Is Square worth the price?
Square's pricing is generally fair, especially for small businesses.
The Free tier is incredibly generous, offering essential payment processing and a web store. The Plus tier at $49/month provides good value for growing businesses needing advanced POS features and loyalty programs, while Premium at $149/month caters to larger operations requiring comprehensive support and reporting.
Pricing Plans
30-day Free TrialFree
Free
- 2.6% + 10¢ in-person
- 2.9% + 30¢ online
- Unlimited devices
- Basic inventory
- Free web store
Plus
$49/month
- 2.5% + 15¢ in-person
- Advanced POS features
- Loyalty programs
- Staff management
Premium
$149/month
- 2.4% + 15¢ in-person
- All software features
- 24/7 phone support
- Advanced reporting
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
Higher processing fees for online sales
Hardware costs for POS systems
Potential fees for chargebacks
Which Plan Do You Need?
Small businesses starting out
Retailers needing POS features
Businesses with online sales
How Square Compares to Competitors
Compared to Shopify, Square's Free tier is more accessible for pure payment processing, as Shopify's basic plan starts at $39/month plus transaction fees. Stripe offers similar processing rates but lacks the integrated POS hardware and software solutions that Square provides, making Square a more comprehensive option for brick-and-mortar businesses.
Square Pricing FAQ
How much does Square cost?
Square starts at $49/month on the Plus plan. It offers 2 paid tiers ranging from $49/month up to $149/month. A free plan is also available with limited features.
Does Square have a free plan?
Yes. Square offers a free plan called "Free". It includes: 2.6% + 10¢ in-person, 2.9% + 30¢ online, Unlimited devices.
Does Square offer a free trial?
Yes, Square offers a free trial lasting 30 days. No credit card is typically required to start the trial, though this may vary.
What is the cheapest Square paid plan?
The cheapest paid plan for Square is "Plus" at $49/month. Key features include: 2.5% + 15¢ in-person, Advanced POS features, Loyalty programs.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Square?
Yes. Popular alternatives to Square include Stripe, Recurly, PayPal, Shopify. Free alternatives include ChowNow. Compare them side-by-side on Toolradar.
Cheaper alternatives to Square
Direct competitors with similar features. Many offer free tiers or lower per-seat pricing.
