Square Pricing Tiers & Costs
A complete overview of Square pricing tiers, additional costs, value for money, and how to pick the right plan for you. Plus, alternatives to consider and a side-by-side pricing comparison.
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Square is a POS system offering various pricing tiers, including subscription-based and flat-rate options. It helps business owners process payments, manage sales, track inventory, and gain insights through analytics.
Overall, Square's pricing is more affordable and flexible compared to competitors. This guide covers Square's pricing, plans, and costs to help you make a confident and informed decision.
How Much Does Square Cost?
Square’s paid plans start from $29/month. A free version of Square is available, making it ideal for startups or small businesses who need basic point-of-sale functionality. For larger businesses or enterprises with more specific needs, custom pricing tiers are available upon request.
Keep in mind that each Square payment plan will include processing fees, regardless of base price. Square hardware (such as Square readers and Square terminals) is paid for separately, either in full or through instalments.
Square Plans & Pricing Tiers
Here's an overview of the available Square plans:
| Plan Type | Price | What’s Included? |
| Free Plan | $0/month + processing fees | Unlimited items, free SSL security, SEO tools, inventory management, pick-up & delivery, payment processing, social media integration, and customer support |
| Plus Plan | $29/month + processing fees | Everything in the Free Plan, including custom domain, no square ads, advanced site stats, abandoned cart emails, gift card support, advanced reporting, and priority support |
| Premium Plan | Custom priced + processing fees | Everything in the Plus Plan, along with lower transaction fees, real-time shipping rates, priority customer support, advanced ecommerce features, customized discounts, customer reviews, unlimited storage, and advanced analytics |
Let’s break down the available Square plans a bit further:
Square Free Plan
Square’s Free Plan is Ideal for small businesses or individual users, as it provides essential tools for managing sales and inventory. With features like unlimited items, SSL security, SEO tools, and basic inventory management, the software supports businesses looking to establish an online presence. Additionally, pickup and delivery options, payment processing, and social media integration are included. However, advanced reporting and custom domains are not available in this tier.
Square Plus Plan
Square’s Plus Plan is tailored for growing businesses. It offers additional features like a custom domain, no Square ads, and advanced site statistics to help scale operations. This plan includes everything in the Free Plan, with added perks such as abandoned cart emails, gift card support, and priority customer support. However, it does lack customer engagement tools and reporting analytics.
Square Premium Plan
Square’s Premium Plan is designed for businesses seeking advanced ecommerce capabilities. It delivers an advanced suite of tools, including lower transaction fees and real-time shipping rates. This plan is best for businesses with higher transaction volumes and complex online store requirements, but it comes at a higher cost.
Square Pricing vs. Competitors
Square's pricing is considered average in the POS market. It offers a Free Plan with basic features, while advanced functionalities are available only in the Plus and Premium Plans.
The processing rates are as follows: 2.6% + 10¢ for in-person transactions, 2.9% + 30¢ for online, 3.5% + 15¢ for manually entered payments, and 3.3% + 30¢ for invoices.
Square provides a wide range of features and integrations, with some limited to higher-tier plans. Additionally, security measures are strong and included in all plans. Overall, Square offers a good balance of cost, functionality, and security, making it a competitive option.
Comparison Chart: Square vs. Alternatives
Wondering how Square pricing compares to other POS systems? Here’s a comparison chart that breaks down the costs of other POS systems side-by-side:
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| NetSuite | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Access Coins ERP | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Penta Technologies | Pricing upon request | Website |
| IFS Cloud | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Unit4 | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Jamis Prime ERP | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Unanet | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Deltek Vision | Pricing upon request | Website |
| CMap | Pricing upon request | Website |
| CMiC | Pricing upon request | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareAlternatives to Square
Square is a solid POS system, but there are plenty of other options out there. Depending on your use case, budget, team size, and other factors, you might consider shopping around for a solution that’s better suited to your needs. If you’re looking for alternative POS system options to Square, here are a few worth checking out:
- Shopify POS: Integrates seamlessly with Shopify’s ecommerce platform, making it ideal for online and in-store sales.
- Clover: Offers a variety of hardware options and customizable software for different business types.
- Lightspeed: Provides advanced inventory management and analytics, suitable for larger retail operations.
- Toast: Specifically designed for the restaurant industry, Toast offers features like table management and online ordering.
- Revel Systems: Combines POS with business management tools like employee scheduling and customer relationship management.
How to Choose the Right Square Plan
When deciding which Square plan to go with, you’ll want to consider the added value and potential drawbacks that come with each plan. Scrolling through long lists of features can quickly lead to confusion and uncertainty, so here are a few factors to keep in mind as you evaluate and assess your options:
Square Scalability and Team Size
Evaluating Square’s scalability based on team size and growth is important.
For small teams, the Free Plan provides essential tools at no cost. Medium-sized teams may find the Plus Plan more beneficial, offering advanced features to handle increasing transactions and operations. Lastly, larger teams or businesses with more complex requirements could benefit from the Premium Plan, which includes custom options, such as advanced management and operational tools.
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Industry-Specific Square Features
Evaluating whether Square meets specific industry needs is essential, as it offers tailored features designed to enhance productivity and efficiency.
For example, Square for Retail includes advanced inventory management and employee time tracking, which benefit retail teams. On the other hand, Square for Restaurants provides menu management and table layout features, improving operational workflows for restaurant staff. These industry-specific features are available with certain plans, sometimes requiring a subscription to the Plus or Premium tiers.
Square Integration Capabilities
Ensuring a POS system connects with an existing tech stack is important for smooth operations and data flow.
Square provides native integrations with various applications, including QuickBooks, ActiveCampaign, WooCommerce, Jotform, Wix, and Faire. It also connects to third-party tools like Zapier for expanded functionality. Additionally, Square provides an API for building custom integrations tailored to specific business needs.
Square Security Safeguards
Square uses end-to-end encryption to protect payment data and monitors transactions for fraud. Advanced options like two-factor authentication and account takeover protection are available, along with SSL certificates for secure online connections. Security features vary by plan, so reviewing offerings to match business needs is essential.
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With one-on-one help, we guide you to your top software options. Narrow down your software search & make a confident choice.
Square Pricing FAQs
Here are answers to a few common questions about Square pricing:
What additional costs should I anticipate with Square?
While Square POS offers transparent pricing, some additional monthly fees may apply based on your usage. These costs include:
- Hardware Costs: Additional virtual terminals and card readers.
- Custom Processing Rates: For businesses with large sales volumes and card transactions.
- Chargeback Fees: A fee for disputed credit card payments.
- Optional Services: Additional services like marketing or payroll integration.
Are there any discounts or promotions available for Square?
Square offers various promotions and discounts, particularly for new users and high-volume businesses. These include:
- Volume Discounts: For businesses processing a high volume of transactions (credit card, contactless, or debit card payments, plus Apple Pay and AfterPay).
- Seasonal Promotions: Occasional discounts around holidays or special events.
- Referral Programs: Discounts or credits for referring new users to Square.
How often does Square change its pricing structure?
Square periodically reviews and updates its pricing structure. The most recent change occurred on November 1, 2019, when the rate for tapped, dipped, and swiped transactions was updated from 2.75% to 2.6% + 10¢. Pricing changes are typically announced in advance to allow businesses to adjust.
Do I have to sign a long-term contract with Square?
No, Square does not require long-term contracts. Users can cancel their service at any time without incurring penalties. This flexibility allows businesses to scale their services based on current needs.
How are Square's fees structured for different types of transactions?
Square’s fee structure varies based on the type of transaction:
- In-Person Payments: 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction.
- Online Checkout Payments: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
- Manually Entered Transactions: 3.5% + 15¢ per transaction.
- Invoices: 3.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
- ACH Bank Account Transfers: 1% with a $1 minimum per transaction.
Can I negotiate custom pricing with Square?
Businesses with high transaction volumes or unique needs can negotiate custom pricing with Square, based on factors like processing volume, average ticket size, and business history.
Is Square Good Value?
In my opinion, Square offers significant value for small to medium-sized businesses, especially those in retail and hospitality. Its intuitive interface, access to Square online, affordable pricing, and strong functionality make it a strong contender among POS systems.
Key features like inventory management, customer directories, and comprehensive analytics are included without additional fees, which is a huge plus. The ease of onboarding and excellent customer support set Square apart from many competitors. Additionally, its wide range of integrations with other software can boost operational efficiency.
For cafes, boutiques, and small restaurants, Square's system can handle daily transactions and refunds smoothly, while providing insightful data to help manage and grow the business.
Verdict: Square is an excellent investment for small to medium-sized businesses needing an efficient and cost-effective POS solution.
Want to learn more about Square? Check out their site for additional information.
From $29/month + processing fees
Free plan available
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