🤝 It's a Tie — Both tools are very closely matched. Your best choice depends on your specific workflow.
Feature
Square
PayPal
Rating
No ratings
No ratings
Free Plan
Starting Price
$29/mo
Free
Monthly Visits
60.0M
900.0M
API Support
Open Source
AI Capabilities
Mobile App
Desktop App
Browser Extension
Integrations
3 apps
3 apps
Team Size
ENTERPRISE
ENTERPRISE
Square Pros & Cons
Pros
- Genuinely unifies in-person and online payments for retail/hospitality
- Hardware is affordable and easy to set up
- Fast access to funds via Square banking
Cons
- Flat-rate processing fees can cost more than negotiated rates at high volume
- Account holds/reviews are a known seller pain point
- Some advanced retail features require higher tiers
PayPal Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely high consumer brand trust and recognition at checkout
- Buyer/seller protection reduces friction for online shoppers
- Broad global reach for cross-border payments
Cons
- Fees can be higher than some payment-infrastructure alternatives
- Account holds/freezes are a frequently cited seller complaint
- Checkout UX feels dated next to newer payment providers
Square Key Features
- Point-of-sale hardware & software
- Online store & invoicing
- Inventory management
- Square banking & loans
- Payroll add-on
PayPal Key Features
- Recognized one-click checkout button
- Invoicing
- Buy Now, Pay Later
- Developer payment APIs
- Seller & buyer protection programs