PayPal vs Square — Which Is Right for You?
Side-by-side comparison
Choosing between PayPal and Square depends on your specific needs and priorities. Overall, Square leads in 1 out of 1 comparable metrics, while PayPal has the edge in 0.
When it comes to subcategory, PayPal offers Payments compared to Square's Point of Sale. When it comes to founded, PayPal offers 1,998 compared to Square's 2,009.
Below is a detailed side-by-side breakdown to help you make an informed decision between these two tools.
| PayPal | Attribute | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting & Finance | Category | Accounting & Finance |
| Payments | Subcategory | Point of Sale |
| Pay-per-use | Pricing | Pay-per-use |
| ✓ | Free Tier | ✓ |
| 1,998 | Founded | 2,009 |
| San Jose, CA | Headquarters | San Francisco, CA |
| Online sellers and freelancers | Best For | Retail and in-person businesses |
PayPal
PayPal Holdings, Inc. is an American multinational financial technology company operating an online payments system in the majority of countries that support online money transfers; it serves as an...
Square
Block, Inc. is an American technology company and a financial services provider for consumers and merchants. Founded in 2009 by Jack Dorsey, it is the U.S. market leader in point-of-sale systems. As...
Comparison Details
| Metric | PayPal | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Accounting & Finance | Accounting & Finance |
| Subcategory | Payments | Point of Sale |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use | Pay-per-use |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Founded | 1998 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | San Jose, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Key Features | Payment Processing, Invoicing, Business Debit Card, Buyer Protection | POS, Payment Processing, Invoicing, Banking |
| Best For | Online sellers and freelancers | Retail and in-person businesses |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, PayPal or Square?
PayPal is best for online sellers and freelancers, while Square is best for retail and in-person businesses. The right choice depends on your needs.
Is PayPal cheaper than Square?
PayPal uses a Pay-per-use model with a free tier, while Square uses a Pay-per-use model with a free tier.
Can I use PayPal and Square together?
Many teams combine PayPal (Payments) with Square (Point of Sale) for different aspects of their workflow.
What are the main differences between PayPal and Square?
PayPal focuses on Payment Processing, Invoicing, Business Debit Card, while Square excels at POS, Payment Processing, Invoicing.