Deciding on a merchant services provider can impact your finances, your operations, and ultimately how you serve your customers. Our fully integrated system of hardware, software, and services can help any business manage payments and risk.
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A quick refresh on merchant services
What are merchant services? Merchant services is an all-encompassing term. It describes the hardware, software, and financial services needed for a business to accept and process credit cards and debit cards, NFC-enabled mobile wallets, and other contactless payments — online and in-store.
What is a merchant account?
A merchant account establishes a relationship between a business and a merchant services provider, like a bank. This agreement allows a business to accept credit cards and debit cards, along with other forms of payment. Not all merchant services providers require a merchant account. All you need is a dedicated bank account to process payments with Square.
Why do you need a merchant services provider?
Merchant services providers allow businesses to accept credit, debit cards and other forms of payment online, through a payment card reader, or a point-of-sale (POS) system. Many entities are authorized to be merchant services providers. They generally fall into three categories: banks, independent sales organizations (ISO), and fintech companies like Square.
Our services evolve with businesses in mind
End-to-end payment processing should benefit sellers. That’s why we rethink the status quo.
Contracts
No long-term contracts
Long-term contracts with termination fees
Long-term contracts with buyout fees
Fees
No hidden fees
Fine-print fees that can increase your rate
Hidden fees that can increase your rate
Integration
One system, built to work together
Three different systems for hardware, software, and payment processors
Three different systems for hardware, software, and payment processors
Help
Free customer support through phone, email, and our Support Center
Additional out-of-pocket support to set up and keep your multiple systems working
Additional out-of-pocket support to set up and keep your multiple systems working
Hardware
Affordable hardware, no leases or hardware return fees
High cost to lease hardware from the banks or acquiring partners
High cost to rent, lease, or buy hardware from the ISO
Compliance
Square complies with PCI standards so you don’t have to individually validate your compliance
PCI compliance is on you
PCI compliance is on you
Services
Omnichannel payments processing
In-person processing included. Online merchant services subject to availability
In-person processing included. Online merchant services subject to availability
Transfers
Fast, reliable transfers in 1–2 days or even same day
Transfers in 3–7 business days
Transfers in 2–10 business days
Why millions choose Square
Tools and services that scale with your ambitions.
If you’re already established, our suite of tools can help you grow. Keep your business connected with our trusted software, APIs, and software development kits. Security is engineered into all of our products. If you have questions, our support team is available 24/7 to help.
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Start taking payments as soon as you say go.
If you’re just starting out, you can get up and running quickly. Our payment options mean you never miss a sale, whether it’s in person, online, on the go. You can be sure everything works together seamlessly with our fully integrated system of POS hardware and software.
Learn more about hardware
Learn more about POS solutions
Money for whatever's next.
With Square Banking, your payments, banking, and cash flow can work in sync. Instantly access the money you make on a sale in a Square Checking account. Push forward with a loan tailored to your unique business. Run it all as fast as you need to.
Learn more about banking
Always know what you pay.
Square’s pricing is always transparent. You pay 2.6% + 10 cents for every tap, dip, or card swipe that happens in person. Online the rate is 2.9% + 30 cents for cards or 1% with a minimum $1 per transaction for ACH bank transfers (invoices only), and 3.5% + 15 cents when you manually key in a transaction.
Learn more about Square pricing
Consider the total price of working with a provider
Beyond hardware and software, how much are you willing to pay for long-term contracts, PCI compliance, fraud and dispute management, and unexpected fees? Working with banks and ISOs often means paying out of pocket for setup, customer support, and PCI compliance.
You don’t need to sign a long-term contract to work with Square. Rest easy knowing Square complies with PCI standards and can help you mitigate fraud. Our pricing is transparent.
What you see is what you get: processing fees by payment type and no hidden fees ever.
Learn more about processing fees
Square
Your choice
- Processing fees
Other providers
- Interchange downgrades
- Rate fluctuations
- Payment terminal lease fees
- Authorization fees
- Gateway fees
- Statement fees
- Chargeback fees
- Return fees
- PCI-compliance fees
- Batch fees
- Early termination fees
- International card fees
- Business card fees
- Non-qualified fees
Custom pricing for your business
If you’re processing more than $250,000 every year, we may be able to design custom pricing packages for businesses like yours. Custom pricing will vary depending on your processing volume, average ticket size, your history as a Square seller, and many other factors.
See if you’re eligible for custom pricing
Start taking payments today
Accept payments quickly. Get paid fast.
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Get business insights from business experts
Helpful resources and solutions
Streamline operations with our point of sale
Get the facts about payment gateways
Develop on a trusted platform
Explore the apps our sellers rely on
What small business owners should know about merchant services
Download the free Square Point of Sale app.
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