Square fees in 2026: in-person, online, and keyed rates compared with Stripe and PayPal

Short answer: on Square‘s Free plan, card payments cost 2.6% + 15¢ in person, 3.3% + 30¢ online or by invoice, and 3.5% + 15¢ when a card is keyed in or charged on file. Cards issued outside the US add 1.5%. Run your own numbers with the Square fee calculator.

Square’s rates by plan

Square raised the Free plan’s online rate from 2.9% + 30¢ to 3.3% + 30¢ in January 2026, so older guides may show the lower number.

What Square takes from $100

• In person: $2.75, so you receive $97.25.
• Online or invoice, Free plan: $3.60, so you receive $96.40.
• Keyed in: $3.65, so you receive $96.35.

Square vs Stripe vs PayPal on a $100 online sale

For in-person sales, Square’s 2.6% + 15¢ is hard to beat. For online sales on the Free plan, Stripe is cheaper per payment. Compare with the Stripe fee calculator and the PayPal fee calculator.

Ways to lower your Square fees

• Take cards in person when you can. Tapping a card costs less than typing the number in.
• Avoid keyed-in payments unless you need them: they carry the highest rate.
• Check whether Plus pays off if you sell a lot online, since it cuts the online rate to 2.9%.

Related guides

• Stripe fees explained: Stripe’s rates in more detail, with worked examples.
• PayPal fees for business: Checkout, invoices, and goods and services rates.

Frequently asked questions

Does Square charge a monthly fee? Square Free has no monthly fee. Plus and Premium are paid plans with lower processing rates.

Are Square invoice payments charged at the online rate? Yes. A card paid through a Square invoice is charged at the online rate.

Can I pass Square’s fees to customers? Rules on surcharges depend on your state and card network rules, so check before adding one.

Rates reviewed November 13, 2026. Confirm current pricing on Square’s website.