Square Point of Sale vs Helcim

PayPal

Stripe

Epos Now

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 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.

President

At first I assumed it was just part of the process and it would be refunded to my account. When it didn’t happen I contacted customer service.

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. Reviewers report frequent issues with Bluetooth and audio jack readers, including difficulty connecting, slow updates, and fragile hardware. They say readers often need to be replaced, and compatibility with newer devices is limited. Users indicate that protective cases or certain phone models can interfere with reader functionality. Some reviewers mention that chip readers break easily or require frequent charging, causing delays in transactions. They find that unreliable readers lead to manual entry, which is less efficient and can result in higher processing fees, impacting their workflow.

Reliance on strong connectivity

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 internet connection. Reviewers report frequent issues when Wi-Fi or cellular service is weak, leading to slow or failed transactions. They say offline mode is unreliable, and lost payments can occur if connectivity is restored too late. Users indicate that rural areas or venues with spotty service make the system difficult to use. Some reviewers find that lagging or dropped connections disrupt sales, and the app is unusually sensitive to network availability. They mention that needing a stable connection is a significant drawback for mobile or event-based businesses.

Inconsistent card swipe functionality

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

46% of reviewers feel negative about Square’s card swipe process. Reviewers report that swiping cards often requires multiple attempts, slowing down transactions and making customers uneasy. They say manual entry is frequently needed when swipes fail, resulting in higher fees. Users indicate that the hardware can be sensitive or incompatible with newer devices, leading to repeated swipes or device replacements. Some reviewers mention connectivity issues and the need for a flat surface to swipe cards properly. They find that inconsistent swipe performance disrupts sales and adds frustration, especially during busy periods or with older card readers.

Recurring software and hardware glitches

60% of reviewers feel negative about Square’s bugs and issues. Reviewers report frequent glitches, such as app crashes, syncing problems, and slow or frozen terminals. They say updates sometimes introduce new bugs or require hardware replacements. Users indicate that customer support is often unhelpful or slow to respond, making problem resolution frustrating. Some reviewers mention difficulties with integrations, report exports, and equipment durability. They find that issues can disrupt sales and require manual fixes, leading to wasted time and potential errors. The lack of timely support and recurring technical problems are major concerns for many users.

High and confusing 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. Reviewers say fees are relatively high, especially for small businesses or large transaction volumes. They report that manual card entry and certain payment types incur even higher fees. Users indicate that fee deductions complicate financial analysis and require price adjustments to maintain profitability. Some reviewers mention that add-on features cost extra, and fee structures are difficult to understand. They find that recent price increases make Square less affordable, and passing fees to customers is not always possible. The lack of a flat-rate option and complex fee breakdowns are frequent complaints.

Highly user-friendly interface

Founder

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

94% of reviewers feel positive about Square’s user interface. Reviewers appreciate the intuitive design, which makes managing products and transactions straightforward. They say the interface is easy to learn and requires little training, even for those with limited tech skills. Users find the app convenient for daily use and value its mobility, noting that it works well across devices. Some reviewers mention that the interface is accessible for all ages and business types, contributing to smooth operations. They indicate that the user-friendly layout helps them quickly locate features and manage their business efficiently.

Efficient event payment handling

91% of reviewers feel positive about Square’s event payment capabilities. Reviewers appreciate the platform’s mobility and ability to accept payments at fundraisers, markets, and trade shows. They say Square enables quick transactions for tickets, merchandise, and donations, even when multiple people need to collect payments. Users find the system easy to set up for events, allowing price changes on the fly and syncing inventory across devices. Some reviewers mention that Square helps increase sales and donations by offering card payments at venues where cash is less common. They value the clean design and flexibility for event-based business needs.

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. Reviewers appreciate the platform’s affordability, customizable features, and ease of setup. They say Square helps them track transactions, manage finances, and access detailed reports without complex accounting systems. Users indicate that the low hardware cost and scalable solutions make it accessible for new and growing businesses. Some reviewers find Square’s flexibility allows them to operate on the go, such as at pop-up shops or markets. They value the integration with other services and the ability to expand as their business grows, making Square a practical choice.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I liked the simplicity of using it, although Square charges the same fee for debit cards as for credit cards and is a point higher if you have to manually process the charge.

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.

I can’t say with certainty that I didn’t somehow hit the 3 key a couple times by accident, but I don’t think I did and I know I didn’t intend to. When I saw the amount that was actually charged I IMMEDIATELY REVERSED THE CHARGE  by issuing a refund for a “mistaken charge.”

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.

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.  

Furthermore the lighting reader did not have a chip reader which required us to upgrade.

The correct amount of the charge was $422.57, but the amount that was processed was $42,257.33 ($422.57 plus two 3s).

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 Helcim Comparison (2026)

Square Point of Sale

Helcim

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives