Stripe vs Square
Stripe is payment processing platform with powerful APIs for online payments, subscriptions, and marketplaces, while Square is payment processing with point-of-sale hardware, online payments, and business tools. Stripe is built for developers wanting the best payment api, whereas Square targets small businesses wanting pos and online payments.
| Feature | Stripe | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | — | — |
| Connect | ✓ | — |
| Hardware | — | ✓ |
| Invoicing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online Payments | — | ✓ |
| POS | — | ✓ |
| Payments API | ✓ | — |
| Subscriptions | ✓ | — |
Pricing: Both tools offer free tiers, so you can test each before committing. Stripe's free plan: No monthly fees. Square's free plan: No monthly fees.
Feature gaps: Stripe offers Connect, Payments API and Subscriptions that Square lacks. Square brings Hardware, Online Payments and POS that Stripe does not have. Both share Invoicing.
Team fit: Stripe is geared toward any size teams, while Square is aimed at small teams teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.
Where each tool shines: Stripe's biggest strengths are: includes payments api as a core feature, purpose-built for payment processing workflows. includes subscriptions as a core feature, purpose-built for payment processing workflows. 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.
Watch out for: With Stripe, users commonly note that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade. With Square, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.
choose Stripe if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers wanting the best payment api
- You specifically need Connect and Payments API
- You care about includes subscriptions as a core feature, purpose-built for payment processing workflows
- Your team size fits the any size profile Stripe is designed for
- The free tier works for you: no monthly fees
choose Square if
- You need a tool built for small businesses wanting pos and online payments
- You specifically need Hardware and Online Payments
- You care about includes online payments as a core feature, purpose-built for payment processing workflows
- Your team size fits the small teams profile Square is designed for
- The free tier works for you: no monthly fees
frequently asked
What is the difference between Stripe and Square?
Stripe is payment processing platform with powerful APIs for online payments, subscriptions, and marketplaces, while Square is payment processing with point-of-sale hardware, online payments, and business tools. Stripe is built for developers wanting the best payment api, whereas Square targets small businesses wanting pos and online payments.
Should I use Stripe or Square?
Stripe is built for developers wanting the best payment api. Square is built for small businesses wanting pos and online payments. Pick the one that fits.
When should I choose Stripe over Square?
Choose Stripe if Your profile matches its sweet spot: developers wanting the best payment api; You specifically need Connect and Payments API; You care about includes subscriptions as a core feature, purpose-built for payment processing workflows; Your team size fits the any size profile Stripe is designed for; The free tier works for you: no monthly fees.
When should I choose Square over Stripe?
Choose Square if You need a tool built for small businesses wanting pos and online payments; You specifically need Hardware and Online Payments; You care about includes online payments as a core feature, purpose-built for payment processing workflows; Your team size fits the small teams profile Square is designed for; The free tier works for you: no monthly fees.
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