Square is a very reliable, low-cost and easy-to-use payment processing solution that also provides a complete set of free sales and business management tools. Square accounts are free and have no startup, monthly or termination fees and no long-term contracts. Square offers optional feature upgrades and add-ons that start around $15 per month. But for most users, payment processing fees are all they pay to use Square. Square’s mobile card readers, checkout stands and in-store registers let you process credit cards physically, plus accept other types of payments for in-person sales.

Square vs. QuickBooks: POS Systems Comparison

Startups, power sellers and practically everyone in between can tailor a system that meets their specific needs using Square. Despite a few drawbacks, such as set fees and limitations on what can be sold, overall, Square delivers incredible value, especially considering the many perks you get for free. Square Appointments is a free feature that lets you book and manage all types of service appointments using the Square Appointments app with Square POS. The free version supports both in-store and online bookings, automated text and email reminders, recurring appointments and more.

The QuickBooks app is nearly as beloved, with a 4.8-star rating on the App Store and a 4.1-star rating on the Play Store. Unfortunately, it’s not so well-liked on Trustpilot, as it is currently sitting at 1.2 stars with over 500 reviews. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website.

You’ll need to check settings for importing past transactions, basic financial account settings, and default selections for unmatched items. Square’s new Payment Link feature is part of the Virtual Terminal too. You can use POS mobile devices for in-store sales or use Square’s streamlined iPad POS stands or all-in-one registers to your checkout counter.

The software is very easy to use, even for people who do not have an accounting background. Get automatic payment dispute protection on credit and debit card disputes. Send your customers a simple link they can use to pay on the spot, wherever they are. Below, we break down the key differences in features, advantages, and pricing to help you choose the platform that best suits your business needs and budget. Pricing and feature list accurate as per Square website on October 24, 2024. Information that users submit is encrypted to Square’s servers, regardless of whether they’re using a public or private Wi-Fi connection or a data service on their phone.

Installing the app

• As with many merchant services providers, you’ll find a wide range of products and services within Intuit’s systems, including credit card processing, QuickBooks mobile app, and QuickBooks invoicing.
• Other than display differences due to screen size, Square’s POS app functions and features are identical on phone and tablet screens.
• It offers a simple way to get paid and manage your business finances, with the option to upgrade to powerful accounting tools anytime.
• If you already use QuickBooks as your accounting tool and you send invoices to the majority of your clients, QuickBooks Payments should easily meet all of your needs.

This guide provides a detailed comparison of Square vs. QuickBooks payroll solutions to help make your decision easier. Sync with Square makes it easy to track your Square transactions when you’re on the go. You can create invoices, take snapshots of receipts, and see company activity right from inside the QuickBooks mobile app. But the big difference that should be noted is that while Square can also accept cash payments, QuickBooks can’t.

Why QuickBooks POS stands out

But if you generate a lot of large transactions per month, QuickBooks Payments will save you money. All Plus plans include 24/7 phone support, which can be helpful for emergencies or general learning purposes. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. It’s also worth noting that Square, as with Intuit, does not offer customer support out of 6 AM and 6 PM, which can make it difficult for bars and nightclubs to operate. In several instances, there are overlaps between these two main complaints.

Square Appointments fully integrates with Square POS data, card readers and registers for seamless payment processing and sales tracking. QuickBooks Cash also offers a business checking account that’s free to open and doesn’t require a minimum balance, but there’s no savings account option. These are most likely incidental fees, such as for overdrafts or foreign transactions. QuickBooks Cash is currently paying a 1.25% APY, putting its earnings rate higher than Square’s.

Square is best known as a payment processor offering simple, competitive rates for small businesses. Merchants signing up for Square today will discover a broad range of products and services that go way beyond just credit card processing. With just a free Square account, you’ll have access to Square Invoices, Square Inventory, Square Online Store, the Square App Marketplace, and other services, such as gift cards and loyalty.

Your customers can then log onto the Square Appointments app to get real-time updates about their appointments and make changes. Intuit QuickBooks relies more heavily on third-party software providers. It is best-known for its accounting software packages which are highly popular among small businesses. Square and QuickBooks are both quality POS systems offering tons of services to help businesses streamline their operations.

Square vs. QuickBooks: Head-to-head comparison

Accept partial payments on invoices, offering flexibility to your customers. QuickBooks and Intuit’s Sync with Square app are provided by Intuit, and any use of those products or issue arising therefrom is solely between you and Intuit. Square is not responsible for any accounting or tax compliance requirements arising from your use of QuickBooks or Sync with Square. QuickBooks and Intuit’s Sync with Square app are provided by Intuit, and any use of those products or issue arising therefrom is solely between you and Intuit. I’d appreciate it if you let us know if you need additional assistance connecting Square and managing your sales transactions.

If you already use QuickBooks as your accounting tool and you send invoices to the majority of your clients, QuickBooks Payments should easily meet all of your needs. However, if you own a restaurant, retail store, or any other business that has a lot of in-person transactions, Square offers a lot more flexibility. Square is the clear winner simply due to having so many more options. But if you already happen to use one of QuickBooks Payments’ four eCommerce partners, you shouldn’t have any problems accepting payments on your online store. Speaking of in-person payments, in order to accept them, you’ll also need Point of Sale (POS) software and equipment. But, with QuickBooks, you’ll need to download a separate app called GoPayment.

Where QuickBooks does excel is invoicing and recurring payments—great if you have customers with monthly subscriptions. Square’s flat-rate payment processing fees are very transparent with no hidden or add-on fees based on card type, unlike standard merchant account providers. Square’s fees are all square intuit based on the type of payment used and how the sale was completed, such as in-person, online or using a keyed-in option.

• However, one major difference between these two providers is that QuickBooks Payments offers a full-service merchant account rather than the aggregated accounts available with Square.
• By using Sync with Square, all your Square transactions are automatically imported.
• Plus, unlike many companies on the market, the fees and payment processing rates are very transparent.
• Running a report in QuickBooks on the Square Fees account configured in your app settings will give you a summarised view of all fees charged by Square.
• If you run an online store or are just looking to accept invoice payments from clients, this will be a non-issue.
• Mint.com provides a fresh, easy and intelligent way for people to manage their money, while Demandforce® offers marketing and communication tools for small businesses.

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You can access your Sync with Square app settings any time if you need to make changes. Once connected, future Square transactions are automatically imported into QuickBooks Online. Sync with Square allows you to sync up to 18 months of past Square transactions. Product Availability Intuit and Square will begin offering the integration on November 19. Intuit will continue to offer GoPayment and other Intuit Payment Solutions to its customers as well.

QuickBooks is a standout payment processing option for small to mid-size businesses. Start with a simple tool that lets you send professional invoices, accept payments, and manage money with a business bank account. If and when you’re ready to add accounting features and scale your operations, QuickBooks is a user-friendly solution designed to grow with your needs. Whether a business needs to accept credit cards, manage a full point of sale system, or sell online, Square offers simple and affordable tools so businesses of all sizes can start, run, and grow. The company began with a free credit card reader for the iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, allowing businesses to accept credit cards anywhere, anytime, for one low, transparent rate. Square now offers a full suite of hardware and software tools including Square Register, Square Market, Square Wallet, and Square Stand.