Square vs NowPayments Fees: Rate Card, Features and Merchant Eligibility
Square and NowPayments serve different payment mixes — direct comparison depends on your business model.
POS-first, online included. No chargeback fee.
Crypto-only gateway. No card acceptance.
Square vs NowPayments fee rate card by payment type
Published list rates per supported rail.
| Rail | Square | NowPayments |
|---|---|---|
| Card payments | 2.90% + $0.30 | Not supported |
| Crypto payments | Not supported | 1.00% + $0.00 |
| Chargeback fee | None | 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 | Square | NowPayments |
|---|---|---|
| All cards | $3,300.00 | Doesn't serve this mix |
| 80% cards / 20% crypto | $2,640.00 (covers 80%) | $200.00 (covers 20%) |
| 50% cards / 50% crypto | $1,650.00 (covers 50%) | $500.00 (covers 50%) |
| All crypto | Doesn't serve this mix | $1,000.00 |
Want different numbers? Run the full calculator →
Square vs NowPayments: feature and eligibility comparison
| Feature | Square | NowPayments |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Square cheaper than NowPayments for merchants?
Square and NowPayments serve different payment mixes — direct comparison depends on your business model.
Do Square and NowPayments both accept card payments?
Square accepts card payments. NowPayments does not accept card payments. If your business runs primarily on cards, this is the first filter.
Are Square and NowPayments available to high-risk merchants such as iGaming or adult businesses?
Square is not high-risk friendly — it won't onboard merchants in regulated or sensitive categories. NowPayments is high-risk friendly. Run the eligibility quiz on the calculator page for a tailored answer.
How do Square and NowPayments payout speeds compare for merchants?
Square typically pays out at T+1 (same-day available). NowPayments typically pays out at T+1. Faster payouts reduce your working-capital cost — quantify it with the Payout Timing tool.