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Paddle vs Square
Paddle and Square are both card processing platforms. On a $1,000 payment you keep about $949.50 on Paddle and $973.85 on Square, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
Updated · from each platform’s published fees and payout terms · how we verify
Key differences
- On a $1,000 payment you keep about $949.50 on Paddle and $973.85 on Square, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
- Square has the lower minimum payout ($25 vs $100).
- Both pay out via Bank transfer. Only Paddle offers PayPal.
- Paddle screens providers before they can join, while Square is open to anyone.
- Square is the older platform — founded in 2009, 3 years before Paddle (2012).
- Paddle is based in United Kingdom, Square in United States.
Which should you choose?
Choose Paddle if…
- You want to withdraw via PayPal.
- You are an experienced professional ready to pass a screening.
Choose Square if…
- Keeping more of each payment matters most — its fee is lower.
- You want to cash out small amounts.
- You are just starting out and want to sign up without a screening.
Side by side
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Paddle
A merchant of record for selling software and SaaS - Paddle handles global payments, sales tax, and invoicing…
Visit
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Square
Take card payments in person or online - free card reader, invoices, and an online store, popular with local s…
Visit
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|---|---|---|
| Type | Card processing like Stripe | Card processing like Stripe |
| Category | Payments | Payments |
| Vetted | Yes | No |
| Work from home | Yes | No |
| Fees | 5% plus 50 cents per transaction | 2.6% plus 15 cents per in-person charge (US Free plan) |
| Minimum payout | $100 (or 100 GBP or EUR), adjustable up to $100,000 | $25 for instant transfers, $1 for same-day, no stated minimum for standard next-business-day transfers |
| Payout speed | Monthly, sent by the 15th for the balance at the 1st, up to 3 working days to arrive | Free next-business-day transfers |
| Withdraw via | Bank transfer, PayPal | Bank transfer |
| Availability | Worldwide | US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, and more |
| Founded | 2012 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Oakland, United States |
| Popularity | 59 views · 0 likes | 41 views · 0 likes |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Paddle or Square?
On a $1,000 payment you keep about $949.50 on Paddle and $973.85 on Square, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
How fast do Paddle and Square pay out?
Paddle: Monthly, sent by the 15th for the balance at the 1st, up to 3 working days to arrive. Square: Free next-business-day transfers.
Where are Paddle and Square available?
Paddle: Worldwide. Square: US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, and more.
Which is easier to join, Paddle or Square?
Square — anyone can sign up, while Paddle screens providers before accepting them.