Sport comparison
Pickleball vs Squash: What's the Difference?
Pickleball and Squash get compared often, and the answer to "which should you try" depends on three things: how much space you have, how much running you want to do, and how steep a learning curve you can stomach.
| Attribute | Pickleball | Squash |
|---|---|---|
| Court size | 13.41m × 6.10m (about 1/4 the size of a tennis court) | 9.75m × 6.4m, four-walled enclosed court |
| Equipment | Solid paddle, perforated plastic ball, low net | Squash racquet, hollow rubber ball, no net |
| Scoring | Side-out or rally scoring, games to 11 (win by 2), best of 3 | PAR-11 (point a rally, first to 11, win by 2), best of 5 games |
| Physical demand | Low to moderate — small court keeps the running down | Very high — explosive lunging, sustained intensity, often called the toughest racquet sport |
| Learning curve | Very gentle — beginners can rally within an hour | Moderate — getting the ball back is easy, controlling it precisely is hard |
| Match duration | 15–45 minutes per game | 30–60 minutes |
| Indoor / outdoor | Both — gym halls and outdoor courts | Indoor only (enclosed court) |
| Group size | Singles or doubles, doubles dominant | Singles primarily |
How Pickleball and Squash compare
The social culture around each sport shapes the experience as much as the rules do.
Pickleball is played on a 13.41m × 6.10m (about 1/4 the size of a tennis court) court with the equipment and scoring described above. The physical demand is low to moderate — small court keeps the running down — that's a real factor in deciding whether you can play it twice a week without burning out. Pickleball also has a very gentle — beginners can rally within an hour learning curve, which determines how quickly you go from "this is frustrating" to "this is fun".
Squash uses Squash racquet, hollow rubber ball, no net and scores PAR-11 (point a rally, first to 11, win by 2), best of 5 games. Matches typically run 30–60 minutes.
The deciding factors
For someone choosing between the two, the deciding factor is usually time + intensity. Pickleball is the higher-commitment option in terms of finding the right level of opponent as the sport grows fast. Squash is easier to fit into a casual schedule and forgives a longer break between sessions.
The biggest practical question is venue access. Pickleball courts are more common in some countries; Squash courts in others. Check what's within 15 minutes of home before committing — the sport you can actually play regularly beats the sport you'd theoretically prefer.
Which should you try first?
If you have to pick one, **Pickleball** gives you more value per hour for someone just getting into the sport. The other one becomes interesting later.
But honestly: try both if you can. Volley supports all 9 sports with separate ELO ratings, so you can play both, see how you progress in each, and decide which one you actually enjoy more after a few weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Which is easier to learn, Pickleball or Squash?
Pickleball has the gentler learning curve. Beginners typically have fun rallies in their first session, whereas the other one takes a few sessions before the basics click. Both reward sustained practice — neither is "easy" at high levels.
Which sport has more clubs near me?
Depends entirely on where you live. Pickleball and Squash both have growing player bases globally but the density varies enormously by region. Search both terms in your local sports facility directory.
Can I play both Pickleball and Squash?
Yes — and many people do. The skills overlap enough that learning one helps the other (especially the racquet sports). Volley tracks separate ELO ratings per sport, so you can see how you stack up in each independently.
Can I track my Pickleball and Squash ratings in one app?
Yes. Volley supports all 9 racquet, court, and team sports with separate ELO ratings per sport plus an All-Rounder rating that combines them. Free on iOS and Android.