Braintree vs Square: Decoding the Best Option for Webshops

Choosing the right payment processing solution is crucial for any ecommerce business.

Braintree, a PayPal service since 2013, is well-known for its powerful features and developer-friendly integrations.

On the other hand, Square, founded in 2009 by Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey, made waves with its simple card reader and has grown into a full-fledged financial ecosystem offering both online and offline payment solutions.

This article offers a detailed comparison of Braintree and Square, examining their features, pricing, support, and integration capabilities to help you decide which platform suits your business needs best.

Feature Overview of Square vs Braintree

Here's a brief overview of the features of Braintree and Square, neatly summarized in a table. This will help you quickly decide which payment gateway is the right choice for you.

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In-Depth Feature Analysis

In this section, we'll compare the features of Braintree and Square side by side. This table provides a straightforward look at key aspects like transaction fees, payment methods, and customer support, helping you quickly assess which payment gateway might be the best fit for your ecommerce business.

Transaction Fees and Pricing Structure

Understanding the cost implications of each platform is crucial for your bottom line.

Braintree charges a standard fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for domestic credit and debit cards. There are no monthly or setup fees, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes. Braintree does not charge extra fees for accepting alternative payment methods like PayPal, Venmo (U.S. merchants), Apple Pay, and Google Pay. For merchants with high transaction volumes, Braintree may offer volume discounts upon request.

Square also offers transparent pricing with a fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per online transaction and 2.6% + $0.10 for in-person transactions. Square does not impose monthly or setup fees for its basic services. However, there are fees for additional services like Instant Transfers (1.5% per transfer) and premium software features.

If Square is the POS for you, make sure to check out these top Square alternatives before pulling the trigger, there might be a better fit.

Key Takeaway: Both platforms have competitive standard rates with no monthly fees, but consider additional costs based on your business model, especially if you require advanced features or hardware solutions.

Payment Methods and Global Reach

Offering diverse payment options can enhance customer satisfaction and expand your market reach.

Braintree supports a wide array of payment methods:

• Credit and Debit Cards: Accepts all major brands.
• Digital Wallets: PayPal, Venmo (U.S.), Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay.
• Alternative Methods: ACH Direct Debit, SEPA Direct Debit, UnionPay, and more.
• International Support: Operates in 45+ countries and supports 130+ currencies, making it suitable for global businesses.

Square provides the following payment options:

• Credit and Debit Cards: Accepts all major brands.
• Digital Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay.
• Square Gift Cards: Allows customers to pay with digital or physical gift cards.
• International Support: Limited to U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and Japan, which may restrict global expansion.
• Key Takeaway: Braintree offers broader international support and more payment methods, including PayPal and Venmo integration. Square is ideal for businesses operating primarily in supported countries with standard payment needs.

Developer Friendliness and Integration

The ease of integrating a payment gateway affects development time and customization capabilities.

Braintree is highly developer-focused, offering extensive APIs and SDKs in multiple programming languages, such as Java, .NET, PHP, Python, Ruby, and Node.js. This allows for deep customization of the payment experience. Braintree provides comprehensive documentation, code examples, and a sandbox environment for testing.

Square offers developer-friendly APIs and SDKs, but with a stronger emphasis on user-friendly tools that require minimal coding. The Square Online platform, powered by Weebly, enables merchants to build ecommerce websites without extensive technical expertise. Square also provides plugins for major ecommerce platforms like WooCommerce and Magento.

Key Takeaway: Choose Braintree if you require extensive customization and have development resources. Opt for Square if you prefer ease of integration with less technical effort.

Recurring Billing and Subscription Management

Managing recurring payments efficiently is vital for subscription-based businesses.

Braintree offers advanced subscription management features:

• Customizable Plans: Set flexible billing cycles, pricing tiers, and trial periods.
• Add-Ons and Discounts: Apply promotional offers to subscriptions.
• Proration Handling: Adjust billing when customers change plans mid-cycle.

Square provides built-in tools for recurring payments:

• Recurring Invoices: Automate billing with customizable invoice schedules.
• Subscription Management: Basic features suitable for straightforward subscription models.
• Customer Directory: Store and manage customer information securely.
• Key Takeaway: Braintree offers more advanced and flexible subscription management, suitable for complex billing needs. Square's tools are user-friendly and ideal for businesses with simple recurring billing requirements.

Fraud Protection and Security

Protecting your business from fraudulent transactions is essential.

Braintree includes basic fraud protection tools like AVS (Address Verification System) and CVV checks. For enhanced security, Braintree offers integration with Kount, a leading fraud management solution (additional fee), providing features like device fingerprinting and behavioral analytics.

Square incorporates built-in fraud detection and dispute management tools:

• Risk Monitoring: Automatically reviews transactions for suspicious activity.
• Chargeback Protection: Assists with managing and contesting chargebacks.
• Data Security: End-to-end encryption and PCI compliance.
• Key Takeaway: Square provides comprehensive fraud protection out of the box. Braintree's basic tools may suffice for some businesses, but advanced protection through Kount comes at an additional cost.

Customer Support

Accessible customer support is crucial for resolving issues promptly.

Braintree offers:

• Email, Phone, and Live Chat Support: Available during business hours.
• Dedicated Account Managers: For larger clients needing personalized assistance.
• Online Resources: Extensive documentation and developer forums.

Square provides:

• Phone Support: Available during business hours.
• Email Support: Responsive assistance for inquiries.
• Online Help Center: Comprehensive guides and community forums.
• Key Takeaway: Braintree offers personalized support with dedicated account managers for larger businesses. Square provides robust self-help resources and reliable customer support during business hours.

Integration Ease with Ecommerce Platforms

Seamless integration enhances operational efficiency and customer experience.

Braintree integrates with major ecommerce platforms:

• Shopify
• WooCommerce
• Magento
• BigCommerce

Integration may require technical expertise, especially for advanced customization.

Square offers easy integration with:

• Square Online Store: Build your website with minimal coding.
• Ecommerce Platforms: Plugins for WooCommerce, Wix, and others.
• APIs: For custom integrations with detailed documentation.

Key Takeaway: Square provides easier integration suitable for businesses seeking quick setup. Braintree allows for deeper customization but may require additional development resources.

POS Hardware

For businesses operating both online and offline, POS hardware is essential.

Braintree does not offer proprietary POS hardware but can integrate with third-party systems. This may involve additional costs and setup complexities.

Square offers a range of proprietary POS hardware:

• Square Reader: Affordable device for magstripe, chip, and contactless payments.
• Square Stand: Converts an iPad into a POS system.
• Square Register: All-in-one solution with a customer-facing display.
• Key Takeaway: Square is ideal for businesses needing integrated POS hardware for in-person transactions. Braintree may require third-party solutions, increasing complexity.

Pro tip: There are other Square and Braintree alternatives, so if these dont fit your online shop perfectly, then there most likely is another option that does.

PCI Compliance and Security Standards

Compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) is mandatory.

Braintree is a Level 1 PCI DSS compliant service provider. By using Hosted Fields, merchants can minimize their PCI compliance scope, as sensitive data doesn't pass through their servers.

Square is also Level 1 PCI DSS compliant, offering:

• Secure Payment Processing: Handles card data securely.
• Compliance Assistance: Reduces the burden on merchants through secure infrastructure.

Key Takeaway: Both platforms simplify PCI compliance, but Braintree offers more control over the checkout experience while maintaining security.

Pricing Models

In this segment, we'll explore the pricing models of Braintree and Square, highlighting their transaction fees, additional costs, and overall cost-effectiveness for different business needs.

Braintree Pricing

• Transaction Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
• Monthly Fees: None.
• Additional Costs: No extra fees for alternative payment methods; advanced fraud protection (via Kount) requires additional fees.

Square Pricing

• Transaction Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 online; 2.6% + $0.10 in-person.
• Monthly Fees: None for basic services; fees apply for premium features.
• Hardware Costs: Ranging from $0 (magstripe reader) to $799 (Square Register).
• Additional Costs: Fees for advanced software features like payroll or marketing tools.

Cost-Effectiveness

Braintree can be a more cost-effective option for businesses that process a high volume of alternative payment methods, as it doesn't charge extra fees for these transactions. This makes it an attractive choice for companies looking to offer a variety of payment options to their customers without incurring additional costs.

On the other hand, Square is well-suited for businesses that require integrated POS solutions and prefer straightforward pricing without monthly fees. Its comprehensive range of POS hardware and user-friendly tools make it an ideal choice for businesses that operate both online and offline, providing a seamless payment experience across different sales channels.

Must-Have Features Comparison

We have compiled the ned-to-have features that a POS should have in 2024, we also look at whether not Braintree and Square support them, and in which way:

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Additional Considerations

Braintree benefits from the strong brand recognition of PayPal, which enhances customer trust and credibility. This association can be particularly advantageous for businesses looking to reassure their customers about the security and reliability of their payment processing.

Square, on the other hand, excels in providing integrated POS hardware and software, making it a great choice for omnichannel businesses that need seamless solutions across both online and offline sales. Its user-friendly tools are ideal for businesses that may not have extensive technical resources, allowing for easy setup and management.

When it comes to global expansion, Braintree offers broader international support, making it suitable for businesses targeting global markets with its ability to handle multiple currencies and operate in numerous countries.

Pick the Right POS for Your Online Shop

Choosing between Braintree and Square depends on your ecommerce business's specific needs.

Choose Braintree if:

• You require advanced customization and have development resources.
• Integrating alternative payment methods like PayPal and Venmo without extra fees is important.
• You need advanced subscription management features for complex billing models.
• Your business operates globally and requires multi-currency support.

Choose Square if:

• You need an integrated solution for both online and in-person sales with proprietary POS hardware.
• Ease of integration and setup with minimal technical effort is a priority.
• Offering customers mobile payment options and gift cards enhances your value proposition.
• You prefer straightforward pricing without monthly fees and operate within supported countries.

By evaluating these factors, you can select the payment solution that best aligns with your operational needs and growth objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here we answer some of the most asked questions to assist you in picking between Braintree vs Square.

Can I use both Braintree and Square on my ecommerce site?

Yes, you can integrate both platforms on your ecommerce site to offer customers more payment options. However, managing multiple gateways may increase complexity in tracking transactions and reconciling accounts.

Which platform is better for international sales?

Braintree is better suited for international sales, supporting over 130 currencies in 45+ countries. Square has limited international support, operating only in select countries.

Do Braintree and Square offer protection against fraud?

Both platforms provide fraud detection tools. Braintree includes basic fraud tools and offers advanced protection via Kount for an additional fee. Square provides built-in fraud detection and dispute management as part of its standard offering.

How quickly can I access my funds?

• Braintree: Funds are typically deposited into your bank account within 2-3 business days.
• Square: Funds are available in 1-2 business days, with options for instant transfers for a fee.

Do they support recurring billing and subscriptions?

Yes, both platforms offer recurring billing features. Braintree provides advanced subscription management suitable for complex billing models. Square offers user-friendly tools for setting up recurring invoices and subscriptions.

Are there any hidden fees with Braintree or Square?

Both platforms are transparent with their fees. Braintree may have additional costs for advanced fraud protection services. Square may charge for premium features and POS hardware but does not have monthly fees for basic services.

Which platform offers better POS solutions?

Square offers a comprehensive range of proprietary POS hardware and software solutions, making it ideal for businesses needing integrated in-person sales capabilities. Braintree does not provide proprietary POS hardware and relies on third-party integrations.

Can I customize the checkout experience with these gateways?

• Braintree: Offers extensive customization through APIs and SDKs, allowing for a seamless brand experience.
• Square: Provides customizable checkout options with user-friendly tools, suitable for businesses without extensive technical resources.