Square vs Stripe
Square is a good credit card processor for low-volume businesses. How does it compare to Stripe? Read our comparison chart below.
Square has a low swipe fee of 2.6% + $0.15 per transaction. It has no monthly fees, no contract, and no chargeback fees. Square offers a free swipe reader, feature-rich POS app, free virtual terminal, and free online store.
While Stripe has 2.7% + $0.05 per swiped transaction and 2.9% + $0.30 per online transaction. There is no monthly fees and no contract. With customizable API, Stripe offers complete personalization of your online checkout experience.
Compare Square with Stripe, side-by-side.
 |  | |
| Visit Site | Visit Site | |
Square | Stripe | |
|---|---|---|
Square Reader: Free Mobile Credit Card Reader - | Online Payment Processing - | |
Benefits and Features | ||
| Monthly Fee | ||
| Good For | Mobile & small businesses with average transaction over $100 | Online businesses; Customized checkout experience |
| Equipment | Card reader: $0 to $59; Stand, Terminal, and Register available for purchase | Online Processing, Terminal, Stripe for Marketplace & Platforms, Billing Services (subscription & invoicing) |
| Accept International Payments | ||
| Customer Service | Phone, Email, Live Chat Support, Seller Community | Phone (by request), Email, Live Chat, IRC |
| Fraud Prevention Tools |  | |
| Invoice Management | | |
| Pricing Model | Flat rate (also offers customized pricing packages) | |
| Recurring Billing | | |
| ACH Payments | ||
| Swipe Rate | ||
| Online Rate | ||
| Keyed-in Transaction Fee | ||
| Deposit Time | Payments before 5PM PT / 8 PM ET is available the next business day | 7-14 days after the first successful payment |
| Chargeback Fee | ||
CreditDonkey® Reviews | ||
| | |
| Price |   | |
| Equipment | | |
| Contract | | |
| Customer Service | | |
| Ecommerce | | |
| High Volume Business | | |
| Low Volume Business | | |
| Pros & Cons | Pros:
| |
| Bottom Line | Good credit card processor for low-volume businesses... | |
| Visit Site | Visit Site | |
Blank fields may indicate the information is not available, not applicable, or not known to CreditDonkey. Please visit the product website for details. | ||
Square Reader: Free Mobile Credit Card Reader
- Pay 2.6% + 15¢ Per Swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express
- Accept Credit Cards Anywhere
- Fast Setup, No Commitments
Square Contactless and Chip Card Reader
- Pay 2.6% + 15¢ per tap or dip for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express
- Accept Chip Cards and Contactless Payments Anywhere
Square Terminal
- 2.6% + 15¢ per tap, dip, or swipe
- Fully integrated POS system with built-in receipt printer
- 5.5" display
Online Payment Processing
- Accept payments worldwide and automate payouts and financial workflows seamlessly
- Grow with confidence: Whether you're running an e-commerce store, subscription service, or marketplace, Stripe adapts to any business model
- Trusted by millions: From startups to Fortune 500 companies, Stripe powers businesses of every size
- Predictable costs: Transparent flat-rate pricing with no setup fees or monthly charges – pay only for what you use
- Enable more sales: Support credit cards, mobile wallets, and 135+ international payment methods
- Developer-friendly tools: Integrate payments quickly with Stripe's intuitive APIs and documentation
Still need help deciding which merchant services is better? Read the in-depth reviews below. You may also be interested in comparing Square or QuickBooks.
Articles on Square
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Square is simple with flat rate pricing, but a merchant account can provide better savings. Which is better for your business? Read on to compare.
How Much Does Square Charge
Square's mobile card reader lets you accept credit card payments. But how much does Square cost? Read this review to see if it is good for your business.
Square Rates
Square offers a free credit card reader. But there are transaction rates and processing fees you need to be aware of.
Square vs PayPal
Is Square or PayPal better for your small business? Find out how they compare in pricing and features.
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If Stripe closed your account, it's likely because of excessive chargebacks or a breach of Stripe's terms. Here's what you can do about it.
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