In 2026, Square's free plan charges 2.6% + 15¢ in person and 3.3% + 30¢ online. Stripe charges 2.7% + 5¢ in person on Terminal and 2.9% + 30¢ online. Clover charges about 2.3% to 2.6% + 10¢ in person plus a monthly plan, and 3.5% + 10¢ keyed or online. All three are easy to start with. As volume grows, a merchant account or dual pricing usually costs less.
Key takeaways
- In person: Clover and Stripe Terminal are slightly cheaper per swipe; Clover adds a monthly fee.
- Online: Stripe (2.9% + 30¢) beats Square's free plan (3.3% + 30¢).
- Keyed-in cards cost about 3.4% to 3.5% on all three.
- For big invoices, ACH bank payments are far cheaper than cards on every platform.
- Past roughly $20,000 to $30,000 a month in card sales, compare a merchant account.
Rates are as published by each company and widely reported in October 2026. Pricing changes often, so confirm on each company's site before deciding.
Fees side by side
| Payment type | Square (free plan) | Stripe | Clover |
|---|---|---|---|
| In person (tap, dip, swipe) | 2.6% + 15¢ | 2.7% + 5¢ (Terminal) | About 2.3% to 2.6% + 10¢, by plan |
| Online | 3.3% + 30¢ | 2.9% + 30¢ | 3.5% + 10¢ |
| Invoices paid by card | 3.3% + 30¢ | 2.9% + 30¢, plus 0.4% for Stripe Invoicing | 3.5% + 10¢ |
| Keyed-in card | 3.5% + 15¢ | 3.4% + 30¢ | 3.5% + 10¢ |
| ACH bank payment | About 1% (with a minimum and cap) | 0.8%, capped at $5 | Varies by setup |
| Monthly fee | $0 on free plan; paid plans $49 and $149 | $0 on standard pricing | Software plan, commonly from about $15 |
What a $1,000 sale costs on each
| Square (free) | Stripe | Clover | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In person | $26.15 | $27.05 | $23.10 to $26.10 |
| Online or invoice | $33.30 | $29.30 ($33.30 with Invoicing) | $35.10 |
| Keyed in | $35.15 | $34.30 | $35.10 |
On large tickets, the percentage matters far more than the cents. A business doing $50,000 a month online pays about $1,450 to $1,750 a month on these platforms.
Square: easiest to start
Square is the simplest way for a new business to take cards: no monthly fee on the free plan, free software, and in-person, online and invoice payments in one place. Its online and invoice rates are higher than Stripe's, and paid plans only pay off at higher volume. If you're just getting started, our Square starter option sets you up through our processing partner and adds a free website and Google Business Profile.
Stripe: best for online and developers
Stripe is built for online payments and custom setups. Its 2.9% + 30¢ online rate is lower than Square's free plan, and ACH Direct Debit capped at $5 is a bargain for big invoices. Add-ons like Invoicing and Billing carry their own percentage fees.
Clover: best for counter service with a full POS
Clover pairs hardware and point-of-sale software with processing. Its in-person rates on business plans can be the lowest of the three, but you pay a monthly software fee, and buying through a reseller can mean different rates and longer contracts. Read the agreement carefully.
When to move beyond all three
Flat-rate pricing is convenient but charges you the same on cheap debit cards as on expensive rewards cards. Once you're processing tens of thousands a month, a merchant account on interchange-plus pricing usually costs less, and dual pricing can cut costs the most where it's allowed. See credit card processing options for small business, check your numbers with the credit card processing fee calculator, or get a free fee review.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Square, Stripe or Clover?
What are Square's fees in 2026?
What are Stripe's fees in 2026?
What are Clover's fees in 2026?
When is a merchant account cheaper than Square, Stripe or Clover?
This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Card network rules and state laws change; confirm the rules for your business before changing how you charge customers.