Square Card Machine: The Ultimate Guide
If you’re searching for an easy and budget-friendly way to accept credit cards, square card machine s are a great option. They’re simple to set up and support all types of cards – contactless and chip included. So are you looking to obtain a Square Card Machine? Square provides a range of additional services to assist small businesses in running their operations more effectively. These include financing programs, business software and e-commerce capabilities. For further information and pricing on card machines click here .
Square for Retail
Free
Plus
Premium
Best For
For businesses getting started in-person and online.
For expanding businesses that need in-depth retail features.
For businesses looking to scale, with everything in one place.
Cost
Free, no monthly fee
£49 per month per location
Custom pricing
Per transaction
1.75% for chip and PIN or contactless payment
2.5% for online or manually entered transactions
1.6% for chip and PIN or contactless payment
2.5% for online or manually entered transactions
Custom pricing is available if you process more than £200K per year.
Features
Accessible retail point-of-sale app
Free online shop
Basic inventory tools
Unlimited items
Cross-location exchanges
Advanced inventory tools
Advanced retail reports
Unlimited team management
Custom pricing
Account management
Square Card Machine: Features
A square card machine is an ideal solution for smaller businesses that need to accept credit cards.
It’s simple to set up, accepts all types of cards, and is very cost-effective. This makes it an excellent option for coffee shops, food trucks, small businesses and any other type of business that doesn’t require complex checkout software. Pl
Provides 24/7 support – plus, you can pay in monthly instalments to acquire the machine.
It can also be used offline, which is great if your internet connection drops or you don’t have wifi access. Furthermore, this allows you to process sales and print receipts without using POS software in the shop.
You can connect various hardware to the Square terminal, from USB barcode scanners and external printers to an Ethernet network cable.
Additionally, you can purchase the Square Stand (£39), which allows you to place it on countertops or other surfaces. Alternately, you can connect the square terminal to a Hub for Square Terminal (sold separately), which features three USB ports and an Ethernet socket for connecting other POS hardware.
Interchange-plus pricing offers the most transparency, allowing you to view your overall costs when processing credit and debit card transactions. However, there may be better choices for your business if you process many transactions or have a high average sales volume.
Square Card Machine: Accepts all types of cards
If you’re a small business owner who requires credit card payments, Square may be your perfect solution.
Square stands out among credit card processing services with its transparent fees and various plans tailored for small businesses. Plus, the company allows you to limit your monthly transaction amount to save money. Square offers a comprehensive payment platform, supporting various payment methods from credit cards to mobile wallets and Cash App. Plus, its POS system can even handle electronic gift cards – so you can sell e-gift cards alongside physical ones!
Connecting it with the free Point of Sale (POS) app allows for convenient on-the-go payments. Alternatively, purchase the Square Stand, which transforms your iPad into a fully featured POS that accepts card payments and prints receipts. The Square Reader for Magstripe can be purchased if you want to accept traditional magstripe credit cards. This Reader attaches to your phone using either the headphone jack or Lightning connector and pairs with your Square app to process swipe cards.
Square Card Machine: Integrated Receipt Printer
Businesses looking to provide customers with a printed receipt at the end of their transaction should consider using a Square card machine with a built-in receipt printer . These printers are simple to set up and connect to the Square terminal via LAN, wifi or USB. These receipt printers can be used with both desktop and mobile point-of-sale systems. Their fast print speeds and energy efficiency make them perfect for small retail or speciality stores and hospitality venues. When selecting a receipt printer, opt for one with a small footprint and compatibility with your existing point-of-sale system.
Furthermore, ensure the printer is compatible with your operating system and has a USB port. Thermal receipt printers are standard for most Point-of-Sale (POS) systems. They print receipts with high precision by heating paper to mark them. At the same time, not as portable as dot matrix models, thermal receipt printers can still be utilised in most POS settings with ease. These printers are typically compatible with computers and smartphones, some even featuring an integrated Bluetooth receiver for wireless connection.
This printer is compatible with most POS systems but requires a USB cable . You can find this cable in the hardware section of most computer stores or online. The Epson TM-T20II is an affordable point-of-sale receipt printer that prints quickly and efficiently. Its small footprint and economic features make it suitable for small retail outlets, speciality shops, hospitality venues, and grocery stores.
Square Card Machine: Free POS app
Square POS app provides an effortless way to accept credit card payments . Available on iPhone and Android devices, it can process payments from anywhere. Its integrated receipt printer supports various payment methods, including Apple Pay and Google Pay. Square also works with various hardware solutions, such as the Square Stand and Reader.
The Stand accepts card swipes, dips and taps, while the Reader is a wireless device that connects to an iOS or Android device via Bluetooth LE. The Square Reader can accept chip cards and contactless and mobile payments through Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Contactless
Chip
Magstripe
Contactless
Chip
Magstripe
Contactless
Chip
Magstripe (with Square Reader for magstripe, sold separately)
Square Card Machine – Find out more about card machines here .
Square Card Machine – Other Useful links about card machines:
Which is the Best Swipe Machine for Small Businesses?
Should I Buy My Credit Card Terminal?
Can I Use My iPhone As a Credit Card Reader?
Remember to Compare Your Business Costs is here to help your business every step of the way, from business advice or saving you time and money on your business purchases such as:
Hi, I’m Ally Cox, one of the leading Copywriter/Bloggers at CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, a platform renowned for its in-depth analysis and comprehensive comparisons of business services. With over a decade of experience in the industry, I bring a wealth of expertise in areas such as leased lines, VoIP, business energy and office solutions, HR solutions, accounting, and payroll services, among others.
My journey in the industry began over 10 years ago, and my extensive knowledge enables me to provide invaluable insights to our users and customers. Prior to joining CompareYourBusinessCosts, I’ve been involved in various business ventures, gaining hands-on experience in HR and copywriting across a multitude of different sectors, gaining valuable knowledge about everything from clocking in systems to card machines, EPOS systems, payroll services, and so much more.
My mission is to simplify the often-complex buying process for businesses, helping them streamline their product and service comparisons effectively. By leveraging the expertise I’ve acquired over the years, I aim to assist businesses in making informed decisions that enhance their efficiency and bottom line.