LitExtension Blog
  • Ecommerce Platforms
    • Shopify
    • WooCommerce
    • Magento (Adobe Commerce)
    • Wix
    • Other Platforms
  • eCommerce Migration
    • Shopify Migration
    • WooCommerce Migration
    • Magento Migration
    • Other Migrations
  • Store Growth
  • LitExtension
    • LitExtension Updates
    • Case Study
No Result
View All Result
VISIT LITEXTENSION
LitExtension Blog
  • Ecommerce Platforms
    • Shopify
    • WooCommerce
    • Magento (Adobe Commerce)
    • Wix
    • Other Platforms
  • eCommerce Migration
    • Shopify Migration
    • WooCommerce Migration
    • Magento Migration
    • Other Migrations
  • Store Growth
  • LitExtension
    • LitExtension Updates
    • Case Study
No Result
View All Result
VISIT LITEXTENSION
LitExtension Blog
No Result
View All Result

Square Online Store Review 2026: Pricing, Pro & Cons Breakdown

by Alex Nguyen
Sep, 2026
in Ecommerce Platforms

Square has evolved from a payment and point-of-sale (POS) provider into a broader commerce platform, with Square Online supporting businesses that want to sell through both online and in-person channels. In this Square Online store review, we will take a look at all points of the platform:

Category Our Take Rating
Pricing A low-cost entry point with a Free plan, but transaction fees apply and paid plans can add up as your needs grow. 4.3/5
Ease of use Straightforward account setup and a clean dashboard make day-to-day store management easy to handle. 4.5/5
Design & customization Simple themes and an easy editor make setup quick, but the limited theme selection and customization controls restrict creative freedom. 3.8/5
POS & omnichannel selling One of its strongest areas, with solid connections between online selling, Square POS, inventory, and fulfilment. 4.5/5
eCommerce features Covers the essentials well, including products, payments, shipping, tax, and orders, without overwhelming users with unnecessary complexity. 4.3/5
Marketing & SEO Provides the basics for SEO, email marketing, promotions, social selling, and product discovery, but lacks deeper optimisation and automation tools. 3.8/5
Apps & integrations A sizeable ecosystem provides plenty of business integrations, although the selection is less focused on specialised ecommerce extensions. 4/5
Customer support & security Strong payment security and multiple support channels, while customer feedback on support speed and issue resolution is more mixed. 4/5

Let’s get started!


Our Square Online Store Review: Quick Verdict

Square Online is Square’s ecommerce solution for selling online, offering tools to build an online store, manage products and orders, and connect online sales with in-person operations. Its foundation comes from Weebly, which Square acquired in 2018 and later integrated into its ecommerce offering.

Today, Square brings online selling, point-of-sale, payments, inventory, and other business tools together within its unified ecosystem. This allows businesses to manage both online and in-person sales from the same platform, rather than relying on separate Square subscriptions.

After reviewing all aspects of Square Online, we found that the platform works well for businesses that need a straightforward online selling solution rather than a highly customisable store.

Pros Cons
  • Easy setup with a beginner-friendly interface
  • Seamless integration with Square POS and payment tools
  • Free plan available for businesses starting online
  • Built-in tools for restaurants and local businesses
  • Limited design and customisation options
  • Fewer advanced eCommerce features compared with dedicated platforms
  • Limited scalability for large or complex stores

Who is Square Online Best For?

Square Online is best suited for:

  • Small retailers and local businesses that want to add online selling to their existing physical stores.
  • Restaurants, cafes, and food businesses that need online ordering connected with their POS system.
  • Businesses already using Square payments that want a unified system for managing offline and online sales.

If you fall into one of the categories above, we highly recommend Square Online. When moving to this platform, LitExtension helps you transfer your important store data, including products, customers, orders, and more, so you can switch platforms with less manual work.

Square Migration Made Easy With LitExtension!

LitExtension offers great migration solutions that help you transfer your data from the current eCommerce platform to Square accurately, painlessly with utmost security.

MIGRATE NOW!

All-in-One Migration Service

Square Online Pricing & Fees

The Verdict

Square is a cost-effective option for small businesses, with a free plan that lets you start selling online without a monthly subscription. However, transaction fees still apply, and growing businesses may need paid plans to access more advanced features.

Square offers 3 pricing plans: Free, Plus, and Premium. The Free plan allows businesses to create an online store without a monthly subscription, while paid plans unlock additional ecommerce features and remove Square branding. The latest pricing information is updated as of October 2025.

Square pricing plans
Square pricing plans

In addition to the monthly subscription, Square charges payment processing fees for online transactions. There is no separate platform transaction fee, but each successful payment processed through Square Payments includes a processing charge. For US businesses, online card payments cost 3.3% + $0.30 per transaction on Square Free and 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction on the paid subscription.

You should also consider other potential costs when calculating your Square budget, including a custom domain, third-party integrations, marketing tools, or additional Square services. Based on these costs, the estimated annual expense for running a Square Online store can range from around $0–$1,788+/year.

For more detailed information, feel free to check out our complete guide on Square website costs breakdown.


Ease of Use

The Verdict

Square keeps store management simple, from setup to daily operations. It is especially convenient for businesses already using Square POS.

If you already use Square for in-person sales, the setup process becomes even simpler as your existing items, inventory, and business information can be connected to your online store. For new users, Square guides you through the essential steps, including adding products, configuring checkout settings, and preparing your store for launch.

Square dashboard
Square dashboard

After setup, the Square Dashboard becomes the main place to manage daily operations. You can process orders, update inventory, monitor sales reports, and manage customer information from one interface. The unified dashboard is especially useful for businesses selling both online and offline, as it keeps sales activities and store data connected.


Design and Customization

The Verdict

We find Square’s design capabilities is quite limited. The limited themes and customization options may work for basic stores but can restrict brands that want a more distinctive storefront.

Compared with platforms that offer extensive theme libraries, Square keeps its design options more focused. You can choose from 5 themes on the Free plan or 34 themes with paid plans, then customise your storefront using the built-in website editor.

Square themes store
Square themes store

The Square Website Editor follows a section-based editing approach, allowing you to customise your storefront by adjusting pre-built sections and layouts. You can update key design elements such as colours, fonts, images, buttons, and banners through tools like Site Styles and Site Elements without touching any code.


POS Integration and Omnichannel Selling

The Verdict

Square delivers a strong POS integration experience for businesses that want to connect online and offline selling in one place. However, its omnichannel tools may feel limited for businesses with more complex retail operations.

One of Square’s biggest advantages is its seamless connection with Square POS ecosystem. Unlike platforms that mainly focus on online selling, Square is built to support businesses that manage both physical and digital sales channels.

Square POS
Square POS

Once connected, your online store and Square POS share important data, including products, inventory, orders, and customer information. This means you can update product details, track stock levels, and manage sales from one central dashboard instead of handling separate systems for your online and in-store operations.

Square also supports flexible fulfilment options, including online ordering, pickup, delivery, and in-store purchasing. Combined with Square’s customer profiles and loyalty tools, businesses can create a more connected shopping experience across different touchpoints.

However, Square’s omnichannel capabilities are mainly designed around its own ecosystem. Businesses looking for more advanced eCommerce integrations, complex inventory management, or broader third-party selling channels may need additional solutions.


eCommerce Features

The Verdict

Our Square Online store review shows that this platform provides a reliable set of ecommerce essentials with a strong focus on smooth transactions. It is a practical option for businesses that want the key selling features without unnecessary complexity.

Square provides the essential tools needed to run an online store, from product management and checkout to fulfilment and order tracking. While it covers the basics well, some features are designed more for small businesses than complex ecommerce operations.

Feature What Square offers
Products and inventory
  • Add unlimited products
  • Create product variations such as size, colour, and other options
  • Add product modifiers for items with custom choices
  • Organise products into categories
  • Manage stock levels and sync inventory with Square POS
Payments and checkout
  • Built-in Square Payments
  • Accept major credit/debit cards and digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay
  • Support Square Gift Cards and Afterpay (availability depends on location)
  • Customise checkout settings, including tipping, customer notes, and order options
Shipping and local delivery
  • Create shipping options based on flat rates, order totals, item quantities, or weight
  • Offer local delivery with custom delivery areas and fees
  • Enable pickup options, including curbside pickup where available
  • Integrate with delivery partners such as DoorDash (availability depends on location)
Tax
  • Automatic tax calculation in supported regions
  • Create and manage tax rates manually
  • Apply different tax settings based on product or location
  • Tax collection integrates with Square payments and orders
Order management
  • Manage online, pickup, delivery, and in-person orders from Square Dashboard
  • Update order status and fulfilment progress
  • Process refunds and cancellations
  • Send order notifications to customers
  • Sync orders between Square Online and Square POS

What stands out about Square is how well its features work together throughout the buying journey. Instead of offering a long list of specialised eCommerce tools, the platform focuses on creating a smooth path from product discovery to payment and fulfilment. This makes the experience consistent and straightforward for both sellers and customers.


Marketing & SEO Tools

The Verdict

In this Square Online store review, marketing and SEO support is serviceable but lacks the depth needed for more aggressive growth strategies. Those looking for deeper optimisation or a more advanced marketing ecosystem may need to rely on additional solutions.

From an SEO perspective, the platform covers the key basics needed for search optimisation. You can manage important elements such as:

  • Page titles and meta descriptions: customise how your pages appear in search results.
  • URLs: create cleaner, more SEO-friendly page links.
  • Image alt text: improve image accessibility and search visibility.
  • Basic SEO settings: handle essential configurations without technical knowledge.

Beyond organic search, Square also offers built-in marketing tools through Square Marketing. These features are included in the Plus and Premium plans, while the Free plan does not support them.

  • Email campaigns: send promotions, updates, and product announcements.
  • Automated messages: create triggered communications based on customer activity.
  • Customer groups: organise audiences for more targeted campaigns.
  • Promotional tools: create discounts and offers to encourage purchases.
  • Social and multichannel selling integrations: connect with channels such as Facebook, Instagram, and Google Product Listings to help customers discover your products across different online touchpoints.

However, Square’s SEO and marketing tools remain fairly basic, lacking advanced features like schema control, keyword research, deep content optimisation, and complex audience segmentation without third-party integrations.

Apps & Integrations

As your store grows, you may need additional tools to extend its functionality beyond the built-in features. Square connects with the wider Square App Marketplace, which includes over 800 third-party apps and integrations covering areas such as accounting, marketing, inventory, and business management.

Square app marketplace
Square app marketplace

Square’s app ecosystem is more focused on supporting the wider Square business environment rather than expanding ecommerce features specifically. This means you can find essential integrations easily, but may have fewer options for niche eCommerce requirements.


Customer Support, Security and User Reviews

The Verdict

Square provides a solid level of security and support for day-to-day store operations. Customer support is the weaker area, with mixed feedback suggesting that response quality and speed can vary when more complex issues arise.

Once your store is up and running, you benefit from Square’s established payment infrastructure, including security measures such as fraud monitoring, encryption, and PCI compliance.

If you run into an issue, you can get help through several channels:

  • Help Center: access guides and troubleshooting resources.
  • Community support: find answers and discussions from other Square users.
  • Phone, chat, and email support: contact Square’s support team for account and technical issues (availability depends on plan and location).

Capterra currently rates Square 4.3/5 for customer service, based on 268 reviews. Actual user feedback is fairly useful here because experiences differ. For example, Lake M., Director of Education, wrote in a March 2026 review:

We appreciate the safety/security of a large name, trusted brand, without the high cost that can often come along with that name.

So rather than saying support is simply “good” or “bad”, we’d describe it as mixed depending on the issue and user experience. Security gets positive mentions from users, while support response times appear to be a recurring point of difference in reviews.


Other Square Online Store Alternatives for Consideration

If this Square Online store review has shown that the platform doesn’t quite tick all the boxes for your store, there are a few other options worth checking out. Each takes a slightly different approach, so it really comes down to what matters most to you.

To help you find the best fit, here’s a quick comparison of Square with other popular website builders and eCommerce platforms.

Platform Key features to consider
Shopify • Extensive ecommerce and multichannel selling features

• Large app ecosystem with 16.000+ apps

• Strong inventory, analytics, and automation tools

• Highly customisable with themes, apps, and Shopify Plus for larger operations

WooCommerce • Open-source WordPress ecommerce platform

• Extensive control over storefront, products, checkout, and functionality

• Square integration for payments, product and inventory sync

• Optional order fulfilment sync between WooCommerce and Square

Wix • 900+ website templates with extensive design flexibility

• Built-in SEO and marketing tools

• Drag-and-drop website builder with AI-powered features

• Ecommerce tools for products, payments, subscriptions, and bookings

Squarespace • 180+ professionally designed templates

• Strong visual design and content management tools

• Built-in SEO, blogging, and marketing features

• Ecommerce tools for products, subscriptions, memberships, and digital products

BigCommerce • Advanced product and catalogue management

• Strong B2B and wholesale features

• Built-in multichannel selling across marketplaces and social channels

• Extensive APIs and integrations for more complex ecommerce setups

 


How We Tested Square Online

To create this Square Online store review, I followed a detailed and structured research process that ensured every part of the content was accurate, balanced, and useful for small business owners and anyone exploring eCommerce options.

Square Online store review methodology
Square Online store review methodology

The detailed research process was as follows:

  • Tested a demo store: Signed up for Square, built a store from scratch, and tested setup, dashboard, products, design, checkout, and core ecommerce features.
  • Compared with competitors: Reviewed Square alongside Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce to assess its strengths and limitations.
  • Produced the content: Organised our testing notes and competitor research into clear sections, making the review easy to scan while still covering the details.
  • Proofread and published: Reviewed the content for clarity, accuracy, readability, and consistency with official sources and trusted references before publishing.

Square Online Store Review: FAQs

Is Square Online free?

Yes. Square Online has a Free plan with no monthly subscription cost, so you can build and run an online store without paying a monthly fee. You still pay Square’s payment processing fees when customers place orders.

How much does Square Online cost per month?

In the US, Square’s current plans are Free ($0/month), Plus ($49/month per location), and Premium ($149/month per location). Plus and Premium include additional website and business features, while processing fees vary by plan.

Can I use my own domain on Square Online?

Yes, but connecting a custom domain requires a paid Square Online plan. You can connect a domain you already own or purchase one through Square, while the Free plan gives you a square.site subdomain.

Can I sell on Amazon or eBay with Square Online?

Not as native marketplaces. Square Online is primarily your own storefront, but you can connect your Square account to Amazon, eBay, and other sales channels through third-party integrations in the Square App Marketplace.

Is Square Online the same as Squarespace or Weebly?

No. Squarespace is a separate company, while Weebly was acquired by Square in 2018. Square Online uses Weebly technology, but it has a separate site editor and feature set designed specifically around eCommerce.

Which is better, Shopify or Square Online?

It depends on what you need from your store. Square is particularly useful if you already use Square POS and want your online and in-person operations connected, while Shopify offers a broader eCommerce ecosystem with more apps and specialised selling features.


Final Verdict: Is Square Online Worth It?

And that brings us to the end of our Square Online store review. In general, if you plan to build both a physical and online store, Square is an ideal solution. However, you need to consider transaction fees carefully to increase your sales effectively.

Finally, we hope you will have a wonderful experience with the Square Up website. Check out our other blog posts for more valuable insights.

Previous Post

How To Migrate Invoice to a New System or eCommerce Platform

Next Post

Webflow vs Drupal: Detailed Comparison 2026

Alex Nguyen

Alex Nguyen

As the co-founder and CEO of LitExtension, Alex Nguyen is a visionary leader with a deep understanding of the online commerce landscape. He is driven by a passion for empowering businesses, simplifying complex processes, and providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in the digital age.

Table of Contents
  1. Our Square Online Store Review: Quick Verdict
    1. Who is Square Online Best For?
  2. Square Online Pricing & Fees
  3. Ease of Use
  4. Design and Customization
  5. POS Integration and Omnichannel Selling
  6. eCommerce Features
  7. Marketing & SEO Tools
  8. Apps & Integrations
  9. Customer Support, Security and User Reviews
  10. Other Square Online Store Alternatives for Consideration
  11. How We Tested Square Online
  12. Square Online Store Review: FAQs
  13. Final Verdict: Is Square Online Worth It?

Popular eCommerce Migration

  1. Shopify Migration
  2. WooCommerce Migration
  3. Magento Migration
  4. BigCommerce Migration
  5. PrestaShop Migration

Best Ecommerce Platforms

  1. Shopify Review
  2. WooCommerce Review
  3. Wix Ecommerce Review
  4. BigCommerce Review
  5. Best Ecommerce Platforms

 

Popular Migration Pairs

  • Wix to Shopify
  • Magento to Shopify
  • BigCommerce to Shopify
  • WooCommerce to Shopify
  • Shopify to WooCommerce

Company

  • About LitExtension
  • Success Stories
  • Sitemap
  • Disclosures
  • Our Author
  • Contact Us

DMCA.com Protection Status

  • All the Basics to Build eCommerce Website
  • Disclosures
  • LitExtension Authors
  • LitExtension Blog – Shopping Cart Migration Expert & eCommerce News
  • LitExtension Blog Sitemap
  • LitExtension Methodology

© 2011 - 2024 LitExtension.com All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Ecommerce Platforms
    • Shopify
    • WooCommerce
    • Magento (Adobe Commerce)
    • Wix
    • Other Platforms
  • eCommerce Migration
    • Shopify Migration
    • WooCommerce Migration
    • Magento Migration
    • Other Migrations
  • Store Growth
  • Ecommerce News
    • News & Events
    • Case Studies
VISIT LITEXTENSION

© 2011 - 2024 LitExtension.com All Rights Reserved.