POS Comparisons

Harbortouch vs SumUp: Which POS Is Better? (2025)

By Mauricio Sep 19, 2025 3 min read

When comparing Harbortouch vs SumUp, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to multi-industry point-of-sale technology. Harbortouch, rated 4.0/5, offers Small businesses wanting low startup costs. Meanwhile, SumUp, rated 4.3/5, provides Small businesses and mobile sellers. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.

Quick Comparison: Harbortouch vs SumUp

FeatureHarbortouchSumUp
CategoryMulti-IndustryMulti-Industry
Starting Price$29.99/month$39 (reader) + 2.75% per transaction
Rating4.0/54.3/5
Target BusinessSmall BusinessSmall Business
Pricing ModelSubscriptionTransaction-based
Free TrialNoNo
Free VersionNoNo
Best ForSmall businesses wanting low startup costsSmall businesses and mobile sellers

Harbortouch Overview

Harbortouch (now SkyTab) offers free POS hardware with low monthly fees. Features include tableside ordering, table tracking, free reservations, and online ordering. No upfront costs with lifetime hardware warranty.

Harbortouch is offered by Shift4 Payments (founded 1999) based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. The system focuses on Restaurants, Bars, Retail, Salons.

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Key Features:

  • Tableside ordering (iPad)
  • Table tracking
  • Reservations (free)
  • Online ordering (free)
  • KDS
  • Waitlist management

SumUp Overview

SumUp provides mobile payment solutions and card readers for small businesses. Features simple pricing, no monthly fees, and easy setup for accepting card payments on the go.

SumUp is offered by SumUp (founded 2012) based in London, UK. The system focuses on Retail, Service, Mobile Businesses.

Key Features:

  • Card Reader
  • Mobile Payments
  • Invoicing
  • Payment Links
  • Reporting
  • No Monthly Fees

Feature Comparison

Harbortouch Features:

  • Tableside ordering (iPad)
  • Table tracking
  • Reservations (free)
  • Online ordering (free)
  • KDS

SumUp Features:

  • Card Reader
  • Mobile Payments
  • Invoicing
  • Payment Links
  • Reporting

When comparing features, Harbortouch stands out with Free hardware, while SumUp differentiates itself with No monthly fees. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.

Pricing Comparison

Pricing AspectHarbortouchSumUp
Starting Price$29.99/month$39 (reader) + 2.75% per transaction
Pricing ModelSubscriptionTransaction-based
Price RangeBudgetBudget
Free TrialNot availableNot available
Free VersionNoNo

Both systems offer competitive pricing for their respective feature sets. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.

Pros and Cons

Harbortouch

Pros:

  • No upfront hardware costs
  • Low monthly fees
  • Lifetime hardware warranty
  • Free online ordering
  • 24/7/365 support

Cons:

  • 1-year contract required
  • Must use their payment processing
  • Rebranded to SkyTab

SumUp

Pros:

  • No monthly fees
  • Simple flat-rate pricing
  • Easy setup
  • Portable

Cons:

  • Higher per-transaction rate
  • Limited POS features
  • Basic reporting

Who Should Choose Harbortouch?

Harbortouch is ideal for Small businesses wanting low startup costs. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants, Bars, Retail, Salons.

However, Harbortouch may not be the best fit for Businesses wanting processor flexibility, those avoiding contracts.

Who Should Choose SumUp?

SumUp is ideal for Small businesses and mobile sellers. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Service, Mobile Businesses.

However, SumUp may not be the best fit for High-volume businesses where percentage fees add up.

Our Recommendation

Both Harbortouch and SumUp are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Harbortouch if you’re Small businesses wanting low startup costs. Choose SumUp if you’re Small businesses and mobile sellers. SumUp has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.0). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.