Square vs Stripe
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of The 11 Best Payment Gateways (2026). Last verified June 9, 2026.
The short answer
Stripe ranks higher on Top 11 (#1 vs #4) for Businesses accepting online payments. The top choice for its unmatched developer tools, feature velocity, and scalable infrastructure.
At a glance
| Square | Stripe | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #4 / The 11 Best Payment Gateways (2026) | #1 / The 11 Best Payment Gateways (2026) |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 8.6 | 9.3 |
| Best for | Integrated online and offline payments | Developer-first online payments |
| Pricing | $$ (Pay-as-you-go) | $$ (Pay-as-you-go) |
| HQ | San Francisco, USA | San Francisco, USA & Dublin, Ireland |
| Founded | 2009 | 2010 |
Square
The top choice for businesses needing a single, simple solution for both online and in-person sales.
squareup.comStripe
The top choice for its unmatched developer tools, feature velocity, and scalable infrastructure.
stripe.comMethodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.