Square: Pricing, Features & Alternatives
Square is an all-in-one commerce platform for in-person and online payments, with POS hardware, invoicing, online checkout, and a free base plan. Fees are 2.6% + 15¢ in person and 3.3% + 30¢ for online/invoice card payments.
Category
Payment Gateway
Pricing
Free tier available
Free tier
Yes
Best for
Payment Gateway — pos, in-person
Square Pricing Plans (2026)
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| FreePopular | $0/mo · 2.6% + 15¢ in-person |
| Plus | $49 / month per location |
Pricing summary: Free · paid from $49/mo. Always confirm current pricing on the official site.
Key Square Features
- POS & online payments
- Invoicing & payment links
- No monthly fee on base plan
- Hardware available
Pros
- +Great for in-person + online
- +No monthly base fee
- +Hardware ecosystem
- +Easy setup
Cons
- −Online card fees higher than Stripe
- −Less developer-centric
Best Square Alternatives
Compare allSquare Compared
Square FAQ
What is Square used for?⌄
Square is a payment gateway tool. All-in-one payments for in-person and online — POS hardware, invoicing, and a free plan.
Is Square free?⌄
Yes — Square has a free tier you can start with, and paid plans for more usage and features.
How much does Square cost?⌄
Square offers a free tier, with paid plans starting at $49/month.
What are the best Square alternatives?⌄
Popular Square alternatives include Polar, Razorpay, Chargebee, Lemon Squeezy, Paddle. Compare pricing and features on our Square alternatives page.
Not sure if Square fits your stack?
Get a free, AI-powered tech stack tailored to your budget, app type, and team size — including the best payment gateway pick for you.
Build my stack free