Square review

Square is the easiest recommendation for a small business that sells in person and wants to start without a monthly bill. Square Free includes the POS app, an item library that tracks inventory, invoices and estimates, appointment booking with staff calendars and a basic website or online store, so a new shop or service business can run on it for some time. In-person card payments cost 2.6% + 15¢ on that plan. Square Plus, at $49 per location per month, adds the industry features for restaurants, retail and appointments, a loyalty program, email campaigns, 500 included texts and staff scheduling, and lowers the in-person rate to 2.5% + 15¢. Square Premium at $149 adds 24/7 phone support and advanced reporting. The main costs to watch are the per-location fee and extras such as kitchen display and kiosk software, which are billed per device on top of the plan.

Who it is for

Most small businesses that want a capable free POS and a clear upgrade path.

Price

Square Free at $0 a month; Square Plus at $49 and Square Premium at $149 per location per month; in-person cards cost 2.6% + 15¢ on the free plan.

$0/mo. per location $49/mo. per location $149/mo. per location
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 6, 2026.

Key features

• Free plan with a POS app for any payment, an item library with inventory and invoicing
• Booking with staff calendars and a basic website, online store or ordering page
• Square Plus adds loyalty rewards, email marketing and 500 free texts a month
• Staff shift scheduling and attendance on paid plans
• Add-ons for kitchen display at $20 to $30 per device and self-order kiosks

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The free plan covers far more than card taking, including invoicing and booking
• Strength: No contract, and you can switch or cancel plans at any time
• Strength: One account covers food, retail and appointment features on Square Plus
• Weakness: Square Free has the highest in-person rate of its plans at 2.6% + 15¢
• Weakness: Paid plans are charged per location, which adds up for multi-site owners
• Weakness: Kitchen display and kiosk software cost extra per device

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, Square Free at $0 per location
• In-person card rate: 2.6% + 15¢ (Free), 2.5% + 15¢ (Plus), 2.4% + 15¢ (Premium)
• Text messages on Plus: 500 a month included, then 3¢ each
• Custom pricing: Available above $250,000 in yearly processing

Where it ranks

Square is No. 1 in our Best POS Systems for Small Business verdict.