How Stripe and Square pricing compares in 2026
On the surface Stripe and Square look almost identical — both are flat-rate processors with no monthly fee on their entry tier. But the details diverged in 2026, and they now split cleanly by channel:
Online
- Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30
- Square: 3.3% + $0.30
- Stripe is cheaper online
In person
- Stripe: 2.7% + $0.05
- Square: 2.6% + $0.15
- Depends on your average sale
The big change: Square raised its standard online rate from 2.9% to 3.3% in January 2026. For online sellers that's a clear 0.4% gap in Stripe's favour — on $10,000 of monthly sales, about $40 a month, or nearly $500 a year.
Which is cheaper for you?
Online: Stripe wins, full stop — its 2.9% beats Square's 3.3% at every amount. In person is the close one. Square's rate is 0.1% lower, but its fixed fee is 10 cents higher per sale, so the answer flips on your average ticket:
- • Small tickets (under ~$100): Stripe is cheaper — the lower 5-cent fixed fee matters more than the rate.
- • Large tickets (over ~$100): Square is cheaper — the lower 2.6% rate outweighs the fixed fee.
Don't forget the rest of the bill. This tool compares card-processing rates only. Square bundles free point-of-sale software and offers cheaper paid plans for higher in-person volume; Stripe is developer-first with deeper APIs. Weigh those against the rate once the numbers are close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stripe or Square cheaper?
It depends on the channel and your average sale. Online, Stripe (2.9% + $0.30) is cheaper than Square's standard online rate (3.3% + $0.30). In person, Square (2.6% + $0.15) beats Stripe (2.7% + $0.05) on larger sales, but Stripe wins on small tickets because Square's fixed fee is higher. The two break even on an in-person sale of roughly $100.
What are Stripe and Square's 2026 rates?
Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 online and 2.7% + $0.05 in person (Stripe Terminal). Square's Free plan charges 3.3% + $0.30 for standard online and invoice payments and 2.6% + $0.15 in person. Square raised its online rate from 2.9% to 3.3% in January 2026, which is why Stripe now looks cheaper for online sellers.
Why does the cheaper option change with my average sale?
Because of the fixed per-transaction fee. In person, Square's $0.15 fixed fee is larger than Stripe's $0.05, so it costs more on small sales; Square's lower percentage (2.6% vs 2.7%) only pulls ahead once the sale is big enough to outweigh that fixed gap — around $100.
Does this include monthly or hardware fees?
No. The calculator compares per-transaction processing only. Square offers paid plans ($49/mo Plus and $149/mo Premium) that lower its in-person rate, and its developer API online rate is 2.9% + $0.30. Hardware, monthly software, chargebacks and currency conversion are not included.
Which should I choose, Stripe or Square?
If most of your sales are online, Stripe's lower online rate adds up over a year. If you sell in person with larger average tickets, Square can edge ahead on rate and includes free point-of-sale software. Enter your real monthly numbers above to see the actual difference for your business.