Quick verdict
How these two tools differ.
Square POS is our top pick for many small businesses because it’s easy to start: free software, low-cost hardware, and no long-term contract. You get payments, basic inventory, and reporting in one place. It works well for retailers, cafes, and service businesses that don’t need deep ecommerce or restaurant-specific workflows. The trade-off is that advanced features and multi-channel depth live in paid add-ons.
Shopify POS shines when Shopify is already central to your business. If you run (or plan to run) an online store on Shopify, adding POS means one product catalog, one inventory, and one set of orders for both channels. That unification reduces double entry and overselling. The trade-off is the Shopify subscription—you’re paying for the full platform, so it’s less attractive for in-person-only stores with no ecommerce plans.
If you want the lowest commitment and don’t need Shopify, Square is usually the better fit. If you’re all-in on Shopify for ecommerce, Shopify POS is the logical choice for in-person sales.
Comparison summary
Best for most SMBs (in-person)
Square POS
Square offers free software and flexible hardware with no required subscription.
Best for Shopify stores
Shopify POS
Shopify POS unifies online and in-store sales and inventory on one platform.
Quick decision guide
Which product fits your situation.
Choose Square POS if:
- You want no monthly software fee and simple, transparent pricing.
- You sell in person (and maybe online) but don’t plan to build a full Shopify store.
- You prefer a general-purpose POS that works for retail, food service, or services.
Choose Shopify POS if:
- You already sell or plan to sell online on Shopify.
- You want one system for online and in-store inventory and orders.
- You’re okay paying a Shopify subscription for the combined ecommerce and POS platform.
Ratings comparison
How we score each product.
| Category | Square POS | Shopify POS |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | 4.7 | 4.6 |
| Ecommerce integration | 4.2 | 4.8 |
| Pricing & value | 4.7 | 4.2 |
Feature comparison
Side-by-side feature check.
SupportedPartial supportNot available
| Feature | Square POS | Shopify POS |
|---|---|---|
| Payment processing | Integrated payments, cards, contactless | Integrated payments, cards, contactless |
| Inventory management | Items, stock levels, low-stock alerts | Items, stock levels, low-stock alerts |
| Reporting and analytics | Sales by item, period, and payment type | Sales by item, period, and payment type |
| Integrations | Accounting, ecommerce, and third-party apps | Accounting, ecommerce, and third-party apps |
| Ecommerce and online store | Optional Square Online; can connect to other platforms | Native Shopify store; online and in-store unified |
| Monthly software cost | Free tier; paid add-ons optional | Requires Shopify plan (from ~$39/mo) |
Pricing comparison
What to expect to pay.
Square offers free POS software; you pay for hardware (from around $49) and per-transaction processing. There’s no required monthly software fee. Shopify POS is included with Shopify plans, which start around $39/month; hardware is separate. For in-person-only businesses, Square is typically cheaper. For businesses that already need Shopify for ecommerce, the combined cost of Shopify plus POS can be competitive.
Pros and cons
Strengths and trade-offs.
Square POS
Pros
- No monthly software fee; transparent, pay-per-swipe pricing.
- Simple setup and flexible hardware options.
- Works for retail, food service, and services without locking you into one vertical.
Cons
- Less depth than Shopify for unified online and in-store selling.
- Advanced features require paid add-ons or higher tiers.
Shopify POS
Pros
- Single system for ecommerce and in-person sales and inventory.
- Strong fit when Shopify is already your storefront.
- Unified customer and order data across channels.
Cons
- Requires a Shopify subscription; not ideal for in-person-only businesses.
- Hardware and plan costs can exceed Square for simple use cases.
Best for
Which tool fits your situation.
Best for in-person-first and flexible POS
Square POS is the better fit if you want minimal commitment, no monthly software fee, and a POS that works across retail, food service, and services. It’s especially strong for small businesses that prioritize simplicity and transparent pricing.
Best for ecommerce-first businesses
Shopify POS is the better fit if your primary sales channel is (or will be) a Shopify store and you want one platform for online and in-store. Inventory and orders stay in sync without juggling multiple systems.
Alternatives
Other options we review.
Clover POSAnother flexible POS with a broad hardware and app ecosystem.
Read review →
Lightspeed POSBetter for retail-focused businesses that need deeper inventory and multi-location.
Read review →More comparisons
Read full reviews
Dive deeper into each product.
For detailed ratings, features, and pros and cons, see our standalone reviews:
Best POS software guides
Find the right fit by use case or trade.
FAQs
Quick answers.