What apps are like Square for small businesses?

Alternative Apps
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I’ve been using Square for payment processing, but I’m looking for alternatives. Are there similar apps for small businesses that offer easy payment solutions? Please recommend reliable ones.

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  1. PayPal Zettle
    Homepage Link
    Pros:

    • Seamless integration with PayPal and other services.
    • Competitive rates for small businesses.
    • Hardware is affordable and easy to set up.

    Cons:

    • Limited customer support options.
    • Not ideal for businesses with very high transaction volumes.

    Features:

    • Simple point-of-sale (POS) system.
    • Inventory management.
    • Digital receipts.
    • Integrates with accounting tools like QuickBooks.

    User Reviews:
    Users love its simplicity and the ability to integrate with the PayPal ecosystem, but some have noted difficulty reaching customer support when issues arise.

    Verdict: Excellent choice for businesses already using PayPal or with light payment processing needs.

  1. Shopify POS
    Homepage Link
    Pros:

    • Fully integrates with Shopify for e-commerce.
    • Strong inventory management features.
    • Works well for hybrid (online + offline) small businesses.

    Cons:

    • Monthly subscription can be pricey for smaller operations.
    • Hardware costs can add up quickly.

    Features:

    • Syncs with Shopify’s e-commerce platform.
    • In-depth customer and inventory analytics.
    • Omnichannel capabilities, like selling online and fulfilling in store.

    User Reviews:
    Many appreciate Shopify POS for seamless integration with online stores but find the cost prohibitive without heavy use of additional Shopify services.

    Verdict: A fantastic option if you already operate an online store through Shopify or want to expand into online sales.

  1. Toast
    Homepage Link
    Pros:

    • Specialized for restaurants and food service businesses.
    • Superb customer and ingredient management solutions.
    • Hardware is tailored for restaurant needs (like kitchen setups).

    Cons:

    • Not suitable for non-food-service businesses.
    • Initial setup can be time-consuming for newcomers.

    Features:

    • Menu management.
    • Tableside payment processing.
    • Offline mode for uninterrupted service.
    • Loyalty and marketing programs.

    User Reviews:
    Restaurant owners rave about Toast’s restaurant-specific tools, but caution that onboarding is complicated—especially for small staff teams.

    Verdict: A go-to for those in the restaurant industry, but skip it if you’re running a retail or service-based business.

  1. Stripe Terminal
    Homepage Link
    Pros:

    • Flexible payment handling with advanced developer tools.
    • International support for over 135 currencies.
    • Transparent and competitive fees.

    Cons:

    • Heavy focus on developers—setup may intimidate non-tech folks.
    • Lacks robust out-of-the-box hardware options compared to other platforms.

    Features:

    • In-person and online transaction processing.
    • Customizable checkout flows.
    • Advanced reporting and analytics.

    User Reviews:
    Users in tech-centric businesses praise the customizability but note that you’ll need a tech-savvy team to get it running quickly.

    Verdict: Perfect for tech-savvy businesses or those requiring unique payment solutions.

  1. Clover
    Homepage Link
    Pros:

    • Versatile POS hardware options.
    • Robust app ecosystem for various integrations.
    • Customizable for diverse business types.

    Cons:

    • Monthly fees can add up depending on the features and hardware.
    • Occasionally buggy app software.

    Features:

    • Cloud-based POS.
    • Gift cards and loyalty programs.
    • Sales tracking and reporting tools.

    User Reviews:
    Business owners highlight Clover’s flexibility and hardware options but find the extra costs for some features annoying.

    Verdict: A versatile and reliable choice with scalability for growing businesses.

  1. QuickBooks GoPayment
    Homepage Link
    Pros:

    • Tight integration with QuickBooks for accounting.
    • No monthly costs; pay-as-you-go fees.
    • Mobile-friendly setup.

    Cons:

    • Lacks advanced POS features compared to competitors.
    • Higher per-transaction fees for higher sales volumes.

    Features:

    • Mobile card reader.
    • Invoicing and payment requests.
    • Syncs payments into bookkeeping software.

    User Reviews:
    QuickBooks users say GoPayment makes bookkeeping seamless, but others who aren’t deep into the QuickBooks ecosystem feel it’s underwhelming.

    Verdict: Great for businesses already using QuickBooks and needing a simple mobile payment solution.

  1. Vend (now part of Lightspeed)
    Homepage Link
    Pros:

    • Excellent for retail-specific businesses.
    • Strong inventory management tools.
    • Cloud-based for accessibility.

    Cons:

    • Recently absorbed into Lightspeed, so pricing and features might change soon.
    • Steeper learning curve for beginners.

    Features:

    • Inventory tracking and reporting.
    • Multi-store capability.
    • Real-time sales data analytics.

    User Reviews:
    Retail merchants appreciate its efficiency and depth, though some struggle with the initial onboarding and monthly costs.

    Verdict: A retailer’s dream, assuming you have the budget and patience to adapt.

  1. SumUp
    Homepage Link
    Pros:

    • Extremely affordable card readers.
    • Flat-rate processing fees—great for small-to-medium businesses.
    • Easy to use and set up.

    Cons:

    • Fewer advanced features compared to other platforms.
    • Limited reporting options.

    Features:

    • Mobile card reader.
    • Simple invoice creation.
    • Gift cards and mobile payments.

    User Reviews:
    Small business owners applaud its simplicity and affordability but criticize its lack of advanced features for larger operations.

    Verdict: Ideal for on-the-go sellers or micro-businesses wanting an affordable and minimalistic solution.

  1. Lightspeed
    Homepage Link
    Pros:

    • Powerful and comprehensive for retail and restaurant.
    • Multi-store management.
    • Wide app and hardware integrations.

    Cons:

    • Pricing plans can be overwhelming and expensive.
    • Overkill for very small or occasional sellers.

    Features:

    • Omnichannel selling.
    • Employee management and timesheets.
    • Customizable interface for each type of business.

    User Reviews:
    Users love Lightspeed for scaling their mid-sized operations but note that it’s too advanced for super-small businesses with simple needs.

    Verdict: Definitely a top-tier solution, but it’s designed for businesses ready to scale—if you’re tiny, look elsewhere.

  1. Helcim
    Homepage Link
    Pros:
  • Transparent pricing with no contracts or hidden fees.
  • Volume-based discounts as you grow.
  • Free POS software.

Cons:

  • Hardware isn’t the most cutting-edge.
  • Limited integrations compared to competitors like Clover or Lightspeed.

Features:

  • Invoicing and recurring billing.
  • Virtual terminal for manual transactions.
  • Multi-currency support.

User Reviews:
Business owners praise the honesty and transparency with fees but wish there were more modern payment hardware options.

Verdict: A straightforward and reasonable choice for small businesses that want fair pricing and simple functionality.

Pick based on your exact needs—whether you’re prioritizing simplicity, scalability, or industry-specific tools!