Square vs myPOS: Which Card Machine Is Better In 2026?
Square and myPOS both let you take cards with no long contract, but they're built around different ideas. Square is software first: a free point of sale app with a card reader attached. myPOS is account first: a terminal tied to an e-money account that pays you instantly.
If you're choosing between them, the right answer depends on your average sale, how fast you need your money and how much you lean on the till software. Here's how they stack up, using prices checked October 2026.
At a glance
| Square | myPOS | |
|---|---|---|
| In person rate | 1.75% | 1.10% + 7p (domestic consumer cards, under £10,000 a month) |
| Non UK or EEA cards | 1.75% + 1.5% | 2.20% + 7p (EEA consumer cards) |
| Amex | 1.75% | 2.45% + 7p |
| Other cards (business, non EEA) | 1.75% (+1.5% if non UK) | 2.85% + 7p |
| Cheapest hardware | Square Reader £19 + VAT | myPOS Go 2 £39 |
| Monthly fee | £0 for the core POS | £0 |
| Payouts | Free transfers to your bank in one to two working days, instant for a fee | Instant to your myPOS account |
| Offline payments | Up to 24 hours on newer hardware | Not a headline feature |
| Inactivity fee | No | £15 a month after 10 months without use |
Fees in detail
Square
Square charges one flat rate of 1.75% for in person payments, including Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android. Cards issued outside the UK cost an extra 1.5%. There's no fixed pence fee, no monthly charge for the basic point of sale, and no difference between debit, credit or Amex. That makes it easy to predict.
myPOS
myPOS splits its pricing by card type. Most of your customers will use UK consumer debit or credit cards, which cost 1.10% plus 7p for businesses taking under £10,000 a month. Cards from elsewhere in the EEA cost 2.20% plus 7p, Amex 2.45% plus 7p, and other cards, such as business cards and cards from outside the EEA, cost 2.85% plus 7p. Online payments are 1.30% plus 15p.
What that means on real sales
The 7p fixed fee matters on small sales. On a £4 coffee, Square takes 7p and myPOS takes about 11p. On a £40 haircut, Square takes 70p and myPOS takes 51p.
| Sale (UK consumer card) | Square | myPOS |
|---|---|---|
| £4 | 7p | 11p |
| £10 | 18p | 18p |
| £25 | 44p | 35p |
| £60 | £1.05 | 73p |
| £150 | £2.63 | £1.72 |
The two meet at roughly £10. Above that, myPOS is cheaper on domestic consumer cards. Below it, Square wins.
Now take a mix. Say you take £5,000 a month at £25 a sale, with 10% on business cards. myPOS would charge about £62.10 on the consumer cards (180 sales) and £15.65 on the business cards (20 sales), so about £77.75. Square would charge £87.50. If a big share of your customers are tourists or use business cards, the gap closes fast and can flip. Try your own mix in our card fee calculator.
Hardware
| Device | Price (checked October 2026) | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Square Reader | £19 + VAT (on offer at £13.30 + VAT when checked) | Pairs with a phone or tablet |
| Square Terminal | £149 + VAT | Standalone with a printer |
| myPOS Go 2 | £39 | Simple standalone reader |
| myPOS Go Combo | £169 | Reader with a base for counters |
| myPOS Ultra | £179 | Android terminal with a printer |
| myPOS Flex | £59 | Turns an Android device into a terminal |
myPOS devices come with a free 4G SIM, so they work without your phone or WiFi. Square's reader needs a phone or tablet, while the Terminal runs on WiFi. If you trade on the move without good WiFi, myPOS has the edge.
Payouts
myPOS pays you instantly into your myPOS account, and you can spend it straight away with the free myPOS business card. Moving money out to a separate bank account is also possible. Square's free transfers reach your bank in one to two working days, and you can pay a fee for an instant transfer.
If cash flow is tight, instant access is a real plus for myPOS.
Software
This is where Square pulls ahead. Its free point of sale app handles item libraries, stock, staff, reports and customer lists, with paid add-ons for restaurants, retail and appointments. Square Appointments has a free plan, with Plus at £29 a month and Premium at £69.
myPOS has its own apps and online store builder, and its Android terminals run third party apps. But it's not as polished as a till system, and most myPOS users treat it as a payment device first.
Pros and cons
Square
Pros - One flat rate, easy to understand - Excellent free point of sale software - Offline payments on newer hardware - No inactivity fees
Cons - Pricier than myPOS on most sales above about £10 - Overseas cards cost much more - Reader needs a phone or tablet
myPOS
Pros - Low rate on UK consumer cards - Instant payouts - Free 4G SIM in terminals - Cheap standalone hardware
Cons - 7p fixed fee on every payment - Expensive on Amex, business and overseas cards - Inactivity fee if the account sits unused - Weaker till software
Who each suits
- Cafés, bakeries and stalls with small sales: Square, because there's no fixed fee.
- Salons, trades and shops with bigger sales: myPOS, if most customers pay with UK personal cards.
- Businesses in tourist spots: Square is simpler, though both charge more for overseas cards.
- Anyone who wants proper till software for free: Square.
- Mobile businesses that need money the same day: myPOS.
Can you use both?
Yes. Some businesses keep a Square reader for small counter sales and a myPOS terminal for bigger bills or mobile work. It means two apps and two sets of reports, so it only makes sense if the savings are worth the extra admin.
Verdict
Neither is cheaper for everyone. Square is the safer pick if your sales are small, you value good software or you want one predictable rate. myPOS is cheaper for businesses with larger sales from UK customers, and it's hard to beat on payout speed. Read our full Square review and myPOS review for the details.
FAQs
Is myPOS cheaper than Square?
On UK consumer cards above about £10, yes. On small sales, overseas cards, business cards and Amex, Square is often cheaper.
Does myPOS charge a monthly fee?
There's no standard monthly fee, but myPOS charges £15 a month if your account goes 10 months without use.
How fast do Square and myPOS pay out?
myPOS pays instantly into its own account. Square's free transfers take one to two working days, with instant transfers for a fee.
Can I use myPOS without WiFi?
Yes. myPOS terminals include a free 4G SIM.
Which has better till software?
Square. Its free point of sale app is one of the best for small businesses.
Do I need a contract with either?
No. You buy the hardware and pay per transaction with both.