Plutio + Square Integration (2026)

Plutio creates your invoices, and Square processes the payment when clients click "Pay Now." Clients enter their card on Square's checkout page, the charge goes through, and Plutio marks the invoice as paid. You skip the manual reconciliation.

Square makes sense if you already use Square card readers for in-person payments. One account handles both in-person swipes and invoice payments, so all your revenue appears in one dashboard instead of two.

Square's Free plan costs nothing per month. You pay only when payments come through: 2.9% + $0.30 for online, 1% capped at $10 for ACH bank transfers.

Note: Plutio also integrates with Stripe and PayPal. Last updated January 2026.

Plutio

Square

Accept payments

Native

5 min setup

What is Square

Square is a payment processor used by over 4 million businesses for both in-person (POS) and online payments. Square handles credit cards, debit cards, ACH bank transfers, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Freelancers who meet clients in person often choose Square because one account handles both card readers and invoice payments.

TLDR (summary)

Plutio handles your invoices, proposals, and client billing. Square handles the payment processing. When a client clicks "Pay Now" on your Plutio invoice, Square collects the card details, runs the charge, and sends funds to your bank.

Key facts: native integration (no Zapier needed), Free plan has no monthly fees, online payments cost 2.9% + $0.30, ACH costs 1% (max $10), invoices auto-mark as paid, connect in 5 minutes.

Setup takes about 5 minutes. You authorize Plutio to create Square payment links, and every invoice you send includes a Pay Now button that routes through Square.

Integration features

What you get with Plutio + Square

When you connect Square to Plutio, every invoice gets a Pay Now button. Clients pay, Square processes the charge, and Plutio updates the invoice status. Here's what that looks like in practice.

Clients pay without creating accounts

The client opens your invoice, clicks Pay Now, and lands on Square's checkout page. They enter their card (or tap Apple Pay), and the payment goes through in about 30 seconds. No Square account needed, no app downloads, no friction.

Invoices mark themselves as paid

When Square confirms the charge, Plutio flips the invoice to "Paid" automatically. You don't log into Square to check payment status, you don't manually update Plutio, and you don't reconcile spreadsheets at the end of the month.

ACH saves money on large invoices

Credit card fees add up on big invoices. A $5,000 card payment costs $145.30 in fees. The same invoice paid via ACH bank transfer costs $10 flat (1% capped). Encourage ACH for anything over $1,000.

In-person and online in one place

If you take card payments at client sites using Square readers, those transactions show up in the same Square dashboard as your Plutio invoice payments. One revenue report covers everything.

Deposits with proposal signatures

Add a deposit to your Plutio proposal. When the client signs, they pay the deposit right there. Signed contract plus collected deposit in one step.

Payment notifications in real time

You get an email the moment a payment clears. Connect Slack and the notification goes to your team channel instead of (or alongside) email.

How much does Square cost?

Square's Free plan costs nothing per month. You only pay when a client actually pays you.

Square has three plans: Free ($0/month), Plus ($49/month), and Premium ($149/month). Most freelancers stay on Free because the transaction rates are nearly identical across plans. Plus adds batch invoicing if you send many invoices at once.

ACH bank transfers cost 1% with a $10 maximum. On a $5,000 invoice, that's $10 instead of $145.30 for a card payment. Tell clients about ACH when sending large invoices.

Square Free plan rates (January 2026): Online/invoice payments 2.9% + $0.30, In-person with card reader 2.6% + $0.10, ACH bank transfer 1% capped at $10, Keyed-in transactions 3.5% + $0.15.

What you actually pay

$500 card payment: $14.80 fee (2.9% + $0.30), you keep $485.20
$1,000 card payment: $29.30 fee, you keep $970.70
$5,000 ACH payment: $10.00 fee (hits the cap), you keep $4,990
$10,000 ACH payment: $10.00 fee (still capped), you keep $9,990

Should I use Square or Stripe?

Use Square if you take in-person payments with card readers. Use Stripe if you only invoice online.

Square sells card readers and point-of-sale hardware. If you swipe cards at client sites, events, or consultations, Square lets you see those payments alongside your Plutio invoice payments in one dashboard. Stripe doesn't have card readers.

Stripe focuses on online payments and has better recurring billing features. If you never physically swipe a card, Stripe's ACH rates are slightly lower (0.8% with a $5 cap vs Square's 1% with a $10 cap).

The practical difference: Square works better if you do both in-person and invoice payments. Stripe works better if everything is online. Plutio connects to both, so you can offer clients a choice.

Side by side

Online card fees: Square 2.9% + $0.30, Stripe 2.9% + $0.30 (identical)
ACH fees: Square 1% capped at $10, Stripe 0.8% capped at $5 (Stripe saves you money on large invoices)
In-person payments: Square 2.6% + $0.10 with card readers, Stripe has limited POS options
Monthly fee: Both have free plans with no monthly charges

How do I connect Square to Plutio?

Setup takes about 5 minutes. You create a Square account (if you don't have one), connect your bank, and authorize Plutio to create payment links.

Square verifies your identity and bank account before releasing payouts. If you already use Square for in-person card payments, connect that same account so all your revenue lands in one dashboard.

After connecting, send yourself a test invoice and pay it. The invoice should flip to "Paid" within a few seconds of the charge completing.

First-time Square users may see a hold on their first payout while Square verifies the business. After that initial hold, payouts arrive in 1-2 business days. Instant Transfer costs $1.50 and moves money to your bank within minutes.

How to connect

Step 1: Go to squareup.com and create an account if you don't have one (free, no monthly cost)
Step 2: Verify your identity and connect your bank account in Square
Step 3: Open Plutio, go to Settings, then Payments
Step 4: Click "Connect Square" and log into Square when prompted
Step 5: Authorize Plutio to create payment links, then send a test invoice to confirm everything works

What happens when clients pay invoices?

The client clicks "Pay Now," enters their card on Square's checkout page, and the payment goes through in about 30 seconds. No accounts, no downloads, no signup forms.

Card numbers go directly to Square's servers. Plutio never sees or stores card data. Many clients have paid via Square before (at coffee shops, retail stores, etc.), so the checkout feels familiar.

After the payment clears, you and the client both get email confirmations. Plutio marks the invoice as paid. Money starts moving to your bank.

Standard payouts arrive in 1-2 business days. Instant Transfer ($1.50 per transfer) gets funds to your bank within minutes if you need the money faster.

The payment flow

Step 1: Client gets your invoice email and clicks "Pay Now"
Step 2: Square's checkout page opens
Step 3: Client enters card details, or taps Apple Pay or Google Pay
Step 4: Square runs the charge and confirms
Step 5: Plutio marks the invoice as paid
Step 6: Funds land in your bank in 1-2 business days

Can I use Square for both invoices and in-person payments?

Yes. Use one Square account for everything. Invoice payments from Plutio and in-person card swipes show up in the same dashboard.

This is why freelancers who meet clients face-to-face often choose Square over Stripe. You swipe cards at consultations, events, or client sites using Square's hardware, and those payments sit right next to your Plutio invoice payments. One revenue number, not two.

Square sells card readers at different price points: Square Reader ($59, handles contactless and chip), Square Stand ($149), and Square Terminal ($299). In-person swipes cost less than online payments (2.6% + $0.10 vs 2.9% + $0.30).

Example: A photographer collects a $500 deposit through a Plutio invoice, then swipes the client's card for the $1,000 balance after the shoot. Both transactions appear in the same Square dashboard under the same client.

Who benefits from in-person payments

Event vendors: Take payments at markets, conferences, or trade shows
Consultants who visit clients: Collect payment after completing on-site work
Photographers and videographers: Swipe for final balance after shoots
Home service providers: Accept payment when the job finishes

What if payments fail or clients dispute charges?

When a payment fails, Square emails the client automatically. When a client disputes a charge, you get 7 days to submit evidence through Square's dashboard.

Failed payments usually mean the card was declined or expired. Square notifies the client to update their payment method, and you can see the failed attempt in your Square dashboard. For recurring invoices, Square retries failed charges automatically.

Chargebacks are rare when you have signed contracts and proof of delivered work. If a client disputes a charge, Square notifies you immediately and walks you through submitting evidence.

Winning disputes: Upload your signed Plutio proposal, screenshots of delivered work, and any email exchanges. Square says most freelancers with documentation win their disputes. You have 7 days to respond.

Common problems

Payment declined: Square emails the client to fix their card. Check your dashboard to see if the payment eventually went through.
Card expired: Client gets an email asking them to update the card on file. Recurring charges pause until they do.
Client files a chargeback: Submit your signed contract and proof of work through Square's dispute dashboard. Respond within 7 days.
Payout taking longer than expected: New accounts sometimes have verification holds. After Square verifies your business, payouts arrive in 1-2 days.

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Square integration questions

Does Plutio add any fees on top of Square?

No. You pay Square directly at their published rates. Plutio takes nothing extra. Online payments cost 2.9% + $0.30, ACH costs 1% capped at $10.

How long until funds reach my bank account?

Standard payouts land in 1-2 business days. If you need money faster, Instant Transfer ($1.50 per transfer) moves funds to your bank within minutes.

Do clients need a Square account to pay?

No. Clients see a checkout form, enter their card, and pay. No signup, no account creation. Apple Pay and Google Pay work too if clients prefer those.

Can I use Square for both invoice and in-person payments?

Yes. Connect one Square account to Plutio and use the same account with Square card readers for in-person swipes. All transactions, online and in-person, show up in one dashboard.

Can I accept international payments?

Square's international support is more limited than Stripe. Square operates in US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, and a few other countries. For global clients, consider Stripe or PayPal instead.

Can I use Square with Stripe or PayPal?

Yes. Plutio supports multiple payment processors. Connect Square, Stripe, and PayPal to give clients options. Each processor's fees apply to payments made through that method.

What payment methods does Square support?

Credit cards, debit cards, ACH bank transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Square Gift Cards. ACH costs 1% capped at $10, so it saves money on large invoices ($5,000 invoice = $10 fee instead of $145).

Can I collect deposits on proposals?

Yes. Add a deposit to your Plutio proposal. When clients sign, they pay the deposit right there. You get a signed contract and collected deposit in one step.

How do recurring payments work?

Create a recurring invoice in Plutio and set the billing frequency. The client pays the first invoice and saves their card. Square charges automatically each billing cycle after that.

What if a client disputes a charge?

Square notifies you immediately. You have 7 days to submit evidence (signed contracts, delivered work, communication) through Square's dispute dashboard.

Is Square cheaper than Stripe?

Online card fees are identical (2.9% + $0.30). For ACH, Stripe is cheaper (0.8% with $5 cap vs Square's 1% with $10 cap). For in-person payments, Square is better with card readers.

Are there monthly fees for Square?

Square's Free plan has no monthly fees. Plus ($49/month) and Premium ($149/month) plans offer lower transaction rates and additional features like batch invoicing.

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