How Square works
Square helps businesses get set up quickly so they can start taking credit and debit card payments. Businesses can utilise a wide range of POS software and hardware from Square including an online store builder, marketing tools, appointments software, team management, inventory management, business loans and more.
For peace of mind, Square payments are PCI compliant with no hidden fees or lock-in contracts so businesses can hit the ground running and do what they do best. APIs and SDKs are free for developers to use to create omnichannel experiences and leverage functionalities. For those without coding experience or who like to keep it simple, Square App Marketplace lets businesses get connected to the most popular apps quickly and easily.
How Adyen works
Adyen offers a single platform to collect payments online, in person and across multiple channels. Their system allows customers to pay via a web browser, on any mobile device with apps or via a payment link. They charge a fixed processing fee plus a fee depending on what payment method is used. They provide a range of portable, countertop and self-service payment terminals.
Everything you need to run your business from anywhere at any time.
Customer demands are changing. The easy-to-use, all-in-one payment system from Square gives you the flexibility to meet their needs head-on and provide a streamlined, first-class customer experience from start to finish.
Customer relationships
Keep new and existing customers coming back with tools that grow your business.
Omnichannel solutions for your business
Business solutions to sell anywhere and get paid anytime.
Integrate with Square APIs
Leverage our APIs for online, in-app and in-person payments.
How Square compares to Adyen.*
Fees
| Trustpilot scores | SQUARE: 4.0 | ADYEN 1.4 |
| UK card online payments cost: | 1.4% + 25p | 10p + fee determined by payment method |
| International card online payments cost: | 2.5% + 25p | 10p + fee determined by payment method |
| In-person payments cost: | 1.75% for all cards | Interchange fee plus 10p for Visa & Mastercard and 3.95% + 10p for American Express |
| Next day transfer as standard: | Yes |
No |
| Instant transfers – access funds in minutes (for a fee): | Yes |
No |
| Custom pricing: | Yes |
Yes |
Features and solutions
| SQUARE | ADYEN | |
| Free POS App: | Yes |
No |
| All-in-one till system with customer display and built-in software: | Yes |
Yes |
| Physical and eGift cards: | Yes |
Yes |
| Offline mode: | Yes, with Square Terminal and Square Register | Yes |
| Free online store: | Yes |
No |
| Website templates: | Yes |
No |
| Payment links: | Yes |
Yes |
| Bespoke retail POS system: | Yes |
No |
| Bespoke restaurant POS system: | Yes |
No |
| Loyalty programme software: | Yes |
Yes |
| Team management: | Yes |
No |
| Inventory management: | Yes |
Yes |
Sign up for Square.
No hidden fees or contracts.
We don’t hide anything from you. Our fees are simple, clear and easy to understand so you’ll always know what you’re paying. No long-term contract and you can cancel at any time. And we’ll never charge you for chargebacks.
Security for your peace of mind.
Industry-leading security keeps your customers safe and protects your sales. We make compliance easy so you and your customers never have to worry. Square software maintains Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) and handles all PCI compliance instead of merchants.
360-degree integrations.
Square gives you the flexibility to choose the best solution for your business. Set up your online store through Square, or if you already have an existing eCommerce, you can easily add Square payments with third-party integrations from Square App Marketplace or by using Square APIs.
Hardware for selling anywhere.
We design and build our hardware in-house, so it all works together seamlessly.
Take contactless payments anywhere with a card reader that pairs directly with your device.
Take payments, print receipts and run your business with a powerful and portable payment terminal.
Get an all-in-one POS register with a dedicated customer display that lets you start selling straight out of the box.
Turn your iPad into a point of sale and take every type of payment.
Solutions for your business.
Point-of-sale solutions
The flexible and customisable POS system built for UK businesses of all shapes and sizes.
Online booking software
An app that turns your device into an appointment scheduling powerhouse.
Frequently asked questions
(by people thinking about switching from Adyen to Square)
It’s easy to get started. Square has experts on hand who will help you make the switch. They’ll get you set up with software and hardware, help with staff training and make sure you can connect to your existing apps so your business continues to run smoothly.
With some payment providers, the fee structure is so complex you never know what you’re paying from one month to the next. At Square, we think you should know exactly what you’re paying whatever the transaction and whoever the card provider is. It’s why our fee is a simple 1.75% per in-person transaction with no surprise add-ons for PCI compliance or chargebacks.
For online payments, it’s 1.4% + 25p for UK card transactions or 2.5% + 25p for non-UK card transactions.
Yes! The Square POS app lets you take payments wherever you are, and with your Android phone you can take contactless payments directly – no other hardware is required.
You can go from downloading Square POS to making your first sale by signing up for your free account here. Our hardware works out of the box with no configuration required. You can create your own site with our website builder on Square Online or leverage our Developer APIs to integrate with your existing website or system.
Our Support Centre can help with general questions, and once you have signed up for an account, you can contact our highly trained customer support team via phone or email.
Resources to keep you up to date and on top.
It’s your business. We just want to help you keep doing it.
How Square works
Square connects all sides of your business with easy-to-use tools designed to give you time to focus on what you do best.
Business types
Square business software offers solutions that are essential for all business types, no matter what shape or size.
Compare Square
Learn more about how Square stacks up against other payment providers and business solution tools.
*Competitive data on this page was collected as of 8th May 2023 and is based on information found on https://www.adyen.com/en_GB/ This information is subject to change or update without notice. Square does not make any representations as to the completeness or accuracy of the information on this page.