POS Review: Square POS vs Shopify POS

Are you looking for a multichannel POS system that integrates seamlessly with a high-quality online store builder? Square POS and Shopify POS are two of the most popular options for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and online sellers who need a reliable platform for both eCommerce and in-person sales. In this comparison of Square POS vs Shopify POS, we’ll break down their key features and how they fit different business needs.

Highlight: 

• Square POS is ideal for small businesses, restaurants, and service providers due to its affordability and ease of use. 
• Shopify POS excels for retailers looking to integrate online and offline sales seamlessly.

Square POS Overview

Square POS is a widely used cloud-based point-of-sale system that provides businesses with tools for payment processing, inventory management, and online sales. It’s known for its intuitive interface and affordability, making it a top choice for small businesses.

Square POS includes a free basic plan, which makes it easy for businesses to get started without upfront costs. For those needing more advanced features, Square also offers add-ons for payroll, marketing, and team management.

Key Features of Square POS

• Multi-Method Payment Processing – Accepts credit cards, mobile payments, and gift cards.
• Inventory Management – Tracks stock in real time and syncs with online sales.
• Online Ordering & eCommerce Integration – Connects with Square Online to support digital storefronts.
• Sales Analytics & Reporting – Provides insights into business performance.
• Staff & Customer Management – Includes tools for employee permissions and customer engagement.

Shopify POS Overview

Shopify POS is a powerful point-of-sale system designed for businesses that sell both online and in physical stores. As part of the Shopify ecosystem, it provides seamless integration between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar operations, making it ideal for retailers looking to unify their sales channels.

Merchants can access the Shopify POS system in two ways:

• Shopify POS Lite (Starter Plan): Included for free with any standard Shopify plan.
• Shopify POS Pro: Available for an additional $89/month per location on top of a standard Shopify plan.

The Lite plan is ideal for basic in-person selling, such as pop-up shops or social media sales, while the Pro plan is designed for businesses needing advanced in-store selling features.

Key Capabilities of Shopify POS Plans:

• Real-Time Inventory Sync: Keeps online and in-store stock updated automatically.
• Flexible Payment Options: Accepts credit and debit cards, mobile wallets, gift cards, and cash.
• Hardware Compatibility: Works with receipt printers, card readers, and cash drawers.
• Retail Reporting & Analytics: Provides insights into sales performance and trends.
• Customer Management & Marketing: Stores customer data and enables targeted marketing campaigns.

Square POS vs Shopify POS: Detailed Comparison 

Two of the most popular options in the market are Square POS and Shopify POS. Both offer robust features tailored to different business needs, making the decision challenging for merchants. This detailed comparison will help you understand how Square POS vs Shopify POS, such as features, pricing, hardware, usability, customer support, and ease of integration.

POS features

Square POS

• User-friendly interface: Square POS is known for its intuitive design, making it easy for both small business owners and employees to use.
• Built-in payment processing: Accepts credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments with transparent processing fees.
• Inventory management: Basic inventory tracking, including stock alerts and low-stock notifications.
• Reporting and analytics: Provides detailed sales reports and real-time insights to help businesses make data-driven decisions.
• Employee management: Offers staff permissions and time-tracking features to enhance workforce efficiency.
• Offline mode: Allows transactions even when the internet is down, syncing data once connectivity is restored.

Shopify POS

• Seamless eCommerce integration: Designed for Shopify users, ensuring smooth syncing between online and offline stores.
• Multi-channel selling: Sell across various channels, including social media, in-store, and online.
• Customizable checkout: Merchants can tailor the checkout experience to their needs, adding discounts and custom sales options.
• Advanced inventory management: Tracks stock across multiple locations with automatic updates.
• Customer relationship management (CRM): Provides tools to collect customer data, manage profiles, and offer personalized promotions.
• Smart order management: Supports local pickup, delivery, and shipping options.

Pricing

Square POS

• Free plan: Includes basic POS functionalities with payment processing fees.
• Transaction fees: 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction.
• Square for Retail: Starts at $60 per month for advanced inventory and team management.
• Square for Restaurants: Starts at $60 per month with additional tools for food service businesses.

Shopify POS

• Shopify POS Lite: Included with all Shopify eCommerce plans, allowing in-person sales.
• Shopify POS Pro: Costs $89 per month per location and includes advanced features such as smart inventory management and in-depth reporting.
• Transaction fees: Shopify Payments users pay 2.4% to 2.7% per in-person transaction, depending on the plan.

Hardware

Square POS

• Square Reader: $10 for card payments.
• Square Stand: $149, designed for iPads.
• Square Terminal: $299 for an all-in-one payment and receipt printing device.
• Square Register: $799, a fully integrated POS with a customer-facing display.

Shopify POS

• Tap & Chip Reader: $49 for contactless and chip payments.
• Retail Kit: $219, including a stand, dock, and card reader.
• POS Go: $399 for a handheld POS device.
• Custom hardware: Shopify allows third-party integrations with various receipt printers and cash drawers.

Usability

Square POS: Offers a simpler, more intuitive setup that works well for small businesses, food trucks, and service providers.

Shopify POS: Requires some setup, especially for businesses managing both online and offline sales. It’s ideal for eCommerce-driven retailers.

Customer Support

Square POS

• Phone and email support: Available during business hours.
• Community forum and help center: Provides self-service solutions.
• Priority support: Included in premium plans.

Shopify POS

• 24/7 support: Available via chat, email, and phone.
• Extensive knowledge base: Offers tutorials and step-by-step guides.
• Dedicated account managers: Available for Shopify Plus users.

Security & Compliance

Both Square POS and Shopify POS are PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliant.

Square POS

• PCI-DSS Compliance: Fully compliant with PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) to protect payment transactions.
• Encryption & Tokenization: Uses end-to-end encryption to secure customer payment data.
• Fraud Prevention Tools: Includes AI-driven fraud detection and chargeback protection.
• Secure Transactions: Transactions are processed through Square’s secure servers, reducing the risk of data breaches.
• Data Protection Policies: Ensures user data is stored securely and not shared with third parties.

Shopify POS

• PCI-DSS Compliance: Meets all PCI-DSS requirements to ensure secure payment processing.
• Multi-Layered Security: Implements encryption, firewalls, and security monitoring to protect customer data.
• Fraud Analysis & Prevention: Provides built-in fraud detection tools for online and offline transactions.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Supports additional login security for merchants.
• Data Privacy Controls: Offers merchants full control over customer data and GDPR-compliant policies.

Integrations & Customization

Square POS

• Third-party integrations: Works with accounting software like QuickBooks, eCommerce POS platforms like WooCommerce, and other business tools.
• API availability: Allows custom app development and integrations.

Shopify POS

• Native integration: Perfectly syncs with Shopify’s online store platform.
• App ecosystem: Provides access to thousands of third-party apps for marketing, accounting, and logistics.
• Customization options: Businesses can tailor the system to fit their specific needs.

Here is a comparison table:

Square POS vs Shopify POS: Which is more suitable for your business?

When choosing Square POS vs Shopify POS, it’s important to consider your business type and long-term goals. Square POS is an excellent choice for small businesses, restaurants, and service providers due to its affordability, ease of use, and built-in payment processing. 

On the other hand, Shopify POS is better suited for businesses with a strong online presence, offering seamless integration between eCommerce and in-store operations. If you already use Shopify for your online store, its POS system is the logical choice.

For businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness and quick setup, Square POS is the way to go. However, for those looking to unify their online and offline sales experience, Shopify POS provides the best solution.

While Square POS is affordable and easy to use, it has limited inventory management, basic eCommerce integration, and additional costs for advanced features, making it less suitable for scaling businesses. Shopify POS, on the other hand, requires a monthly subscription, restricts payment processing options, and relies on proprietary hardware, which can be costly. So, can your business use an alternative another POS? Now, let’s get explore the next part!

ConnectPOS – Alternative to Square POS and Shopify POS

If Square POS vs Shopify POS does not meet your specific business needs, ConnectPOS is an excellent alternative. It provides robust omnichannel capabilities, allowing retailers to manage both online and in-store sales efficiently.

• POS Features: ConnectPOS provides real-time inventory synchronization, multi-store management, and customizable checkout options. Unlike Square and Shopify POS, it offers offline mode to ensure uninterrupted sales even without an internet connection.
• Pricing: With flexible pricing plans, ConnectPOS offers a cost-effective alternative. Unlike Shopify POS, which requires additional fees for advanced features, ConnectPOS provides transparent pricing with no hidden costs and no restrictions on payment gateways.
• Hardware: ConnectPOS is hardware-agnostic, meaning it works with a variety of POS devices, including tablets, desktops, and existing hardware. Shopify POS, in contrast, requires proprietary hardware, which can be expensive.
• Usability: Designed for ease of use, ConnectPOS features an intuitive interface suitable for both online and offline retailers. Businesses can enjoy seamless integration with multiple eCommerce platforms without the restrictions seen in Square POS.
• Customer Support: Unlike Square and Shopify POS, which may have delays in customer support, ConnectPOS provides 24/7 assistance, ensuring businesses receive real-time support whenever needed. 
• Security & Compliance: ConnectPOS prioritizes secure transactions, PCI-DSS compliance, and fraud prevention measures, making it a reliable choice for businesses handling sensitive customer data.
• Integrations & Customization: With seamless integration across multiple eCommerce platforms (Magento, WooCommerce, Shopify, and more), ConnectPOS offers greater flexibility than its competitors. Businesses can also customize features to match their specific needs.

ConnectPOS is a powerful choice for businesses looking for more flexibility and advanced features compared to Square POS and Shopify POS.

FAQs: Square POS vs Shopify POS

1. Is Square or Shopify POS better?

Shopify and Square are among the leading providers of POS systems and e-commerce platforms. Square is ideal for businesses that mainly operate in physical stores but may require a basic online presence. In contrast, Shopify is best suited for businesses that prioritize e-commerce sales while also needing in-store payment capabilities.

2. Is Square POS compatible with Shopify?

Many people ask whether Shopify supports Square as a payment option. The answer is yes, you can integrate Shopify with Square Payments and manage all transactions within Shopify using Square.

3. Can I use Shopify as my POS?

The Shopify POS app is a mobile point-of-sale system available for iOS and Android devices, allowing you to sell products in person. Its basic features enable sales in various locations, including retail stores, markets, and pop-up shops.

Conclusion

Choosing between Square POS vs Shopify POS depends on your business model and needs. Square POS is an excellent choice for small businesses, restaurants, and service providers seeking a cost-effective, user-friendly solution with built-in payment processing. Meanwhile, Shopify POS is ideal for retailers who want a seamless connection between online and in-store sales, offering advanced eCommerce integration and multi-channel selling capabilities.

If neither system fully meets your requirements, ConnectPOS provides a powerful alternative with advanced omnichannel features, real-time inventory tracking, and flexible payment options. Contact us today to explore a POS solution tailored to your business needs!