Square Retail vs Epos Now
Choose Square Retail if you want a retail POS with a $0 monthly starting plan; choose Epos Now if you want a priced countertop bundle with a terminal, printer, card machine, and onboarding. Both support inventory management and online sales, but their published starting costs and hardware packages differ.
Last updated October 27, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Square Retail | Epos Now |
|---|---|---|
| Published starting price | $0/month for Square Free; processing fees apply | $399 upfront plus $84/month; terms apply |
| Hardware package | Square hardware and compatible accessories available separately | Countertop terminal, receipt printer, and Air card machine |
| In-person card rate | 2.6% + 15¢ on Square Free | 2.6% + 10¢ with Epos Now Payments |
| Payment providers | Square payment processing | Epos Now Payments and supported third-party providers |
| POS platforms | Square POS app on compatible iOS and Android devices | Countertop POS and iOS or Android tablet options |
| Contract terms | No locked-in contracts; cancel or switch plans | 12-month payment and support term available |
| Onboarding | Self-service setup; onboarding support available for eligible custom pricing | Personalized onboarding and product training |
| Support | Phone support varies by plan; 24/7 on Premium | Business-hours phone and live chat; 24/7 premium option |
| Inventory tools | Basic tools on Free; purchase orders and barcode labels on Plus | Stock management, purchase orders, and barcode labels |
| Online selling | Online store with synchronized in-store sales and inventory | Online store options with synchronized products and prices |
| Integrations | Square App Marketplace | Epos Now AppStore with over 100 apps and integrations |
| Multiple locations | Plus and Premium priced per location | Multi-location stock tracking; additional locations available |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Square Retail if
- Retailers starting with a $0 monthly plan
- Stores using compatible iOS or Android devices
- Teams wanting to add advanced inventory through Square Plus
Choose Epos Now if
- Retailers wanting a countertop hardware bundle
- Stores that value included onboarding and training
- Businesses considering third-party payment providers
The verdict
The deciding factor is how you want to start selling. Square Retail suits a store that wants to begin without a monthly software fee and add retail features through paid plans. Epos Now suits a store that wants its checkout hardware and onboarding packaged together. Compare the full cost of your preferred hardware, subscription, and payment processing before choosing.
Square Retail vs Epos Now: common questions
- Is Square Retail or Epos Now cheaper to start?
- Square Retail offers Square Free at $0 per month, with payment processing fees. Epos Now advertises a retail POS system at $399 upfront plus $84 per month, subject to terms. The total depends on hardware, processing, and any added services.
- Does either POS include checkout hardware?
- Epos Now advertises a countertop package with a POS terminal, receipt printer, and Air card machine. Square Retail offers separate Square hardware options and can also run on compatible devices.
- Can both systems manage retail inventory?
- Yes. Square Retail includes standard inventory tools on Square Free and adds tools such as purchase orders and barcode label printing on Square Plus. Epos Now advertises stock management, purchase orders, and barcode management.
- Can I use my own payment provider?
- Epos Now publishes options for supported third-party payment providers alongside Epos Now Payments. Square Retail publishes Square's own payment processing rates.
- Can both connect in-store and online sales?
- Yes. Square Retail connects in-store sales with an online store and inventory. Epos Now offers online selling options that synchronize store products and prices.
- Which works on iOS or Android?
- Square Retail features are available through the Square Point of Sale app on compatible iOS and Android devices. Epos Now offers countertop systems and tablet POS options for iOS and Android.
- What support do Square Retail and Epos Now offer?
- Square lists phone support hours by plan, with 24/7 phone support on Premium. Epos Now lists business-hours phone and live chat support and a premium 24/7 support option.
- Do the advertised prices include payment processing?
- No. Square's published monthly plan prices are listed separately from transaction fees. Epos Now's advertised retail system price is separate from its published Epos Now Payments card transaction rate.