HomePayment SolutionsSwitch from Square
Critical BS vs. Square
Switch from Square: Personalized Rates for Retail & Service Businesses
Stop overpaying 2.6% + 15¢ on every swipe. Our tailored flat, tiered and interchange‑plus options beat Square’s pricing, include free terminals and unlock next‑day funding and a powerful merchant portal.
The problem
Why Switch from Square
- Square’s flat 2.6% + 15¢ in‑person rate inflates costs for growing merchants.
- No automatic rate reductions or volume discounts; you must negotiate.
- Funds may be subject to reserves or holds.
- Hardware must be purchased; no equipment credits.
- Minimal reporting and re‑evaluation only upon request.
Savings estimator
See what you’d keep each month
Adjust your monthly volume and average ticket to estimate your effective rates and monthly savings versus Square. Use the toggle if you don’t have statements.
Estimates for merchants with verifiable history/volume. Final pricing after underwriting. Starter rates are available without prior history.
Three ways to pay less
Your Personalized Offers
Flat Rate
2.35% + 12¢ (10k–30k volume)
2.25% + 10¢ (30k–60k)
2.15% + 9¢ (60k–100k)
Simple all‑in pricing beats Square’s flat rate. Best for quick‑service shops and new businesses.
Tiered
2.30% / 2.50% / 3.50% + 10¢ (10k–30k)
Lower qualified rate rewards debit and non‑reward cards. Mid and non‑qual tiers priced to ensure profitability. Works well for merchants with mostly card‑present debit transactions.
Interchange‑Plus
+0.40% + 8¢ (10k–30k)
+0.35% + 7¢ (30k–60k)
+0.30% + 6¢ (60k–100k)
Pay the true interchange plus our small markup. Best for established businesses with varied card types.
Upload statements for custom pricing; starter rates/dual pricing program available without history.
Free Placement Program
Find your setup in two taps
Every plan includes modern devices on loan. Choose the right combination based on your transaction volume.
See the full device guide
Device capabilities include EMV, NFC, magstripe, built‑in printers, 4G/Wi‑Fi and barcode scanners. Payments Hub offers virtual terminal, invoicing, reporting, chargeback tools, tokenization/encryption, and next‑day/same‑day funding options.
| Transactions per Month | Use Case | Suggested Devices |
|---|---|---|
| ≤1,000 | Solo retail/service | 1 Desk/3500 or Smart Keypad; optional handheld (A77) |
| 1,000–3,000 | Café, boutique | 1 Countertop + PIN pad; 1–2 handhelds |
| 3,000–8,000 | Busy restaurant/retail | Smart POS+ + Countertop + PIN pad + 2 handhelds |
| 8,000+ | Multi‑lane retail | Multi‑lane POS+ with PIN pads per lane + handhelds |
All shown devices are included in Critical BS Inc. Free Equipment Placement (program terms apply).
Apply now
Choose your application path
Provide statements for our best rates or start with our starter rate and minimal paperwork.
- Custom pricing: upload three months of statements for your best offer.
- Get Started Right Away (No History): if you’re a new business or prefer to skip document uploads, choose our 2.60% + 10¢ starter rate (flat). You can always upload statements later to qualify for custom pricing.
What happens next
- A short application: your business, your volume, your devices
- Owner identity and bank-account details are collected after we make contact, never on a web form
- We review and get back to you quickly
Straight answers