Credit Card Processing Solutions
Top Companies in 2024
Square vs Stax
Press [Add to Compare] to Edit, Add or Remove Vendors
- Many hardware options
- Free introductory option
- Transparent pricing
- Free proprietary mobile app
- One-stop shop for payments, payroll, and marketing solutions
- Free 30-day trial for Plus plans
- Extensive third-party software integrations
- Large variety of payment methods
- Allows surcharging
- Month-to-month payments
- Excellent 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and tickets
- Comprehensive third-party integrations
- Specialized solutions for SaaS and large companies
- Doesn't support high-risk businesses
- Reports of frozen funds
- May not suit high transaction volumes
- Higher fixed monthly costs
- Reports of frozen funds
- Prices not listed for larger companies
- Many options come at an added price
Square is a leading financial services and digital payments company owned by Block Inc, which is a financial services and technologies company that also deals in blockchain. Square was founded in 2009 by Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey and has become a common way for businesses to accept credit card payments and use phones or tablets as payment registers for a point-of-sale system. They cater to all business types and sizes and offer their clients a comprehensive list of tool integrations and hardware. Square offers a range of transaction-processing options and supports invoicing, recurring payments, and international credit card payments. They have a great reputation among clients for their responsive customer support and the flexibility they offer to clients with their many tools and software and have a 4.3/5 on Trustpilot. There are many things to consider when it comes to costs with Square, but their website lists pricing and processing fees clearly. They offer three plan tiers, including a free one where they only charge processing fees for accepted payments.
Stax is a credit card processing company that markets solutions to small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as well as large businesses. They enable businesses to accept credit and debit cards by providing membership-based wholesale pricing. The company offers credit card processing services to brick-and-mortar businesses and online merchants and services available for high-risk businesses. They offer two pricing plans, including an interchange fixed plus rate and a zero-cost processing option. Stax is known for their proficiency in working with high-revenue enterprises, and they provide high-volume enterprises with a dedicated account manager. Additionally, the organization provides internal IT support, which makes life easier for business owners when technical difficulties occur as a result of a company's expansion. Stax offers a selection of hardware and point-of-sale (POS) system options in addition to a wide range of no-cost integrations. Along with other capabilities, including the capacity to store card data, sales tracking, and brand personalization for invoices, receipts, and websites, they also provide 24/7 customer support, same-day deposit possibilities, and PCI compliance components. Stax requires a flat-rate monthly subscription of $99 to $199, to which clients may be charged for optional add-on services like ACH processing and digital gift cards.
- Transaction Speed : 1-2 days (same-day available at an added fee)
- Customer Experience : "True"
- Money-Back Guarantee : True
- Gift Cards : Available
- Real-Time Reports : Available
- Transparent Pricing : Available
- Pricing Model : Fixed monthly fee, Interchange plus
- Trustpilot Score : 4.3 out of 5
- BBB Rating : A+
- Transaction Speed : 24 hours
- Customer Experience : Good
- Money-Back Guarantee : True
- Gift Cards : Available
- Real-Time Reports : Available
- Transparent Pricing : Available
- Pricing Model : Fixed monthly fee, Surcharging
- Trustpilot Score : 4.1 out of 5
- BBB Rating : A+
- Free features such as payment gateway and PCI compliance
- Competitive flat-rate transaction fees
- Jam-packed mobile app for both Android and Apple devices
- Robust security with the latest encryption and tokenization technology
- Customized solutions to meet the unique needs of each business
- Comprehensive reporting and detailed analytics to help businesses grow
- Responsive customer support, available 24/7
- Advanced features like recurring billing, invoicing, and mobile payments
- Billing & Invoicing
- Electronic Receipts
- Free Hardware
- Mobile Card Reader
- Multiple Payment Gateways
- Recurring Payments & Billing
- Reporting & Analytics
- Virtual Terminal
- Billing & Invoicing
- Electronic Receipts
- Free Hardware
- Mobile Card Reader
- Multiple Payment Gateways
- Recurring Payments & Billing
- Reporting & Analytics
- Virtual Terminal
- EMV Compliant
- Payment Fraud Protection
- PCI Compliance
- EMV Compliant
- Payment Fraud Protection
- PCI Compliance
- Annual Subscription—Undisclosed
- Free Trial
- Freemium
- Monthly Subscription
- One-Time License—Undisclosed
- Annual Subscription—Undisclosed
- Free Trial
- Freemium—Undisclosed
- Monthly Subscription
- One-Time License—Undisclosed
- Processing Services
- Accounting Software
- POS
- Productivity Software
- Processing Services
- Accounting Software
- POS
- Productivity Software—Undisclosed
- ACH Processing
- Cash Transactions
- Credit Card Terminals
- Electronic Signature
- In-Person Payments
- Mobile Payments
- NFC Payments
- Online Payment Procesing
- ACH Processing
- Cash Transactions
- Credit Card Terminals
- Electronic Signature
- In-Person Payments
- Mobile Payments
- NFC Payments
- Online Payment Procesing
- Demos
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile Application
- Phone
- Tickets
- Demos—Undisclosed
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile Application
- Phone
- Tickets
Stax vs. Square
When it comes to handling credit card transactions, businesses often face the dilemma of choosing the right platform. This comparison will take a closer look at Stax and Square, two major players in the field that offer various benefits, usability features, data security measures, and pricing models.
Value-added benefits
Stax offers a suite of services and features suitable for businesses of various sizes, focusing on flexibility and integrations. Among these services are compliant surcharging programs, allowing companies to transfer credit card processing fees to consumers. This boosts business revenue and is designed to align with and adapt to the continuously evolving regulatory landscape.
On the flip side, Square stands out with its versatility, presenting a comprehensive suite of features catering to businesses with diverse payment needs. Despite slightly higher transaction fees, their integration capabilities, including support for ACH payments and multi-currency support, make it an enticing choice for those requiring a seamless international payment experience. Furthermore, Square distinguishes itself by not billing merchants for chargebacks and offering support in customer disputes, underscoring its commitment to a secure and customer-friendly payment environment.
Usability
In the realm of credit card processing, Stax and Square share both similarities and distinctions. These platforms excel in offering a versatile range of payment options, encompassing credit card payments, digital wallets, and manual entry. Square's integration with its exclusive hardware and POS software enhances businesses' efficiency in accepting various payment types. On the flip side, Stax sets itself apart through its diverse and robust integrations, making it a prime choice for those aiming for seamless integration across different platforms.
While Stax and Square boast user-friendly interfaces, Stax's integrations stand out as particularly diverse and robust. In contrast, Square is recognized for its streamlined application process and quicker timeline for initiating payments. Despite these divergences, Stax and Square assure businesses of reliable payment times with next-day payouts, delivering a consistent and timely financial workflow.
Level of data security
Stax is a Level 1 PCI Service Provider focusing on meeting the highest PCI compliance level, which guarantees secure management of cardholder data. They also have a solid information security program, managing vulnerabilities, securing account access, and regularly testing for potential issues.
Square also prioritizes the security of its payment platform with features like end-to-end encryption, in-house development, dedicated security teams, secure information channels, two-factor authentication, and strict access controls. They handle PCI compliance for sellers, invest in industry-leading security technology, and hold ISO 27001 certification.
Pricing
Stax's pricing model prioritizes transparency and cost-effectiveness for businesses, with per-transaction fees ranging from $0.08 to $0.15. Unlike models that take a percentage of the merchant's revenue, Stax offers three plans for small businesses processing up to $500,000 annually: Growth ($99), Pro ($159), and Ultimate ($199). Custom pricing is available for businesses exceeding this limit. Only credit card transactions incur fees, providing a customer-friendly option for fee-free debit transactions.
On the other hand, Square employs a diverse pricing strategy, initiating with a $0 per month plan but requiring users to cover processing fees. Square offers a range of plans, including a free option, a Plus plan at $29 per month, and a premium plan with custom pricing—all accompanied by processing fees. While Square's fees are notably higher than Stax's, it caters to businesses with lower transaction volumes. This distinction positions Square as a suitable choice for businesses seeking flexibility in payment plans and a straightforward approach to credit card processing fees.
Conclusion
In summary, the decision between Stax and Square depends on specific business needs. Stax, designed for high-revenue businesses, emphasizes flexibility, robust integrations, and compliance. On the flip side, Square offers versatility, international payment support, and a user-friendly interface. Both prioritize data security, with Stax as a Level 1 PCI Service Provider and Square using end-to-end encryption. The real difference comes in the pricing structure, with Stax catering to higher-volume businesses and Square providing flexibility for different transaction volumes.
Get a Free Credit Card Processor Quote
Save Big on Credit Card Processing
Fill out a quick form to claim special offers on Credit Card Processing
