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Stripe vs Square at a glance
| Stripe | Square | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Online businesses and developers | Shops and restaurants selling in person |
| Pricing model | Pay as you go | Pay as you go |
| Available in | Global | US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, EU |
| Key features | Cards, wallets and local methods Subscriptions with Stripe Billing Developer-friendly APIs | Card readers and POS Online store No monthly fee to start |
| Website | Visit Stripe ↗ | Visit Square ↗ |
Pricing
Both use the same pricing model: each charges per transaction or transfer (pay as you go). We never publish exact prices because they change too often; check the current plans on each website.
Where they work
Stripe is available worldwide; Square in US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, EU. Check that the one you like works in your country first.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Stripe: the better fit for online businesses and developers.
- Choose Square: the better fit for shops and restaurants selling in person.
Still unsure? Run through these before you sign up for either:
- Fees per transaction, including international cards and currency conversion.
- The local payment methods your customers prefer.
- Whether it is a merchant of record that handles tax for you.
- How quickly payouts reach your bank.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Stripe and Square?
Stripe is built for online businesses and developers. Square is built for shops and restaurants selling in person. Both use the same pricing model: each charges per transaction or transfer (pay as you go).
Is Stripe or Square available in my country?
Stripe is available worldwide; Square in US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, EU. Check that the one you like works in your country first.
Is Stripe cheaper than Square?
It depends on how you use it, and prices change often, so we only list the pricing model. Both use the same pricing model: each charges per transaction or transfer (pay as you go). Compare the current plans on each website before you sign up.
Not sold on either?
There are 13 other payments & checkout tools in the directory. Compare them all →
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Information checked 26 October 2026. NxtGenFin is an independent directory, not affiliated with Stripe or Square unless marked as featured, sponsored or affiliate link. Not financial advice.