The main event · Reviewed September 22, 2026
LVL2Tattoo-native
SquareRetail POSSquare built a POS. LVL2 built a tattoo workflow.
Square Appointments is a scheduling add-on for a retail payment company, charging plan- and payment-method-based processing fees when payments run through Square. LVL2 gives tattoo artists one workflow for booking, deposits, kiosk, flash, shop, and client follow-through. The difference isn't just features — it's intent.
Square public pricing & pages + LVL2 repo-verified data
TALE OF THE TAPE
Round by round, side by side.
Reviewed September 22, 2026 · Square details from public pricing & product pages · LVL2 rows repo-verified
THE DECIDING ROUNDS
Where the fight is actually won.
Processing varies by plan and method
Square processing varies by plan, payment method, and transaction type when payments run through Square. LVL2 Free is $0/mo for artists; LVL2 booking fees apply to deposits; payer follows workspace configuration.
General appointments + POS
Square documents general appointments, forms, and retail POS workflows. LVL2 documents tattoo-focused request, intake, deposit, flash, and studio workflows. Compare current capabilities rather than assuming a feature is absent.
One tattoo workflow
Square gives you scheduling and POS. LVL2 connects booking, deposits, kiosk, flash, CRM, shop, and aftercare in one tattoo-native workflow.
GIVING SQUARE ITS DUE
Where Square takes the round.
Square has a mature hardware ecosystem — card readers, terminals, and customer-facing displays that are polished and widely available. If you want a countertop terminal with a customer screen, Square's hardware is proven. LVL2 uses Stripe Terminal — solid, but a smaller catalog.
If you run a supply shop attached to your studio, Square's retail inventory is deeper, and it has Mailchimp-style email campaigns built in (paid add-on). But none of that is tattoo-specific — and for a lower price LVL2 gives you everything Square offers for tattoo work plus 50+ tattoo-native features.
KNOWING WHEN TO WALK AWAY
LVL2 is not for you if…
…you mainly need retail POS hardware or deep inventory. Square's terminals, registers, and retail tooling are proven, and if tattoo is a side service inside a retail business, staying in one Square ecosystem is the sane choice.
…mixed services dominate the shop. LVL2 is built for tattoo-only and tattoo-dominant studios — if hair, nails, or spa are the core business, a general platform will fit the front desk better.
PURSE & FEES
More features. Less money. No commissions.
LVL2
Free: Free forever · 9.9% booking fee on deposits; payer can be client, artist, or split
Plus: $39/mo + 4.5% on client deposits only
Pro: $99/mo · zero LVL2 booking fees
Deposits, payouts, and payment-plan workflows run through Stripe. Deposit fee payer follows workspace configuration; the client, artist, or a split can be selected.
Square
Free: $0/mo for solo artists
Plus: $49/mo per location · Premium: $149/mo per location
Processing: varies by plan, payment method, and transaction type
Processing terms vary by plan, payment method, and transaction type. Square pricing reviewed September 22, 2026 — verify current rates and region.
FAQ
Common questions.
Is LVL2 or Square better for tattoo artists?
It depends on the shop. Square combines payments, POS, and appointments; LVL2 focuses on tattoo requests, intake, deposits, and studio workflows. Compare the current plans, processing, permissions, and feature fit for your business.
How much does Square Appointments actually cost?
Square Appointments has a Free plan ($0/mo solo), Plus ($49/mo per location), and Premium ($149/mo per location). On top of that, Square charges card-processing fees when payments run through Square. LVL2 Free is $0/mo, Plus is $39/mo + 4.5% on client deposits only, and Pro is $99/mo with zero LVL2 booking fees.
Does Square have tattoo-specific features?
Square documents appointments, payments, and forms for service businesses. LVL2 documents tattoo-focused request, intake, deposit, flash, and studio workflows. Compare current capabilities rather than assuming a feature is absent.
Does LVL2 have a kiosk like Square?
Yes. LVL2 has kiosk sessions for walk-in check-ins, digital waivers, ID capture, staff PIN login, and shop front-desk flow.
Who should stick with Square instead of LVL2?
Stick with Square if you mainly need retail POS hardware, if tattoo is a side service inside a retail or food business, or if you want built-in email marketing campaigns. LVL2 is the better fit for tattoo-only and tattoo-dominant shops that book with deposits, structured intake, and digital waivers.
OTHER MATCHUPS ON THE CARD
See every fight.
Looking for the best Square Appointments alternative? Read the in-depth blog comparison →