As a venue operator and business owner, you work hard to provide exceptional experiences for your guests. One essential aspect of running a successful business is having a reliable and efficient payment processing system in place. With so many options in the market today, finding the best solution that suits your needs can be challenging. That's why we're here to help.
In this article, we will compare three leading payment processors: Stripe, Square, and ROLLER Payments. Whether you're familiar with Square payment, Stripe payment, or looking for the capabilities offered by Square software and Stripe software, we've got you covered. These platforms are mobile payment processor solutions and provide comprehensive payment processing services for businesses of any kind.
We will examine their features side by side and delve into their key differences. From easy integration and various payment types to greater control and a user-friendly mobile app, we'll explore the factors that make each platform a good choice for small business owners like you.
Stay with us as we look closer at these payment processors, their mobile payment platforms, and the benefits they offer as service providers. Whether you're a brick-and-mortar establishment or an online business, we'll help you decide to find the best payment processing solution for your unique requirements.
What is Stripe?
Founded in 2010 and currently headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Stripe has an impressive 8,000 employees.
Stripe caters to millions of businesses, regardless of their size. They help businesses build websites and apps to send payouts and accept payments globally. Stripe can also assist in sending invoices, managing business spending, issuing gift cards, combating fraud, and more.
What is Square?
Established in 2009, initially only as a payments processing system, Square has expanded into software and builds integrated, omnichannel solutions for businesses globally.
Square’s solutions help merchants manage inventory, sell online and in-store, book appointments, and manage staff. Additionally, merchants can manage their cash flows and access business loans from their point-of-sale devices.
What alternatives to Stripe and Square are available?
ROLLER Payments is a ROLLER product. It is the payments arm of the business and is a fully integrated, unified payment processing solution for the attractions industry.
ROLLER Payments features integrated reporting, refunds, and invoicing. It also allows guests to purchase online or in-store using their preferred payment method – including digital wallets and Buy Now, Pay Later.
Additionally, ROLLER Payments utilizes sophisticated features like ‘smart dunning’ to increase the number of successful transactions. And as a result, you save money on rebilling charges, and your guests are left happier.
Finally, ROLLER Payments provides world-class fraud and revenue protection powered by Adyen, a global leader in payments infrastructure. ROLLER invests in advanced tools that protect your venue against fraudsters and reduce your exposure to revenue loss, so you can sleep easy knowing your revenue is secure.
|
Features |
ROLLER Payments |
Stripe |
Square |
|
Guest ability to pay with preferred payment method |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Fully integrated reporting |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
|
Recurring billing |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
PCI compliant |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Fraud and revenue protection |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Refund capability |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Venue manager and payment processing all-in-one system |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
|
API and integrations available |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Tools available to reduce number of failed payments (i.e. Smart dunning, smart retries) |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Outbound payment option (payouts) |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Marketing support |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
|
24/7 IT support |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
Stripe vs. Square vs. ROLLER Payments: Key differences
1. ROLLER Payments: a payments processor designed for the attractions industry
What separates ROLLER Payments from Stripe and Square is that ROLLER Payments is purpose-built software designed specifically for the attractions industry.
It integrates seamlessly with your ROLLER dashboard, which handles bookings, scheduling, etc., and handles everything payment-related — from invoicing to refunds.
ROLLER Payments comes jam-packed with a host of valuable and easy-to-navigate features, including:
- Guest ability to pay via their preferred payment method — digital wallets and Buy Now, Pay Later included
- Fully integrated payment fields so guests can complete their online purchases all in one view — improving their online experience, and conversions too
- Integrated reporting that you can do from your ROLLER dashboard
- World-class security and compliance so you will never have to worry about your data security again
- Fraud and revenue protection with advanced tools that protect against fraudsters and reduce your exposure to revenue loss
2. Stripe: a payments processor that can cater to crypto businesses
Stripe’s differentiating factor as compared to ROLLER Payments and Square platform is that it offers an outbound payment option, too. An option like this is advantageous for merchants needing to pay suppliers or other business-related bills.
Stripe also offers features to help crypto businesses process payments and launch projects better.
Stripe is a sound payments processor with lots to offer businesses across many industries. But if you are an attractions venue operator looking for a system to help you better manage all the facets of your business, Stripe may not be a perfect fit. Stripe is not a complete venue management system, and many of its extra features, as impressive as they are, might not be helpful to your particular venue.
3. Square: a payment processor with multiple add-ons
Square’s product is more similar to the ROLLER product compared to Stripe. It can help you manage many areas of your business and process payments.
Square offers a few unique features such as:
- Payment links, buttons, or QR codes that merchants can create at will and guests can use to pay for a specific item
- A Photo Studio app to help you shoot professional product photos from your iPhone
Square also offers a ‘customer feedback’ tool to help you better understand and cater to your guests. But it is less comprehensive than ROLLER’s Guest Experience Score tool.
Square’s customer feedback tool does not send surveys to guests; instead, it allows guests to leave feedback through their digital receipts and does not ask any detailed questions about the guests’ experience.
It allows merchants to communicate with guests to rectify any negative experiences, however, it does not encourage guests who leave good reviews to post them publicly — which can be very impactful for potential guests looking you up online.
Other key differences
- Pricing Structure: When it comes to pricing, each payment processor has its own structure. Square charges a flat rate for transactions, making it a straightforward choice for small businesses. Stripe, on the other hand, offers customized pricing based on the specific needs of businesses. ROLLER Payments provides pricing information tailored to the attractions industry, ensuring a better fit for venue operators.
- Customer Support: Customer support is an important aspect to consider when choosing a payment processor. Square and Stripe offer 24/7 customer support, ensuring that assistance is available whenever needed. ROLLER Payments also provides dedicated customer support to address any concerns or issues venue operators may have.
- Features: Each payment processor offers a range of features to cater to different business needs. Square provides additional features such as payment links, buttons, and QR codes, allowing merchants to offer convenient payment options to their customers. Stripe stands out with its ability to cater to crypto businesses and offers features supporting payment processing. ROLLER Payments, being purpose-built for the attractions industry, offers integrated reporting, fraud and revenue protection, and fully integrated payment fields, making it an ideal choice for venue operators.
When to Choose Square vs. Stripe vs. ROLLER
Weigh your options and go with what fits best for you. Deciding which payment processing software is right for your business can be challenging. Here are some factors to consider when choosing between Square, Stripe, and ROLLER Payments:
- Small Businesses and Online Stores: Square's flat rate pricing and additional features make it a better choice for small businesses and online stores that require a simple and cost-effective payment solution.
- Online Businesses: Stripe's customization options and support for online transactions make it the main difference for businesses operating primarily online. It provides the necessary tools for managing credit card payments, debit cards and other online payment services.
- In-Person Payments and Payment Solutions: Square's integrated solutions and card readers are designed for in-person transactions, making it the best option for businesses with physical locations and a need for seamless in-person payment processing.
- Customer Service and Technical Support: Stripe's reputation for excellent customer service and technical support is a good reason to choose their payment services. They prioritize assisting and guiding their customers, ensuring a smooth payment process.
Ultimately, it's important to evaluate your specific business requirements, including the nature of your operations, customer preferences, and future growth plans. Consider whether you need a complete venue management system like ROLLER Payments or if a dedicated payment processor like Square or Stripe would be a better option.
Weigh your options, and go with what fits best for you
Weighing your options and choosing the right payment processing software can be a tough decision for business owners. It's essential to consider factors such as ease of use, the features offered by Square vs Stripe vs ROLLER, and which platform would be the best choice for your specific needs.
If you're looking for a simple and easy way to handle transactions, Square, Stripe, or ROLLER are all suitable choices. These companies are well-known payment platforms in the payment industry and provide reliable services to businesses of any kind. Assessing the ease of use and user-friendly interfaces each platform offers will help you make an informed decision.
Take a closer look at the features and functionalities provided by Square, Stripe, and ROLLER. Compare their capabilities to determine which platform offers the best choice for your business. Whether you require a robust venue management system or a streamlined payments platform, consider how each option aligns with your requirements and the level of control you desire.
The good news is that today's market offers a variety of payment processing options, and Square, Stripe, and ROLLER are among the top players. They all offer mobile apps and support various payment methods, ensuring convenience for both you and your customers.
Lastly, don't hesitate to explore the experiences of others who have used these platforms. Check customer reviews and testimonials to gather insights into the pros and cons of each payment solution. This research will enable you to make a well-informed decision and choose a provider that suits your business needs.
If you would like to learn more about ROLLER Payments, please click here or reach out to us any time, and we’ll be happy to help.
