Why UK businesses are ditching traditional POS hardware
for SiteSigned Tap to Pay on phone.
Bulky POS terminals and hardware readers cost £29–£149+ upfront (or £20–£40/month in terminal rental fees), run out of battery, and only take blind payments without proving what was completed. SiteSigned turns your smartphone into a contactless POS terminal with Tap to Pay, combining instant card payments with photo proof and customer sign-off.
Head-to-Head Comparison
See how SiteSigned turns your smartphone into a fast mobile POS while giving you complete job protection compared to standalone payment terminals.
| Feature / Capability | SiteSigned (Tap to Pay) | Traditional POS / SumUp / Zettle |
|---|---|---|
| Turn Phone into POS Terminal (Tap to Pay) | Yes (Tap card directly on phone) | No (Requires extra hardware device) |
| Hardware Upfront Cost | £0 (Runs on your smartphone) | £29 – £149+ per device |
| Monthly Terminal Hire / Rental Fees | £0 (No rental fees on Free tier) | £20 – £40/mo (typical PDQ contracts) |
| Speed of In-Person Payment | Seconds (Tap to Pay or dynamic QR) | Contactless / Chip & PIN on terminal |
| Dead Battery / Charging Hassle | Never (Uses your smartphone) | High risk on long workdays |
| Photo Proof of Completed Work | Yes (Embedded in certificate) | No (Payment only) |
| Customer Digital Signature | Yes (Captured on screen) | No sign-off mechanism |
| Tamper-Proof Job Certificate PDF & VAT Invoice | Auto-generated with GPS/time | None (Raw merchant receipt only) |
| Non-Payment & Chargeback Dispute Protection | Comprehensive audit trail | Zero work documentation |
| Payment Methods Accepted | Contactless Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay | Chip & PIN, Contactless |
| Customer App Requirement | Zero (Direct tap or web checkout) | None |
| Remote Payment Sharing (WhatsApp/SMS) | Yes (Shareable secure link) | Requires physical presence |
The 3 Biggest Advantages of SiteSigned over Traditional POS
1. Proof Before Payment
A card machine only takes money — it does not prove the customer approved the job, accepted the installation, or received the goods. SiteSigned secures customer sign-off before collecting payment, stopping snagging disputes and false chargebacks.
2. Instant Tap to Pay on Phone (£0 Hardware)
No more carrying bulky PDQ terminals, paying £20–£40/month terminal rental fees, digging for charging cables, or waiting for Bluetooth pairing. Your smartphone is your contactless POS terminal.
3. Dual In-Person & Remote Flexibility
Take payment in person in seconds with Tap to Pay or on-screen QR codes. If the client is off-site, you can dispatch the signed completion proof and payment link via WhatsApp or SMS for instant remote settlement.
Leave the card reader behind
Join hundreds of UK tradies getting signed off and paid on their smartphone with SiteSigned.