Square POS review: the easy free start, with a bill that grows
Square is the easiest way to start selling for $0 a month, and it is a strong choice for plenty of shops. The catch is that the useful extras live on paid plans.
We make VoVi, so we say plainly where the other system wins.
Why people start here
Square has a free plan, card payments built in and hardware that is quick to set up. It covers retail, restaurants and appointment businesses under one roof, so a shop that also books services, or a café that sells packaged goods, fits without a second system.
What the plans cost
Free is $0, Plus is $49 and Premium is $149, per location per month. Square’s own card processing is required. In person it charges 2.6% + 15¢ on Free and 2.5% + 15¢ on Plus.
Where the bill grows
Purchase orders, commissions and staff tools need Plus, and transfer orders between stores need Premium at $149. Loyalty is a paid add-on on every plan. A shop that wants purchase orders plus loyalty lands at $49 a month plus the loyalty add-on, per location.
On card fees, Plus does not pay for itself by rate alone. On $20,000 of card sales over 1,000 sales, Free costs $670 in fees. Plus costs $650 in fees plus $49 for the plan, or $699.
Where Square wins
You want to start free with payments included. You run a mix of retail, counter service and appointments. You like having a big brand behind your hardware. Square is sold in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and Japan.
Where VoVi is the better pick
You want to keep your own card processor, which Square does not allow. You want loyalty, gift cards and purchase orders in one $39 plan, with transfers between stores in the $25 plan. Or you would rather pay a flat fee than watch the bill grow plan by plan.
Is Square really free?
The Free plan has no monthly software fee. You still pay card fees, 2.6% + 15¢ per in-person sale, and for hardware.
Can I use my own card processor with Square?
No. Square’s own card processing is required.
When do I need Plus?
When you want purchase orders, commissions or staff tools. Plus is $49 per location per month. Transfer orders between stores need Premium, at $149.
Official pages
Prices checked October 11, 2026.