Square Fees, Explained (2025): What You’ll Really Pay by Use Case and How to Lower It
If you run a restaurant, retail shop, salon, medical or B2B service, Square’s “simple” pricing still has a lot of moving parts. Here’s a plain-English breakdown of the most common fees in the U.S. and practical ways to keep more of each sale.
Core processing rates (U.S.)
In-person (tap/dip/swipe): 2.6% + 15¢ per transaction
Online (website, checkout links, eCom API): 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
Keyed-in / Card on File / Virtual Terminal: 3.5% + 15¢ per transaction
Invoices (card paid online): 3.3% + 30¢ on the Free plan, 2.9% + 30¢ on Invoices Plus. In-person invoice takes are 2.6% + 15¢. ACH via invoice: 1% with $1 minimum and $10 cap
Cash App Afterpay (buy-now-pay-later): 6% + 30¢ per transaction
Transfers and chargebacks
Instant/Same-day transfer to bank: 1.75% per transfer (optional)
Dispute handling: Square does not add a separate dispute fee when they work a chargeback with you. (You still lose the funds while it’s under review.)
Restaurants and cafés
Online ordering with Square Online: 2.9% + 30¢ per online order
Delivery costs: Square removed its dispatch fee in 2025; you still pay the courier’s delivery fee (e.g., DoorDash) per order if you use on-demand delivery
Tip: If your volume is heavy online, consider Square Online Premium (monthly subscription) which can bring the online card rate down to 2.6% + 30¢
How to reduce fees:
Push dine-in and pickup to keep transactions in-person at 2.6% + 15¢
Use commission-free pickup and your own delivery where possible
Minimize keyed-in payments at the counter (they cost more)
Retail
Card-present sales: 2.6% + 15¢
Online sales: 2.9% + 30¢
Afterpay: 6% + 30¢ — use it strategically for higher-ticket items
How to reduce fees:
Encourage tap/dip over keyed orders
If you invoice B2B buyers, use ACH via Square Invoices (1% fee, $10 cap)
Salons, spas, wellness
Square Invoices: 3.3% + 30¢ (Free) vs 2.9% + 30¢ (Plus)
Card-on-file: 3.5% + 15¢
Appointments: software plans add monthly costs, but processing rates follow the same schedule
Tip: For large balances or packages, encourage ACH via invoice
B2B and clinics/labs (invoices, high-ticket)
For large invoices, steer clients to ACH via Square Invoices at 1% ($10 cap) — far cheaper than card rates
Invoices Plus trims the online card rate to 2.9% + 30¢ vs 3.3% + 30¢
“Hidden” levers that change your effective rate
How you accept the payment matters more than the card brand with Square’s flat pricing. Card-present vs online vs keyed can swing your effective rate by more than 1% on small tickets
BNPL (Afterpay): good for conversion, costly at 6% + 30¢
Instant transfers: 1.75% of the transfer—use only when needed
Square Online Premium: lowers online card fees to 2.6% + 30¢ if you have heavy volume
Delivery fees: Square removed its own dispatch fee, but courier fees still apply
Dispute handling: Square does not add a chargeback fee
Hardware and subscriptions
Square Terminal: ~$299 one-time
Square Register: ~$799 one-time
Software: Core POS is free; Restaurants, Retail, and Appointments offer Plus/Premium tiers
Practical playbook to lower your costs
Keep it card-present whenever possible (2.6% + 15¢)
Use ACH for invoices and high-ticket payments (1% fee, $10 cap)
Avoid keyed-in entries—they cost more
Upgrade your plan if volume warrants it (Premium reduces online fees)
Be selective with BNPL—great for conversion, expensive for margin
Skip instant transfers unless cash flow really needs it
Control delivery costs by encouraging pickup or running your own drivers
Leverage Square’s no-fee dispute support