Operations · Payments, billing and finance
Square
Point of sale, card readers and online payments in one account
At a glance
Square is a payments and point-of-sale platform from Block that lets businesses take card payments in person, online, by invoice and over the phone. It combines hardware such as readers, terminals and registers with POS software, online checkout and invoicing, all feeding one dashboard. The free plan charges only per transaction, with paid plans adding industry-specific features.
- Category
- Payments, billing and finance
- Best fit
- SME · Mid-market
- Pricing
- See pricing below
- In Adam’s stack
- No
Who Square is best for
Retail, hospitality and service businesses, especially smaller ones, that want to start taking card payments quickly without a merchant bank contract. Good when you want POS, online sales and invoicing under one provider.
Key features
- Flat-rate card processing including eftpos and Amex
- Card readers, terminals, registers and kiosks
- Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android
- Online store, checkout links and invoices
- Industry packages for restaurants, retail and appointments
- Interest-free hardware instalments
Why it’s worth it
There are no setup or monthly fees on the free plan, so a business can be taking payments the same day and only pay when it sells.
Things to consider
- Flat-rate fees are simple but can cost more than negotiated bank rates once volumes grow; custom rates start around $250k a year.
- Online and keyed payments cost more than in-person payments.
- Advanced features for specific industries sit behind the paid Plus plan.
For Australian businesses
Operates locally through Square AU Pty Ltd, prices in AUD and supports eftpos at the same rate as Visa, Mastercard and Amex.
Square pricing
Pricing as published by Square
Free plan: no monthly fee, 1.6% in person, 2.2% online and keyed. Plus from A$40/month plus processing fees. Premium custom pricing for businesses processing over $250k a year. Hardware from A$65 (Reader) to A$1,099 (Register).
Source: squareup.com/au/en/pricing. Checked 8 October 2026. Prices change often, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
Alternatives to Square
Other tools listed under Payments, billing and finance. Tools from Adam’s stack are marked.
Stripe
In Adam’s stackOnline payments, invoicing and subscriptions
SMEMid-marketEnterpriseMulti-currency accounts, FX and company cards
SMEMid-marketEnterpriseCloud accounting loved by Australian small businesses
SMEMid-marketMYOB
AustralianAccounting and payroll built for Australia
SMEMid-marketWidely used cloud accounting
SMEMid-marketSubscription billing and revenue operations
SMEMid-marketEnterpriseLow-cost international transfers and accounts
SMEMid-marketMerchant of record for software companies
SMEMid-market
FAQ
Square: common questions
How much does Square cost in Australia?
The free plan has no monthly fee and charges 1.6% for in-person payments and 2.2% for online and keyed payments. Plus starts at A$40 a month, and hardware is bought separately.
Does Square accept eftpos?
Yes. In Australia Square accepts eftpos, Visa, Mastercard and American Express at the same in-person rate.
Is Square good for small businesses?
Yes, it suits small businesses that want to take payments quickly without setup costs. Higher-volume businesses should compare its flat rate against bank merchant offers.
Can’t find a tool that fits?
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