SkyTab vs Square for Restaurants: Free Isn't Always Cheaper

Square's free plan is genuinely free for the software. But the processing fees apply to every single transaction—and at 2.6% + $0.10 per in-person swipe (or 3.3% + $0.30 for online orders on the free plan), those fees add up fast.

Consider a restaurant processing $40,000/month in card sales on Square's free plan: processing fees alone would be approximately $1,040–$1,080/month, or roughly $12,500–$13,000/year. Add hardware ($149–$899 per device), a KDS subscription ($20/mo per screen), and any paid plan upgrades, and the "free" system can cost $15,000–$20,000+ annually.

With SkyTab's Dual Pricing program, that same restaurant could pay $29.99/month ($360/year) with 0% processing fees.

Square's free plan covers basic menu management, pickup and delivery, and simple reporting. But to access features most full-service restaurants need—like floor plan customization, split checks, auto-gratuity by party size, seat management, and 24/7 phone support—you need the Plus ($49/mo) or Premium ($149/mo) plans.

SkyTab includes all of these capabilities in the $29.99/month subscription. Reservations, waitlist management, kitchen display, labor scheduling, and online ordering are standard—not gated behind higher-priced tiers.

Hardware consideration: Square's system is iPad-based and not specifically built for restaurant environments. SkyTab's hardware is restaurant-grade, designed to withstand the heat, grease, and spills of a commercial kitchen, and comes with a lifetime warranty.