Global Payments vs Square UK 2026: Fees, Features & Which to Choose

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Global Payments and Square are two very different card processing businesses aimed at very different UK merchants. Global Payments is a large, enterprise-oriented acquirer offering bespoke pricing, dedicated account management, and multi-currency support across dozens of countries. Square is a pay-as-you-go provider built for small and micro-businesses that want simple flat-rate pricing, free card reader hardware to get started, and no monthly contract. If you process more than roughly £30,000 a month and need tailored rates and a dedicated account manager, Global Payments is the stronger fit. If you are a sole trader, market stallholder, or small retailer wanting to accept cards today with no upfront commitment, Square is almost certainly the better choice.

Global Payments vs Square: Fee Comparison

What is Global Payments?

Global Payments is one of the world's largest payment technology companies, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and operating in more than 100 countries. In the UK, it provides merchant acquiring, payment gateways, point-of-sale systems, and data analytics to businesses ranging from independent retailers to large hospitality groups and enterprise organisations. Its UK arm, Global Payments Limited, is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority with FRN 504290. Pricing is not published; rates are negotiated individually based on card volume, business type, and card mix, which means you need a direct quote to understand your likely cost.

The company has a particularly strong footprint in the UK hospitality, retail, and healthcare sectors, partly through its ownership of the EFTPOS terminal estate and its EVO Payments and Heartland brands in other markets. Terminal hardware is supplied under rental or purchase agreements and typically covers Ingenico and Verifone models. Contracts tend to run for 12 to 36 months. You can find a full breakdown of fees and services in our Global Payments review.

What is Square?

Square was founded in San Francisco in 2009 and launched in the UK in 2017. It is operated in the UK by Square Payments Europe Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 900846). Square built its reputation on a free card reader and a simple flat-rate pricing model that removes the complexity of interchange fees and monthly minimum charges. Any UK business can sign up online in minutes, receive a free Square Reader, and start accepting Visa, Mastercard, and American Express in-person at 1.75% per transaction, with no monthly fee on the base plan.

Square has expanded well beyond card readers. Its product range now includes Square Terminal (£149 + VAT), Square Register (£649 + VAT), a fully featured point-of-sale app, a built-in online store builder, Square Appointments, Square for Restaurants, and Square Payroll. The platform suits businesses that want a single system covering payments, inventory, and basic business management. For a full breakdown, see our Square review.

Global Payments vs Square: Features Compared

Payment Methods Accepted

Both providers accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express in-person and online. Global Payments also supports a wider range of alternative payment methods relevant to enterprise and international merchants, including UnionPay, Alipay, and various local payment schemes depending on the country. Square supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Cash App Pay, which covers most consumer digital wallet needs in the UK. Square does not support UnionPay or region-specific international payment methods.

Hardware and Terminals

Square offers three hardware options: the free Square Reader (pairs with a phone or tablet), Square Terminal (a standalone device at £149 + VAT), and Square Register (a dual-screen countertop unit at £649 + VAT). All run Square's own software and require no separate POS system. Global Payments supplies a broader range of Ingenico and Verifone terminals under rental agreements, typically charging £15 £30 per month per terminal. It also integrates with a wider selection of third-party EPOS systems suited to hospitality and multi-lane retail environments. Global Payments hardware is generally more feature-rich for complex environments but comes with ongoing rental costs that Square avoids.

Software Integrations

Square has an open API and integrates natively with WooCommerce, Wix, Ecwid, and a growing number of third-party apps through the Square App Marketplace. It also has its own suite of business tools built in: inventory management, CRM, email marketing, and team management are all available within the Square dashboard at no extra cost on the free tier. Global Payments integrates with a larger number of enterprise EPOS, ERP, and CRM platforms and is better suited to businesses running complex back-office systems. It works with platforms including Oracle MICROS, Lightspeed, and various bespoke retail systems.

International and Multi-Currency Support

Global Payments is the clear leader here. It supports payments in over 140 currencies, has acquiring relationships in multiple regions, and offers dynamic currency conversion for businesses serving international customers. This makes it a practical choice for UK businesses with overseas operations or high volumes of foreign cards. Square processes transactions in GBP for UK merchants and has limited multi-currency capability. If your business regularly takes payments from international visitors using non-UK-issued cards, Global Payments is the stronger option.

Fraud and Security Tools

Global Payments provides dedicated fraud management tools including tokenisation, 3D Secure 2.0 authentication, and configurable fraud rules through its payment gateway. Larger merchants can access more advanced risk scoring and customisable fraud filters. Square includes built-in fraud monitoring, PCI DSS compliance at no extra charge, and 3D Secure for online payments. Both providers are PCI DSS Level 1 compliant. Square's fraud tools are appropriate for small to medium businesses; Global Payments offers more granular control for higher-risk or higher-volume merchants.

Customer Support

Global Payments offers 24/7 telephone support and a dedicated account manager for most business customers. That direct relationship is one of the genuine advantages of a traditional acquirer, particularly when you have a payment problem during a busy trading period. Square's support is primarily delivered through its online Help Centre, in-app messaging, and telephone callback. Phone support is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm for most UK users, though Square Plus subscribers get extended support hours. For businesses that need round-the-clock human support, Global Payments has the edge.

Pros and Cons

Global Payments Pros and Cons

Pros

• Bespoke pricing can deliver lower effective rates than flat-fee providers for high-volume merchants
• 24/7 telephone support and a dedicated account manager included for most customers
• Supports over 140 currencies and international acquiring in multiple regions
• Wide range of Ingenico and Verifone terminal hardware suited to complex retail and hospitality setups
• Strong integration with enterprise EPOS, ERP, and CRM platforms including Oracle MICROS and Lightspeed

Cons

• Pricing is not transparent you cannot compare rates without requesting a quote and going through a sales process
• Contracts typically run 12 to 36 months with early termination fees that can be significant
• Terminal rental fees add £15 £30 or more per month to your overall cost
• Not well suited to very small or start-up businesses; minimum volume expectations apply in practice

Square Pros and Cons

Pros

• Completely transparent flat-rate pricing: 1.75% in-person, 2.5% online, with no hidden fees on the free plan
• No contract and no early termination fees you can stop at any time
• Free Square Reader included when you sign up, so upfront costs can be as low as £0
• Integrated POS software, online store, inventory, and team management tools included at no extra cost
• Next business day settlement as standard, with instant transfer available for a 1.75% fee

Cons

• At 1.75% per transaction, higher-volume merchants pay significantly more than they would on a negotiated interchange-plus rate at £50,000 monthly volume, that is £875 in fees versus potentially £400 £500 with a bespoke acquirer
• Customer support hours are limited on the free plan; 24/7 phone support is not available
• Limited international payment method support unsuitable for merchants who regularly process UnionPay or region-specific alternative payment methods
• Square can place holds on funds or close accounts with limited notice, which some UK merchants have reported as disruptive

Which is Better For...?

Small Retail Businesses and Sole Traders

Square is the better choice for small retailers, market traders, and sole traders processing under £10,000 a month. The free reader, zero monthly fee, and simple 1.75% rate mean you can start accepting cards the same day with no sales calls, no contract negotiation, and no minimum volume commitments. Global Payments is unlikely to take on very small merchants, and even if it did, the complexity and contract terms would outweigh any rate benefit at low volumes.

High-Volume and Enterprise Merchants

Global Payments is the stronger fit for businesses processing more than £30,000 a month. At that volume, Square's 1.75% rate costs £525 per month on in-person transactions alone. A negotiated interchange-plus rate with Global Payments could bring that figure meaningfully lower, with the specific saving depending on your card mix and agreed margin. The dedicated account manager, 24/7 support, and enterprise integrations add genuine operational value at scale.

Hospitality Businesses

Both providers have hospitality products, but they suit different ends of the market. Square for Restaurants (£69 + VAT per month) works well for independent cafés, small restaurants, and food trucks that want table management, modifiers, and POS in one affordable package. Global Payments is better suited to larger restaurant groups, hotels, and multi-site hospitality businesses that need complex EPOS integrations, tipping configurations, and high terminal counts. Busy restaurants taking hundreds of covers a night will also value Global Payments' 24/7 support line.

Online-Only E-commerce Businesses

For a straightforward UK e-commerce business, Square's 2.5% online transaction rate is on the higher end compared with dedicated gateway providers. Global Payments' payment gateway is more competitive at scale and integrates with a wider range of e-commerce platforms. That said, for a small online shop just starting out, Square's built-in online store and simple setup are hard to beat. Businesses primarily selling online and processing more than £15,000 a month should get quotes from both providers and also consider dedicated gateway alternatives before committing.

Our Verdict

These two providers do not really compete for the same customers. Square wins clearly for small businesses, start-ups, and anyone who wants simplicity, transparency, and no long-term commitment. The 1.75% flat rate is not the cheapest in the market, but the lack of monthly fees, free hardware, and next-day settlement make the total cost predictable and manageable at low volumes. The built-in POS tools add genuine value that sole traders and small retailers would otherwise pay separately for.

Global Payments wins for established businesses with substantial card volumes, complex hardware needs, or international payment requirements. Bespoke pricing, dedicated support, and deep enterprise integrations justify the contract commitment for the right type of merchant. The opacity of its pricing is a genuine frustration, and you should always get at least two or three competing quotes before signing any multi-year agreement. Early termination fees can run to several hundred pounds, so read the contract terms carefully.

If you are unsure which provider suits your volume and business type, Compare Card Fees is a free, independent advisory service that has helped UK businesses find better card payment deals since 2012. Use the comparison tool to get quotes from multiple providers side by side without any sales pressure.