Is Square cheaper per payment?

On the free plans, yes. Square Free charges 3.3% + 30¢ for an online payment, and butterbook.ing Starter costs 5.4% + $0.30 in total. On Pro ($23 a month), a payment costs Stripe’s 2.9% + $0.30, the same as Square Plus at $49 a month.

Do I need a card reader?

No. Clients pay online when they book, from their phone or computer, and payouts go straight to your bank account through Stripe.

Do I need a Stripe account?

Not to start. You can take bookings straight away and connect Stripe when you want to take payments online. butterbook.ing walks you through it.

butterbook.ing vs Square Appointments

Packages and cancellation fees without $49 a month

Square Appointments has a free plan for solo professionals, and lists packages, cancellation and no-show fees, and Google Calendar sync on Square Plus at $49 a month per location. butterbook.ing includes packages, cancellation fees and Google Calendar sync on its free plan.

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Side by side

Monthly price: butterbook.ing
$0 on Starter, $23 on Pro
Square Appointments
$0 on Free, $49 on Plus, $149 on Premium, each per location
Online card payments: butterbook.ing
5.4% + $0.30 on Starter, 2.9% + $0.30 on Pro
Square Appointments
3.3% + 30¢ on Free, 2.9% + 30¢ on Plus and Premium
Charging a saved card: butterbook.ing
The same rate as any online payment
Square Appointments
3.5% + 15¢ on every plan
Deposits and prepayment: butterbook.ing
Every plan
Square Appointments
Every plan
Cancellation fees: butterbook.ing
Every plan
Square Appointments
Listed with no-show fees on Plus and above
Prepaid packages: butterbook.ing
Every plan
Square Appointments
Plus and above
Google Calendar sync: butterbook.ing
Every plan, two-way
Square Appointments
Plus and above
Group classes: butterbook.ing
No
Square Appointments
Plus and above
In-person card readers: butterbook.ing
No, clients pay online
Square Appointments
Yes, with Square hardware
Staff and multiple locations: butterbook.ing
No, it’s built for one person
Square Appointments
Yes

Feature	butterbook.ing	Square Appointments
Monthly price	$0 on Starter, $23 on Pro	$0 on Free, $49 on Plus, $149 on Premium, each per location
Online card payments	5.4% + $0.30 on Starter, 2.9% + $0.30 on Pro	3.3% + 30¢ on Free, 2.9% + 30¢ on Plus and Premium
Charging a saved card	The same rate as any online payment	3.5% + 15¢ on every plan
Deposits and prepayment	Every plan	Every plan
Cancellation fees	Every plan	Listed with no-show fees on Plus and above
Prepaid packages	Every plan	Plus and above
Google Calendar sync	Every plan, two-way	Plus and above
Group classes	No	Plus and above
In-person card readers	No, clients pay online	Yes, with Square hardware
Staff and multiple locations	No, it’s built for one person	Yes

Square Appointments details checked on October 1, 2026 against Square Appointments pricing. Prices are in US dollars and can change, so check before you decide.

Square and Square Appointments are trademarks of Block, Inc. butterbook.ing isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by Square.

Choose butterbook.ing if

You work alone and clients pay online when they book.
You want packages, cancellation fees and Google Calendar sync without a monthly fee.
You’d rather pay one flat price: Pro is $23 a month, and each payment costs only Stripe’s 2.9% + $0.30.

Choose Square Appointments if

You take card payments in person with a reader.
You run group classes.
You have staff or more than one location.

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