Updated February 2026

Lopay vs Square UK: Which Saves You More in 2026?

Comprehensive comparison of fees, features, and real costs for UK small businesses. Find out which processor is right for you.

Quick Verdict

Choose Lopay if: You want the lowest fees and process over £5,000/month. You'll save £800-£1,500 annually.

Choose Square if: You need a complete POS system with inventory management and don't mind paying extra for the convenience.

Winner for most UK SMBs: Lopay (better value)

Pricing Comparison

Fee Type	Lopay	Square	Difference
In-Person	0.79% flat	2.6% + £0.15	Lopay 0.61% cheaper
Online	2.9% + £0.25	3.3% + £0.30	Lopay 0.4% cheaper
Monthly Fee	£0	£0 (basic)	Equal
POS Software	Integrates with existing	Free included	Square advantage

Real Cost Example: Coffee Shop

Scenario: Processing £15,000/month (300 transactions @ £50 average)

Lopay

Transaction fees: £329/month

Monthly fees: £0

£3,948/year

Square

Transaction fees: £435/month

Monthly fees: £0

£5,220/year

💰 Annual Savings with Lopay: £1,272

Feature Comparison

Lopay

Lowest Fees

Lowest fees in UK (0.79% flat)
1-2 day payouts (next-day available)
UK-based support
Integrates with Xero, QuickBooks
No monthly fees
No contracts
No built-in POS (integrates with existing)
No inventory management

Square

All-in-One

Free POS software included
Inventory management
Employee management
Offline mode
1-2 day payouts
No contracts
Higher fees (2.6% + £0.15)
Advanced features cost £29-£49/month

Who Should Choose What?

Choose Lopay If:

You want the absolute lowest fees
You process over £5,000/month
You already have POS software or don't need it
You're a service business (consultant, salon, therapist)
You want to save £800-£1,500/year

Choose Square If:

You need a complete POS system
You want inventory management
You're a retail store or restaurant
You prefer all-in-one simplicity
Higher fees are worth the convenience

Final Recommendation

For most UK small businesses, Lopay offers better value. You'll save £800-£1,500 annually while getting the same core payment capabilities.

Choose Square only if you specifically need its built-in POS and inventory features and are willing to pay extra for that convenience.

Methodology: Fees and features verified against each provider's official UK pricing page as of March 2026. Trustpilot ratings sourced from Trustpilot.com. All providers are FCA authorised or operate under an authorised payment institution. This page contains affiliate links — see our affiliate disclosure for details.