Compare features, benefits, and user experiences before choosing your card.
Square, a key brand under Block, Inc., is one of the most recognizable names in modern payment processing. Launched in 2009 by Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey, Square transformed the payment industry by allowing small businesses to accept card payments using a simple mobile card reader. Since then, the company has expanded far beyond basic processing, now offering comprehensive tools for in-person sales, online checkout, payroll, lending, business management, and more. This review breaks down Square’s capabilities, strengths, drawbacks, and how it compares to major competitors including Stripe, PayPal, and Shopify Payments.
Square started as a solution for small merchants that struggled to access traditional merchant accounts. Its flat-rate pricing and free POS app opened the door for millions of entrepreneurs to accept payments affordably and without technical barriers. Over time, Square evolved into a full business ecosystem, offering restaurant and retail solutions, payroll processing, invoicing, and financing through Square Capital. Its parent company, Block, Inc., also owns Cash App, Tidal, and other digital services, creating a versatile ecosystem for both consumers and businesses.
Square’s pricing model is one of the most straightforward in the payment processing industry. In-person card payments are billed at 2.6% + $0.10, while online transactions and invoice payments cost 2.9% + $0.30, which aligns closely with competitors like Stripe and PayPal. Square does not charge monthly, setup, or PCI compliance fees, making it especially appealing for new or cost-conscious merchants. However, larger businesses may find custom-rate processors more cost-effective at scale.
Square’s feature set is extensive and designed to support every part of a business’s operations:
Ease of use is one of Square’s biggest advantages. Setting up an account takes only a few minutes, and merchants can begin accepting payments immediately using a smartphone and Square’s low-cost card reader. The POS interface is intuitive, requiring little training, and the centralized dashboard provides insights into sales, inventory, customers, and reports. This makes Square ideal for merchants with minimal technical experience.
Square is fully PCI DSS compliant and manages compliance automatically, eliminating the need for merchants to complete complex certification steps. End-to-end encryption protects every transaction, while built-in fraud detection monitors suspicious activity. For small and mid-sized merchants, Square’s hands-off approach to compliance significantly reduces administrative burden and risk.
While Square is widely used in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and Japan, its international footprint is still limited compared to Stripe or PayPal. In supported markets, Square offers region-specific tools and hardware that seamlessly fit local business needs. However, businesses operating globally may find its availability restrictive.
Square provides customer support through phone, email, live chat, and a detailed knowledge base. The platform’s self-help resources are extensive and helpful, but some users note that contacting a live agent can be challenging during high-volume periods. This is a common concern among fast-growing small businesses that require rapid assistance.
Compared with Stripe, Square is more accessible for non-technical merchants but offers fewer advanced customization tools. Relative to PayPal, Square excels in in-person payments thanks to its superior POS hardware and inventory tools, though it lacks PayPal’s global brand recognition. Unlike Shopify Payments, Square is not tied to one e-commerce ecosystem, giving merchants greater flexibility in choosing platforms and tools.
Square is an outstanding option for small businesses, mobile vendors, and startups that want a straightforward payment solution with powerful built-in tools. Its flat-rate pricing, free POS software, and additional services—such as payroll, lending, and e-commerce—make it a full-service platform for business management. Although not ideal for high-volume enterprises or developers needing deep customization, Square remains one of the most reliable and accessible payment processors in the industry today.