Looking For An Alternative To Square? These Are The Best Square Competitors For POS & Payments

While Square offers all the basic functionality that a small business would need, you’ll eventually find that it can’t do everything your growing business needs to succeed. Retail businesses looking for something more sophisticated should check out Lightspeed Retail. There’s also Lightspeed Restaurant, which offers a great POS system for restaurants of any size.

Unlike Square, Lightspeed’s software-based POS system is also compatible with most merchant account providers. This gives you the option to negotiate the lowest possible rates with a reputable credit card processor while still using Lightspeed’s POS software instead of having to invest in expensive, proprietary POS systems.

Lightspeed offers POS software that can run on a PC or iPad, saving you the cost of a single-function, dedicated POS system. Unlike Square’s rather basic offering, Lightspeed includes many advanced features:

• Multitender options
• Advanced inventory management
• CRM
• Purchase orders
• eCommerce integration

Using Lightspeed’s POS software requires a monthly subscription, but you’ll save money by paying your fees annually. Flat-rate processing rate plans are available if you choose Lightspeed’s payments service instead of a third-party merchant account provider.

Processing rates are 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction (card-present), and 2.6% + $0.30 per transaction (card-not-present).

Lightspeed’s processing hardware is included with the cost of your monthly subscription, with one device included for each account. The company’s POS software can run on an iPhone, iPad, or computer. Optional hardware accessories, such as stands, barcode scanners, and cash drawers can be purchased separately.

Clover POS is unique in that it is offered by countless merchant service providers (though it always uses Fiserv as its back-end processor). While Clover offers a pared-down plan with no monthly fee, most Clover plans involve a monthly software fee in addition to the cost of purchasing your equipment.

While Clover’s equipment and monthly fees are more expensive than Square’s, the company’s software is so adaptable and customizable (with the help of Clover’s extensive app marketplace) that it can suit businesses of just about any type and size. It’s also known for being very easy to use. However, customer support can be inconsistent.

Clover’s popular line of processing hardware ranges from the basic Clover Go mobile card reader to the full-featured Clover Station Duo point of sale (POS) system. Most devices include the following features:

• Full support for EMV and NFC-based payment methods
• Expandability via the Clover App Marketplace
• Cloud-based analytics and reporting features

Clover hardware costs vary based on where you purchase your equipment (either direct through Clover or through one of the best Clover resellers) but generally range between $49 for the Clover Go mobile card reader and $1,799 for the Clover Station Duo POS system.

Clover also requires a monthly software subscription fee unless you can get by with the bare-bones free plan. There is an additional charge of $9.95/month for each additional device on your account.

Processing rates and account fees will vary depending on your provider. However, flat-rate pricing plans are available that charge as little as 2.3% + $0.10 per in-person transaction and 3.5% + $0.10 for keyed-in transactions.

Clover’s hardware is among the most popular in the payments industry. Merchants love Clover devices’ flexibility and expandability, including access to dozens of industry-specific apps on the Clover App Market.

This kind of power doesn’t come cheap, though. You’ll pay anywhere from $49 for a basic Clover Go Card Reader to $1,799 for a Clover Station Pro POS system, plus a monthly software subscription fee (for most plans).

National Processing offers more flexible pricing than Square, with both interchange-plus and membership pricing plans being available. Unless you have a very low monthly processing volume, these plans will save you money on your transaction processing over what you’d pay with Square.

National Processing offers “free” mobile readers and terminals with some plans, but interested businesses should proceed with caution. Where the normal plans are month-to-month, accepting free equipment can lock you into a long-term contract.

While National Processing is more flexible in enforcing its early termination fee than most providers, we strongly recommend purchasing your equipment outright to avoid a long-term commitment.

National Processing offers a full line of payment processing features, including:

• Merchant accounts
• Payment gateway
• ACH/echeck processing
• Cash discount program
• Terminals and mobile POS systems

National Processing offers interchange-plus and membership pricing through industry-specific plans. Here’s what you’ll pay:

• Retail: $9.95/month + interchange + 0.18% + $0.10
• Restaurant: $9.95/month + interchange + 0.14% + $0.07
• eCommerce: $9.95/month + interchange + 0.29% + $0.15
• Nonprofit: $9.95/month + interchange + 0.12% + $0.06
• Subscription: $59/month + interchange + $0.09
• Subscription Plus: $199/month + interchange + $0.05
• ACH Processing: $15/month; 0-1.5%  + $0.48 per transaction

National Processing offers a wide variety of mobile card readers, “smart” credit card terminals, and POS systems, including its proprietary NP POS system. However, the pricing to purchase these items individually is not disclosed.

Small businesses typically choose Square for its lack of a monthly fee and its predictable pricing structure. With Helcim, you’ll get the same rock-bottom pricing and the stability of a true merchant account for about the same overall cost. In fact, Helcim’s interchange-plus pricing will save you money on credit card processing costs over Square at higher processing volumes.

It’s an excellent choice for merchants looking to avoid the account instability and limited customer support offered by payment service providers (PSPs) such as Square.

Available in the United States and Canada, Helcim is one of the most affordable options for small businesses looking for the stability of a true merchant account. Key features include the following:

• Full-service merchant accounts
• Interchange-plus pricing for all users
• Helcim Card Reader supports EMV, NFC, and magstripe payments
• Helcim POS software (compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android)

Helcim’s pricing is simple and affordable. Best of all, the company fully discloses every fee and rate you might have to pay on its website. Here are the highlights:

• No application or account setup fees
• No monthly or annual fees
• Interchange-plus pricing (rates vary by monthly processing volume)
• 0.5% + $0.25 per ACH transfer
• Helcim Card Reader — $109 (plus $79 for optional receipt printer)
• Helcim Smart Terminal – $349

The small but versatile Helcim Card Reader costs just $109 per device. It can be used as a mobile card reader, stand-alone terminal, or in conjunction with Helcim’s POS software. It can also be paired with the Helcim Virtual Terminal to accept in-person payments on a laptop or desktop computer.

Shopify’s in-person credit card processing fees are more affordable than Square’s if your average transaction is less than $100. Although you’ll have to pay a monthly account fee, Shopify’s rate is one of the lowest we’ve found anywhere.

Shopify is a good choice for omnichannel businesses that primarily sell online but also need to take in-person payments.

The main reason to consider Shopify is that it gives you access to the massive Shopify payments ecosystem, allowing you to upgrade to a more powerful plan with many additional features as your business grows.

The fact that eCommerce giant Shopify felt the need to develop its own proprietary POS tells you just how important it’s becoming to have the ability to sell across multiple channels.

Shopify offers the following POS features:

• Credit card processing
• Shopify POS mobile app
• Full online store
• Embeddable “buy” buttons
• Social media selling
• Mobile invoicing

Shopify uses a simple, flat-rate pricing plan for its credit card processing. Here’s what you’ll pay:

• Monthly software subscription fees
• POS fees start at 2.7% per card-present transaction (with Shopify Payments)
• Online fees start at 2.9% + $0.30 for keyed entry, eCommerce transactions, and invoices (with Shopify Payments)
• Shopify Tap & Chip Reader: $49 each; $39 for the charging dock
• All-In-One Shopify POS Go Device: $399 (includes card reader, barcode scanner, and a touch screen that runs Shopify POS)

Although it’s primarily an eCommerce platform, Shopify also offers two hardware devices for accepting in-person payments.

The $49 Shopify Tap & Chip Reader accepts EMV or NFC payments and can connect to your mobile device via Bluetooth.

For $399, the Shopify POS Go includes a color touch screen and can accept magstripe, EMV, and NFC payment methods. It also includes a built-in barcode scanner.

SumUp doesn’t have as many features as Square, but if you just need a basic mPOS, you probably won’t miss those bells and whistles.

The company’s entry-level card reader, the SumUp Plus, accepts contactless, chip, swiped, and PIN payments while costing you just $39. No Square card reader gives you this kind of versatility in accepting payments, so if you’re looking for Square reader alternatives, give SumUp a look.

However, SumUp is a payment service provider (PSP), so it’s subject to the same account stability issues as Square.

Although it’s pretty basic overall, SumUp includes useful features, such as a “quick sale” mode, refunds, tipping, cash reporting, an item library, item variants, and multiple tax rates. What’s more, SumUp’s flat processing rate of 2.75% means that you’ll save on processing for smaller transactions over Square.

Although it’s based in the UK, SumUp is also available in the US and provides a suitable alternative to Square. Major features include the following:

• SumUp Plus mobile credit card reader
• SumUp Solo credit card terminal
• SumUp POS point-of-sale system
• Virtual terminal
• Mobile invoicing
• International payments support

SumUp offers a very basic pricing structure, with flat-rate pricing used for transactions. Here are the highlights:

• No monthly fee
• 2.75% per card-present transaction
• 2.90% + $0.15 per transaction for invoiced payments
• 3.25% + $0.15 per card-not-present transaction
• No setup or application fees
• No monthly minimum
• $39-$129 for SumUp card readers and terminals

SumUp users can choose between the $39 SumUp Plus mobile card reader and the $129 SumUp Solo terminal.

The SumUp Plus card reader runs on batteries and connects to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth.

The SumUp Solo functions as a standalone device and includes a color touch screen. One unique feature of the SumUp Solo is that it comes with a SIM card and includes free mobile data for use in the field.

Both devices are EMV-compliant and support NFC-based payment methods, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

CDGcommerce offers something for just about any brick-and-mortar merchant while providing the stability of a dedicated merchant account.

All contracts are month-to-month with no long-term commitment or early termination fee. There are also no monthly minimums, setup fees, gateway fees, or PCI compliance fees. CDGcommerce offers a flat-rate pricing option that’s very similar to Square but also provides interchange-plus and membership pricing options that will save you money in processing costs as your business grows.

If you’ve been using Square but are now ready for a merchant account, CDGcommerce is an excellent full-service provider that can address all your sales channels, from eCommerce to retail POS and mobile sales.

Major features include the following:

• True, full-service merchant accounts
• True month-to-month billing
• Choice of credit card terminals
• Choice of payment gateways
• PastePay POS software
• Choice of processing rate plans

CDGcommerce offers a choice of flat-rate, interchange-plus, or membership pricing options, depending on your monthly sales volume. The company’s flat-rate plan is similar to Square, with the following rates:

• 2.75% + $0.30 per card-present transaction
• 2.90% + $0.30 per card-not-present transaction

There’s no monthly fee for the flat-rate plan, but you’ll pay $19-$49/month for an interchange-plus plan or $49-$199/month for a membership plan.

CDGcommerce includes one “free” EMV-compliant terminal with each account, which only requires a $79 annual terminal insurance fee.

The company also offers a choice between the Harbortouch Echo POS, Vital POS, and PastePay POS systems. PastePay is a cloud-based POS system that runs on iPads, tablets, or Windows/Mac laptops or desktops and is integrated with various countertop terminals and mobile card readers. Normally $79/month + $0.25/transaction, CDGcommerce offers PastePay for a flat $199/year.

With no monthly fee and its integration with PayPal’s existing merchant services suite, PayPal Zettle is a solid option for low-volume merchants. If you prefer a more robust POS system, Zettle offers four different Store Kit options ranging in price from $249 to $699. Each kit includes a Zettle Reader 2 and some combination of a dock, an iPad stand, a Smart Printer, thermal rolls for the printer, and a barcode scanner. Each accessory is also available separately, along with a cash drawer.

As an alternative to Square’s, PayPal Zettle has the advantage of being cheaper than Square’s tap & chip reader and more capable of taking PIN payments. Moreover, PayPal’s in-person processing rate is lower than Square’s. Of course, being a payment service provider, PayPal is subject to the same account stability issues as Square.

PayPal is Square’s biggest competitor when it comes to mobile payments. Through PayPal Zettle, the company offers mobile card readers and POS systems and charges credit card processing rates that are competitive with Square.

Here are the primary features:

• Zettle mobile app
• Zettle Reader 2 with integrated PIN pad supports EMV and NFC-based payments
• Support for QR code payments
• Ability to log cash payments
• Integrates with other PayPal features
• Integrates with third-party services (e.g., Shopify, QuickBooks Online, etc.)

While PayPal’s latest fee structure is notoriously complex, pricing for PayPal Zettle is fairly simple. Here are the key points:

• Zettle Reader 2: $29 for the first reader, $79 each for additional readers
• Zettle Terminal: $199 for device, $70 for receipt printer/charging dock
• No monthly fee
• 2.29% + $0.09 per card-present or QR code transaction
• 3.49% + $0.09 per keyed-in transaction

PayPal’s Zettle 2 mobile card reader works in conjunction with the Zettle mobile app to provide a full mobile payments solution. It can accept EMV and NFC-based payment methods and includes a built-in PIN pad for debit card transactions. It can run for up to eight hours on battery, and an optional charging dock is available for $49.

PayPal has also recently introduced the Zettle Terminal, a ‘smart’ terminal device that functions in either countertop or wireless modes. The Zettle Terminal features Wi-Fi or 4G connectivity, a color touchscreen, and a pre-loaded SIM card that doesn’t require a monthly data plan subscription.