SumUp POS alternative in Switzerland: what to compare

SumUp appeals to many small businesses: affordable hardware, free basic software, quick setup. These are real strengths. But a low entry price does not tell the whole story of the real cost over several years. Here are the points to compare before you choose, or before you switch.

What SumUp does well

• free basic POS software, with a paid plan (Caisse Plus) for advanced features
• all-in-one hardware at an entry-level price, with a dual-screen register
• quick setup, suited to micro-businesses and markets

Where the real cost lies

With SumUp, the cash register and the payment are linked: the fee on each transaction is part of the business model. On the SumUp Switzerland page viewed in September 2026, the standard rate shown is 1.50% per transaction, reduced to 0.99% with the Paiements Plus subscription. On CHF 200,000 of card sales per year, one percentage point of fees comes to several thousand francs.

• Caisse Plus plan: a monthly subscription is added for advanced features (floor plan, barcodes, several printers)
• Fees: a percentage on every card payment, depending on the plan
• Hardware: the dual-screen register is shown at an entry-level price, with more complete kits (printer, cash drawer) at a higher price

The amounts and currencies shown by SumUp vary by page and period (promotions, plans). Check current prices on the SumUp website before making any decision.

An all-in-one device with LaKaisse too

One of SumUp's strengths is its all-in-one hardware. LaKaisse offers the same simplicity: an all-in-one Android terminal such as the Sunmi D3 mini, with an 80 mm printer and a touch customer display. By installing the Worldline TapOnMobile app on the same device, you accept contactless cards and TWINT without a separate payment terminal.

The hardware is offered on quote by your authorized distributor, who installs and configures it with you.

A lifetime license changes the math

With LaKaisse, the POS software is bought once (from CHF 590), and you freely choose your payment terminal, Worldline or Yavin, by comparing fees. The cash register and the payment are independent: you can renegotiate your fees without changing cash register.

Other concrete differences

• Offline mode: LaKaisse takes payments in full offline mode, a point to check in any cloud solution (SumUp's offline operation is not detailed on its pricing page)
• Support: an authorized LaKaisse distributor comes on site locally, installs the system and trains your team
• Tables and kitchen: kitchen tickets and split bills included in the license for restaurants
• Swiss VAT: multi-rate, with a tamper-proof sales journal kept for ten years

When SumUp remains a good choice

If you are starting on a very tight budget, sell little, or are testing a business for a few months, SumUp's free entry is hard to beat. For an established business with a steady volume of card payments, it is worth comparing the total cost over five years, hardware, software and fees included.

How to compare honestly

• Add up software, hardware and fees over five years, using your actual card sales
• Ask whether the cash register works without internet
• Check whether you can change payment terminal without changing cash register
• Check that your data can be exported

Want to put numbers on your own case? Ask for a demo: your LaKaisse distributor calculates the total cost for your setup, with no obligation.

SumUp is a trademark of its owner; this article is not affiliated with SumUp. The prices quoted are those publicly displayed at the time of viewing (September 2026) and may change.