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SquareGet Paid & Manage Money

STOA rating

8.1 / 10

Openness

OPENNESS 9/10API 3/3 · Export 2/3 · Contract 2/2 · Integrations 2/2

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Square's developer API and SDKs are free to start: you create a free Square developer account, and online API payments are priced on every plan. developer.squareup.com, checked 6 Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Your data

You can export Square Dashboard reports as CSV files; cash drawer reports and Transaction status pages cannot be exported. squareup.com, checked 6 Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Contract

Paid Subscription Services can be cancelled at any time from your Square Account settings. squareup.com, checked 6 Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Connections

Square has a listed integration on Zapier. zapier.com, checked 6 Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Square runs its own App Marketplace of third-party integrations. squareup.com, checked 6 Oct 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Openness note

Free developer API. CSV export of Dashboard reports. Subscriptions cancel any time. On Zapier, with its own App Marketplace.

What it does

Square is best for US small businesses that sell in person — like retail shops, restaurants, food trucks, salons, and service businesses. It lets you accept credit cards, manage your register, track inventory, and run your whole checkout from a phone, tablet, or Square hardware. You can also use it to run payroll, set up a loyalty program, send invoices, and even access business banking. It's one of the most complete all-in-one platforms for businesses that need to get paid face-to-face.

Strengths

Generous free plan with no monthly software fee
Wide range of affordable hardware options starting at $59
All-in-one platform covering payments, payroll, banking, and loyalty
Very easy to set up and use with little tech experience
Large app marketplace for connecting third-party tools

Weaknesses

Transaction fees (typically 2.6% + 10¢ in person) add up at high volume
Advanced POS features for restaurants or retail require paid plans
Customer support can be hard to reach for free-plan users
Not ideal for businesses with complex inventory or B2B sales needs

Key features

Accept payments in person, online, or on the go using Square hardware or your phone
Manage inventory, track sales, and run reports from one dashboard
Send invoices and accept payments for service-based businesses
Run payroll, schedule shifts, and manage your team from the same platform
Set up customer loyalty programs and marketing campaigns to bring people back
Access Square Banking to manage cash flow, save funds, and apply for business loans

STOA verdict

Square is a top pick for any US small business that takes payments in person — especially retail, food service, and personal care. The biggest pro is how much you get for free: a full POS, basic inventory, and reporting with no monthly fee, just per-transaction costs. The main downside is that costs can add up fast once you layer in payroll, advanced POS features, or loyalty tools, so check the full price before assuming it stays cheap.