Square vs Stripe: which is better? Comparison 2026
By our public methodology Square scores 83 out of 100 and Stripe scores 70. Below: the factors and facts where they differ, each fact with its source.
Score breakdown
| Square | Stripe | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 67 | 60 |
| Licence and security | 98 | 83 |
| Payouts | 86 | 57 |
Pros and cons
Square
- Regulator licence with a number on the official site
- Validated under PCI DSS as a service provider
- Pay per transaction, with no monthly fee
- Money reaches your bank account quickly
Stripe
- Regulator licence with a number on the official site
- Validated under PCI DSS as a service provider
- Pay per transaction, with no monthly fee
Facts side by side
| Fact | Square | Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Online card fee | 2.9% squareup.com | 2.9% stripe.com |
| Fixed fee per payment | $0.30 squareup.com | $0.30 stripe.com |
| Fee shown for the market | United States squareup.com | United States stripe.com |
| No monthly fee | Yes squareup.com | Yes stripe.com |
| Chargeback fee | $0.00 squareup.com | $15.00 stripe.com |
| Licensed by a financial regulator | Yes squareup.com | Yes stripe.com |
| Licence | NMLS 942933 (Block, Inc., US money transmitter licences) squareup.com | NMLS 1280479 (Stripe Payments Company, US money transmitter licences) stripe.com |
| PCI DSS service provider | Yes squareup.com | Yes docs.stripe.com |
| Founded | 2009 squareup.com | Not verified |
| Payout to your bank | 1 days squareup.com | 3 days docs.stripe.com |
| Countries for businesses | 8 squareup.com | 51 stripe.com |
| Public company (listed, audited reports) | Yes sec.gov | Not verified |
| Parent company | Block, Inc. squareup.com | Not verified |
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