The best alternatives to Square
Square’s flat-rate pricing and lock-in to its own processor push many EU businesses to look for alternatives with clearer interchange-plus rates and freedom to switch payment providers. Others need stronger POS customization or simply want their transaction data processed and stored in Europe under GDPR.
European alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Why do businesses switch from Square?
The main triggers are cost and control. Square’s flat-rate model can become expensive at scale, and its closed ecosystem locks users into its processor. Others need more advanced POS features or EU-based data processing to meet GDPR requirements.
Are there European Square alternatives with EU server location?
Yes. Epos Now, Tillpoint and SumUp all process and store transaction data in Europe, which helps meet GDPR obligations for EU-based merchants. This avoids exposure to non-EU jurisdiction like the US Cloud Act.
How hard is it to migrate away from Square?
Migrating POS data and payment history can be complex due to Square’s closed system. Alternatives like Epos Now offer onboarding support to help transfer product catalogs and customer data, but expect some manual work for historical transaction records.
Do European Square alternatives offer interchange-plus pricing?
Some do. While Epos Now and Tillpoint focus on bundled pricing, Adyen and Mollie offer interchange-plus models that provide more cost transparency for high-volume businesses. This can be cheaper than Square’s flat rates at scale.
Which European Square alternative is best for restaurants?
For restaurants, Epos Now is a strong fit with table management, kitchen display systems and floor plan tools built in. Zonal also specializes in hospitality and integrates with many European payment providers.
Can I use Square hardware with a European alternative?
Generally no. Square’s card readers and terminals are locked to its ecosystem. Most European alternatives like Epos Now or SumUp require their own hardware, though some support third-party Android or iOS tablets.