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SumUp Air vs Tide Card Reader Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?


Last Updated: 20 May 2025
Reviewed By: Ian Wright (Managing Director)

Is the SumUp Air vs Tide Card Reader Plus better for your UK small business?

We compare both machines based on real user reviews, prices and what features they each offer.

You can also find our comparison of all the best card machines here.

SumUp Air homepageTide Card Reader Plus homepage

SumUp Air vs Tide Card Reader Plus: The Basics

SumUp AirTide Card Reader Plus
Payment Company NameSumUpTide
Machine TypeCard MachineMobile POS
Where To Buy It?Click Here To Buy The SumUp AirClick Here To Buy The Tide Card Reader Plus

SumUp Air vs Tide Card Reader Plus: Which Is Cheaper

Below we compare the cost of buying the SumUp Air compared to the Tide Card Reader Plus and how much each charge you to use them.

You can also see if either qualify as one of the 7 Cheapest Card Readers.

SumUp Air pricingTide Card Reader Plus pricing
SumUp AirTide Card Reader Plus
Price For The Machine (excluding VAT)£39£79
Minimum Monthly FeeNoneNone
Standard Debit Card Transaction Fee1.69%1.50%
Standard Credit Card Transaction Fee1.69%1.50%
Amex Card Fee1.69%No
Standard Card Not Present Fee1.69%1.50%
Contract RequiredYesNo
Minimum Transaction Amount£1£5
How Soon Can You Get Your Money2-3 business days1-3 business days
Data taken from each company’s website

SumUp Air vs Tide Card Reader Plus Reviews

Does the SumUp Air or the Tide Card Reader Plus have better reviews? We compare Trustpilot, iPhone and Android app reviews below.

SumUp AirTide Card Reader Plus
Trustpilot Rating44.2
Number of Trustpilot Reviews14,27118,090
iPhone App Rating4.74.8
Number of iPhone Reviews11,20064,800
Android App Rating4.43.9
Number of Android Reviews78,10016,200

SumUp Air vs Tide Card Reader Plus Accepted Cards

Both the SumUp Air and Tide Card Reader Plus accept standard debit and credit cards issued by Visa and Mastercard. But do they accept other card types? We compare below:

SumUp AirTide Card Reader Plus
Accept VisaYesYes
Accept MastercardYesYes
Accept AmexYesNo
Accept Apple PayYesYes
Accept Google PayYesYes
Accept Union PayYesNo
Accept JCBYesNo
Accept DiscoverYesNo

SumUp Air vs Tide Card Reader Plus Features


SumUp Air
Tide Card Reader Plus
Mobile Phone RequiredYesNo
Built-In PrinterNoYes
Touch ScreenNoYes
Take Phone PaymentsYesYes
Take Online PaymentsYesYes
Business Bank Account IncludedYesYes

SumUp Air Features

SumUp Air features

  • Low-cost
  • Portable
  • Phone connection
  • Long-lasting battery
  • Major payment acceptance

Tide Card Reader Plus Features

Tide Card Reader Plus features

  • Robust and reliable, for taking frequent payments
  • Lifetime FREE 4G conneInitiate payments from the device or the Tide appctivity
  • Paper and email receipts

Click Here To Buy The SumUp AirClick Here To Buy The Tide Card Reader Plus

More Card Reader Comparisons

SumUp Air vs myPOS Go 2
SumUp Air vs myPOS Go Combo
SumUp Air vs myPOS Pro
SumUp Air vs Worldpay Simplicity POS
SumUp Air vs Revolut Reader

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