Square Online is the default first step for many small restaurants, especially those already using Square POS. AIOrders is what owners look at when they want online ordering to do more: rank on Google, collect reviews, and bring guests back automatically. Here is an honest comparison with Square's 2026 prices.
| Feature | AIOrders | Square Online |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Flat-monthly plan with 0% order fees; entry plan adds a per-order fee (see pricing) | US: $0 / $49 / $149 per location; Canada: $0 or from $35/mo |
| Per-order fees | No commission on the flat-monthly plan; Uber Direct delivery billed per delivery | US: 2.6% + 15¢ in person, 3.3% + 30¢ online (Free); lower on paid plans |
| Commission | 0% on direct orders | None; processing per transaction |
| QR ordering | Yes, Smart QR table ordering | QR code ordering listed |
| Website | AI website builder included | Square Online website builder |
| SEO | AI SEO and Google listings included | SEO tools in website builder |
| Review automation | Voice of Guest, included | Not listed |
| Loyalty | Included | Square Loyalty (own product) |
| AI phone | Optional add-on | Not listed |
| Contract | Cancel anytime; money-back guarantee, see pricing | Upgrade, downgrade or cancel plans |
| Canada / USA | Vancouver-based; serves restaurants in Canada and the USA | Both |
| POS | Not a POS; Order Hub syncs to Square, Clover, Toast | Yes, Square POS |
"Not listed" means we did not find it on the public pricing page when we checked. Ask the vendor if it matters to you.
Square's processing scales with sales. Examples for online card orders at a $30 average ticket:
These figures are processing plus plan fees from Square's pricing page. AIOrders' flat monthly fee is a platform fee; ask AIOrders about payment processing so you compare all-in costs.
Square's restaurant pricing page lists QR code ordering for contactless orders (Square, as of Oct 2026); check which plan includes it. AIOrders' Smart QR page opens your menu, loyalty points and offers from one scan with no app download, and recognises returning guests (AIOrders QR, as of Oct 2026).
Square is better for new restaurants, cafés, food trucks and pop-ups that want to start for $0/month, and for anyone already running Square POS who wants everything (payments, payroll, banking, online store) in one place.
AIOrders is better for established independents with steady volume who want more direct orders, more Google reviews and automatic repeat-guest marketing, and who would rather not run those campaigns themselves.
Import your menu with the free Menu Import tool (PDF, photos, your website or a delivery-app link; nothing is published until you review it), check modifiers and prices, then point your website and Google "Order Online" links to the new page. Run Square Online and AIOrders side by side for a few weeks; move regulars over with a bag insert or QR code that rewards ordering direct. The migration checklist has the full steps.
Ready to compare on your own numbers? Try the savings calculator, see pricing, or book a demo.
In the US, Square Free is $0/mo, Plus $49/mo and Premium $149/mo per location, with online processing of 3.3% + 30¢ on Free and 2.9% + 30¢ on paid plans (Square, as of Oct 2026).
Square Canada lists 2.8% + 30¢ for card-not-present payments, including its Online Store (Square Canada, as of Oct 2026).
QR code ordering is listed on Square's restaurant pricing page; availability depends on the plan. Check Square's page for your plan.
Yes. Order Hub syncs online and delivery-app orders into your existing POS, including Square.
AIOrders offers a flat-monthly plan with 0% order fees (see pricing; the entry plan adds a per-order fee), with an optional AI phone receptionist add-on.