Stripe started with online payments. Square started with the card reader on the counter. Both now do some of each, so the right choice depends on where most of your sales happen. Here is how they compare, using US fees as of October 2026.
The short verdict
- Pick Square if you sell in person, at a shop, cafe, market stall or salon, and want a ready-made point of sale app with hardware you can buy and set up yourself.
- Pick Stripe if you sell mostly online, through your website, app or invoices, and want room to build custom checkouts, subscriptions or billing later.
If you do both, look at where most of your money comes from. That is where the fee difference adds up.
Fees, as of October 2026
These are US fees for US businesses. Fees differ by country, so check the page for yours.
Square has three plans. Square's fee guide lists the rates:
- Square Free, $0 a month: 2.6% + 15¢ in person, 3.3% + 30¢ online or on invoices.
- Square Plus, $49 a month per location: 2.5% + 15¢ in person, 2.9% + 30¢ online or on invoices.
- Square Premium, $149 a month per location: 2.4% + 15¢ in person, 2.9% + 30¢ online or on invoices.
- On every plan: 3.5% + 15¢ for a typed-in card or card on file, and 2.9% + 30¢ through the Square online API.
- International cards: 1.5% more on all plans.
Stripe has one standard price list:
- Online card payment: 2.9% + 30¢.
- In-person card payment with Stripe Terminal: 2.7% + 5¢.
- Typed-in card: 0.5% more. International card: 1.5% more.
- ACH Direct Debit: 0.8%, capped at $5.
- No setup or monthly fees for standard pricing, according to Stripe.
The differences that matter
In person
Square is built around selling face to face. Its free plan includes a point of sale app, and Square sells its own hardware, starting at $59 as of October 2026. Paid plans add features for restaurants, retail and services, and lower the in-person rate.
Stripe takes in-person payments through Stripe Terminal readers and Tap to Pay. Tap to Pay adds 10¢ per payment. If you want a full till app with Stripe, check which point of sale apps work with Stripe Terminal before you buy a reader.
On a $5 coffee, Square Free costs about 28¢ and Stripe Terminal about 19¢. On a $60 sale, Square Free costs $1.71 and Stripe $1.67. On a $200 sale, Square Free costs $5.35 and Stripe $5.45. So Stripe's in-person fee is lower below $100 and Square Free's is lower above it. Square Plus moves that point down to $50. Run the sum for your own average sale.
Online
Stripe is the more flexible option for selling online. It handles one-off payments, subscriptions, invoices and payment links, and it gives developers detailed tools to build on. Square Online and Square Invoices are simpler and fit well if you already use Square in your shop. Note that Square's free plan charges 3.3% + 30¢ on online and invoice payments, higher than Stripe's 2.9% + 30¢.
Getting paid out
Square says card payments taken before 5 PM Pacific usually reach your bank the next business day, at no fee. Instant and same-day transfers cost 1.95%.
Stripe's payout guide says the first payout usually takes 7 to 14 days, then US payments settle in about 2 business days. Instant payouts cost 1.5%, with a 50¢ minimum, once your account is eligible.
Contracts and monthly costs
Square's pricing page says there are no locked-in contracts. Its paid plans charge per location, so a second shop doubles the plan fee. Some add-ons, such as kitchen display and kiosk apps, cost extra per device. Stripe charges per payment, with paid add-ons for things like fraud tools and reporting.
How to decide
- Split last month's sales into in person and online.
- Work out your average sale in each. Fixed fees matter most on small sales.
- For in person, compare Square's app and hardware with a Stripe reader plus the app you would use with it.
- For online, decide if you need subscriptions or a custom checkout. If yes, Stripe has more to offer.
- Check that both support your country and your type of business.
If you mostly sell online and wonder about PayPal too, see Stripe vs PayPal. If you run a shop or cafe and are also looking at Clover, see Square vs Clover. Payment fees are a business cost, so ask your accountant how to record them, and use these cash flow habits to keep money coming in on time.