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Square POS Review and Pricing
Table of Contents
- Square doesn't impose chargeback fees on merchants, which is unusual among POS providers with integrated payment processing.
- Square clearly lists all pricing and fees online, so you'll always know exactly what you're paying.
- You can continue to accept customer payments even if your Wi-Fi connection drops.
- The Square POS app and compatible hardware run on iOS and Android devices but not on Windows desktops or tablets.
- Square's free plans don't come with 24/7 phone support, and service options differ depending on your specific plan.
- Square's payment processing rates are higher than some competing POS systems.
Square is our top pick for small businesses seeking an affordable and intuitive point-of-sale (POS) system. The best POS systems combine ease of use, flexible hardware and software, and transparent pricing, and Square checks all those boxes. It’s especially appealing for retailers, restaurants and service providers that want to start small without sacrificing features, as its POS can grow alongside your business. With no monthly fees for its basic plan and robust tools for sales, inventory and customer management, Square makes it easy for new businesses to get up and running quickly.
Square POS Editor's Rating:
9.3 / 10
- Affordable pricing
- 10/10
- Free trial
- 10/10
- Robust integrations
- 10/10
- Invoicing and bill pay
- 8/10
- Mobile app
- 8.5/10
Why Square Is the Best POS System for Small Businesses
Companies of all sizes can use Square, but it’s a particularly great option for small businesses thanks to its industry-specific plans, each of which includes a surprisingly comprehensive free tier. Combined with straightforward, easy-to-understand payment processing fees, Square makes it possible for even the smallest startups to access the sophistication of an advanced POS system at a cost-effective price point.
Square also offers a variety of affordable POS hardware options and accessories. For example, the Square Register has dual displays — one for you and one for your customers — and includes a two-year limited warranty. There’s also a handy handheld POS and a mobile card reader for on-the-go sales. Plus, you can accept contactless NFC mobile payments without any additional hardware, so new businesses can start taking payments right away.
Usability
Square is easy to set up, and you’ll need very little training to start using the software. The interface is highly intuitive, and you and your team should be able to manage setup on your own. If you do run into problems, you can reach out to customer service via chat or in-app support. This is especially useful for new businesses or mom-and-pop operations that need to get an effective system up and running quickly at a reasonable price.
Square also provides an extensive list of online resources, including how-to articles, guided tutorials and a community forum. Square’s Seller Community forum is quite active, so you should be able to find answers to most questions.
Square’s software also integrates with dozens of third-party apps, allowing you to create a customized solution for your business. For example, Square works with popular software like Wix, WooCommerce and QuickBooks Online.
Square Features
Unified POS app | Square’s unified POS app features different “modes” for food and beverage, retail and service businesses, so you don’t have to download separate software. |
|---|---|
Payment processing | Square’s POS system allows you to accept payments online, in person and over the phone. |
Hardware | Square offers a register, stand, terminal, handheld device and two different card readers. |
Square for Retail | Square provides features that allow you to sell products online and in person. |
Square for Restaurants | You can use Square to manage your menu and run your restaurant. |
Appointment booking | Your customers can easily schedule appointments with you through Square’s appointment-booking feature. |
Unified Point-of-Sale App
In 2025, Square launched a unified POS app designed to serve multiple industries within a single platform. Instead of downloading separate apps for different business types, you simply select an industry-specific mode, such as Quick Service, Full Service, Retail, Appointments or Mobile, to access tailored features.
This setup streamlines operations for businesses that operate in one or more industries. For example, restaurants can use menu-building tools and table management, while retailers get enhanced inventory controls and barcode scanning. All data is synced across devices and stored in the cloud, so you can manage your business from anywhere.
Payment Processing
Square allows you to accept online, in-person and remote payments. If you primarily take in-person payments, the Square Reader makes it easy to accept chip, mobile and contactless cards. Customers can also pay online using a secure Square link or after receiving an invoice. You can accept keyed-in transactions as well, or securely store a customer’s card on file for future purchases.
We also like that Square includes detailed POS reporting and analytics tools. You can track payments and monitor sales with custom POS sales reports, as well as review customer preferences and identify what keeps them coming back.
Square also makes it simple to set up a customer loyalty program and a digital gift card program to encourage repeat visits. These features are especially valuable for new businesses building brand recognition and for local independents that rely on loyal customers to compete with larger companies.
Hardware
We appreciate that Square provides several hardware options so businesses can choose the best setup for their needs. Here’s an overview of Square’s hardware:
- Square Register: The fully integrated Square Register comes with a dedicated customer display. It includes protection from eligible chargebacks and a two-year limited warranty.
- Square Stand: The Square Stand turns your iPad into a POS system. It comes with a customer-facing checkout and a built-in card reader.
- Square Terminal: The Square Terminal is an all-in-one credit card machine that lets you accept payments and print receipts. Customers can use the terminal to tap, swipe or dip their cards.
- Square Reader: The Square Reader lets you accept chip cards and contactless payments.
- Square Reader for magstripe: You can plug this reader into your phone to accept magstripe payments. Your first magstripe reader is free, and each additional reader costs $10.
- Square Handheld: The Square Handheld is a portable POS device with a 6.2-inch touchscreen. It has a built-in card reader so customers can tap, dip or swipe their payments. It also includes a barcode scanner for inventory management.
Square for Retail
Square’s retail features make it easy for businesses to sell products online or at a brick-and-mortar location. You can use the software to accept payments, manage inventory and streamline day-to-day operations. We also like that you can set up a free e-commerce store through Square or integrate the POS with an existing online store.
As part of Square’s unified POS app, Square for Retail delivers retail-specific tools — including robust inventory management — without requiring a separate download. This setup makes it simple for small businesses to stay organized, track stock levels and keep operations running smoothly.
Square for Restaurants
Square is best known for serving retailers, but it also offers a restaurant POS solution as part of its unified POS app. You can use the software to manage both front- and back-of-house operations, handle your menu, keep the line moving, and offer free delivery or pickup on all orders. Square’s restaurant mobile POS features also let you accept tableside payments, helping you turn over tables faster and improve the dining experience.
Appointment Booking
Square also offers an appointment-scheduling feature, which is rare for a POS provider and available as a mode within its unified POS app. You can manage your availability from the app and let customers book appointments or classes with you online. This feature makes Square a great choice for service providers who want an all-in-one system for scheduling and payment processing.
Square Costs
Square offers three software plans — Free, Plus and Premium — with pricing that varies by business type. All plans include payment processing, next-day transfers, encryption and basic POS tools. Here’s an overview of each with starting prices.
Plan | Appointments | Retail | Restaurants | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Free | $0 | $0 | $0 | Accept payments online, in person or by phone; basic inventory; basic reporting |
Plus | $29 per month | $89 per location, per month | $69 per location, per month | Advanced industry-specific features (e.g., menu management for restaurants, advanced inventory for retail, enhanced scheduling for appointments) |
Premium | $69 per month | Custom pricing | Starting at $165 per location, per month | Custom pricing and processing rates for high-volume businesses; premium support |
If your business processes more than $250,000 annually, you may qualify for custom pricing. You can upgrade or cancel any plan at any time. Square also offers separate pricing for its online store plans and optional add-on tools such as marketing, payroll and loyalty programs.
Payment Processing Fees
You must also pay the following payment processing fees:
- In Person: 2.6 percent + $0.15 per transaction
- Online: 2.9 percent + $0.30 per transaction
- Manual: 3.5 percent + $0.15 per transaction
- Invoices: 3.3 percent + $0.30 per transaction
Hardware Costs
Square’s POS hardware is sold separately unless otherwise noted in a plan. Prices range from free for the first magstripe reader, $59 for a mobile contactless/chip reader, $149 for an iPad-based stand, $299 for a countertop terminal, $399 for a handheld POS, and $799 for the dual-screen Square Register. Short-term rentals are also available through Square’s partner, Fello.
Square Setup
Square makes setting up a POS system seamless, and it’s a great choice for businesses that want to start accepting payments right away. Here’s how to get started:
- Download the Square app to your mobile device.
- Create your account, and Square will ship you a free card reader.
- Enter your banking information so Square can send two small deposits to your account.
- When the deposits appear, log in to your Square account to verify your information and the deposit amounts.
- Once your card reader arrives, plug it into your mobile device and start accepting payments from anywhere.
Square Customer Service
Square’s customer support is more limited than some of the other POS providers we reviewed. Support options vary by plan: some higher-tier specialty plans include 24/7 phone support, while the free plan offers phone assistance during set business hours. All plans include in-app support, live chat and a searchable online knowledge base.
Square provides several ways to access support, but feedback on the experience is varied. Some users say their issues are resolved quickly, while others note difficulties connecting with a representative or getting more complicated problems addressed. Businesses that require 24/7 phone assistance should consider one of the higher-tier Plus or Premium plans.
Square Drawbacks
Square is an excellent POS provider, but there are a few drawbacks to consider.
- Customer support: Square’s customer service isn’t rated as highly as many competitors. Higher-tier plans offer 24/7 phone support, but the free plan only includes phone assistance during set business hours. If top-rated support is a priority, check out our review of Lightspeed. This vendor provides strong customer service and robust payment processing compatibility.
- Payment processing limitations: Because Square POS is tied to Square’s payment processing, businesses may face account holds if suspicious activity is detected or have restrictions on selling certain goods and services. Review Square’s policies before signing up to ensure they fit your business. Businesses with complex processing requirements may want to check out our review of Clover POS. This platform is highly customizable and offers numerous integrations.
Methodology
When researching the best POS systems for small businesses, we looked for affordable pricing, comprehensive features and overall ease of use. We also compared Square to over a dozen POS system competitors, evaluating factors like hardware options, software functionality, customer support and industry-specific tools. Our in-depth research helped us determine where Square stands out among its competitors and where it needs some improvement.
Square FAQs
Overall Value
We recommend Square for …
- Businesses that don’t want to commit to a long-term contract.
- Businesses that use iOS or Android devices.
- Any business looking to avoid chargeback fees.
We don’t recommend Square for …
- Businesses that need highly advanced functionality or extensive industry-specific features.
- Anyone who wants to run the POS system on a Windows desktop or tablet.
