Square vs Braintree
Square is payment processing with point-of-sale hardware, online payments, and business tools, while Braintree is payPal's payment gateway for online and mobile payments with support for multiple payment methods. Square is built for small businesses wanting pos and online payments, whereas Braintree targets businesses that need paypal, venmo, and credit card processing in one integration.
| Feature | Square | Braintree |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Drop-in UI | — | ✓ |
| Fraud protection | — | ✓ |
| Hardware | ✓ | — |
| Invoicing | ✓ | — |
| Online Payments | ✓ | — |
| POS | ✓ | — |
| PayPal integration | — | ✓ |
| Payment processing | — | ✓ |
| Venmo | — | ✓ |
Pricing: Both Square and Braintree are free. You can try both without spending a dollar.
Feature gaps: Square offers Hardware, Invoicing and Online Payments that Braintree lacks. Braintree brings Drop-in UI, Fraud protection and PayPal integration that Square does not have.
Where each tool shines: Square's biggest strengths are: includes pos as a core feature, purpose-built for payment processing workflows. includes online payments as a core feature, purpose-built for payment processing workflows. Braintree's biggest strengths are: paypal, venmo, and card payments in one integration. drop-in ui makes implementation fast.
Watch out for: With Square, users commonly note that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade. With Braintree, the main complaint is that owned by paypal — some businesses prefer independent providers.
choose Square if
- You need a tool built for small businesses wanting pos and online payments
- You specifically need Hardware and Invoicing
- You care about includes online payments as a core feature, purpose-built for payment processing workflows
- The free tier works for you: no monthly fees
choose Braintree if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: businesses that need paypal, venmo, and credit card processing in one integration
- You specifically need Drop-in UI and Fraud protection
- You care about drop-in ui makes implementation fast
frequently asked
What is the difference between Square and Braintree?
Square is payment processing with point-of-sale hardware, online payments, and business tools, while Braintree is payPal's payment gateway for online and mobile payments with support for multiple payment methods. Square is built for small businesses wanting pos and online payments, whereas Braintree targets businesses that need paypal, venmo, and credit card processing in one integration.
Should I use Square or Braintree?
Square is built for small businesses wanting pos and online payments. Braintree is built for businesses that need paypal, venmo, and credit card processing in one integration. Pick the one that fits.
When should I choose Square over Braintree?
Choose Square if You need a tool built for small businesses wanting pos and online payments; You specifically need Hardware and Invoicing; You care about includes online payments as a core feature, purpose-built for payment processing workflows; The free tier works for you: no monthly fees.
When should I choose Braintree over Square?
Choose Braintree if Your profile matches its sweet spot: businesses that need paypal, venmo, and credit card processing in one integration; You specifically need Drop-in UI and Fraud protection; You care about drop-in ui makes implementation fast.
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