PayPal vs Square Fees: Rate Card, Features and Merchant Eligibility
Square comes out cheaper in most scenarios where both can serve 100% of the payment mix.
Consumer trust on checkout. Highest list rate in this set.
POS-first, online included. No chargeback fee.
PayPal vs Square fee rate card by payment type
Published list rates per supported rail.
| Rail | PayPal | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Card payments | 3.49% + $0.49 | 2.90% + $0.30 |
| Crypto payments | Not supported | Not supported |
| Chargeback fee | $20.00 | None |
| Payout delay | T+1 | T+1 |
Monthly payment processing cost at $100,000 volume
What each provider would charge on $100,000/month, $75 average ticket, with fiat settlement enabled.
| Payment mix | PayPal | Square |
|---|---|---|
| All cards | $4,143.33 | $3,300.00 |
| 80% cards / 20% crypto | $3,314.67 (covers 80%) | $2,640.00 (covers 80%) |
| 50% cards / 50% crypto | $2,071.67 (covers 50%) | $1,650.00 (covers 50%) |
| All crypto | Doesn't serve this mix | Doesn't serve this mix |
Want different numbers? Run the full calculator →
PayPal vs Square: feature and eligibility comparison
| Feature | PayPal | Square |
|---|---|---|
| High-risk friendly | — | — |
| Accepts cards | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accepts crypto | — | — |
| Same-day payouts | ✓ | ✓ |
| No chargeback fees | — | ✓ |
| Global tax & compliance handled | — | — |
| No monthly minimum | ✓ | ✓ |
Not sure which gateway is right for you?
We're independent payments specialists. Send us your numbers and we'll help you choose the best gateway for your business — free, no commitment.
Talk to a specialist →Frequently asked questions
Is PayPal cheaper than Square for merchants?
Square comes out cheaper in most scenarios where both can serve 100% of the payment mix.
Do PayPal and Square both accept card payments?
PayPal accepts card payments. Square accepts card payments. If your business runs primarily on cards, this is the first filter.
Are PayPal and Square available to high-risk merchants such as iGaming or adult businesses?
PayPal is not high-risk friendly — it won't onboard merchants in regulated or sensitive categories. Square is not high-risk friendly. Run the eligibility quiz on the calculator page for a tailored answer.
How do PayPal and Square payout speeds compare for merchants?
PayPal typically pays out at T+1 (same-day available). Square typically pays out at T+1 (same-day available). Faster payouts reduce your working-capital cost — quantify it with the Payout Timing tool.