Compare Square hardware
Square Register
A fully integrated point of sale with built-in payments and two touchscreens.
Square Reader (2nd generation)
A quick and simple way to accept chip and PIN, contactless payments, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Accepted payments
Contactless
Chip and PIN
Mobile
Contactless
Chip and PIN
Mobile
Contactless
Chip and PIN
Mobile
Contactless
Chip and PIN
Mobile
Contactless
Chip and PIN
Mobile
Power
Battery or socket
Requires wall socket
Requires a wall outlet or uses iPad powered mode, which runs on the iPad’s battery.
Requires a wall socket or uses iPad-powered mode, which runs on the iPad’s battery.
Battery or power by USB-C charging cable
Takes 20% more transactions on a single charge than Square Reader (1st generation)
Internet connection
Wi-Fi or Ethernet (with Hub for Square Terminal, sold separately)
Wi-Fi or Ethernet
Via your iPad
Via your iPad
Via your phone or tablet
Compatible devices
No additional device required. Uses 57 mm x 35 mm thermal printer paper.
No additional device required.
Square Stand requires iPad (10th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th generation), iPad Air (4th, 5th generation), iPad Air 11-inch (M2).
Requires iPad (10th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th generation), iPad Air (4th, 5th generation) and iPad Air 11-inch (M2).
Connects via Bluetooth to an iOS (16.0+) or Android (7.0+) device.
Device connection
No additional device required.
No additional device required.
USB-C
USB-C
Bluetooth LE
Enhanced connectivity (compared to 1st generation)
Compatible point-of-sale software
Square Point of Sale
Square for Restaurants
Square for Retail
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
Square Point of Sale
Square for Restaurants
Square for Retail
Square Appointments
Square Kiosk¹
Square Point of Sale
Square for Restaurants (with an iPad)
Square for Retail
Square Appointments