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Looking for a Square alternative for your cafe?

Most owners who look for a Square alternative are not unhappy with the software on day one — they are unhappy with what it costs on day 400. Here is what to check, and the options worth comparing.

  • Paying for loyalty and per-device kitchen screens on top of the plan
  • Wanting a different processing rate than Square offers
  • Opening or operating in the UAE or Pakistan
  • Needing Arabic, Urdu or Korean at the counter

Square alternatives, compared honestly

  1. 1

    GetCafePOS

    Cafe-only POS with loyalty, tips, bar tickets and an order-ahead store included; any processor; no contract. From $39/location/mo in the US, also sold in the UAE and Pakistan.

    Best for: Independent cafes and small groups that want everything included and no lock-in

    See plans
  2. 2

    Toast (Point of Sale plan)

    $69/mo software (published, checked October 18, 2026). Typically 24–36 months.

    Best for: Larger full-service restaurants that use Toast’s wider ecosystem

    GetCafePOS vs Toast
  3. 3

    Clover (Counter Service)

    $59.95/mo software (published, checked October 18, 2026). Often 36 months via resellers.

    Best for: Owners who want an all-in-one device through their bank

    GetCafePOS vs Clover

We make GetCafePOS, so we list it first; the other entries describe published plans as fairly as we can. Prices checked October 18, 2026.

Six questions to ask any Square alternative

Ask every vendor the same six questions and the right answer usually becomes obvious.

  1. Are loyalty and online ordering included, or monthly add-ons?
  2. Can you choose your own card processor?
  3. Is there a contract or hardware lease?
  4. Do modifiers print in barista build order?
  5. Does it run on tablets you already own?
  6. Does it support your market’s currency, tax and language?

Leaving Square in four steps

  1. Check your terms

    20 min

    Contract end date, early-termination fees, hardware lease and processing agreement.

  2. Export your data

    15 min

    Export your item library from the Square Dashboard as a spreadsheet; customers can be exported as CSV.

  3. Set up GetCafePOS

    An afternoon

    Free import, modifier sets rebuilt with you, printer connected.

  4. Switch on a quiet morning

    Day 1

    Practice orders first, then go live and share your new store link.

Square alternative questions

Answered by the GetCafePOS team. Can’t find yours? Ask us.

What is the best Square alternative for a coffee shop?

Look for a POS that includes loyalty and online ordering without add-ons, lets you choose your processor, and handles drink modifiers well. GetCafePOS was designed around exactly those needs.

Why do cafes leave Square?

Common reasons are add-on costs once the cafe grows (loyalty, kitchen screens), wanting a different processing rate, and needing features or support in a market Square does not serve.

Is there a Square alternative without processing lock-in?

Yes. GetCafePOS works with the processor you choose and adds no markup to card payments.

How long does switching from Square take?

An afternoon for most single cafes: export, import, rebuild modifier sets, practise, switch.

Will my customers notice the switch?

Mostly in good ways: the same drinks, a tip screen sized for coffee, and a loyalty program by phone number. Re-share your new online store link.

Can I try before cancelling Square?

Yes. Run the free trial alongside Square, set up your menu, and switch only when you are ready.

Try the Square alternative built for cafes

Sign up, add your menu with its sizes and milks, and your register and online store are ready the same day.

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