Is SmartPOS cheaper than Square?

It depends on what you compare. Square has a free plan; SmartPOS starts at a monthly price but lets you use your own card processor and includes trade modules in POS Growth. Compare your current processing fees plus paid add-ons with the savings calculator.

Can I use Square card readers with SmartPOS?

No. Square readers work with Square's own software and payments. SmartPOS works with card readers from your chosen processor.

Does SmartPOS have a free plan like Square?

No. SmartPOS has a 14-day free trial, then a paid plan. We do not take a share of your card sales.

Which is better for a nail salon?

If you need technician commission, packages and an interface in Vietnamese, the Spa & Nail Salon Edition is built for that. Square Appointments is strong for booking-led salons that are happy on Square payments.

Can I move my Square products to SmartPOS?

Yes. Export your items to a spreadsheet from Square and import it into SmartPOS. Import is free on every plan.

Which works in the UAE or Pakistan?

SmartPOS. Square is not sold in either country.

Head to head · prices checked October 17, 2026

SmartPOS vs Square: which fits your shop?

Square is a POS and payments company with a free plan, its own hardware and versions for retail, restaurants and appointments. Here is how it compares with SmartPOS on price, payments, trade features, languages and countries, including where Square is the better choice.

Square · list prices (USD)

Free plan$0/mo

Plus, per location$49/mo

Card processingabout 2.5%–2.6% + 10–15¢ in person

Sources: TechRepublic: Square POS review 2026; UpMenu: Square pricing 2026. Third-party reported figures; check Square's own site.

SmartPOS · published prices

POS Essentials$29AED 99Rs 2,999/mo

POS Growth (trade modules)$59AED 199Rs 5,999/mo

Card processingyour own processor

Per location. Prices for your selected country; see pricing.

The short verdict

Best known for getting a small shop selling for free on day one, with Square handling the payments. SmartPOS is the better fit if you want to keep your own card processor, need your trade's features in one plan, sell in the UAE or Pakistan, or need staff and receipts in languages like Arabic, Urdu or Vietnamese. If none of those apply and you are happy with Square, stay.

Side by side

SmartPOS compared with Square
Topic	Square	SmartPOS
Payments	Uses Square's own payment processing	Works with your own card processor; no payment lock-in
Trade features	Separate Square for Retail, Restaurants and Appointments products; advanced features on paid plans per location	21 trade editions; trade modules included in POS Growth
Countries	US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, Ireland, France, Spain	Sold in the USA, UAE and Pakistan, priced in USD, AED and PKR
Languages	A limited set of interface languages	Interface and receipts in your language, including Arabic and Urdu right to left
Website + CRM	Free basic online store; marketing tools as paid add-ons	POS + managed website + GoHighLevel snapshot on one bill
Contract	Monthly, no long-term contract for software	Monthly or annual, no contract

Where Square is stronger

A genuinely free starting plan
Polished first-party hardware and a large app marketplace
A free basic online store
Fast setup for simple counters

Stay with Square if…

You are happy with Square's processing rates and want one company for everything
You only need a simple counter and the free plan covers it
You rely on apps from Square's marketplace

Choose SmartPOS if…

You want to keep your own processor or negotiate rates
You sell in the UAE or Pakistan
Your staff need Arabic, Urdu or another language Square does not offer
You want your trade's features without moving up plan tiers per location

If you switch

Editions to look at instead of Square

Already decided to leave Square? Read the alternative guide · How switching works · Savings calculator

FAQ · 6

SmartPOS vs Square: questions

01Is SmartPOS cheaper than Square?

It depends on what you compare. Square has a free plan; SmartPOS starts at a monthly price but lets you use your own card processor and includes trade modules in POS Growth. Compare your current processing fees plus paid add-ons with the savings calculator.
02Can I use Square card readers with SmartPOS?

No. Square readers work with Square's own software and payments. SmartPOS works with card readers from your chosen processor.
03Does SmartPOS have a free plan like Square?

No. SmartPOS has a 14-day free trial, then a paid plan. We do not take a share of your card sales.
04Which is better for a nail salon?

If you need technician commission, packages and an interface in Vietnamese, the Spa & Nail Salon Edition is built for that. Square Appointments is strong for booking-led salons that are happy on Square payments.
05Can I move my Square products to SmartPOS?

Yes. Export your items to a spreadsheet from Square and import it into SmartPOS. Import is free on every plan.
06Which works in the UAE or Pakistan?

SmartPOS. Square is not sold in either country.
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