Square is a payments and point-of-sale platform built for small businesses. Its free plan includes POS software, card processing, invoicing, and a basic online store, and its card readers work with a phone or tablet, so you can start taking payments with very little upfront cost.
Square offers hardware from simple mobile readers to full countertop registers, plus tools for appointments, online ordering, team management, payroll, and loyalty programs. Everything connects in one dashboard, so in-person and online sales share inventory and customer data. Square also doesn’t charge chargeback fees.
Square is a great fit for pop-ups, cafés, retail shops, salons, and service businesses that sell mostly in person. Paid Plus and Premium plans add advanced features and lower in-person rates for growing businesses.
Online payments cost more than in-person ones on the free plan, after Square raised its online rate in early 2026, so online-heavy sellers may do better elsewhere. Flat-rate pricing is simple but can cost more than negotiated pricing at higher volumes, and like other processors, Square can hold funds for unusual activity.
Square is a natural choice for Long Island farmers market vendors, food trucks, and seasonal pop-ups that need to take cards anywhere.