Compare · Square vs Servio
Square vs Servio: an honest comparison for UK venues
Servio includes POS, QR ordering, one kitchen station and loyalty from £89/month. See how native ingredient inventory and reusable devices compare with a Square package that adds MarketMan, loyalty and QR ordering.
Published UK package inputs; confirm live supplier prices, compatible equipment and contract terms before buying.
The short version
Servio Starter includes POS, QR order and pay, loyalty and one kitchen station at £89/month. Native ingredient inventory adds £29/month: £118/month or £1,416/year in software. The selected Square bundle is £193/month equivalent or £2,316/year. Servio’s software is £75/month or £900/year less. Hardware, processing and venue-specific requirements are separate; see the full breakdown.
| Criterion | Servio | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Software price | Starter £89 + inventory £29 = £118/month | Restaurants Plus £69 + MarketMan £79 + Loyalty £25 + Online Plus £20 = £193/month equivalent |
| Required extras | QR, one kitchen station and loyalty included; inventory is native | MarketMan is a third-party ingredient-stock integration; QR Online Plus billed £240 annually; lowest loyalty band |
| Equipment | Compatible devices you own, or two used Android tablet allowances ≈ £120; new integrated reader quote | Compatible devices you own, or used iPad + Android KDS allowances and Reader ≈ £169 |
| Card fees | Stripe rates depend on channel and card type; separate from subscription | 1.75% in person; 1.4% + 25p online for UK cards; separate from subscription |
| First year, software only | £1,416 on monthly billing; equipment and processing separate | £2,316; includes £240 annually for Online Plus; equipment and processing separate |
| Contract | Monthly option or annual; access to billing-period end, no cancellation fee | Confirm selected subscriptions; Online Plus QR component billed annually |
One venue needing POS, QR ordering, one kitchen station, ingredient inventory and loyalty. Square Loyalty uses its 0–500 monthly visits band and MarketMan pricing is for eligible new sellers. Software feature depth differs. Add each provider’s confirmed equipment budget and payment fees before comparing total costs. See sources and exclusions.
Who is Square best for?
Square may suit a venue that wants its payments, hardware and restaurant ecosystem together. Verify the specific kitchen, inventory, loyalty and integration package you need and obtain a complete quote.
Who is Servio best for?
Servio may suit food-led venues wanting connected POS, QR, kitchen tickets and reporting on compatible devices. Growth includes tables, reservations, inventory and multi-station routing; core tools are available from Starter.
How much does Square cost compared with Servio?
Servio’s software is £118/month on monthly billing. Square’s selected bundle is £193/month equivalent: Restaurants Plus £69, MarketMan £79, Loyalty £25 and Online Plus QR £20, with QR billed £240 annually. The annual software difference is £900. The visual comparison shows a low-cost used-equipment example or compatible kit already owned. Servio’s two tablet allowances total about £120; a new integrated reader still needs a quote. Square’s used iPad, Android kitchen tablet and £19 Reader example totals about £169. No chargers or mounts are added; required printing and other setup need a quote. Device allowances are examples, not certified hardware bundles or a finance offer. Processing and ordering fees are separate.
How do I switch from Square to Servio?
Check your existing notice period and export the records you need. Import your menu as a draft, review items, prices, modifiers and verified allergen information, then test devices, payments and kitchen tickets during a quiet service. Keep a fallback; timing depends on your venue. Read migrating your menu without the headache.
What is included in every Servio plan?
Every plan includes connected POS, QR ordering, a single kitchen station, loyalty and basic reporting. Growth adds tables, reservations, inventory, multi-station routing and advanced analytics; Enterprise adds central group tools. Prices, payment processing, extra venues and eligible add-ons are separate components of the full budget. Read cloud POS till, QR table ordering, kitchen display, owner analytics, pricing page, comparison page, UK POS cost guide.
Compare costs before you switch
Read the best UK restaurant POS systems 2026 comparison, the restaurant POS cost guide, and how we calculate every figure.
Common questions
Is Square cheaper than Servio?
For the software bundle shown, Servio is £118/month versus Square’s £193/month equivalent, a £900 annual software difference. Square uses Restaurants Plus, MarketMan, the lowest loyalty band and Online Plus QR. Equipment, processing, higher loyalty volumes and other requirements can change the overall result.
Does Servio work with Square hardware?
Use compatible devices you own. There’s no proprietary till to buy or standard setup fee. Integrated cards need a supported reader; other readers work separately, with payments recorded manually. Check printer compatibility before service. Existing Square readers remain separate manual tenders, with their own checkout and reconciliation.
How do card fees compare?
Reader and online rates differ, and fixed pence fees matter more on smaller tickets. Compare each quoted rate at your own card types, average order and channel split, then include subscriptions and equipment. Historical totals do not establish a general small-ticket advantage.