Dojo vs Teya: Which Card Machine Provider Offers Better Value in 2026?

Introduction

Choosing the right card machine provider is one of the most practical decisions a UK small business owner can make. Get it wrong and you could be paying over the odds in transaction fees, locked into a lengthy contract, or stuck with hardware that does not suit your workflow.

In 2026, two names that come up repeatedly for independent retailers, hospitality businesses, and service providers are Dojo and Teya. Both offer modern card terminals, competitive pricing, and a range of plans designed to suit businesses at different stages of growth. But they take quite different approaches to pricing structure, hardware, and support.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Dojo vs Teya, so you can make a confident, informed choice for your business.

Pricing Comparison

Pricing is usually the first thing business owners look at, and rightly so. Even a small difference in transaction rates can add up to hundreds of pounds over the course of a year.

Dojo Pricing

Dojo offers two main pricing plans:

• Fix plan: £39.99 per month. This covers up to £3,999 in monthly card turnover. Above that threshold, a flat rate of 1% applies to all card transactions.
• Flex plan: Custom rates negotiated based on your business volume and type. Better suited to higher-turnover businesses.

Hardware is available from £109 upfront or £15 per month on a subscription basis. Contracts are either 30-day rolling or 12-month fixed term, giving businesses some flexibility depending on their commitment preference.

You can find more detail on Dojo’s offering at /provider/dojo.

Teya Pricing

Teya structures its pricing around three tiers designed to scale with your business:

• Start plan: Aimed at businesses processing £0 to £7,500 per month in card turnover. Consumer card transactions are charged at 1.59%. A £29.99 monthly fee applies if your card turnover falls below £2,500 in any given month.
• Boost plan: Offers lower transaction rates for growing businesses with higher volumes.
• Thrive plan: The top tier, with the most competitive rates and additional perks, including the first device free.

Teya’s hardware lineup includes the Teya Pro (£179 + VAT) and the more portable Teya Go. Teya is transparent about its fee structure and explicitly states there are no hidden fees. Settlements are processed next day, seven days a week, which is a meaningful advantage for cash flow.

Additional Teya features worth noting:

• 24/7 UK-based customer support, so help is always available regardless of when your business operates
• 50+ EPOS integrations, making it straightforward to connect Teya to your existing point-of-sale or business management software
• 0.5% cashback on purchases made with the Teya debit card, adding a small but genuine ongoing benefit

Pricing information sourced from teya.com/pricing and capexpand.com/comparison/teya-vs-dojo.

Hardware

The physical terminal matters more than many business owners initially realise. Reliability, battery life, connectivity, and ease of use all affect the day-to-day experience.

Dojo Hardware

Dojo terminals are well-regarded for their build quality and connectivity. Hardware starts from £109 upfront or is available on a subscription at £15 per month, which reduces the initial outlay. This flexibility suits businesses that prefer to spread costs rather than pay a lump sum.

Teya Hardware

Teya offers two main terminal options:

• Teya Pro: A full-featured countertop or portable terminal priced at £179 + VAT. It supports all major payment methods and integrates with Teya’s broader software ecosystem.
• Teya Go: A lighter, more portable option suited to mobile or event-based businesses.

For businesses on the Thrive plan, the first device is provided free of charge, which can represent a meaningful saving at the point of setup.

On balance, Dojo’s lower entry-level hardware price gives it an edge for cost-conscious buyers, while Teya’s free device on the Thrive plan can offset the higher upfront cost for businesses that qualify.

Contracts

Contract flexibility is an important consideration, particularly for newer businesses or those that anticipate changes in their payment processing needs.

Dojo Contracts

Dojo offers two contract options:

• 30-day rolling: Maximum flexibility, with the ability to leave with just one month’s notice.
• 12-month fixed term: Typically comes with more stable pricing in exchange for a longer commitment.

The 30-day rolling option is particularly appealing for businesses that are still finding their feet or that want to trial the service before committing long term.

Teya Contracts

Teya is designed with simplicity and transparency in mind. Its plans are structured to be accessible without requiring businesses to sign up to lengthy or restrictive agreements. The absence of hidden fees reinforces this approach, and the next-day settlement policy means businesses are not waiting on their own money.

For businesses that value straightforward terms and predictable costs, Teya’s approach is well suited.

Pros and Cons

Dojo

Pros:

• Flexible contract options (30-day rolling available)
• Lower entry-level hardware cost (from £109)
• Fix plan provides cost certainty for lower-volume businesses
• Established brand with strong UK presence

Cons:

• 1% rate above £3,999/month on the Fix plan can become expensive for growing businesses
• Flex plan requires negotiation, which adds friction
• Hardware subscription adds an ongoing monthly cost

Teya

Pros:

• Transparent, no-hidden-fees pricing
• Next-day settlements seven days a week
• 24/7 UK-based customer support
• 50+ EPOS integrations
• First device free on Thrive plan
• 0.5% cashback on Teya debit card

Cons:

• £29.99 monthly fee if card turnover falls below £2,500 on the Start plan
• Teya Pro hardware (£179 + VAT) is more expensive upfront than Dojo’s entry-level option
• Newer to the market than some established rivals

Who Each Provider Suits

Dojo is a strong fit for:

• Businesses with relatively stable, moderate card turnover who want cost certainty from the Fix plan
• Owners who prefer the option of a 30-day rolling contract with no long-term commitment
• Businesses that want to spread hardware costs via a monthly subscription

Teya is a strong fit for:

• Businesses that process more than £2,500 per month in card payments and want to avoid the inactivity fee
• Hospitality, retail, or service businesses that rely on EPOS integrations
• Businesses that need reliable, round-the-clock support from a UK-based team
• Growing businesses on the Thrive plan who can take advantage of the free first device and lower rates
• Business owners who value cash flow certainty and benefit from next-day settlements every day of the week

Verdict

Both Dojo and Teya are credible, well-designed card machine providers for UK small businesses in 2026. The right choice depends largely on your monthly card turnover, how much you value flexibility versus simplicity, and which features matter most to your day-to-day operations.

Dojo suits businesses that want flexible contract terms and a lower upfront hardware cost. The Fix plan works well for businesses with predictable, moderate turnover, though the 1% rate above £3,999 per month is worth factoring in if you expect to grow.

Teya stands out for its transparency, next-day settlements, 24/7 UK-based support, and the breadth of its EPOS integrations. For businesses that consistently process above £2,500 per month, the Start plan’s 1.59% rate is competitive, and the Boost and Thrive tiers offer further savings as volume increases.

If you are already with a provider and want to check whether you could be getting a better deal, it is worth reviewing your current statement against what Teya or Dojo would charge at your actual transaction volumes.

Is Your Current Deal Competitive?

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