Card reader fees at a farmers market: what a season costs
By The Venda Wallet team · Written October 25, 2026 · Updated October 25, 2026
What the readers charge
Most market vendors use Square or PayPal Zettle. Both take a percentage of each sale plus a fixed amount. Typing in a card number costs more than tapping it.
| Reader | Tap, dip or swipe | Typed in |
|---|---|---|
| Square (free plan) | 2.6% + 15¢ [1] | 3.5% + 15¢ |
| PayPal Zettle | 2.29% + 9¢ [2] | 3.49% + 9¢ |
A worked example
Say your stall takes $1,500.00 a week in card sales, and the average sale is $20.00. That's 75 card sales a week, over a 26-week season.
| Reader | Per week | Per season |
|---|---|---|
| Square (free plan) | $50.25 | $1,306.50 |
| PayPal Zettle | $41.10 | $1,068.60 |
Square's part: 2.6% of $1,500.00 is $39.00, plus 75 sales × 15¢ = $11.25.
Why small sales cost more
The fixed fee is the same on every sale. On a $5 jar of jam, Square takes 13¢ plus 15¢, which is 5.6% of the sale. On a $50 order it's 2.9%. Stalls with lots of small sales feel card fees the most.
Ways to pay less
- Ask regulars to prepay. One payment up front replaces many small card sales.
- Take cash and bank payments for small items.
- Check your plan. Square's paid plans have lower in-person rates [1], which can pay off at higher volume.
Questions
How much does Square charge at a farmers market?
On the free plan, 2.6% + 15¢ for each tapped, dipped or swiped card sale, and 3.5% + 15¢ for a typed-in card, as of October 25, 2026.
Is PayPal Zettle cheaper than Square?
For in-person sales, Zettle's rate is 2.29% + 9¢ and Square's free plan is 2.6% + 15¢, as of October 25, 2026. Compare with your own numbers in the card fee calculator.
Can I add a card fee to the price?
Rules on surcharges vary by state and by card network. Check them before adding one.
Sources
- Square: What are Square's fees, read October 25, 2026
- PayPal: Business fees (Zettle card present rate and chargeback fee), read October 25, 2026
Related
- Card fee calculator
- Let your regulars prepay with Venda Wallet
- What a chargeback is and how to avoid one
Cite this page: "Card reader fees at a farmers market: what a season costs." Venda Wallet, October 25, 2026. https://vendawallet.com/guides/card-reader-fees-at-a-farmers-market