Square vs Stripe
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right payment processing solution for your project.
Quick Verdict
Stripe has a feature edge based on documented capabilities, but the best choice depends on your constraints. Square is best for omnichannel businesses, while Stripe excels at most saas products. See methodology for how we compare tools.
Square
Payments for omnichannel
Best for
Stripe
Feature edgeThe gold standard for payments
Best for
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Square | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Card Payments | Yes | Yes |
| Subscriptions | Yes | Yes |
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Marketplace/Connect | No | Yes |
| No-code Options | Yes | Yes Payment Links, Checkout |
| Mobile SDKs | Yes | Yes |
| Global Payments | Yes Limited countries | Yes 135+ currencies |
Pricing Comparison
Square
Stripe
Square Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Great for in-person + online
- +Good POS system
- +All-in-one business tools
- +Easy onboarding
Cons
- -Less developer-focused
- -Limited global coverage
- -Not ideal for pure SaaS
Stripe Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Best-in-class documentation
- +Excellent developer experience
- +Comprehensive feature set
- +Strong ecosystem
Cons
- -Higher fees than some competitors
- -Account holds can be aggressive
- -Support can be slow
Square Verdict
Square shines when you need both in-person and online payments. For pure online SaaS, Stripe is usually better.
Stripe Verdict
Stripe is the default choice for a reason. Unmatched DX and features. Only consider alternatives if fees are critical or you have specific regional needs.
More options in Payment Processing
Looking for different tradeoffs? Explore alternatives to each tool.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Square vs Stripe
Is Square or Stripe better?
It depends on your use case. Square is best for omnichannel businesses and retail + online. Stripe is best for most saas products and marketplaces. Square shines when you need both in-person and online payments. For pure online SaaS, Stripe is usually better.
Is Square free?
No, Square does not have a free tier. Pricing starts at 2.9% + 30¢.
Is Stripe free?
No, Stripe does not have a free tier. Pricing starts at 2.9% + 30¢.
Can I migrate from Square to Stripe?
Yes, you can migrate from Square to Stripe, though the complexity depends on how deeply integrated your current solution is. Most developers recommend evaluating both tools in a test environment before committing to a migration.
Which is more popular, Square or Stripe?
Both Square and Stripe are popular choices in their category. The best choice depends on your specific requirements, team expertise, and budget rather than popularity alone.