Two questions come up in almost every meeting: which Square device to choose, and whether Square really costs less than a rented terminal. Here are both answers in tables, with Square's official Canadian prices as of November 6, 2026.
Square devices, side by side
| Device | Price | Standalone | Prints receipts | Connectivity | Battery | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square Reader | $69 | No — with phone or tablet | No | Bluetooth | Long-lasting | Self-employed and in-home services |
| Square Terminal | $399 or 12 × $34 | Yes | Yes, built in | Wi‑Fi, Ethernet (dock) | All day | Replacing a terminal rented at $30–$60 a month |
| Square Handheld | $449 or 12 × $38 | Yes | No (compatible printer) | Wi‑Fi | All day | Table service and patios |
| Square Stand | $249 or 12 × $21 | No — with iPad | No (kit available) | Through iPad | Mains | Shops and cafés that already own an iPad |
| Square Kiosk | $249 or 12 × $21 | No — with iPad and main POS | No | Through iPad | Mains | Quick service and high-volume counters |
| Square Register | $999 or 12 × $84 | Yes | No (kit available) | Ethernet, Wi‑Fi | Mains | Busy counters and established shops |
All prices in Canadian dollars, taxes extra. 0% APR financing in 3, 6 or 12 instalments for orders from $49 to $5,000, first payment at checkout, on credit approval (Square Technologies, Inc.). One-year limited warranty (two years on the Register). Free returns for 30 days.
Square vs a rented terminal: two models, not two prices
In Canada most providers (Moneris, Global Payments, Chase, the banks and Clover distributors) run a terminal-rental model with a contract and a fee grid by card category. Square runs a purchase model with no contract and a single rate. The table compares the models; traditional providers' numbers depend on each contract and must be read on your statement.
| Square (with Rive) | Traditional provider (common model) | |
|---|---|---|
| Processing fees | 2.5% in-person credit; 0.75% + $0.07 Interac; 2.8% + $0.30 online. Same rate for every card. | Interchange-plus or tiered ('qualified / non-qualified'); the effective rate depends on your card mix. Calculate: total fees ÷ volume. |
| Hardware | Purchase: Reader $69, Terminal $399, Register $999. Yours once paid (0% financing available). | Monthly rental (often $30 to $60 per terminal), sometimes a buyout at the end of the lease. |
| Contract | No minimum term, no termination fee. | Often 24 to 60 months, automatic renewal, written notice, early termination fees. |
| Fixed fees | $0 (free account). Optional plans from $35/mo. | Statement fees, PCI compliance fees, monthly minimum, sometimes 'program' fees. |
| POS software | Included (Square Point of Sale), reports, invoices, basic online store. | Terminal only; the register is often separate (subscription) or a paid integration. |
| Deposits | Next business day, free. Instant transfer 1.5% optional. | Usually 1 to 2 business days; sometimes deposit fees. |
| Best choice for | Low to medium volume, small tickets, businesses that want zero commitment and software included. | Very high volume with a large average ticket, where well-negotiated interchange-plus can beat 2.5% — check with real numbers (Square may offer custom fees above $250,000 a year in credit card sales). |
Square figures verified November 6, 2026 at squareup.com/ca/en. Traditional-provider characteristics describe the most common model seen on the contracts our clients show us; every contract differs. Rive is an official Square reseller.
Our take
For most local businesses, the gap comes from fixed fees: rental, statements, PCI compliance. Put your own numbers into our calculator, or send us your statement: we compare it line by line, with no commitment.