Square Payments vs Stripe: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Square Payments and Stripe — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: it's a tie on our scorecard — pick on fit, not score.
| Scored on | Square Payments | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 9 | 9 |
| Fees & pricing | 7 | 7 |
| Customer support | 5 | 5 |
| Features | 9 | 9 |
| 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 | — |
| Online Transaction Fee | — | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| Monthly Account Fee | — | $0 |
| In-person Transaction Fee | — | 2.7% + $0.05 |
| Stripe Tax (per transaction) | — | 0.5% (optional) |
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.
Stripe in one paragraph
The most powerful payment tool for digital businesses, provided you can handle the automated support and modular costs.
Skip it if: You run a high-risk business like tobacco, gambling, or adult entertainment, as Stripe will likely freeze your funds.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Who should skip Stripe?
You run a high-risk business like tobacco, gambling, or adult entertainment, as Stripe will likely freeze your funds.