Bookatu vs Square Appointments
Bookatu vs Square Appointments: booking that works in New Zealand
In short
Square Appointments has a tier with no monthly fee, Square Free, and paid Plus and Premium plans at US$49 and US$149 a month for each location in the US, with card fees on every payment. But Square processes cards only in the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, the UK, Ireland, France and Spain, so a business in New Zealand cannot take card payments with it. Bookatu is from US$9 a month after a 90-day free trial, takes 0% commission, and takes deposits in New Zealand through your own Stripe account. Where Square operates, it suits a business that wants its card readers and point of sale; in New Zealand it is not an option for payments.
Square is best known for its card readers and point of sale, and Square Appointments adds booking on top. The detail that matters most depends on where you are. This page covers both the pricing and the country question, with a source for each.
Prices and fees, side by side
| Product | Price model | Starting price | Commission and card fees | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BookatuOur pricing page | One monthly plan, sized by how many clients you served in the last 90 days, never per staff member. US$9 to US$179 a month. | US$9 a monthAfter a 90-day free trial. US$8 a month billed yearly. | 0% on every booking. Stripe's card fees apply to deposits. | Independent salons, barbers, spas, studios and trainers who want their own booking page and a price that does not rise with staff. |
| Square AppointmentsCountry: United Statessquareup.com/us/en/appointments/pricing | Square Free has no monthly fee. Plus is US$49 and Premium US$149 a month for each location. 30-day trial of Plus and Premium. | No monthly fee | No booking commission. Card fees on Square Free: 2.6% + 15¢ in person, 3.3% + 30¢ online; lower on the paid plans. | Businesses in a country Square serves that want its card readers and point of sale with booking. |
Competitor prices are as each company's own pricing page showed them on the date under each source, for the country named, before tax. They change and vary by country, so check the linked page before you decide.
Bookatu vs Square Appointments at a glance
| Topic | Bookatu | Square Appointments |
|---|---|---|
| Card payments in New Zealand | Yes. Deposits go through your own Stripe account. | No. Square processes cards only in the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, the UK, Ireland, France and Spain. |
| Booking commission | 0% on every booking. | None. Card fees on each payment: in the US on Square Free, 2.6% + 15¢ in person and 3.3% + 30¢ online. |
| What the price follows | How many clients you served in the last 90 days. Adding staff does not change it. | Your plan and number of locations: Plus and Premium are charged for each location. |
| Your booking page | Your own branded booking page and link. | A Square online booking site. |
Who should not pick Bookatu
- You take only a few card payments a month and want no monthly fee. Square Free has none; Bookatu costs from US$9 a month once the 90-day trial ends.
- You want card readers and payments from the same company as your booking software. Bookatu does not sell card readers: deposits go through your own Stripe account, and card payments taken on your own terminal are recorded in Bookatu.
- You run a medical or health clinic that must keep clinical records under health privacy law. Bookatu is not built for that yet.
The bottom line
If you are in New Zealand, the payments question settles it: Square cannot process a card for you there. Bookatu works with your own Stripe account, and Stripe supports New Zealand, so you can take a deposit online when a client books.
Where Square operates, the choice is about what you need. Square suits a business that wants its card readers and point of sale alongside booking. Bookatu suits one that wants its own booking page with 0% commission and a price based on clients, not locations. Availability and prices change, so check both before you decide.
Ready to go independent?
Bookatu gives you a branded booking page, deposits, memberships, gift cards and reminders, with 0% commission on your bookings and deposits paid into your own Stripe account.
Start freeCommon questions
Can I use Square Appointments in New Zealand?
Not for card payments. Square's help centre lists card processing in the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, the UK, Ireland, France and Spain only.
How much does Square Appointments cost?
In the US, Square Free has no monthly fee, Plus is US$49 and Premium US$149 a month for each location, and every card payment has a fee: 2.6% + 15¢ in person on Square Free. Plus and Premium have a 30-day free trial.
Can Bookatu take payments in New Zealand?
Yes. Bookatu uses your own Stripe account, and Stripe supports New Zealand. Clients pay deposits online, and Stripe pays the money out to your bank.
Does Bookatu charge commission?
No. 0% on every booking, from US$9 a month after a 90-day free trial.