The main event · Reviewed March 2026
Square built a POS. LVL2 built a tattoo workflow.
Square Appointments is a scheduling add-on for a retail payment company, charging per transaction on top of a monthly fee. 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 March 2026 · Square details from public pricing & product pages · LVL2 rows repo-verified
THE DECIDING ROUNDS
Where the fight is actually won.
2.6% + 10¢ per transaction
Square charges per swipe when payments run through Square. LVL2 Starter is free for artists with no platform fees — only a booking fee on client-paid deposits.
Zero tattoo-specific tools
Square Appointments is a calendar bolted onto a retail POS. No flash workflow, no stencil generation, no convention mode, no tattoo AI. LVL2 is built for tattoo from the ground up.
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.
PURSE & FEES
More features. Less money. No commissions.
LVL2
Starter: Free forever · 9.8% booking fee on client-paid deposits only
Pro: $39/mo + 4.5% on client deposits only
Studio: Custom operator plan · zero LVL2 booking fees
Deposits, payouts, and payment-plan workflows run through Stripe. Fees come from client-paid deposits, not artist earnings.
Square
Free: $0/mo for solo artists
Plus: $29/mo per location · Premium: $69/mo per location
Per transaction: 2.6% + 10¢ swiped, 3.5% + 15¢ keyed
Transaction fees compound every time a client pays a deposit through Square.
FAQ
Common questions.
Is LVL2 or Square better for tattoo artists?
LVL2. Square is a retail POS that added appointment scheduling — no stencil generation, no flash workflow, no convention mode, no SMS booking bot, no LVL2 Bot, no Ink Studio. LVL2 has those tattoo-native workflows, and Starter is free forever while Square charges per transaction on top of a monthly fee.
How much does Square Appointments actually cost?
Square Appointments has a Free plan ($0/mo solo), Plus ($29/mo per location), and Premium ($69/mo per location). On top of that, Square charges card-processing fees when payments run through Square. LVL2 Starter is free forever, and Pro is $39/mo + 4.5% on client deposits only.
Does Square have tattoo-specific features?
No. Square Appointments has booking, payments, and basic forms — built for any service business. There's no stencil generation, no flash workflow, no convention mode, no tattoo AI, no Ink Studio. It's a generic scheduler from a retail POS company.
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.