Independent UK card payment reviews
Comparison
Square vs Zettle / PayPal POS
| Consideration | Square | Zettle / PayPal POS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Processing plus the selected Free, Plus or Premium plan | Method-specific fees and equipment cost; check your account terms |
| Equipment | Choose the required Square device | Phone-linked Reader or standalone Terminal options |
| Software | Check the chosen POS plan's included features | Check the POS app and your account's available features |
| Remote payments | Price online and remote transactions separately | Check payment-link availability for your account type |
| Access to takings | Confirm the transfer schedule and any faster-transfer cost | Distinguish money in PayPal from onward bank withdrawal |
Do not assume two headline rates cover the same sales
Separate card-present payments, manual entry and online or link payments. Include software, accessories and any extra equipment you need. Compare an ordinary month and a quiet month, particularly if considering a paid plan.
Check which PayPal or Zettle account you have
PayPal's pricing page distinguishes payment-link access for existing Zettle users and PayPal Business users. Its fast money-access wording also has account-specific conditions. Confirm the actual flow to the bank account you use to pay suppliers; a PayPal balance is not the same as a completed bank transfer.
Choose by the jobs you need the POS to do
Test inventory, receipts, returns and sales reports using the proposed device and plan. Ask about staff access, accessories and any integrations you rely on. If changing an existing till, allow for product-data setup and staff training rather than comparing reader prices alone.
We don't declare a winner. The right provider for your business depends on your turnover, card mix, transaction values and existing contract position. We can review your current deal and compare suitable options from our selected network. No statement or competing quote is needed to get started.
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Sources and checks
Public information checked 2026-10-11. This is a practical comparison guide, not a personalised quote. Your product, sales channel and existing agreement may have different terms.
Provider names and trademarks identify the products discussed; their inclusion does not imply endorsement of this page. Card Payment Connect compares suitable options from a selected provider network, not the whole market. If you choose a provider we introduce, that provider may pay us a referral fee.