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Square

by Block, Inc. (Square)

A payments and point-of-sale platform for taking card payments in person and online, with a free magstripe reader for eligible new users.

Visit Square → Square

Square

How it helps you

Square is useful for a founder selling in the real world, such as at markets, cafés, salons, and pop-ups, because it bundles a free POS app, hardware options, and payments with no monthly fee. Setup is fast and non-technical, and it includes tools for invoices, a basic online store, and receipts. You may be able to take your first payment the same day.

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Facts & pricing

Free POS plan with no monthly fee; free magstripe reader for new users
In-person 2.6% + 15¢ per tap/dip/swipe
Online 3.3% + 30¢ (raised from 2.9% + 30¢ on the free plan in January 2026)
Manually keyed cards 3.5% + 15¢

Pricing: No monthly fee; 2.6% + 15¢ in person, 3.3% + 30¢ online

Caveats

Its online card rate is now higher than Stripe's or PayPal's after the January 2026 increase. Square is known to freeze or hold funds on accounts it flags as high-risk, which can disrupt cash flow for new sellers.

Bottom line

Pick Square when you sell in person or need an easy all-in-one POS with no monthly fee and an eligible free reader for new users.

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More Payments

Similar tools.

PayPal

A widely trusted online payment service that lets businesses accept payments from customers' PayPal balances and cards.

No monthly fee for a standard US business account; transaction rates vary by payment type and market, with some US online payments priced at 2.99% + $0.49

Stripe

A payment processing platform for accepting card and online payments in apps, websites, and subscriptions.

No monthly fee; 2.9% + 30¢ per online charge

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