Authorize.net vs Square: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Authorize.net and Square side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Authorize.net leads on lower entry price; Square leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Authorize.net
Secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes.
Best for you if:
- • You want widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing
Square
Payment processing and POS systems
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Authorize.net | Square |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $25/mo, billed monthly Gateway only plan | Free plan, paid from $49/mo, billed monthly Plus plan |
Category | E-commerce Payment Processing | Payment Processing E-commerce |
Rating | 4.2/5 G2 4.2 209 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 1,211 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | eCheck 0.75% per transaction on Gateway + eCheck | n/a |
Choose Authorize.net or Square?
Choose Authorize.net if
- You want widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing
- You want robust fraud prevention tools
- Budget matters ($25/mo, billed monthly vs $49/mo, billed monthly)
- You work in e-commerce, not payment processing
Choose Square if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want easy payment processing
- You want POS hardware
- You work in payment processing, not e-commerce
In-Depth Analysis
Authorize.net
Secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes.
Authorize.net's pricing is fair for established businesses needing a reliable gateway, with a flat $25/mo plus per-transaction fees that are standard for the industry.
Watch out
eCheck 0.75% per transaction on Gateway + eCheck
Strengths
- Pro: Widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing
- Pro: Robust fraud prevention tools
- Pro: Good integration capabilities with many e-commerce platforms
- Pro: Supports various payment methods
- Pro: Reliable uptime and transaction processing
Weaknesses
- Con: Can be more expensive than some newer payment processors
- Con: Setup process can be complex for beginners
- Con: Customer service can sometimes be slow
Key features
Square
Payment processing and POS systems
Square's pricing is generally fair, especially for small businesses.
Strengths
- Pro: Easy payment processing
- Pro: POS hardware
- Pro: Good for small business
- Pro: Fair pricing
- Pro: Many features
Weaknesses
- Con: Account holds possible
- Con: Not for high-risk
- Con: International limited
- Con: Support varies
- Con: Fees add up
Key features
Plans and prices: Authorize.net vs Square
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Authorize.net |
| authorize.net/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
| Square |
| squareup.com/pricing read Sep 29, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Authorize.net pricing and Square pricing.
Key Takeaways
Authorize.net
- Lower entry price: $25/mo, billed monthly vs $49/mo, billed monthly
Square
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.2/5
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Authorize.net leads on lower entry price; Square leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Square has the higher user rating (4.2/5 from 209 reviews for Authorize.net, 4.6/5 from 1,211 reviews for Square).
- Authorize.net has the lower entry price: $25/mo, billed monthly (Gateway only) against $49/mo, billed monthly (Plus) for Square.
- Only Square has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Authorize.net and Square compare in 2026?
On the data below, Authorize.net leads on lower entry price; Square leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Square has the higher user rating (4.2/5 from 209 reviews for Authorize.net, 4.6/5 from 1,211 reviews for Square). Authorize.net has the lower entry price: $25/mo, billed monthly (Gateway only) against $49/mo, billed monthly (Plus) for Square. Only Square has a free plan.
What are Authorize.net and Square used for?
Authorize.net: Secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes. Square: Payment processing and POS systems.
What does Authorize.net cost vs Square?
Authorize.net's cheapest paid plan is Gateway only at $25/mo, billed monthly. Square's cheapest paid plan is Plus at $49/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Authorize.net and Square?
Authorize.net's main strength: widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing. Square's main strength: easy payment processing.