Simpli POS
vs Square
A flat-rate processor with a free POS app — best for solo operators and pop-ups.
The short version
Square pioneered the "free POS, pay-as-you-process" model. Its flat-rate pricing is predictable, but because you pay the same 2.6% + 10¢ on a debit card as on a premium rewards card, it can get expensive at higher volume. Simpli POS uses interchange-plus pricing, which can work out cheaper for many businesses processing more than roughly $15,000/month in cards, depending on their card mix.
Pricing snapshot
- Software
- $0 forever
- Hardware
- Use your own iPad or Android tablet
- Contract
- None — cancel any time
- Card-present rate
- Interchange + 0.30% + $0.10 (transparent) Estimate your rate →
- Software
- $0 (Square POS Free) → Increases with add-on modules — Square does not publish one flat top-tier price
- Hardware
- Free mobile reader; paid hardware (Stand, Register) priced on Square’s site (optional)
- Contract
- Month-to-month, no contract
- Card-present rate
- 2.6% + $0.10 flat rate
Side-by-side
| Feature | Simpli POS | Square |
|---|---|---|
| POS software monthly fee | $0 forever | $0 base, more for add-on tiers |
| Processing model | Interchange-plus (transparent) | Flat rate (simple, expensive at volume) |
| Card-present rate | Interchange + 0.30% + $0.10 (transparent) | 2.6% + $0.10 |
| Hardware required | No — runs on iPad and Android | No — but Square hardware recommended |
| Contract | None | None |
| Offline mode | Full offline order entry & payment queue | Limited offline mode |
| Restaurant features (coursing, tables) | Included free | Requires a paid Restaurants tier |
| Multi-location dashboard | Included free | Included |
| Onboarding | AI-guided self-serve | Self-serve |
Square pricing and features summarized from squareup.com. Published rates, tiers, and hardware prices change periodically and vary by region — confirm current numbers on Square’s site before relying on them. Last reviewed August 5, 2026.
Square and its logo are trademarks of their respective owner. Simpli POS is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Square. Competitor pricing and features reflect publicly available information at the time of writing and are subject to change — please verify current terms directly with each provider. Savings figures are estimates that vary with card mix and transaction volume. This comparison is provided for general informational purposes only.
Which one fits you?
Choose Square if…
- You do less than $5,000/mo in card volume and want the simplest possible pricing.
- You sell at pop-ups, farmers markets, or food trucks and need a one-time-use mobile reader.
- You already use Square for retail and want one ecosystem.
Choose Simpli POS if…
- You process $15,000+/mo in cards — interchange-plus saves real money.
- You run a café, full-service restaurant, or bubble tea shop and want restaurant features without paying for a higher-tier plan.
- You want to bring your own iPad or Android tablet instead of buying proprietary hardware.
Questions about switching
Is Simpli POS really free, or are there hidden fees?
The POS software is free forever — no setup fees, no monthly fees, no per-terminal fees. We only earn revenue when you choose to process credit cards through our integrated merchant account.
How does Simpli POS pricing compare to Square at higher card volume?
Square charges the same flat rate on every card, whether it is a basic debit card or a premium rewards card that costs Square more to accept. Interchange-plus pricing through Simpli passes through the wholesale rate plus a small fixed markup, so your effective rate reflects your actual card mix instead of a flat average. Whether that is cheaper depends on your mix and volume — we recommend comparing a recent processing statement.
Can I keep my Square hardware if I switch to Simpli POS?
Square hardware is locked to Square processing. Simpli POS runs on iPad and Android tablets — most operators already own the hardware they need.
Also compare
See it for yourself.
Free forever.
Download Simpli POS and run a side-by-side test against Square. No card required, no contract, no hardware to buy.