Padel and squash both live indoors, both use the walls, and both take less time to enjoy than newcomers expect. Past those surface similarities they feel like two different sports, and the right one for you depends on what you actually want from a session.
Pace and how the game feels
Squash is fast and relentless. The ball is small, hard and dies quickly, so you are sprinting, twisting and lunging from the very first point. Rallies are a test of fitness as much as skill. Padel is slower off the racket. The ball sits up, the walls keep it alive, and points build through positioning rather than raw speed. You still move plenty, but you rarely feel like you are chasing a bullet.
Learning curve
This is where padel pulls ahead for most beginners. The court is enclosed, the balls are soft, and the underarm serve means you can rally inside your first hour. Squash rewards you eventually, but the early sessions can be humbling. Getting the ball back to the front wall with control, then covering the court, takes real practice before it clicks. If you want quick wins and a game you can play socially from day one, padel is the gentler start. We go deeper into this in our guide on whether padel is hard to learn.
The social side
Padel is doubles by design. Four people, a smaller court and constant chatter between points make it a naturally social game. It suits friends, mixed groups and anyone who wants a laugh as much as a workout. Squash is usually one against one. It can be brilliant fun with the right opponent, but it is a solo pursuit at heart. If your main reason for playing is to spend time with people, padel wins comfortably.
Fitness and injury
Squash is one of the toughest cardio workouts you can get indoors. The stop-start sprinting burns through calories and builds serious fitness, though it asks a lot of your knees, ankles and back. Padel is lower impact and kinder on the body, which is part of why it appeals to such a wide age range. You will still work up a sweat, especially in longer rallies, but the risk of overdoing it is lower. Neither is risk free, and a proper warm up matters for both.
Cost and court availability in Manchester
Squash has been around for decades, so courts are cheaper and easier to find, often tucked inside leisure centres and gyms. Padel is newer here and demand is high, which pushes peak-time prices up and books courts out fast. That said, the Manchester padel scene is growing quickly, with new venues opening across the city and the wider region. Have a look at our Manchester venue guide to see what is near you, and our breakdown of how much padel costs in Manchester for current pricing.
So which should you play?
Pick squash if you want a fierce, individual workout, cheaper court time and a game that rewards fitness and grit. Pick padel if you want something social, quick to learn and easy on the joints, with a group of mates and a natural excuse to keep coming back. Plenty of people happily do both. If you are brand new, padel is the easier place to start, and our getting started guide will get you on court. You might also like our comparison of padel and tennis if racket sports are new to you.
FAQ
Is padel easier than squash? For most beginners, yes. The soft ball, enclosed walls and underarm serve let you rally almost straight away, while squash takes longer before it feels rewarding.
Which is a better workout? Squash burns more in a shorter time thanks to the constant sprinting. Padel is a solid workout too, just lower impact and more forgiving on the joints.
Can I switch from squash to padel? Absolutely. Squash players tend to have quick reactions and sharp footwork, which transfer well, though the wall play and doubles positioning in padel take a little getting used to.
Which is cheaper in Manchester? Squash, generally. Courts are more common and cost less. Padel demand is high, so peak slots cost more and book up fast.