If you are looking at Shopify vs. Square for a Point of Sale (POS) solution, you will find that both are robust sales platforms. A POS system refers to the hardware and software used to facilitate transactions between a business and its customers at the point of sale.
How do you know which one is better for your small business? Here’s what you need to consider:
Checkout
When you compare Square vs. Shopify for checkout, each system accepts gift cards, store credit, partial payments, discounts, and split tenders. Shopify excels in terms of tax information, automatically calculating the rate using your company’s location.
Staff management
You will get some employee management features with either of the POS platforms. However, only the Shopify Advanced or standard Shopify plan will allow you to access them within Shopify. For full-featured management via Square, you can pay an extra $35 per month/location for Team Plus.
Reports
Looking at the reporting features of Shopify POS and Square, both platforms offer robust analytics and reports that can provide valuable insights into your business’s performance. However, the key difference lies in the level of customization and real-time information that each platform offers.
With Shopify POS, you can view real-time information based on specific time periods, locations, and staff, giving you a more detailed and nuanced view of your business’s performance. You can also review overall traffic, orders, and sales revenue, and customize your reports to focus on specific metrics that are important to your business.
On the other hand, while Square also provides valuable analytics and reports, it may not offer the same level of customization and real-time information as Shopify POS. Instead, Square sends daily performance reports via email, which can provide a helpful snapshot of your business’s performance but may not offer the same level of detail and customization as Shopify POS.
Integrations
When it comes to third-party app and service integrations, both Shopify and Square have got you covered, allowing you to customize and enhance the functionality of your point-of-sale system. However, if you’re looking for sheer volume of integrations, Shopify may be the better choice.
With thousands of apps and integrations available through its robust app store, Shopify offers a plethora of options, including popular solutions for accounting, marketing, inventory management, and more. Plus, many of these integrations are developed by third-party developers, providing a wide range of choices.
While Square also offers a number of integrations, its app store is generally smaller and more industry-specific, focusing on areas like restaurants or retail. Nonetheless, Square has some notable integrations, particularly for small businesses, such as QuickBooks and Xero accounting software.
Ultimately, the right choice for your business will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re seeking extensive integrations and customizations, Shopify might be the better option. On the other hand, if you prioritize simplicity and ease-of-use over customization, Square could be a better fit.
Shopify POS vs. Square: Plan Pricing Chart
| Plan | Capabilities | Monthly Cost & Fees |
| Shopify Lite | Add a Buy Button to your website or Facebook page. | $9
CC in-person: 2.7% CC online: 2.9% + $.30 |
| Basic Shopify | Set up an online store with unlimited products and 2 staff accounts. | $29
CC in-person: 2.7% CC online: 2.9% + $.30 |
| Shopify | Set register shifts, access robust reporting, and get unlimited staff accounts. | $79
CC in-person: 2.5% CC online: 2.6% + $.30 |
| Advanced Shopify | Leverage more advanced shipping features and reporting capabilities. | $299
CC in-person: 2.4% CC online: 2.4% + $.30 |
| Shopify Plus | Get a plan designed for your specific POS needs. | Quote-based |
| Square | Use the Square hardware and POS to process payments. Any business can use this plan. | Free
CC in-person (typically): 2.6% + $.10 CC online (typically): 2.9% + $.30 CC card-on-file / keyed-in: 3.5% + $.15 |
| Square for Retail | This plan offers more inventory, customer, and employee management features for retail. | $0/$60/$299
CC in-person (typically): 2.5% + $.10 CC online (typically): 2.9% + $.30 CC card-on-file / keyed-in / virtual terminal: 3.5% + $.15 |
| Square for Restaurants | Utilize staff and inventory management capabilities, as well as delivery and menu management tools. | $0/$60/$299
CC in-person (typically): 2.6% + $.10 CC online (typically): 2.9% + $.30 CC keyed-in: 3.5% + $.15 |
Consistency, Ease, & Seamlessness
The reason we like these types of eCommerce platforms, in general, is for a simple reason: consistency. The technology is built and secured by industry-leading experts.
A trusted and stable online store platform such as Shopify allows you to navigate Black Friday and other high-traffic periods with confidence. Year-round, you keep your store online and available to your customers for less money and less time. In turn, you are freed up to spend more time on your business.
When it comes to ease of use, Shopify POS stands out as the preferable option over Square. The integration between Shopify’s in-store system and your online store is seamless, requiring no additional software to connect the two. This streamlined approach makes setting up your POS system much simpler and more straightforward, saving you time and effort.
Finally, Shopify’s intuitive user interface makes it easy for your staff to navigate and process transactions quickly and efficiently. The platform offers a range of features and tools that are simple to learn and use, ensuring that your employees can get up to speed in no time.
Our Shopify eCommerce Development leverages omnichannel selling, among other features, to expand your online and in-store revenue.
