Provider Comparison
United Payments vs Square: Detailed UK Comparison
A balanced look at terminal costs, transaction fees, EPOS capabilities, and UK support to help you make the right decision.
Overview
Square is a US-founded payments company that entered the UK market in 2017. It is well known for its compact card readers, free POS software, and integrated online selling tools. Square offers a self-service model where merchants purchase hardware, download the app, and manage everything independently.
United Payments takes a different approach as a UK-based merchant services provider. We supply free card terminals, provide dedicated account management, and offer a broader range of business services including cloud EPOS, business finance, and web design. Our model is built around personal support and tailored pricing.
Both providers are legitimate, established options for UK businesses. Square appeals to merchants who value self-service tools and a strong software ecosystem. United Payments appeals to those who want a hands-on provider with phone support and no hardware costs.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | United Payments | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal cost | Free with merchant account | From £19 (Reader) to £149 (Terminal) |
| Transaction rates | Competitive (tailored) | 1.75% in-person |
| Monthly fees | None | Free tier / £60+ for Square POS Plus |
| Settlement | Next business day | 1–2 business days |
| Customer support | 24/7 UK phone support | Email and callback |
| EPOS system | Full cloud EPOS included | Square POS (good, but subscription for advanced) |
| Online payments | Available | Square Online |
| Business finance | Business loans available | Square Loans (limited UK availability) |
| Contract | No lock-in | No contract |
| Accepted cards | All major cards and wallets | All major cards and wallets |
When Square is the better choice
Square is a strong option if your business is online-first or if you are already embedded in the Square ecosystem. Square Online lets you build a simple e-commerce site, take online orders, and manage everything from a single dashboard alongside in-person sales.
If you want free POS software to get started with minimal commitment, Square's free tier gives you a functional point-of-sale app with basic inventory, receipts, and reporting at no monthly cost. This is useful for testing a concept or running a low-volume side business.
Square also appeals to tech-savvy merchants who prefer a self-service platform and are comfortable managing their own setup without phone support.
When United Payments is the better choice
United Payments is the stronger option for brick-and-mortar businesses that need reliable hardware without upfront costs. Our terminals are provided free, which eliminates the \u00a319\u2013\u00a3149 hardware spend that Square requires.
If 24/7 phone support matters to your business \u2014 particularly in hospitality where downtime costs real money \u2014 United Payments provides UK-based engineers available around the clock. Square's UK support is limited to email and scheduled callbacks.
For businesses that need a full EPOS system, business finance, or a dedicated account manager, United Payments offers these as part of the merchant account. Square charges monthly subscriptions for its advanced POS features, and its lending products have limited availability in the UK.
The verdict
Square is a well-built platform that works particularly well for online-first businesses, multi-channel sellers, and merchants who prefer a self-service approach. Its free POS tier and e-commerce tools give it a genuine edge in certain use cases.
United Payments is the better fit for UK businesses that operate primarily in-person, want free hardware, need phone support they can actually reach, and value a provider that offers tailored rates rather than a flat fee. The combination of free terminals, next-day settlement, cloud EPOS, and business finance makes it a more comprehensive package for established businesses.
If you are comparing the two, the deciding factors are usually hardware costs, support access, and whether you need advanced EPOS features included or are willing to pay a monthly subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Square has operated in the UK since 2017, offering card readers, a POS app, and online payment tools. However, some features available in the US — such as Square Checking and certain lending products — are not yet available to UK merchants.
Square charges a flat 1.75% per in-person transaction. United Payments offers tailored rates based on your business type and volume, which typically results in lower costs for merchants processing more than a few hundred pounds per month. United Payments also provides terminals free of charge, while Square readers start at £19.
You can use the Square POS app on your own iPad or phone to manage sales and inventory, but you will need a Square Reader or Terminal to accept card payments. United Payments provides free terminals that include integrated POS functionality out of the box.
Yes. United Payments supports online payment solutions for e-commerce businesses. While Square Online is a well-known product, United Payments can set up online card acceptance alongside in-store terminals for a unified merchant account.
For a brick-and-mortar retail shop, United Payments offers a stronger package: free terminals, next-day settlement, 24/7 UK phone support, and a full cloud EPOS with stock control. Square POS is capable but charges for advanced features, and its support is limited to email and callbacks in the UK.
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