Shopify POS is Shopify’s built-in POS solution, ready to serve nearly 2 million users on this platform. Retailers that built their online stores on Shopify will find this solution quite attractive since you are only paying $29/month for the whole package from Shopify.
However, Shopify POS has disadvantages that retailers should know before using it. Something could be better, and many Shopify users have reported issues when using Shopify POS, only to find another solution.
This article will list and compare the 4 best Shopify POS alternatives you can consider for your business. Whether you are a small retailer or a big-sized business with many selling channels, keep reading to find a suitable solution.
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Why Are Many Retailers Seeking Shopify POS Alternatives?
As a leading eCommerce platform, Shopify keeps inventing new solutions for online sellers everywhere. And Shopify POS is one of those.
Instead of focusing on only online retailers, Shopify POS aims to change the in-store experience as well and helps operate different omnichannel strategies.
If you use Shopify POS, you can connect your online and offline stores to process all sales records in one place. The app can run on phones and tablets, allowing sellers to check out on the go.
Moreover, you can add discounts or loyalty programs to take care of loyal customers.
That said, Shopify POS has some drawbacks that may make it not suitable for every business. Here are some to consider:
- Shopify POS has limited integration capability: If you are not using Shopify hardware or its ecosystem, you won’t be able to use the Shopify POS system. This is a major drawback if your store is already using another platform since you will need to migrate all your data and also re-train employees. Many companies find it better to use a POS solution that can integrate quickly with whatever platform they’re using.
- Shopify POS is not the best solution for scaling businesses: Shopify POS’s features are not easily customizable, which can affect your store’s experience or unique requirements. Also, the lack of customization may cost more when you decide to expand the system later down the road.
- Shopify POS has some platform limitations: Retailers may use many tools to run their store, whereas Shopify’s ecosystem may restrict the ability to operate or expand in the desired direction. For example, if you want to build a custom POS system to match your business’s unique needs, Shopify POS may not have all the answers. The system doesn’t have an offline mode either.
- Shopify POS charges additional costs for third-party payment processors: If you are not using Shopify Payment, each transaction through the POS system can incur an additional charge of up to 2%. Since Shopify Payment is not available in every country, many Shopify users find it to be a big issue and look for another POS solution.
Comparison of 4 Best Shopify POS Alternatives
The 4 best alternatives to Shopify POS include Magestore POS, Square Point of Sale, Lightspeed Retail POS, and Revel Systems.
Keep reading to learn about their features, pros, cons, pricing, and the best type of business to go with it.
The 4 best alternatives to Shopify POS include Magestore POS, Square Point of Sale, Lightspeed Retail POS, and Revel Systems.
Keep reading to learn about their features, pros, cons, pricing, and the best type of business to go with it.
1. Magestore POS
Magestore POS is the best Shopify POS alternative option if you’re seeking a more affordable and effective POS app for Shopify. It offers a wide range of features essential for establishing a successful store.
Up until March 2024, Magestore POS has served more than 10,000 retailers worldwide, making it one of the best solutions you can find to grow your business.
A notable advantage of using Magestore POS as a POS system for Shopify is the ease of integration with any hardware, such as a PC or tablet.
Magestore POS also supports many payment methods and online payment gateways.
Magestore POS pricing is flexible for both small and large businesses, catering to the unique needs of eCommerce, brick-and-mortar, or an omnichannel strategy.
For Shopify, Magestore Shopify POS provides two pricing options. The Lite plan, priced at $15 per month, supports one store.
On the other hand, the Standard plan, priced at $50 per month, supports multiple locations and offers features such as automatic discounts, inventory management, and loyalty programs.
The best catch is that Magestore POS for Shopify doesn’t charge based on the number of users or registers per location, so you can scale without worrying much about the cost.
To start with Magestore POS, you can have a 30-day free trial, then contact their support or 1:1 consultation to get a detailed plan on installing a new POS system for Shopify.
Most suitable for:
- Shopify businesses of all scales that need an affordable POS system with a low starting price
- Businesses with a scaling plan want a customizable solution for future needs.
- Retailers that want to have efficient support and consultation along the journey.
Notable Features:
- Easily check-out and process orders
- Manage customers with loyalty programs
- Manage admins and staff
- Manage all inventory
- Customize for scaling requirements
- Manage customer’s requests for returns, refunds, and exchange
- Integrate with many online payment gateways and payment methods
- Get the report on the store’s sales data
Pros:
- The most affordable price for Shopify users
- User-friendly interface
- Offline mode to work as event POS
- POS app for Mac, PC, and tablet
- Easy in-store product returns to enhance customer satisfaction
- Centralized client data for easy report and analysis
- Configurable options to meet every need
- Seamless integration with 3rd-party software
- Free 30-day trial
- Unlimited users, locations, and devices
- Excellent customer support
Cons:
- POS setup procedure can have quite some technical steps but will be guided step-by-step and supported by the Magestore team.
2. Square Point of Sale (Square POS):
Square POS is a popular choice for businesses for small retailers and startups, offering a versatile and easy-to-use point-of-sale system.
The system integrates seamlessly with a wide range of business platforms, so both Shopify and non-Shopify users can use it easily.
Square POS offers an all-in-one solution that you can use for all of a business’s needs, including a wide range of POS devices provided by Square.
The system provides features to track inventory levels, set up low-stock alerts, scan with barcode, and generate reports in real-time.
The most notable advantage of Square Point Of Sales is the Free plan, so you can start accepting payment just with your smartphone and the Square POS app.
This is a great option for startups or small businesses.
However, note that Square has processing fees and online order fees, which means more orders equal more fees. If you want to avoid processing fees, you must have over $250k in sales per year to contact for a Custom plan.
Also, keep in mind that since Square POS is a stand-alone POS app for Shopify or other eCommerce platforms, you will need some more budget for third-party hardware and integration services.
Most suitable for:
- Small retail stores that want affordable pricing options with little to no starting cost
- Service-based businesses such as salons, spas, etc that want to offer invoices, manage appointments, and track customer preferences
- Popup shops and event shops that want to have mobility and versatility when accepting payment on the go.
Notable Features:
- Accepts various payment methods including credit cards and mobile payments.
- Track inventory in real-time
- Automatically alert when stock runs lows.
- Customizable receipts and electronic gift card
- Sell from Instagram
Pros:
- Simple setup with an intuitive interface.
- Integration with Square’s ecosystem such as payments, payroll, marketing, and more.
- Easy tracking of inventory
- Many free features for online stores
Cons:
- Limited customization compared to other POS systems
- Lack of advanced features for the low-pricing options
- More fees for more devices and users
- More processing fees for more orders
- Work only on iOS and Android devices, not on a Windows desktop
- High payment processing fees
3. Lightspeed Retail POS:
Lightspeed Retail POS is a cloud-based POS solution that offers many features for inventory management, multi-location sales, and advanced reporting tools. Like Square POS, Lightspeed Retail offers both software and hardware solutions for business owners.
One of the most notable features of Lightspeed Retail POS is the ability to sell across all channels. You can sell offline with barcode scanning tools, a buy-now-pay-later feature, and even a deposit option.
You can also sell online through social media channels like Facebook, and Instagram, and also marketplaces like eBay, and Amazon.
If you are a Shopify user, Lightspeed Retail POS can seamlessly connect with your Shopify store and synchronize the inventory data in real time.
If you don’t have a store yet, you can connect Lightspeed support team to create a new online store. This store is editable with a drag-and-drop builder just like Shopify.
For pricing, Lightspeed Retail POS offers a 14-day free trial, then the plan starts at $69 per month and can reach $248 per month for the highest plan. All plans can access one register, but you may need to pay for extra hardware, which comes with transaction fees.
Most suitable for:
- Medium-sized businesses that want a quick-to-install POS solution
- eCommerce stores that want to expand their offline capability with an affordable POS solution
- New store owners that want to set up a POS system and build an eCommerce store to conveniently connect inventory
Notable Features:
- Customize purchase orders and vendor management.
- Access detailed sales reports and analytics.
- Use customer loyalty program functionality
- Have a great analytics tool with an easy-to-use dashboard
- Manage all inventory in one place
Pros:
- Comprehensive inventory management features.
- A wide selection of features for multi-channel selling
- Scalable solution for multi-location businesses
- Integration with various eCommerce platforms and marketplace.
- Provide in-house POS hardware options
Cons:
- Have a quite high pricing tier for advanced features.
- Steeper learning curve compared to other POS systems.
- Lack of eCommerce features for Lower pricing plans
4. Revel Systems
Lastly, Revel Systems is an excellent Shopify POS alternative that offers a cloud-based POS system that can run simply on an iPad.
The platform has highly advanced inventory and report features which are suitable for restaurants, and medium to large retailers.
This all-in-one platform lets you handle POS operations, online orders, delivery, loyalty programs, and more through a single dashboard.
One standout feature is Revel Systems’ data analytics capability. The platform can track and analyze all transactions and orders from customers to generate insightful reports. Built for restaurants, Revel Systems also comes with tools such as a barcode scanner, a customer display interface, and kitchen display software.
Furthermore, Revel Systems provides a robust employee management system so each employee can have their unique ID login to track performance, working time, and other activities. You can also set up scheduled time for shift workers.
For pricing, Revel Systems can be a bit tricky since you can only get a quote pricing, which starts at $99 per month for one terminal. You need to set up at least two terminals and sign a three-year contract. There is also a service fee of 2.49% plus $0.15 for each transaction.
Most suitable for:
- Full-service restaurants with more than 2 locations that want to have a full-service payment solution for a long-term strategy
- Mid-size to large businesses that need a comprehensive POS solution
- Businesses with a large budget that want to have an all-in-one POS system
Notable features
- Manage multiple financial resources
- Manage inventory down to the ingredient level
- Use advanced reports to analyze and improve sales performance
- Monitor multi-locations with real-time data
- Cater to special customers’ needs such as splitting bills or holding bar tabs
Pros
- Self-service kiosks for restaurant
- Customizable hardware
- Numerous integrations
- Offline mode to receive orders anytime
- Raw ingredient tracking
- Ability to process data at a deep level
- Manage delivery and orders easily
Cons
- An expensive pricing scheme, especially for low-volume stores
- Steep learning curve
- No phone functionality
- Required three-year commitment
Final words
That’s it, now you can be confident to use a Shopify POS alternative for your store’s needs, whether you need a Shopify POS app for Mac, a Shopify POS app for PC, or a full customization option. A perfect POS option is the one that works for your store, so keep exploring to find the most suitable solution.
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