"I sold my last red dress in-store but my website still shows it's available!" Sound familiar? Shopify POS Pro fixes retail headaches by connecting your online and physical shops. This quick guide shows what it does, what it costs, and whether your business actually needs it.
Shopify POS Pro is the paid version of Shopify's Point of Sale app. It helps store owners sell products in person and keep track of what's happening in their physical shops.
The basic version (POS Lite) comes free with all Shopify plans. But POS Pro has extra tools for bigger stores or shops with more complex needs. With POS Pro, you can:
It's like a command center that connects your website and your physical store, putting everything in one place.
POS Pro shows you what's in stock across all your stores and your website. When someone buys something anywhere, your inventory updates right away. You can:
For example, if your downtown store is out of a popular shirt but your mall location has extras, you can easily see this and move some over.
With POS Pro, you can set up different access levels for your staff:
You can see who made each sale and who's performing best. The system can also require manager approval for big discounts, which helps prevent mistakes. Every employee gets their own login, and these don't count against your Shopify account limit.
This is where POS Pro really shines. It connects your website and physical store:
These tools make shopping easier for your customers, no matter how they prefer to shop.
POS Pro gives you more detailed information than the free version:
These reports help you make smarter choices about what to stock, when to schedule more staff, and where to focus your efforts.
How much does Shopify POS cost? Shopify POS Pro costs $89 per month for each store location. This is on top of your regular Shopify subscription.
For example:
Remember, POS Lite is free with all Shopify plans. Many small shops use the free version until they really need the extra features. Shopify often lets you try POS Pro free for 14 days, and sometimes offers deals like $1 for your first month. Other costs to think about:
>>> Read more: Shopify POS Pricing: Software, Hardware, & Fees [2025 Updated]
Before spending money on Shopify POS Pro, it's worth weighing what you get against what it costs. Here's a straightforward look at the good and not-so-good sides of this retail system.
Most growing retailers find the benefits worth the cost. But smaller shops might do fine with the free POS Lite until they expand.
Not sure if Shopify POS Pro is worth $89 a month? Here's who really benefits:
If you have a website and a physical store, POS Pro connects them both. This means:
A local bookstore uses POS Pro to let customers order books online and pick them up later that day. This saves sales they might have lost.
If you run multiple stores, POS Pro helps you:
A clothing shop owner can quickly see that downtown needs more medium shirts while the mall location has too many, then fix the problem with a few clicks.
When you sell hundreds or thousands of items, POS Pro:
A hardware store owner no longer loses sales because items are misplaced or out of stock without anyone noticing.
POS Pro gives you better information than basic systems:
This helps you make smarter decisions about scheduling, training, and what to stock.
For shops that let customers order ahead for pickup or offer local delivery, POS Pro organizes these orders alongside regular sales, making everything run smoothly.
POS Pro isn't for everyone. You might not need it if:
These businesses might do fine with the free POS Lite or a simpler system like Square. The good thing is you can start with the free version and upgrade only when your business grows enough to need the extra features.
Square is popular because its basic POS is free - you just pay when you make sales. It's perfect for very small businesses or people who sell occasionally.
The big difference: If you already use Shopify for your website, POS Pro connects everything automatically. With Square, you'd need to manage two separate systems or use tools to sync them, which can be tricky.
Square has fewer features unless you pay for add-ons.
Lightspeed is made for established retail stores and costs about $69-79 monthly per register.
The main difference: Lightspeed is separate from Shopify. If you want to connect your online and in-store sales, you'd need to link Lightspeed to Shopify or use Lightspeed's own website tools.
Lightspeed might be better for stores with very complex inventory needs, but Shopify POS Pro makes it easier to sell both online and in person.
Bottom Line
Shopify POS Pro links your website and physical store together. The $89 monthly cost is real money, but most shop owners find it pays off through better stock control, happier customers, and less time spent on paperwork.
If you already use Shopify online and want to improve your in-store sales, take a look at POS Pro. Your customers can shop however they want, and you can see all your business in one place. The smart move? Start with the free POS Lite and only upgrade when you truly need the extra tools. This way, you only pay for POS Pro when your business has grown enough to really use it.
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