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Quick verdict
PayPal Zettle is a tidy, no-monthly-fee reader that makes most sense if you already live in the PayPal ecosystem. The app and inventory are solid for small retail and mobile selling, even if the wider ecosystem is less ambitious than Square's.
Best for
- PayPal users
- Small retailers
- Mobile sellers
- Pop-ups
Not ideal for
- Businesses wanting a deep full-POS ecosystem
Pricing
- 1.75% per card and contactless transaction, with no monthly fee for the basic POS app.
- The Reader 2 is around £29 + VAT (first reader is often discounted for new users).
- Funds can flow into your PayPal balance or your bank account.
- Monthly fee
- £0
- Transaction
- 1.75% card & contactless
- Reader from
- £29 + VAT (first reader often discounted)
- Payouts
- 1–2 working days (into PayPal/bank)
Hardware
The Reader 2 is a neat contactless + chip reader that pairs with the free app. The Zettle Terminal is a standalone handheld if you don't want to use your own phone or tablet.
- Zettle Reader 2Contactless + chip card reader£29 + VAT
- Zettle TerminalStandalone handheld with built-in app£149 + VAT
Features & contract
Contract: No contract (pay-as-you-go). Support: Backed by PayPal, with standard help-centre and contact options. Fine for the price point.
Real-world use cases
- PayPal-using seller: Excellent — takings flow into your PayPal balance.
- Small retailer: Good — free inventory and reporting cover the basics.
- Full hospitality venue: Limited — not built for table service.
Pros & cons
Pros
- No monthly fee for the basic POS app
- Neat integration with PayPal balance
- Simple, affordable reader
- Good basic inventory and reporting
Watch out for
- Ecosystem less ambitious than Square
- Fewer hospitality features
- Standard payout speed
PayPal Zettle vs alternatives
SumUpThe “just let me take payments” option. Cheap to start, portable, dead simple. Brilliant for low-volume and mobile sellers; you may outgrow it for a full restaurant setup.
SquareThe strongest free POS software option. Tidy app, decent ecosystem, no monthly fee to start. Great for small retail, cafés and service businesses that want software without signing their life away.
myPOSBest when you want instant access to funds through a built-in business account. Handy for international/European payments. The fee structure is more complex, so watch card-type differences.
Final verdict
PayPal-friendly card payments with a simple reader and no monthly software fee for basic use. Good for small retailers and mobile sellers already in the PayPal world.
FAQs
Do I need a PayPal account for Zettle?
You sign up through PayPal, and it integrates closely with your PayPal account — which is the main reason to choose it over rivals.
What are Zettle's fees?
1.75% per card transaction with no monthly fee on the basic plan. Check current terms for any promotional rates.