Square Terminal API FAQs

Square Terminal is an all-in-one card payments device with a full touchscreen, cordless design with Wi-Fi connectivity and a built-in printer for receipts. It’s best used as a countertop terminal, but can also be used handheld to collect payments away from the POS system.

It accepts any type of in-person, card-present card payment, such as contactless or chip and PIN. This includes chip and PIN payments in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Japan, the US and Australia.

Terminal API connects your Terminal device to any third-party POS software, so you can accept and process payments on the Terminal device and automatically send payment info back to your POS system.

For more information on connecting your Terminal device to your POS system, take a look at the Square Developer Doc.

Terminal API is easy to integrate and many developers have completed the integration in a few days.

Yes, you can retrieve all Terminal data in your own POS system.

Terminal API connects to a Terminal device, whereas Square Reader SDK connects to Square Readers and Square Stand. Terminal API works with any platform (not just iOS and Android).

You can manage the checkout flow on the Terminal device (rather than on a third-party phone/tablet) and print receipts. It’s best used as a countertop device, whereas Square Readers are portable.

Finally, Terminal API is available in the US, CA, UK, IE and AU whereas Reader SDK is only available in the US.

Square Terminal covers all your card-present payment needs in a single, portable device – you can complete a checkout, accept a tip and print a receipt with full buyer transparency. You may also want to use Terminal if you’re looking for a modern countertop terminal solution.

No, you must be connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

No, it operates wirelessly.

Yes, it does, which makes it a great option for CA, UK, IE and AU.

You can purchase Square Terminal in Square Shop or from a retailer.