Software Comparison

Square POS vs SumUp POS - Irish POS Software Compared

Choosing between Square POS and SumUp POS is one of the most common decisions Irish businesses face when evaluating pos software. This comparison breaks down everything an Irish SME needs to know, from Revenue integration and GDPR data residency to pricing and ease of use.

View Square POS

View SumUp POS

Quick Verdict

SumUp wins on fees and Irish support. Transactions are 1.69 percent versus Square's 1.75 percent, and SumUp Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland with phone, email, and live chat covering Irish business hours. Square wins on software breadth, with richer inventory, reporting, staff management, and an app ecosystem that SumUp does not match. Both accept Irish IBAN payouts and neither has Revenue integration, so VAT filing still happens in your accounting tool. For very small Irish operators, market traders, and pop-ups that just need to take card payments cheaply, SumUp is the stronger pick. For established Irish cafes and retailers who need proper POS software, Square is the better long-term choice.

Square POS vs SumUp POS - Feature Comparison

Feature	Square POS	SumUp POS
Monthly Cost	Free to start. Square for Restaurants from EUR 69/month. Square Online from EUR 14/month.	Free entry tier with no monthly fee. POS Pro available on quote via sales demo, pricing not published on the Irish site.
Card Payment Rates	1.75% + VAT per in-person EU/EEA card transaction.	Approximately 1.69% per card transaction. Slightly cheaper than Square on like-for-like volume.
Irish IBAN Payouts	Yes, direct to Irish IBAN. Next-day payouts.	Yes, Irish IBAN payouts supported via SEPA.
VAT Handling	Standard VAT handling on receipts and reporting. Configurable rates.	No built-in VAT rate management. Basic reporting only. VAT treatment needs to be handled in accounting software.
GDPR Data Residency	Mixed EU and US data processing. Listed as Both in our dataset.	EU data residency. Listed as EU in our dataset. Stronger GDPR posture for Irish customer data.
Irish Support	No Irish phone line. Online support with US-centric hours flagged as a con.	Irish business hours support via live chat, email, and phone. SumUp Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Hardware	Free card reader to start. Square Terminal and Square Register available. iPad and Android compatible.	Affordable card readers. Simple, purpose-built hardware. No iPad-first experience.
Features and Depth	Strong POS software with inventory, staff management, loyalty, gift cards, and appointment booking. Square for Restaurants adds table and kitchen display features.	Basic inventory tracking, sales reporting, and digital receipts. Suited to very small operators with simple catalogues.
Pricing
Starting Price	Free tier available	Free tier available
Free Trial	✓	✗
Irish Compliance
Revenue Integration	✗	✗
PAYE Modernisation	✗	✗
Irish Bank Feeds	✗	✗
GDPR Data Residency	Both	EU
SEPA Direct Debit	✗	✓
Irish IBAN Support	✓	✓
VAT Handling	✓	✗

Irish Compliance Comparison

For Irish businesses, compliance with Revenue, GDPR, and local banking standards is non-negotiable. Here is how Square POS and SumUp POS compare on the requirements that matter most to Irish SMEs.

Revenue Integration

Neither Square POS nor SumUp POS offers native Revenue Online Service integration. Irish businesses in pos may not need this feature directly, but should ensure their accounting software handles Revenue compliance separately.

Irish Bank Feeds

Neither Square POS nor SumUp POS offers direct Irish bank feed integrations, which is expected for pos software. Your accounting platform should handle bank feeds separately.

GDPR Data Residency

SumUp POS stores data exclusively in EU data centres, giving Irish businesses straightforward GDPR compliance. Square POS uses eu and us data centres (configuration required), which means you may need to specifically request or configure EU data residency. For businesses handling sensitive Irish customer data, SumUp POS offers greater peace of mind on data sovereignty.

SEPA and IBAN Support

SumUp POS supports SEPA Direct Debit and Irish IBAN format, making euro payments and bank transfers seamless. Square POS does not support SEPA natively, which could mean extra manual steps when processing euro payments or setting up direct debits for Irish customers.

VAT Handling

Square POS includes Irish VAT handling for return preparation and submission. SumUp POS does not handle VAT natively - Irish businesses using SumUp POS will need their accounting software to manage VAT obligations separately.

Pricing Comparison

All prices below are in euro. Pricing can change - we verify vendor pricing monthly, but always confirm on the vendor's website before purchasing.

Square POS

Free

Pricing model: Usage-based
Free trial: Yes
EUR pricing guaranteed: Yes

View Square POS pricing →

SumUp POS

Free

Pricing model: Usage-based
Free trial: No
EUR pricing guaranteed: Yes

View SumUp POS pricing →

Square POS does not publish entry-level pricing - request a quote directly. Total cost of ownership depends on users, plan tier, add-ons and features, so always calculate the full annual cost for your team size before committing.

Who Should Choose Square POS

Square POS is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:

✓ Those who value: free to start
✓ Those who value: elegant hardware
✓ Those who value: easy setup

Who Should Choose SumUp POS

SumUp POS is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:

✓ Companies that value Irish-based phone and email support
✓ GDPR-conscious businesses wanting guaranteed EU data residency
✓ Those who value: no monthly subscription fee

Our Verdict

Both accept Irish IBAN payouts and neither has Revenue integration, so VAT filing still happens in your accounting tool. For very small Irish operators, market traders, and pop-ups that just need to take card payments cheaply, SumUp is the stronger pick. For established Irish cafes and retailers who need proper POS software, Square is the better long-term choice.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific business needs, team size, and priorities. We recommend taking advantage of free trials from both vendors before making your final decision. If you are working with an Irish accountant or payroll bureau, ask which platform they prefer - their familiarity with the software can save you significant time and hassle during setup and ongoing support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Square POS or SumUp POS better for Irish SMEs?

Which is cheaper, Square POS or SumUp POS?

Square POS starts at Free tier available, while SumUp POS starts at Free tier available. Both are similarly priced at entry level, so the best value depends on which features matter most to your business.

Does Square POS or SumUp POS have better Irish bank feeds?

Square POS supports None. SumUp POS supports None. Both offer similar Irish bank compatibility.

Which has better GDPR compliance, Square POS or SumUp POS?

Square POS stores data in EU and US data centres (configuration required). SumUp POS stores data in EU data centres (GDPR-friendly). SumUp POS offers stronger GDPR assurance with EU-only data storage.

Can I switch from Square POS to SumUp POS?

Yes, migrating between Square POS and SumUp POS is possible. Most pos platforms allow you to export your data in CSV or standard formats. We recommend working with your accountant or IT provider to plan the migration, ideally at the start of a new financial year or payroll period to minimise disruption.

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