Square vs Shopify POS
Square comes out ahead of Shopify POS on 5 of the 7 things that decide this, going by what each company publishes and what independent review sites report. The one that matters for you may be one the leader loses.
The verdict
Square takes it, 5–2 on rounds.
On the published figures and the independent review sites, Square takes 5 of 7 rounds. Treat that as a starting point and check the current figures on both pages, because prices and plans move.
Choose Square if…
- • You want Square's edge on trying it before you pay and what customers say on trustpilot
Choose Shopify POS if…
- • You want Shopify POS's edge on who picks up when the till is down and what it costs to get a card reader
Round by round
- Round 1Trying it before you paySquare winsShopify POS5/10
3-day free trial
a three-day trial, then discounted months
- 3-day free trial, against Free plan
Source: shopify.com ↗
Square wins this round on what the company itself publishes.
- Round 2Who picks up when the till is downShopify POS winsSquare5/10
weekday hours on the free plan
Monday to Friday, 6am to 6pm PT on the free plan
- weekday hours on the free plan, against 24/7 customer support
Source: posusa.com ↗
Shopify POS wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 3What it costs to get a card readerShopify POS winsSquare5/10
$59
contactless and chip reader; the first magstripe reader is free
- $59, against $49
Source: posusa.com ↗
Shopify POS wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 4What customers say on TrustpilotSquare winsShopify POS5/10
1.3 out of 5
TrustScore from 5,164 reviews on Trustpilot
- 1.3 out of 5, against 3.7 out of 5
Source: trustpilot.com ↗
Square wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 5What the software costsSquare winsSquare8/10
$0/mo (Square Free)
Square Free ($0/mo per location); trial = Square Plus
Source: squareup.com ↗
Shopify POS5/10Basic $39/mo
Basic, billed monthly (Pay monthly)
- Basic $39/mo, against $0/mo (Square Free)
Source: shopify.com ↗
Square wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 6Tracking stock on the starter planSquare winsSquare8/10
Not in Free (Plus and Premium only)
Square Free ($0/mo per location); Inventory tracking is ticked for Plus and Premium only
- Square Free ($0/mo per location); trial = Square Plus
Source: squareup.com ↗
Shopify POS5/10Inventory needs POS Pro (+$89/mo)
Basic, billed monthly (Pay monthly)
- Inventory needs POS Pro (+$89/mo), against Inventory tracking in Free plan
Source: shopify.com ↗
Square wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 7What the top plan costsSquare winsSquare8/10
Premium $149/mo
Square Free ($0/mo per location); trial = Square Plus
Source: squareup.com ↗
Shopify POS5/10Advanced $399/mo
Basic, billed monthly (Pay monthly)
- Advanced $399/mo, against Premium $149/mo
Source: shopify.com ↗
Square wins this round on what the published sources say.
Side by side
- Square Free ($0/mo per location); trial = Square Plus
- in-person card sale
- weekday hours on the free plan, against 24/7 support
- Reader from $59, against $0 upfront for first device
- Premium $149/mo, against Point of Sale from $69/mo
- weekday hours on the free plan, against 24/7 phone support
- 3-day free trial, against Free plan
- 1.3 out of 5, against 3.7 out of 5
- Basic $39/mo, against $0/mo (Square Free)
- Inventory needs POS Pro (+$89/mo), against Inventory tracking in Free plan