Shopify POS Review 2024: Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons

If you are running an online Shopify storefront and planning to start a retail store for local customers, you should consider Shopify POS.

Combined with online and powerful in-store features, Shopify POS is already a top choice for retailers. The user-friendly interface and automation features streamline everything from managing inventory to payment processing.

But is it worth the hype?

In this detailed Shopify POS review, you will get answers to all questions related to this POS system. I will cover the following key aspects of Shopify POS:

• About Shopify POS and its capabilities
• Pros and Cons 
• Ideal users for Shopify POS
• Core features
• How it works
• Pricing plans 
• Reviews and testimonials
• Shopify POS alternatives
• My verdict and common FAQs 

Without further ado, let’s get started. 

What is Shopify POS?

Shopify POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale system created by Shopify specifically for brick-and-mortar retail stores. It allows retailers to easily set up both an online store and physical in-store checkout using the same backend and inventory. 

That means you can manage your online and physical store sales and other operations under one system of Shopify POS. Isn’t that amazing?

Here’s what Shopify POS is capable of:

• Syncs online and in-store inventory in real-time
• Accepts multiple payment types, including credit cards, debit cards, mobile wallets, gift cards, and cash
• Supports shopping hardware like receipt printers, card readers, and cash drawers
• Provides retail reporting and analytics
• Manages customers and sends targeted marketing campaigns

Note: In order to use Shopify POS, you will need a deep knowledge of running an online business with Shopify. Check our complete Shopify review and learn how to get started with ease. 

Pros and Cons of Shopify POS

Shopify POS comes with several advantages that make it an attractive choice for many small and mid-sized retailers. Some of the main pros of using Shopify POS are:

• Unified online and offline inventory: Shopify POS keeps inventory synchronized across e-commerce stores and physical outlets, avoiding overselling.
• Omnichannel selling: Customers can flexibly buy online and pick up in-store or vice versa.
• Intuitive interface: The POS software and apps are intuitive and easy to use with a sleek modern interface.
• Payment processing: Shopify Payments offers fixed transaction fee pricing between 2.4% – 2.9% to process credit cards.
• Hardware bundles: Shopify sells POS hardware, including stands, printers, barcode scanners, etc., in ready bundles.
• Analytics and reporting: Retailers get access to detailed sales reports and analytics for data-driven decisions.
• Customer support: Phone, email, and live chat support, along with detailed online help guides for merchants.
• Scalability: Shopify POS can scale from single-store owners to large multi-location retailers.

However, there are some downsides to evaluate as well when considering Shopify POS:

• Subscription fees: Monthly costs can get expensive for advanced plans with multiple POS users and locations.
• Third-party processing fees: Shopify charges additional transaction fees for integrating external payment gateways.
• Offline limitations: The ability to take payments and make sales offline is constrained.
• Customization: Less ability to customize compared to open-source POS systems.
• Advanced features: Lacks built-in support for some advanced functions like loyalty programs or scheduling.

Who is Shopify POS for?

After assessing Shopify POS’s capabilities and features, I can say this app is best suited for almost all online and retail needs. It is ideal for:

Shopify POS Features

Now, let’s have a look at the core features of Shopify POS in detail. 

1. POS Hardware 

Shopify offers a range of POS hardware to help retailers and small businesses manage in-person sales and accept payments. Here are some hardware options that businesses can choose from:

• Shopify POS Go: POS Go is an all-in-one mobile POS device with an integrated card reader feature. It also has a barcode scanner and receipt printer functionality. This is handy for making sales in physical stores. 
• Tap & Chip Card Reader: A portable wireless card reader that accepts EMV chip cards and contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can easily connect to an iPhone, iPad, or Android device. 
• Shopify Retail Kit: This is a countertop POS kit that turns an iPad into a POS terminal. It includes a dock, receipt printer, tap-and-chip card, and reader. 
• POS Accessories: Shopify also offers add-on hardware like cash drawers, label printers, barcode scanners, and POS stands. 

2. POS Software

Shopify’s POS app allows retailers to process transactions and take customer payments using various methods like cards, wallets, gift cards, etc. The software also comes in handy for tracking sales, inventory, staff, and customers anywhere from your smartphone. 

Apart from sending email lists and email campaigns to your targeted audience, it also lets you create customer profiles where you can view their lifetime spend, purchasing history, and preferences. 

3. Multi-channel Selling

The POS’s multi-channel and omni-channel features make it a convenient tool for brands selling both online and offline. Many Shopify competitors don’t include this feature unless they rely on third-party services or charge a prohibitive amount. 

With this feature, shoppers can even order online and pick their orders from respective retail stores and vice versa. There’s a back-office feature that unifies both online and in-person sales in one place, so you can easily manage your inventory levels. 

4. Payment Processing

Like every Shopify plan, Shopify POS charges a flat-rate processing and transaction fee for every online and in-person transaction. 

If you choose any third-party payment provider, you will be charged a 0.5%–2% transaction fee, according to the plan you have chosen. The same goes for credit card charges. 

However, if you choose Shopify’s in-house payment gateway, “Shopify Payments,” you don’t have to pay any transaction fees for any purchases.  

5. Staff Management

The staff management feature lets you create separate login access for each employee with granular permission levels. 

You can schedule employee shifts, track hours worked, and assign sales to each staff member. 

How does Shopify POS work?

If you are a new Shopify user or already running an eCommerce store, you can follow these steps to get started with Shopify POS:

Step 1. Sign Up

If you are a new user, create a Shopify merchant account by choosing a subscription plan. Existing Shopify users can enable POS from their account (they need to pay $89 to upgrade to POS Pro).

Bonus: New users can check out this ultimate Shopify checklist before launching their Shopify stores to ensure a successful future in the eCommerce business. 

Step 2. Hardware Setup 

Order card readers, receipt printers, iPad stands, and barcode scanners to set up your POS hardware. 

Step 3. Install Shopify POS

Now, download and install the Shopify POS app on your Android or Apple device. Log in to your Shopify account and sync your inventory from your online store. 

Step 4. Accept Payments and Manage Transactions

As soon as your Shopify account is synced to the POS app, you can use the POS hardware to accept credit cards, online payments, and mobile wallets from your customers. The app also provides reporting on sales, inventory, and customer data, so you can easily track and manage all the transactions. 

This is how you can easily start your retail store with Shopify POS. Since the app synchronizes inventory across online and sales channels, you can add multiple POS locations and manage all the stores under one platform.  

Shopify Setup and System Requirements

Shopify POS is available as an app. Therefore, you need a smartphone running Android and iOS. You can download the Shopify POS app from Google Play Store or Apple Store.

To utilize Shopify POS to the fullest, you need the right hardware. Here’s what you will need:

• An active Shopify subscription
• iPad or tablet (or smartphone) with the version (compatible with the POS app)
• High-speed internet connection
• Compatible hardware like card reader, POS terminal, countertop kits, etc. 

No additional software or infrastructure is required as the POS app runs on a cloud-based SaaS system. 

Security & Customer Support 

Shopify POS is PCI Level 1 certified, meaning it meets industry standards for secure payment processing and card data security. All data transmitted between Shopify POS devices and servers is encrypted using 256-bit SSL encryption. This prevents data interception.

Extended validation certificates, data isolation policies, and regular security audits make Shopify POS infrastructure secure. POS hardware only accepts EMV chip cards, which are the most fraud-resistant card technologies.

Furthermore, Shopify POS undergoes regular PCI audits to maintain compliance. However, merchants should understand and implement any required data security controls at their end as well.

To assist merchants, Shopify provides:

• 24/7 support: Phone, live chat, email, and social media support around the clock.
• Warranty: 1-year warranty on Shopify POS hardware.
• Help resources: Extensive online documentation, setup guides, blogs, and discussion forums.
• Onboarding: Optional in-person onboarding and installation assistance.

Shopify POS Pricing

Shopify POS only works within Shopify’s ecosystem, so you will require an active subscription. POS Lite (with basic features) is available with every Shopify plan. However, the credit card rates and processing fees may vary for online and in-person purchases. 

POS Lite is also available with the Shopify free trial. Take advantage of the exclusive 90-day free trial at $1/month and test all of its features at almost no cost. 

Here’s a complete overview of all the Shopify POS plans:

Shopify POS Plan	Pricing	Credit Card Rates	Best For
Starter	$5/mo	5% in person5% + $0.30 online	Casual sellers, exhibitions, pop-ups
Retail	$89/mo	2.4% in person2.4% + $0.30 online	Mainly selling in physical stores with basic online features
Basic	$39/mo + $89/mo/POS Pro location	2.7% in person2.9% + $0.30 online	New sellers looking to boost sales through online and local shopping
Shopify	$39/mo + $89/mo/POS Pro location	2.5% in person2.6% + $0.30 online	Growing businesses that need professional reports and additional staff accounts
Advanced	$399/mo + $89/mo/POS Pro location	2.4% in person2.4% + $0.30 online	Expanding businesses in multiple channels and best payment rates

To know more about its eCommerce features and limitations, check out our detailed Shopify pricing plans.

Note: For more advanced POS features, you will need a Shopify POS Pro subscription that costs $89/month for every POS location. It will charged separately from the regular Shopify plans. 

Additional Hardware Cost

Apart from the POS subscription, you will need to purchase a few pieces of hardware at a one-time fee. Here are some possible devices that you may need:

• Tap & Chip Card Reader: $49
• Shopify POS Terminal: $349
• Shopify POS Go: $399 (only available for US and Canada merchants)
• Tap & Chip Countertop Kit: $219
• POS Terminal Countertop Kits: $459 or up

Customer Testimonials

With an overall 4.6 rating, Shopify POS is getting thousands of positive reviews across software reviewing platforms like G2, GetApp, and Capterra. 

Here are a few good and bad customer reviews for Shopify POS. 

(Source: G2)

Shopify POS Alternatives

Feature	Shopify POS	Square POS	Clover	eHopper
Pricing	$39/month ($89/month for POS Pro)	Free	$14.95/month (Need an active plan)	$34.99/month
Trial/Free plan	3 months at $1/month	–	No	Free forever plan
Ease of Use	Simple UI and great UX	User-friendly	Learning curve	Easy to learn and use
Hardware Requirement	iPad or Tablet and compatible devices	Basic card reader or tablet	Countertop POS, Customer-facing display	POS systems and accessories
Inventory Management	Low-stock alerts, inventory tracking	Basic inventory tracking	Multi-location tracking	Advanced management, bulk order reports
Processing Fee	2.4%	2.6% + $0.10	3.5% + $0.10	0%
Integrations	Shopify ecosystem, third-party apps	eCommerce apps	Clover app market	eCommerce, accounting software
Customer Management	Customer profiles, purchase history tracking	Basic purchase history	Detailed customer profiles, loyalty programs	Robust CRM, detailed profiles
Best For	Omnichannel retailers	Small businesses need	Businesses with diverse needs	Multi-location businesses, restaurants

• Shopify POS vs Square POS

Square POS is the top alternative to Shopify POS as it offers point-of-sale systems without any upfront monthly cost. Square is ideal for small businesses with a limited budget. The features of this system are quite similar to Shopify’s, but they are basic comparatively. 

• Shopify POS vs Clover

Clover POS caters to small and medium-sized businesses. The company sells a variety of hardware bundles for retailers, so there’s always something for everyone. Compared to Shopify POS, Clover offers less customization and omnichannel features.

• Shopify POS vs eHopper

eHopper is a popular POS system, but it is primarily designed for small businesses such as restaurants, bars, and cafes. However, it is affordable compared to Shopify’s POS Pro and has a free plan to test all its features. Plus, it doesn’t charge any transaction fee for retail sales. 

Final Verdict: Shopify POS Review (2024)

Is Shopify POS worth it? In my opinion, Yes, Shopify POS is worth it.

Shopify is already a popular platform with powerful features to facilitate commerce.

Its POS app extends the same functionality to brick-and-mortar stores and supercharges retail selling operations. Shopify POS already powers around a million stores worldwide, which speaks about its popularity.

Its strengths stem from its flexibility for e-commerce, payments, accounting, analytics, and integrations. Furthermore, its real-time inventory management, intuitive interface, and powerful analytics and reporting tools make it a top-notch POS system.

Combine it with its extraordinary ability for business personalization via a robust POS system, plus the excellent price-to-performance ratio. It becomes apparent why Shopify POS is the top choice in the retail sector.

FAQs