7 Best Square Alternatives for 2026

Square works fine for many businesses in their early stages, handling basic payment processing with minimal setup complexity. The problems emerge at predictable inflection points: processing volumes where flat-rate pricing becomes expensive compared to interchange-plus models, account freezes that lock up operating cash for weeks, or industry-specific operational needs that Square's general-purpose platform simply doesn't address. The right alternative depends on which specific limitation you've hit.

This guide covers 7 alternatives including modern spend management platforms, breaks down the pros and cons for each option, and provides a comparison table to help you evaluate which platform fits your needs.

What makes a good Square alternative?

A real Square alternative fixes what's broken about Square without creating worse problems. The primary issues driving businesses away include account freezes with extended fund holds, inadequate customer support during critical issues, lack of transparency in risk assessment processes, pricing disadvantages at higher transaction volumes, and structural instability inherent to the Payment Service Provider model.

Payment processing costs vary dramatically once monthly processing reaches $25,000 or more. Interchange-plus pricing models typically cost less than Square's flat-rate approach at this volume. Subscription-based models (typically $99-$199/month with minimal per-transaction fees) can deliver bigger savings at higher volumes.

Beyond cost, industry-specific features matter more than most businesses realize. Square positions itself as a general-purpose payment processor, which works fine for simple retail transactions but falls short for restaurants needing kitchen display systems, table management, and online ordering integration. Purpose-built platforms handle these specialized needs far better than Square's one-size-fits-all approach.

Top Square alternatives by priority

We've seen dozens of businesses evaluate Square alternatives, and the right choice always comes down to solving specific problems rather than chasing features that never get used. Each platform below excels at particular use cases.

1. Ramp: Best for spend management & expense automation

Ramp combines payment processing with automated expense management and spend controls that Square can't match. The platform provides corporate cards with customizable spend limits and policy enforcement that flags suspicious transactions before they're processed rather than during month-end reconciliation.

Pros:

• Real-time spend visibility across all company cards from single dashboard
• Direct accounting software integration syncs transaction data automatically
• 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no category restrictions
• No personal guarantee or credit check required for qualified businesses
• Unlimited virtual and physical cards at no additional cost

Cons:

• Approval typically requires around $25,000 in business bank accounts
• Only available to incorporated entities like LLCs, corporations, and LPs
• Credit limits adjust dynamically based on cash flow patterns

Pricing: Ramp charges no monthly fees for core spend management features and provides 1.5% cash back on all card purchases. Approval requirements vary based on company financial health and spending patterns.

2. Toast: Best for full-service restaurants

Toast built its platform specifically for restaurant operations with features like kitchen display systems, table management, and online ordering that Square's restaurant mode doesn't offer. The platform handles restaurant-specific workflows that general-purpose payment processors aren't designed to address.

Pros:

• Kitchen display systems route orders directly from POS to kitchen screens
• Server-specific reporting tracks individual performance and tips
• Menu engineering tools analyze item profitability and placement
• Third-party delivery integration connects DoorDash, Uber Eats, and GrubHub
• Offline mode continues processing when internet connection drops

Cons:

• Must use Toast for payment processing with no third-party processor option
• Processing fees higher than general-purpose alternatives
• Proprietary hardware limits flexibility in terminal choices
• Contract commitments typically required with early termination penalties
• Processing rates have increased periodically as stated company policy

Pricing: Toast's Core POS plan starts at $69/month with 2.49% + $0.15 per transaction. The Starter Kit offers no monthly software fee but charges higher processing rates between 3.09% and 3.69% + $0.15 depending on features included.

3. Shopify POS: Best for omnichannel sellers

Shopify POS works for retailers selling both online and in-person by syncing inventory automatically between channels. The platform removes the manual reconciliation spreadsheets that typically consume hours during month-end close when managing separate e-commerce and POS systems.

Pros:

• Single dashboard manages products, orders, and customer data across channels
• Customer profiles combine online browsing with in-store purchase history
• Buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS) functionality built into platform
• Extensive app marketplace provides add-ons for specialized business needs
• Sales reporting combines online and in-person data automatically

Cons:

• Third-party payment processors trigger additional transaction fees
• POS Pro subscription required for advanced features like unlimited staff accounts
• Customization more limited than open-source e-commerce platforms
• Monthly costs increase with multiple locations and add-on apps
• Learning curve steeper than simpler point-of-sale systems

Pricing: The Basic plan costs $29/month with annual billing and includes POS Lite at no additional charge, processing in-person transactions at 2.6% + 10¢ when using Shopify Payments. POS Pro adds $89/month per location for features like unlimited staff accounts and enhanced inventory management.

4. Stripe: Best for customization & developer integration

Stripe works for businesses with development resources needing custom payment flows and extensive API access. The platform lets you build exactly the payment experience you need rather than adapting to a standardized checkout process, making it suitable for service businesses with technical teams who need subscription billing automation.

Pros:

• API documentation enables completely custom payment implementations
• Supports 135+ currencies for international transaction processing
• Stripe Radar provides machine learning-based fraud prevention
• Payment Links create shareable checkout pages without coding
• Lower online processing rate (2.9% + $0.30) than Square's 3.3% + $0.30

Cons:

• Requires developer resources or technical knowledge to implement
• No physical POS hardware or in-store payment terminals included
• Customer support primarily through documentation and email tickets
• Setup complexity higher than plug-and-play payment processors
• Limited built-in business management features beyond payment processing

Pricing: Stripe charges no monthly fees for standard accounts. Online transactions process at 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. In-person payments through Stripe Terminal cost 2.7% + $0.05 per transaction when using Stripe-compatible readers.

5. Clover: Best for hardware flexibility & customization

Clover provides extensive hardware options across different form factors, which matters when you need specific devices for different spaces within the same business. A restaurant can deploy handhelds for servers taking tableside orders while using a full station for the host stand, all within the same payment ecosystem.

Pros:

• Hardware ranges from pocket readers to full countertop stations
• App marketplace provides specialized functionality for various business types
• Works for both retail stores and restaurant operations
• Customizable interface adapts to different workflow requirements
• Inventory management features built into platform

Cons:

• Sold exclusively through resellers, creating inconsistent pricing and support
• Contract requirements and early termination fees standard practice
• Processing rates vary significantly depending on which reseller you use
• Initial setup more complex than simpler payment processors
• Total cost can exceed alternatives when including hardware and monthly fees

Pricing: Monthly software fees range from $16 for basic plans to $239 for advanced features. Processing fees typically fall between 2.3% and 2.6% + 10¢ for in-person transactions, though rates vary by reseller. Hardware costs range from basic card readers around $49 to full station systems at $1,699-$1,799.

6. Helcim: Best for transparent, affordable payment processing

Helcim uses interchange-plus pricing that shows exactly what you pay for each transaction rather than hiding costs in flat-rate structures. This transparency matters most for businesses processing substantial monthly volume, where the difference between interchange-plus and flat-rate pricing compounds. For companies managing cash flow forecasting, costs based on actual interchange rates make monthly projections more predictable.

Pros:

• Complete fee transparency with detailed monthly statements
• Automatic volume discounts at $50K, $100K, $500K, and $1M thresholds
• Month-to-month contracts with no cancellation penalties
• Free suite of business tools including invoicing and virtual terminal
• No setup fees, monthly fees, or PCI compliance charges

Cons:

• Real cost savings typically require processing at least $10,000 monthly
• Per-transaction costs vary by card type, complicating precise budgeting
• Hardware selection smaller than larger competitors
• Interchange-plus pricing model has learning curve for new users
• Less suitable for businesses with very low transaction volumes

Pricing: Helcim charges interchange + 0.40% + 8¢ for in-person transactions and interchange + 0.50% + 25¢ for online transactions. The platform automatically applies volume discounts as monthly processing increases. Hardware is purchased outright with no rental fees.

7. PayPal Zettle: Best for mobile & vendor solutions

PayPal Zettle provides basic payment acceptance for businesses needing simple transactions without monthly commitments. The platform works for mobile operations like farmers markets, pop-up shops, and vendors who value PayPal's established brand recognition for customer trust.

Pros:

• Low upfront investment with $29 card reader
• Works on smartphones without dedicated terminal hardware
• No foreign transaction fees for international payments
• Immediate access to PayPal's payment ecosystem and customer base
• Simple setup process with minimal technical requirements

Cons:

• Customer support reputation poor with documented long wait times
• Account restrictions can prevent fund withdrawals without clear explanation
• Extended fund holds (up to 180 days) reported in customer reviews
• Business management features limited to basic payment processing
• Per-transaction costs (2.29% + 9¢) higher than volume-based processors

Pricing: PayPal Zettle charges $29 for the card reader hardware with 2.29% + 9¢ per in-person transaction and no monthly software fees. Online payments through PayPal process at 2.99% + $0.49 per transaction for standard accounts.

Square alternatives by business type

Industry and sales models determine which features actually matter versus which just sound good in marketing copy. Here's how different platforms match common operations.

Best for startups

Ramp works well for startups needing integrated expense management from day one, particularly those backed by venture capital or with solid cash reserves. The platform's automated expense categorization and spend controls prevent the manual tracking overhead that often bogs down early-stage operations teams.

PayPal Zettle or Helcim serve startups prioritizing payment processing simplicity. PayPal Zettle costs just $29 for hardware with 2.29% + 9¢ processing and no monthly fees, minimizing upfront investment. Helcim provides lower per-transaction costs with no monthly fees and month-to-month contracts, making it ideal for businesses with variable monthly processing volumes.

Best for restaurants

Full-service restaurants benefit most from Toast, which dominates with integrated kitchen display systems, table management, online ordering, and delivery management. The $69/month Core POS plan with 2.49% + $0.15 processing provides purpose-built restaurant features Square can't match. Clover serves as the primary alternative for restaurants requiring maximum customization beyond Toast's specialized capabilities.

Best for retail stores

Shopify POS leads for retailers with existing or planned e-commerce through its unified commerce capabilities. The platform provides unified inventory management across online and in-person channels, removing the manual reconciliation required when using separate e-commerce and POS systems.

Single-location retailers without e-commerce typically don't need specialized platforms built for complex multi-channel operations. For these businesses, Helcim provides significant cost savings through transparent interchange-plus pricing with zero monthly fees.

Best for service businesses

Ramp works well for service businesses needing integrated expense management with automated receipt matching and spend controls. Stripe leads for service businesses with development resources requiring recurring billing automation and custom payment flows. PayPal serves service businesses prioritizing simplicity and international acceptance, supporting over 100 currencies for immediate credibility with clients, particularly for international consulting or freelance work.

Best for e-commerce + in-person

Shopify POS leads for retailers selling both online and in-person through unified inventory management. The platform synchronizes stock levels across channels automatically, eliminating manual reconciliation. Basic plan costs $29/month (annual billing) for Shopify plus $89/month for POS Pro if advanced retail features are needed, with 2.6% + 10¢ processing when using Shopify Payments.

Best for mobile & pop-pp sellers

For businesses still in founder-does-everything mode running mobile operations, PayPal Zettle provides the lowest barrier to entry at $29 for hardware with 2.29% + 9¢ processing and zero monthly fees. The platform works on smartphones, requiring no dedicated terminal hardware for ultra-mobile operations. These solutions work well for businesses managing expense tracking on minimal infrastructure.

Square alternatives comparison table

Frequently asked questions

What's the cheapest Square alternative for low-volume businesses?

PayPal Zettle and Helcim work best for low-volume businesses. PayPal Zettle costs $29 for hardware with 2.29% + 9¢ processing and no monthly fees. Helcim offers interchange + 0.40% + 8¢ with no monthly fees, providing lower per-transaction costs once you process more than $5,000 monthly.

Which alternative is best for restaurants?

Toast dominates for full-service restaurants with its $69/month Core plan and 2.49% + $0.15 processing. The platform provides kitchen display systems, table management, and online ordering that Square can't match.

Can I negotiate processing fees with these providers?

Traditional merchant account providers negotiate rates for businesses processing $100,000+ monthly. Helcim offers automatic volume discounts at $50K, $100K, $500K, and $1M thresholds without negotiation.

Do these alternatives work for international payments?

Stripe supports 135+ currencies for international transactions. PayPal Zettle works in multiple countries with no foreign transaction fees. Shopify POS handles international payments through Shopify Payments where available.