Stripe vs Square
Stripe vs Square compares published lines. Stripe's US domestic cards are 2.9% + $0.30, read November 9, 2026. Square is listed at 3.3% + $0.30 online · 2.6% + $0.15 in person. Dispute fees that day: Stripe $15 received, and Square $0 Square dispute fee.
What is the verdict on Stripe vs Square?
Square publishes 3.3% + $0.30 online · 2.6% + $0.15 in person, read on November 9, 2026. Stripe's US domestic card rate on that date is 2.9% + $0.30.
Square is the better default when the sale happens in person. Stripe is the better default when the sale happens online and you want developer tools. Square's free-plan online rate, 3.3% + $0.30, is more expensive than Stripe. Square's online API rate matches Stripe's domestic headline.
How do Stripe and Square compare on features?
Square is a payment service provider with the dispute line $0 Square dispute fee, read on November 9, 2026. Stripe's dispute line on that date is $15 received.
| Feature | Stripe | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Card rate | 2.9% + $0.30 | 3.3% + $0.30 online · 2.6% + $0.15 in person |
| Dispute fee | $15 received | $0 Square dispute fee |
| Pricing | Flat rate | Flat rate |
| Payout | Standard schedule free. Instant 1.5%, minimum $0.50. | As soon as the next business day, on the fee schedule we read. |
| Region | Global. Rates here are the US list prices. | Rates here are Square's US fees. |
| Underwriting | Instant signup. Stripe can review, restrict, or close the account later. | Instant signup, with later review. |
| Merchant of record | ||
| In the fee calculator |
What does Stripe vs Square cost at $10,000, $100,000, and $1 million a month?
The dollar columns use a $50 average ticket and successful charges only, on rates read November 9, 2026. Square's published line is 3.3% + $0.30 online · 2.6% + $0.15 in person.
Stripe
Published standard rate, read November 9, 2026.
- Manually entered cards. +0.5%
- International cards. +1.5%
- Currency conversion. +1% when required
Square
online · 2.6% + $0.15 in person. Published standard rate, read November 9, 2026.
- Square Free, online API. 2.9% + $0.30
- Square Free, tap, dip, or swipe. 2.6% + $0.15
- International cards. +1.5%
| Monthly volume | Stripe, $50 ticket | Square |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $350.00 | Square Free, online or invoices: $390.00. Square Free, online API: $350.00 |
| $100,000 | $3,500.00 | Square Free, online or invoices: $3,900.00. Square Free, online API: $3,500.00 |
| $1 million | $35,000.00 | Square Free, online or invoices: $39,000.00. Square Free, online API: $35,000.00 |
Read on November 9, 2026 from each provider's pricing page. A figure that says "from" is a floor, not the rate a business is charged. International cards, currency conversion, and disputes are not inside these totals. Stripe pricing · Square pricing
Where does Stripe win, and where does Square win?
Stripe wins on the job in the left column. Square wins on the job in the right column, at the rate 3.3% + $0.30 online · 2.6% + $0.15 in person read on November 9, 2026.
Stripe wins when
The business is online, low risk, and you may want billing, tax, or Connect later.
Square wins when
You sell at a counter. Square Free in-person pricing is 2.6% + $0.15, and the point-of-sale software is the product. Square also publishes no dispute-management fee, which matters if you actually get disputes.
How do underwriting and account stability differ?
Stripe's underwriting note is instant signup, with the right to review later, as recorded on November 9, 2026. Square's note is: Instant signup, with later review.
A live API key is not the same thing as a written approval. If Stripe closed the account for the business model, an instant-onboard processor can reach the same answer after you have moved customers. A prohibited category does not become lawful because the logo changed.
How do you switch from Stripe to Square?
Stripe's data export page, read on November 10, 2026, says Stripe transfers saved cards only to a PCI DSS Level 1 processor and does not export subscriptions or payment history. The switching guide is the longer checklist.
- Export Stripe customers, prices, and disputes while the dashboard still allows it.
- Ask Square in writing whether a Stripe token import exists. This page does not claim one.
- Recreate plans and run five real customers in a test, including one annual plan.
- Map webhooks before cutover. Do not bill the same period twice.
- If the Stripe account is already closed, plan for customers to enter cards again.
What did Square publish on the pricing page?
Square contributed 5 fee lines to this comparison, read on November 9, 2026. The headline beside those lines is 3.3% + $0.30 online · 2.6% + $0.15 in person.
Square Free, online or invoices
3.3% + $0.30
Square Free, online API
2.9% + $0.30
Square Free, tap, dip, or swipe
2.6% + $0.15
International cards
+1.5%
Dispute management
No Square fee. Square says it covers the fee for disputes you challenge together. The disputed amount is held.
Where is the source page?
These figures were last updated November 9, 2026. The provider's own page is the source.