Square Startup Deals & Discounts

Square runs an application-based program for newer businesses and qualifying sellers that removes processing fees on an initial slice of card sales - in the range of $10,000 in payment volume processed at no cost. Because Square earns primarily through per-transaction fees, waiving them on early revenue is a direct, measurable saving: a young business can route its first thousands of dollars in card sales through Square POS, online checkout, invoices, or Tap to Pay without the usual percentage being deducted, keeping more cash in hand during the period when margins are thinnest.

The offer is aimed at sellers who are just getting started or onboarding to Square for the first time, and it fits naturally with Square's no-contract, pay-as-you-go model - there is nothing to commit to beyond signing up and beginning to take payments. The fee waiver applies across Square's payment surfaces, so the benefit follows however a business chooses to sell, whether in person, online, or remotely. Eligibility is confirmed during the application and onboarding process, and the headline value reflects the processing fees a typical seller would otherwise pay on that volume.

Square fits businesses that sell in more than one place and want a single system behind all of it. A coffee shop or food truck uses Square POS with a Terminal or Tap to Pay to ring up orders, while Square Online handles mobile ordering and pickup - both drawing on the same menu and sales reports. Retailers lean on barcode-based inventory, purchase orders, and multi-location stock tracking, with Square Online mirroring the catalog for ecommerce.

Service businesses such as salons, barbershops, and clinics use Square Appointments for online booking, reminders, and staff calendars, taking deposits and final payment through the same flow. Freelancers and contractors send Square invoices or payment links and accept remote card payments through the virtual terminal.

As a business grows, the back office matters more: Square Payroll runs pay for hourly and salaried staff, Square Banking holds the deposited funds and offers savings and financing, and built-in loyalty and email marketing bring customers back. For a new or small business in particular, the no-fee processing program makes Square a low-risk place to take those first sales while the rest of the toolkit is ready when it is time to scale.

Square uses transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing with no long-term contracts. As of 2026, software is offered in three plans chosen per location:

• Free - $0/month. In-person card payments 2.6% + 15¢; online and invoice payments 3.3% + 30¢ (raised from 2.9% + 30¢ on January 13, 2026).
• Plus - $49/month per location. In-person 2.5% + 15¢; online 2.9% + 30¢, with industry-specific features for retail, restaurants, and services.
• Premium - $149/month per location. In-person 2.4% + 15¢; online 2.9% + 30¢, aimed at higher-volume and multi-location sellers.

Across all plans, manually keyed transactions are 3.5% + 15¢, and instant transfers cost 1.75% (minimum $0.25). Hardware is a separate one-time cost, ranging from about $10-$59 for a card reader up to roughly $1,189 for a full register kit. Businesses processing more than ~$250,000 per year can request custom pricing.

Pricing reflects publicly listed 2026 rates and may vary by region and product; confirm current rates with Square before signing up.