A Stripe alternative made for in-person business.
Stripe is excellent if you're a developer building online checkout. But if you're running a counter, you want a lower in-person rate, someone to set up your terminal, and a real POS — not an API. That's Surge.
Why in-person owners look for a Stripe alternative
Stripe built its reputation online, and it’s superb there. In person, though, it expects you to be self-serve: order a reader, wire it up, and lean on documentation when something goes wrong. For a café, salon or shop, that’s a lot of overhead for taking a tap.
Surge is the counter-first option: 2.5% + 15¢ in person, local in-person setup with no code, a full point-of-sale included free, and a human who answers the phone. You keep the option to take online or keyed payments when you need them — you just don’t have to be a developer to run your register.
Stripe is developer- and online-first. Surge is built for in-person local business — checkout, terminal, receipts, all ready to go.
Stripe Terminal in person is typically around 2.7% + 5¢; Surge is 2.5% + 15¢, clearly stated. On everyday tickets the counter rate is what matters.
No integration, no API keys. We set up your terminal in person across the GTA and Durham and you're taking payments the same day.
A full point-of-sale included free and a local person on the phone — not a dashboard, docs, and email support.
How Surge compares to Stripe
Stripe’s pricing varies by product and region, so treat the right-hand column as commonly reported figures — confirm current rates for your setup.
| Surge | Stripe (typical) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-person rate | 2.5% + 15¢, clearly stated | Typically ~2.7% + 5¢ (Terminal) |
| Online / keyed | Available when you need it | ~2.9% + 30¢ (standard online) |
| Setup | Local, in person, no code | Self-serve / developer integration |
| POS software | Full POS included free | Bring-your-own or build it |
| Support | Local, real human | Docs, dashboard, email |
| Contract | None — cancel anytime | None |
Stripe figures reflect commonly reported patterns and vary by product and region; confirm current Stripe pricing before switching.
See what you'd save on in-person sales
Drag the sliders to your real counter volume and average ticket. Compare Stripe’s in-person Terminal rate to Surge’s 2.5% + 15¢ — across a year of taps, the difference is real money.
That is about 800 transactions a month.
Estimate only. Compares a common 2.9% + $0.30 per-transaction rate against Surge pricing of 2.5% + $0.15 per transaction. Your exact savings are confirmed on the call.
Want the exact comparison for your business? Book a free 15-minute call — or read flat-rate vs interchange-plus pricing.
A register, not a toolkit
Where Stripe hands you building blocks, Surge hands you a working business system: a full point-of-sale with inventory, reports and refunds, set up in person and backed by local support. See it for restaurants or retail.
See exactly what you'd save vs Stripe
A free 15-minute call, a clear quote, and the real dollar difference on in-person sales — no pressure, no jargon.
This page is general information, not financial or legal advice, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Stripe. Stripe is a trademark of its owner. Competitor pricing and features change and vary by product and region — confirm current terms before switching.