Finder experts pick Square as a 2021 best brand for payment processing.
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Square payments review
A popular on-the-go payment processor offering flat fees.
Square revolutionized payment processing in 2009, introducing its small plug-in credit card reader now used at millions of small businesses around the world. But its payment processing is just the start — it offers so much more than its signature white card reader.
- Choose this provider if you process up to $250,000 annually and want in-person and online support.
- Consider something else if you run a large business and need a dedicated merchant account.
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Details
| Solutions | In-store, Mobile, Online |
|---|---|
| Products | Payment processing, POS software, POS hardware, Website builder, Inventory tracking, Shopping cart software |
| Monthly fees start at | None |
| Processing fees start at | 2.6% + 10¢ |
| Contract required? | No |
| Processing time | Next day |
| High-risk merchants accepted? | No |
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What's in this guide?
How does Square stack up against competitors?
Square is one of the better-equipped e-commerce platforms on the market. It’s transparent about its prices, has an impressive point-of-sale hardware lineup and offers month-to-month billing. Did we mention the free card reader it hands out to newly onboarded merchants?
Square has plenty going for it, but it’s far from faultless. For example, unlike competitors Stripe and Shopify, it doesn’t offer 24-hour support. It also has its fair share of complaints about transaction holds, though — to be fair — this complaint has been lodged at almost every payment processor we’ve reviewed.
What makes Square unique is its ability to perform as a true all-in-one-processor. It offers payment processing, point-of-sale solutions and business checking accounts. Precious few processors offer all four of these services, which means most merchants have to saddle up with multiple providers to cover all their bases.
Bottom line? Square made our best processors list for a reason. It’s a flexible, well-rounded platform that can cater to businesses large and small. But its limited support and transaction holds may put a damper on your processing experience.
Square services
Square helps businesses sell products online or in person with a range of services:
- Payment processing. Accept customer payments by card reader, tablet, mobile device or computer.
- POS software. Customizable point-of-sale software to help you process payments, manage inventory, keep track of customers and schedule employees.
- POS hardware. Square's signature point-of-sale hardware lineup includes accessories like registers, terminals, card readers and barcode scanners.
- E-commerce solutions. Sign up for a free online store with no monthly fees and integrated payment processing.
Features
You’ll get plenty of what you’d expect from a processor, including inventory management, payroll, employee scheduling and loyalty programs. But Square goes above and beyond the standard features:
- Square installments. Offer customers the option to cover the cost of big-ticket items through monthly payment plans.
- Multichannel selling. Integrate your online and brick-and-mortar stores with synced orders and inventory levels across selling channels.
- Invoicing. Send invoices and automated payment reminders from the Square Invoices mobile app for iOS and Android.
- Business debit card. Link a Square business debit card to your POS system for immediate access to transaction funds.
- Gift cards and loyalty programs. Offer customers the opportunity to earn rewards and purchase gift cards online and in person.
- Square KDS. Customize tickets, print orders across multiple selling channels and route orders to their respective kitchen stations.
How easy is it to use?
If its online customer reviews are anything to go by, Square’s software is easy to set up and navigate. Numerous merchants report a sleek point-of-sale user interface and online merchants say its website design templates make it easy to plug in product catalogs and start selling.
Square's point-of-sale hardware
Square’s proprietary point-of-sale hardware options include:
 Reader for magstripe | Mobile POS | Plug in or Lightning connector to phone or tablet | No screen | Magstripe | Free for eligible merchants (first reader) |
 Reader for contactless and chip | Card reader | Wireless | No screen | Chips, tap-and-go | $49 |
 Stand | Countertop POS | Wi-Fi | No screen | Chips, tap-and-go | $169 |
 Terminal | Card reader | Wi-Fi, Ethernet | L 5.6" H 2.5" W 3.4" | Magstripe, chips, tap-and-go | $299 |
 Register | Countertop POS | Wi-Fi, Ethernet | 13.25 in. (diagonal) | Magstripe, chips, tap-and-go | $799 |
Square offers more than 30 accessories and bundled hardware kits with everything you need to get up and running.
Square pricing and fees
Square clearly lists its products and pricing on its site, so you know what to expect when you sign up.
Square suggests its rates are best suited to businesses processing less than $250,000 annually at an average $15 transaction. For larger businesses, Square customizes its products and services based on payment volume and transaction size.
Each of Square’s four point-of-sale systems come with its own set of processing rates.
Square Point of Sale |
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| Square Invoices
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Square for Retail |
| Free plan
Plus plan
Premium plan
|
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Square for Restaurants |
| Free plan
Plus plan
Premium Plan
| Delivery
|
Pros and cons
Pros
- Upfront pricing. Square’s site breaks down fees for its products and services, so you won’t be fooled by hidden costs.
- Free features. Sign up for a Square account and get a free card reader and access to Square’s online store-building software.
- Monthly billing. With no contract, you’re free to leave with no cancellation fees.
Cons
- Limited support. Unlike major competitor Stripe, Square doesn’t offer 24/7 tech support.
- Transaction holds. Since Square is a payment aggregator, its acceptance rate is high — but so are reported transaction holds. If you run a high-risk business, read Square’s terms of service before you apply to reduce your risk of sudden account closure.
Square reviews and complaints
Square feedback is deeply divided. As of January 2021, it has accumulated a staggering 4,898 complaints with the Better Business Bureau. But its Trustpilot reputation is an entirely different story. Square boasts an impressively high TrustScore of 4.8 out of 5 based on 2,660 reviews.
Why the drastic contract between Square’s high TrustScore and unfavorable BBB reputation? Well, the discrepancy could be a result of complaints lodged against Square’s Cash app.
Long story short, an overwhelming amount of Square's negative BBB feedback is about the Cash App, with numerous complaints of declined transactions and fraudulent charges. Square's Trustpilot score isn't impacted by Cash App complaints because on Trustpilot, the Cash App has its own dedicated page.
Complaints about the app aside, Square customers praise an easy onboarding experience and user-friendly tools, but are frequently frustrated by transaction holds and the company's slow-to-respond support team.
How do I open an account with Square?
Sign up with Square in minutes online:
- Go to Square’s site and click Start a Square account.
- Enter your email address and create a password.
- Review Square’s terms, privacy policy and e-sign consent form. Click Continue.
- Select your business industry and indicate whether you plan to sell in person, online or both. Click Continue.
- Enter your full name, business address, date of birth, phone number and Social Security number. Click Continue.
What other products will I need?
None. Square offers what you need to accept customer payments, including payment processing, POS systems and a business checking account to immediately access your funds.
How do I contact Square support?
Touch base with Square by:
- Phone. Call 800-474-3398 weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT.
- Email. Complete an online form for a response from the support team within one business day.
Compare other providers
Bottom line
Square’s merchant services can help you run your small business with integrated payment processing, industry-specific point-of-sale systems and a free online store builder. But its tech support isn’t available on weekends, and many of Square’s features cost extra. And because Square is a payment aggregator, high-risk businesses will want to look out for transaction holds and potential account termination.
If you’re not sure if Square is right for you, compare other payment processors to find a fit with your business and budget.
Frequently asked questions
Are credit card company fees included in Square’s fees?
Yes. You won’t pay credit card companies any fees when you use Square.
What are Square’s deposit options?
Deposit your funds at no cost in one to two business days. For faster deposits, choose instant on-demand or close-of-day deposits for a 1% fee. Unlike the free option, these deposit options process on holidays and weekends.
Can I refund payments — and how much do refunds cost?
Square allows full or partial refunds for free, including processing fees. Refunds are processed within 14 business days. You also have 60 days from the invoicing date to issue your refunds.
