Square POS: Free to Start, No Contracts
A solid pick for Dallas retailers, cafes, salons, and service businesses that want a simple system without getting locked into long contracts. Free plan available.
✓ Free POS software to start
✓ No monthly fees on the basic plan
✓ Simple flat-rate processing
✓ Hardware starting at $0
Why Dallas Businesses Choose Square
Whether you run a shop in Deep Ellum or a food truck in Fort Worth, Square handles the basics without the headaches.
Up and Running Fast
Grab a reader, download the app, start taking cards. You can be live in under an hour without waiting for approval calls or equipment shipments.
Cancel Whenever
Month-to-month on all plans. Scale up when busy season hits, scale back when things slow down. No penalties, no termination fees.
Predictable Costs
Same rate every transaction. No tiered pricing, no monthly minimums, no statement fees buried in the fine print.
Built for Your Industry
Specialized modes for restaurants, retail shops, salons, and service providers. Pick your business type and get features that actually matter for how you operate.
Sell Anywhere
Take payments at the counter, on the floor, at a farmers market, or through your website. Everything syncs back to one dashboard.
Add-Ons When Ready
Payroll, loyalty rewards, email marketing, appointment scheduling. Turn them on when you need them, keep costs low until you do.
What Square Costs
The free tier covers most small businesses. Upgrade if you need more advanced tools.
Free
$0/mo
Pay only when you sell
Core POS features, basic inventory, sales reporting, and an online store. Great for getting started.
Plus
$49/mo
Per location
Advanced POS modes for your industry, enhanced reporting, team tools, and lower processing rates.
Premium
Custom
High-volume businesses
Dedicated support, custom processing rates, and enterprise features for growing operations.
Hardware
Square Reader
$0 – $49
Square Terminal
$299 or $27/mo
Square Register
$799 or $39/mo
We’re an authorized Square partner. Questions? We can help you pick the right plan.
Square Works For
Retail
Restaurants
Coffee Shops
Bars
Food Trucks
Salons & Spas
Services
Pop-Ups
Is Square the Right Fit?
Square handles a lot of use cases well, but it’s not the answer for every business. Here’s our take.
Good Fit
✓ Retail stores of any size
✓ Restaurants, bars, and cafes
✓ Food trucks and pop-ups
✓ Service businesses (salons, appointments)
✓ Anyone wanting no contracts or commitments
Maybe Not
✗ Want to eliminate processing fees entirely
✗ Need free hardware upfront
✗ Want on-site installation and training
Need free hardware and on-site installation? SkyTab includes both, plus the option to eliminate processing fees entirely.
Square POS FAQ
Is Square POS actually free?
Yes. Square’s free plan includes the core POS software, basic inventory management, sales reporting, and a free online store. You only pay processing fees when you make a sale. There are no monthly software fees on the free tier.
Do I need to buy Square hardware?
No. You can use the free Square POS app on your own iPhone, iPad, or Android device. However, you’ll need a Square Reader ($0-$49) to accept chip and contactless payments. Square Terminal and Square Register are optional upgrades for businesses wanting dedicated hardware.
Does Square require a contract?
No. All Square plans are month-to-month with no long-term contracts. You can cancel anytime without early termination fees or penalties. This applies to both the free plan and paid Plus/Premium plans.
Does Square work for restaurants?
Yes. Square for Restaurants includes table management, coursing, menu management, and kitchen display system integration. It works for quick-service, fast-casual, full-service restaurants, bars, and cafes. The restaurant-specific features are available on the Plus plan ($60/mo).
Can I use my own payment processor with Square?
No. Square POS requires Square payment processing. You cannot use a third-party processor. Square uses flat-rate pricing, which makes costs predictable but may be higher than interchange-plus pricing for high-volume businesses.
Not Sure Yet?
No problem. Tell us a bit about your business and we’ll give you an honest recommendation on what might work best.