Shopify POS Review 2023

Shopify POS Editor’s Score: 8.6/10

Why Shopify POS Is Best for Omnichannel Businesses

Shopify is our choice for the best POS system for omnichannel businesses because it includes features that support multiple sales channels and prioritize customer convenience. Businesses can use Shopify’s POS software to discover new ways to sell online and on various social media platforms — a crucial feature as mobile and social shopping grow in popularity. Additionally, business owners can manage all sales channels on one easy-to-use platform.

Shopify’s POS system also gives customers more options for placing and picking up orders. For example, customers can order online and pick up their items at a local brick-and-mortar store. They can also place an order in the store and have it shipped to their home. If they order an item online and are unhappy with it, they can return it at the nearest store. These convenient options can help you strengthen customer relationships and boost sales. 

Shopify POS is ideally suited to omnichannel businesses because it supports multiple sales channels and customer convenience features. Source: Shopify

Pros

• Shopify POS offers affordable monthly pricing plans. 
• The Shopify POS mobile app is easy to use and integrates with Shopify’s online store.
• You can use Shopify Payments or integrate the software with a third-party payment processor.

Cons

• Shopify offers a free trial, but it’s only three days. 
• You’ll have to pay more for Shopify POS’ more advanced features. 

Usability

Shopify’s ease of use is among the best of the POS systems we reviewed. Getting set up and training your employees on Shopify POS should be quick and straightforward. The software is intuitive and comes with numerous integrations, helping businesses create customized solutions. 

Shopify also offers a mobile app that works on iOS and Android devices. You can use the mobile app to manage sales, customers and inventory from any location — an excellent perk if you have multiple business locations.

The Shopify POS mobile app for iOS and Android helps you turn your device into a mobile POS system. Source: Shopify

Shopify Features

Hardware

We were pleased to see that Shopify offers an array of POS hardware options to help small businesses accept customer payments and manage in-person and online sales. Businesses can choose from the following hardware options:

• Retail Kit: The Shopify POS Retail Kit is a countertop point-of-sale system that lets you turn your iPad into a POS system. The tap-and-chip reader is compatible with iOS, Bluetooth and Android devices, and also helps you accept contactless payments such as NFC mobile payments.
• POS Go: POS Go is a mobile POS device. It’s a good option for making sales on the floor, or at trade shows or other events.
• Tap and chip card reader: This versatile card reader accepts tap and chip payments at the counter or on the go. It helps you accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover) and mobile wallet payments (like Apple Pay and Google Pay).
• Accessories: Shopify also sells accessories, including a barcode scanner, receipt printer, cash drawer and label maker.

Shopify’s Retail Kit helps you accept chip and contactless payments. Source: Shopify

Software

We like that Shopify’s POS software lets you track sales, customers, staff and inventory in one easy-to-access location. You can use the Shopify POS mobile app to make sales from anywhere, and we were impressed to see that you can keep your most frequently used workflows on the home screen to speed up the checkout process.

We like that you can use the software to create curated email lists and send targeted email marketing campaigns. You can also create customer profiles to view each customer’s preferences and lifetime spend. 

Shopify’s POS software helps you track staff, customers and inventory. Source: Shopify

Omnichannel Selling

We were impressed by Shopify’s omnichannel retail feature, which gives you more ways to make online sales and provides customers with a more convenient way to shop. This is a unique feature that many competitors don’t offer. 

Customers can order online and pick up their items in the store. They can also purchase items in the store and have them shipped to their home, or browse in a store and place an online order.

Shopify’s back office unifies your online and in-person sales, helping you easily manage all transactions. We also appreciate that this feature ensures that you never run out of inventory. 

Shopify POS’ omnichannel retail feature lets customers order items online and pick them up in the store. Source: Shopify

Payment Processing

We like that Shopify offers flat-rate payment processing for online and in-person transactions. Every transaction is automatically synced, so you won’t have to worry about adding anything manually. 

This information makes it easier to track your cash flow and make financial decisions for your business. You’ll also receive detailed POS sales reports that give you comprehensive data about your business. 

Shopify’s payment processing software gives you detailed insight into your business. Source: Shopify

Inventory Management

Shopify’s real-time POS inventory management system is on a par with those of other POS systems we reviewed, giving you insight into current inventory levels. You can also automate inventory management by setting up alerts when inventory levels fall below a certain point. 

These inventory management features help you improve inventory forecasting and avoid selling items you don’t have on hand. It also helps you minimize errors and reduces the time you spend on reconciling inventory items. 

Shopify Costs

Shopify offers three pricing plans for different business types. We like that businesses have the option to start small and add more features as their revenue grows. 

• Basic: The basic plan costs $39 monthly; it’s the best option for individuals and small businesses. It includes basic POS reporting features, up to 1,000 inventory locations, a 77 percent shipping discount, and two staff accounts. You’ll pay 2.9 percent plus 30 cents for online transactions and 2.7 percent for in-person transactions.
• Shopify: The Shopify plan costs $105 monthly; it’s best for small businesses that need more advanced reporting features. You’ll receive professional reports, an 88 percent discount on shipping, and up to five staff accounts. You’ll also pay 2.6 percent plus 30 cents for online transactions and 2.5 percent for in-person transactions.
• Advanced: The advanced plan costs $399 monthly; it’s best for midsize and large companies. You’ll receive custom reports and up to 15 staff accounts. You’ll pay 2.4 percent plus 30 cents for online transactions and 2.4 percent for in-person transactions. 

Shopify Setup

Shopify makes it easy to set up your POS system. We like that, unlike some competitors, Shopify never charges setup fees for any of its plans. If you already have an e-commerce website, you can use the Store Importer to transfer your products, customers and sales history to Shopify. Shopify’s website also offers various onboarding resources, so you should always be able to find answers to your questions. 

Shopify Customer Service

Shopify’s customer service options are comparable to many competitors’. The company provides 24/7 customer support via phone, chat or email. You can also use Shopify’s help center to access detailed guides on migrating your online store to Shopify, using the POS app, customizing the checkout experience and more. 

Shopify’s help center has numerous resources on using Shopify POS and migrating to Shopify. Source: Shopify

Shopify Drawbacks

While Shopify POS is an excellent option for many businesses, we did identify some drawbacks: 

• No free plan: Shopify has affordable pricing but doesn’t offer a free plan. There’s a free trial, but it lasts only three days. That’s pretty minimal, especially compared with what some competitors offer. If you’re looking for a POS system with a generous free tier, check out our review of Square. 
• Additional fee for third-party processors: While we like that Shopify allows businesses to use a third-party payment processor, we were disappointed to learn that it charges an additional transaction fee for this service. Extra credit card processing fees are never good news. If you want to evaluate a POS provider that doesn’t charge more for third-party processors (as long as they’re partners), read our review of Lightspeed. 

Methodology

When researching the best POS systems for omnichannel businesses, we looked for features that accommodate customers’ online and in-person buying needs and that unify online and in-person sales. We attended an hour-long demo with the Shopify team, where we found answers to our questions and received a behind-the-scenes look at Shopify’s features and functionality. During our evaluation process, we compared Shopify to over a dozen competing POS providers in terms of features, usability and affordability. Our process helped us determine where Shopify excels and falls short. 

Shopify FAQs

Can you use Shopify as a POS?

Yes. Shopify’s POS system makes it easy to track sales, inventory and customers. It’s an excellent option for businesses that want to unify their online and in-person sales. 

What percentage fee does Shopify POS take?

The payment processing fee varies depending on your pricing plan. If you sign up for the basic plan, you’ll pay 2.6 percent plus 30 cents for online transactions and 2.5 percent for in-person transactions.

Can you use Shopify without a card reader?

Yes. If you don’t have a card reader, you can still accept payments by entering the credit card information manually. 

Overall Value

We recommend Shopify POS for…

• E-commerce businesses that already use Shopify to make sales.
• Businesses that are looking to offer omnichannel support for customers. 
• Businesses that are looking for a way to unify their online and in-person sales. 

We don’t recommend Shopify for…

• Brick-and-mortar businesses without an e-commerce component. 
• Restaurant owners, who may be better served by another POS provider.