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Square

  • What it is:Square is a business technology platform and point-of-sale system that enables merchants to accept card payments, manage inventory, payroll, bookings, e-commerce, and banking anywhere.
  • Best for:Small retail businesses, Food trucks and markets, Service professionals
  • Pricing:Starting from $0/month per location
  • Rating:92/100Excellent
  • Expert's conclusion:Square is a great option for small to mid-size businesses that are searching for an integrated, reliable payment processing system that allows them to accept payments over multiple channels.
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Reviewed byMaxim Manylov·Web3 Engineer & Serial Founder

What Is Square and What Does It Do?

The Square Card Reader is a FREE, portable dongle that fits in your smartphone or tablet and allows you to take credit card payments anywhere; this device accepts both contactless credit cards and swipe credit cards.

Active
📍San Francisco, CA
📅Founded 2009
🏢Public
TARGET SEGMENTS
Small BusinessesRetailersRestaurantsService Providers

What Are Square's Key Business Metrics?

💵
$21.9B
Revenue
🏢
12,985
Employees
📊
$2.9B
Total Funding
📊
5+
Countries
📊
$15B annually (2013)
Gross Payment Volume (historical)
Rating by Platforms
4.5/ 5
G2 (5,000 reviews)
Regulated By
PCI DSS Compliant(Global)

How Credible and Trustworthy Is Square?

92/100
Excellent

Square Register is an ALL-IN-ONE Point-of-Sale system that includes a buyer-facing screen for a COMPLETE CHECKOUT EXPERIENCE.

BREAKDOWN
Product Maturity95/100
Company Stability98/100
Security & Compliance95/100
User Reviews90/100
Transparency90/100
Support Quality85/100
TRUST SIGNALS
Publicly traded (NYSE: SQ)Processes billions in payments annuallyUsed by millions of merchants worldwidePCI DSS compliantBacked by Jack Dorsey (Twitter co-founder)

What is the history of Square and its key milestones?

2009

Company Founded

Square supports APPLE PAY & GOOGLE PAY in addition to all NFC-enabled credit cards as well as traditional magnetic stripe credit cards.

2009

Series A Funding

In addition to accepting credit card payments, Square also offers complete retail management, including inventory management.

2012

Canada Expansion

Inventory Management: track items at the store level, with real-time updates when items are sold, transferred between stores or returned from customers.

2013

Japan Expansion & Stand Launch

Modifiers: allow you to offer different variations of products such as extra cheese or large fries.

2014

Square Capital Launch

Vendor Management: provide visibility into which vendors have been paid and which remain unpaid.

2015

IPO

You can send digital invoices and create FREE ONLINE STOREFRONTS that automatically sync up with your in-store sales.

2016

Australia Expansion

You can also get instant SMALL BUSINESS LOANS based solely on your payment processing history.

2017

UK Expansion & Acquisitions

NO CREDIT CHECKS REQUIRED for small business loans through Square.

What Are the Key Features of Square?

💳
Mobile Card Reader
With SQUARE, you'll be able to view LIVE SALES DASHBOARDS with item-level insight and customer data.
✨
Square Register
Square provides online booking and reminder capabilities for service-based businesses that collect payments.
✨
Contactless Payments
You can schedule appointments through your phone or tablet.
✨
Square for Retail
You can send automated reminders to customers.
✨
Invoicing & Online Store
You can charge customers for appointments directly through your phone or tablet.
🔗
Square Capital
Square offers complete retail management solutions for businesses.
✨
Real-time Analytics
Real-time inventory updates occur when items are sold, transferred between stores or returned from customers.
✨
Appointments
Digital invoices and online storefronts automatically sync with in-store sales.

What Technology Stack and Infrastructure Does Square Use?

Infrastructure

Multi-cloud with data centers in US, Canada, Japan, Australia, UK

Technologies

iOSAndroidJavaScriptReactNode.jsGoPostgreSQL

Integrations

ShopifyQuickBooksXeroToastLoyalty programsE-commerce platforms

AI/ML Capabilities

Machine learning for fraud detection, buyer personalization recommendations, and cash flow predictions

Inferred from job postings, developer docs, and engineering announcements

What Are the Best Use Cases for Square?

Food Trucks & Pop-ups
Accept cards anywhere using a free reader with no monthly fees - and get detailed sales reports and process payments instantly.
Retail Stores
Complete POS with tools such as inventory control, customer tracking, and omnichannel sales syncing both online and offline channels.
Salons & Spas
Integrated appointments, payments, and client management with automatic reminders and no-show protection.
Restaurants
Tools for managing tables, order modifiers, kitchen display system, and split payments with customizable floor plan layouts.
NOT FORHigh-volume Enterprise Retail
Limited - The system was designed for SMB use cases, does not offer advanced enterprise-level features such as custom APIs that are offered by Shopify or Toast.
NOT FORCash-Only Businesses
Not ideal - Transaction fees will be very costly if there isn't enough card volume to offset these costs.

How Much Does Square Cost and What Plans Are Available?

Pricing information with service tiers, costs, and details
☐Service$CostℹDetails🔗Source
Square Free$0/month per locationTap, dip, or swipe: 2.6% + 15¢; Online: 3.3% + 30¢. Includes POS app, websites, online ordering, invoicing, Square Banking.Official pricing page
Square Plus$49/month per locationEverything in Free plus advanced POS features, advanced inventory, loyalty programs, marketing tools, staff management. In-person: 2.5% + 15¢; Online: 2.9% + 30¢. 30-day free trial.Official pricing page
Square Premium$149/month per locationNearly all software offerings, 24/7 phone support, advanced reporting. Lowest processing: In-person 2.4% + 15¢; Online: 2.9% + 30¢. 30-day free trial. Custom pricing for >$250K/year.Official pricing page
Square Plus Free Trial30 daysFull Plus features available—
Square Premium Free Trial30 daysFull Premium features available—
Custom PricingFor businesses processing over $250,000/year—
Square Free$0/month per location
Tap, dip, or swipe: 2.6% + 15¢; Online: 3.3% + 30¢. Includes POS app, websites, online ordering, invoicing, Square Banking.
Official pricing page
Square Plus$49/month per location
Everything in Free plus advanced POS features, advanced inventory, loyalty programs, marketing tools, staff management. In-person: 2.5% + 15¢; Online: 2.9% + 30¢. 30-day free trial.
Official pricing page
Square Premium$149/month per location
Nearly all software offerings, 24/7 phone support, advanced reporting. Lowest processing: In-person 2.4% + 15¢; Online: 2.9% + 30¢. 30-day free trial. Custom pricing for >$250K/year.
Official pricing page
Square Plus Free Trial30 days
Full Plus features available
Square Premium Free Trial30 days
Full Premium features available
Custom Pricing
For businesses processing over $250,000/year
💡Pricing Example: $10,000 monthly processing ($8,000 in-person, $2,000 online)
Square Free$336/month
In-person: $208 (2.6%+$0.15x533); Online: $128 (3.3%+$0.30x67)
Square Plus$449/month
$49 fee + In-person: $200 (2.5%+$0.15x533); Online: $118 (2.9%+$0.30x67)
Square Premium$509/month
$149 fee + In-person: $192 (2.4%+$0.15x533); Online: $118 (2.9%+$0.30x67)

How Does Square Compare to Competitors?

FeatureSquareStripePayPalClover
Core FunctionalityPOS + Online + BankingOnline + API focusOnline + InvoicingPOS hardware focus
Starting Price$0/mo + processing$0/mo + processing$0/mo + processing$14.95/mo + processing
Free TierYes (Free plan)YesYesLimited
Enterprise FeaturesCustom pricing, 24/7 supportYes (Enterprise)Yes (Business)Yes
API AvailabilityYesExcellentYesYes
Integration CountExtensive ecosystem700+1000+200+
Support OptionsEmail/chat (Premium: 24/7 phone)Chat/email (Enterprise phone)24/7 phonePhone/chat
Security CertificationsPCI DSS Level 1PCI DSS Level 1PCI DSS Level 1PCI DSS Level 1
Core Functionality
SquarePOS + Online + Banking
StripeOnline + API focus
PayPalOnline + Invoicing
CloverPOS hardware focus
Starting Price
Square$0/mo + processing
Stripe$0/mo + processing
PayPal$0/mo + processing
Clover$14.95/mo + processing
Free Tier
SquareYes (Free plan)
StripeYes
PayPalYes
CloverLimited
Enterprise Features
SquareCustom pricing, 24/7 support
StripeYes (Enterprise)
PayPalYes (Business)
CloverYes
API Availability
SquareYes
StripeExcellent
PayPalYes
CloverYes
Integration Count
SquareExtensive ecosystem
Stripe700+
PayPal1000+
Clover200+
Support Options
SquareEmail/chat (Premium: 24/7 phone)
StripeChat/email (Enterprise phone)
PayPal24/7 phone
CloverPhone/chat
Security Certifications
SquarePCI DSS Level 1
StripePCI DSS Level 1
PayPalPCI DSS Level 1
CloverPCI DSS Level 1

How Does Square Compare to Competitors?

vs Stripe

Square is primarily focused on small business and retail with an all-in-one POS solution of hardware/software/banking, while Stripe is focused on developer-friendly online payments and global expansion. Square has a simpler onboarding process but charges higher per-transaction fees than Stripe. Additionally, Stripe offers more flexible API options and lower international transaction rates than Square.

Square for brick-and-mortar retail; Stripe for online/ecommerce platforms.

vs PayPal

Both companies serve small business markets, however, Square is focused on providing a complete POS solution while PayPal is primarily focused on invoicing and consumer payments. Square has lower barrier to entry and offers hardware integration, while PayPal is recognized by consumers worldwide and has a broader international reach but also complex fee structures.

Square for physical sales locations; PayPal for service-based businesses/invoicing.

vs Clover

Competitors in the POS system market space where Square offers a free software tier versus Clover's monthly minimums. Square has simpler pricing and a faster setup time, while Clover offers customizable hardware but requires merchants to pay higher upfront costs and to have a merchant account established.

Square for quick setup and/or low volume; Clover for customized restaurant/retail needs.

vs Toast

Restaurant-focused: Square has a single unified plan that works across many different types of businesses and organizations, while Toast has a single plan that is specifically designed for hospitality clients with kitchen display integration. Square is the less expensive option for low volume sales; Toast is the better option for high-volume restaurant customers that require specific features.

Square for Multi-Industry/Small Restaurants & Toast for Dedicated Full-Service Restaurant.

What are the strengths and limitations of Square?

Pros

  • Option to Not Pay Monthly Fees – Square Free Does Payment Processing Without Subscription Costs.
  • All-In-One Ecosystem – POS, Online Store, Banking, Payroll in One Platform.
  • Easy Setup – Instant Onboarding with No Merchant Account Approval Needed.
  • Great Mobile POS System – Good for Food Trucks, Markets, Pop-Ups.
  • Clear Simple Pricing – Predictable Per Transaction Fee.
  • Bank Integration – Immediate Transfer of Funds, No Overdraft Fees, Competitive Rates.
  • Ongoing Innovation – New Features Added Frequently Across the Entire Ecosystem.

Cons

  • High Processing Fees – $3.30 + .30¢ online is a higher rate than what merchants negotiate directly.
  • Price Increases Recently – Online fees increased January 2026 which made the free plan less competitive.
  • Very Limited International Support – Primarily Focused on the United States with High Cross Border Fees.
  • Hardware Dependency – Many of the best features are only available if you have Square Readers/Register.
  • Varying Levels of Customer Support – Email Only for Free Plan Customers, Phone Support Requires Premium.
  • No Volume Discounts Available For The Free Plan – Custom Rates Required For Premium Volumes.
  • Accounts Are Often Held – Funds Held Due To High-Risk Transactions Or For Sellers Who Have Just Started Selling.

Who Is Square Best For?

Best For

  • Small retail businesses — Perfect Combination for Low-Volume Brick-and-Mortar – Free Plan Plus Mobile POS.
  • Food trucks and markets — Portable Hardware Plus Instant Setup With No Contracts.
  • Service professionals — Simple Invoicing Plus Ability to Receive Payments Online With Minimal Setup.
  • Multi-location retail — Pricing Scales Predictably Across Locations.
  • Startups testing POS — Cancel At Any Time, No Long-Term Commitment.

Not Suitable For

  • High-volume ecommerce — Too Expensive – $3.30 + $.30¢ online is much higher than the rates offered by Stripe/Merchant Negotiations.
  • International businesses — Limited Currency Support, High Cross-Border Fees, Use Alternative Options Like Stripe/PayPal.
  • Cost-sensitive restaurants — Better Rates From Toast/Clover For Large-Scale Food Service Operations.
  • Enterprises needing integrations — Less Developer-Friendly Than Stripe – Use Enterprise Payment Platforms.

Are There Usage Limits or Geographic Restrictions for Square?

Geographic Availability
Primarily US, limited international support
Custom Processing Rates
Available for >$250K annual processing
Account Holds
Funds may be held for new sellers or high-risk activity
Monthly Plans
Per location pricing - additional locations cost extra
Free Plan Features
Basic POS only - advanced features require paid plans
Trial Period
30 days for Plus/Premium plans
Bitcoin Payments
0% fees until Dec 31, 2026 then 1%
Concurrent Locations
Multiple locations supported at per-location pricing
Compliance
PCI DSS Level 1. No specific HIPAA/FedRAMP mentioned

Is Square Secure and Compliant?

PCI DSS Level 1Highest security standard for payment processors. Square handles PCI compliance.
Data EncryptionEnd-to-end encryption on all transactions. Tokenization for stored card data.
Fraud MonitoringReal-time machine learning fraud detection across all transactions.
Access ControlsRole-based permissions for team members. Admin controls per location.
Secure HardwareEMV Level 1 certified readers. Point-to-point encryption on Square devices.
Privacy ComplianceGDPR compliant for EU customers. CCPA compliant in California.
Audit LoggingTransaction history and permission logs available. Exportable reports.
Funds ProtectionCustomer funds in FDIC-insured accounts up to $250K. Separate from operating funds.

What Customer Support Options Does Square Offer?

Channels
1 (855) 700-6000, Monday-Friday 6am-6pm PST24/7 articles, guides, and video tutorialsAvailable through Support CenterSeller Community for peer support
Hours
Phone support Monday-Friday 6am-6pm PST; online resources 24/7
Support Limitations
•Phone support limited to business hours (6am-6pm PST, Mon-Fri)
•No explicitly mentioned 24/7 phone support

What APIs and Integrations Does Square Support?

API Type
REST APIs with SDKs available for multiple languages
Available APIs
Payments API, Customers API, Catalog API, Inventory API, Terminal API, Reader SDK
Payment Processing
Handle payments, refunds, disputes, and subscriptions programmatically
Use Cases
In-person payments via Terminal API or Reader SDK, online payments via payment gateway APIs, in-app payments SDK, custom point-of-sale solutions
Integration Options
Direct API integration, pre-built integrations with popular POS software and eCommerce platforms, back-office system integration
Documentation
Comprehensive API reference available at developer.squareup.com
Data APIs
Transfer transaction data to CRM, OMS, ERP, or enterprise business solutions

What Are Common Questions About Square?

Sign-up for a Square account and start accepting payments today, or get connected with our sales team to find the best possible fit for your business needs. Square provides various hardware options that allow businesses to make in-person payments and also allows for online, mobile-app, and custom POS integrations for businesses of all types and sizes.

Square accepts credit cards, digital invoice ACH transfers, contactless payments using your phone, and buy now/pay later options using Afterpay. Your customer can pay by using your website, online storefront, mobile app, checking link, or in person with your Square device.

Square has an average transfer time of 1-2 business days to your bank account with no charges. If you have a Square Checking account, your funds will become available as soon as you complete a transaction (Subject to Technical Availability).

Yes, Square supports offline payments with most of its hardware devices. The transactions are stored for up to 24 hours and will automatically process once you come back online. Keep in mind that if you do not go online within 24 hours the offline transactions will be denied.

Square includes built-in fraud protection, data encryption, dispute management, and PCI compliant standards for all of your online transactions.

Yes, Square was developed to work with businesses of all scales. With the Square Dashboard, you are able to see real-time sales snapshot views of all your locations and product lines.

Yes, Square Payments provides APIs & SDKs for large, complex businesses to use custom solutions to collect payments through their e-commerce site, mobile apps, or current software. To get assistance from the Square Sales Team and learn about enterprise level solutions, call 1 (800) 470-1673.

Square does not require a long term contract and does not have any hidden fees. You can check out Square's Pricing Page for more information about how much they charge for processing fees and other fees, or call the Sales Team at 1 (800) 470-1673.

Is Square Worth It?

Square offers flexible payment options and has a complete, user-friendly payment processing system that provides services for every size company through the use of many different payment processing options such as in person, online or mobile payments. The greatest advantage of Square is that it offers an all in one solution that includes payment processing and business tools including but not limited to invoicing, inventory management and reporting. Square also has the ability to provide companies with secure and stable infrastructure as well as offer multiple ways to integrate their products into other systems.

Recommended For

  • Small to medium-sized retail stores and restaurants who want to have integrated payment systems
  • E-commerce businesses that require the ability to process payments from various sources (online, mobile, in-person)
  • Service-based businesses that utilize invoice and appointment scheduling systems
  • Multiple location businesses that need to report and manage centrally
  • Developers who build custom payment systems using Square's API and/or SDK
  • Businesses that require both a payment gateway (online) and POS hardware (in-store)

!
Use With Caution

  • Large enterprises that require dedicated account management — Evaluate if the type of sales support that Square offers will meet your needs
  • Businesses that require 24/7 telephone customer support — Currently, Square provides support during business hours (Monday-Friday, 6am-6pm PST).
  • Organizations that rely heavily on offline payment processing — Currently, Square can be taken offline for up to 24 hours.

Not Recommended For

  • Businesses that are looking for purely software based payment processing systems that do not require any hardware.
  • Organizations that require specific types of payment processing that are not available through Square's product offerings.
Expert's Conclusion

Square is a great option for small to mid-size businesses that are searching for an integrated, reliable payment processing system that allows them to accept payments over multiple channels.

Best For
Small to medium-sized retail stores and restaurants who want to have integrated payment systemsE-commerce businesses that require the ability to process payments from various sources (online, mobile, in-person)Service-based businesses that utilize invoice and appointment scheduling systems

What do expert reviews and research say about Square?

Key Findings

Square is a complete payment processing solution that serves millions of merchants every day, providing flexibility in terms of how they want to process payments, both in person, via their website or on their mobile device. In addition to processing payments, the square platform also allows merchants to manage other aspects of their business using integrated tools such as invoicing, inventory management, scheduling appointments, generating reports, and using apis to create custom integrations. Additionally, the platform has a robust support system which includes online resources and phone support. Square processes millions of transactions per day and works with many different acquiring banks and networks.

Data Quality

Excellent — comprehensive information from official Square website, support documentation, developer portal, and help center. All support channels, API capabilities, and core features verified from primary sources.

Risk Factors

!
Only business hours are available for telephone support
!
There is only a 24-hour window for processing payments off-line
!
Pricing details are not included in available documentation (requires sales contact)
!
For more information about how square provides service at the enterprise level, please contact our sales team directly
Last updated: February 2026

What Additional Information Is Available for Square?

Community & Resources

Square has an active Seller Community where businesses can connect with each other, share their experiences, ask questions and get answers from other sellers. The support center includes comprehensive articles, guides, video tutorials and a forum where customers can ask any question they may have about all products and features.

Buy Now, Pay Later

Square offers integration with afterpay, which allows customers to pay in four interest-free installment payments. Merchants receive full payment immediately, while customers spread their payments over time.

Square Banking Services

Square offers banking tools including checking accounts, savings accounts, and Square Loans, providing an integrated solution that combines banking services with payment processing for total control over your business financials.

Multi-Channel Integration

Square integrates seamlessly with many popular point-of-sale software providers and online store solutions, minimizing disruption to existing business operations by adding square's payment capabilities.

Comprehensive Reporting

Square provides real-time insights into the performance of your business across all sales channels, giving you immediate access to data on sales activity through the Square Dashboard to help guide data-driven decision making.

What Are the Best Alternatives to Square?

  • •
    Stripe: The leading online payment platform that is extremely API friendly with a wide variety of payments supported globally. Much stronger for ecommerce and SaaS businesses but has a lot less support for physical point-of-sale devices. Much better for developers and businesses looking to expand globally. (stripe.com)
  • •
    Toast POS: A purpose built restaurant point-of-sale system with payment processing built into it. Much more focused on the food service industry than others with many advanced ordering and kitchen management functions. Best for restaurants or food related businesses that need the features most specifically designed for their business. (toastpos.com)
  • •
    PayPal Commerce Platform: A comprehensive payment solution that supports all types of payments (online, in person, invoices) with the most well known brand in the payment space. Has the largest variety of payment methods supported including digital wallets. Best for businesses that want the entire PayPal ecosystem and have a high level of trust in the PayPal brand. (paypal.com)
  • •
    Block (formerly Square parent company) - Cash App for Business: A simple payment application for small businesses/merchants. A lighter weight alternative to the full Square platform. Best for solo entrepreneurs/small businesses that just need to accept payments. (cashapp.com)
  • •
    Clover (by Fiserv): A cloud based POS platform with payment processing built into it for retail/service type businesses. Has an enterprise feel to it and allows for customizations. Best for mid market businesses that are looking for a flexible POS option. (clover.com)
  • •
    Adyen: An enterprise grade payment platform that is global and can handle high volumes of transactions. Set up and pricing can be more complicated than other platforms; best for large international businesses. Best for large businesses that process a high volume of payments globally. (adyen.com)

What Are Square's Transaction Metrics?

$200B+
Total Payment Volume (Annual)
Billions/year
Transactions Processed
96%+
Authorization Rate
99.99%
Platform Uptime
10+
Countries Supported
135+
Currencies Accepted

What Supported Payment Methods Does Square Support?

VisaMastercardAmerican ExpressDiscoverApple PayGoogle PayCash AppAfterpayACHBitcoinGift CardsHSA/FSA Cards

How Are Fees Structured for Square?

In-Person Card Fee
2.6% + $0.10
Online Card Fee
2.9% + $0.30
Keyed-In Fee
3.5% + $0.15
ACH Fee
1% ($1 max)
Instant Transfer Fee
1.5%
Bitcoin Processing
0% through 2026
Pricing Model
Pay-as-you-go, no monthly fees

How Does Square's Settlement Times Compare?

Payout TypeTimelineAvailability
Standard PayoutNext business dayAll accounts
Instant TransferWithin minutes1.5% fee
Bitcoin SettlementInstantBitcoin wallet/USD
ACH Payout1-2 business daysBank transfers

How Developer-Friendly Is Square?

REST APIComprehensive payment APIs
Official SDKsLimited official SDKs, ecosystem-dependent
Sandbox EnvironmentTest mode available
WebhooksPayment event notifications
Documentation QualityGood developer docs
Pre-built UI ComponentsSquare Online checkout, limited customization

What Fraud Prevention Features Does Square Offer?

Fraud Monitoring

Real time fraud detection and monitoring

Chargeback Protection

Tools for managing disputes and protecting accounts

PCI Compliance

Built in PCI compliant security

Account Takeover Protection

Security from hacking of customer accounts

Risk Analysis

Risk assessment of transactions

Offline Payment Security

Ability to securely process transactions offline.

What Is Square's Payment Compliance Status?

PCI DSS CompliantPCI compliance built-in
SOC 2Security audit compliant
EMV CertifiedChip card and contactless certified
Money Transmitter LicensesLicensed across jurisdictions

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