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Payment Processing Comparison

AGMS vs Square

Which payment processor is right for your business? Compare fees, features, and support side by side.

Get a Free Rate Comparison

Square is one of the most recognized names in payment processing — but popularity doesn’t mean it’s the best deal. If you’re processing more than a few thousand dollars a month, Square’s flat-rate pricing is almost certainly costing you more than it should.

Here’s an honest comparison of AGMS vs Square so you can decide which processor actually fits your business.

Processing Fees: The Real Cost

Square's Pricing

  • In-person (tap/dip/swipe): 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction
  • Online: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
  • Manually keyed-in: 3.5% + 15¢ per transaction
  • Invoices: 3.3% + 30¢ per transaction
  • No volume discounts — same rate whether you process $1K or $100K/month

AGMS Pricing

  • Interchange-plus pricing: You pay the actual card cost + small transparent markup
  • Volume discounts: Rates decrease as your volume grows
  • Effective rate: Typically 1.5%-2.2% all-in (vs Square’s 2.6%+)
  • Cash discount program: Available to effectively eliminate processing costs

Real-World Cost Comparison

On $10,000/month in card sales:

  • Square: ~$270/month in processing fees ($3,240/year)
  • AGMS: ~$170/month in processing fees ($2,040/year)
  • Your savings: ~$100/month = $1,200/year

On $25,000/month:

  • Square: ~$660/month ($7,920/year)
  • AGMS: ~$425/month ($5,100/year)
  • Your savings: $2,820/year

Hardware & Equipment

Square

  • Square Reader (magstripe): Free
  • Square Reader (contactless + chip): $49
  • Square Terminal: $299
  • Square Register: $799
  • Locked to Square — can only use Square hardware with Square processing

AGMS

Support & Stability

Square

  • Self-service support only (email, help center)
  • No dedicated account manager
  • Account freezes: Square is known for holding funds or freezing accounts without warning — especially for new businesses, high-ticket items, or sudden volume increases
  • No rate negotiation — ever

AGMS

  • Dedicated U.S.-based account manager — your own person, not a ticket queue
  • Phone support during business hours
  • Rate reviews as your business grows
  • Stable merchant account — no surprise freezes
  • Next-day funding available

When Square Makes Sense

Square is a reasonable choice if:

  • You’re brand new and processing under $2,000/month
  • You need to start accepting cards TODAY with zero setup
  • You don’t want to deal with a merchant account application

But once you’re past the startup phase and processing $5,000+/month, you’re leaving money on the table with Square’s flat rates.

When AGMS Is the Better Choice

  • You process $5,000+/month in card sales
  • You want lower rates that decrease as you grow
  • You need a dedicated support person who knows your business
  • You want hardware flexibility — Clover, PAX, Dejavoo, SwipeSimple
  • You’re tired of worrying about account freezes
  • You serve restaurants (Quantic POS beats Square for Restaurants)

Get a free rate comparison — see exactly how much you’ll save →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AGMS cheaper than Square?

For most businesses processing over $2,000/month, yes. AGMS uses interchange-plus pricing which is typically 30-40% cheaper than Square’s flat 2.6% + 10¢ rate. The more you process, the more you save.

Can I switch from Square to AGMS?

Yes. AGMS handles the full transition — new merchant account, terminal programming, and cutover with zero downtime. Contact us for a free rate comparison →

Does AGMS have a free card reader like Square?

SwipeSimple through AGMS is $10/month and includes a Bluetooth card reader that accepts chip, tap, and swipe — similar to Square Reader but with lower processing rates.

Is Square good for restaurants?

Square for Restaurants works but charges 2.6% + 10¢ with no volume discounts. AGMS offers Quantic POS — a full restaurant POS with table management, kitchen displays, and online ordering — with custom processing rates that are typically much lower.