Square is one of the most widely used point-of-sale systems for small businesses because it combines free POS software, flat-rate payment processing, and affordable hardware in one platform. It works well for startups, mobile sellers, and businesses that want a simple POS setup without long-term contracts.
However, many businesses eventually start looking for Square alternatives as sales volume grows or operational needs evolve. Common reasons for switching include high flat-rate processing costs, limited inventory management for multilocation retail, and fewer built-in tools for restaurants or appointment-based businesses.
I evaluated leading POS systems and payment platforms to identify the best Square competitors for retail, restaurants, ecommerce, and service businesses. The providers in this guide stood out for lower payment processing costs, stronger inventory tools, industry-specific features, and better long-term scalability than Square.
- Top Square alternatives
- Square vs Square alternatives compared
- When businesses switch from Square
- Signs you have outgrown Square
- Best Square alternatives by business type
- Square pricing vs competitors
- Advantages of using Square: Why it’s so popular
- Square limitations
- How to choose the best Square alternative for your business
- Checklist before switching from Square
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Top Square alternatives
Square alternative | Better than Square for | Monthly starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Custom payment flows and developer control | Depends on provider |
| Lightspeed | Advanced inventory and multi-location retail | $89 |
| Shopify POS | Ecommerce businesses adding in-person sales | $5 |
| Clover | Merchants that want to choose their payment processor | $0 |
| Toast | Established restaurants and food service | $0 |
| SpotOn | Free retail POS with growth-focused tools | $0 |
| Helcim | B2B, healthcare, and professional services | $0 |
| IT Retail | High-volume grocery and retail businesses | $99 |
If you are researching Square alternatives for small business, this guide compares the top platforms and explains when switching from Square makes sense.
Square vs Square alternatives compared
| Provider | Expert score (out of 5) | Payment processing options | Inventory & business management | Ecommerce integrations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square | 4.06 | Requires Square Payments | Basic to moderate inventory tools with simple retail and service management | Native ecommerce tools |
| Stripe | 4.13 | Requires Stripe Payments | Limited built-in POS and inventory management tools | Advanced API and custom ecommerce integrations |
| Lightspeed | 4.06 | Supports third-party payment processors | Advanced multilocation inventory, purchasing, and retail analytics | Native and third-party ecommerce integrations |
| Shopify POS | 4.06 | Supports third-party payment processors | Centralized retail inventory synced across online and in-store sales | Native Shopify ecommerce platform |
| Clover | 4.05 | Supports third-party payment processors | Moderate inventory management with customizable app marketplace | Native and third-party ecommerce integrations |
| Toast | 4.05 | Requires Toast Payments | Restaurant-specific menu, kitchen, table, and staff management tools | Native online ordering and delivery integrations |
| SpotOn | 4.05 | Requires SpotOn Payments | Built-in restaurant and retail management with loyalty and marketing tools | Native ecommerce and online ordering tools |
| Helcim | 4.03 | Requires Helcim Payments | Moderate inventory plus invoicing and B2B payment tools | Native and third-party ecommerce integrations |
| IT Retail | 4.0 | Requires integrated payment processing | Grocery-focused inventory, scale management, and high-volume retail tools | Third-party ecommerce integrations |
Why you can trust my recommendations
I have more than seven years of experience evaluating point-of-sale systems, payment processors, and retail software. My background includes hands-on testing of POS systems, payment terminals, online checkout tools, and restaurant and retail workflows.
I’ve written extensively about POS and ecommerce platforms for small businesses, mid-market teams, and fast-growing retail brands.
For this guide, I reviewed more than a dozen Square competitors, updated scoring based on current pricing and features, and included systems I have personally tested or demoed. I regularly speak with product teams, sit in on platform demos, and review user-reported issues to understand real-world performance beyond marketing claims.
Methodology: How I evaluated Square alternatives
Square is known for being easy to use and affordable, but many businesses eventually need more control over pricing, deeper inventory tools, or stronger industry features. To identify the best alternatives to Square for 2026, I evaluated each system using a structured scoring rubric based on the areas where business owners most often outgrow Square. Each provider was reviewed using the following criteria:
- Pricing: I compared monthly subscription fees, setup costs, hardware pricing, and payment processing rates. I also looked at pricing transparency, hidden fees, and whether a system’s effective processing rate becomes more cost-efficient than Square as a business scales.
- Hardware: I evaluated hardware durability, flexibility, and ease of setup. I checked whether each platform uses proprietary hardware, how well it integrates with third-party devices (like iPads), and whether the design and accessories support different retail, restaurant, or service workflows.
- Software features: I reviewed each provider’s POS tools, including order management, payment workflows, inventory controls, CRM features, and reporting. I also examined customization options and available integrations to determine whether the system can support multi-location growth or more complex operations than Square.
- Support and reliability: I checked support quality, availability, and access to live help. I also factored in reported outages, system stability, and whether vendors offer onboarding and training resources that help businesses avoid downtime.
- User experience: I compared how easy each POS is to set up, configure, and train staff on. I also reviewed employee management tools and general usability to determine whether a system remains manageable during busy shifts or higher transaction volume.
- User review scores: To balance my evaluation, I incorporated ratings from Capterra, G2, and Software Advice, converting each to a percentage so they fit the rubric consistently.
Using these criteria, I tested and compared leading Square alternatives, including Stripe, Lightspeed, Shopify POS, Clover, Toast, SpotOn, Helcim, SumUp, PayPal Zettle, IT Retail, KORONA POS, TouchBistro, Loyverse, eHopper, and Chase Payment Solutions. From there, I selected the systems that offer the strongest pricing improvements, industry tools, or feature depth beyond Square.
Update notes
May 12, 2026: Agatha Aviso re-evaluated the top Square alternatives for pricing, payment processing flexibility, inventory management, ecommerce integrations, and business use cases. She expanded the comparison tables, added “when businesses switch from Square” guidance, introduced side-by-side “vs Square” comparisons for each provider, and restructured the article to better address retailer, restaurant, ecommerce, and service business buying decisions.
March 23, 2026: Agatha Aviso re-checked each provider for updates, introduced additional features such as tables, headers, and content helpful in letting buyers make informed decisions about going with an alternative to Square.
December 11, 2025: Agatha Aviso checked each provider for pricing and feature updates, rescored the providers, and introduced additional comparison tables for easier readability (including pricing, use cases, and contract details). She added a new “How to choose the best Square alternative” section, introduced new FAQs, and reformatted provider tables and sections for clearer side-by-side comparison.
Apr 17, 2025: Anna Lynn Dizon reviewed each provider’s latest pricing terms and features. She updated the comparison table, reordered providers, and improved the best-for recommendations.
When businesses switch from Square
Square works well for startups, mobile sellers, and small retailers because it combines simple POS software with flat-rate payment processing. However, many businesses eventually start evaluating Square alternatives as sales volume grows or operational needs become more advanced.
In my experience evaluating POS systems, businesses usually switch from Square for five main reasons:
- Payment processing costs become expensive at higher sales volumes.
- Inventory management requires more advanced tracking and multilocation controls.
- Restaurants need industry-specific workflows for tables, kitchens, and staff management.
- Businesses want the flexibility to negotiate payment processing rates.
- Ecommerce brands need stronger omnichannel selling tools.
For example, retailers with large product catalogs often move to Lightspeed, while restaurants frequently adopt Toast for its restaurant-specific features. Ecommerce brands commonly compare Shopify POS or Stripe when evaluating alternatives to Square Payments.
Signs you have outgrown Square
Not every business needs to switch POS systems. However, these are common indicators that it may be time to evaluate a Square alternative:
- Your payment volume exceeds $20,000 per month.
- You operate multiple retail locations.
- Your inventory requires advanced variants, purchasing, or multilocation tracking.
- You want interchange-plus pricing instead of flat-rate processing.
- You need restaurant-specific POS workflows or kitchen management tools.
If these limitations begin affecting daily operations, switching to a more advanced POS platform can improve efficiency, inventory visibility, and long-term payment processing costs.
Best Square alternatives by business type
Different POS systems compete with Square in different industries. These are the strongest Square competitors based on business type:
Retail stores
Lightspeed and IT Retail are strong Square alternatives for retailers that need advanced inventory management, purchasing tools, or multilocation support.
Restaurants
Toast is widely considered one of Square’s biggest competitors for restaurants because of its kitchen management, table service, and restaurant workflow tools.
Ecommerce businesses
Shopify POS is often the best alternative to Square for online-first brands because it combines ecommerce, inventory, and in-store sales in a single platform.
Healthcare and professional services
Helcim is a strong option for regulated industries and service businesses because it supports merchant accounts and interchange-plus pricing.
Grocery and convenience stores
IT Retail specializes in grocery POS operations, including scale integration, barcode management, and high-volume inventory tracking.
Stripe: Best Square alternative for platform customizations
Pros
- Free merchant account
- Advanced payment platform customizations
- Proprietary payment and POS app
Cons
- Requires some coding skills to set up
- Add-on fees for invoicing and recurring billing
- Limited in-person payments for native mobile app
Why I chose Stripe
Stripe’s APIs, developer tools, and integrations are first in class among POS systems I have tested. They make it easier to build custom payment workflows instead of adapting operations around preset POS limitations. I recommend Stripe for businesses that have outgrown basic plug-and-play POS systems.
Stripe is especially well-suited for ecommerce brands, SaaS companies, and marketplaces that need subscription billing, international payments, or tailored checkout experiences.
Stripe vs Square: Biggest differences
| Stripe | Square |
|---|---|
| Better for custom payment workflows | Better for plug-and-play POS |
| Strong online payment infrastructure | Easier in-person setup |
| Advanced APIs and subscription billing | Simpler retail POS tools |
| Better international support | Better for local SMB retail |
The biggest difference between Stripe and Square is flexibility. Square is designed primarily for businesses that want a simple all-in-one POS system with built-in payment processing. Stripe functions more as a customizable payment infrastructure platform that businesses can adapt for ecommerce, subscriptions, marketplaces, and international payments.
For businesses that need advanced automation, tailored checkout experiences, or global payment support, Stripe is often the stronger long-term alternative to Square.
I recommend Stripe for
- Ecommerce businesses
- SaaS companies
- Subscription-based businesses
- International sellers
- Custom payment workflows
Read more:
Gallery
Advanced customization for Stripe checkout (Source: Stripe) 
Stripe’s proprietary POS app Stripe Terminal. (Source: Stripe) 
Stripe’s proprietary payment app, Stripe Dashboard for iOS. (Source: Stripe)
Stripe pricing
- Monthly POS fee: Depends on provider (payment app is free)
- Transaction fees:
- Card-present (in-person): 2.7% + 5 cents for card-present or custom interchange-plus rate
- Card-not-present (online): 2.9% + 30 cents or custom interchange-plus rate
- Paid upgrade options: $10/month for Stripe Checkout with custom domain
- Hardware cost: $59 to $349
- Early/cancellation fee: $0
Key features
International payment services
With Stripe, users can accept payments in 135 currencies, plus a variety of local payment methods in 47 countries. Its customization tools allow the platform to detect the customer’s location and then provide the relevant local payment method and currency on a checkout page translated into the local language.
Advanced customization and integrations
Stripe boasts 660 third-party integrations and 450 extensions that seamlessly integrate with its payment platform. Integrations and extensions include ecommerce, CRM, marketing, productivity, and more. Most offer plug-and-play setups, while some require APIs to maximize the available features.
Security and fraud management
Stripe offers a solid list of fraud management tools. Every merchant account comes with machine-learning security and a customizable risk management dashboard for fine-tuning rules to prevent accidentally flagging genuine transactions. Additionally, built-in chargeback management tools help merchants efficiently handle chargeback claims.
Lightspeed: Best Square alternative for inventory management
Pros
- Advanced management tools for complex inventory
- Highly customizable reporting and analytics
- Works with third-party payment processors
Cons
- High price points
- Limited shipping integrations
- No free plans
Why I chose Lightspeed
Lightspeed’s advanced inventory features are what really gives it an advantage over Square. It can handle ingredient-level tracking, customizable product matrices, serial number tracking, and omnichannel ordering, which makes it a better fit than most generic POS systems for complex retail operations. That depth allows Lightspeed to support niche businesses like jewelry stores, sporting goods and bike shops, vape retailers, golf courses, and other specialty merchants.
In my testing and demos, its inventory workflows feel more structured and powerful than Square’s, especially once you move into variants, assemblies, or serialized items. It keeps stock control from turning into a spreadsheet project.
Lightspeed vs Square: Biggest differences
| Lightspeed | Square |
|---|---|
| Better for advanced retail inventory | Better for simple retail operations |
| Supports third-party processors | Requires Square Payments |
| Strong multilocation management | Easier single-location setup |
| More detailed purchasing and vendor tools | Simpler inventory workflows |
| Better retail analytics and reporting | Faster onboarding and deployment |
The biggest difference between Lightspeed and Square is inventory depth. Square is easier to set up and has a lower upfront cost, which makes it popular with new retailers. However, its inventory tools are built primarily for smaller catalogs and simpler retail operations.
Lightspeed, on the other hand, is designed to manage complex stock across multiple locations. Its inventory system supports product variants, serialized items, and detailed supplier management, making it one of the most capable Square POS competitors for inventory-heavy businesses.
Read more:Square vs PayPal
I recommend Lightspeed for
- Multilocation retailers
- Businesses with large product catalogs
- Retailers that need advanced inventory management
- High-volume retail operations
- Businesses that want processor flexibility
Gallery
Lightspeed analytics break down customer profiles into useful information for decision making. (Source: Lightspeed) 
Lightspeed inventory is designed to handle large-volume and complex inventory matrices. (Source: Lightspeed) 
Lightspeed is compatible with iOS devices. (Source: Lightspeed)
Pricing
- Monthly POS account fees:
- $109 to $339 ($89 to $289 paid annually) for retail
- $189 to $399 for restaurants
- Transaction fees:
- Card-present: 2.6% + 10 cents
- Card-not-present: 2.9% + 30 cents
- Paid upgrade options: Upgrade to higher subscription plans
- Hardware cost: Undisclosed
- Early/cancellation fee: None, unless purchasing hardware on installment
Key features
Detailed inventory management
Lightspeed’s customizable inventory management feature can handle complex product matrices, from raw materials and ingredients to spare parts and special crafts. It also comes equipped with thousands of vendor catalogs, work order management, and serial number/SKU tracking functionalities.
Third-party payment processing option
In addition to Lightspeed’s built-in payments feature, the system can also work with third-party payment processors PayPal, Stripe, Klarna, Cayan, and Authorize.net.
Customizable reporting and high-level analytics
Every plan includes Lightspeed’s reporting function, which includes 50+ built-in customizable reports, multi-location sales and inventory tracking, and employee performance monitoring. Lightspeed also offers analytics in its upgraded plans, where businesses can set performance goals and perform A/B testing.
Shopify: Best Square alternative for ecommerce
Pros
- Free POS software available
- Native ecommerce platform
- Can run on desktops and iPads
Cons
- Limited features in the free POS plan
- Requires a Shopify ecommerce plan
- Charges commission on third-party payment processing
Why I chose Shopify
Shopify is a strong Square alternative for ecommerce-led businesses because it combines a powerful online store platform with a growing in-person POS system. It handles inventory across multiple channels, supports payments in different currencies and languages, and connects to a wide range of third-party business apps. Compared with Square’s online tools, Shopify gives merchants more control over their storefront, catalog, and international selling.
When a business tells me most of its revenue is online or that it plans to scale through ecommerce first, I usually look at Shopify before anything else. Its online store, checkout options, and sales channel integrations are simply more mature than Square’s, and Shopify POS ties that together for in-person selling instead of feeling like an add-on. I have been evaluating ecommerce platforms for almost a decade, and Shopify has been a consistent top pick for best ecommerce platform.
Shopify vs Square: Biggest differences
| Shopify POS | Square |
|---|---|
| Better for omnichannel retail | Better for simple in-store selling |
| Stronger ecommerce platform | Easier setup for small businesses |
| Centralized online and in-store inventory | Lower upfront costs |
| Better multichannel sales tools | Better free POS offering |
| More scalable for growing retail brands | Faster onboarding and deployment |
Square is easier to start with for simple in-person selling, but Shopify is far ahead for online sales, international expansion, and multichannel selling on social platforms and marketplaces. Both Shopify and Lightspeed offer strong inventory tools, but Shopify’s edge over Square and Lightspeed is how naturally those tools sync with the online store and POS.
The tradeoff is cost: Shopify POS has a free tier, but brick-and-mortar shops with steady sales will need a paid Shopify plan to unlock the full setup.
Read more: Square vs Shopify
I recommend Shopify for
- Ecommerce-first retailers
- Omnichannel businesses
- Brands selling online and in-store
- Growing retail businesses
- Businesses that want centralized inventory across channels
Gallery
Shopify’s omnichannel features allow businesses to track sales and inventory across multiple channels from a single platform. (Source: Shopify) 
Use Shopify’s built-in payment processor or third-party payment services. (Source: Shopify) 
Shopify’s POS app can run on iPads, desktops, and mobile devices. (Source: Shopify)
Pricing
- Monthly POS account fee:
- Starter: $5 (without ecommerce)
- Retail: $39-$399 (with ecommerce plan)
- Basic (included for free in ecommerce plan): $0
- Pro (for paid plans): $89 per location
- Transaction fees:
- Card-present: 2.6% + 10 cents, or 5%
- Card-not-present: 2.4% + 30 cents to 2.9% + 30 cents
- Paid upgrade options: Included in software plan upgrades
- Hardware cost: $49-$399
- Early/cancellation fee: $0
Key features
Omnichannel selling
Shopify’s POS software comes with omnichannel selling features that allow businesses to manage multichannel inventory and sales from a single platform. This seamless integration provides businesses real-time data on stock levels, sales, and employee performance.
Third-party payment services
Switching to Shopify is easy for businesses with a preferred payment service. In addition to its built-in payment processing feature, Shopify works with several third-party payment processors, such as Adyen, PayPal, WorldPay, and more.
Social channel integrations
As a leading online selling platform, Shopify integrates with popular social media channels, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. Businesses can also advertise and collect payments through various messaging apps.
Clover: Best Square alternative for flexible payment processor
Pros
- Compatible with other payment processors
- Sleek and easy-to-use hardware
- Industry-specific POS software
Cons
- Terms and pricing depend on payment processor
- Hardware can be expensive
- Complex hardware and software bundle pricing
Why I chose Clover
I chose Clover as a strong Square alternative because of its processor flexibility. In my experience evaluating POS systems, the ability to work with multiple merchant service providers can create real cost advantages, especially for businesses willing to compare offers and negotiate rates.
And because Clover operates on the Fiserv network, merchants can often keep their preferred processor or shop around for better pricing. This makes Clover one of the more flexible options if you are willing to compare offers and read the fine print.
Clover vs Square: Biggest differences
| Clover | Square |
|---|---|
| More hardware and processor flexibility | Simpler all-in-one ecosystem |
| Supports multiple merchant service providers | Requires Square Payments |
| Better customizable POS setups | Easier onboarding and deployment |
| Stronger for businesses with multiple terminals | Better free POS offering |
| More adaptable for growing SMBs | Simpler pricing structure |
The key difference between Clover and Square is how payment processing is handled.
Square keeps hardware, software, and payment processing tightly integrated into one ecosystem, while Clover allows businesses to customize their setup through different hardware combinations and merchant service providers.
The tradeoff is that pricing and contract terms can vary significantly depending on the reseller. Businesses considering Clover should review processor agreements carefully to understand fees, contract length, and cancellation policies.
I recommend Clover for
- Businesses that want flexible hardware options
- Retailers and restaurants needing customizable POS setups
- Businesses working with merchant service providers
- Growing SMBs with multiple checkout stations
- Businesses that want more processor flexibility than Square
Gallery
Clover functionalities can be expanded via third-party integrations or API developer tools. (Source: Clover) 
Like Square, Clover offers a wide range of hardware options to match your business needs. (Source: Clover) 
Clover hardware comes pre-programmed and is ready-to-use out of the box. (Source: Clover)
Pricing
Businesses can purchase pre-programmed Clover hardware and software from their preferred payment processor, and Fiserv has little oversight over pricing. The fees below are based on Fiserv terms and rates.
- Monthly POS account fee: $0; Starts at $16 for retail if bundled with hardware
- Transaction fees:
- Card-present: 2.3%-2.6% + 10 cents
- Card-not-present: 3.5% + 10 cents
- Paid upgrade options: Upgrades tied to higher software subscription plans
- Hardware cost: From $199
- Early/cancellation fee: Not specified but depends on hardware purchased on installment (2-year contract)
Key features
Ease of use
While there are mixed user reviews for Clover, real-life users agree that Clover’s hardware and software are easy to use. The hardware is pre-programmed with Clover software, so it is ready out of the box with a step-by-step guide to set up your account. Larger setup requirements can request Clover’s on-site technical support.
Flexible payment processor
Clover partners with a number of popular payment processors. For this reason, most real-life users switch to Clover’s hardware and software without leaving their preferred payment processor.
Hardware variety
Clover is also a great alternative to Square in terms of hardware variety. It offers everything from contactless mobile card readers to full-service dining POS systems complete with a kitchen display system (KDS) software and hardware solution. Clover’s hardware is also available for purchase on installment for businesses on a budget.
Toast: Best Square alternative for fast-growing restaurants
Pros
- Free basic restaurant POS software
- Free hardware with pay-as-you-go plan
- Easy-to-use platform
Cons
- Very limited basic POS software
- Expensive add-on features
- 2-year long-term contract
Why I chose Toast
Toast is an all-in-one restaurant platform, which makes it the strongest Square alternative for food and beverage businesses. It combines restaurant-focused POS tools, native add-on programs, and industry-grade hardware that can handle heat, grease, and heavy use in a busy kitchen or bar.
Out of all the restaurant POS systems I evaluated, Toast is the one I would move to once a food business outgrows Square. Its ingredient-level controls, kitchen and delivery management tools, and menu workflows are built for restaurants first, not adapted from a retail POS.
Toast vs Square: Biggest differences
| Toast | Square |
|---|---|
| Better for full-service restaurant workflows | Better for simple restaurant setups |
| Advanced kitchen and table management | Easier onboarding and setup |
| Strong handheld and tableside ordering | Lower upfront costs |
| Restaurant-specific reporting and labor tools | Better for small cafés and food trucks |
| Built specifically for food service operations | More flexible for mixed business types |
The biggest difference between Toast and Square is restaurant specialization. Square for Restaurants works well for newer or lower-volume concepts, but Toast’s restaurant features are more efficient for growing operations. Toast handles ingredient management, delivery integration, and menu changes more cleanly, and its marketplace includes restaurant-specific integrations like Zero-in for menus and ExpandShare for staff training.
The tradeoff is cost and commitment: Toast’s starter kit can come with higher payment processing fees and typically requires at least a two-year contract, while Square stays month-to-month.
I recommend Toast for
- Full-service restaurants
- Quick-service restaurants
- Bars and cafés
- Restaurants needing kitchen display systems
- Food service businesses with complex workflows
Read more: Best Restaurant POS Systems
Gallery
Toast’s handheld Smart terminal allows you to take tableside orders and payments. (Source: Toast) 
Toast offers a free starter kit where businesses can own a set of POS hardware at no extra cost. (Source: Toast) 
Toast’s intuitive software and customizable checkout platform make the system a favorite among restaurant employees. (Source: Toast)
Pricing
Toast software pricing plans start at $0, with options to upgrade to paid plans based on your restaurant’s size. The starter kit program offers free hardware, allowing you to own (not rent) a complete set of basic POS hardware in exchange for higher transaction fees.
- Monthly POS account fee:
- Pay-as-you-go pricing: $0
- Traditional pricing: Countertop and handheld
- Basics: $69/month
- Core: $219/month
- Growth: $579/month
- Traditional pricing: Self-service kiosk
- Basics: $99/month
- Core: $249/month
- Growth: $609/month
- Build Your Own: Custom pricing (suggested for multilocation restaurants wanting high customizability)
- Transaction fees:
- Pay-as-you-go
- Basics: 3.09% + 15 cents
- Core: 3.39% + 15 cents
- Growth: 3.69% + 15 cents
- Traditional pricing: Countertop, handheld, self-service kiosk
- Card-present: 2.49% + 15 cents
- Card-not-present: 3.50% + 15 cents (Visa, Discover, and Mastercard)
- American Express: 3.50% + 15 cents
- Build Your Own: Custom-quoted
- Paid upgrade options: Add-on business tools from $50 per month
- Hardware cost: From $0-$1,234
- Early/cancellation fee: $0
Note that while there are no cancellation fees for long-term contracts, Toast users will be expected to pay the remaining balance of their monthly fees should they decide to cancel early.
Key features
Software plans to match your business size
Toast’s software plans are designed to match restaurants of all sizes, from startups to restaurants that need multiple registers, or even locations, to keep up with diner demand. Toast offers everything from a free starter plan to custom plans.
Free POS hardware
Toasts offers a starter kit program that allows businesses to own a set of POS hardware for free. The starter kit includes a Wi-Fi router and a desktop or handheld POS terminal.
Learn more about: Best POS Hardware for Business
Online ordering and delivery
Toast expands your restaurant’s reach to online customers with its ordering and delivery management features. You can design an online menu and ordering platform while also managing delivery with either Toast’s native delivery management tool or third-party delivery app integrations.
SpotOn: Best Square alternative for free retail POS
Pros
- Free and affordable paid subscription plans
- Loyalty and marketing tools are included
- Built-in payments and ecommerce features
Cons
- Transaction fees for retail plans are not disclosed
- Basic product catalogs in free plan
- Limited reporting functionality
Why I chose SpotOn
SpotOn is one of the closest competitors to Square on affordability for retail businesses. It offers a forever-free plan similar to Square, and its paid plan is priced at around $25 per month. That entry plan already includes payment processing, inventory tools, ecommerce, omnichannel features, and built-in marketing and loyalty, which Square often treats as paid add-ons.
I like SpotOn for budget-conscious startups and small retailers that want an all-in-one system without stacking multiple subscriptions. In my view, the combination of a free option plus a low-cost paid plan with marketing and loyalty included makes SpotOn very competitive for early-stage businesses that would quickly outgrow Square’s free tier alone.
SpotOn vs Square: Biggest differences
| SpotOn | Square |
|---|---|
| Better built-in loyalty and marketing tools | Simpler POS ecosystem |
| Stronger restaurant engagement features | Better free POS offering |
| More personalized onboarding support | Easier self-service setup |
| Native online ordering and reservation tools | Larger third-party app marketplace |
| Better for customer retention workflows | Better for very small businesses |
The biggest difference between SpotOn and Square is customer engagement. Square focuses primarily on payment processing and POS functionality, while SpotOn places more emphasis on loyalty, marketing, online ordering, and customer retention tools.
The main drawback is that SpotOn does not clearly publish its payment processing rates, and smaller merchants often pay more under flat-rate pricing, so you need to compare SpotOn’s quoted rates carefully against Square’s before you commit.
I recommend SpotOn for
- Restaurants and hospitality businesses
- Retailers focused on customer loyalty
- Businesses that want built-in marketing tools
- Restaurants needing online ordering and reservations
- Small businesses wanting hands-on onboarding support
Gallery
SpotOn helps businesses track and manage their online reputation (Source: SpotOn) 
SpotOn’s marketing and loyalty programs are included in the free plan (Source: SpotOn) 
SpotOn supports customizable omnichannel selling features (Source: SpotOn) 
SpotOn offers some of the most cost-effective all-in-one POS software. (Source: SpotOn)
Pricing
- Monthly POS account fee: $0-$55 per month (custom plans available)
- Payment processing fees: 1.99%-2.89% + 25 cents; custom rates available
- Paid upgrade options: Upgrade to a paid software subscription
- Hardware cost: Undisclosed
- Early/cancellation fee: $0
Note that, like Toast, SpotOn users who signed up for a hardware financing plan will be required to pay off the remaining balance of the hardware cost should they decide to stop using SpotOn.
Key features
Customer engagement
SpotOn’s free POS plan includes loyalty and marketing management tools and an online reputation management dashboard. This is a standout feature, as most POS providers, including Square, charge extra for these features.
Native website builder
SpotOn also includes free access to its website builder, which integrates directly with other SpotOn POS tools. The website builder is easy to use, with a step-by-step guide and a drag-and-drop function for creating website menus and designing pages.
Omnichannel selling
Similar to Square, SpotOn also supports omnichannel sales. The inventory settings include options for customizing, which channels each product is available. Stock levels are tracked in real time, and alerts can be set for reorder points.
Helcim: Best Square alternative for healthcare services
Pros
- Zero monthly and add-on fees
- Interchange-plus pricing with automated discounts
- Surcharging and level 2 and 3 data optimization
Cons
- Requires merchant account approval
- Expensive card readers
- Poorly rated POS app
Why I chose Helcim
I like Helcim as a Square alternative for healthcare and professional services because it is willing to sign business associate agreements and support more regulated environments.
Helcim is a traditional merchant services provider with automated volume discounts and free POS and payment tools. In the past few years, it has launched its own POS app and handheld terminals, so it now works as a full mobile POS solution instead of just a processor behind the scenes.
In my view, the combination of automated volume discounts, clear interchange-plus pricing, and cost optimization tools like surcharging at no extra software cost makes it one of the few processors on this list that actively helps you bring your effective rates down as you grow.
Helcim vs Square: Biggest differences
| Helcim | Square |
|---|---|
| Interchange-plus pricing | Flat-rate pricing |
| Lower costs at higher sales volume | Easier pricing predictability |
| Dedicated merchant accounts | Aggregated payment accounts |
| Better invoicing and recurring billing | Better plug-and-play POS setup |
| More pricing transparency | Simpler onboarding for startups |
Square is easier to get started with because it uses an aggregated merchant account and offers instant signup. This makes it a strong option for startups and smaller retailers that want to begin accepting payments quickly.
Helcim works differently. It provides a traditional merchant account, which means businesses must complete an application and underwriting process before they can start processing payments. Because of this review process, some newer or higher-risk businesses may not qualify.
However, for businesses that do qualify, Helcim can offer more stable merchant accounts and lower long-term processing costs. Its interchange-plus pricing model is often more cost-effective than Square’s flat-rate structure.
I recommend Helcim for
Healthcare providers and professional services, including dentists, veterinarians, optometrists, and clinics that need BAAs, lower long-term processing costs, and more stable merchant accounts, and that are prepared to go through a full application and risk review with a Helcim account manager.
Read more: Best Healthcare Payment Processors
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Helcim’s stand-alone POS terminal comes with a built-in receipt printer (Source: Helcim) 
Connect your smart device to the Helcim mobile credit card reader from the merchant account dashboard. (Source: Helcim) 
Helcim POS app compatible with iOS and Android systems (Source: Helcim)
Pricing
- Monthly POS account fee: $0
- Transaction fees:
- Card-present: Interchange plus 0.15% + 6 cents to 0.4% + 8 cents
- Card-not-present: Interchange plus 0.15% + 15 cents to 0.50% + 25 cents
- Paid upgrade options: No paid upgrades, free access to all services
- Hardware cost: From $99 to $329
- Early/cancellation fee: $0
Key features
Free payment processing services
Helcim does not charge monthly account fees or impose additional monthly costs for accessing any of its payment processing services. For example, Helcim’s invoicing and billing management tools are free to use, while Square requires a paid upgrade. Other Helcim payment services include a virtual terminal, online checkout, payment pages, and a secure card vault.
Cost optimization tools
Helcim’s automated volume discount program allows users to get the lowest rates based on their current transaction volume. This automation removes the need to apply for transaction rate discounts and the risk of a monthly minimum fee for not meeting a required sales volume. The system also supports level 2 and 3 data optimization, so every qualified transaction will be assured of B2B discounted rates. Helcim also makes surcharging and convenience fees available to all its businesses.
POS software
While not as popular as other POS providers on our list, Helcim does provide a proprietary POS app with inventory management and CRM. You can also connect barcode scanners, thermal receipt printers, and a cash drawer. Helcim’s payment service is already built into the POS.
IT Retail: Best Square alternative for high-volume retailers
Pros
- Advanced inventory management
- Native tools for managing age-restricted products
- Built-in payment processing
Cons
- Pricey software/hardware plans
- Does not allow for third-party payment integrations
- Complicated setup
Why I chose IT Retail
IT Retail is built specifically for grocery and convenience stores that move a lot of SKUs at high volume. Its inventory tools can track products by location, FIFO or LIFO, and shelf life, and it includes built-in controls for age-restricted items. IT Retail also offers an all-in-one package where subscription plans cover POS software, payment processing, and hardware in one monthly payment.
I look at IT Retail when a “mom-and-pop” shop has turned into a busy grocery or convenience store and Square can’t keep up. In my experience, IT Retail’s inventory workflows, custom loyalty tools, and grocery-specific features are a better match for complex stock control and repeat customer programs than general-purpose POS systems.
IT Retail vs Square: Biggest differences
| IT Retail | Square |
|---|---|
| Better for grocery and specialty food stores | Better for general small retail |
| Supports deli scale integration | Simpler plug-and-play setup |
| Stronger barcode and inventory workflows | Easier onboarding and deployment |
| Better for high-volume retail environments | Better mobile POS flexibility |
| Designed for grocery operations | Better ecommerce ecosystem |
The biggest difference between IT Retail and Square is industry specialization. Square works well for startups and small retail shops, but its inventory tools struggle once you are managing thousands of items, tight margins, and compliance needs for age-restricted products. IT Retail is the stronger choice at that stage because it is built around high-volume grocery operations, more granular inventory tracking, and tailored loyalty programs.
The tradeoff is that IT Retail is more expensive, more complex to roll out, and usually takes longer to implement, so it makes the most sense for stores that have clearly outgrown Square.
IT Retail vsI recommend IT Retail for Square: Biggest differences
Growing neighborhood groceries, convenience stores, and specialty food markets that now handle large product catalogs, fast-moving stock, and age-restricted items, and are ready to invest in a more complex but more capable POS than Square.
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IT Retail has advanced inventory management features that efficiently handle large-volume products. (Source: IT Retail) 
Track and analyze product movement and monitor sales and employee performance in real-time with IT Retail’s analytics feature. (Source: IT Retail) 
Enhance customer checkout experience with personalized rewards and customer loyalty programs. (Source: IT Retail)
Pricing
- Monthly POS account fee: $99-$1,999
- Transaction fees: Custom quote
- Paid upgrade options: Included in subscription plan upgrade
- Hardware cost: Included in monthly subscription
- Early/cancellation fee: Depends on subscription plan
Key features
Advanced inventory management
All of IT Retail’s plans include its advanced inventory management features. The system allows businesses to customize how they prefer to track inventory and set automations for alerts and reporting. IT Retail also comes with built-in purchase order tools and a free mobile app for inventory counts.
Customizable rewards program
IT Retail provides a personalized checkout experience by creating custom rewards based on a customer’s buying habits. The system comes with automation tools for maintaining customer profiles and setting alerts at checkout when customers are qualified for rewards.
Built-in payment processing
IT Retail provides its own payment processing service. In addition to credit card and digital wallet payments, IT Retail also accepts debit, EBT Food, EBT Cash, gift cards, and checks.
Square pricing vs competitors
Square is known for simple, flat-rate pricing, which is one reason many small businesses adopt it first. This straightforward pricing model makes it easy to predict costs and start accepting payments quickly.
However, businesses often choose an alternative because other Square competitors may offer lower effective rates as transaction volume increases.
The table below compares Square’s typical pricing structure with the alternatives mentioned in this guide to help you understand how processing fees, monthly software costs, and hardware pricing can vary across platforms.
| Provider | Base plan | Advanced plan | Card-present transaction fee | Minimum hardware cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square | $0 | $49-$149/month | 2.6% + 15 cents | $59; iPhone card reader |
| Stripe | No monthly fee (Stripe Terminal) | Custom pricing for advanced workflows | From 2.7% + 5 cents | $59 |
| Lightspeed | $89/month | $149-$269/month (Retail) | From 2.6% + 10 cents | Varies |
| Shopify POS | $5/month | $89/month per location | 2.4%-2.6% + 10 cents | $49; iPhone card reader |
| Clover | $0 | $16-$240/month for retail | 2.3% + 10 cents | $199 (Clover Go) |
| Toast | $0 | $69-$609; custom | 2.49%-3.69% + 15 cents | $0 with contract; otherwise varies |
| SpotOn | Free plan | $55/month; custom | 1.99%-2.89% + 25 cents | Undisclosed |
| Helcim | Free POS | No advanced software fee; pricing is processing-based | Interchange + margin; automated volume discounts | $99 (Helcim Reader) |
| IT Retail | ~$99/month | Up to ~$1,999/month depending on grocery needs | Custom | Hardware included in some plans |
Advantages of using Square: Why it’s so popular
Simply put, Square is an all-in-one POS system that offers easy and affordable setup, making it popular with startups and businesses operating on a tight budget. In fact, Square powers over four million merchants. Its pricing scheme allows businesses to start selling with zero initial investment and transaction fees as the only ongoing monthly cost.
Businesses that sign up for Square’s free plan get:
- Instant merchant account approval
- Basic industry-specific POS software
- Standard inventory features
- Mobile POS app
- Basic ecommerce platform
- Standard invoicing tools
- Virtual terminal
- Omnichannel sales
- Shipping and delivery management
- Starter team management plan
- First magstripe mobile card reader
- Waived chargeback fees of up to $250/month
Also read:
Affordable upgrades
Upgrades for Square are also affordable. Advanced software plans start at $49 per location monthly. Hardware costs start at $10 for an additional magstripe reader and $49 for a contactless mobile card reader, while more expensive POS hardware is available in installments.
Top-rated payment processing
Square’s payment processing service is also among the most versatile in the industry. Users can accept most payment types and process payments for specific industries such as healthcare (Square is fully HIPAA-compliant) and CBD (Square offers a CBD program). Square also comes with the native buy now, pay later (BNPL) service Afterpay and peer-to-peer payment service Cash App.
Easy to use
Square is also popular for its ease of setup and use. Square hardware is ready to use out of the box, and all users need to do is log on to their account and create their store with Square’s step-by-step guided prompt. The software itself is intuitive and requires very little training to learn how to use.
Highly mobile
Finally, most businesses also like Square for its mobility. Users can access their product catalog and ring up sales from the mobile POS app downloaded on a smartphone or iPad. It can even accept payments offline.
Also read:
Square limitations
Square does fall short in some areas, including:
Flat-rate pricing does not offer the most competitive rates
For one, Square’s flat-rate transaction fees are not the most affordable. As businesses grow, flat-rate fees can quickly eat up funds when transaction volumes are high.
For example, a supermarket with an average sales volume of $200,000 a year can have the choice between IT Retail’s custom-quoted interchange-plus rate of 2.06% + 15 cents/transaction plus $99/month for POS software, and Square’s discounted 2.5% + 10 cents/transaction plus $49/month for POS software.
However, Square does offer custom discounted rates for transaction volumes above $250,000 a year. If you need a cheaper processing alternative with similar apps like Square, consider Helcim.
Limited inventory management capabilities
Another key drawback of using Square is its inventory management limitations. Most of our recommended Square competitors, such as Lightspeed and Toast, have better inventory management features, handling complex product matrices, tracking the movement of large volumes of products, and having custom catalogs for vendor orders.
Aggregated merchant services can lead to account holds
Lastly, there are a number of complaints from Square users about frozen funds and accounts. While this happens more to businesses that end up, in one way or another, violating Square’s terms of service, it’s important to note that Square’s subscribers share a single merchant account (divided into sub-merchant accounts).
This means that after a while, a Square user’s merchant standing can be affected by issues committed by other sub-merchants, making them susceptible to card network sanctions like merchant accounts (and, of course, funds) being frozen.
How to choose the best Square alternative for your business
Finding the right Square alternative comes down to understanding how your business operates, where Square falls short, and what tools will support your next stage of growth. Use the steps below to narrow your options.
Identify your business needs
Most businesses that move away from Square fall into two groups: those that need features Square doesn’t offer, and those that have outgrown what Square can support. Start by listing the gaps you’re running into. For some merchants, it’s inventory depth; for others, it’s restaurant-specific workflows, custom payment logic, or the ability to negotiate better processing rates.
Choosing a Square alternative becomes easier once you match your business needs with the system built to support them. The table below shows which providers fit the most common use cases, from advanced inventory to ecommerce and restaurant operations.
| Use case / priority | Best Square alternative(s) | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Retailers with complex or high-value inventory | Lightspeed IT Retail | Advanced inventory tools, matrix SKUs, serialized tracking, FIFO/LIFO, and multi-location workflows |
| Ecommerce-led brands expanding to in-person sales | Shopify POS | Strong ecommerce engine, multi-channel syncing, and a more flexible online checkout experience than Square |
| Businesses needing custom payment flows or global checkout | Stripe | Developer-first APIs, subscription billing, automation tools, and international payment support |
| Established restaurants | Toast | Ingredient-level controls, kitchen display tools, delivery management, and restaurant-grade hardware |
| Budget-conscious retail startups | SpotOn | Has a free plan and a low-cost paid plan with built-in marketing and loyalty |
| Healthcare and professional services | Helcim | BAA support, stable merchant accounts, and interchange-plus pricing with automated volume discounts |
| Merchants wanting to choose or negotiate their processor | Clover | Works on the Fiserv network, allowing processor choice and rate negotiation |
| Growing groceries and convenience stores | IT Retail | Shelf-life tracking, FIFO/LIFO, age-restricted product controls, and grocery-specific workflows |
Learn more: What Are the Different Types of POS Systems?
Compare long-term costs by factoring fees, hardware, and subscription plans.
Once you understand your needs, look at software and processing costs together. The cheapest system isn’t always the most cost-effective, especially if you plan to grow, add staff, or expand locations. Some Square competitors offer lower processing rates for higher volume, while others bundle advanced features that Square charges extra for. Focus on long-term value, not just the monthly fee.
Read more: Cheapest credit card processors
Consider contracts and processing flexibility
Not all POS systems offer the same freedom as Square’s month-to-month setup. Some lock you into multi-year agreements, while others let you choose or negotiate your processor. If you expect your volume to increase, contract structure and rate flexibility can have a significant financial impact.
Contract terms and processing flexibility vary widely across POS providers. Some offer month-to-month plans like Square, while others require multi-year agreements or allow you to negotiate your processing rates. The table below outlines these differences so you can avoid unexpected commitments or fees.
| Provider | Contract type | Early termination fee | Processor flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square | Month-to-month | No | No |
| Stripe | Month-to-month | No | N/A (Stripe is the processor) |
| Lightspeed | Month-to-month or term agreements | None on software; hardware terms may apply | Yes |
| Shopify POS | Month-to-month (requires Shopify ecommerce plan) | No | Limited (Shopify Payments default; some third-party options) |
| Clover | Often multi-year depending on reseller | Varies by provider | Yes (Fiserv network) |
| Toast | Often multi-year | Varies by contract | No |
| SpotOn | Varies by plan | Varies | No |
| Helcim | Month-to-month | No | N/A (traditional merchant account) |
| IT Retail | Commonly multi-year | Varies | No |
Understand your customers and sales channels
Think about how your customers shop and pay. Do they expect online orders, local delivery, or multi-location pickup? Are you missing loyalty tools or marketing automation that could reduce churn? When you align POS features with customer behavior, it becomes easier to choose a system that supports growth rather than just replacing Square’s basic tools.
Checklist before switching from Square
Switching POS systems requires careful planning. I recommend reviewing the steps below to make the transition smoother and avoid disruptions to your operations.
- Export your data from Square
Start by exporting important data from Square POS, including:
- Product catalog and inventory
- Customer profiles and purchase history
- Sales reports
- Employee records
Most provide import tools that can help transfer this information into the new system.
- Confirm hardware compatibility
Some Square POS alternatives work with standard tablets, receipt printers, and barcode scanners, while others require proprietary hardware.
Before switching, confirm whether your existing devices will work whatever POS system you plan to adopt. This can help avoid unexpected hardware costs.
- Compare payment processing costs
Payment processing is one of the main reasons businesses migrate away from Square. However, ensure that you review the alternative provider’s pricing model carefully.
Key factors to compare:
- Transaction fees
- Monthly software costs
- Hardware pricing
- Contract terms
Some competitors to Square Payments like Helcim use interchange-plus pricing, which can reduce processing costs for higher-volume merchants.
- Test POS workflows before launching
Before fully replacing Square POS, test the new system with real workflows.
For example, process test transactions, check inventory updates, verify receipt and reporting settings, and test integrations with accounting or ecommerce platforms
Testing helps ensure the new platform performs as expected before you switch your live checkout system.
- Train staff on the new POS system
Providers have different interfaces and workflows. Schedule time to train employees so they understand how to process payments, manage inventory, and run reports.
- Review contracts and cancellation policies
Finally, check the terms of your new provider before committing. Some offer month-to-month plans similar to Square, while others require longer agreements or hardware financing. Reviewing these details ahead of time can help you avoid unexpected fees or commitments.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is the best alternative to Square?
Stripe is the best Square alternative for businesses that need more control over online payments, custom checkout flows, and integrations. Stripe offers stronger APIs and global payment support than Square, while still supporting in-person payments through Stripe Terminal.
Which Square alternative is best for brick-and-mortar retailers?
Lightspeed and IT Retail are better than Square for inventory-heavy retailers because they handle complex product catalogs, multi-store inventory, and grocery or supermarket workflows that Square’s POS cannot fully support.
Which Square competitor is best for ecommerce?
Shopify POS is the strongest fit for ecommerce-led brands because it connects directly to Shopify’s online store platform, social commerce tools, and marketplace integrations, while still giving you in-person POS.
What is the best Square alternative for restaurants?
Toast is the leading Square competitor for restaurants. It offers tableside ordering, menu and modifier management, tip pooling, and kitchen display systems designed specifically for full-service and fast-casual restaurants.
Which Square alternatives offer lower payment processing costs?
Helcim and some SpotOn and Clover merchant accounts often provide lower effective processing rates than Square for higher-volume businesses, especially when they use interchange-plus pricing. However, exact savings depend on your industry, ticket size, and monthly volume.
What is the best free POS alternative to Square?
If you want a free or low-cost POS alternative, Shopify POS (with eligible ecommerce plans), Toast’s starter plans, and SpotOn’s entry-level options can compete with Square’s free POS, though you will still pay standard payment processing fees.
When should I switch from Square to another POS?
You should consider switching from Square when your processing volume grows beyond roughly $15,000 to $20,000 per month, you need deeper inventory or menu tools, you want more control over your payment processor, or you are signing multi-year leases and need hardware that matches your long-term plan.
Can I keep using Square and add another payment provider?
Square does not support third-party payment processors inside its POS. If you want to shop around for card rates, platforms like Clover, Lightspeed, and Shopify give you more flexibility to work with different merchant services providers.