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Square is cheaper on both the percentage and the fixed fee, so the rate cards never cross.
Two of the most common choices for small businesses, and PayPal is more expensive on both components. The gap is widest on small transactions, where PayPal's 49¢ fixed fee does most of the damage.
Published standard rates for domestic cards. Neither figure is a negotiated rate, and both providers may quote you something different.
Square is cheaper at every realistic ticket size — the two rate cards do not cross over.
Cheaper of the two, by average transaction
Paydude is shown for reference, not as the answer to the question in the title. Excludes international, premium-card and dispute fees, which differ between all three.
| Square | PayPal | |
|---|---|---|
| Card rate | 2.9% | 3.49% |
| Fixed fee | 30¢ | 49¢ |
| Monthly fee | $0 | $0 |
| Pricing model | Flat rate, varies by channel | Flat rate |
Square, at every transaction size. PayPal charges more on the percentage and more on the fixed fee, so there is no crossover. At a $10 ticket Square works out at 5.90% and PayPal at 8.39%; at $100 it is 3.20% against 3.98%.
| Average transaction | Square | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | 5.90% | 8.39% |
| $25 | 4.10% | 5.45% |
| $50 | 3.50% | 4.47% |
| $100 | 3.20% | 3.98% |
If your customers actively want to pay with PayPal, the conversion lift can be worth more than the rate gap — measure it rather than assuming. If they are indifferent, or you sell in person, Square is cheaper on every transaction.
The calculator above also shows Paydude, which publishes 2.6% + 25¢ improving with volume. It is there as a third data point rather than as the answer to a question about Square and PayPal — for every provider side by side see the full processor fee table.
GOOD QUESTIONS
Yes, on published online rates. Square charges 2.9% + 30¢ and PayPal 3.49% + 49¢, so Square is lower on both components and cheaper at any ticket size. The difference is largest on small transactions.
It does not. Because PayPal is higher on both the percentage and the fixed fee, there is no crossover point — Square is cheaper at $5 and at $5,000.
Square is a point-of-sale platform with online payments attached, strongest when you sell in person. PayPal is a consumer wallet with merchant services attached, strongest when buyers specifically want to pay with their PayPal balance.
Both are publicly published standard rates for domestic online card payments as of September 2026. Neither is a negotiated or promotional rate, and either provider may quote you something different from its list price.