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Leaving Square

How to Leave Square and Switch Card Machine

Square charges per transaction and says there is no cost to keeping an account open. So there is usually nothing to cancel except any monthly add-on: export your reports, let the last payouts arrive, close the account and keep the reader. Get your new machine working first so you never miss a sale.

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What Square says

  • -Square charges per transaction and says there is no cost to keeping an account open. source
  • -Only the account owner can deactivate, from Settings, Account and Settings, Business information, About, Deactivate your business. source
  • -After deactivation you lose access to payment history, so export your sales, item library and customer directory first, and cancel any subscriptions. source

Step by step

  1. Export your payment history, item library and customer directory.
  2. Cancel any paid Square subscriptions (Appointments Plus, Restaurants Plus).
  3. Deactivate from Settings, Account and Settings, Business information, About.
  4. The hardware is yours to keep or sell.

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Square and Flatpay side by side

SquareFlatpay
Card fee1.75% on UK cards (1.6% on Appointments Plus)1.49% on all cards (terminal), 1.69% with the POS systems, up to £200,000 a year; 0.99% above that
Monthly£0 free plan; £29 (Appointments Plus) or £69 (Restaurants Plus) per location£0 (minimum card turnover £1,100 a month incl. VAT, assessed yearly; £39 if not met)
TerminalReader £19, Terminal £149 (ex VAT)£0 upfront (PAX A920 Pro with SIM and printer)
PayoutsNext working day; instant for 1.95%Daily payouts

Full cost comparison: Flatpay vs Square

Before you give notice

  • Find both agreements. Many businesses have two: the merchant (card processing) agreement and a separate terminal hire or rental agreement. Each can have its own term and its own notice.
  • Find the start date and the first term. The first term is the minimum you agreed to. With the larger providers it can be no longer than 18 months for businesses with up to £10 million in card takings (Payment Systems Regulator).
  • Check what happens after the first term. With those providers it must then roll month to month with one month's notice. Look for any automatic renewal wording and the date you must act by.
  • Read the exit fee clause. Note how any early exit fee is worked out. The regulator requires it to be cost-based and explained before you sign.
  • Check the terminal. Is it hired, rented or yours? A hired terminal goes back; ask how, and get a receipt.

Questions

Is there a fee to leave Square?

Square publishes no fixed term, so there is normally no exit fee; cancel any monthly add-on first.

Can I keep taking cards while I switch?

Yes. Have the new machine installed and tested first, then give notice on the old one. Flatpay installs and sets up its terminal on site.

Leaving another provider

More card machine guides

Sources, last checked 21 October 2026

Facts about Flatpay come from Flatpay's own website; to get a quote, use the form on this page.

squareup.com (deactivate your account), psr.org.uk (sd16 limiting the length of initial term), psr.org.uk (psr finalises plans to help businesses s), squareup.com (pricing), flatpay.com (pricing)

Want the numbers for your business? We will arrange a free Flatpay quote and a call from a local sales manager.

Get my free quote

GetBrent is an independent UK directory. We work with Flatpay and may receive a fee if you sign up through this page; that does not change the facts shown, which come from each provider's own website or the regulator, checked 21 October 2026. Terms change, so check your own agreement.

How to Leave Square and Switch Card Machine | GetBrent