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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Square vs Square Point of Sale (POS)

Square 4.7★ · Free to download 60
Winner Square Point of Sale (POS)
Square Point of Sale (POS) 4.8★ · Free to download 75

Square Point of Sale (POS) is the better choice for businesses needing reliable payment processing and a comprehensive POS system, despite some recent update frustrations, while Square (Retail) struggles with consistent software performance and customer support.

Full reviews: Square · Square Point of Sale (POS)

Square Point of Sale (POS) is highly praised for its ease of use and reliable payment processing, though recent updates have introduced some bugs and customer service issues. Square (Retail), while offering robust inventory and business management features, is frequently criticized for software glitches, poor customer support, and frustrating updates.

Head to head

Features & Functionality edge: Square Point of Sale (POS)R1R2R3R4
Square Square (Retail) offers extensive features for inventory, product stock, pricing, and overall business organization, with users appreciating its comprehensive nature for small businesses R2. However, many users report that features are constantly moved or removed, and updates frequently cause existing functionalities like label printing, purchase orders, barcode scanners, and employee clock-in to stop working or become glitchy R1R3R4R6.
Square Point of Sale (POS) Square Point of Sale (POS) is lauded for its ease of use in processing payments, including Apple Pay and card payments, and its ability to customize products for easy access R2R80. Users appreciate the hassle-free processing and loan opportunities . However, some recent updates have made the checkout screen confusing, changed tip options, and introduced issues with accessing reports, balance screens, or specific features like tap-to-pay on certain devices . There are also complaints about the inability to manage multiple business accounts within the app .
Ease of Use edge: Square Point of Sale (POS)R8R10R12R15
Square Many users find Square (Retail) easy to use and navigate, especially for beginners R8R15. However, a significant number of reviews describe the app as confusing, difficult to find things, and not user-friendly, particularly after updates R10. Some users also report compatibility issues with Mac devices R12.
Square Point of Sale (POS) Square Point of Sale (POS) is widely praised for being easy to use, beginner-friendly, and simple to set up . However, some users find recent updates have made the app harder to use and confusing . There are also reports of the app deleting invoice details if switching apps on an iPhone .
Reliability & Performance tieR3R5R6R9
Square Square (Retail) is frequently criticized for being glitchy, crashing, lagging, or having connection issues, especially with hardware like stands and barcode scanners R3R6R9. Updates are a major source of instability, often breaking existing functionality R3R10R21. Some users have experienced no failures over years of use R5.
Square Point of Sale (POS) Square Point of Sale (POS) generally performs well for immediate POS functions and tap payments . However, many users report issues with funds being held for review, especially for larger or frequent transactions, causing significant delays in accessing money R64R73R100. The free version is noted as glitchy outside of the immediate POS function . There are also reports of transactions saying 'processed' but actually failing .
Price & Value tieR2R10R14R17
Square Users generally find Square (Retail)'s fees somewhat reasonable and the service worth the cost for the features provided R2R14R17. However, some express concern about fees increasing R14 and feel that the company focuses on taking more money rather than addressing merchant issues R10.
Square Point of Sale (POS) Square Point of Sale (POS) is seen as good value for the service it provides, with users appreciating that fees are taken out immediately . However, some users complain about high fees, such as 2.6% + 10% on tap payments, calling it 'highway robbery' . There are also reports of the app charging $49 per location for non-brick and mortar businesses .
Customer Support tieR4R7R15R19
Square Square (Retail) receives overwhelming criticism for its customer service, with users describing it as 'horrible,' 'nonexistent,' 'abysmal,' and doing 'zero' to help R4R7R15R19. Many report being unable to get in touch with support, receiving canned or incorrect replies, or having issues go unresolved for extended periods R4R15R22.
Square Point of Sale (POS) Square Point of Sale (POS) also faces significant criticism for its customer support. Users report being unable to contact support, receiving no help with account issues, or experiencing long wait times . Some users mention that support will refund customers without merchant authorization, even with evidence against the claim .
Pick Square if

Pick Square (Retail) if you need a comprehensive retail management system with strong inventory and business organization features, and you are willing to tolerate frequent software glitches and potentially poor customer support R2.

Pick Square Point of Sale (POS) if

Pick Square Point of Sale (POS) if you prioritize easy-to-use and reliable payment processing for your small business, and you appreciate features like customizable products and quick fund access, while being aware of potential issues with account reviews and recent update bugs .

Evidence note: Both apps are free to download, so the free-vs-paid asymmetry is less pronounced. However, many negative reviews for both apps stem from issues with Square's overall service, including payment holds and customer support, which are common across its ecosystem rather than specific to one app's free tier.

Frequently asked

Do Square apps have good customer support?
No, both Square (Retail) and Square Point of Sale (POS) receive overwhelming criticism for their customer support, with users frequently describing it as 'horrible,' 'nonexistent,' and unhelpful in resolving issues R4R7R19R22.
Are Square apps reliable for processing payments?
Square Point of Sale (POS) is generally considered reliable for processing payments, with users praising its ease and speed R80. However, both apps have reports of funds being held for review, transactions failing, or accounts being deactivated, causing significant delays and frustration R64R73R100.
Do Square apps have issues with updates?
Yes, both Square (Retail) and Square Point of Sale (POS) users frequently report that updates cause problems, breaking existing features, introducing glitches, or making the interface confusing and harder to use R3R6R10R21.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] Square 1/5 · US Features: They constantly move or remove necessary features
  2. [R2] Square 5/5 · US THE BEST APP EVER!: This app is so amazing for my small business! It keeps track of all my inventory, product stock, and prices! It makes it so easy for check out, you can do Apple Pay, or card payments on your phone! It only takes a small fee from your card payment but is SO worth it! 100% worth it!!!!
  3. [R3] Square 3/5 · US Updates ALWAYS Cause Problems: Software is ok for operating small business, but EVERY time they release an update, something starts not working properly like it was before the update. The app will miscommunicate with my printer, or the purchase order process will stop saving the way it used too. Tired of having to fix it every time.
  4. [R4] Square 1/5 · US Label printing not working / zero cust service: Our label printing does not work and customer service does zero about this after several calls and emails
  5. [R8] Square 5/5 · US Easy to use: It’s an easy to use system. Cards go through easily and payments to my account are quickly posted. I’m very happy with this service
  6. [R10] Square 1/5 · US Horrendous: DO NOT USE SQUARE!!! They have zero focus on merchants issues with using their software, apps, and products. They 100% focus on how to TAKE more of your money. The new update in December, THE BUSIEST time of year, switched my retail wine shop into their restaurant mode. Every sale was an order waiting to be settled with NO option to settle. I had to wait 36 hours for “orders” to settl
  7. [R12] Square 3/5 · US No es compatible con mi MAC 💻🍎: No es compatible por eso le doy 3 estrella , ahora tengo que buscar otra computadora y no se cual comprar ya que soy fiel seguidora de Apple. It' s not compatible that's why I give it 3 stars, now I have to look for another computer and I don't know which one to buy since I'm a loyal Apple follower.
  8. [R15] Square 3/5 · US Wish i could give more stars: I want to start off by saying really like the ease square gives me. It is much better to navigate then other online stores i have tried. However, even though i am still paying for a subscription i cannot make any transactions on my website through them even though all the emails they have sent say i should. Can't seem to get in touch with their customer service, and t
  9. [R5] Square 5/5 · US This app is everything.: I have been in business for two years never had a failure. Never had a problem. This app is everything and it just keeps getting better and better.
  10. [R6] Square 3/5 · US Quite possibly the worst app: Always glitches. Have to constantly update and hope there’s a newer version coming soon because everytime you open the app it lags or won’t connect at all. For some reason, when you pick shipping as a fulfillment option, it automatically grays out the invoice payment option which is super convenient (sarcasm - I need to be able to send invoices for shipped orders all
  11. [R9] Square 3/5 · US App crashes: App continues to freeze when attempting to load new images.
  12. [R14] Square 5/5 · US Business saver: Amazing app a must have for businesses! Fees are somewhat reasonable but if they go any higher I will go elsewhere. So as long as it remains the same or better I’m Fully support,
  13. [R17] Square 5/5 · US Exceptional Collection: Prices are amazing. Services is top notch!
  14. [R7] Square 1/5 · US Horrible support: Horrible customer support
  15. [R19] Square 1/5 · US Not the best choice for point of sale: I generally dislike Square and its approach to never fixing issues that persist in the software, sometimes for years after it’s brought to their attention. The technical support is virtually nonexistent.
  16. [R22] Square 1/5 · US Nonexistent customer service: Skim my transactions, block vendor/supplier payments because they are sure why and can’t fix it. Damage my business credit. Damage supplier relationship. Destroy sections of customer base through unfulfilled orders they blocked for no reason. They don’t know why they don’t care they can’t fix it and they won’t even try. Paid for 18 months for a website that didn’t wor
  17. [R64] Square Point of Sale (POS) 1/5 · US Dont waste time: Everything about the app and the payment process is fine i use it alot for my business but the big, main and only concern with this app and why i would not recommend it is because they play with your money! Every transaction I’ve had since opening the account gets flagged by there system and then i cant access the money earned from my sale until 2-3 business days later which is di
  18. [R73] Square Point of Sale (POS) 2/5 · US Handyman/Contractor: I have been using this app for a few months now. Every time I do a point of sell, they “randomly” flag my account for review. If it’s on a Saturday, it won’t clear until Monday. I recently processed a payment for $2500 during business hours and it cleared. I finished the job at 8pm and the same client sent me $400 and it was flagged for review which I’m told takes 24 to 48 hou
  19. [R80] Square Point of Sale (POS) 5/5 · US I really like this form of payment: I’m enjoy every time my customers make payment because is security and fast 🙏👍👏
  20. [R100] Square Point of Sale (POS) 1/5 · US Money holding company: I downloaded this app & starting using for my business when I started taking money from my clients almost $10,000 after months I got email they can’t approve my account for some reason and I asked them how I’m gonna get my clients money into my bank account they told me to verify the all bank details which I did it then I received email after 3 months your money will automat
  21. [R21] Square 3/5 · US Latest Checkout Screen Update is Awful!: I have two square stands, one is older and running an older version of the app. The second is newer and updated IOS and the app accordingly. The redesign of the checkout screen is miserable in multiple ways. 1)When selecting an item from the item grid that has multiple options it doesn’t revert back automatically to the main grid screen. 2) When scannin

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store