Dernière mise à jour le 11 janvier 2023 par DMEditor
Rayures vs Carré (My Summary Up Front): Rayures is the best choice for API and technical ecommerce integrations with the most options for payment customization. Carré has much better in-person (offline) payment capabilities and is generally easier to setup online. While both fees are comparable for online purchases (2.9% + $0.30), Square is slightly less expensive for in-person transactions at 2.6% +$0.10 vs 2.7% + $0.10 for Rayure.
Let me guess—you are a business owner, or about to be one, and you found this article because you’re searching online for the best way to process digital payments. You can’t get paid if you can’t process payments, now can you? This Square vs Stripe comparison will help you get paid as efficiently as possibly!
Well, you’ve come to the right place! Full disclosure: I am not in love with all things technology.
I’m a business owner that sees digital payment processors as yet another start-up cost I need to incur on my way to making my millions. I’m also a writer with a business and sales background that loves researching and reviewing best-in-class products.
So, let’s get started:
Stripe vs Square – Main Differences
The main differences between Stripe and Square are:
- Stripe only offers payment services for online business, whereas Square offers for online, physical stores, and mobile transactions
- Stripe offers more third-party integrations than Square
- Square is a better service for mult-channel retailers, while Stripe is best for online native businesses
While there are some decent alternatives, it's incredibly hard to beat Square with it's built-in payment processing, 24/7 support, use cases and industry leading integrations and expertise.
What Are Digital Payment Processors?
Digital Payment Processors (DPP) are just as they sound: digital services that enable you to invoice and collect account payments from customers both in person and online.
This simple diagram from payroll blog Wagepoint shows where payment processors (or payment gateway) fit in the sales cycle:

Who Uses Them?
There is no “typical” payment gateway customer for these kinds of processors; you see freelancers and small business owners use them alongside mid-size businesses and the enterprise sector.
With the prevalence of smartphones and tablet technology, these digital processors have become popular as the convenient, user-friendly, and cost-effective way to process transactions.
Why Are They Popular?
Many people love DPP because they are mobile, and much cheaper than the expensive digital payment processors used by big box stores.
How you use DDP technology depends on your business. Some cash-based businesses may only see charges occasionally, while others process hundreds each day.
An owner must consider the overall cost including projected transaction fees based on transactions, and the anticipated accessories and support they will need before deciding on a system.
Let’s compare two popular digital online payment processors: Carré et Rayure.
Both companies offer digital payment processors among many other SaaS and hardware solutions, but to keep this article interesting and under 20 pages, let’s just compare their digital payment processors.
Before we get started, what’s the platform?
Stripe vs. Square: Platforms
Les deux sites Rayures et Carré are supported on web, iPhone, and Android platforms. Sorry Windows Phone app enthusiasts; it’s time to look elsewhere.
Plates-formes prises en charge |
Rayures |
|
Web based |
X |
X |
Application iPhone |
X |
X |
Application Android |
X |
X |
Application Windows Phone |
Meet Carré

About the Square Account Options
Carré predominately markets to small businesses that want a digital processing solution or payment gateway like their larger counterparts without the big-time fees (monthly fee or transaction fee) they pay.
Known for their simple and straightforward pricing and design in comparison to Intuit GoPayment app, Square’s “Make Commerce Easy” slogan says it all: their mission is to provide simple ways to process online payment methods using smart technology.
How It Works
The free Carré magstripe reader (Square Card Reader) plugs into your smartphone or tablet allowing you to create a mobile point-of-sale all-in-one solution with your Square reader.
Using your smartphone or tablet, you download the free Square app and create your online storefront.
As a Square customer, accepting Square cash, they allow you to sell online on their site, with third-party e-commerce sites, and on your own site (using integrations for Woocommerce, Shopify, etc..). Since your items are embedded on your site, your customers don’t have to leave to complete their transaction.
With all three options, you get next day deposits, can accept all major credit cards at one low rate, and you can integrate reporting and inventory with your offline sales.
How Much Does Square Cost?
Carré charges 2.75% per swipe, dip, or tap; and 3.5% + .15 cents per keyed-in transaction. If you pay online, it’s 2.9% + .30 cents. Online reviews said there are some discounts for larger businesses with Square POS systems (point of sale) that guarantee more transactions, but Square does not list that pricing structure on its site.
It is free to launch your Square Online Store, and there are no monthly fees or hosting charges; you are only charged by transaction fee.
Quoi Does Square Accept?
Square accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, ACH transfers and the American Express credit card for the same low rate.
Les caractéristiques comprennent :
- Same rate for all major credit cards
- Deposits as soon as the next business day
- Pas de frais mensuels
- Instant deposits available
- No commitments or contracts
- Chargeback protection
- Full PCI compliance included
- Payment dispute assistance
- You can swipe chip cards (chip card reader)
Here are other benefits Square includes for free:
Rayures

About Stripe Payment
Rayures is a digital payment processor initially built to create custom online payment solutions for developers.
Based in Ireland, the company operates in over 25 countries and allows both private individuals and large & small businesses to accept payments over the internet.
How Stripe Works
Rayures provides friendly APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, that allow businesses to accept and manage payments using a mobile app.
They do not require customers to open a merchant account or set up a credit card payments gateway. Their credit card processing is based on enabling your app to take in-app payments and in-app purchases from credit cards through a form.
According to online revues, Stripe is known as known for its simplicity and ease of use.
Stripe claims on their website that:
- Their success is measured on how little payments code a developer writes to process a transaction.
- They have the best payment system flow on the web and mobile thanks to their customized “Checkout” that features an embeddable payment form that is optimized for conversions.
- Their unified multi-sided platform supports new tools like Apple Pay and accepts 135+ currencies.
Here is something cool about Stripe: with one line of JavaScript, you can drop a customized form in your Stripe account, and it will work across browsers and devices, support new payment types, and speaks eight languages.
AppCoda, a leading tutorial site for app developers, gives a great tutorial on how Stripe works and uses this infographic to illustrate the flow of information:

- Your app collects payment information like credit card number, the expiration date on the card, CVC, payment amount and email from your payment form and sends the data to the Stripe backend by calling its API.
- If the payment information is verified, Stripe sends you a token. This token signifies the credit card processing payment will clear but does not complete the transaction at that time.
- Now your app will send the token to your private server to complete the transaction. Stripe does not complete the transaction through mobile devices due to security concerns, but instead provides a server code to implement the charging process.
- Your web application sends the merchant e-solutions account token to Stripe to complete the transaction.
- The server side sends a response back to the app about the transaction result.
Phew. It’s a lot to digest for someone new to digital payment processors for the new digital wallet, but it helps you understand the difference between using Square’s magstripe reader (card reader) to perform a transaction and manually entering a sale using Stripe.
How Much?
Stripe's fee is 2.9% + .30 cents per successful charge.
Stripe has pas de setup, monthly, validation, refund, card storage or failed payment platform fees. In other words, no extra account fees other than per transaction.
You’ll never have to decipher a complex statement because you know what you’re charged in advanced based on your transaction history.
But Wait, There’s More!
Its features include integrated mobile payments for iOS and Android, checkout, recurring billing options, and the ability to add promotional codes and discounts.
Accepted Methods of the Payment Platform
Stripe is a global digital payment processing solution, working with over 100 currencies, bank account of all types, as well as Bitcoin and local payment instruments like Alipay. Payment services are also accepted like AmEx Express Checkout, Android Pay, and Apple Pay as a payment option.
Stripe vs. Square: Features
Here’s your cheat sheet for Square vs Stripe features:
Caractéristiques |
Rayures |
|
API |
X |
|
Customizable Reporting |
X |
|
Paiements électroniques |
X |
|
Free Trial Available |
X |
X |
Freemium Account |
X |
X |
Factures |
X |
X |
Total Integrations |
184 |
28 |
Multi-Currency |
X |
|
Partial Payments |
X |
X |
Facturation récurrente |
X |
X |
Rapports sur les ventes |
X |
X |
Subscription Based |
||
Third Party Integration |
X |
X |
Stripe vs PayPal vs Square
While this article wasn’t created specifically to discuss PayPal, it’s worth mentioning here as it’s the 800 pound elephant in the room for digital credit card processing and international payments.
How does PayPal stand our compared to Stripe and Square? PayPal offers better seamless online checkouts and simple digital payments, making it a good fit for pure ecommerce businesses OR freelancers.
Put simply, PayPal is the swiss army knife of payments. They tend to take a bit more fees, but they are a household name and generally can fit most digital use cases.
FAQs about Square vs Stripe
Answer: Stripe and PayPal are really similar and offer similar pricing plans and fees, but it might be easier to work with PayPal it offers easier payment methods and supports large businesses, whereas Stripe is more for developers and people who process ACH payments on their own. Read the full Stripe vs PayPal pos system comparison.
Answer: Square Inc is a very good investment as the company is constantly growing and helping small businesses to become large thanks to all the synchronization tools, marketing strategies and payment solutions they are offering.
Answer: Yes, Stripe is a secure payment method, and PCI Service Provider Level 1, so you can rest assured that no one is going to steal any data or funds you are keeping in your account.
Answer: Stripe is special because it allows you to easily create an account and start receiving or issuing payments very quickly no matter if you are a startup, large company or an individual who wants to use it as a savings account, without tedious documentation process some other companies require.
Further Payment Processing Reading:
- Square vs Shopify Compared
- Square vs ShopKeep Compared
- Stripe vs PayPal Compared
- Revue de ThriveCart
- Comparaison entre Square Payroll et Gusto
- How to Find the Best Ecommerce Platform Tools
Final Thoughts on Square vs Stripe
Square is a good option for new business owners or those that don’t process charge cards very often. It is scalable, reliable since it can accept payments offline, and easy to use.
For those unsure about how many debit card or credit card transactions (credit card payment) to anticipate, and aren’t familiar with new technology, Square is the digital payment processor for them.
Stripe is the winner for more established businesses looking to tap into foreign markets by expanding their e-commerce platforms and e-commerce solutions. It accepts more than 100 currencies, features integrated mobile payments for iOS and Android, and is the best global payment processing option since it accepts over 100 currencies including Alipay, and Bitcoin.
It features and total integrations (such as a WooCommerce Stripe plugin) also win when stacked up against Square that is more simple and straightforward.
Both digital payment processors will get the job done; it just depends on how you use it and how vast your empire grows. Either one will help your business accept a credit card, close the deal, giving your customers a convenient, easy way to pay. Hopefully this Square vs Stripe comparison leaves you ready to move forward and start getting paid!
While there are some decent alternatives, it's incredibly hard to beat Square with it's built-in payment processing, 24/7 support, use cases and industry leading integrations and expertise.
Related Comparison: I also compared Authorize.net to Stripe et Stripe vs Recurly here, in case you were considering Authorize.net or Recurly (recurring payment tool) POS system as well.
Covenant Tea Junior
Jeudi 3 novembre 2022
I think, as a Developer. I'll go with Stripe
Reinhard
Saturday 30th of January 2021
Cool Article - thanx!
The Wei
Saturday 11th of November 2017
Great article, thanks for sharing.
I think you made a mistake in this sentence – and meant to say, "there are no," rather than what you did say: "It is free to launch your Square Online Store, and there are monthly fees or hosting charges..."
Cheers, Kimi
DigitalMerchant
Saturday 30th of December 2017
Thanks Kimi for spotting that error. I've fixed it now!