When comparing PAR Brink vs SumUp, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to restaurant point-of-sale technology. PAR Brink, rated 4.1/5, offers Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators. 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: PAR Brink vs SumUp
| Feature | PAR Brink | SumUp |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $90/month | $39 (reader) + 2.75% per transaction |
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Mid-Market | Small Business |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Transaction-based |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators | Small businesses and mobile sellers |
PAR Brink Overview
PAR Brink POS is a cloud-first enterprise POS for restaurants serious about scaling. Features API-first approach with 250+ integration partners, 150+ reports, pay-at-table, and PCI/P2PE security certifications.
PAR Brink is offered by PAR Technology (founded 1968) based in New Hartford, New York, USA. The system focuses on Fast Casual, Quick Service, Restaurant Chains.
Key Features:
- Online ordering
- Loyalty programs
- Kitchen display systems
- Mobile payments
- Real-time reporting
- Multi-unit administration
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
PAR Brink Features:
- Online ordering
- Loyalty programs
- Kitchen display systems
- Mobile payments
- Real-time reporting
SumUp Features:
- Card Reader
- Mobile Payments
- Invoicing
- Payment Links
- Reporting
When comparing features, PAR Brink stands out with API-first with 250+ integrations, 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 Aspect | PAR Brink | SumUp |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $90/month | $39 (reader) + 2.75% per transaction |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Transaction-based |
| Price Range | Premium | Budget |
| Free Trial | Not available | Not available |
| Free Version | No | No |
SumUp is more budget-friendly, making it a better choice for cost-conscious businesses. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
PAR Brink
Pros:
- 250+ integration partners
- API-first design
- Enterprise scalability
- 24/7/365 support
- PCI and P2PE certified
Cons:
- Tiered support issues
- Slow feature development
- May be overkill for small operators
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 PAR Brink?
PAR Brink is ideal for Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators. The system is particularly well-suited for Fast Casual, Quick Service, Restaurant Chains.
However, PAR Brink may not be the best fit for Single-location restaurants, very small operations.
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 PAR Brink and SumUp are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose PAR Brink if you’re Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators. Choose SumUp if you’re Small businesses and mobile sellers. SumUp has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.1). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.