Square POS Reviews & Pricing

by Square | Founded 2009, St. Louis, MO

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Overview Pricing Benefits Reviews Features

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What is Square POS?

Industry Specialties: Retail

Square is a cloud-based POS system for retail stores of all sizes. It automatically creates customer profiles and tracks their information and purchase histories. Its key capabilities include sales reports, online payment processing, inventory tracking control, marketing campaigns, digital receipts, sales management, e-commerce and more. It accepts offline payments and automatically syncs payment information when mobile devices reconnect.

It is available on Android and iOS devices and includes optional hardware such as terminals, cash drawers, scanners, scales and card readers. Users can manage order pick-ups from third-party services like DoorDash, Postmates and more.

Pros

Easy to use and set up
Affordable pricing plans
Mobile payments and online ordering
Integrates with Square ecosystem
Free basic plan available

Cons

Limited customization options
May not be suitable for high-volume businesses
Transaction fees can add up
Limited reporting features in free plan
Customer support could be improved

PRICE

COMPANY SIZE

DEPLOYMENT

PLATFORM

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User Sentiment

Based on 2169 reviews:

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Product Screenshots and Videos

Square POS Pricing

Based on our most recent analysis, Square POS pricing starts at $29 (Monthly, Freemium, Plus Transaction Fees).

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Starting From: $29
Pricing Model: Monthly, Freemium, Plus Transaction Fees
Free Trial: Yes, Request for Free

Training Resources

Square POS is supported with the following types of training:

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars

Support

The following support services are available for Square POS:

Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Help Desk
Knowledge Base
Tickets
Training
24/7 Live Support

Square POS Benefits and Insights

Why use Square POS?

Key differentiators & advantages of Square POS

Streamlined Operations: Simplify day-to-day tasks like sales, inventory management, and employee management with an intuitive interface and mobile accessibility. Square POS offers a clean and user-friendly interface that minimizes the learning curve for new users and streamlines operations for established businesses. Additionally, its mobile app allows you to manage your business on the go, whether you're taking inventory, processing payments, or checking sales reports.
Omnichannel Engagement: Facilitate seamless omnichannel experiences by offering mobile payments, online ordering, and click-and-collect options. In today's digital age, customers expect a smooth and consistent experience across all channels. Square POS empowers you to meet these expectations by providing omnichannel features that bridge the gap between physical and online storefronts.
Scalability and Flexibility: Adapt to your evolving business needs with a range of pricing plans and integrations with Square's broader ecosystem of tools. Square POS doesn't lock you into a one-size-fits-all solution. With its flexible pricing plans and vast ecosystem of integrations, you can tailor the system to your specific needs and budget, whether you're a small startup or a growing enterprise.
Data-Driven Decisions: Gain valuable insights into your business performance with sales reports, inventory tracking, and customer analytics. Square POS equips you with the data you need to make informed decisions. Its comprehensive reporting and analytics suite provides insights into sales trends, customer behavior, and inventory levels, empowering you to optimize your operations and marketing strategies.
Enhanced Customer Experience: Delight your customers with features like loyalty programs, gift cards, and email marketing tools. Square POS goes beyond just processing transactions. It helps you build stronger customer relationships by offering tools to implement loyalty programs, send personalized marketing campaigns, and offer convenient gift card options.

Industry Expertise

While Square POS caters to various industries, it doesn't possess specific expertise tailored to any particular sector. Its strength lies in its adaptability and broad feature set, making it suitable for businesses across retail, restaurants, cafes, salons, and more. However, some competitors offer industry-specific solutions with features and integrations designed for unique industry needs.

Square POS Reviews

Average customer reviews & user sentiment summary for Square POS:

2169 reviews

93%

of users would recommend this product

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Based on an aggregate of Square POS reviews taken from the sources above, the following pros & cons have been curated by a SelectHub Market Analyst.

Pros

User-Friendly: 96% of users who reviewed this element said the software is flexible and mobile with a clean user interface.
Economical: According to 70% of users who mentioned this aspect, the pricing is fair and competitive.
Card Payments: 80% of users who reviewed payments said the platform is useful for processing cashless transactions with cards and sending invoices.
Invoicing: Regarding this feature, 95% of users said it’s easy to create, add and send invoices to clients.

Cons

Costly for high-volume transactions: The per-transaction fees become significant as your business grows, pushing Square beyond cost-effective for many merchants.
Limited reporting and inventory: Users find Square's reports lack depth and flexibility, making detailed sales analysis and inventory management challenging.
Unreliable customer support: Users report difficulty reaching support, long wait times, and frustrating email-only communication, leaving them feeling helpless when issues arise.
Account holddowns and closures: Square's automated fraud detection can lead to sudden account freezes and closures, causing business disruptions and difficulties resolving the issue.
Clunky hardware: Some users find the Square hardware, particularly the chip reader, clunky and frustrating to use, impacting checkout workflow and customer experience.

Researcher's Summary:

Square POS shines for its ease of use and affordability for small businesses, especially those starting out. Users praise its intuitive interface, seamless setup, and mobile accessibility, making it a breeze to ring up customers and manage basic sales. It also integrates well with popular tools like email marketing and accounting software, offering a centralized platform for managing various aspects of their business. However, Square's appeal wanes as businesses grow. Users lament its limited reporting and inventory management features, lacking the depth and customization offered by competitors like Shopify POS or Clover. Square's higher transaction fees for larger volumes also become a drawback compared to options like Stripe, which offer lower rates based on monthly transaction volume. Furthermore, Square's customer support receives mixed reviews. While some appreciate its responsiveness, others face frustrating wait times and limited communication channels, especially compared to the dedicated phone and live chat support offered by competitors. Overall, Square POS is a strong contender for solopreneurs and micro-businesses seeking a user-friendly and affordable POS solution. However, its limitations become apparent as businesses scale, pushing them towards more robust and feature-rich platforms. The choice ultimately boils down to prioritizing ease of use and affordability in the early stages versus scalability and advanced features as a business grows.

Key Features

Notable Square POS features include:

Intuitive Register Interface: Easy-to-use touch-screen interface with customizable menu items, modifiers, and employee permissions.
Payment Processing: Accept all major credit cards, debit cards, contactless payments, gift cards, and cash.
Inventory Management: Track stock levels, set low-stock alerts, and generate purchase orders.
Employee Management: Track employee hours, create schedules, and manage payroll.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Store customer information, track purchase history, and send targeted marketing campaigns.
Sales Reporting: Generate reports on sales, inventory, employee performance, and customer behavior.
Mobile App: Access Square POS from your smartphone or tablet to process payments, manage inventory, and view reports on the go.
Online Ordering: Allow customers to order and pay online for pickup or delivery.
Loyalty Program: Reward customers for repeat business with points, discounts, and special offers.
Gift Cards: Sell physical and digital gift cards to boost sales and customer loyalty.
Integrations: Connect Square POS with other business tools, such as accounting software, payroll providers, and email marketing platforms.

Approach to Common Challenges

Time-consuming checkouts: Square POS streamlines the checkout process with its intuitive interface, customizable item options, and quick payment processing capabilities, reducing wait times and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Inaccurate inventory tracking: Square POS offers features for real-time inventory tracking, low-stock alerts, and automatic purchase order generation, ensuring businesses always have the right products in stock while minimizing waste and overstocking.
Fraudulent transactions: Square POS prioritizes security with features like EMV chip card readers, encryption, PCI compliance, and fraud detection tools, protecting both businesses and customers from financial losses.
Lack of customer insights: Square POS provides valuable customer data through its CRM and sales reporting features, empowering businesses to understand customer preferences, personalize marketing campaigns, and strengthen loyalty programs.
Limited payment options: Square POS accepts a wide range of payment methods, including all major credit cards, contactless payments, gift cards, and cash, catering to diverse customer preferences and payment habits.

Cost Of Ownership

Frequently asked questions regarding Square POS pricing include:

Q: How much does Square POS software cost?
A: Square POS software itself is free to use, meaning you don't pay a monthly subscription fee. However, you pay processing fees per transaction, typically 2.6% + 10¢ per swipe/dip/tap for credit cards and 1.6% + 10¢ for Square-issued debit cards. Consider processing fees as your primary variable cost when using Square POS.
Q: Are there any additional hardware costs?
A: Yes, while the software is free, you might need hardware to run Square POS. They offer various options, including mobile readers starting at $65, countertop POS systems ranging from $199 to $799, and contactless readers for accepting NFC payments. The specific cost depends on your business needs and desired functionalities.
Q: Do paid plans offer additional benefits?
A: Square POS has free and paid plans. While the free plan covers basic functionalities, paid plans (starting at $29 per month) add features like advanced inventory management, employee permissions, customer insights, and multi-location management. Upgrading to a paid plan might be cost-effective if you need these functionalities for smoother business operations.

Limitations

User feedback indicates the following limitations of (Product Name), as of the time of this review:

Costly hardware.
Limited customer service options.
Faulty card reader.
High payment processing fees.

Suite Support

Users can talk to a support assistant in the live chat window. The product offers upgradable point-of-sale packages with a complete set of features and personalized packages with custom rates for large businesses.

Email: Not mentioned on the website. Users can fill up the support form for customer assistance.

Phone: Not mentioned on the website.

Training: Access the business resource center for blog articles and informative content.

Tickets: Not mentioned on the website. Sign up to get customer support.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions regarding Square POS include:

Q: How easy is it to set up and use Square POS?
A: Square POS is known for its user-friendly interface and simple setup process. It can be up and running in minutes, even for non-technical users. However, the complexity of setup may increase depending on your business needs and desired features.

Q: What types of payments does Square POS accept?
A: Square POS accepts a wide range of major credit cards, debit cards, contactless payments, and mobile wallets. It also integrates with third-party payment processors for additional options.

Q: Does Square POS integrate with other business tools?
A: Square POS offers a robust app marketplace with integrations for inventory management, accounting, marketing, and more. This allows you to streamline your operations and centralize your data.

Q: What are the transaction fees associated with Square POS?
A: Square POS charges a standard transaction fee, with lower rates for larger transactions. Additional fees may apply for specific payment types or features. Carefully review the fee structure to ensure it aligns with your business model.

Q: How does Square POS handle customer management and marketing?
A: Square POS offers built-in customer profiles and email marketing tools. However, its customer management features may not be as comprehensive as dedicated CRM software. Consider your specific needs when evaluating this aspect.