Our Verdict
Based on ratings, features, pricing, and capabilities, Stripe edges ahead in this comparison. Stripe offers better value and broader platform support.
Feature
Square
Stripe
Rating
No ratings
No ratings
Free Plan
Starting Price
$29/mo
Free
Monthly Visits
60.0M
50.0M
API Support
Open Source
AI Capabilities
Mobile App
Desktop App
Browser Extension
Integrations
3 apps
6 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
Stripe Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best-in-class developer API with extensive docs
- Handles complex subscription logic out of the box
- Built-in global tax compliance and reporting
Cons
- 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction can add up
- Dispute resolution process is slow
- Not suited for high-risk industries
Square Key Features
- Point-of-sale hardware & software
- Online store & invoicing
- Inventory management
- Square banking & loans
- Payroll add-on
Stripe Key Features
- Payment Processing (135+ currencies)
- Subscription Billing
- Stripe Radar Fraud Detection
- Stripe Connect (marketplace payments)
- Invoicing & Quotes