Square is one of the most popular payment processing systems, widely used by small businesses for its ease of use, affordable pricing, and robust features. From in-person point-of-sale (POS) systems to online payment solutions, Square provides a wide range of services to businesses of all sizes. However, while Square is an excellent option for many, it may not be the best fit for every business. Depending on your specific needs, you might require a solution with more advanced features, lower fees, or better integrations.
In this guide, we will explore the best Square alternatives for 2025, comparing their features, pricing, and suitability for various business types. Whether you are a small business owner, an entrepreneur, or a large enterprise, this guide will help you find the right payment processing and POS system for your business.
Table of Contents
- Why Look for Square Alternatives?
- Key Features to Look for in Payment Processing and POS Systems
- Top 10 Square Alternatives
- Comparison Table: Square vs. Alternatives
- Conclusion
1 Why Look for Square Alternatives?
While Square offers a comprehensive set of features, there are several reasons why businesses might look for alternatives:
- Pricing: Square charges transaction fees that may not be ideal for high-volume businesses. Some alternatives offer lower rates, especially for larger transactions.
- Customization: Square’s POS system, while feature-rich, may not offer the customization that some businesses need. Certain industries, such as restaurants or salons, may require specialized features that Square doesn’t provide out of the box.
- Advanced Reporting: Square’s reporting capabilities are strong, but for some businesses, more detailed or customized reporting features may be necessary.
- Integration: While Square integrates with several tools, it may not work seamlessly with all business management systems. Some alternatives offer better integrations with accounting software, inventory systems, and CRM platforms.
- Customer Support: Some businesses find Square’s customer support lacking in responsiveness or accessibility, particularly for more complex issues.
If you find that Square isn’t meeting your business needs, exploring Square alternatives may provide you with the features, pricing, and support that better align with your goals.
2 Key Features to Look for in Payment Processing and POS Systems
When comparing Square alternatives, these are the most important features to consider:
- Payment Processing: Look for alternatives that offer flexible payment options, including credit/debit card processing, mobile payments, and online payment solutions.
- Point-of-Sale (POS) Features: Ensure the POS system includes features like inventory management, customer tracking, employee management, and the ability to accept multiple types of payments.
- Transaction Fees: Pay attention to the transaction fees charged by each platform. Some systems charge flat fees, while others have variable rates based on the transaction amount.
- Customization: A good POS system should be customizable to fit your business needs, whether you need specific reports, unique features for your industry, or the ability to modify the checkout experience.
- Integrations: Look for alternatives that integrate with your accounting software, inventory management systems, and CRM platforms. This will streamline your operations and reduce the need for manual data entry.
- Customer Support: Choose a provider that offers responsive and helpful customer support through phone, email, or live chat.
- Mobile Payments: Make sure the system supports mobile payments, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and tap-to-pay solutions, to accommodate a wide range of customer preferences.
- Online Payment Solutions: If you plan to sell online, ensure the alternative supports online payment gateways or integrates easily with your eCommerce platform.
3 Top 10 Square Alternatives
Here are 10 of the best Square alternatives, each offering unique features and pricing structures to cater to different business needs:
1 PayPal
PayPal is one of the most popular online payment processors and offers various solutions for businesses, including in-person POS, invoicing, and online payment integration. With its well-established reputation and global reach, PayPal is a solid alternative to Square, especially for businesses that need to accept international payments.
- Best For: Small businesses and online merchants that need an affordable, trusted payment processing solution.
- Key Features: Mobile payments, online payment gateway, recurring billing, integration with major eCommerce platforms.
2 Shopify Payments
Shopify Payments is integrated into Shopify’s eCommerce platform, offering seamless payment processing for online stores. Shopify Payments provides low transaction fees and integrates with Shopify’s POS system, making it a great option for businesses that sell both online and in-store.
- Best For: Businesses that use Shopify for their online store.
- Key Features: Low transaction fees, easy integration with Shopify store, built-in fraud protection, multi-currency support.
3 SumUp
SumUp is an affordable mobile payment solution ideal for small businesses and entrepreneurs. It’s a simple POS system that enables businesses to accept payments using a smartphone or tablet. SumUp charges a flat-rate fee per transaction, making it a straightforward and predictable option.
- Best For: Small businesses and entrepreneurs looking for an affordable mobile payment solution.
- Key Features: Flat-rate transaction fees, mobile payments, offline payment capability, no monthly fees.
4 Toast
Toast is a POS and payment processing system specifically designed for restaurants. It offers an all-in-one solution with features like table management, menu customization, and kitchen display systems. Toast is great for businesses in the food and hospitality industry that need specialized tools.
- Best For: Restaurants and hospitality businesses that need industry-specific tools.
- Key Features: Table management, order processing, online ordering, employee management, loyalty programs.
5 Clover
Clover is an all-in-one POS system designed for businesses of all types, from retail to service-based industries. It offers customizable hardware and software solutions, as well as the ability to accept mobile payments, manage inventory, and run reports.
- Best For: Retail and service-based businesses looking for a customizable POS solution.
- Key Features: Customizable hardware, mobile payment solutions, employee management, inventory tracking, customizable reports.
6 Stripe
Stripe is a popular payment processing solution for online businesses. It offers a highly customizable API that allows businesses to build their own payment processing systems or integrate Stripe into existing platforms. It’s ideal for developers or businesses with specific technical needs.
- Best For: Online businesses, SaaS platforms, and developers.
- Key Features: Online payment processing, recurring billing, global payment support, customizable API.
7 QuickBooks POS
QuickBooks POS is an integrated POS system designed for retail businesses. It offers comprehensive tools for inventory management, sales tracking, and reporting, along with seamless integration with QuickBooks accounting software. QuickBooks POS is ideal for businesses that already use QuickBooks for bookkeeping.
- Best For: Retail businesses that already use QuickBooks for accounting.
- Key Features: Inventory management, sales tracking, customer management, integration with QuickBooks.
8 Revel Systems
Revel Systems is an advanced POS system that combines powerful features for both retail and restaurant businesses. Revel offers features such as inventory tracking, customer management, and real-time reporting. It also supports integrations with eCommerce platforms and accounting software.
- Best For: Businesses that need an advanced POS system with full-service capabilities.
- Key Features: Advanced reporting, inventory management, customer relationship management, eCommerce and accounting integrations.
9 Lightspeed POS
Lightspeed POS is an omnichannel POS system designed for retail, restaurant, and eCommerce businesses. It offers a wide range of features, including inventory management, customer tracking, and reporting tools. Lightspeed is perfect for businesses that want to run both in-person and online operations.
- Best For: Retail, restaurant, and eCommerce businesses that require a robust POS solution.
- Key Features: Inventory management, mobile POS, reporting tools, eCommerce integration, employee management.
10 Revolut Business
Revolut Business is an online payment processing platform that provides businesses with tools for accepting payments, managing invoices, and tracking expenses. It’s especially useful for businesses operating internationally, as it allows for multi-currency support and low transaction fees.
- Best For: International businesses and those needing a payment solution with low fees.
- Key Features: Multi-currency support, low transaction fees, payment gateway integration, expense management.
4 Comparison Table: Square vs. Alternatives
| Feature | Square | PayPal | Shopify Payments | SumUp | Toast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Very Easy | Easy | Easy | Very Easy | Moderate |
| Customization | Moderate | Limited | High | Moderate | High |
| Payment Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Transaction Fees | 2.6% + 10¢ per swipe | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction | 1.69% per transaction | Custom pricing |
| Mobile Payments | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Currency Support | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Support | 24/7 Support | 24/7 Support | Email/Phone Support | 24/7 Support |
5 Conclusion
Exploring Square alternatives can help you find the best payment processing and POS system for your business, whether you are a small business owner, a growing enterprise, or a large retailer. Platforms like PayPal, Shopify Payments, and Toast provide a range of features and pricing structures that cater to businesses of all sizes. From simple mobile payment solutions to advanced POS systems with inventory management, there’s a solution to suit your specific needs.
When choosing an alternative, consider your business size, industry, transaction volume, and specific features required. Whether you’re looking for ease of use, customization, or integration with other tools, the right platform will streamline your operations and support your growth.