Square vs Zettle: which should you choose?
Unusually for this site, the headline transaction rate is identical — 1.75% for both. That makes this a genuinely rare case where cost isn't the deciding factor at all.
Quick verdict
With fees tied, this comes down to ecosystem fit. Square has the more mature path into a full retail/restaurant POS system. Zettle is the better fit if you already run your business through PayPal and want payments in the same place. Neither is "better" in the abstract — it depends what else you use.
Who should choose Square
Businesses that might grow into needing inventory, staff management or a full till system — Square's ecosystem scales with you without switching providers.
Who should choose Zettle
Businesses already using PayPal for online sales, invoicing or personal cash flow, who want in-person takings landing in the same balance.
A rare tie
| Square at £5,000/month (1.75%) | £87.50/month |
| Zettle at £5,000/month (1.75%) | £87.50/month |
| Difference | £0.00 |
Both have optional paid tiers too: Square's Retail Plus (£49/mo, 1.6%) and SumUp-style volume discounts don't apply to Zettle, which has no published paid tier — a point in Square's favour if you'll eventually process high enough volume to benefit.
Terminal cost
Square
Reader £19+VAT, Terminal £149+VAT, Register £649+VAT — the widest range of the two, up to a full countertop till.
Zettle
Reader £29+VAT (1st unit), £69 for additional readers, Terminal £149+VAT.
Getting your money
Square
Next business day as standard; instant transfer available for a small fee.
Zettle
Within minutes to your PayPal balance — but that's your PayPal balance, not necessarily your bank account; withdrawing from PayPal can take longer.
What you're signing up to
Square
No contract, no setup fee.
Zettle
No contract — but Zettle runs a credit check as part of standard PayPal onboarding, unlike Square.
Which fits your business?
Growing retailer/restaurant
Square — a proven upgrade path to full POS software.
Existing PayPal seller
Zettle — keeps online and in-person takings in one balance.
Wary of a credit check
Square — no credit check on standard sign-up.
Final recommendation
Since the fee is identical, don't choose based on cost — choose based on what else you already use. If PayPal is central to how you run your business, Zettle removes friction. If you're likely to need proper till software as you grow, Square's ecosystem gives you somewhere to go without starting over.
Frequently asked questions
Is Square or Zettle cheaper?
Neither — both charge 1.75% on standard in-person transactions. This one comes down to ecosystem fit, not price.
Which is better if I use PayPal already?
Zettle, since it settles into your existing PayPal balance within minutes.
How does SumUp compare to Square?
See our SumUp vs Square head-to-head.
Methodology: Figures pulled directly from squareup.com/gb and zettle.com official UK pricing pages on 30 July 2026. See our Editorial Policy.