Jake Tech Lab

PayPal vs Square

Square comes out ahead of PayPal on 4 of the 7 things that decide this, going by what each company publishes and what independent review sites report. The one that matters for you may be one the leader loses.

PayPal
PayPal
6.0
Fair
3 of 7 rounds
vs
SquareWinner
Square
6.6
Fair
4 of 7 rounds

The verdict

Square takes it, 4–3 on rounds.

On the published figures and the independent review sites, Square takes 4 of 7 rounds. Treat that as a starting point and check the current figures on both pages, because prices and plans move.

Choose PayPal if…

  • • You want PayPal's edge on what an online card sale costs and what a tap or swipe in store costs

Choose Square if…

  • • You want Square's edge on what customers say on trustpilot and the fixed fee on every sale

Round by round

  1. Round 1What customers say on TrustpilotSquare wins
    PayPal5/10

    1.4 out of 5

    TrustScore from 41,713 reviews on Trustpilot

    • 1.4 out of 5, against 3.7 out of 5

    Source: trustpilot.com ↗

    Square8/10

    3.7 out of 5

    TrustScore from 7,486 reviews on Trustpilot

    Source: trustpilot.com ↗

    Square wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.

  2. Round 2What an online card sale costsPayPal wins
    PayPal8/10

    2.99% + 49¢ (card payments)

    PayPal business account, standard credit and debit card payments (US)

    Source: paypal.com ↗

    Square5/10

    3.3% + 30¢ (Square Free)

    Square Free ($0/mo. per location)

    • 3.3% + 30¢ (Square Free), against 2.99% + 49¢ (card payments)

    Source: squareup.com ↗

    PayPal wins this round on what the published sources say.

  3. Round 3The fixed fee on every saleSquare wins
    PayPal5/10

    49¢ per sale

    PayPal business account, standard credit and debit card payments (US)

    • 49¢ per sale, against 30¢ per online sale

    Source: paypal.com ↗

    Square8/10

    30¢ per online sale

    Square Free ($0/mo. per location)

    Source: squareup.com ↗

    Square wins this round on what the published sources say.

  4. Round 4What a lost chargeback costsSquare wins
    PayPal5/10

    $20 chargeback fee

    PayPal business account, standard credit and debit card payments (US)

    • $20 chargeback fee, against No chargeback fee

    Source: paypal.com ↗

    Square8/10

    No chargeback fee

    Square Free ($0/mo. per location)

    Source: squareup.com ↗

    Square wins this round on what the published sources say.

  5. Round 5What a tap or swipe in store costsPayPal wins
    PayPal8/10

    2.29% + 9¢ (PayPal POS)

    PayPal business account, standard credit and debit card payments (US)

    Source: paypal.com ↗

    Square5/10

    2.6% + 15¢ (Square Free)

    Square Free ($0/mo. per location)

    • 2.6% + 15¢ (Square Free), against 2.29% + 9¢ (PayPal POS)

    Source: squareup.com ↗

    PayPal wins this round on what the published sources say.

  6. Round 6Getting your money instantlyPayPal wins
    PayPal8/10

    1.5% instant transfer

    PayPal business account, standard credit and debit card payments (US)

    Source: paypal.com ↗

    Square5/10

    1.95% instant transfer

    Square Free ($0/mo. per location)

    • 1.95% instant transfer, against 1.5% instant transfer

    Source: squareup.com ↗

    PayPal wins this round on what the published sources say.

  7. Round 7How fast your money reaches the bankSquare wins
    PayPal5/10

    1-3 business days

    PayPal business account, standard credit and debit card payments (US)

    • 1-3 business days, against Next business day (free)

    Source: paypal.com ↗

    Square8/10

    Next business day (free)

    Square Free ($0/mo. per location)

    Source: squareup.com ↗

    Square wins this round on what the published sources say.

PayPalPayPal
Check price
SquareSquare
Check price

Side by side

PayPalPayPal
Check price
SquareBest for what it costs just to have an accountSquare
Check price
Overall score
6.0
6.6
Best
Price
See price
See price
What customers say on Trustpilot
5.3
7.1
The fixed fee on every sale
5.0
6.0
What it costs just to have an account
7.3
7.3
Taking bank (ACH) payments
5.0
5.0
What a lost chargeback costs
5.8
8.0
Head-to-head findings
What customers say on Trustpilot
1.4 out of 5
3.7 out of 5
The fixed fee on every sale
49 cents
30¢ per online sale
What it costs just to have an account
No monthly fee
$0/month (Square Free)
Taking bank (ACH) payments
1% capped at $10 (invoices)
1% ($1 min, via invoice)
What a lost chargeback costs
$20 chargeback fee
No chargeback fee
How fast your money reaches the bank
1-3 business days
Next business day (free)
What an online card sale costs
3.49%
3.3% + 30¢ (Square Free)
How easy it is to use
4.6 out of 5
4.6 out of 5
Record
Head-to-head record
1–6
5–2
Head-to-heads won
14 %
71 %
Rounds won
26 %
45 %
Pros
      Cons
      • 3.49%, against 2.9%
      • 49 cents, against 30 cents
      • 1.4 out of 5, against 1.6 out of 5
      • $20 chargeback fee, against $15 per dispute (+$15 if contested)
      • 3.3% + 30¢ (Square Free), against 2.9% + 30¢
      • 1% ($1 min, via invoice), against 0.8% ($5 cap)
      • 1.95% instant transfer, against 1.5% Instant Payouts (min 50¢)
      • 3.3% + 30¢ (Square Free), against 2.99% + 49¢ (card payments)
      Add a third option to this comparison →

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