Compare Square hardware
Square Reader (2nd generation)
A simple way to accept chip and PIN, contactless payments, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Square Stand (2nd generation)
An iPad point of sale with an intuitive checkout and integrated payments.
Accepted payments
Contactless
Chip and PIN
Mobile
Contactless
Chip and PIN
Mobile
Contactless
Chip and PIN
Mobile
Contactless
Chip and PIN
Mobile
Power
Battery or power socket
Battery or power by USB-C charging cable
Takes 20% more transactions on a single charge than Square Reader (1st generation)
Requires power socket
USB-C model requires a wall socket or uses iPad-powered mode, which runs on the iPad’s battery.
Lightning model requires wall socket.
Internet connection
Wi-Fi or Ethernet (with Hub for Square Terminal, sold separately)
Via your phone or tablet
Wi-Fi or Ethernet
Via your iPad
Compatible devices
No additional device required. Uses 57 mm x 35 mm thermal printer paper.
Connects via Bluetooth to an iOS (15.0+) or Android (7.0+) device.
No additional device required.
USB-C model requires iPad (10th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th generation), iPad Air (4th, 5th generation), iPad Air 11-inch (M2).
Lightning model requires iPad (7th, 8th, 9th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Pro 10.5-inch.
Device connection
No additional device required.
Bluetooth LE
Enhanced connectivity (compared to 1st generation)
No additional device required.
USB-C or Lightning dependent on iPad used
Compatible point-of-sale software
Square Point of Sale
Square for Restaurants
Square for Retail
Square Appointments
Square Point of Sale
Square for Retail (with an iPad)
Square for Restaurants (with an iPad)
Square Appointments
Square Point of Sale
Square for Restaurants
Square for Retail
Square Appointments
Square Point of Sale
Square for Restaurants
Square for Retail
Square Appointments
Price
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