Square spear-headed the mobile payment processing movement in 2009 and has since branched out into point-of-sale and e-commerce services. But since it’s a payment aggregator, you’ll likely see transaction holds. And its limited tech support leaves room for these five Square competitors to steal the show.
Square combines a point-of-sale (POS) system and e-commerce solutions, without monthly fees and a flat processing rate. These five platforms offer similar solutions, each with distinct advantages, but they may cost you extra.
ShopKeep
Like Square, ShopKeep has useful app integrations from accounting apps to expanded e-commerce features. But ShopKeep sets itself apart with merchant accounts, which requires going through an extensive underwriting process and risk assessment. Once you have a dedicated merchant account, your transactions should go through with fewer hiccups than through a third-party payment processor.
Pros- 24/7 support
- No contract
- Merchant account
Cons- Lack of transparency
- Tech support wait times
- E-commerce integration costs extra
| Products | Payment processing, POS software, POS hardware, Inventory tracking |
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| Solutions | In-store, Online |
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| Monthly fees start at | Around $69/month |
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| Processing fees start at | Varies |
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| Cancellation fee | Varies |
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| Monthly fees start at | Around $69/month |
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| Processing fees start at | Varies |
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Shopify
Square may offer a greater selection of point-of-sale hardware, but Shopify’s extensive e-commerce options make it an attractive alternative — especially for online merchants. Shopify’s sweeping library of app integrations and round-the-clock tech support give it a distinct advantage over Square for those interested in opening an online store.
Pros- App integrations
- 24/7 support
- Sales channels
- Shipping discounts
Cons- No free tier
- Limited staff accounts
- Poorly reviewed
- Processing fees
| Products | Payment processing, Website builder, Inventory tracking, Shopping cart software, Shipping software |
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| Solutions | In-store, Mobile, E-commerce |
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| Monthly fees start at | $29/month |
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| Processing fees start at | 2.9% + $0.30 online; 2.7% in person |
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| Cancellation fee | None |
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| Hosting | Hosted |
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| Monthly fees start at | $29/month |
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| Processing fees start at | 2.9% + $0.30 online; 2.7% in person |
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PayPal Here
Like Square, PayPal Here has user-friendly software for mobile and POS transactions. But PayPal has more competitive fees for in-person transactions with sales less than $100.
Pros- POS system
- Transparent pricing
- Customize employee permissions
Cons- No hosted e-commerce
- Transaction holds
- Limited perks
| Products | Payment processing, POS software, POS hardware, Inventory tracking |
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| Solutions | Mobile |
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| Monthly fees start at | None |
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| Processing fees start at | 2.7% per transaction |
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| Processing time | Same day with a linked PayPal Business Debit Mastercard |
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| Cancellation fee | Varies |
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| High-risk merchants accepted? | Yes |
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| Monthly fees start at | None |
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| Processing fees start at | 2.7% per transaction |
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Clover
Like Square, Clover offerings include payment processing and inventory tracking. But Clover takes the cake with its tech support, offering day-and-night assistance even on its lowest service tier. Square only provides 24/7 customer service on specific plans that start at $60 a month.
Pros- 24-hour tech support
- Robust app market
- Virtual terminal
Cons- No free hardware
- Monthly fee
- Price differences
- Extra online store costs
| Products | Payment processing, POS software, POS hardware, Inventory tracking |
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| Solutions | In-store |
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| Monthly fees start at | None |
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| Processing fees start at | 2.7% + 10¢ |
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| Cancellation fee | Varies |
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| Monthly fees start at | None |
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| Processing fees start at | 2.7% + 10¢ |
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Payment Depot
There's a reason Payment Depot made our best payment processors list: it's well-reviewed, well-rounded and offers transparent pricing. Wholesale processing rates are offered alongside free point-of-sale hardware and month-to-month billing. That said, we ran the numbers and Square stands as the cheaper processor for micro-merchants processing $5,000 or less monthly.
Pros- Well-reviewed
- Wholesale rates
- Free POS hardware
Cons- Pricey for micro-merchants
- Limited support
- Processing fees
| Products | Payment processing |
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| Solutions | In-store, Mobile, E-commerce |
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| Monthly fees start at | $49/month + interchange |
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| Processing fees start at | $0.15 per transaction |
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| Processing time | Next day |
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| Cancellation fee | Varies |
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| High-risk merchants accepted? | No |
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| Monthly fees start at | $49/month + interchange |
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| Processing fees start at | $0.15 per transaction |
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These Square alternatives help unify your in-person and online sales. Take a look at their extra features to see which solution is best for your business. But if you’re not convinced, compare a few other POS systems.
What types of payment does ShopKeep accept?
ShopKeep accepts major credit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. It does not accept cash or checks. If you purchased a subscription through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, you can use any payment method accepted in the app store.
Does PayPal Here work on my website?
PayPal Here is primarily a mobile payment solution. You can integrate PayPal Checkout to your online shop. Manage sales across all platforms from your PayPal app.
Can I lease a Clover device?
Yes, Clover offers interest-free installment plans for devices purchased directly from Clover.
