Square vs PayPal Zettle
Square and PayPal Zettle both offer free POS with pay-per-transaction pricing. But Square has evolved into a full business platform—invoicing, payroll, appointments, e-commerce—while Zettle remains focused on simple payment acceptance.
Our Verdict
Square wins on features. It's not close. PayPal Zettle wins if you specifically want PayPal/Venmo acceptance, have existing PayPal business relationships, or just need dead-simple card acceptance without extra features.
Best for:
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Square | PayPal Zettle | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 | $0 | Tie |
| In-person rate | 2.6% + 10¢ | 2.29% + 9¢ | PayPal Zettle |
| PayPal/Venmo acceptance | No | Yes | PayPal Zettle |
| POS features | Excellent | Basic | Square |
| Inventory management | Good | Basic | Square |
| E-commerce | Good, free | Via PayPal Commerce | Square |
| Invoicing | Excellent | Basic | Square |
| Hardware options | Many | Few | Square |
Square
Pros
- ✓Full business platform
- ✓Better inventory
- ✓More hardware options
- ✓Stronger ecosystem
Cons
- ✗Higher in-person rate
- ✗No PayPal/Venmo acceptance
- ✗Can be overkill for simple needs
PayPal Zettle
Pros
- ✓Lower in-person rate
- ✓PayPal/Venmo QR codes
- ✓Trusted brand
- ✓Very simple
Cons
- ✗Basic POS features
- ✗Limited inventory
- ✗Fewer hardware options
- ✗Less sophisticated reporting
In-Depth Analysis
The Rate Difference
PayPal Zettle: 2.29% + 9¢. Square: 2.6% + 10¢. On a $50 sale, that's $1.24 vs $1.40—16 cents difference. On $20k monthly sales, ~$65 savings with PayPal. Real but not huge. Don't pick PayPal solely for rates if you need Square's features.
The PayPal/Venmo Advantage
Zettle lets customers scan QR to pay with PayPal or Venmo balances. Some customers prefer this. If your demographic skews young or you're at events where people have Venmo loaded, this matters. Square can't do this.
The Feature Gap
Square: appointments, team management, loyalty, gift cards, robust inventory, excellent invoicing, free online store. PayPal Zettle: products, basic inventory, basic reports. If you're running a business (not just accepting payments), Square's ecosystem is substantially better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both Square and PayPal?
You could have both accounts, but you can't integrate them. You'd run two separate systems. Pick one for simplicity. If PayPal/Venmo acceptance is critical, accept that you're giving up Square's features.
Which has better customer support?
Square. Both have mixed reviews, but Square has more support resources and channels. PayPal's business support has historically been frustrating for many merchants.