By Bogdan Rancea
Shopify POS pricing offers two main tiers: “POS Lite,” included with all Shopify ecommerce subscriptions starting at $39/month, and “POS Pro,” which adds advanced retail features for an additional $89/month per location.
Keep in mind that hardware costs, transaction fees (around 2.4–2.9%), and optional app integrations are separate expenses you’ll need to budget for.
As an ecommerce expert with over 10 years of helping online businesses launch, grow, and scale, I always recommend clearly understanding these additional costs upfront to effectively plan your offline sales strategy.
Whether you’re expanding your existing ecommerce business to physical locations or starting fresh with a brick-and-mortar presence alongside your online shop, clearly understanding Shopify’s POS pricing is essential.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll break down Shopify POS pricing plans, hardware costs, hidden fees, and comparisons with competitors to help you make the smartest decision for your ecommerce business.
Shopify POS Overview: Why Pricing Matters
Shopify POS is designed to seamlessly integrate your offline sales with your online Shopify store.
It simplifies inventory management, customer interactions, and sales reporting across multiple channels.
Pricing clarity is vital because:
- It directly affects profitability and scalability.
- It influences budgeting decisions and cash flow management.
- Understanding hidden costs ensures no unexpected surprises.
Many of my ecommerce clients initially underestimate costs such as hardware, app integrations, and transaction fees. Having a clear upfront view helps you budget accurately and avoid common pitfalls.
Shopify POS Pricing Plans Explained
Shopify currently offers two main POS plans—Lite and Pro—and an enterprise-level solution, Shopify Plus.
Shopify POS Lite (Included with Shopify Plans)
POS Lite is bundled with any Shopify ecommerce subscription.
Key features include:
- Basic payment acceptance
- Email receipts and inventory syncing
- Customer profiles and order history management
| Feature | Included |
|---|---|
| Basic transaction tools | ✔️ |
| Inventory sync | ✔️ |
| Staff and roles | ❌ |
| Advanced analytics | ❌ |
Cost: Included with Shopify plans starting at $39/month.
Who it suits best: Ideal for businesses selling occasionally offline, such as pop-ups, market stalls, or occasional events.
Shopify POS Pro
POS Pro is designed for businesses with more robust retail requirements.
Key features include:
- Staff management and custom permissions
- Advanced inventory and stock management
- Detailed reporting and analytics
- Omnichannel selling capabilities
- Advanced checkout features (exchanges, custom receipts)
| Feature | Included |
|---|---|
| Advanced inventory control | ✔️ |
| Multiple staff management | ✔️ |
| Omnichannel selling | ✔️ |
| Enhanced reporting | ✔️ |
Cost: Additional $89/month per location, in addition to your standard Shopify plan fee.
Who it suits best: Growing businesses with permanent physical stores, multiple locations, or teams needing advanced features.
Shopify Plus (Enterprise)
For large-scale ecommerce businesses, Shopify Plus offers tailored POS and ecommerce solutions.
Key advantages:
- Custom pricing, typically starting around $2,000/month
- Dedicated account manager and priority support
- Highly customisable integrations and APIs
This solution is best for high-volume, fast-growing ecommerce businesses needing extensive customisation.
Shopify POS Hardware Costs (Additional Expenses)
It’s important to budget for hardware. Shopify offers individual items or cost-saving bundles. Typical hardware includes:
- Card readers: from approximately $49
- Shopify Retail Stand: around $149
- Receipt Printers: $299+
- Barcode Scanners: around $229
| Hardware | Approx. Cost | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Tap & Chip Reader | $49 | Card payment acceptance |
| Retail Stand | $149 | Professional, secure tablet display |
| Receipt Printer | $299+ | Providing printed customer receipts |
| Barcode Scanner | $229+ | Efficient inventory management |
Hardware bundles range from approximately $200 to $600. Evaluate precisely what your business needs to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Hidden Costs & Fees You Need to Consider
As an ecommerce expert, I frequently highlight these overlooked costs to my clients:
- Transaction fees: Typically, 2.4%–2.9% per transaction if using Shopify Payments.
- Third-party payment gateways: Extra 0.5%–2% if you don’t use Shopify Payments.
- App integrations: Monthly costs can vary widely, typically between $20 and $100+ per app.
- Additional POS locations or registers: Each new location incurs the POS Pro fee ($89/month per location).
These hidden costs can significantly affect your profitability and budgeting decisions if ignored initially.
Shopify POS vs Competitors: Pricing Compared Clearly
It’s always wise to compare Shopify’s POS pricing to other leading solutions like Square or Lightspeed:
| Feature | Shopify POS | Square POS | Lightspeed POS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Monthly Cost | From $39/mo | Free | From $69/mo |
| Advanced Plan Pricing | $89/location | $60/location | $199+/location |
| Typical Transaction Fees | 2.4%–2.9% | 2.6% flat | Negotiable |
| Hardware Costs | Medium-High | Low-Medium | High |
| Ecommerce Integration | Excellent | Good | Moderate |
Shopify typically isn’t the cheapest, but its strength lies in seamless ecommerce integration and scalability, particularly beneficial for online-first businesses transitioning to offline sales.
Expert Tips: Selecting the Right Shopify POS Plan
Choosing the correct Shopify POS plan means aligning your business needs clearly with the available features:
Ask yourself:
- How many physical locations or staff registers do I need?
- Will my sales volume justify advanced analytics and inventory features?
- Do I need robust integrations or advanced payment options?
- Am I likely to scale my offline business rapidly?
I consistently advise my clients to start conservatively, upgrading plans only when increased sales or operational complexity clearly justify the added costs.
Common Shopify POS Pricing FAQs
From years of ecommerce experience, I frequently encounter these common questions:
- What is the most affordable Shopify POS option?
- Shopify POS Lite, included with any standard Shopify subscription ($39/month).
- Are hardware costs included in the monthly Shopify fee?
- No, hardware costs are separate and one-time purchases.
- Is upgrading from Shopify POS Lite to Pro straightforward?
- Absolutely; upgrading is seamless and easy via your Shopify dashboard.
- Does Shopify POS have hidden cancellation fees?
- Typically no, but always verify current terms with Shopify directly.
Final Thoughts from an Ecommerce Expert
Understanding Shopify POS pricing clearly upfront ensures your business scales profitably without financial surprises.
By accurately budgeting initial hardware and ongoing fees, you position yourself effectively for long-term success.
Remember, Shopify POS isn’t necessarily the cheapest option, but its seamless ecommerce integration and robust features frequently justify the investment—particularly if your business prioritises cohesive online-offline experiences.
