Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Meetup VS Square

Compare Meetup VS Square and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Meetup logo Meetup

Helps groups of people with shared interests plan events and facilitates off line group meetings in various localities around the world.

Square logo Square

Square helps millions of sellers run their business-from secure credit card processing to point of sale solutions. Get paid faster with Square. Sign up today!
  • Meetup Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-19
  • Square Homepage
    Homepage //
    2024-05-06

Meetup features and specs

  • Networking Opportunities
    Meetup provides a platform for individuals to connect with others who share similar interests or professional goals, fostering valuable networks and friendships.
  • Variety of Groups and Events
    Meetup hosts a diverse range of groups and events, accommodating a wide array of interests, hobbies, and professional fields.
  • Event Management Tools
    The platform offers tools for creating, managing, and promoting events, simplifying the organization process for group leaders and event planners.
  • Local Focus
    Meetup emphasizes local events, making it easier for users to find and participate in activities within their community.
  • Accessibility
    The platform is available on both web and mobile applications, providing users with easy access to events and group activities on the go.

Possible disadvantages of Meetup

  • Event Fees
    Some events on Meetup require a fee for participation, which can be a barrier for some users looking for free activities.
  • Organizer Subscription Costs
    Group organizers are required to pay a subscription fee to host and manage their groups, which may deter some users from creating new groups.
  • Event Quality Variability
    The quality of events can vary significantly, as they are user-generated, which may lead to some events not meeting participants' expectations.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Users must share personal information to use the platform, raising potential privacy and security concerns.
  • Competition
    Other social platforms and event management tools offer similar services, providing potential users with numerous alternatives to Meetup.

Square features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Square's platform is known for being user-friendly and easy to set up, making it accessible for small business owners with little technical expertise.
  • Transparent Pricing
    Square offers straightforward, flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees, which helps businesses understand their costs upfront.
  • Integrated Solutions
    Square provides a comprehensive suite of tools including POS systems, online store, invoicing, payroll, and more, enabling seamless business operations.
  • No Long-Term Contracts
    Square does not require long-term contracts or commitments, allowing businesses flexibility in choosing their service provider.
  • Omnichannel Capabilities
    Square supports sales across various channels, including in-person, online, and mobile, offering versatility for different business models.
  • Next-Day Deposits
    Square offers next-day deposits, ensuring that businesses have quick access to their funds, which is critical for cash flow management.

Possible disadvantages of Square

  • Processing Fees
    While the pricing is transparent, the fees per transaction can add up, especially for businesses with high sales volumes or low margins.
  • Account Stability
    Some users have reported sudden holds or terminations of their Square accounts, which can disrupt business operations.
  • Limited Customer Support
    Square's customer support can be limited, particularly for smaller businesses or during high-demand periods, which can affect issue resolution time.
  • Additional Costs for Advanced Features
    Some advanced features and integrations may incur additional costs, making it more expensive for businesses that need these functionalities.
  • Geographic Limitations
    Square is primarily available in certain countries, which may be restrictive for businesses with international operations or customers.

Analysis of Meetup

Overall verdict

  • Meetup is generally regarded as a good platform for connecting people with similar interests and facilitating in-person events and activities. It's user-friendly and offers a wide range of group types and activities, making it suitable for a diverse audience.

Why this product is good

  • Meetup is a platform designed to bring people together who share common interests. It is particularly effective for finding and engaging in local events, activities, and groups ranging from professional networking to hobby clubs and social gatherings. The platform fosters community engagement and provides opportunities for individuals to connect in real life over shared passions.

Recommended for

  • Individuals looking to expand their social circle
  • Professionals seeking networking opportunities
  • Hobby enthusiasts wanting to connect with like-minded individuals
  • People interested in attending local events and activities
  • Organizers trying to build and manage event-based communities

Analysis of Square

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Square is generally considered a good choice for businesses looking for an all-in-one payment and business management solution. It is particularly praised for its user-friendly interface, competitive pricing, and reliable customer support.

Why this product is good

  • Square, known for its point of sale solutions, has built a strong reputation for its ease of use, transparent pricing, and comprehensive features suited for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers seamless integration with various hardware, software, and payment processing services, which are particularly appreciated by users who want a straightforward setup. The platform also provides useful analytics, invoicing, and inventory management features that help businesses efficiently manage their operations.

Recommended for

    Square is recommended for small to medium-sized businesses, especially in the retail, food and beverage, and service industries, who need a versatile and scalable payment processing and business management solution. It is particularly beneficial for those who prefer a cloud-based service with seamless integration across multiple devices.

Meetup videos

Meetup.com - Finding People You Can Relate To

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Use Meetup App Using Meetup Groups โ”‚ MeetUp.com Review
  • Review - 4 Tips For Joining A Meetup Group

Square videos

Square vs PayPal 2020: A Side by Side Comparison

More videos:

  • Demo - Square Mobile Credit Card Reader Review | Squareup Demo | Pros & Cons
  • Review - I switched from Square to Paymentech. IMO, Squareup merchant services is garbage.
  • Review - What is Square - Square Review - Square Pricing Plans Explained
  • Review - 6 days left to dump Square merchant services before they begin screwing small businesses
  • Review - Square Eftpos Terminal Review 2023
  • Review - Square Review | Is It the BEST POS System for Online Payments & Invoicing?
  • Review - Square For Small Business: Is Square Right For You? [Square Explained]

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Meetup and Square)
Event Management
100 100%
0% 0
Payments Processing
0 0%
100% 100
Event Planning
100 100%
0% 0
Payment Platform
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Meetup and Square

Meetup Reviews

Top Five EventBrite Alternatives
Moving away from a purely ticketing focus, Meetup is an increasingly popular platform for creating local groups centered on specific interests. However, similar to Eventbrite, Meetup allows users to browse when theyโ€™re looking for something fun to do in their area, making it easier for event hosts to promote their events to the general population no matter the size or...
Source: rsvpify.com
9 Alternatives to Meetup.com
Eventbrite is a social platform used for hosting and registering for events and is one of the most popular Meetup alternatives. In a few simple steps, you can create an event, set up seating and ticket pricing, and then put the word out using social media to draw a crowd. Users can also register for events, using Eventbriteโ€™s search engine to find events close to them, of a...
A list of Meetup.com alternatives
Meetup.com just announced that they are changing their business model, and will be imposing a $2 fee on attendees for each event. This is presumably a combined consequence of WeWork acquiring Meetup in 2017 and the failed WeWork IPO earlier this year.
Source: phacks.dev
Best 6 Sites Like Meetup
You may be interested in Meetup or already be a member, but you may also be wondering if there are other websites or apps out there that may better meet your get-together needs. If thatโ€™s the case, then look no further. Here at TechBoomers, weโ€™ve compiled a list of sites like Meetup for you, so you can see exactly what the alternatives to Meetup are, how Meetupโ€™s competition...
Source: techboomers.com

Square Reviews

The 8 Best Payment Processing Systems
If your business needs to process payments in person, Square has handy point-of-sale features like a contactless chip reader, magstripe reader, and convertible stand. All these components let you take payments directly from your smartphone. The system connects with your online business presence as well for seamless transactions. Card payments will always be more expensive,...
Source: gocardless.com
11 Alternatives to QuickBooks in 2024
If your business mainly processes card payments in-person in a retail setting, needs a few basic business tools like inventory tracking and sales reports, and is looking for something that seamlessly integrates with an ecommerce presence, Square is for you. Itโ€™s built for small retail and ecommerce businesses that are just starting out and looking for a lost-cost, low-risk,...
Source: www.bench.co
What to Use Instead of PayPal? 10 Best PayPal Alternatives
Square is another big name in retail payments and for a good reason. The easy-to-use platform lets you accept payments online or in-store. There are also useful available features such as invoices, contactless payments, point of sale, and eCommerce. Any extra features you add will be accessed via the same dashboard, letting you stay organised. Additionally, Square is...
The 6 best online payment processing services in 2024
Most of Square's features are free to use, but if you want to unlock more for your store and checkout experience, there are two subscription plans available. The highest one, Premium ($79/month), even lowers the transaction fee to 2.6% + $0.30 (from 2.9% + $0.30), so if you end up setting up shop with Square and start selling a lot, it may make sense to upgrade.
Source: zapier.com
POS: Best Point of Sale System Software for Small businesses
It may be used on tablets, smartphones, and Apple and Android devices. It is applicable to all business types, including bakeries. The business offers Square POS support around-the-clock.
Source: qpe.co.in

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Meetup seems to be a lot more popular than Square. While we know about 4199 links to Meetup, we've tracked only 41 mentions of Square. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Meetup mentions (4199)

  • The Template for Hosting a Successful Tech Meetup
    Especially if this is your first meetup, youโ€™ll want to โ€œover-promoteโ€. Itโ€™ll take time to get the message out to all relevant community members. Start promoting at least four weeks out. Share it within your local developer communities via Slack or Discord. Submit it to local tech newsletters, submit it to your cityโ€™s Luma calendar. Create listings on Eventbrite and/or Meetup.com (just make sure youโ€™ve got a... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • A place for things I can't talk to anyone about
    I've had success with https://meetup.com/ and https://guild.host/ for finding ; can't offer too much help with scheduling :P I generally check the above sites mid-week, and sign up for things in the coming week. That's been a nice sweet-spot for being able to be early enough before things fill up, while avoiding accidentally having to cancel other things in my life for the meetups. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Unconventional ways to find a software engineering job
    If you live in a larger city, itโ€™s likely that there are events or meetups nearby. I recommend using meetup.com or checking local event websites for tech-related meetups. Although you may be looking for a job, itโ€™s better to focus on making real connections here. Going to events and asking everyone you meet if theyโ€™re hiring isnโ€™t a great way to go about it. To form connections, Iโ€™d recommend picking 1-2 regular... - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • I (24M) am unsure how confidence will fix my non-existing dating life.
    There might not be anything specifically like meetup.com but there are probably things going on. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Anyone willing to play Badminton this Saturday?
    It is a pain to find a proper badminton community here in Budapest. In other cities, all you needed to do is search up on google and then you are immediately greeted by a bunch of badminton-loving people online. Although there are, some niche and quite hidden badminton meetup groups such as the two large groups on meetup.com, however, the users there are not made to be active and you cannot host meetup events on... Source: over 2 years ago
View more

Square mentions (41)

  • Advertisement - Help Finding a Global Entry Appointment
    This is an advertisement and I want to provide all the details.. I am a software developer and avid traveler. I own this website and am the sole developer who wrote the entire software! This idea came about when I signed up for Global Entry and then couldn't get an enrollment interview. I offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee (https://globalentrytextalerts.com/moneyBack) if someone doesn't feel satisfied. The website... Source: about 3 years ago
  • How common is card/contactless payment?
    And now with Square it's dirt simple to accept credit card transactions, and the software even integrates into the NFC transceiver in modern iPhones--so even street vendors and local artists accept contactless payment cards. Source: over 3 years ago
  • FREE GAME ๐Ÿ’ณ๐Ÿ’ฐ๐Ÿ’ฐ
    Https://squareup.com/us/en - Better with aged account and/or verified business. Do custom amount charges on phone and type in card info manually. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Art Market Question: $$$
    I've seen this one quite a bit here: https://squareup.com/us/en. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Squarespace Tutorial: Learn How to Build a Squarespace Website in 2022
    Squarespace supports several payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal Business, and Square (for US point of sale transactions). - Source: dev.to / almost 4 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Meetup and Square, you can also consider the following products

Eventbrite - Discover Great Events or Create Your Own & Sell Tickets

Lightspeed - Retail point-of-sale, inventory management, and omnichannel payment processing systems.

Kommunity - Explore communities that share your passion with millions of people

Toast - Built to make restaurants better. Toast gives your restaurant the technology you need to succeed in today's fast-paced environment.

Cvent - Cvent's event management software provides event planners with a complete solution to increase event attendance and decrease event costs.

Odoo - An all-integrated business app suite to unleash your growth potential.