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Shift4
Hospitality & Retail
An end-to-end payment and commerce platform with deep specialization in the hospitality and retail industries. Shift4 offers integrated POS systems and payment processing with competitive interchange-plus pricing. Well-suited for restaurants, hotels, and retailers who want a unified commerce solution.
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Square
Retail & Restaurants
An all-in-one commerce platform that combines payment processing with point-of-sale hardware and business management tools. Square is particularly popular with retail stores, restaurants, and service businesses that need integrated solutions for payments, inventory, and staff management. Their hardware ecosystem and free baseline tier make it accessible for small businesses to get started quickly.
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Side-by-side feature breakdown
0.05% + $0.03 above interchange
2.6% + $0.10 (in-person), 2.9% + $0.30 (online)
7 Available
7 Available
9 Supported
13 Supported
Common Ground
Shared Regions
Shared Features
When to Choose Square
Choose Square if you need features like Instant Sandbox or Recurring Payments, or your business operates in Asia or Oceania, or you want a broader feature set. With fees of 2.6% + $0.10 (in-person), 2.9% + $0.30 (online), it's ideal for businesses focused on retail & restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Shift4 and Square?
Shift4 is best for hospitality & retail, while Square is best for retail & restaurants. Shift4 charges 0.05% + $0.03 above interchange and Square charges 2.6% + $0.10 (in-person), 2.9% + $0.30 (online). They differ in supported features, regions, and payment methods.
Which is cheaper, Shift4 or Square?
Shift4 charges 0.05% + $0.03 above interchange while Square charges 2.6% + $0.10 (in-person), 2.9% + $0.30 (online). The best value depends on your transaction volume, business type, and required features. Compare their full fee structures for your specific use case.
Can I use both Shift4 and Square together?
Yes, many businesses use multiple payment providers for redundancy, regional coverage, or to offer more payment methods. Shift4 and Square can complement each other depending on your needs.