Square Reader SDK vs. In-App Payments SDK
Are you searching for a payment processor for your iOS and/or Android app? Square has you covered!
Square offers both a seller-facing SDK and a consumer-facing SDK:
In-Person Payments: Reader SDK allows merchants process swipe, chip and contactless payments with Square’s hardware in your seller-facing app.
In-App Payments: In-App Payments SDK enables customers enter payment information from their personal devices in your consumer-facing app.
Pricing information for payments processed via Reader SDK and In-App Payments SDK can be found in Payments Pricing with Square APIs and SDKs. Review the table below for a side-by-side comparison of intended use cases:
| Reader SDK | In-App Payments SDK | |
|---|---|---|
| App Type | Seller | Consumer |
| Connects to Square Hardware | Yes | No |
| Itemisation | No | Yes — requires Orders API integration. |
| Store Customer Data | No | Yes — requires Customers API integration. |
| Dashboard Reporting | Yes — reports include an optional note and the total transaction amount only (they are not itemised or tied to a customer). | Yes |
| Customisability | No — Reader SDK has a pre-built UI. | Yes — UI elements like colours and fonts are customisable so that it matches your app. |
| Card on File | Yes | Yes — requires Card on File integration. |
| Works with Multiparty Transactions | No | Yes — available in US, Canada, UK and Japan. |
| PCI Compliant | Yes | Yes |
| International Availability | US only | Yes — available in US, Canada, Australia, UK and Japan. |
| Digital Wallets | US only | US only |
| Dedicated Square Dispute Management Team | Yes | Yes |
| Next Business Day Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Supported Platforms | iOS, Android, Flutter, React Native | iOS, Android, Flutter, React Native |
| Developer Required to Implement | Yes | Yes |