Square is a US-based payment processing platform and POS provider for hospitality-oriented businesses. Their POS payment solutions are also available for the UK market.
Let’s learn more about Square’s products, including their Tap to Pay solution tailored for iPhone and Android devices.
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Square POS Software
Square sells budget-friendly electronic POS software known for its intuitive user interface and selection of accessible tools and features.
The software is designed to be used on Square’s card payment readers, code scanners, and digital printers or via a mobile app. The app is compatible with iPads, iPhones, and Android devices, and businesses can download it for free on Google Play and Apple Store.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, here’s a short list of Square’s POS main features.
Square POS Features
Fast and automated transactions: Square’s software guarantees fast transaction processing, which is automatically completed within 24 hours, even on weekends. Businesses can rely on processing quick, safe, and secure transactions as the software adheres to the highest PCI standards in the UK.
Diverse payment methods: The software is equipped with a wide range of payment options, catering to each customer’s specific preferences. This includes the acceptance of chip & pin payments, all major credit and debit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Visa Electron, Diners Club, JCB, and American Express, and digital wallets like Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay.
Robust security measure and verification: The software contains multiple advanced security features, all PCI CSS compliant. It’s equipped to promptly identify and address any instances of malware or fraudulent activities, which safeguards customers’ personal data and keeps it always encrypted. Once the transaction is successfully processed, the data is immediately deleted from the hardware device.
Free technical support: Square subscribers have free-of-charge technical and customer support in case they encounter an issue with the POS. Square’s professional support is available throughout the year, including all major holidays.
Takeaway and delivery services third-party integrations: The software’s compatibility with various third-party integrations, such as Deliverect, helps businesses streamline and monitor the process of managing takeaway and delivery orders. Companies with multiple venues can track all their deliveries from the same POS software if they sync it with the hardware in different locations.
Kitchen management: The kitchen management feature allows employees to process and track orders in real-time. The kitchen staff can start preparing orders as soon as they appear on the kitchen display screen, and front-of-the-venue employees will immediately be notified once they’re ready to be served.
Reports on daily sales: Square users can download reports on their daily sales revenue at the close of each business day. These reports provide valuable insights into how the business performs daily and help managers improve their business strategy.
Staff management: The software enables restaurant managers to create detailed employee profiles, track work schedules, monitor leave days, and manage sick leaves efficiently. This feature helps maintain organised staff management and scheduling daily.
Cloud-based software: Being a cloud-based system, Square’s POS software requires a WiFi or 3G/4G internet connection for full functionality. That being said, it can store payment data while offline. Once the internet is back, the data will be automatically updated to all devices synced with the POS.
Square Integrations
Square’s software stands out for its exceptional compatibility with various integrations, extending its functionality beyond basic transactions. Square users can include a diverse range of applications and services in their tailor-made POS solutions to enhance their utility in areas such as accounting, eCommerce, and delivery.
These are the most popular integrations:
- Xero
- Deliverect
- QuickBooks
- Wix
- Local Line
- Linktree
- Easyship
- WooCommerce
- GoDaddy
- Noterro
- Ecwid
- Thrive Inventory
- Trunk
Square POS Pros
Affordability: Square is recognised as one of the most cost-effective POS solutions in the UK. The company’s POS software is free of charge, but to use it, you must purchase Square’s hardware devices or use iPad tablets, iPhones, or Android smartphones.
Device compatibility: Since Square’s mobile app can be downloaded on external devices, you are not obliged to buy any additional hardware if you already have an iPhone, iPad, or Android smartphone.
Integration capability: The POS software seamlessly syncs with a wide range of integrations for accounting, finance management, eCommerce, delivery, and takeaway services.
Ideal option for small-sized businesses: The cost-effective and user-friendly nature of Square’s software makes it the ideal choice for small-sized companies.
Square POS Cons
Limited management features: The software lacks extensive front-desk and kitchen management features.
Reservation limitations: While it supports takeaway and delivery management, Square’s software does not allow for manual addition of reservations or bookings; to do this, you need external integrations like TapMango.
Square Payment Solutions
Square offers both in-person (hardware devices and Tap to Pay feature) and digital (online store and payment links) payment solutions. Let’s learn about each.
Square Hardware Devices
Square’s POS system is not only compatible with Apple and Android-based devices but also with a range of hardware devices designed and sold by the company.
These include:
Each device comes pre-equipped with Square’s POS software, which can be tailored to the preferences of the users.
Square Tap to Pay Solution
In late 2023, Square launched a new payment option known as Tap to Pay for businesses located in the United Kingdom. With Tap to Pay on iPhone, you can effortlessly accept contactless payments, including credit and debit cards and digital wallets like Apple, Samsung, and Google.
This feature is accessible on Android 9 or newer Android models and iPhone XS models or any other later model that runs on the most current iOS version. Manual card entry, QR code, or checkout link options are also available for customers without contactless payment methods.
This feature uses the latest technology and processes payments in just a few seconds, while ensuring both the business and customer data’s safety and privacy.
Both Apple and Android have advanced security features, and when combined with Square’s fraud prevention, dispute management, and PCI-compliant software, they make every transaction 100% secure.
Square’s Tap to Pay can be downloaded on this link for iPhones and here for Android devices.
How to Use Square’s Tap To Pay
Here’s a list of the steps you need to take to use Tap to Pay on your smartphone device:
- Download and install the mobile app on your iPhone XS (or newer) or Android smartphone.
- Once you install the app, create a new merchant account or log in with your existing credentials.
- Go to the Payment feature and enable the Tap to Pay option.
- When Tap to Pay is set up, you can add services or products or manually enter the amount your customer is supposed to pay.
- The customer can pay by holding their smartphone or card over the small symbol for contactless payment.
- If the payment is successful, the screen will have a green mark that confirms the successful transaction.
Square Online Payment
Square Online is a dynamic and user-friendly platform that businesses can use to transform their non-interactive websites into custom-made online stores.
Square subscribers can choose one of the flexible and straightforward eCommerce website designs to simplify the process of managing and fulfilling online orders. The platform allows businesses to offer their customers the convenience of home delivery or in-store pickup.
With Square Online, launching an eCommerce website is free, making it an ideal option for small-sized companies and freelancers with limited budgets aiming to establish an online presence quickly and efficiently.
Online Platform Features
Free plan: One of the standout features of Square Online is its free pricing plan. With this plan, businesses can launch an eCommerce website without worrying about paying monthly fees. All they’re obliged to pay is a small percentage per transaction. This feature is particularly beneficial for emerging startups and small-sized companies looking to minimise upfront costs.
API integrations: For hospitality businesses with specific needs, Square Online’s Developer API provides a robust solution. It can integrate seamlessly with custom-made eCommerce sites or other business systems.
POS connection: Businesses can connect the online platform with Square’s POS systems to maintain and monitor the online and physical store orders, products, and stock levels from the same account. The “Order Manager” tool helps to optimise and track all orders received in multiple locations. Additionally, the “Customer Directory” tool creates advanced analytics daily and helps businesses synchronise customer details and purchase records.
Here’s a link where you can submit your application for Square Online.
Payment Links
In addition to the Online Platform tool, Square’s second online solution is the tailor-made payment links. Here’s a list of its main features:
Quick and adaptable configuration: Businesses can instantly generate a payment link and save it as a purchase button or QR code for repeated use for any type of product and service.
Personalised setup: The links can be adjusted to align with your brand by incorporating custom-made options, such as a logo and business name.
Multiple payment acceptance: Handle payments for a wide range of services or items, from contributions and down payments to classes and ongoing subscriptions. You can also collect payments from numerous clients at once through a single link.
Distribution options: Distribute your payment links through various channels – email, group texts, and social media – or embed them as purchase buttons on your blog or website. For effortless contactless transactions, you can print QR codes on promotional materials.
Streamlined payment process: Customers are directed to an uncomplicated checkout interface when they open a payment link, where they can complete their purchase using Apple Pay, Google Pay, Clearpay, or their credit or debit card.
Integrated analytics: Simplify your payment management with inbuilt tracking and analytics for each link. Monitor customer payments and assess sales trends directly from the Square Dashboard.
Square marketing link: There’s an option to include a payment link to your personalised campaign Square Marketing. Creating this type of campaign can help you attract customers and boost their daily sales. Additionally, you can use Square Loyalty for your links whenever you want to reward loyal customers.
Square POS app connection: You can send out payment links straight from the Square POS app while you’re on the move. You can also set up recurring payments with Square Subscriptions and easily manage all your online and in-store payments from the Square Dashboard.
Prices and Fees
Square’s software and hardware solutions are known for being cost-effective. Hospitality businesses can use Square’s POS software without paying any fees if they install it on iPad, iPhone, or Android devices.
These are some of Square POS’ features that customers get to use for free:
- 24-hour automated transaction processing
- Fraud prevention measures that meet the highest security standards
- A free Square Reader device, suitable for multiple payment options, such as debit or credit card, digital wallet, magstripe, and chip & pin
- Enhanced security with encrypted transaction processing
- Round-the-clock customer support via telephone or email
Although the POS solution is free, businesses are obliged to pay the transaction fees. The percentage depends on the payment method. Here’s a list of the fixed rates:
- For card payments (including Mastercard, Visa, Visa Electron, Maestro, American Express, Discover, etc.), the cost is 2.6% plus an additional 10 cents per transaction.
- Transactions made through an eCommerce platform, Square Online Checkout, or via e-invoice cost 2.9% plus an additional 30 cents each.
- The cost of restaurant staff manually entering debit or credit card information is 3.5% and an additional 15 cents per transaction.
Square Hardware Prices
Businesses in need of additional hardware can purchase some of Square’s budget-friendly devices, such as:
- Square Reader: Lightweight payment reader that accepts multiple types of payment. £19.00 plus extra VAT expenses.
- Square Stand kit: The kit contains one Square Stand specifically designed for iPad, a digital printer plus one roll of paper, and a lightweight portable cash drawer. £339 plus extra VAT expenses.
- Square Register package: Square Register, a printer including paper, and a cash drawer. £979 plus extra VAT expenses.
- Square Terminal: A payment terminal device equipped with a digital printer. £149 with extra VAT expenses.
- Square Stand for iPad. £99 plus extra VAT expenses.
- Square Register: Two touchscreen displays + payment terminal with pre-installed POS software that can include third-party integrations of the user’s choice. £599 with extra VAT expenses.
Tap to Pay Rates
The Tap to Pay feature can be downloaded for free via Square’s mobile app. The only fee businesses have to pay is the fixed fee per transaction, which costs 1.75% for any payment method (credit or debit card, digital wallets, chip & pin, or magstripe). Additionally, businesses don’t need to sign a long-term agreement or pay any extra hidden fees to use the Tap to Pay payment solution.
Online Platform Rates
Same as the POS software, Square’s online platform is also free. Instead of paying a monthly subscription, this feature works with the pay-per-sale method.
Credit and debit cards issued in the UK have a minimal charge of just 1.4% with an additional 25p per transaction, while non-UK cards are subject to a slightly higher rate of 2.5% plus 25p.
This pay-as-you-go pricing structure is ideal for ensuring that all costs are directly tied to the business’s sales revenue.
Company Summary
Launched in 2009 in the United States, Square is one of the leading POS providers worldwide, offering over 36 POS software and hardware products. Their solutions are tailored for hospitality businesses, such as restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, bakeries, breweries, etc. In 2019, the company opened a new branch in the United Kingdom.
Nowadays, their products and services are available in the following places:
- United States (St. Louis, San Francisco, Atlanta, Oakland, etc.)
- Canada (Vancouver)
- Australia (Melbourne)
- Japan (Tokyo)
- Europe (UK, Ireland, Norway, Spain)
In 2023, the company processed over $4 billion in individual transactions and over $186,5 billion of in-person and digital payments. Currently, the company has 3,100 employees.
In the last few years, Square has received three awards:
- Best POS System for 2022 by Adwek (2022)
- Best Buy Now, Pay Later Apps by Wall Street Journal (2022)
- Fast Company’s Brands That Matter (2021)
Jack Dorsey is the managing head of the company, Samant Nagpal is the head of the risk department, and Christina Riechers is in charge of the baking department.
If you’re interested in learning more about Square’s products or have a general inquiry, you can fill out and submit this form. Another way to get in touch with the company’s customer support is by calling them at the following number: 08000988008. You can get in touch with customer support from Monday until Friday from 9 in the morning to 17:00 in the afternoon.
You can also follow if there are new job openings on Square’s main website. If you want to keep up with their latest social media updates, follow the company’s LinkedIn profile.
Online Reviews
Square has over 2,350 reviews and a median rating of 4.2 out of 5.0 stars on Trustpilot. Most reviewers praised the company’s fast and user-friendly payment solutions, but some have mentioned that the customer support was not helpful.
The company also has approximately 2,295 reviews on Capterra and an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 stars. Most of the reviews on this website are also positive and mention the variety, easy accessibility, and straightforward tools and features of Square’s payment solutions.