Managing in-person and online sales efficiently is crucial for modern retailers, and Shopify POS offers a seamless solution. However, understanding Shopify POS pricing is essential to determine if it’s the right fit for your business. This guide breaks down Shopify POS costs, hardware pricing, transaction fees, competitor comparisons, and real-world case studies to help you make an informed decision.
Shopify POS is a point-of-sale (POS) system designed to unify online and physical sales, providing businesses with a seamless omnichannel experience. It allows retailers to accept payments in-store, track inventory, and sync sales data in real time.
Key Shopify POS features include:
The cost of a Shopify POS system depends on what your business needs. Some businesses spend nothing upfront, while others invest up to $2,000 for equipment, software, and setup. Once you’re up and running, ongoing costs typically fall between $500 and $1,000 per year, based on factors like business size, number of locations, and additional features. Here is the breakdown of Shopify POS costs:
Ultimately, how much you spend depends on how you set up your business, what hardware you need, and whether you choose extra integrations to enhance your POS system.
Shopify POS pricing consists of software costs, hardware costs, and transaction fees.
The Shopify POS system has two software options: POS Lite and POS Pro. The right choice depends on your business size, sales volume, and operational complexity.
Plan | Cost | Best For | When to Use | Where to Use | Why Choose It? |
POS Lite | Free (Included with all Shopify plans) | Small businesses, startups, solopreneurs | If you occasionally sell in person and mostly operate online | Farmers’ markets, craft fairs, pop-up shops, seasonal stores | No additional cost, basic POS features for simple in-person sales |
POS Pro | $89/month per location ($79/month billed annually) | Medium to large retailers, multi-location businesses | If you need advanced staff management, multi-location inventory tracking, and detailed reports | Clothing stores, electronics shops, specialty retail stores, franchises | Provides advanced analytics, better inventory control, and seamless multi-location management |
Shopify Plus Users | Free (POS Pro included) | Large-scale retailers, enterprise businesses | If you run multiple stores with high transaction volume and complex operations | Chain stores, national brands, high-end boutiques | Cost-effective for scaling businesses with Shopify Plus |
Your POS hardware setup depends on your business type, how you process payments, and whether you need a mobile-friendly or stationary solution.
Hardware | Cost | Best For | When to Use | Where to Use | Why Choose It? |
Shopify POS Go (Handheld Device) | $399 | Mobile businesses, pop-up stores, event sellers | If you need a handheld, all-in-one checkout device | Trade shows, food trucks, outdoor events, retail associates for mobile checkout | Eliminates extra hardware, offers fast and easy on-the-go checkout |
WisePad 3 Card Reader | $49 | Small businesses with a tight budget | If you process payments on an iPad or mobile device and need a budget-friendly option | Small shops, coffee carts, vendor booths | Simple and portable for businesses that don’t need a full POS setup |
Retail Stand Kit (iPad Stand with Integrated Reader) | $219 | Retail stores with dedicated checkout counters | If you want a stationary POS system | Clothing boutiques, salons, cafes, small grocery stores | Professional look, easy checkout process for customers |
POS Terminal Kit (Full Register Setup) | $459 | High-volume retailers needing a complete checkout station | If you process a high number of in-person transactions daily | Supermarkets, department stores, furniture stores | Includes a customer-facing display for an improved checkout experience |
Tap to Pay on iPhone | Free (up to 100 transactions/month, then $0.25 per tap) | Small businesses, mobile vendors, service-based businesses | If you don’t want extra hardware and need a simple contactless payment solution | Freelancers, personal trainers, hairstylists, consultants, pop-up vendors | No extra hardware needed, great for businesses with occasional in-person sales |
Your Shopify POS transaction fees depend on your Shopify plan and whether you use Shopify Payments or an external gateway.
Shopify Plan | In-Person Transaction Fee | Best for |
Basic Shopify | 2.7% per transaction | Small businesses with low sales volume |
Shopify | 2.5% per transaction | Growing businesses with moderate sales |
Advanced Shopify | 2.4% per transaction | High-volume retailers that want lower fees |
If you use third-party payment providers like PayPal, Stripe, or Square, Shopify charges an additional transaction fee of 0.5% to 2%, increasing your overall processing costs. For businesses that already rely on a preferred payment processor or operate in regions where Shopify Payments isn’t available, using an external gateway may be necessary despite the added fees.
However, if cost efficiency is your priority, avoiding third-party gateways is the best option. Shopify Payments eliminates these extra charges while providing seamless integration with Shopify’s POS and ecommerce systems, ensuring a smoother payment experience.
✔ Small Businesses & Startups
✔ Retail Stores & Multi-Location Businesses
✔ Pop-Up Shops & Events
✔ High-Volume Retailers
For mid-sized retailers and enterprises, it’s crucial to compare Shopify POS with other top solutions: Square, Clover, and Lightspeed.
Feature | Shopify POS | Square POS | Clover POS | Lightspeed POS |
Software Cost | Free (Lite) or $89/mo (Pro) | Free (basic), $60/mo+ (Retail Plus) | $14.95-$54.90/mo | $89-$269/mo |
Hardware Cost | $49-$459+ | $10-$799+ | $599-$1,699 | Varies (iPad-based) |
Transaction Fees | 2.4% - 2.7% | 2.6% + $0.10 | 2.3% + $0.10 | 2.6% + $0.10 |
Best for | Omnichannel retailers | Small businesses & pop-ups | Restaurants & mid-size retail | Advanced retail & multi-store chains |
Here is our conclusion after comparing these options:
To determine whether Shopify POS is worth the price, it's best to look at real businesses that have used it. Here are some case studies that showcase how it performs in action:
Frank And Oak, a Canadian fashion brand, has built its reputation around sustainability and modern design. But as their business expanded, they hit a wall: their outdated POS system just couldn’t keep up.
The Problem: Growing Pains and Tech Headaches
Running both an eCommerce store and multiple physical locations sounds great—until your systems refuse to communicate properly. Frank And Oak found themselves battling:
How Do They Fix It?
Realizing they needed something modern, reliable, and built for omnichannel retail, Frank And Oak ditched their old system and moved to Shopify POS. The impact was immediate:
Final Outcome
After making the switch, Frank And Oak saw:
Bathu Sneakers started as a digital-first sneaker brand in South Africa. But as their popularity skyrocketed, they made a bold move—opening over 30 physical stores in just a few years.
Their Challenge
Growing fast is great—until you realize your systems aren’t built to handle it. Bathu faced:
Their Solution
To bring everything together, Bathu implemented Shopify POS across all locations. This gave them:
Their Outcome
The Brand Monday Swimwear is a well-known swimwear brand with a strong online presence, but they wanted to connect with customers in person. To do this, they frequently launch pop-up stores in key locations, offering shoppers a hands-on experience.
The Challenge
Since these pop-ups are temporary, Monday Swimwear needed a POS system that was flexible and easy to set up. Their key concerns included:
What Changed
Switching to Shopify POS Go gave them exactly what they needed:
The Results
The Store This Chicago-based baby and child boutique offers a carefully selected range of high-quality baby products, selling both in-store and online.
The Problem
The business had been using QuickBooks POS, but it wasn’t keeping up. They ran into:
How Shopify POS Helped
After switching to Shopify POS, Twinkle Twinkle Little One saw major improvements:
What Happened Next
Shopify POS cost depends on the pricing tiers and on the features you choose:
You only have to pay for Shopify POS if you choose the POS Pro, there are 2 plans for you to select:
Yes, Shopify charges transaction fees for in-person sales processed through Shopify POS. The rates depend on your Shopify plan:
These rates apply when using Shopify Payments as your payment processor.
Yes, Shopify charges a transaction fee on every in-person sale, based on your plan:
Final Thoughts
Shopify POS is a game-changer for businesses wanting to connect online and in-store sales effortlessly. While its cost might be higher than some alternatives, the advantages—real-time inventory tracking, omnichannel sales integration, and a seamless checkout experience—make it a smart investment for growing businesses.
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