Shopify 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 Shopify and Square side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a 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:
Shopify
Launch and grow your online store with ease
Best for you if:
- • You want easy to use
Square
Payment processing and POS systems
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Shopify | Square |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $39/mo flat, billed monthly Basic plan | Free plan, paid from $49/mo, billed monthly Plus plan |
Category | E-commerce Platforms Website Builders | Payment Processing E-commerce |
Rating | 4.5/5 Capterra 4.5 · G2 4.4 11,858 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 1,211 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | Third-party payment surcharge: using PayPal, Stripe, or any non-Shopify payment processor triggers a 2% (Basic), 1% (Grow), or 0.6% (Advanced) surcharge ON TOP of the processor's own fees. | n/a |
Choose Shopify or Square?
Choose Shopify if
- You want easy to use
- You want all-in-one solution
- You work in e-commerce platforms, 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 platforms
In-Depth Analysis
Shopify
Launch and grow your online store with ease
Shopify's $39/mo Basic plan looks affordable until you add payment processing fees, apps, and themes.
Watch out
Third-party payment surcharge: using PayPal, Stripe, or any non-Shopify payment processor triggers a 2% (Basic), 1% (Grow), or 0.6% (Advanced) surcharge ON TOP of the processor's own fees.
Strengths
- Pro: Easy to use
- Pro: All-in-one solution
- Pro: Great app ecosystem
- Pro: Good for scaling
Weaknesses
- Con: Transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments
- Con: Monthly costs add up
- Con: Limited customization on lower plans
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: Shopify vs Square
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify |
| shopify.com/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 Shopify pricing and Square pricing.
Key Takeaways
Shopify
- Choose if you want launch and grow your online store with ease
Square
- Choose if you want payment processing and POS systems
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 11,858 reviews for Shopify, 4.6/5 from 1,211 reviews for Square).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Shopify $39/mo flat, billed monthly; Square $49/mo, billed monthly.
- Both have 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 Shopify and Square compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.5/5 from 11,858 reviews for Shopify, 4.6/5 from 1,211 reviews for Square). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Shopify $39/mo flat, billed monthly; Square $49/mo, billed monthly. Both have a free plan.
What are Shopify and Square used for?
Shopify: Launch and grow your online store with ease. Square: Payment processing and POS systems.
What does Shopify cost vs Square?
Shopify's cheapest paid plan is Basic at $39/mo flat, 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 Shopify and Square?
Shopify's main strength: easy to use. Square's main strength: easy payment processing.