# Square Payments Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra > With the help of Capterra, learn about Square Payments Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other Payment Processing products and more. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/170278/Square-Payments-Processing --- # Square Payments Software Review 2026: Features, Integrations, Pros & Cons Last updated on March 23, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[FAQs](#faqs)[Users](#users)[Pros and Cons](#pros-cons)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Integrations](#integrations)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews) Square Payments ## What is Square Payments? Accept every way your customers want to pay with Square Payments. Get a free magstripe reader to swipe credit cards anywhere. Take chip cards and NFC payments with Square Reader for contactless and chip. With Squares credit card processing, you can accept all major cards and get deposits as fast as the next business day. We offer chargeback protection, fraud detection, account takeover protection, and more, so you can focus on your customers. Its free to sign up and fast to get set up. ## What is Square Payments used for? [Payment Processing](https://www.capterra.com/payment-processing-software/)[Mobile Credit Card Processing](https://www.capterra.com/mobile-credit-card-processing-software/) Recognitions Shortlist Top alternative Featured Overall rating Based on 2,691 user reviews Reviews sentiment Positive 94% Neutral 4% Negative 2% Pros & cons Streamlined setup and navigation Flexible event payment collection High transaction fees concern Recurring technical and support problems ### Starting price Free trial not available Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products... - Payment Processing / 2026 Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Do you work for Square Payments?[Manage this product listing](https://digitalmarkets.gartner.com/get-listed/claim-bx?url=https://squareup.com/&name=Square Payments) ## Compare with a popular alternative Capterra selects software alternatives based on relevant features, verified user reviews and user interactions. Placement may be influenced by client status. ### Square Payments 4.7 (2,691) VS. [4.6 (3,346)](https://www.capterra.com/p/123889/Stripe/reviews/) Starting Price Contact vendor Starting Price Contact vendor Free Trial Free Version Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version Ease Of Use 4.7 (2,688) Ease Of Use 4.5 (26,407) Value For Money 4.5 (1,962) Value For Money 4.3 (20,262) Customer Service 4.4 (1,741) Customer Service 4.2 (20,517) ## Square Payments alternatives [4.1 (130)](https://www.capterra.com/p/157492/Fattmerchant-Payments-Online/reviews/) Starting price $99.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 77% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [3.8 (720)](https://www.capterra.com/p/152638/Epos-Now/reviews/) Starting price $349.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 68% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [4.5 (1,470)](https://www.capterra.com/p/170673/SumUp-Air/reviews/) Starting price $99.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 88% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [4.2 (2,043)](https://www.capterra.com/p/135757/NetSuite/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 85% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [View all alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/170278/Square-Payments-Processing/alternatives/) ## FAQs about Square Payments Overview ### What problems does Square Payments solve? Square Payments solves slow, cash-only checkout, disconnected invoicing, and poor visibility into sales and taxes by letting businesses accept cards anywhere, send detailed invoices with reminders, collect deposits or split payments, and track transactions in one system. Mobile sellers, freelancers, service pros, retailers, and event teams benefit most. Answer based on 2241 reviews Overview ### Which roles and teams benefit most from Square Payments? Square Payments is most used by small business owners, founders, and executives who need fast payment acceptance, cash flow visibility, and simple sales tracking. Office managers, administrative staff, and operations teams use it to process transactions and manage day-to-day billing, while service professionals, educators, and creative sellers rely on it for easy in-person and online payments. Answer based on 2684 reviews Overview ### What company size and industries is Square Payments built for? Square Payments is used primarily by small businesses, which make up 86% of reviewers, with retail the top industry at 7%, tied with health, wellness and fitness at 7%. It also serves restaurants, beauty salons, service providers, food trucks, contractors, nonprofits, and franchises, most often for payment processing. Answer based on 2686 reviews Features and Usability ### What are the key features of Square Payments? Square Payments includes core payment processing tools such as credit card processing, online payments, in-person payments, and invoicing. Reviewers also frequently mention the mobile card reader, point of sale (POS), recurring invoices with payment plans, instant bank deposits, and sales reports as key differentiators for small, mobile businesses. Answer based on 1771 reviews Integrations ### Which third-party tools and platforms does Square Payments integrate with? Square Payments integrates with PayPal, Venmo, Stripe, Shopify, WooCommerce, Google Pay, ClinicSense, and Acuity Scheduling. It also connects with business and commerce tools such as Mailchimp, QuickBooks Online Advanced, BigCommerce, Jotform, and Microsoft Excel, supporting over 30 integrations across payments, scheduling, accounting, and online store platforms. Answer based on 288 reviews Getting Started and Support ### How easy is it to onboard and train a team on Square Payments? Square Payments is quick to onboard for frontline staff, volunteers, and nontechnical users, with many reviewers describing the basics as learnable in minutes. Training is supported through in-person help, videos, and documentation. Admins typically need more time for inventory setup, discounts, website features, and other advanced configuration tasks. Answer based on 29 reviews Getting Started and Support ### What customer support options does Square Payments offer, and how do users rate the experience? Square Payments offers email/help desk, FAQ/forum, knowledge base, phone support, and chat. Users often describe support as helpful and efficient when reached, but many report long wait times, difficulty contacting a live representative, and uneven handling of disputes or account issues, which makes the experience feel inconsistent. Answer based on 364 reviews Security ### How does Square Payments handle data security and access control? Square Payments uses secure encryption, cloud-based infrastructure, PCI compliance support, and chargeback protection to help protect customer and transaction data. Reviewers also describe an extra layer of security around banking features and strong purchase protections. Some users still express concern about stored customer information or unfamiliar customers hesitating over perceived data-saving risks. Answer based on 116 reviews ## Who uses Square Payments? Based on Capterra reviews from the past year Talk to a software expert to get a free software list tailored to your business needs Company size Based on 142 reviews 100% 75% 50% 25% Smallbusiness Midsizebusinesses Enterprise Top job functions Based on 142 reviews Administrative 30% Administrative 30% Entrepreneurs/ Owners 19% Creative & Design 10% Sales & Business Development 6% Others 35% Top industries Based on 142 reviews Construction 28% Health, Wellness and Fitness 22% Retail 19% Arts and Crafts 16% Other 15% ## Pros and Cons Streamlined setup and navigation 97% positive reviews out of 777 Most reviewers indicate ease of use simplifies onboarding, daily operations, and training for diverse business needs. Steven N Church School Teacher and UFC Fit Kids Attendant, 10,001+ employees. "The use of Square Payments is simple and straightforward for me in terms of using it." High transaction fees concern 43% negative reviews out of 540 Some users say pricing fees accumulate quickly, impacting profits for small businesses and nonprofits with frequent transactions. Jodie R Bartender , 2 - 10 employees. "Square didn't really solve many problems for my business and given the fees they charge, I just decided to stick with cash or virtual payments through cashapp or similar." Flexible event payment collection 93% positive reviews out of 105 Most reviewers describe event payments as essential for quick, portable transactions at fundraisers, markets, and fairs. Avery R Coach, Owner, 1 employee. "It was a very useful option especially during quiz night fundraisers and bake sales at training sessions." Recurring technical and support problems 57% negative reviews out of 262 Some reviewers indicate bugs, glitches, and limited customer support disrupt operations and complicate troubleshooting during payment processing. Jennifer M Founder, 1 employee. "The Virtual Terminal can be buggy, the phone app is prone to freezing." Fast and reliable processing 93% positive reviews out of 96 Most reviewers find processing efficient, with quick transactions and straightforward workflows supporting smooth business operations. Beverly M Owner, 1 employee. "It is a reliable processor that allows us to do business as needed." Dependence on strong connectivity 78% negative reviews out of 120 Most reviewers report connection issues arise in areas with weak Wi-Fi or cellular signals, causing transaction delays. Cam W Pitching Instructor, 11 - 50 employees. "Sometimes it seem to have connectivity issues, particularly in areas with poor internet connection." ## Features Features with the highest number of reviews are displayed first. Those that have no reviews appear next, sorted alphabetically. Online Payments 4.6 (480) 53.96% of 480 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important You can easily accept payments online through portals, invoices, and website integrations with platforms like Wix. Reviewers appreciate the convenience, fast setup, and flexible options, though a few mention occasional issues with currency compatibility or delayed transfers. Debit/Credit Card Processing 4.7 (477) 64.36% of 477 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important With this capability, you can accept nearly all major debit and credit cards quickly and securely, both in-person and online. Reviewers appreciate the speed, ease of use, and flexibility, mentioning options like manual entry, tap-to-pay, and immediate fund availability. Data Security 4.7 (467) 61.88% of 467 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important It gives you strong data security, including encryption, PCI compliance, and two-factor authentication. Reviewers appreciate feeling confident that both their own and their customers’ information is safe, with no reported breaches and consistent trust in Square’s protection. Payment Fraud Prevention 4.6 (436) 62.61% of 436 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Square Payments helps you prevent fraud by monitoring transactions, using AI, and requiring verification. Some reviewers find the fraud prevention effective and reassuring, while others mention occasional false positives or lengthy dispute processes as minor drawbacks. Payment Processing Square Payments offers fast, reliable payment processing across multiple channels, including in-person, online, and mobile. Users think the system is intuitive and convenient, though some mention occasional delays in fund transfers and rare technical issues with readers. Mobile Payments 4.7 (403) 57.57% of 403 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Clients can submit payments via mobile devices Square Payments 40 features Accept electronic bank-to-bank transfers using a network called the Automated Clearing House (ACH) Dashboard to view the status of ongoing processes, identify current incidents and track past activities Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases Create, manage, and send invoices or bills to customers Process of managing an organization's cash resources, including cash on hand, investments, and bank account balances Track and manage adherence to policies for any service, product, process, or supplier Near-field communication method to share data and process contactless payments Accept and process credit card transactions Built-in customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities or integration with a third-party CRM system Accept and process cryptocurrency transactions such as Bitcoin A collection of customer information such as contact details, demographics, previous interactions, etc. It gives you strong data security, including encryption, PCI compliance, and two-factor authentication. Reviewers appreciate feeling confident that both their own and their customers’ information is safe, with no reported breaches and consistent trust in Square’s protection. With this capability, you can accept nearly all major debit and credit cards quickly and securely, both in-person and online. Reviewers appreciate the speed, ease of use, and flexibility, mentioning options like manual entry, tap-to-pay, and immediate fund availability. Electronically collect payments for goods or services Digitally sign online documents Identify and prevent suspicious activity Reward loyal customers with gift cards which they can redeem for special offers and loyalty bonus Transactions that typically involve face-to-face interactions between the payer and the payee Captures invoice data and maintains comprehensive records for auditing and reporting purposes Access software remotely via mobile devices Hardware device connected to smartphones for processing payments Clients can submit payments via mobile devices Process payments via multiple modes directly through the application Ability of websites, web applications, or mobile applications to function without an active internet connection You can easily accept payments online through portals, invoices, and website integrations with platforms like Wix. Reviewers appreciate the convenience, fast setup, and flexible options, though a few mention occasional issues with currency compatibility or delayed transfers. Allow customers to make a partial payment on an invoice and track remaining debt Square Payments helps you prevent fraud by monitoring transactions, using AI, and requiring verification. Some reviewers find the fraud prevention effective and reassuring, while others mention occasional false positives or lengthy dispute processes as minor drawbacks. Send clickable links via text or email to collect payments from customers Square Payments offers fast, reliable payment processing across multiple channels, including in-person, online, and mobile. Users think the system is intuitive and convenient, though some mention occasional delays in fund transfers and rare technical issues with readers. Store, process, and transmit cardholder data in compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Accept and process customer payments for products or services using hardware and software Upload, track, and submit receipts in a central database Automated process of charging customers at regular intervals for repeated access or use of a product or service Timed notification for any upcoming task, deadline, appointment, or activity Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns View and track pertinent metrics to find patterns and gain insights from data Reports specific to sales analysis for trends and strategies Security protocol that ensures secure, encrypted communication over the internet, safeguarding sensitive data from unauthorized access Set up connections to third-party platforms to improve business processes Record of all transactions such as purchases, deposits, withdrawals and transfers within a specific period Get Advice We can help you find the software with the features you need. Features 4.6 (2,688) 4.6 Based on 2,688 reviews ## Pricing Value for money 4.5 (1962) ### Starting price Free trial not available [View all Pricing Plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/170278/Square-Payments-Processing/pricing/) Value for money 4.5 (1,962) 4.5 Based on 1,962 reviews ## Integrations [ Mailchimp](https://www.capterra.com/p/110228/MailChimp/)[ Wix](https://www.capterra.com/p/169007/Wix/)[ Acuity Scheduling](https://www.capterra.com/p/191978/Acuity-Scheduling/)[ Square Point of Sale](https://www.capterra.com/p/275802/Square-Point-of-Sale/)[ Jotform](https://www.capterra.com/p/158456/JotForm-4-0/)[ Weebly](https://www.capterra.com/p/246168/Weebly/)[ QuickBooks Online Advanced](https://www.capterra.com/p/189398/QuickBooks-Online/)[ WooCommerce](https://www.capterra.com/p/225601/WooCommerce/) Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs. ## Support, customer service and training options Customer Service 4.4 (1741) Support - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat Training - In Person - Live Online - Webinars - Documentation - Videos Deployment - Web - Android - iPhone/iPad Typical users - Freelancers - Small businesses - Mid size businesses - Enterprises Customer Service 4.4 (1,741) 4.4 Based on 1,741 reviews ## User reviews Overall rating 4.7 Based on 2,691 reviews Filter by rating 5(2055) 4(483) 3(98) 2(22) 1(33) Mentioned topic Sorted by most recent JL Jessica L. CEO Arts and Crafts ### "Skeptical payment system" 3.0 Overall Rating 3.0 3.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 1.0 1.0 Likelihood to Recommend 3/10 June 4, 2026 Pros Well, I liked most about square payments was the ease of use, and that I could charge my fee to my clients Cons What I like least about square payments is they closed my account without any reason and I wasn’t able to use their service Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. AB Ajah B. Owner CEO Design ### "Simple, Reliable, and Great for Small Businesses" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 4.0 4.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 June 4, 2026 Smooth experience, easy setup, fast payments, and excellent business tools. I highly recommend it to any entrepreneur looking for a reliable and professional payment solution. Pros Easy to use, professional, reliable, and makes getting paid simple. What I like most about Square is how simple and reliable it is. As a small business owner, I need tools that save me time, and Square makes it easy to accept payments, track sales, send invoices, and manage my business all in one place. The setup was straightforward, the app is user-friendly, and I love being able to take payments whether I’m working with clients in person or remotely. It’s helped me look more professional and has made running my business much more efficient Cons Processing fees can add up, especially for small businesses. What I like most about Square is that it allows me to focus on serving my clients instead of worrying about payment processing. As the founder of Ja’Zine Interiors, I appreciate how easy it is to send invoices, accept payments, and keep everything organized in one place. It has helped streamline my business operations and provides a seamless experience for both me and my clients. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. TJ Theresa J. Instructor E-Learning ### "Square revisited " 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 0.0 0.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 June 3, 2026 My overall experience with Square Payments has been positive. It is reliable, user-friendly, and makes accepting and managing payments simple and efficient. Pros I like that Square Payments is easy to use, processes transactions quickly, and makes it simple to accept payments and track sales. Cons I dislike that transaction fees can add up, especially for small businesses with a high volume of payments Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. AW Angela W. Owner Health, Wellness and Fitness ### "Great and affordable" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 June 3, 2026 Simple and easy transactions that are easily modified and listed. Transaction fees are very low however we don't bill a lot through the terminal as a subscription based business. Pros The cost and ease of use. Pricing is very reasonable especially compared to other companies. Terminal is simply laid out and easy to navigate. Cons Endless updates that take a lot of time, often fail and are unable to be skipped while a client is standing waiting in front of you Alternatives considered [PAYD](https://www.capterra.com/p/203175/PAYD/) Reasons for choosing Square Payments Cost and ease of setup and tetminal useage. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. CH Colleen H. Owner Automotive ### "Good option for CC processing" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 June 3, 2026 I find that with all of the other payment apps, this is my last choice due to the fees but I do like having it for credit payments. Pros The ease of use and the app are very user friendly. I very much appreciate offering tap to pay on the app. Cons The fee structure is frustrating. I wish the fee was a flat fee for each payment type, but they are all different and it gets confusing. Alternatives considered [Chase Software](https://www.capterra.com/p/206180/Chase-Software/) Reasons for choosing Square Payments Easy setup and more lax fee structure than the other options. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. JR Jeff R. Project Manager Construction ### "Square Review" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 3.0 3.0 Likelihood to Recommend 7/10 June 3, 2026 Overall, Square works well for our small business and receiving payments in a timely fashion, but as we grow we may have to look elsewhere unless they will be willing to work with us around their transaction fees. Pros What I like most about Square is I was able to start without a monthly software fee and only pay transaction charges. it is very convenient for credit card payments. I like how it supports swipe, ship and NFC transactions. I also like how quickly I get my money. Cons The main downside of Square is that as we look to grow, Square can become expensive. I have not found an option that offers lower rates as transactions rise. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. FC Fred C. Owner Motion Pictures and Film ### "Best Business Checking Account!" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 May 29, 2026 Very happy. I've never had a problem with the payment system. I like the fact that it is reliable when needed. Pros All of the options it has to help run my business. Everything from inventory to ACH payments to transfers. Cons The business debit card is just a plain white card with no ability to create a custom image on it. That's it. Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. DC Daniel C. Benefits and Compliance Manager Hospital & Health Care ### "Square review" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 May 25, 2026 Pros Efficient payment processor service that accepts a variety of forms of payment including contactless payments and keyed in payments. Cons I had minimal experience with Square as I worked an event where i was tasked with assisting with processing payments. In the basic task that I had experience with regarding Square Payments, I found it to be an easy-to-understand platform Review source Incentivized review: software users are invited to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive for their time and effort. All incentivized reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. SF Sarah F. Owner Apparel & Fashion ### "Square Rocks!" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 May 19, 2026 My overall experience with Square payments is amazing! The one time I had a issue and it was miner, but the customer support team was so helpful and kind to me and helped me resolve the issue within minutes. Pros I love square payments, and how easy it is to use while collecting card payments. The payment processing is super easy! Cons My least favorite thing about square payments is the cost of it, it is a little pricey, but I truly do feel like it pays for itself! Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. BB Bridget B. Director Education Management ### "Happy and Satisfied" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 May 19, 2026 Square is very easy to use. There has not been any hidden fees. The charges are what was agreed upon. Pros My administration loves the fast payment that Square Payments provide. We receive next day payments which is very helpful for the business. Cons At this moment in time my staff and I have no complaints about Square Payment. It has really assisted us in processing payments. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. [View all Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/170278/Square-Payments-Processing/reviews/) ## Top-rated software of 2026 ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox. 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