Authorize.net vs Square Payments: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Authorize.net and Square Payments — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Square Payments wins on our scorecard (7.8/10 vs 7.5/10).
| Scored on | Authorize.net | Square Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 6 | 9 |
| Fees & pricing | 7 | 7 |
| Customer support | 7 | 5 |
| Features | 9 | 9 |
| Monthly Gateway Fee | $25.00 | — |
| Transaction Fee (All-in-One) | 2.9% + $0.30 | — |
| Batch Fee | $0.10 | — |
| Gateway Only Transaction Fee | $0.10 per transaction | — |
| Monthly Fee | — | $0 (Basic) |
| In-person Rate | — | 2.6% + 10¢ |
| Online/Keyed Rate | — | 2.9% - 3.5% + 15¢ |
| Instant Transfer Fee | — | 1.75% per transfer |
Authorize.net in one paragraph
A rock-solid, professional-grade gateway for businesses that have outgrown simple payment apps and need the stability of the Visa Inc. network.
Skip it if: You are a low-volume side-hustler who doesn't want to pay $25 every month regardless of whether you make a sale.
Square Payments in one paragraph
Square is the gold standard for speed and simplicity, though you pay a premium in transaction fees for the convenience.
Skip it if: Skip it if your business processes more than $20,000 per month, as you'll save thousands elsewhere with interchange-plus pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Authorize.net or Square Payments?
On our five-axis scorecard, Square Payments scores higher (7.8/10 vs 7.5/10). Square is the gold standard for speed and simplicity, though you pay a premium in transaction fees for the convenience.
Who should skip Authorize.net?
You are a low-volume side-hustler who doesn't want to pay $25 every month regardless of whether you make a sale.
Who should skip Square Payments?
Skip it if your business processes more than $20,000 per month, as you'll save thousands elsewhere with interchange-plus pricing.