Updated February 2026

The Best Square Alternative for UK Small Businesses

Tired of Square's high in-person fees and limited UK customer support? Lopay offers the UK's lowest rates at 0.79% flat (or 0.39% via Visa cashback), no contracts, and 4.7/5 Trustpilot rating. Switch in 5 minutes and save up to £1,200/year.

0.79%
Lopay Rate
4.7/5
Trustpilot
£0
Monthly Fee

Why UK Businesses Are Leaving Square

While Square is a popular choice, many UK businesses face these common frustrations:

High Transaction Fees

Square charges 1.75% for in-person and 2.5% + £0.25 for online payments. On £10,000/month, that's £175-250 in fees vs Lopay's £79.

Account Freezing

Square has a 1.5/5 Trustpilot rating, with thousands of complaints about sudden account freezes and withheld funds for weeks.

Poor Customer Support

Email-only support with slow response times. Many merchants report waiting days or weeks for critical issues to be resolved.

Square: A Fair Review

What Square Does Well

Easy setup with no monthly fees

Sleek hardware design and intuitive POS system

Integrated ecosystem (payments, invoicing, payroll)

Same-day deposits available

Where Square Falls Short

1.75% in-person fees (121% higher than Lopay)

1.5/5 Trustpilot rating due to account freezes

Strict risk policies can lock funds without warning

Email-only support with slow response times

Bottom line: Square offers a polished ecosystem with free POS software and a sleek card reader. However, at 1.75% per tap, fees add up fast for busy merchants. Lopay offers 0.79% flat (or 0.39% via Visa cashback) with no monthly fees — saving UK businesses up to 55% on processing costs.

Square vs Lopay: Side-by-Side Comparison

FeatureSquareLopay
In-Person Fee1.75%0.79% flat (or 0.39% via Visa cashback)
Online Fee2.5% + £0.250.79% flat (or 0.39% via Visa cashback)
Monthly Fee£0£0
ContractNoneNone
Trustpilot Rating1.5/5 ⭐4.7/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Customer SupportEmail onlyPhone, email, chat
Account Freezing IssuesCommonRare
Monthly Cost (£10K volume)£175£79 (or £0 with Visa card)
Annual Savings vs Square-£1,152 - £2,100

Calculate Your Savings

See how much you'd save by switching from Square to Lopay

£10,000
Square Fees
£200.00
per month
Lopay Fees
£79.00
per month
You Save
£121.00
per month
Annual Savings with Lopay
£1452.00
Or £2400.00 with our free Visa card (the UK's lowest fees from 0.39%)

Why UK Businesses Choose Lopay Over Square

Lopay is the only UK payment processor offering the UK's lowest fees from 0.39% via our free Visa expense card

UK's Lowest Fees from 0.39%

Use our free Visa expense card and get 0.39% effective rate via Visa cashback on processing fees. The only processor in the UK offering the UK's lowest fees from just 0.39%.

Exclusive to Lopay
4.7/5 Trustpilot Rating

Highest-rated payment processor in the UK. Our merchants love our responsive support and transparent pricing.

No Account Freezing

Unlike Square, we don't freeze accounts without warning. Your money is always accessible when you need it.

Reliable Payouts

How to Switch from Square to Lopay

1
Sign Up (2 minutes)

Create your Lopay account online. No paperwork, no credit checks. Get approved instantly.

2
Get Your Card Reader

Choose from our range of card readers or use your smartphone. Free delivery within 2 business days.

3
Start Saving

Activate your account and start accepting payments at 0.79% flat (or 0.39% via Visa cashback). Keep using Square during transition.

No contract • Cancel anytime • Money-back guarantee

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Lopay alongside Square during the transition?

Yes! Many merchants run both systems in parallel for a few weeks to ensure a smooth transition. There's no contract with either provider, so you can switch at your own pace.

How does the 0.39% fee via Visa cashback work?

When you sign up for Lopay, you get a free Visa expense card. Use this card for business expenses and receive cashback that reduces your effective rate to just 0.39%. It's completely free with no catches.

Will my funds be frozen like with Square?

Lopay has a 4.7/5 Trustpilot rating because we don't freeze accounts without cause. We work with you to resolve any issues rather than locking your funds. Your money is always accessible.

What if I'm not satisfied with Lopay?

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not happy for any reason, we'll refund all fees paid. Plus, there's no contract, so you can cancel anytime with no penalties.

How long does it take to get approved?

Most merchants are approved instantly. In some cases, we may need additional information, but approval typically takes less than 24 hours. You can start accepting payments as soon as your card reader arrives (2 business days).

Ready to Save Up to £2,100/Year?

Join 30,000+ UK businesses who switched from Square to Lopay and never looked back.

No contract
30-day guarantee
Setup in 5 minutes