Square vs Stripe: Which is Cheaper in 2026?
Complete comparison of Square vs Stripe processing fees, features, and costs. Find out which processor saves you money for your specific business.
Quick Comparison Overview
| Feature | Square | Stripe | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Person Rate | 2.6% + $0.10 | 2.7% + $0.05 | Square |
| Online Rate | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.9% + $0.30 | Tie |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| Setup Fee | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| Best For | Retail, Restaurants | Online, SaaS | Depends |
Detailed Pricing Breakdown
Square
Best for retail and restaurants
Card Present (Chip/Tap/Swipe)
2.6% + $0.10
Per successful card transaction
Card Not Present (Online)
2.9% + $0.30
Per successful card transaction
Manually Entered
3.5% + $0.15
Higher risk transactions
Monthly Fees
$0
No monthly minimums or fees
Stripe
Best for online and SaaS businesses
Card Present (Terminal)
2.7% + $0.05
Per successful card transaction
Online Payments
2.9% + $0.30
Per successful charge
International Cards
+1.5%
Additional fee for international cards
Monthly Fees
$0
No monthly minimums or fees
Which is Better for Your Business?
Choose Square If:
- ✓You're primarily retail or restaurant
- ✓Most sales are in-person
- ✓You want integrated POS system
- ✓You need inventory management
- ✓You prefer simple, transparent pricing
Choose Stripe If:
- ✓You're primarily online/e-commerce
- ✓You're a SaaS or subscription business
- ✓You need developer-friendly APIs
- ✓You handle international customers
- ✓You need advanced features (Connect, Radar)
Consider Alternatives If:
- ⚠You process over $10k/month
- ⚠Your average ticket is over $100
- ⚠You want interchange plus pricing
- ⚠You're willing to negotiate rates
- ⚠You need dedicated support
Monthly Cost Calculator
Example: $10,000/month, 200 transactions
Square (In-Person)
Stripe (In-Person)
Result: Nearly identical costs for this example. The difference depends on your transaction size and volume.
Pros and Cons
Square
✓Pros
- • Lower in-person rates (2.6% vs 2.7%)
- • Excellent POS system included
- • Great for retail and restaurants
- • Free card reader with account
- • Integrated inventory management
- • Next-day deposits included
- • Strong customer support
✗Cons
- • Limited customization options
- • Fewer developer tools
- • Higher manually entered rates
- • Less suitable for pure online businesses
- • Account holds can be lengthy
Stripe
✓Pros
- • Excellent developer tools and APIs
- • Great for online and SaaS businesses
- • Advanced features (Radar, Connect)
- • Strong international support
- • Subscription billing built-in
- • Transparent pricing
- • Scales well with growth
✗Cons
- • Slightly higher in-person rates
- • No built-in POS system
- • More complex for simple businesses
- • International card surcharges
- • Can be overwhelming for beginners
Our Recommendation
The Bottom Line
Both Square and Stripe offer competitive rates with no monthly fees. Your choice should depend on your business model:
Choose Square for:
- • Retail stores and restaurants
- • In-person dominant sales
- • Integrated POS needs
Choose Stripe for:
- • Online and SaaS businesses
- • Developer-centric needs
- • International customers
Processing over $10,000/month? You might save more with interchange-plus processors like Helcim or Payment Depot.
Not Sure Which is Right for You?
Upload your current merchant statement and we'll show you exactly how much Square and Stripe would cost for your specific business.