Patriot Payroll vs Square POS: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Patriot Payroll and Square POS — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Patriot Payroll wins on our scorecard (8/10 vs 7.3/10).
| Scored on | Patriot Payroll | Square POS |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 9 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 7 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 7 |
| Customer support | 7 | 6 |
| Features | 7 | 8 |
| Basic Payroll Base Fee | $17 / month | — |
| Full Service Base Fee | $37 / month | — |
| Per Employee Fee | $4 / month | — |
| Monthly Software Fee | — | $0 (Free tier) |
| In-person Processing | — | 2.6% + 10¢ |
| Online Processing | — | 2.9% + 30¢ |
| Instant Transfer Fee | — | 1.75% per transfer |
Patriot Payroll in one paragraph
Patriot Payroll is the best 'bang-for-your-buck' option for small teams who want simple compliance without the high-overhead costs of big-box payroll providers.
Skip it if: You need next-day direct deposit or integrated health insurance administration within the same dashboard.
Square POS in one paragraph
Square is the ultimate starter kit for small businesses that hate monthly bills, but its high transaction fees become a burden once you scale.
Skip it if: Skip it if your business processes more than $20,000 in monthly card sales, as you'll overpay significantly on transaction percentages.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Patriot Payroll or Square POS?
On our five-axis scorecard, Patriot Payroll scores higher (8/10 vs 7.3/10). Patriot Payroll is the best 'bang-for-your-buck' option for small teams who want simple compliance without the high-overhead costs of big-box payroll providers.
Who should skip Patriot Payroll?
You need next-day direct deposit or integrated health insurance administration within the same dashboard.
Who should skip Square POS?
Skip it if your business processes more than $20,000 in monthly card sales, as you'll overpay significantly on transaction percentages.