Authorize.Net vs Square: Complete Comparison (2025)
Side-by-side analysis from payment processing experts
At a Glance
| Feature | Authorize.Net | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Online Pricing | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| In-Person Pricing | N/A (gateway only) | 2.6% + $0.10 |
| Monthly Fee | $25/month | None |
| Setup Fee | $49 (one-time) | None |
| Contract | Varies | None |
| Setup Time | 1-3 days | < 24 hours |
| Best For | Established E-commerce | Retail, Restaurants, Small Business |
| Merchant Account | Required (separate) | Included |
| Hardware | N/A | Free with account |
| POS System | No | Yes (built-in) |
Detailed Comparison
Pricing & Fees
Authorize.Net
Authorize.Net charges a $25 monthly gateway fee plus $0.10 per transaction. You'll also pay processing fees (typically 2.9% + $0.30) through your merchant account provider. There's a $49 one-time setup fee. Total cost includes both gateway and merchant account fees.
Best for: Established businesses that already have merchant accounts and need a reliable gateway.
Square
Square charges 2.6% + $0.10 for in-person payments and 2.9% + $0.30 for online. No monthly fees, no setup fees, no contracts. Square is an all-in-one solution, so you only pay transaction fees.
Best for: Small businesses and retail stores that want simple, transparent pricing.
Setup & Complexity
Authorize.Net
Authorize.Net requires a two-part setup: you need both a payment gateway (Authorize.Net) and a separate merchant account. This adds complexity and time to the setup process. Setup typically takes 1-3 days.
- ⚠ Requires separate merchant account
- ⚠ More complex setup process
- ✓ Works with existing merchant accounts
Square
Square is an all-in-one solution - you get both payment processing and merchant account services in one. Setup is straightforward and can be completed in less than 24 hours. No separate accounts needed.
- ✓ All-in-one solution
- ✓ Easy setup process
- ✓ No separate accounts needed
Features & Capabilities
Authorize.Net
- ✓ Payment gateway only (online)
- ✓ Recurring billing built-in
- ✓ Virtual terminal
- ✓ Extensive integrations
- ✗ No in-person payments
- ✗ No POS system
Square
- ✓ Online and in-person payments
- ✓ Free POS hardware
- ✓ Complete POS system
- ✓ Inventory management
- ✓ Employee management
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Authorize.Net if:
- • You already have a merchant account
- • You're online-only (no in-person sales)
- • You need extensive integrations
- • You're an established business
- • You need virtual terminal
Choose Square if:
- • You need in-person payments
- • You want to avoid monthly fees
- • You run a retail store or restaurant
- • You want free hardware
- • You're a small business
Frequently Asked Questions: Authorize.Net vs Square
Is Authorize.Net cheaper than Square?
No, Square is generally cheaper for most businesses. Authorize.Net charges a $25/month gateway fee plus $0.10 per transaction, while Square has no monthly fees. For a business processing $5,000/month, Authorize.Net would cost $25 + $5 + processing fees = $30+ per month, while Square would cost $0 in monthly fees. Square only charges transaction fees (2.9% + $0.30 online, 2.6% + $0.10 in-person).
Can Authorize.Net do in-person payments like Square?
No, Authorize.Net is a payment gateway only - it's designed for online payments. It doesn't offer in-person payment processing, POS systems, or hardware. Square is an all-in-one solution that handles both online and in-person payments, making it better for businesses that need both.
Which is easier to set up: Authorize.Net or Square?
Square is much easier to set up. Square is an all-in-one solution that can be set up in less than 24 hours. Authorize.Net requires setting up both a payment gateway and a separate merchant account, which takes 1-3 days and is more complex. Square also provides free hardware, making it easier to get started with in-person payments.
Should I switch from Authorize.Net to Square?
Consider switching if: You need in-person payments, want to eliminate monthly fees, need a POS system, or want simpler setup. Stay with Authorize.Net if: You're online-only, already have a merchant account you're happy with, need extensive integrations that Square doesn't support, or are an established business with complex needs. See our Authorize.Net review and Square review for more details.