Best Square Alternatives
The best alternatives to Square, ranked by rating and value.
We compared 4 Square alternatives. Toast is the top pick at 4.4/5 (from Free). 3 have a free plan.
Why look for a Square alternative?
Square rates 4.5/5 and is genuinely strong at great for in-person — most people switch because of a specific trade-off:
- •Less developer-flexible
- •Funds holds for new accounts
Square alternatives compared
| Tool | Starts at | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square (the original) | Free | 4.5/5 | Retail, food & omnichannel SMBs |
| Toast | Free | 4.4/5 | Restaurants & food service |
| Shopify POS | Free | 4.4/5 | Shopify merchants going omnichannel |
| Lightspeed | $89/mo | 4.2/5 | Retail & multi-location |
| Clover | Free | 4.1/5 | Retail, restaurants & services |
The best Square alternatives, ranked
POS built for restaurants
Why switch: Built for restaurants. Best for Restaurants & food service.
In-person selling for Shopify stores
Why switch: Seamless with Shopify. Best for Shopify merchants going omnichannel.
POS for retail & restaurants
Why switch: Strong inventory. Best for Retail & multi-location.
Flexible POS with an app marketplace
Why switch: Great hardware. Best for Retail, restaurants & services.
Pick by priority
Best rated → Toast
4.4/5 across 6,800 reviews. Built for restaurants.
Free option → Toast
Has a genuine free plan — the cheapest way to test a switch.
Closest fit → Toast
Our top overall pick for people leaving Square. Suits Restaurants & food service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Square?+
Toast is our top-ranked Square alternative, rated 4.4/5 and starting at Free. Built for restaurants is its standout strength, and it suits Restaurants & food service.
Are there free alternatives to Square?+
Yes — Toast, Shopify POS, Clover offer a free plan. Paid tiers unlock more, but the free tier is enough to test the fit.
Why do people look for Square alternatives?+
The most common reasons are: less developer-flexible, funds holds for new accounts. Square still rates 4.5/5, so the right move depends on which trade-off matters to you.
Which Square alternative is rated highest?+
Toast at 4.4/5, versus 4.5/5 for Square.