Shopify and Square, both esteemed retail POS systems, offer a comprehensive suite of features. These features empower users to sell online and in person, catering to the diverse needs of entrepreneurs, retailers, and global brands.
When choosing between the two, the decision will come down to your business’s budget, needs, and goals. To help you make the best decision, we put together a side-by-side comparison of Shopify vs. Square. Let’s get into what makes each software unique.
Product Roundup Table
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Monthly fees | $0–153/mo. | $5–$2,300/mo. |
Payment processing | Integrated with Square Payments | Shopify Payments OR choose a processor |
Transaction fees |
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Contracts | None | Month-to-month and longer |
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Cons |
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Both Shopify and Square POS bind users to their own credit card processing. This often means inflated rates and long-term contracts. If you want a POS system that lets you select your credit card processor, with 24/7 customer service and multiple location functionality, we recommend signing up for a KORONA POS free trial or requesting a quote:
Payment processors
giving you trouble?
We won’t. KORONA POS is not a payment processor. That means we’ll always find the best payment provider for your business’s needs.
Shopify POS Vs. Square POS: A Quick Glance
Both Shopify POS and Square POS are popular choices for businesses seeking integrated POS systems, but they cater to different business needs.
- Shopify POS is best for businesses that are already using Shopify for eCommerce. It offers seamless integration between online and in-person sales and some amazing features for online stores.
- With its free plan that covers basic POS needs and affordable hardware options, Square POS is a reliable choice for small businesses and startups. Square is committed to providing value, even for businesses with budget constraints.
Shopify stands out with its advanced omnichannel features, such as buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS), and custom reporting tools, but at a higher cost. Meanwhile, Square offers ease of use, straightforward pricing, and flexible hardware, making it attractive for starting or running small businesses.
Shopify POS Vs. Square: A Detailed Look
Below, we dive deeper into how Shopify POS and Square POS stack up in terms of pricing, features, hardware, usability, and customer support. Let’s get into it.
Shopify POS Vs. Square: Pricing
When it comes to pricing, both Shopify and Square offer different plans depending on the size and needs of your business.
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Monthly fees | $0/mo. – Free $29/mo. – Plus Custom – Premium | $5/mo. – Starter $29/mo. – Basic $79/mo. – Shopify $89/mo. – Retail $299/mo. – Advanced $2,300/mo. – Plus |
Payment processing | Integrated with Square Payments | Shopify Payments OR choose a processor |
Transaction fees |
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Square is more affordable upfront, but processing fees can increase quickly, especially for businesses processing manual, in-person payments. They’re also known to raise their rates relatively frequently.
You can see our post where we update the latest Square POS pricing and fees.
On the other hand, Shopify has higher monthly fees, but these are offset by lower transaction fees for users who use Shopify Payments. However, additional costs apply when merchants opt for a payment processor of their choice.
Shopify POS Vs. Square: POS Features
Both Shopify POS and Square POS offer a wide range of features, but those (and their target users) differ. Shopify offers more comprehensive features for larger, multi-channel businesses, while Square focuses on simplicity and essential tools for smaller operations.
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Features |
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Shopify POS Vs. Square: Hardware
When it comes to hardware, Shopify and Square have different hardware approaches. Square offers a more affordable and flexible hardware setup, while Shopify integrates tightly with its proprietary hardware, which could be more costly upfront.
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Hardware |
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Shopify POS Vs. Square: Usability
Square POS is the way to go if your business is looking for simplicity and speed. Shopify POS is better suited to businesses needing advanced customization. Let’s take a look at ease of use for both:
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Ease of Use |
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Shopify POS Vs. Square: Customer Support
While both systems offer substantial help resources, Shopify POS’s 24/7 support could be a deciding factor for businesses needing constant support. Square provides comprehensive customer support, too, but not necessarily to its Basic plan users.
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Customer Support |
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Which POS is Best? Our Assessment
Both Shopify POS and Square POS offer unique benefits depending on your business size and goals. Shopify POS is a fantastic option for retailers with an eCommerce focus, especially for businesses wanting to sync in-store and online operations. However, the additional costs for advanced features may deter smaller enterprises and there are some viable Shopify POS alternatives.
With its free plan and affordable hardware, Square POS is better suited for small businesses or those just starting. It’s user-friendly and offers excellent value for essential POS needs.
KORONA POS could be the best alternative for a growing business that needs advanced features without the extra fees, offering affordable pricing with scalable features.
Get started with KORONA POS today!
Explore all the features that KORONA POS has to offer with an unlimited trial. And there’s no commitment or credit card required.
Alternative to Shopify POS and Square: Korona POS
While Shopify and Square are strong contenders in the POS market, both have drawbacks. Shopify’s additional fees for omnichannel features and Square’s higher transaction rates for manual payments can add up quickly. That’s where KORONA POS comes in.
KORONA POS offers comprehensive retail inventory management, reporting and analytics, and multi-location support, making it an excellent option for scaling businesses.
With KORONA POS, you get the advanced features needed to run a successful retail business without hidden fees or hardware lock-ins. Plus, it offers flexible payment processing options, loyalty programs, and franchise management capabilities, ensuring it can grow with your business.
Speak with a product specialist and learn what KORONA POS can do for your business.
Point of Sale Systems: Shopify vs Square FAQs
Square and Shopify POS are separate systems and cannot be directly integrated. While you can use Square for in-person transactions, Shopify POS is designed to work within the Shopify ecosystem for seamless online and offline sales management.
You can transfer some data (like customer information) manually, but there is no direct integration to transfer all your sales, inventory, and product data from Square to Shopify. Exporting and importing via CSV files is the most common method.
Yes, you can switch from Shopify POS to Square POS, but transferring your product, customer, and inventory data requires manual effort. You may need to export data from Shopify and import it into Square using CSV files.
Yes, you can export your product data from Shopify and import it into Square using CSV files. However, this process is manual, and ongoing syncing between the two platforms is unavailable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Shopify and Square POS are potent systems for businesses at different stages. While Shopify offers robust omnichannel features, Square is more budget-friendly for small businesses.
KORONA POS is an excellent alternative for those seeking a balance of advanced functionality and affordability. Sign up for a free KORONA POS trial today!
