A Square Invoices alternative for solo owners
Square Invoices is a solid, well-known tool. Mandalo is a smaller, simpler option built for owners who mostly just want to text a link and get paid.
Reviewed September 29, 2026 · Mandalo
Where Square Invoices is stronger
- It's a full ecosystem. Square offers point-of-sale, card readers, payroll and more if you grow into them.
- More features. Square's invoicing product offers things Mandalo doesn't yet, such as recurring invoices and reminders. Check which Square plan includes what you need.
- Lower percentage fee for the same card payment, depending on plan. Square reports 3.3% + 30¢ on the free plan and 2.9% + 30¢ on paid plans (Square pricing).
Where Mandalo may fit better
- Built around a text-a-link workflow. Enter an amount and a phone or email, get a link, send it. No client list or item catalog to set up first.
- No monthly plan to choose. Mandalo charges $1.50 per successful payment, plus Stripe's standard fees.
- Payouts through your own Stripe account.
- Message templates in English and Spanish for the text or email you send to customers.
- Simple enough to use from the driveway.
Cost on a typical job
| Option | Published card rate | Fee on a $200 payment |
|---|---|---|
| Zelle | Usually $0 from the sender; business terms vary by bank | Often $0, but no card checkout |
| Venmo business profile | 1.9% + 10¢ (Venmo) | $3.90 |
| Cash App business | About 2.6% + 15¢ (confirm in the app) | $5.35 |
| Stripe, standard | 2.9% + 30¢ (Stripe pricing) | $6.10 |
| Square Invoices, free plan | 3.3% + 30¢ (Square) | $6.90 |
| PayPal invoicing | 3.49% + 49¢ (PayPal) | $7.47 |
| Mandalo | Stripe's 2.9% + 30¢ plus $1.50 per payment | $7.60 |
Rates as published in September 2026 for standard US card payments. Actual fees vary by card type, plan, and payment method, so use this for orientation only.
On a $200 job, Square's free plan costs about $6.90 and Mandalo about $7.60. If you send a lot of large invoices, Square's percentage-only structure will usually be cheaper. If most of your payments are small, Mandalo's flat $1.50 adds a bigger share, so run your own numbers with the fee calculator.
What Mandalo doesn't do yet
Mandalo doesn't have recurring invoices, estimates, automated reminders, tax or discount controls, partial payments or accounting integrations. If you need those today, Square (or another full invoicing product) is a better fit. If you want the fastest path from "job done" to "paid" and nothing else, Mandalo is built for that.
Who should pick which
| If you... | Consider |
|---|---|
| Need recurring billing, estimates and reminders | Square Invoices |
| Already use Square for in-person sales | Square Invoices |
| Want a text-a-link workflow with no monthly plan | Mandalo |
| Want your own Stripe account and simple paid/pending tracking | Mandalo |
Try Mandalo on one real job and compare it to what you use today.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mandalo cheaper than Square?
Usually not on a percentage basis. Square's published fee on the free plan is a bit lower than Stripe's rate plus Mandalo's $1.50 on a typical job. Mandalo's advantage is simplicity and no monthly plan, not price.
Can I use Mandalo and Square together?
Yes. Some owners keep Square for in-person sales and use a simple link for remote customers. They're separate accounts.
Send your first payment link today
No monthly fee. Mandalo charges $1.50 per successful payment, plus Stripe's standard processing fees.