Neglecting mobile payments in 2025 is simply not an option anymore in this era when most of the transactions are done online. Thus, businesses constantly look for better options for accepting online payments.
With thousands of choices out there, two of them stand out: SumUp and Square.
Both are top choices for small businesses looking for sustainable software that can assist with payment processing and hardware that can enable them to accept payments in person.
A Brief History of Both Platforms
Firstly, let’s take a moment to understand where these services come from.
SumUp
SumUp was established in London in 2012 by Daniel Klein, Marc-Alexander Christ, and Stefan Jeschonnek. Their goal was to provide small businesses with affordable and user-friendly payment solutions. SumUp launched its first card reader in 10 European countries, enabling merchants to accept card payments via smartphones or tablets. The company has since expanded to serve over 4 million businesses in 36 markets worldwide.
Square
In 2009, Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey founded Square to help small businesses accept credit card payments easily. They introduced a small card reader that could be attached to mobile devices, allowing merchants to process payments without expensive equipment. Over time, Square expanded its services to include tools for inventory management, sales reports, and customer engagement. Later, in December 2021, Square changed its name to Block, Inc.
💡 Learn more about Square: What is Square? Detailed Look at Features [2025]
Pricing & Transaction Fees
Understanding the pricing models and transaction fees is crucial for businesses seeking the best option. Below is a breakdown of each platform’s pricing structure and a comparison of their transaction fees.
SumUp’s Pricing Model
SumUp offers a straightforward pricing structure with no monthly fees for its basic services. Merchants only incur costs per transaction, making it suitable for small businesses.
- For card-present transactions, simply put, when customers tap, dip, or swipe their cards using a SumUp card reader, the fee is 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction.
- For card-not-present transactions, including online purchases, payment links, or manually entered card details, the fee is 3.5% + 15¢ per transaction.
- SumUp’s invoicing tool has a transaction fee of 2.9% + 15¢ per paid invoice.
SumUp also provides three POS subscription plans, named Connect Lite, Connect Plus, and Connect Pro, ranging from $99 to $289 per month. These plans offer additional features like customer rewards, automated marketing, and more.
Square’s Pricing Model
On the other hand, we have Square, which maintains a transparent pricing structure with no hidden fees.
- For card-present transactions, where customers tap, dip, or swipe their cards in person, Square charges 2.6% + 15¢ per transaction.
- For online purchases made through Square Online Store or eCommerce API, the fee is 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
- For sending invoices to customers, the fee is 3.3% + 30¢ per transaction for card payments.
- For ACH bank transfers, the fee is 1%, with a minimum of $1 per transaction.
- For transactions where card details are manually entered or when using a card on file, the fee is 3.5% + 15¢ per transaction.
Square also offers custom pricing packages for businesses processing over $250,000 annually, with rates varying based on factors like processing volume and average ticket size.
Comparison of Transaction Fees
In a head-to-head comparison, both SumUp and Square have pretty similar fee structures for in-person transactions. For online and manually entered transactions, SumUp’s fee is 3.5% + 15¢, while Square charges only 2.9% + 30¢ for online transactions and 3.5% + 15¢ for manually entered transactions.
Since there isn’t a noticeable difference between the two here, let’s jump into other aspects and look for unique features and ease-of-integration.
Features & Integrations
When choosing a payment solution, businesses need to consider more than just transaction fees. The features and integrations a platform offers can make daily operations smoother and more efficient:
POS and Inventory Management
Both SumUp and Square provide POS solutions that help businesses track sales, manage inventory, and process payments.
SumUp POS
The SumUp offers a simple yet effective POS system that includes essential sales tracking and reporting features. Inventory management allows businesses to track stock levels and receive notifications when items run low. The merchant can process refunds, apply discounts, and manage customer profiles within the system.
Square POS
On the contrary, Square’s POS system provides a more advanced POS system with a free software version that includes inventory tracking, sales analytics, and employee management. Similarly, it also allows businesses to set up automatic low-stock alerts, categorize items, and track product variants. Square’s POS also supports barcode scanning and detailed sales reporting, making it ideal for retailers with larger inventories.
Third-Party Integrations
Another evaluation factor is the ease of integration with other tools and third-party software. No matter how put-together a POS system or software is, additional integrations can always make it better. Let’s see how both contestants compare in this aspect.
SumUp Integrations
It works well with basic accounting tools and eCommerce platforms, including integrations with WooCommerce and all other major online store builders. Moreover, it offers API (Application Programming Interface) and SDK (Software Development Kit) access for businesses looking to connect SumUp with custom software solutions.
Square Integrations
On the other hand, Square also offers fantastic integration qualities and provides a wider range of integration options, including QuickBooks, Xero, and various other payroll services. It effortlessly connects with Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, and other major eCommerce platforms.
It supports restaurant management software, appointment scheduling tools, and CRM systems, just like SumUp. Lastly, it offers APIs and SDK as well. Making it completely equal in this factor of evaluation.
Customization Options
Every business has unique needs, so customization plays a crucial role in selecting a payment provider. Let’s see the extent to which each software can be customized.
SumUp Customization
Merchants can add their business logos to digital receipts. Making it effortless to customize and personalize digital receipts and other necessary documents. However, one thing that SumUp lacks is the limited POS customization options as compared to Square.
Square Customization
Square is the clear winner in this department. Square allows businesses to create custom receipts, invoices, and loyalty programs, assisting in gaining returning customers. Unlike SumUp, users can personalize the POS interface to match their branding. Moreover, you can utilise Square’s advanced tools to tailor reports and sales analytics to make them exactly how you want.
For the final evaluation factor, we are going to evaluate both systems according to customer support and their availability and reliability.
Customer Support
No matter the ease-of-use or the simplicity of the software, customer support is always needed. Reliable customer support is essential for businesses of all kinds and sizes. If an issue arise, quick and effective assistance can prevent revenue loss and customer dissatisfaction. Let’s see how SumUp and Square compare in this area.
SumUp’s Customer Support
SumUp offers support through phone, email, and an online help center. Phone support is available on weekdays during business hours, which might not be ideal for businesses operating late nights or weekends.
Their email support is responsive, but resolution times can vary depending on the issue’s complexity. SumUp’s help center includes guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting steps, making it useful for resolving minor issues independently. However, live chat is not available, which can be a major drawback.
Square’s Customer Support
Square, comparatively, provides a more extensive support system with phone, email, live chat, and a community forum where users can get answers from other merchants or users. Phone support is available for registered users on weekdays, while live chat allows for real-time assistance 24/7, taking a leading edge from the competitor.
Square also has a well-organized knowledge base with detailed articles and video tutorials, making it easier for users to find solutions without needing additional assistance. Furthermore, the Square Seller Community acts as a peer-to-peer support hub where business owners share their experiences and solutions.
This approach makes Square’s support system more accessible compared to SumUp.
Reliability and Uptime Comparison
A payment processing system’s reliability directly impacts a business’s daily operations. Both SumUp and Square maintain high uptime rates, ensuring smooth transactions with minimal interruptions. SumUp has a solid track record with few reported outages, and its system is designed to handle transactions efficiently. However, occasional downtimes have been reported, particularly during peak business hours.
Square, being a larger and more established platform, has a stronger infrastructure that ensures the stability of the service. Its proactive communication during downtimes keeps users informed about resolution progress. Overall, both platforms offer reliable service, but Square’s infrastructure gives it a slight edge in this comparison as well.
Which One Should You Choose?
SumUp is a great option for small businesses that need a simple and cost-effective payment solution. With no monthly fees for basic services and a straightforward pricing model, it is ideal for merchants who prioritize affordability and ease of use. However, it’s better to remember that it offers limited integrations, fewer customization options, and a lack of live chat support comparatively.
Square, on the other hand, offers a more powerful system with extensive integration options, advanced POS features, and multiple customer support channels. It provides better inventory management, more customization options, and stronger third-party compatibility, making it an ideal choice for medium to large businesses.
Overall, while both platforms offer reliable benefits, Square stands out as the better choice. Its superior support system, advanced features, and flexible integrations make it the ideal option for businesses in the long run.
Don’t forget to check out our other articles in this series:
- Square vs PayPal: Which is Right for Your Business?
- Square vs Shopify: Detailed Comparison [2025]
- Clover vs. Square: Which Is The Best For Your Business?
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