Square review

Square suits businesses that sell in more than one place. The Free plan includes an online store or ordering site, invoices, payment links and a point of sale app, so a market stall, a booking business and a web shop can all run from one account. Online card payments cost 3.3% plus 30 cents on Free and 2.9% plus 30 cents on Plus and Premium, while payments through its Payments API cost 2.9% plus 30 cents on every plan. Invoices can be paid by ACH at 1% with a $1 minimum, and Afterpay lets shoppers pay in four installments while you are paid in full, at 6% plus 30 cents. Square transfers funds to an outside bank free the next business day or instantly for a fee, and sales land instantly in a Square Checking account. It is less suited to complex international selling than Stripe or Adyen, and keyed cards cost 3.5% plus 15 cents.

Who it is for

Shops and service businesses that sell both online and in person and want one dashboard and quick access to funds.

Price

Square Free has no monthly fee; online cards 3.3% + 30¢ on Free, 2.9% + 30¢ on paid plans; API payments 2.9% + 30¢.

Online Applies to card payments made online or through an invoice. 3.3% + 30¢ 2.9% + 30¢ 2.9% + 30¢
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 6, 2026.

Key features

• Free online store, payment links and online ordering site
• Payments API at 2.9% + 30¢ for custom web and app checkouts
• Invoices payable by card or ACH bank transfer
• Afterpay buy now, pay later with full payment up front
• In-person card readers and Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free plan covers online, invoice and in-person payments
• Strength: Free next-business-day transfers, instant transfers for a fee
• Strength: Same fee for Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover
• Weakness: Online card fee is 3.3% + 30¢ on the Free plan
• Weakness: Afterpay payments cost 6% + 30¢
• Weakness: Keyed and card on file payments cost 3.5% + 15¢

Key facts

• Online card fee: 3.3% + 30¢ on Free; 2.9% + 30¢ on Plus and Premium
• API card fee: 2.9% + 30¢
• ACH via invoice: 1%, $1 minimum
• Afterpay fee: 6% + 30¢
• Free trial: 30 days on Plus and Premium

Where it ranks

Square is No. 2 in our Best Payment Gateways verdict.