and low entry cost, making it the go-to for startups, sole traders, and anyone processing modest volumes. Dojo pulls ahead for established businesses with higher turnover, particularly in hospitality, where its 4G-connected hardware and competitive monthly plan deliver real value.

The January 2026 fee increase from Square is worth factoring into your calculations if you are a current customer. Run the numbers based on your actual monthly card turnover before deciding.

Ultimately, neither provider is universally better. The right choice depends on your volume, your sector, and how much flexibility you need.

Already with Square? Upload your statement to see if you could be paying less.