A contractor-first Square alternative
Square is a general payments and point-of-sale platform, with Invoices and Appointments added on. Redbud Way is built for the contractor who invoices finished work and quotes bigger jobs: collect a deposit, then list fixed-price services customers can book and pay for online. It's free, we never take a cut of your jobs (Stripe's standard fees apply to each payment), and Stripe pays you out automatically.
Free means no Redbud Way subscription and no cut of your jobs. Stripe's standard fees apply to each payment, billed by Stripe to your own Stripe account. See the fees.
Redbud Way vs Square
| Feature | Redbud Way | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | Free plan; Stripe fees apply | Free tier, with paid add-ons |
| Cut of your jobs | None (Stripe fees apply) | None (card processing fees) |
| Payment fees | Stripe: 2.9% + 30¢ per card payment, +0.4% on invoices (see pricing) | Free plan: 3.3% + 30¢ online and invoices, 2.6% + 15¢ in person; 2.9% + 30¢ on paid plans |
| Send invoices paid by card | Free to send; Stripe fees apply when paid (3.3% + 30¢ total) | Yes (Square Invoices) |
| Built for contractor quotes | Yes, per-job card-payment quotes | General payments, POS, appointments |
| Card-payment quotes + deposits | Deposit now, balance on completion | Invoices can take deposits |
| Fixed-price "pay now" listings | Public service links customers buy instantly | Checkout and booking pages |
| Recurring billing (weekly/monthly/yearly) | Yes | Yes (subscriptions, recurring invoices) |
| Online booking (time slots) | Customers pick a slot at checkout | Yes (Square Appointments) |
| Guest checkout (no customer account) | Yes | Yes |
| Payouts | Automatic via Stripe, about two business days after each payment | Via Square |
| Best for | Contractors who quote work and want deposits, no subscription | Retail, appointments, and general card payments |
This reflects Redbud Way's features and Square's general product category. Check current Square plans on their site before deciding. Redbud Way charges 0%; Stripe's standard fees apply to every payment (full fee breakdown).
How much does Square cost?
- Square pricing
- Square Appointments has a free plan for individuals, with paid tiers for teams. Card processing is charged per payment: on its free plan, 2.6% + 15¢ in person and 3.3% + 30¢ for online and invoice payments (2.9% + 30¢ on paid Plus/Premium plans).
- Redbud Way pricing
- Redbud Way is also free, with no subscription and a 0% platform fee. Stripe bills its standard fees to your own Stripe account: 3.3% + 30¢ on an invoice (2.9% + 30¢ card plus 0.4% Invoicing), the same as Square's free plan. Fixed-price bookings cost 2.9% + 30¢, and each quote payment costs the same 3.3% + 30¢ as an invoice.
On invoices the fees are the same: 3.3% + 30¢ on both. Redbud Way’s edges are contractor-shaped quoting with deposits, fixed-price bookings at the plain 2.9% + 30¢, and no subscription to unlock features. See the full Redbud Way pricing and Stripe's fees.
Competitor pricing checked October 2026. See their pricing page.
Why contractors switch to Redbud Way
- Invoices shaped for trade work. Send an invoice for finished work that your customer pays by card from the email, or a quote with a deposit for a bigger job, from the same free account. Stripe’s standard fees apply when you get paid.
- Shaped around the quote. Redbud Way follows the contractor flow start to finish: price the job, send a card quote, take a deposit. It isn't a retail checkout you have to bend into shape.
- Deposit up front. Take a deposit before you start and bill the balance at the end, so you aren't carrying materials and labor out of your own pocket.
- Free, no subscription. Stripe's standard fees apply to each payment, Redbud Way takes 0%, and there are no add-ons to switch on before you can take a payment.
- Bring your Square items. Export your Square item library to CSV and import it as Redbud Way services. No retyping.
Priced the job? Now get paid for it.
Switching from Square? Send your customer an invoice they pay by card from the email with Redbud Way, or a quote that collects a deposit up front. It's free, and we never take a cut of your jobs; Stripe's standard fees apply, billed by Stripe.
Questions
- How much does Square cost?
- Square Appointments is free for individuals, with paid tiers for teams. On its free plan, card processing is 2.6% + 15¢ in person and 3.3% + 30¢ for online and invoice payments (2.9% + 30¢ on paid Plus/Premium plans). Redbud Way is free with no platform fee; Stripe’s standard fees apply. A paid invoice costs 3.3% + 30¢ in Stripe fees, the same as Square’s free plan, and fixed-price bookings cost 2.9% + 30¢. The difference is quotes with deposits and recurring billing shaped for contractors, with no subscription. Full breakdown at redbudway.com/pricing#fees.
- How do Redbud Way invoices compare to Square Invoices?
- Both are free to send, and the fee on a paid invoice is the same: 3.3% + 30¢ on Square’s free plan, and 3.3% + 30¢ in Stripe fees on Redbud Way (2.9% + 30¢ card plus 0.4% Stripe Invoicing). Redbud Way pairs invoices with contractor quotes that collect a deposit first, and sends you an email when an invoice is paid.
- How is Redbud Way different from Square?
- Square is a broad payments and POS platform with Invoices and Appointments added on. Redbud Way is purpose-built for contractors who quote jobs: per-job card quotes with deposits, fixed-price service links customers book online, and free (Stripe’s standard fees apply). Square casts a wide net; Redbud Way is shaped for getting paid on quoted work.
- Is there a monthly fee?
- No. Redbud Way is free: 0% platform fee, Stripe's standard fees apply to each payment (see redbudway.com/pricing#fees), and we never take a cut of your jobs.
- Can I import my Square items?
- Yes. Export your item library to CSV and run it through the in-app importer; your browser reads the file and maps the columns for you.
- Can customers pay without an account?
- Yes, by card or bank transfer as a guest from any phone or browser.
- Can I take a deposit and the balance later?
- Yes. A deposit before the work, the balance when it's done.
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