Square Register is Square's dual-screen point of sale system for busy counters: one screen faces you, one faces the customer, and tap and dip card payments are built in. The new second-generation Register is listed at $899 before taxes and fees, or $44 a month for 24 months, on Square's US page as of October 2026.
What it doesn't have is a swipe slot. Only tap and dip are built in, so a customer with a swipe-only card, or a chip or prepaid gift card, needs a separate Square Reader for magstripe, sold separately. These are Square's US prices and terms; UK, Australian and Canadian readers will see other numbers on their local Square site.
The Square Register spec sheet
Square's Register page lists the hardware in more detail than most of its devices:
- Two touchscreens, which move customers from order to payment quickly on both sides of the counter.
- Processing power of up to 2.7 GHz, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of flash memory, for back-to-back checkouts.
- Connectivity from an upgraded wireless chip and a redesigned antenna, which Square says gives a stronger, more reliable internet connection.
- An IP54-rated design for spills, crowds and messy rushes. The chip slot is protected from spills and splashes.
- Built-in tap and dip. Customers see where to tap their card or phone on the customer screen.
What Register can't do without extra kit
Square's own FAQ answers the swipe question: Register has built-in tap and dip payments, and Square Reader for magstripe can be connected to take swipe payments. The same reader is needed for gift cards and prepaid gift cards that have a chip. So if you sell gift cards or still see older swipe-only cards, budget for the magstripe reader alongside the Register.
Register also needs the internet, through Wi-Fi or Ethernet. If the connection drops, offline payments keep you trading for up to 24 hours, and you need to reconnect within that window to upload the transactions.
The software built into Register
Register runs Square Point of Sale, and Square groups the built-in tools by type of business:
| Business type | Built-in features Square lists |
|---|---|
| Food and beverage | Quick order entry, table and course management, preauthorised bar tabs |
| Retail | Low-stock alerts, integrated in-person and online sales, vendor sales reports |
| Beauty | Class and appointment bookings, online booking site, waitlists and no-show protection |
Square adds some detail on each. The food and beverage tools cover quick service, full service and bar service while keeping front and back of house connected. The retail tools manage multiple locations and sales channels. The beauty tools are built around convenient booking options, organised calendars and less downtime between appointments. That's the case for Register in a nutshell: the hardware is the same for a bar, a boutique or a salon, and the software changes around you.
Price and processing fees
Square lists the device at $899, or $44 a month over 24 months with hardware financing at checkout. The processing fee is 2.6% + 15 cents per tap, dip or swipe on a Square Free plan, as of October 2026, with the full rate details on Square's processing fees page.
To complete a counter, Square sells a barcode scanner for faster stocking and gift card checkout, a receipt and ticket printer for receipts and kitchen tickets, a cash drawer that opens with each cash sale, a Bosstab countertop mount that lifts the customer display off the counter, and hardware kits so you can start with the essentials and add extras later.
Register or one of Square's cheaper devices?
Register sits at the top of Square's hardware range. The same page lists Square's other devices, so you can see where it lands:
| Device | Price on Square's page | What Square calls it |
|---|---|---|
| Square Register | $899 or $44 a month for 24 months | The dual-screen system |
| Square Terminal | $299 or $27 a month for 12 months | The receipt-printing POS |
| Square Handheld | $399 or $37 a month for 12 months | The POS that moves with you |
| Square Stand | $149 or $14 a month for 12 months | The iPad POS or self-serve kiosk |
Square Terminal is the obvious alternative. Square describes it as a complete POS with a built-in receipt printer that works best on a countertop, and it takes tap, dip and swipe. You pay $899 for Register against $299 for Terminal, and what the extra buys you is the second, customer-facing screen. Terminal, in return, has the receipt printer and the swipe built in.
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Setting up Square Register
- Plug Register into power, then connect it to your network.
- Log in with your Square account.
- Add your items, menus or services.
- Connect a scanner, printer, cash drawer or magstripe reader if you need them.
- Take your first tap or dip payment.
Square publishes a Register guide and a full spec sheet, and its support team is available through chat if you get stuck. You can buy Register on Square's website or at select retailers, and Square's AR viewer shows how it would look on your own counter before you order.
My verdict
Square Register is the countertop kit for a busy shop, bar or salon where a customer-facing screen speeds up every sale. If you take a handful of payments a day, it's more than you need, and Terminal or a reader will do the job for far less outlay. Whatever you choose, remember the missing swipe slot. If you're comparing Register with other systems, my Square vs Clover guide and my Toast vs Square guide for restaurants are the two to read.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Square Register cost?
Square lists Square Register at $899 before taxes and fees, or $44 a month for 24 months, as of October 2026.
Does Square Register take swipe payments?
Not on its own. Tap and dip are built in, and you connect a Square Reader for magstripe, sold separately, to take swipes.
What are the Square Register specs?
Square lists up to 2.7 GHz of processing power, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of flash memory, two touchscreens, an upgraded wireless chip and an IP54-rated design.
Does Square Register work offline?
Yes, for up to 24 hours. You need to reconnect to the internet within that time to upload the transactions.
What's the difference between Square Register and Square Terminal?
Register is a dual-screen system with tap and dip built in. Terminal is a single-screen countertop POS with a built-in receipt printer that also takes swipes.
What accessories work with Square Register?
Square lists a barcode scanner, a receipt and ticket printer, a cash drawer, a Bosstab countertop mount and hardware kits, plus the magstripe reader for swipes.
