Square Terminal review
Square Terminal is the strongest all-in-one no-contract terminal for UK retail and hospitality looking for software-rich POS without a monthly fee. Tighter integration with Square's wider stack (online store, invoices, payroll) than competitors.
At a glance
- Overall rating
- 4.1 / 5
- Manufacturer
- Square
- Acquirer
- Square
- Form factor
- All-in-one countertop terminal with receipt printer
- Contract
- No contract
How Square Terminal works
Square Terminal is a all-in-one countertop terminal with receipt printer acquired through Square. Connectivity covers WiFi, 4G (mid-tier hardware), Bluetooth, which determines whether the device runs standalone or pairs with a phone, tablet or POS till.
Cards are read at the device, the transaction is authorised through the acquirer's payment gateway, and funds settle to the merchant's nominated UK bank account on the acquirer's settlement schedule. Pricing is 1.75% per transaction (UK), with a contract length of no contract.
The merchant of record is Square. That means card-scheme compliance, PCI handling, dispute and chargeback flows all sit with the acquirer rather than with the merchant. The hardware is the user-facing surface; the underlying processing relationship is with the acquirer.
Pricing breakdown
| Cost component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Setup / hardware cost | £149 to £199 |
| Transaction rate | 1.75% per transaction (UK) |
| Monthly fee | No standing monthly fee |
| Contract length | No contract |
| Exit fee | None (no fixed contract) |
Verify pricing directly with Square before signing. UK card-acceptance pricing varies by sector, ticket size and processing volume.
Hardware and software
- Form factor: All-in-one countertop terminal with receipt printer.
- Connectivity: WiFi, 4G (mid-tier hardware), Bluetooth.
- Card schemes: Visa, Mastercard, American Express (acquirer-dependent), Maestro.
- Contactless: contactless cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay accepted up to UK contactless limits.
- Software: managed by Square; firmware and security updates are pushed by the acquirer.
- Receipt handling: built-in receipt printer.
- POS app integrations: see acquirer's published list (varies by acquirer and country).
Tap to Pay support
Status: Yes (contactless / NFC)
Hardware accepts contactless cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), Apple Pay and Google Pay up to UK contactless limits.
Settlement and funds
Next business day to your nominated UK bank account as standard. Same-day instant transfer available for an additional fee.
Pros and cons
Pros
- + Strong POS app and reporting.
- + No contract, no monthly fee for hardware.
- + Tight integration with Square ecosystem.
- + Receipt printer built in.
Cons
- − 1.75% UK rate is high vs Dojo blended.
- − Hardware lifecycle slower than competitors.
- − Settlement is next-day standard.
Best for and avoid if
Best for
- · Independent retail
- · Cafés and small hospitality
- · Square ecosystem users
Avoid if
- · £20k+ monthly volume
- · High-volume hospitality (Dojo wins there)
FAQs
Does Square Terminal require a contract?
No. Square Terminal is offered with no fixed contract. You pay per transaction at 1.75% per transaction (UK) and can stop using the service at any time.
What does Square Terminal cost in year 1?
Upfront hardware: £149 to £199. Transaction rate: 1.75% per transaction (UK). Contract: No contract. First-year cost depends on your card volume; AcceptCard's quote tool will model the effective cost against alternatives.
Can I integrate Square Terminal with common UK POS systems?
Integration depends on the underlying acquirer and the POS. Square publishes a list of supported integrations. Common UK POS systems with public integrations include Lightspeed, Epos Now, Square POS (own ecosystem) and Goodtill. Confirm directly before purchasing hardware.
How fast does Square Terminal settle funds?
Next business day to your nominated UK bank account as standard. Same-day instant transfer available for an additional fee.
Can I cancel Square Terminal early?
Yes. As Square Terminal runs without a fixed contract, you can stop processing at any time. The hardware is yours; check the acquirer's account-closure policy.
Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 2026-04-26.