PalomaPOS vs Square
Square for Restaurants lists three plans — Free at $0/month, Plus at $49 and Premium at $149 per location — with in-person rates from 2.6% + 15¢ down to 2.4% + 15¢. PalomaPOS charges $0/month for POS software with PalomaPOS processing and quotes your rate from your current statement.
| Feature | PalomaPOS | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly software fee | $0/month with PalomaPOS processing | Square Free $0/mo; Plus $49/mo; Premium $149/mo — per location[1] |
| In-person card rate | Custom quote from your current statement | Tap, dip, or swipe: 2.6% + 15¢ (Free), 2.5% + 15¢ (Plus), 2.4% + 15¢ (Premium)[1] |
| POS hardware | At cost, or free placement for qualifying volume | Square hardware, options starting at $59[1] |
| Payouts | Same-day funding, with an instant funding option | Next business day at no charge; instant or same-day transfers 1.95% per transfer[2] |
| Contract & cancellation | Month-to-month, no cancellation fee; return the terminal if you leave | Cancel or switch plans anytime; 30-day free trial on Plus and Premium[1] |
| Setup & menu build | Free menu build and data migration; remote setup by video call | Varies — check current terms |
| Support | People, in English & Spanish, Mon–Fri 9 AM–6 PM ET | Chat and email on every plan; phone 6am–6pm PT Mon–Fri on Plus (first 90 days on Free), 24/7 on Premium[1] |
| Offline mode | Orders, cash, printing & KDS keep working; cards offline on Valor terminals only | Offline payments on every plan; declined if not back online within 24 hours[1] |
| Cash discount program | Varies — check current terms | |
| Business banking | Embedded banking | Square Banking (Square Checking) available[1] |
Square facts are quoted from the vendor's own website as checked on October 24, 2026; the number after each one points to its source below. Prices and terms change — verify them on the vendor's site before you decide. Square is a trademark of its owner; PalomaPOS is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Square.
Sources (checked October 24, 2026)
- [1] Square — Restaurant POS Pricing & Plans https://squareup.com/us/en/point-of-sale/restaurants/pricing
- [2] Square Support Center — Set up and edit transfer options https://squareup.com/help/us/en/article/3807-deposit-options-with-square
Vendors change their prices and terms, and they can depend on your plan, location, and volume — verify current terms on the vendor's site before you decide. “Varies — check current terms” means we haven't verified a published figure.
How PalomaPOS differs from Square
Square's restaurant pricing is published and easy to read: the lower a plan's in-person rate, the higher its monthly fee. Transfers arrive the next business day at no charge, or instantly or the same day for a 1.95% fee per transfer, and Square says you can cancel or switch plans anytime.
PalomaPOS is priced the other way around: POS software is $0/month with PalomaPOS processing, and instead of a flat published rate you get a custom quote built from your current statement. Card sales are funded the same day, with an instant funding option, a cash discount program is available, and agreements are month-to-month with no cancellation fee. Hardware is at cost — or free placement for qualifying volume.
Thinking about switching? Menu build and data migration are included, setup and training are done by video call, and a person reviews your Square statement for free so you can compare real numbers before you decide.
Who should switch — and who should stay with Square
Switch to PalomaPOS if…
- You'd rather have a quote built from your own statement than a flat published rate
- You want $0/month POS software with tables, coursing, split checks and tip pooling
- You want a cash discount program, with the cash/card price disclosure on the receipt
- You want free menu build and migration, and support from people in English and Spanish
Stay with Square if…
- You're just opening and want to sign up online for a $0/month plan with a published rate (Square Free: 2.6% + 15¢ in person)
- You need 24/7 phone support — Square lists it on Premium
- You already use Square Payroll or Square Banking and want everything in one account
FAQ
How do Square's fees compare with PalomaPOS?
Square's restaurant pricing page lists Square Free at $0/month with 2.6% + 15¢ in person, Plus at $49/month per location with 2.5% + 15¢, and Premium at $149/month per location with 2.4% + 15¢ (checked October 24, 2026). PalomaPOS software is $0/month with PalomaPOS processing and the rate is quoted from your statement, so the honest comparison uses your own numbers: send a recent statement and a person replies with a written quote, or check your effective rate at /calculator.
Does Square pay out the same day?
Square offers instant and same-day transfers for a 1.95% fee per transfer; standard transfers arrive the next business day at no charge. PalomaPOS funds card sales the same day, with an instant funding option.
Is switching from Square to PalomaPOS hard?
Menu build and data migration are included. We set up the system with you by video call and ship the hardware to your restaurant. The timeline depends on your menu and equipment, and we agree on a go-live date with you.
Does a cash discount program work in my state?
A cash discount program is available. We provide the signage, the POS handles the math, and we walk you through the card-network and state rules that apply where you operate before you turn it on.
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Ready to grow your food business without the busywork?
Book a free 15‑minute demo. We'll walk through your menu and your current processing statement — and answer every question, no pressure.
Same‑day funding
Get paid the same day, every day.
Hardware at cost
Or free placement for qualifying processing volume.
Setup included
Menu build, data migration, and staff training.
Or email sales@palomapos.com