Shopify POS

Shopify POS Review

Updated as of March, 2023

My Shopify POS review will explore the ins and outs of this eCommerce-focused point of sale system. Is this modern POS platform the perfect solution for your retail company? Let’s find out by exploring its eCommerce features, brick-and-mortar features, pricing, customer service, hardware requirements, and more!

Overview of Shopify POS

If you’re a modern business owner, you’ve most likely heard of Shopify — it’s one of the largest eCommerce platforms in the world. While the company initially only catered to digital stores, in 2013 it began offering point of sale services to traditional retailers. You can now fully integrate your online store with a brick-and-mortar location.

This is an excellent platform if you’re a traditional retailer that wants to expand your online profile. It’s easy to track inventory and reporting data across multiple sales channels. Users can access this system on both iOS and Android devices.

Shopify POS has a robust backend analytics platform that allows you to view key metrics from anywhere on the planet. Its cloud-based system ensures that you never risk losing your reporting data. You can also integrate with a range of third-party applications — including QuickBooks and Xero.

With 24/7 customer support, you’ll never be left stranded if you run into any problems with this system. Let’s explore all of Shopify POS’s components to see if it’s the perfect upgrade for your retail business!

Pros vs Cons

Pricing

Shopify POS pricing ranges from $29 per month to $299 per month, depending on which plan you choose. Users have a choice between three distinct plans that offer a range of benefits. All plans include online stores, unlimited products, sales channels, manual order creation, and 24/7 support.

Here’s the current pricing for Shopify point of sale:

Basic Shopify — $29 per month 

• Processing rates start at 2.7% + 0¢ USD
• Unlimited online products
• Two staff accounts
• Online Store
• Shopify POS App
• Third-party apps
• Up to 4 Locations

Shopify — $79 per month 

• Processing rates start at 2.5% + 0¢ USD
• Five staff accounts
• All ‘Basic Shopify’ features
• Gift cards
• Professional reports
• Register shifts
• Unlimited staff PINs
• Up to 5 Locations

Advanced Shopify — $299 per month 

• Processing rates start at 2.4% + 0¢ USD
• All ‘Shopify’ plan features
• 15 staff accounts
• Cheaper processing rates

You’re also welcome to try any of the above plans for free for 14 days — this free trial allows you to test out the platform before you make any long-term commitments. Overall, the pricing at Shopify is extremely competitive. While you’ll need to upgrade from the basic plan to experience the platform to its fullest, you get a lot of features for your money.

Shopify POS Demo

Key Features

What’s on offer at Shopify POS? Let’s take a deep dive into the various features available if you choose this point of sale system:

Data Reporting

You can access your crucial reporting information from almost anywhere. Shopify offers an extensive backend ‘dashboard’ that allows you to view all critical sales and reporting data. You can analyze your sales data to determine the best-performing products and sectors in your store.

Also, you can view key employee metrics that help you track staff performance and assess your company’s overall effectiveness. While you can generate comprehensive reports using the Shopify POS system, it must be noted that there are more powerful platforms on the market. Some users do complain that the reporting features are fairly standard.

Deployment Type

Shopify POS is a cloud-based system that allows you to connect your in-store services with your online eCommerce platform. While you will need hardware to host the software, Shopify will automatically store and synchronize your data to a cloud component of its platform. This means you won’t have to worry about data loss if something happens to your hardware.

While you can process cash transactions if your internet cuts out, you won’t be able to process any credit card payments. In some cases, you’ll need to already have the app open if you want to ensure that the system works correctly. If you don’t have an internet connection, the app may not load. While this is annoying, the reality is that most cloud-based systems don’t work without a functioning internet connection.

eCommerce Capabilities

The genius of this product lies in its eCommerce capabilities. With Shopify POS, you have direct access to one of the world’s most powerful eCommerce tools. Users can set up an online store that offers unlimited products and seamless integration across multiple sales channels.

You’ll be able to recover abandoned carts, view advanced eCommerce reports, build an online site, automatically calculate shipping rates, print shipping labels, process online payments, and more. There’s literally no end to the eCommerce benefits that you’ll find packed into this system.

Because you’re able to synchronize your in-store and online platforms, you’ll never have to worry about order fulfillment issues. All of your inventory will be tracked across both platforms. Shopify is always updating its eCommerce platform, so you’ll be able to benefit from any industry-leading innovations it develops in the future.

Industries Served

At present, Shopify is only relevant to the retail industry. You won’t be able to use this platform for hospitality or any other non-retail industry. Shopify has features that can help you use its point of sale system for almost any retail niche.

In terms of business size, Shopify is suitable for online stores of any size. If you’re running a brick-and-mortar store, Shopify is best for small and mid-sized businesses. While it’s an excellent platform, it doesn’t have the same in-store features that some of the industry leaders exhibit. If you’re running a large chain of brick-and-mortar stores, you may be better off looking at other providers.

Ease of Use

Shopify has made a name for itself by simplifying the eCommerce industry. The company has allowed business owners to build comprehensive online stores in a matter of hours. Shopify POS has the same approach to the point of sale industry — it keeps things simple.

Regardless of the POS system you use now, you won’t find it hard to learn the core components of this platform. From the initial set-up process to the creation of an online store, every aspect of this platform is intuitive. It’s easy to process transactions, change prices, offer promotions, and more.

Onboarding new staff can be a costly endeavor if you don’t have an intuitive system. Fortunately, Shopify POS can help you reduce training costs and ensure that your workplace runs efficiently.

You can bulk import items to save time — this is the best way to get your store up and running as quickly as possible. Also, if you’re not in your store or office, you can operate most backend functions using the Shopify mobile app. You can even add products and view critical reporting information from your smartphone.

Hardware

The Shopify POS system is built primarily for iPads. In fact, all you need to access Shopify POS on your iPad is the app, which is available in the Apple App Store. You can also access Shopify POS on Android devices, but the system is much more limited — you won’t have any access to the app when you don’t have an internet connection.

If you want to accept payments or perform other POS tasks, you’ll most likely need to purchase external hardware. Shopify offers a range of affordable external hardware options including scales, bar code scanners, printers, and labels. Below, let’s take a look at some of the bundles currently available so you have an idea of pricing:

Start-up Bundle for Ipad — $789

• Retail Stand
• Chip & Swipe Reader
• Receipt Printer
• Cash Drawer
• Barcode Scanner
• Stand Mounting Kit

Shopify Retail Kit — $159

• Retail Stand
• Tap & Chip Card Reader
• Dock for Reader
• Mounting Kit
• Mini Dock Cable

Tap and Chip Reader — $49

While you’ll still need to purchase an iPad to use the system, the above equipment is much more affordable than what you find at other competitors in the industry.

Integrations

Integrations are definitely a major strong point at Shopify. The company allows its users to access the ‘Shopify App Store,’ which provides a range of third-party integrations. This is one of the most effective ways to upgrade your platform and take advantage of external software.

This marketplace houses a range of excellent software products that can help you with anything from accounting to driving traffic to your online store. It’s also easy to use these integrations to create support chat portals, source new products, host reviews on your site, and more. For those looking to integrate with QuickBooks or Xero, both are available at Shopify POS.

It’s important to keep in mind that the majority of these apps are geared towards improving your online store, not your brick-and-mortar locations. Also, many of these apps cost extra money — you’ll need to factor this into the total cost of the system.

Payment Processing

In a similar fashion to many modern POS providers, Shopify has its own internal merchant services platform. ‘Shopify Payments’ rates will depend on the plan that you purchase — they start at as little as 2.4% per transaction. If you want to use an external provider, you’ll have to pay a small fee. This fee decreases depending on the type of plan that you purchase.

Unfortunately, this is one of the downsides associated with Shopify POS. I prefer to work with point of sale providers that don’t lock you into an in-house payment provider. It’s important to compare Shopify’s rates against other POS providers in the industry.

Customer Service

Shopify’s customer service is one of its best assets. You’ll have 24/7 access to chat, phone, and email support. It’s hard to find another retail POS provider that offers this extensive of a customer support platform — many non-hospitality POS providers only offer support within business hours.

You’ll also be able to find extensive information on Shopify’s online knowledge center. If you’re looking to troubleshoot issues or access tutorials, you can source help before you contact Shopify’s customer support.

We also took a look at some consumer watchdog groups to see if there were any recurring issues highlighted by Shopify users. There were a few common issues that we’ll explore below:

• Hidden Fees: While Shopify is an affordable platform, there is evidence that you have to pay extra money for certain benefits. Some users complained that they were charged to add hardware integrations and other key components.
• Glitches: Some users complain that the system can become ‘glitchy.’ This could be a major problem if you run a busy store.

It’s important to note that the overwhelming majority of Shopify’s feedback was positive.

Our Verdict

Shopify POS is clearly an industry leader if you’re looking for a POS system that offers extensive eCommerce features. The in-house integration with Shopify’s eCommerce platform means you can easily link your brick-and-mortar outlet to your online store. The company also provides an intuitive interface, a strong customer support team, and plenty of affordable hardware options.

The only real downsides at Shopify POS include the lack of payment processor options and a shortage of premium in-store features. Still, there’s plenty to like about this modern system. If you’d like to try it out, make sure to use its 14-day trial before you make any commitments.

If our Shopify POS review didn’t meet your expectation and it’s not the perfect choice for your business, you can also check out some Shopify competitors here.

Before you decide, compare 2023‘s best POS systems fast & save

Free Shopify Trial