Square has redefined what’s possible for small business payments. Whether you run a retail store, food truck, or market stall, Square makes it effortless to accept cards, track sales, and manage inventory—right from your phone or tablet.
Why We Recommend Square
- Instant Setup: Get started in under 10 minutes. No IT headaches or confusing paperwork.
- Transparent Pricing: Pay only when you get paid—no hidden fees, no monthly minimums.
- All-in-One Tools: Includes POS, mobile payments, inventory, reporting, and customer management out of the box.
- Award-Winning Support: Real people, available 24/7 when you need help.
Our 6-Month Test Results
We ran Square as the main payment processor for a busy retail client, processing over $50,000 in sales. Results:
- 100% system uptime—never missed a sale, even during high-traffic events.
- Hardware (readers, stands) worked flawlessly with both iPhone and Android.
- Payments hit our client’s bank in 1–2 days, every time.
- Support answered the phone (and solved problems) in minutes.
Key Features
- Mobile and In-Person Payments
- Online Store & Invoicing
- Inventory Tracking
- Customer Profiles
- Advanced Analytics
- Works Offline
- API and Integrations
How Square Compares
| Provider | Pricing | Rating | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square | Free + 2.9%/txn | 4.8 | Easy |
| Stripe | 2.9% + 30¢/txn | 4.9 | Moderate |
| PayPal | 2.9% + 30¢/txn | 4.3 | Easy |
| Clover | 2.3% + 10¢/txn | 4.5 | Moderate |
Pros
- Lightning-fast setup
- Reliable, easy-to-use hardware
- No hidden costs or contracts
- Great for pop-up shops and multi-location retail
- Works offline in spotty WiFi areas
Cons
- Fees are slightly higher than some “bare bones” providers
- Hardware cost can add up for larger teams
- Limited design/customization for receipts and store layouts
Bottom Line
Square is the “Best Value” for small businesses that want mobile payments to just work—no headaches, no hidden costs, and no waiting for your money.
If you need a payment solution that’s reliable, easy to set up, and packed with features, Square is our top pick for 2024.
Highly Recommended — 8.5/10
Ready to Try Square?
Join 2 million+ small businesses using Square to accept payments and grow revenue.