Square Point of Sale review

Square is the simplest place for most Australian businesses to start, because the software is free and the in-person fee is one number. Square's Australian pricing page lists a Free plan at $0 per month plus processing fees, and charges 1.6% per in-person transaction whether the customer taps Visa, Mastercard, eftpos or American Express. Online sales through Square Online or invoices cost 2.2%. Customers can pay with Afterpay, though Square lists the merchant fee at 6% + 30¢ per transaction excluding GST, so it is worth pricing that into larger baskets. Offline payments are stored for up to 24 hours, which helps market stalls and food trucks, but eftpos-only cards, gift cards and Afterpay cannot be taken offline. Hardware is sold outright in Australian dollars, from Square Reader at $65 to Square Register at $1,099. The Plus plan, at $40 per month, adds features designed for your industry and can be cancelled anytime. Bigger venues should compare Lightspeed and H&L.

Who it is for

Australian small businesses that want a free POS and one flat card rate

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending). Square's Australian page lists Free at $0 per month plus processing fees and Plus at $40 per month, with 1.6% per in-person transaction.

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Free plan at $0 per month plus processing fees on the Australian pricing page
• 1.6% per in-person transaction, the same rate for Visa, Mastercard, eftpos and American Express
• Afterpay accepted at checkout, with Afterpay fees of 6% + 30¢ per transaction excluding GST
• Offline payments stored for up to 24 hours when the connection drops
• Square Terminal listed at $329 and Square Register at $1,099 on the Australian page

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No monthly software fee on the Free plan
• Strength: One in-person card rate of 1.6% across Visa, Mastercard, eftpos and American Express
• Strength: Plus plan at $40 per month adds industry-specific features without a lock-in contract
• Weakness: eftpos-only cards, Square Gift Cards and Afterpay do not work in offline mode
• Weakness: Afterpay costs the merchant 6% + 30¢ per transaction excluding GST
• Weakness: Square Kiosk Lite is an extra $45 per month for each active device after a 30-day trial

Key facts

• Software: Free plan, $0 per month (AUD)
• In-person rate: 1.6% per transaction
• Online rate: 2.2% per transaction
• Paid plan: Plus, $40 per month (AUD)

Where it ranks

Square Point of Sale is No. 1 in our Best POS Systems in Australia verdict.