Payment apps
Stripe vs Square
Real fees on $25, $100 and $500 — and when to pick each. Stripe keeps you more on a $100 sale.
| Sale price | Stripe fees | Stripe you keep | Square fees | Square you keep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25.00 | - $1.03 | $23.98 | - $1.13 | $23.88 |
| $100.00 | - $3.20 | $96.80 | - $3.60 | $96.40 |
| $500.00 | - $14.80 | $485.20 | - $16.80 | $483.20 |
Based on each platform’s standard 2026 fees with no add-ons. Use the calculators for your exact category, store tier, or promoted listings.
When to pick Stripe
- Best for online-only businesses and developers.
- Lower online card rate (2.9% + $0.30).
- Powerful API for custom checkout flows.
When to pick Square
- Best for in-person sales (2.6% + $0.15).
- Free POS hardware and software to get started.
- Combined online + in-person in one dashboard.
Online: Stripe. In person: Square.
The two processors are priced for different places. Online, Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 and Square's free plan charges 3.3% + $0.30 — Square raised that rate in October 2025 — so Stripe is cheaper by 0.4 points on every online order. In person, Square's 2.6% + $0.15 for a tapped, dipped or swiped card is the benchmark rate for small merchants, and Stripe has no equivalent without Stripe Terminal hardware and integration work.
Square's paid plans narrow the online gap: Plus ($49 a month) and Premium ($149) both charge 2.9% + $0.30 online, matching Stripe, and lower in-person rates to 2.5% and 2.4%. But those plans only pay for themselves on volume — the online saving of 0.4 points needs $12,250 a month to cover Plus, and the in-person saving of 0.1 points needs $49,000.
| Payment | Stripe | Square Free | Square Plus ($49/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 online | $3.20 | $3.60 | $3.20 |
| $100 in person | Terminal required | $2.75 | $2.65 |
| $100 keyed manually | 3.4% + $0.30 (varies) | $3.65 | $3.65 |
What each is built for
Stripe is a developer platform: APIs, subscriptions, invoicing, marketplaces, and the payment layer inside Shopify Payments and thousands of SaaS products. Square is a point-of-sale system first: card readers, a register app, inventory, appointments and payroll, with online checkout and invoices added on. A café or salon with occasional online orders belongs on Square; an online store or software business belongs on Stripe; a retailer doing both often runs both.
Fees neither shows in the headline
Both keep the fixed portion of the fee on refunds, and Stripe keeps the percentage too on most accounts. Both charge more for cards issued abroad (Stripe adds 1%; Square's international rates vary by market) and for currency conversion. Square is not available in most countries outside North America, the UK, Australia, Japan and a few European markets; Stripe covers far more, with per-country pricing that ranges from about 1.5% in the EU to 3.99% in Brazil.
Go deeper
Other comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Is Square cheaper than Stripe?+
In person, Square's 2.6% + $0.15 is cheaper and simpler. Online, Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30 beats Square's free-plan 3.3% + $0.30; Square's paid plans match Stripe online but cost $49 or $149 a month.
Why is Square's online rate higher than its in-person rate?+
Card-present transactions carry less fraud risk, so networks price them lower. Square passes that through: 2.6% + $0.15 in person versus 3.3% + $0.30 online on the free plan.
Which is cheaper, Stripe or Square?+
On a $100 sale, Stripe keeps more of your money. Stripe charges $3.20 on $100 (you keep $96.80); Square charges $3.60 (you keep $96.40). The answer can flip on very small or very large orders — use the full calculators for your exact numbers.
When should I choose Stripe?+
Best for online-only businesses and developers. Lower online card rate (2.9% + $0.30). Powerful API for custom checkout flows.
When should I choose Square?+
Best for in-person sales (2.6% + $0.15). Free POS hardware and software to get started. Combined online + in-person in one dashboard.
Can I use both Stripe and Square?+
Yes — many sellers cross-list to spread reach and compare what sells where. Just price each listing to cover that platform's specific fees so you stay profitable on either.
Where do these fee numbers come from?+
Each platform's published 2026 fee schedule, verified against its official help center. We update the rates as they change — see our methodology for details.