Compare Square hardware
Whether you’re selling at a counter or on the go, Square has just the hardware you need to ring up items and accept payments fast.
Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd generation)
A simple way to accept chip cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Accepted payments
Contactless
Chip
Magstripe
Contactless
Chip
Magstripe
Contactless
Chip
Magstripe (with Square Reader for magstripe, sold separately)
Contactless
Chip
Magstripe (with Square Reader for magstripe, sold separately)
Contactless
Chip
Magstripe
Power
Requires wall outlet
Battery or wall outlet
Requires wall outlet or uses iPad powered mode, which runs on the iPad’s battery.
USB-C model requires wall outlet or uses iPad powered mode, which runs on the iPad’s battery.
Lightning model requires wall outlet.
Battery or power by USB-C charging cable
No power required
Internet connection
Wi-Fi or Ethernet
Wi-Fi or Ethernet (with Hub for Square Terminal, sold separately)
Via your iPad
Via your iPad
Via your phone or tablet
Via your phone or tablet
Compatible devices
No additional device required.
No additional device required. Uses 2.25” x 1.4” thermal printer paper.
Requires iPad (10th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation), iPad Air (4th and 5th generation), iPad Air 11-inch (M2).
USB-C model is compatible with 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.
Connects via Bluetooth to an iOS (15.0+) or Android (7.0+) device.
Requires iOS 15.0+ or Android 7.0+. Depending on your device’s connection type, choose USB-C, Lightning, or headset jack.
Device connection
No additional device required.
No additional device required.
USB-C
USB-C or Lightning dependent on iPad used
Bluetooth LE
USB-C, Lightning, or headset jack
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 Kiosk²
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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