6 Square Alternatives for Your Business in 2022

By now, every small business understands the importance of accepting credit card payments. However, payment processing options are not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Square is one of the most sought-after payment processing tools by small business owners. But just because it’s well-known, doesn’t make it perfect for every business or industry. If you're looking for more than just a payment solution, GoSite offers an all-in-one platform to help customers find, book, pay, and review your services in one place. Try it out for free (for 14 days) below. 

Square

First, here’s a quick overview of Square.

Square offers payment processing solutions for both in-person and online transactions. They make it relatively easy for businesses to take credit card payments with or without a point of sale (POS) system or other hardware.

Most options available through Square do require hardware, but they also have methods for e-commerce if needed.

However, if you’re using Square to run your business, you’re likely paying more money, incurring costly fees, and missing out on additional tools offered by its competitors.

That being said, keep reading for six of the best Square alternatives to consider for your small business.

Price

$0 - $60

Processing Rate

2.6% + $0.10

Hardware Required?

Available, but not required.

1. GoSite Payments

contactless payment is the number one Square alternative for service-based businesses because it’s made specifically for on-the-go transactions.

One of its most popular features is text-to-pay, where customers can receive a secure payment link via text message and pay instantly online. This tool also lets you send quick payment requests or reminders straight to a customer’s phone or desktop.

Instant invoices is another coveted feature of GoSite Payments. With it, you can easily generate and send detailed invoices to clients to streamline your billing process. On top of that, you can also see your complete payment history with individual customers and your transactions in aggregate—all from one neat dashboard.

Price

$0 (Available with your free trial)

Processing Rate

2.9% + $0.30

Hardware Required?

No.

2. PayPal

PayPay is another quality alternative. With it, you can facilitate contactless payments and enjoy their pay-as-you-go services. Choose between two different card readers: Chip and swipe or chip and tap. The former is free while the latter is available with a charge.

PayPal transactions automatically transfer to your bank account and their software integrates directly with the PayPal app. Keep in mind that PayPal is not the best selection for high-volume businesses.

Price

$24.99 - $99.99

Processing Rate

Card not present: 2.9% + $0.30

Card present: 2.7% + $0.30

Hardware Required?

Yes.

3. Stripe

Stripe is a popular payment tool for those looking for an online payment system or hardware POS system. Its claim to fame is its powerful integration abilities. Stripe lets you sync with several existing websites and payment apps.

Stripe also accepts over 135 currencies, so it would be a good option for businesses that process international payments. On the downside, Stripe charges users a fee for chargebacks and higher fees once transactions reach a certain monetary value.

Price

$59 - $299 (hardware)

Processing Rate

2.9% + $0.30

Hardware Required?

Available, but not required.

4. Lightspeed

Lightspeed is very similar to Square in that it is an advanced payment system specialized in POS transactions. It functions with a desktop or iPad and allows for complex purchase ordering and inventory management.

Lightspeed has the same concept as Square but is a more advanced platform. This software has multiple features, including employee management, varying tender options, store credit creation, and more. Its biggest downside is that it’s costly, which makes it difficult for small businesses to afford.

Price

$69 - $229 (monthly fee)

Processing Rate

Card not present: 2.6% + $0.30

Card present: 2.6% + $0.10

Hardware Required?

Available, but not required.

5. QuickBooks

As you may have guessed, Quickbooks GoPayments is a great tool to use for its accounting-based integration. This software makes it easy to take payments and instantly track them with your invoices and statements.

QuickBooks GoPayment is also handy, as it allows you to take payment by keying in card information or even by taking a picture of the credit card. They also have a hardware card reader available for purchase at $49.

They offer tablet options for a more traditional POS feel. This alternative also accepts contactless payments and has added features like a receipt printer and barcode scanner. The main con of GoPayments is that purchasing a card reader is necessary to transact contactless payments or mobile payments (i.e., Google Pay, Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay).

Price

$0 - $49

Processing Rate

Swiped: 2.4% + $0.29

Invoiced: 2.9% + $0.29

Keyed in: 3.4% + $0.29

Hardware Required?

Available, but not required.

6. Clover

Clover is unique because it works with Bluetooth to accept chip payments and mobile payments from Apple, Samsung, and Google. For people looking to go all-in on a complete payment software, Clover may be a good option. But keep in mind, it comes at a higher price than most other alternatives.

Accept both mobile and in-person payments with Clover and enjoy integrations and features made with small businesses in mind. One of Clover’s main selling points is customizability. You have the option to mix and match different pieces of hardware to fit your business’s needs.

Price

$69 - $1,399

Processing Rate

Card not present: 3.5% + $0.10

Card present: 2.3% + $0.10

Hardware Required?

Available, but not required.

Which is Best for Your Business?

Deciding which Square alternative is best for you and your small business?

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I want (or need) hardware to take credit card payments?
• How much am I willing to pay per month and per transaction?
• What types of payment processors are my competitors using?
• Do I send a lot of invoices?
• Am I looking to take advantage of mobile payments?
• How many customers do I typically service?

The payment processing decision is yours. Considering these questions and the specific needs of your business or industry should help guide the way to finding the best payment solution for you.

If you’re still testing the waters of payment processing, try GoSite Payments with your trial and see if instant invoices, payment reminders, and text-to-pay options work for your small business.