Stripe vs Square: Complete Comparison (2025)
Side-by-side analysis from payment processing experts
At a Glance
| Feature | Stripe | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Online Pricing | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| In-Person Pricing | 2.7% + $0.05 | 2.6% + $0.10 |
| Monthly Fee | None | None |
| Contract | None | None |
| Setup Time | < 24 hours | < 24 hours |
| Best For | E-commerce, SaaS, Developers | Retail, Restaurants, In-person |
| API Quality | Excellent | Good |
| Hardware | Available (paid) | Free with account |
| Subscription Billing | Built-in | Available |
| Global Reach | 40+ countries | US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan |
Detailed Comparison
Pricing
Stripe
Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 for online payments and 2.7% + $0.05 for in-person transactions. There are no monthly fees, setup fees, or contracts. International cards cost 3.9% + $0.30.
Best for: Businesses processing online payments, especially international transactions.
Square
Square charges 2.6% + $0.10 for in-person payments (their strength) and 2.9% + $0.30 for online. No monthly fees or contracts. Square offers some of the lowest in-person rates in the industry.
Best for: Retail stores and restaurants with primarily in-person sales.
Features & Capabilities
Stripe
- ✓ Superior API and developer tools
- ✓ Built-in subscription billing
- ✓ Global payment methods (40+ countries)
- ✓ Advanced fraud prevention (Stripe Radar)
- ✓ Marketplace payments (Stripe Connect)
Square
- ✓ Free POS hardware included
- ✓ All-in-one POS system
- ✓ Inventory management
- ✓ Employee management
- ✓ Lower in-person processing fees
Ease of Use
Stripe
Stripe requires technical knowledge for full implementation, but offers excellent documentation and developer tools. Non-technical users can use Stripe Checkout or Payment Links for simple setups.
Square
Square is designed for ease of use. The POS system is intuitive, and online setup is straightforward. Perfect for businesses without technical resources.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Stripe if:
- • You need custom payment flows
- • You're building a SaaS product
- • You need subscription billing
- • You process international payments
- • You have technical resources
Choose Square if:
- • You need in-person payments
- • You want hardware included
- • You run a retail store or restaurant
- • You need inventory management
- • You want an all-in-one solution
Frequently Asked Questions: Stripe vs Square
Is Stripe better than Square?
It depends on your business needs. Stripe is better for: online businesses, SaaS companies, developers who need custom payment flows, and businesses processing international payments. Square is better for: retail stores, restaurants, businesses that need in-person payment processing, and those who want free hardware included. Stripe excels at online payments and developer tools, while Square excels at in-person payments and all-in-one POS solutions.
What are the fees for Stripe vs Square?
Online payments: Both charge 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. In-person payments: Stripe charges 2.7% + $0.05, while Square charges 2.6% + $0.10. Square has a slight edge for in-person transactions, while Stripe is slightly better for online card-present transactions. Neither has monthly fees or contracts. For a detailed cost analysis, use our payment processing cost calculator.
Can I use both Stripe and Square?
Yes, many businesses use both processors for different purposes. For example, you might use Square for in-person retail sales and Stripe for online e-commerce. However, this adds complexity to your payment processing setup. Most businesses choose one primary processor based on their main payment channel.
Which is easier to set up: Stripe or Square?
Square is generally easier to set up for non-technical users, especially for in-person payments. You can start accepting payments immediately with their free card reader. Stripe requires more technical knowledge for full implementation, though they offer Stripe Checkout and Payment Links for simpler setups. If you have a developer, Stripe's API is more powerful and flexible.
Does Square work in Australia/UK like Stripe?
Stripe has much broader international support - available in 40+ countries including Australia, UK, and most of Europe. Square is more limited - primarily available in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and Japan. If you need to process payments in multiple countries, Stripe is the better choice. Check our Square review and Stripe review for detailed country availability.
Which is better for subscription billing: Stripe or Square?
Stripe is significantly better for subscription billing. Stripe has built-in subscription management with features like prorations, trial periods, metered billing, and usage-based pricing. Square offers basic recurring payments but lacks the advanced subscription features that Stripe provides. If you're building a SaaS product or need complex subscription billing, Stripe is the clear winner.