Zeller vs. Square

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Zeller - terminal 2 table side payment in pub

Pay less on every transaction

Zeller’s fees are up to 40% lower than Square.*

All in one payment solution

Zeller combines card payments, business accounts, invoicing and more.

24/7 support

With 24/7 support, someone is there any time something goes wrong.

Whether you're starting a business, growing an existing one, or just checking you're not overpaying on card fees: there's a good chance you'll want to compare Zeller with Square.

Both companies offer card payments and point-of-sale tools, but there are key differences you should consider when making your choice. From pricing to business accounts to support, Zeller and Square take very different approaches. We've compiled a comprehensive comparison below to help you decide what's right for your business.

In-person payments

Zeller and Square both offer in-person card machines with built-in POS software. Square has a broader range of hardware to choose from, but Zeller Terminal holds its own with split payments, digital receipts, the ability to request tips, and the ability to customise your screensaver and receipts with your own branding.

Square terminals rely on Wi-Fi to connect, while Zeller Terminal works on both Wi-Fi and 4G. If the Wi-Fi is patchy, or you're taking payments away from a fixed connection, like beer gardens, food trucks, market stalls or pop-ups, Square can be limiting. With Zeller, you can take payments wherever your business takes you.

Online payments

Zeller and Square take a different approach to invoicing. With Zeller Invoices, you can create, send and customise invoices for free, no subscription required. This includes adding your logo and brand colours, setting automated payment reminders, and tracking invoice status in real time from your Zeller Business Account.

Square offers similar customisation, but only on its Plus plan at £20 per month, on top of a higher 2.5% transaction fee compared with Zeller's 1.5%*.

Business accounts

Zeller's Business Account is free to open and free to use. You get unlimited physical and virtual debit cards with custom branding, real-time transfers to any bank account at no cost, and invoicing - all from one dashboard. Your sales settle immediately; you decide when to move them.

Square's business account works differently. It's a prepaid card funded from your sales balance. When you order a Square Card, automated transfers to a linked external bank account stop. Your money sits in Square's balance instead until you spend it or transfer it manually. Standard transfers to your bank take 1–2 working days, or you pay 1.5% for instant access. Zeller's real-time transfers cost nothing.

Other services

Support

Zeller offers support to merchants 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, over the phone, as well as via email and SMS. Square's standard phone support runs 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with 24/7 phone support available only if you're on Square's Premium plans, or specifically calling about Square Register or Square Terminal.

Settlement

When you settle funds into a Zeller Business Account, your money is available overnight, including weekends. With Square, standard transfers to your linked bank account take 1 to 2 working days. Instant settlement is available, but costs an extra 1.5% per transfer.

In-person payments

Zeller and Square both offer in-person card machines with built-in POS software. Square has a broader range of hardware to choose from, but Zeller Terminal holds its own with split payments, digital receipts, the ability to request tips, and the ability to customise your screensaver and receipts with your own branding.

Square terminals rely on Wi-Fi to connect, while Zeller Terminal works on both Wi-Fi and 4G. If the Wi-Fi is patchy, or you're taking payments away from a fixed connection, like beer gardens, food trucks, market stalls or pop-ups, Square can be limiting. With Zeller, you can take payments wherever your business takes you.

Online payments

Zeller and Square take a different approach to invoicing. With Zeller Invoices, you can create, send and customise invoices for free, no subscription required. This includes adding your logo and brand colours, setting automated payment reminders, and tracking invoice status in real time from your Zeller Business Account.

Square offers similar customisation, but only on its Plus plan at £20 per month, on top of a higher 2.5% transaction fee compared with Zeller's 1.5%*.

Business accounts

Zeller's Business Account is free to open and free to use. You get unlimited physical and virtual debit cards with custom branding, real-time transfers to any bank account at no cost, and invoicing - all from one dashboard. Your sales settle immediately; you decide when to move them.

Square's business account works differently. It's a prepaid card funded from your sales balance. When you order a Square Card, automated transfers to a linked external bank account stop. Your money sits in Square's balance instead until you spend it or transfer it manually. Standard transfers to your bank take 1–2 working days, or you pay 1.5% for instant access. Zeller's real-time transfers cost nothing.

Other services

Support

Zeller offers support to merchants 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, over the phone, as well as via email and SMS. Square's standard phone support runs 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with 24/7 phone support available only if you're on Square's Premium plans, or specifically calling about Square Register or Square Terminal.

Settlement

When you settle funds into a Zeller Business Account, your money is available overnight, including weekends. With Square, standard transfers to your linked bank account take 1 to 2 working days. Instant settlement is available, but costs an extra 1.5% per transfer.

Compare Zeller and Square.

Terminal

Cost

Zeller Terminal T1x: £99 + VAT
Zeller Terminal T2: £149 + VAT
1.3% in-person transaction fee for domestic cards*
1.5% MOTO transaction fee for domestic cards*

Square Terminal: £149 + VAT
Square Handheld: £169 + VAT
1.75% in-person transaction fee (35% more than Zeller)*
2.5% MOTO transaction fee (67% more than Zeller)*

Features

Customisable screensaver, receipts and invoices
SIM (4G), Wi-Fi and ethernet connectivity, both terminals fully portable
Free built-in POS software

Customisable receipts and invoices
Wi-Fi and ethernet connectivity only, no SIM connectivity
Built-in POS software (free and paid subscriptions)

Settlements

Nightly settlements

1–2 business days

Invoices

Cost

1.5% transaction fee for domestic cards*

2.5% transaction fee (67% more than Zeller)*

Features

Zeller, free:

Unlimited invoices
Unlimited users and customers
Send via email or shareable link
Accept payments 24/7
Xero integration
Customise invoice design
Add custom fields
Automate reminders
Customer management
Digital receipts
Create and send invoices in under 30 seconds

Square, free:

Unlimited invoices
Unlimited users and customers
Send via email or shareable link
Accept payments 24/7
Xero integration

Square, requires paid subscription (Plus, £20/month):

Custom invoice templates and layouts
Custom fields on invoices and contracts
Milestone-based payment schedules
Multi-package estimates
Project workspace and file organisation

Settlements

Nightly settlements

1-2 business days

Virtual Terminal

Cost

1.5% transaction fee (2.4% on non-domestic cards)

2.5% per typed-in transaction or payment link (67% more than Zeller)*

Features

Key in and charge card payments securely from any browser
Send secure payment links via email or SMS
Assign payments to contacts and track customer payment history
Add transaction notes
Issue digital receipts via email or SMS
Track payment status from your dashboard

Charge cards from a browser, no extra hardware
Send payment links via text message
Accept cash, cheques and gift cards alongside card payments
Split a transaction across multiple payment methods
Issue receipts by email, text or print
Schedule recurring payments

Settlements

Nightly settlements

1-2 business days

Business Accounts

Cost

Free, unlimited business Transaction Accounts
Free unlimited physical and virtual business Debit Cards
£0 minimum balance requirement
£0 account setup fee
£0 transfer fees
£0 international card spending fees

Free business account, tied to your Square sales balance
No monthly fees
Instant transfers cost 1.5%, standard transfers free (1 to 2 working days)

Features

Instant account creation
Real-time transfers
Expense management and Corporate Cards
Xero Bank Feeds integration
Customisable Debit and Corporate cards

Prepaid Square Card, loaded from your Square sales balance, not a standalone debit card
Only usable if actively taking payments through Square

Other services

App

Zeller Dashboard
Zeller App

Square Dashboard
Multiple apps across different Square products

Support

24/7 support for all merchants via phone, email, and SMS

Community support, and live chat, phone and email support available Monday to Friday, 9AM - 5PM
24/7 phone support available on Premium plans, or for Square Register and Terminal queries

*Based on Zeller's and Square's published UK rates for domestic UK cards, June 2026. In-person payments: Zeller 1.3% vs Square 1.75%, 25.7% lower. MOTO, invoice and virtual terminal payments: Zeller 1.5% vs Square 2.5%, 40% lower.

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Zeller is trusted by over 100,000 businesses.

This company is proactive, efficient, their staff are courteous, kind and understanding. Setting it up was very easy and intuitive. Compared to the other company I tried they were miles better and much easier to deal with.

Zac
Merchant, Twickenham

State of the art card machines. Friendly, knowledgeable staff that are easy to access over the phone.
The fact there is no long contract is so refreshing!

Barry
Merchant, Beaconsfield

What a breath of fresh air these guys are. The terminals are lightweight, user-friendly and very intuitive. Overall, I'm really pleased with the support provided by Zeller. Here's to a long- lasting relationship. Keep up the good work.

Rob
Merchant, Manchester

Best company to work with. Terminal 2 is an amazing card machine and, most importantly, the funds reach your account within the same day. On top of that the customer service was spot on.

Helped with everything I needed and went the extra mile.

Aristofanis
Merchant, Hull

How much could I save?

Enter your yearly turnover and email to see how much you could save with Zeller.

Hardware costs

£99

£149

In-person transaction fee for domestic cards*

1.3%*

Merchant fees

1.6%

Average cost per year

—

Savings with Zeller per year£0.00

Why businesses choose Zeller over Square.

Pay less on every transaction

Zeller's fees are up to 40% lower than Square, depending on how you take payments.*

All in one payment solution

Zeller combines card payments, business account, invoicing and expense cards in one dashboard.

24/7 support

With 24/7 support, someone is there when ever something goes wrong.

Book a demo

About Zeller

Zeller is an Australian financial services company, founded in 2020, that builds card machines and financial tools to help businesses accept payments, manage their finances, and pay suppliers. In 2022, it became the fastest Australian startup to reach unicorn status. Zeller has since launched in the UK, bringing its card machine and business account to British businesses.

It's leveling the playing field for UK businesses, giving them the tools they need to manage cash flow, without the outdated systems, disconnected products, and restrictive contracts that come with many traditional banks. Zeller combines your business's financial management into one platform, accessible online and via mobile app, so you can see exactly where every pound is coming from and going to.

Zeller supports merchants growth with tools designed to improve efficiency and customer experience.

About Square

Square is an American company, founded in 2009, that supports businesses with a range of commerce operations.

It offers a suite of products to take payments, sell online, manage inventory, book appointments, encourage customer loyalty, and manage staff. Square also provides flexible business solutions tailored to different industries, including retail, restaurants, and appointment-based services.

Square operates in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, and Spain. Its stated objective is to help businesses start, run, and grow.