Square Point of Sale vs Epos Now

PayPal

Stripe

PayPal provides an end-to-end suite of tools that can integrate with a business's existing systems and service providers. Its network of shoppers and businesses provides AI-driven data insights to help businesses reach new customers and drive results.

Stripe is a financial infrastructure platform that enables businesses to accept payments online and in person. It offers a suite of APIs for payment processing, subscription management, fraud prevention, and financial services integration Stripe provides both developer-focused tools with extensive documentation and no-code solutions for businesses without technical staff.

Epos Now

Epos Now is a leading global cloud-based point-of-sale and payment system that specializes in helping US retail and hospitality businesses trade efficiently.

Thanks to a selection of tools, and an extensive app store, users can create bespoke systems that make running a business simple.

Owner

I didn't have a lot of time to set up the system before using it and Square's customer service was extremely helpful.

Square Point of Sale is the customizable point-of-sale system built for businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Access Controls/Permissions

Accounting

Accounting Integration

Activity Dashboard

Alerts/Notifications

Barcode/Ticket Scanning

Billing & Invoicing

Cash Management

Clock In/Out

Commission Management

Contact Database

Contact Management

Credit Card Processing

Custom Cake Orders

Customer Accounts

Customer Database

Customer History

Customer Management

Customizable Branding

Customizable Invoices

Customizable Reports

Customizable Templates

Data Import/Export

Data Security

Data Synchronization

Delivery Management

Device Enrollment

Discount Management

Document Storage

eCommerce Management

Electronic Payments

Electronic Signature

Email Marketing

Employee Management

For Bakeries

For Bars/Clubs

For iPad Devices

For Liquor Stores

For Restaurants

For Retail

Fraud Detection

Gift Card Management

Inventory Control

Inventory Management

Inventory Tracking

Invoice Creation

Invoice History

Invoice Management

Invoice Processing

Item Management

Labor Cost Calculator

Layaway Management

Loyalty Program

Menu Builder

Mobile Access

Mobile App

Mobile Payments

Multi-Location

Offline Access

Online Invoicing

Online Ordering

Online Payments

Order Entry

Ordering Automation

Order Management

Partial Payments

Payment Processing

PCI Compliance

Point of Sale (POS)

Point of Sale (POS) Integration

Price/Margin Management

Pricing Management

Projections

Promotions Management

QR Codes

Quotes/Estimates

Real-Time Data

Real-Time Reporting

Real-Time Updates

Receipt Management

Recurring Invoicing

Recurring/Subscription Billing

Reminders

Remote Access/Control

Reporting/Analytics

Restaurant POS

Retail Inventory Management

Retail POS

Returns Management

Sales History

Sales Reports

Sales Tax Management

Sales Trend Analysis

Search/Filter

Security Management

Separate Checks

SMS Marketing

Split Checks

Reviews for Square Point of Sale come from a wide variety of industries, including retail (12% of reviewers), health, wellness and fitness (8%), and food & beverages (6%). The most frequent use case for Square Point of Sale cited by reviewers is payment processing (67% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Most users consider Square Point of Sale to offer good value for money, especially for small businesses, and they appreciate the transparent pricing and cost-saving features. However, some reviewers feel hardware and add-ons are pricey, and they find costs can rise with business growth.

Value for money

The Square Point of Sale integrations most frequently cited by reviewers are: QuickBooks Online (an accounting product rated 4.6 out of 5 for its integration with Square Point of Sale) and Wix (a website builder product, 4.6).

Integrations

Square Point of Sale is a payment processing solution offering key features such as payment processing, data security, electronic payments, mobile payments, point of sale functionality, and online payments, among others.

Square Point of Sale

iPad

Web-based

Android

iPhone

Clover

Venmo

Shopify POS

Toast POS

PayPal Point of Sale

PayPal Invoicing

QuickBooks Online

Cash App

authorize.net

Wave

QuickBooks Money

SumUp

Vagaro

Square Free

Square Plus

Square Premium

Unreliable card reader performance

49% of reviewers feel negative about Square’s card reader reliability. Users report frequent connectivity problems with both audio jack and Bluetooth readers, requiring repeated attempts to connect or read cards. They say the readers can be fragile, often needing replacement after regular use. Some reviewers mention compatibility issues with newer devices lacking headphone jacks, and note that the chip reader sometimes fails or is slow to update. Users find these hardware challenges disruptive, especially during busy sales periods, and say they occasionally have to revert to manual entry.

Reliance on stable internet

You can't use it unless you have an Internet connection, so sometimes at farmers' markets it stops working for credit payments.

69% of reviewers feel negative about Square’s dependence on a strong internet connection. Users report frequent issues when Wi-Fi or cellular service is weak, leading to slow or failed transactions. They say that in areas with poor connectivity, especially at outdoor events or rural locations, the system can go offline or lag, causing frustration and lost sales. Some reviewers mention that offline mode is unreliable, and reconnecting can be cumbersome. Users highlight that this reliance makes Square less suitable for businesses operating in environments with inconsistent internet access.

Inconsistent card swiping experience

If the device was not snug into the phone (possibly phone or model dependent) it would often be inaccurate or need repetitive swiping.

Office Coordinator

Sometimes trouble using the card swipe attachment, had to manually type in card info during transaction

46% of reviewers feel negative about Square’s card swipe functionality. Users report that the swiper often requires multiple attempts to read a card, causing delays and customer discomfort. They say the hardware can be sensitive to how cards are swiped and may not work well with certain devices or in less-than-ideal conditions. Some reviewers mention that manual entry is frequently needed when the swipe fails, which incurs higher fees. Users find these issues frustrating, especially during busy times, and say it can lead to lost sales or awkward customer interactions.

Recurring software glitches

61% of reviewers feel negative about Square’s bugs and technical issues. Users report experiencing glitches, freezing, and unexpected logouts, especially after updates. They say customer support is often slow or unhelpful when problems arise, which can be disruptive during critical business moments. Some reviewers mention difficulties with integrations, syncing data, and report exports. Others highlight that hardware and app updates sometimes cause compatibility problems, leading to downtime or the need for manual workarounds. These recurring issues create frustration and can impact business operations.

High and complex transaction fees

Co-Owner

We have found very few cons to using Square, but the biggest one is the fees. While this is a necessary part of doing business, the recent price increase of using Square to accept payments has made our pricing structure difficult to maintain without passing those fees onto our customers.

47% of reviewers feel negative about Square’s transaction fees. Users say the per-transaction charges add up quickly, especially for small businesses or high-volume sales. They mention that fees are higher for manually entered transactions, and some find the fee structure confusing or difficult to reconcile with deposits. Reviewers report that recent price increases and extra charges for premium features or add-ons make budgeting challenging. Some users feel that the cost of using Square can outweigh its benefits, particularly for businesses with tight margins.

Intuitive user experience

Founder

The user-friendly interface and simplicity of the program keep managing a business simple.

document controller

The software is very user-friendly, which makes it easy for businesses to use.

94% of reviewers feel positive about Square’s user interface. Reviewers indicate the interface is highly user-friendly, requiring minimal training for new users. They say the design is intuitive, making daily operations and navigation straightforward even for those with little technical experience. Many users highlight that the interface is clear and simple, which helps reduce errors and speeds up transactions. Some users mention that the mobile app and terminal are easy to operate, and even non-tech-savvy individuals can use the system confidently without confusion.

Versatile event payment tools

91% of reviewers feel positive about Square’s event payment capabilities. Reviewers say Square makes it easy to accept payments at fundraisers, markets, conventions, and mobile events. They appreciate being able to process card payments quickly in various locations, manage multiple devices for larger events, and customize items or prices on the fly. Users highlight the ability to track donations, ticket sales, and merchandise, which streamlines event operations. Many mention that Square helps increase sales and provides a professional payment solution for on-the-go scenarios.

Tailored for small businesses

The initial cost for Square POS hardware is relatively low compared to traditional POS systems, making it accessible for many small businesses.

94% of reviewers feel positive about Square’s suitability for small businesses. Users say Square is affordable, easy to set up, and offers flexible features that adapt to their unique needs. Reviewers appreciate being able to access detailed reports, manage finances, and operate from anywhere, which is especially helpful for those with limited resources. Many mention that Square’s low hardware costs and straightforward pricing make it accessible for startups and growing businesses. Some users highlight the ability to customize the system as their business evolves, and value the trust Square’s brand brings to their operations.

Operations

It offers a debit card tied to the account, that allows me to have instant access to funds, and if I use the transfer option, it takes one day to reach my bank account, or instant for another fee.

Square Point of Sale is highly effective for a music and content-based business that sells lessons or services, as it makes in-person and online payments simple and fast.

Lead Therapist, Owner

I can use it to check people out, keep people engaged and communicating, process payments professionally and easily and the website was a big bonus!

Square Point of Sale can feel limited when it comes to deeper customization and advanced business features, especially for more complex pricing structures or memberships.

It also integrates well with basic reporting and tracking, which helps keep business finances organized and transparent.

Tier III Technician

The setup process was confusing as it required an another app epically if you were using the lighting reader and a verification process, as well as linking your bank accounts and test transactions.

Event planner

This situation caused real damage to my life. That $1,447 was reserved for something extremely important with a strict deadline attached to it. Because I did not receive the money in time, I am now facing serious financial consequences and problems with institutions that were expecting that payment.

Owner Operator

The only issue that I have is the delivery option is unremovable. When you accept a payment, you have to go into the system and select delivered.

Medical Administrative

Payment Processing, ease to use, invoicing are the main things I loved about Square. How I was able to send a patient and invoice. When a patient asked to email a receipt.

Fees per transaction can also add up over time, which impacts margins for a service-based business like music coaching.

Digital coordinator

I didn't like the integration and confusion of tipping in regards to multi-card payments and other technical formalities of the service.

Additionally, while it covers the basics well, its ecosystem can feel restrictive if you want more flexible or highly tailored business workflows.

Managing Director

We've used this for around 6 years and found it to work for our business as we've grown and new features / ways to take payment have developed.

Owner, designer, webdeveloper

Online terminal means that I can easily send payment links and if for some reason there is an issue with one way of doing it, Square gives me more options and it’s great.

It allows our techs to use it in the field via the mobile devices or our office staff can use it through the virtual terminal.

They also offer a line of credit based on amounts processed, which is an added advantage.

Not everyone knows how to use apple pay, venmo or any of the other apps but do have cards and want to pay that way which can be possible with square point

Master Business And Auto Enhancer  California Electric Sign Contractor

The flexibility it offers for various payment methods, including credit cards, mobile payments, and online transactions, is also a significant benefit.

Rhe pos system workks grear it has a payroll option and i am able to trasfer instantly to my bussiness checking account

Pilates transformation expert

They were a necessary evil when the system first came out, but at this point, in 2026 there are other options available that do not require the processing fees.

We have multiple terminals is the payments are easily identified and reporting is clear.  

Secretary

This has allowed our PTO to quickly collect online and POS payments at events and after a slight learning curve, it is relatively easy to maintain.

President

The info at your fingertips on sales trends, item sales, customer average spend, etc can make you realize trends or items you didn't realize were popular.  

Clinical Counselor

It has so many options including loans, savings accounts, debit card; and keeps great records for tax related purposes

Square Point of Sale vs Epos Now Comparison (2026)

Square Point of Sale

Epos Now

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives