Choosing Square Point of Sale Hardware for Your Business

Seamus — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 10:07:39 GMT

You’ve heard about the Square Reader and you might have seen the Square Stand at a business near you. Square enables you to accept most chip & PIN and contactless cards as well as contactless payments like Apple and Google Pay.

But how do you decide which Square Point of Sale system is suitable for your business? We’ve put together this overview of Square card readers to help you select Square hardware that meets your needs.

Square Reader

Accept every major debit and credit card and accept contactless payments (Apple Pay Google Pay) with the Square Reader. The Square Reader connects to your device securely and wirelessly via bluetooth. Download the Square app to create your account and start accepting card payments.

How much does it cost? $59

Where can I buy the Square Reader? Visit the Square Shop to order Square Reader. Readers arrive in 2 to 7 working days and delivery is free!

Need a Square Reader ASAP? Purchase a Square Reader from a Retail Store.

Suitable for: Individuals who need to take payments on the go, e.g. farmers markets, fairs, or any business needing a lightweight, pocket-sized Point of Sale.

Note: You must have a Wi-Fi connection or data plan on your smartphone in order to accept card payments with the Point of Sale app and Square Reader. The reader doesn’t include a printer - if you want to issue a receipt, you can send it to your customer via email or text.

Square Stand

Square Stand transforms your iPad into a secure countertop register. Accept all major credit and debit cards as well as contactless payments including Apple and Google Pay. Square Stand also comes with a USB hub so you can connect hardware such as a cash drawer and receipt printer for a full till system.

Use the Square Point of Sale app to accept payments or download Square for Restaurants to manage your restaurant with Square.

How much does the Square Stand cost? $149 (if you have your own iPad) or pay in monthly installments.

Where can I buy a Square Stand? Order a Square Stand from the Square Shop. Your Stand will arrive in 2-7 working days and standard shipping is free. Expedited shipping is available.

Need a Stand ASAP? Square Stand is also available to buy at our retail partners. You can purchase the Stand at Officeworks stores.

Suitable for: Businesses looking for a countertop solution such as retail stores, boutiques or cafés, restaurants, quick-service restaurants, food trucks, barbershops, and hairdressers.

Square Terminal

Square Terminal is a portable all in one Point of Sale: accept all major cards and accept contactless payments including Apple Pay and Google Pay. Build your item library, print receipts, and connect hardware accessories with the hub for Square Terminal. Connect to the internet via Wi-Fi or optional Ethernet (hub for Square Terminal sold separately).

How much does it cost? $329 or pay in monthly instalments. Add the hub for Square Terminal ($69) to connect to the internet via ethernet or to connect USB accessories.

Where can I buy a Square Terminal? Order a Terminal from the Square Shop. Your Terminal will arrive in 2-7 working days and delivery is free! Expedited shipping is available.

Need a Terminal ASAP? Square Terminal is also available to buy at Officeworks.

Suitable for: Cafés, bars, or restaurants to accept payments table-side. Also suitable for any business that needs a combined mobile point of sale and receipt printer e.g. bars, restaurants, art galleries, services or repair businesses like dry cleaners, plumbers, electricians. In addition, you can use Terminal out in the field (e.g. at tradeshows or for on-site services) by connecting to a mobile hotspot.

Note: The Square for Restaurants app isn’t available on Square Terminal at this time but you can take advantage of some Square for Restaurants features when using Square Terminal.

Square Register

With a detachable customer-facing display Square Register is a fully integrated point of sale system.Accept all major credit and debit cards as well as contactless payments including Apple and Google Pay. Connect hardware such as a cash drawer and receipt printer.

How much does it cost? $1099 or pay in monthly instalments.

Where can I get one? Order Square Register from the Square Shop. Your Register will arrive in 2-7 working days and delivery is free! Expedited shipping is available.

Suitable for: Businesses looking for an integrated countertop solution such as retail stores, cafés, restaurants. Square for Retail Free, Plus, and Premium plans are available for Square Register. Square for Restaurants Free is also available, but keep in mind Restaurants Plus and Premium are not supported at this time. Square Appointments is not yet supported.

We hope this quick overview is helpful. Reply below if you have a question or review our hardware FAQs.

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Choosing Square Point of Sale Hardware for Your Business

Square Reader

Square Stand

Square Terminal

Square Register