Saving On Credit Card Processing Without Switching Providers
Merchant Cost Consulting analyzes your payment processing statements to find any hidden junk fees or exorbitant rates and estimate how much they can save you per month. They will renegotiate your agreement for you, so you don’t have to switch processors to get immediate savings.
Square offers a very capable free POS system for specific industries. However, there are a lot of Square alternatives that may be a better POS fit for your business.
Frank has been writing about payment processing and business services since 2015. He is a retired Air Force officer and a former practicing attorney. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Ventura College of Law.
WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY
Frank KehlFrank has been writing about payment processing and business services since 2015. He is a retired Air Force officer and a former practicing attorney. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Ventura College of Law.
Expert Contributor
Last updated onUpdated
Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
REVIEWED BY
Erica SeppalaErica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
Editor & Senior Staff Writer
Our content reflects the editorial opinions of our experts. While our site makes money through referral partnerships, we only partner with companies that meet our standards for quality, as outlined in our independent rating and scoring system.
Square’s small business services include credit card processing, POS systems, eCommerce payments, invoicing, and much more. However, Square isn’t right for everybody, and you might be looking for an alternative. Many merchants and entrepreneurs need what Square can’t provide: better pricing at high volumes, account stability, and an even more robust feature set.
Square’s “something for everybody” approach makes it both one of the best POS systems and one of the best credit card processing companies for small businesses, which means that few other providers will have everything Square offers. That’s why we highlight aspects of various Square alternatives that compare favorably with what Square provides.
Square offers several functional, low-cost card readers and terminals that are more than adequate for a small operation. That’s why Square is one of the best free POS systems for small businesses. However, if you’re looking for alternatives to Square, these are our top choices:
While Square offers all the basic functionality a small business would need, you'll eventually find it can't do everything your growing business needs to succeed. Retail businesses looking for something more sophisticated should check out Lightspeed Retail. There's also Lightspeed Restaurant, which offers a great POS system for restaurants of any size.
Lightspeed is an iPad and desktop POS system that's great for single or multi-location businesses. Lightspeed boasts strong inventory management, loyalty programs, and eCommerce features, and is suitable for B2B, service, subscription, and rental businesses.
Lightspeed Features
Lightspeed Retail Features
Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments
Multi-Channel Selling
Core plan and up
Gift Cards
Customer Loyalty
Core plan and up
Marketing Tools
Core plan and up
Online Ordering
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management
EBT Acceptance
Employee Management
Text Messaging
Lightspeed offers POS software that can run on a PC or iPad, saving you the cost of a single-function, dedicated POS system. Unlike Square’s rather basic offering, Lightspeed includes many advanced features:
For single/multi-location retail businesses looking for a strong loyalty program and advanced business reporting
Using Lightspeed’s POS software requires a monthly subscription, but you’ll save money by paying your fees annually.
For Lightspeed Payments, processing rates are 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction (card-present) and 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (card-not-present).
Lightspeed Hardware
You can source your own iPads, or you can purchase iPads from Lightspeed. You can also purchase other hardware, including iPad stands, scanners, cash drawers, and printers. Hardware ranges from $199 – $329.
Choose Lightspeed If...
You need advanced restaurant or retail POS features
You have a larger budget and want consistent pricing
Numerous feature integrations via Clover App Marketplace
Easy to set up
Cons
Potentially high upfront costs
Why We Chose Clover
Clover POS is unique because it is offered by countless merchant service providers. While Clover offers a pared-down plan with no monthly fee, most Clover plans involve a monthly software fee in addition to the cost of purchasing your equipment.
When it comes to Clover vs Square's pricing, Clover's equipment and monthly fees are more expensive than Square's. But the company's software is so adaptable and customizable (with the help of Clover's extensive app marketplace) that it can suit businesses of just about any type and size. It's also known for being very easy to use, although customer support can be inconsistent.
Clover Features
Clover POS Features
Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments
Depends on hardware choice
Multi-Channel Selling
Gift Cards
Customer Loyalty
Marketing Tools
Online Ordering
Based on software plan
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management
EBT Acceptance
Add-on app
Employee Management
Text Messaging
Clover’s popular line of processing hardware ranges from the basic Clover Go mobile card reader to the full-featured Clover Station Duo point of sale (POS) system. Most devices include the following features:
Full support for EMV and NFC-based payment methods
Clover requires a monthly software subscription fee unless you can get by with the bare-bones free plan. There is an add-on charge for each additional device on your account.
Processing rates and account fees will vary depending on your provider. However, flat-rate pricing plans are available that charge as little as 2.3% – 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction per in-person transaction and 3.5% + $0.10 per transaction for online transactions.
Clover Equipment
Clover’s hardware is among the most popular in the payments industry. Merchants love Clover devices’ flexibility and expandability, including access to dozens of industry-specific apps on the Clover App Market. However, this kind of power doesn’t come cheap.
Clover hardware costs vary based on where you purchase your equipment (either directly through Clover or through one of the best Clover resellers). You’ll pay anywhere from $199 – $1,799 for a basic Clover Go Card Reader up to a Clover Station Pro POS system.
Choose Clover If...
You’re willing to pay more upfront for a robust POS system with sleek hardware
We chose CDGcommerce as a great alternative to Square because it offers something for just about any brick-and-mortar merchant while providing the stability of a dedicated merchant account.
All contracts are month-to-month with no long-term commitment or early termination fee. There are no monthly minimums, setup fees, gateway fees, or PCI compliance fees. CDGcommerce offers a flat-rate pricing option that's very similar to Square but also provides interchange-plus and membership pricing options that will save you money in processing costs as your business grows.
CDGcommerce Features
If you’ve been using Square but are now ready for a merchant account, CDGcommerce is an excellent full-service provider that can address all your sales channels, from eCommerce to retail POS and mobile sales.
There’s no monthly fee for the flat-rate plan, but you’ll pay for the interchange-plus plan or the membership plan.
CDGcommerce offers flat-rate, interchange-plus, or membership pricing options, depending on your monthly sales volume. Rates are as follows:
2.9% + $0.30; interchange + 0.20-0.25% + $0.10; or interchange + $0.06-$0.15 per card-present transaction
3.5% + $0.30; interchange + 0.20-0.30% + $0.10-$0.15; or interchange + $0.06-$0.15 per card-not-present transaction
CDGcommerce Hardware
CDGcommerce includes one “free” EMV-compliant terminal with each account, which requires an annual terminal insurance fee.
The company also offers a choice between the Harbortouch Echo POS, Vital POS, and PastePay POS systems. PastePay is a cloud-based POS system that runs on iPads, tablets, or Windows/Mac laptops or desktops and is integrated with various countertop terminals and mobile card readers. CDGcommerce offers PastePay for a flat $199/year.
Choose CDGcommerce If...
You don’t need to sell internationally
You want a flat rate with an option for no monthly fees
Get a free Clover Go card reader from National Processing when you sign up. Claim your card reader.
Pros
Extensive selection of credit card terminals and POS systems
Offers flat-rate or customized pricing
Low-cost echeck/ACH payment processing
Excellent online reputation
Cons
“Free” equipment may require a long-term contract
Early termination fee charged for “free” equipment
Why We Chose National Processing
National Processing offers flat-rate pricing just like Square but provides a full-service merchant account rather than an aggregated one. Although you'll have to pay a low monthly fee, the company's pricing will likely save you money on your transaction processing over what you'd pay with Square.
National Processing offers "free" mobile readers and terminals with some plans, but interested businesses should proceed cautiously. Where the normal plans are month-to-month, accepting free equipment can lock you into a long-term contract.
While National Processing is more flexible in enforcing its early termination fee than most providers, we strongly recommend purchasing your equipment outright to avoid a long-term commitment.
National Processing Features
National Processing Features
Availability
Dedicated Merchant Account
PCI Compliance
High-Risk Accounts
International Accounts
Contactless Payments
ACH Processing
Digital Wallet Acceptance
EBT Acceptance
Virtual Terminal
Mobile POS Reader & App
Hosted Online Store
Payment Links
Payment Gateway Integrations
Shopping Cart Integrations
POS Integrations
BNPL Integrations
API Documentation
Currency Conversion
Recurring Billing
Invoicing
Cash Discount Program
Cryptocurrency Processing
National Processing offers a full line of payment processing features, including:
If you want to pass on your credit card processing fees to customers. (Customers pay 3.99% per credit card transaction.)
National Processing offers several flat-rate pricing options for merchants processing less than $30,000/month. Above that amount, you’ll be eligible for a customized pricing plan tailored to your business. Here’s what you’ll pay:
In-person transactions: 2.41-2.5% + $0.10
Online transactions: 2.9% + $0.30
ACH processing: $15.00/month + 0-1.5% + $0.48/transaction
National Processing Hardware
National Processing offers various “smart” credit card terminals and POS systems available at multiple price points. Free devices are available, but typically require a long-term contract.
Choose National Processing If...
You want to spend very little money upfront
You want access to a variety of POS terminals and software options
Small businesses typically choose Square for its lack of a monthly fee and its predictable pricing structure. With Helcim vs Square, you'll get the same rock-bottom pricing and the stability of a true merchant account for about the same overall cost. In fact, Helcim's interchange-plus pricing will save you money on credit card processing costs over Square at higher processing volumes.
It's an excellent choice for merchants looking to avoid the account instability and limited customer support offered by payment service providers (PSPs) such as Square.
Helcim Features
Available in the United States and Canada, Helcim is one of the most affordable options for small businesses looking for the stability of a true merchant account. Key features include the following:
Full-service merchant accounts
Interchange-plus pricing for all users
Support for international payments without currency conversion fees
Helcim Card Reader & Helcim Smart Terminal support EMV, NFC, and magstripe payments
Helcim POS software (compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Helcim Smart Terminal)
Helcim Pricing
Helcim’s pricing is simple and affordable. Best of all, the company fully discloses every fee and rate you might have to pay on its website. Here are the highlights:
ACH transfers: 0.5% + $0.25 ($6 cap for transactions <$25K)
Equipment: $99 or $329
Helcim Hardware
The small but versatile Helcim Card Reader can be used as a mobile card reader, stand-alone terminal, or in conjunction with Helcim’s POS software. It can also be paired with the Helcim Virtual Terminal to accept in-person payments on a laptop or desktop computer.
A more sophisticated and powerful option is the Helcim Smart Terminal. This all-in-one device features a color touchscreen display and a built-in receipt printer and comes with the Helcim POS software application pre-installed.
Choose Helcim If...
You want extremely competitive interchange-plus processing rates
You are a large or mid-sized retailer with a higher processing volume
Lower processing rates than Square for transactions under $100
Strong feature set
Inexpensive card readers
Easy to scale
Cons
Same account stability issues as Square
Requires a paid subscription
Why We Chose Spotify
Shopify's processing fees are more affordable than Square's if your average transaction is less than $100. Although you'll have to pay a monthly account fee, Shopify's rate is one of the lowest we've found anywhere.
Shopify is a good choice for omnichannel businesses that primarily sell online but also need to take in-person payments.
The main reason to consider Shopify vs Square is that it gives you access to the massive Shopify payments ecosystem, allowing you to upgrade to a more powerful plan with many additional features as your business grows.
Shopify Features
Shopify Features
Availability
Retail Equipment Available
International Sales
Currency Conversion
Shoppable Social Posts
Gift Cards
Customer Loyalty
Marketing Tools
Hosted Platform
Reports
Staff Accounts
Buy Buttons
Multi-Platform Integrations
Shipping Tools
Shipping Discounts
Free Themes
Unlimited Products
The fact that eCommerce giant Shopify felt the need to develop its own proprietary POS tells you just how important it’s becoming to have the ability to sell across multiple channels.
The SumUp Plus reader accepts tapped, dipped, swiped, and PIN payments
Ideal for low-volume businesses
Cons
Limited features
Account stability issues
Why We Chose SumUp
When comparing SumUp vs Square, SumUp doesn't have as many features, but if you need a basic mPOS, you probably won't miss those bells and whistles.
The company's entry-level card reader, the SumUp Plus, accepts contactless, chip, swiped, and PIN payments and is very affordable. No Square card reader gives you this kind of versatility in accepting payments, so if you're looking for Square reader alternatives, give SumUp a look.
Although it's pretty basic overall, SumUp includes useful features, such as a "quick sale" mode, refunds, tipping, cash reporting, an item library, item variants, and multiple tax rates.
SumUp Features
SumUp Features
Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments
Multi-Channel Selling
Gift Cards
Customer Loyalty
Marketing Tools
Online Ordering
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management
via paid Deliverect integration
EBT Acceptance
Employee Management
Text Messaging
Although it’s based in the UK, SumUp is also available in the US and provides a suitable alternative to Square. Major features include the following:
If you want a countertop POS with advanced back-office features and customer loyalty. Includes Connect Lite, Connect Plus, and Connect Pro tier options.
SumUp offers a very basic pricing structure, with flat-rate pricing used for transactions. Here are the highlights:
No monthly fee
2.6% + $0.10 per card-present transaction
2.9% + $0.15 per transaction for invoiced payments
3.5% + $0.15 per card-not-present transaction
No setup or application fees
No monthly minimum
$54-$799+ for SumUp card readers and terminals
SumUp Hardware
SumUp users can choose between the SumUp Plus mobile card reader and the SumUp Solo terminal.
The SumUp Plus card reader runs on batteries and connects to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth.
The SumUp Solo is a standalone device and includes a color touch screen. One unique feature of the SumUp Solo is that it comes with a SIM card and includes free mobile data for use in the field.
Both devices are EMV-compliant and support NFC-based payment methods, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Cheaper and more versatile than Square’s contactless/chip reader
Ideal for lower-volume merchants
Lower in-person processing fees than Square
Cons
Same account stability issues as Square
Poor customer support
Not ideal for high-volume merchants
Why We Chose PayPal Point Of Sale
With no monthly fee, plus integration with PayPal's existing merchant services suite, PayPal Point of Sale (formerly PayPal Zettle) is a solid option for low-volume merchants. If you prefer a more robust POS system, PayPal Point of Sale has you covered there, too.
PayPal vs Square's chip readers are comparable. PayPal's card reader is cheaper than Square's tap & chip reader and more capable of taking PIN payments. Moreover, PayPal's in-person processing rate is lower than Square's. Of course, being a payment service provider, PayPal is subject to the same account stability issues as Square.
PayPal Point Of Sale Features
PayPal is Square’s biggest competitor when it comes to mobile payments. Through PayPal Point of Sale, the company offers mobile card readers and POS systems and charges credit card processing rates that are competitive with Square.
Here are the primary features:
POS mobile app
Card Reader with integrated PIN pad supports EMV and NFC-based payments
Support for QR code payments
Ability to log cash payments
Integrates with other PayPal features
Integrates with third-party services (e.g., Shopify, QuickBooks Online, etc.)
PayPal Point Of Sale Pricing
While PayPal’s latest fee structure is notoriously complex, pricing for PayPal Point of Sale is fairly simple. Here are the key points:
Equipment: $29+
No monthly fee
2.29% + $0.09 (including QR code transactions) per card-present transaction
3.49% + $0.49 for invoices paid with PayPal; 2.99% + $0.49 for invoices paid via credit card per keyed-in transaction
PayPal Point Of Sale Hardware
PayPal’s mobile card reader works in conjunction with the POS mobile app to provide a full mobile payments solution. It can accept EMV and NFC-based payment methods and includes a built-in PIN pad for debit card transactions. It can run for up to eight hours on battery, and an optional charging dock is available.
PayPal also offers the Terminal, a ‘smart’ terminal device that functions in either countertop or wireless modes. The Terminal features Wi-Fi or 4G connectivity, a color touchscreen, and a pre-loaded SIM card that doesn’t require a monthly data plan subscription.
Choose PayPal Point Of Sale If...
You are making many in-person transactions particularly through PayPal
Merchant Maverick has been researching the payment processing industry since 2009. Our writers have reviewed hundreds of credit card processors, merchant account services, and mobile payment apps, evaluating each provider carefully on several different metrics.
Weighted Rating Breakdown
Fees & Rates 35%
Contract 20%
Products & Services 15%
Sales & Advertising Transparency 15%
Customer Service 10%
User Reviews 5%
When comparing different payment processing companies and applications to one another, we consider numerous data points. Our experts start by comparing credit card processing rates, the presence of additional fees, contract length, sales practices, and the presence or absence of additional features and services, like point of sale software. Each provider is judged on its own merits and how well it stacks up to industry standards; then it is weighed against the other providers on the list.
We spend an average of 10-15 hours researching and updating each one of our lists, making sure every company or application included meets our internal standards for quality and reputation. Any list of recommended payment processors on our site might contain a mix of standard merchant accounts, third-party payment processors, mobile payment devices, and high-risk payment processors, depending on what our expert feels is the best fit for certain scenarios or business types.
For additional details about Merchant Maverick’s review and rating processes, please refer to any or all of the following methodology pages:
Square takes a jack-of-all-trades approach with its merchant services, offering a mobile POS system, payment processing, and many other business tools. Accordingly, Square suits a very wide variety of small business types. It’s one of the best mobile POS systems around. That’s why it is consistently on Merchant Maverick’s lists of the best restaurant point-of-sale systemsand the best retail POS systems.
For a free mobile POS system, it’s amazing. But once your business starts growing, your needs will evolve. At that point, you may need more from your POS provider and/or payment processor than Square provides.
The good news is that there are lots of companies like Square. If you’re currently using (or thinking about using) Square, here are the primary reasons why you may want to consider switching to one of the Square competitors in this post:
Your business is adding locations and/or expanding its inventory. As your business grows, you may need a system with more sophisticated POS inventory management capabilities.
Your processing volume increases to over $5,000 a month. Switching to a dedicated merchant account provider can mean significantly lower processing rates as your credit card processing volume increases. Square’s prices generally work best for businesses processing less than about $5,000/month.
You’ve switched payment processors and want a more sophisticated POS system.
You need a strong eCommerce system. While Square Online is a very solid eCommerce solution, it isn’t the best fit for high-volume merchants, and you might want to try another of the best POS systems for eCommerce.
Which Square Competitor Is Right For Your Business?
Square is a great fit for many small businesses and entrepreneurs, but there are plenty of good reasons to consider competitors to Square. Whether you want a cheaper credit card processor, advanced POS features, better account stability, or something else, sometimes Square just doesn’t fit the bill.
Fortunately, you’ll find many other POS companies like Square on the market that your business can use to take payments on mobile devices. When deciding between the various Square competitors, here are a few questions to consider to get you started:
Do I need a more stable account provider?
Do I process enough card transactions to benefit from high-volume savings?
Does this Square alternative have all the features I need?
Can I justify the cost of any add-ons?
If you’re already using Square but want to switch to one of the providers we’ve profiled above, check out our article on deactivating your Square account.
Frank has been writing about payment processing and business services since 2015. He is a retired Air Force officer and a former practicing attorney. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Ventura College of Law.
Want to help shape the future of the Merchant Maverick website? Join our testing and survey community!
By providing feedback on how we can improve, you can earn gift cards and get early access to new features.
Our Experts Recommend PaymentCloud 🏆PaymentCloud can help almost any business save on credit card processing.Whether you're looking to save money on processing or to get approved for a merchant account, PaymentCloud can help.Get StartedAt PaymentCloud
We Want Your Feedback!
Help us to improve by providing some feedback on your experience today.
The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.
Our Experts Recommend PaymentCloud 🏆PaymentCloud can help almost any business save on credit card processing.Whether you're looking to save money on processing or to get approved for a merchant account, PaymentCloud can help.Get StartedAt PaymentCloud
Whether you're looking to save money on processing or to get approved for a merchant account, PaymentCloud can help.
Get Started
