Square Terminal Credit Card Machine Review

Overview of Square Terminal (T2)

The Square Terminal credit card machine (T2) is a compact, all-in-one payment device that makes it easy for small businesses to accept payments quickly — whether you’re at a counter or moving around. It handles chip, swipe, and contactless payments, and even includes a built-in receipt printer so there’s no need for extra hardware.

It runs on Wi-Fi, has a rechargeable battery, and doesn’t come with any monthly software fees — making it especially appealing to owners who just want something that works without hassle. It’s not meant to replace a full POS system, but it fits right into the larger Square ecosystem if you need to scale later on.

If you’re still deciding, check out our full Square POS review or compare POS systems side-by-side here.

Quick Specs

Pros & Cons

Pros: Easy, portable, affordable | Cons: Limited features, no LTE

Pricing

Square Terminal keeps things simple with upfront, transparent pricing. The hardware is a one-time cost of $299, or you can choose a monthly financing plan starting at $27/month. Transaction fees are fixed at 2.6% + 10¢ per swipe, chip, or tap. There are no hidden charges, no monthly fees, and no long-term contracts.

• Hardware Cost: $299 (or $27/month financing)
• Processing Fees: 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction
• Additional Fees: None
• Optional Hub: $39 for Ethernet or accessory ports

See Square’s full credit card processing fee breakdown here.

Ease of Use

Square Terminal is designed to be simple enough for anyone to use — even if they’ve never touched a POS system before. Setup is fast: just connect to Wi-Fi, sign in, and you’re ready to accept payments. The touchscreen is intuitive, responsive, and cleanly laid out, so training new employees takes minutes, not hours.

Customers also benefit from a quick, seamless checkout experience. Tap, chip, or swipe — the process is smooth, and the built-in printer means no extra cables or clutter at the counter.

Back Office & Management

While Square Terminal isn’t a full POS system, it connects directly with your Square Dashboard. From there, you can create and manage items, monitor transactions, and generate basic sales reports. For small businesses that just need a lightweight management tool, it’s more than enough.

If you outgrow the basics, you can integrate the Terminal with Square POS, Square for Retail, or Square for Restaurants to unlock more robust inventory, staffing, and reporting features.

Training & Support

Training staff is a breeze thanks to the Terminal’s minimal learning curve. Guided setup walks you through everything, and there’s in-device access to help articles. If you need more assistance, Square’s customer support is available 24/7 via phone and chat.

Square also includes real-time fraud protection and ongoing security updates, so you’re covered from day one.

Customer Feedback

Most small business owners love the simplicity and reliability of the Square Terminal credit card machine. Reviews frequently mention how easy it is to set up and use, even for those new to POS systems. The built-in receipt printer and portability are major pluses, especially for salons, cafes, and mobile vendors.

Some users do wish the device had LTE or cellular connectivity for off-grid use, and others mention wanting deeper inventory tools — but for the price and functionality, it’s widely considered a great value.

Square Terminal vs Square Register

If you’re deciding between Square Terminal and Square Register, the key difference is functionality and form. The Terminal is lightweight and portable — ideal for mobile transactions or small counters. Square Register, on the other hand, is a full countertop POS setup with dual screens and more advanced software capabilities.

Choose Square Terminal if you want mobility and minimalism. Go with Square Register if your business requires detailed inventory tracking, employee management, and customer-facing interactions.

Setup & Installation

Getting started with Square Terminal takes less than 10 minutes. Power it on, connect to Wi-Fi, sign in, and you’re ready to go. No technician or complicated wiring needed. If you need extra connectivity or hardware like a cash drawer, the optional Hub gives you Ethernet access and peripheral ports for added flexibility.

Use Cases / Best For

Square Terminal is ideal for businesses that need a reliable and portable credit card machine without the overhead of a full POS system. It’s especially useful for:

• Quick-service restaurants and coffee shops
• Mobile service providers and vendors
• Salons, spas, and personal care businesses
• Boutique retail shops
• Pop-ups and farmers markets

If you’re in food service and want tableside or counter ordering with more advanced tools, check out Square for Restaurants.

FAQs

Final Verdict

The Square Terminal credit card reader is a top-tier solution for small businesses seeking an affordable, mobile-friendly way to accept payments. It’s not a full POS system, but for quick-service vendors, mobile professionals, and small retailers, it delivers everything needed to take payments fast — with no monthly software costs and sleek, intuitive hardware.

If you’re looking for a dependable credit card machine that integrates into a larger POS system when needed, Square Terminal is a strong, future-proof investment.