With good reason, Square and Shopify enjoy a superb reputation in the e-commerce industry as both are playing a vital role in Retail automation. Both systems provide users with a full set of tools to create and manage their online stores. Additionally, both companies offer offline POS Software solutions to accompany their online ones. 

While Square and Shopify share many similarities, they also have differences in terms of their functionality, cost, usability, customer service, integrations, and other aspects. Due to these distinctions, some retailers will find Square a better fit than others, while some would prefer Shopify. 

The decision between the two ultimately depends on your unique needs as a business owner. 

What are POS Systems? 

The era of using technology to conduct transactions began with the Point-of-Sale system. To put it simply, a clever combination of software and hardware that enables users to make secure credit payments. As a result, shops can reach the target by retaining customers, enhancing the shopping experience, reorganizing value customization for each item, preserving the history of previous purchases that are intended to be studied in the future, and so forth. These all indicate that your current cash registers may need to be retired shortly. 

What makes POS software interesting? It is used to retain records and streamline all cashless transactions. The preparation of invoices and orders, stock management, cross-channel returns, customer interaction and experience, deal observation, sales monitoring and reporting, representative administration, loyalty programs, and gift certificates are some of the major aspects. We should focus on the pace businesses are acquiring and plan to further acquire POS systems for various reasons. 

Shopify vs. Square: At a Glance 

Both POS software, Shopify and Square offer simple-to-use tools for business owners wishing to sell offline, online, or both.  

In 2022, about 649 million customers purchased from a Shopify store. By the end of 2023, it is expected that Shopify merchants will serve more than 700 million clients.  

In 2023, over 7488 businesses, as documented by 6sense, began using Square as a POS system solution. 

Despite having many characteristics in common, they are not the same. Square is stronger for many brick-and-mortar businesses, although Shopify performs better overall in eCommerce. 

With both platforms, you can: 

 

  • Develop a standalone online store. 
  • Sell an endless amount of physical or digital goods. 
  • Accept major credit cards as payment for your products. 
  • Use ‘point-of-sale’ (POS) equipment to accept in-person transactions. 
  • Manage inventory. 
  • Sell your products on Facebook, Google, Instagram, and many other sales channels. 
  • Promote your products. 

In this Square vs. Shopify competition, both companies supply the resources necessary for physical and/or online stores. The key distinction between the two is this: Square normally does better with in-person sales, whereas Shopify is typically stronger in eCommerce. Pricing, foreign sales, customer service, and industry-specific requirements all differ further. 

Shopify vs. Square POS: Pros and Cons 

Shopify POS Advantages over Square POS 

Superior hardware integration 

Shopify POS shines at offering a thorough, smooth experience with hardware integration. Shopify makes the process simple, whether adding a card reader or assembling a whole POS equipment with barcode scanners, receipt printers, and cash drawers.  

Although Shopify’s plug-and-play strategy has a clear advantage for companies that need flexibility and convenience of setup, Square also provides an efficient hardware connection. 

Extensive third-party app ecosystem 

Both POS systems allow for integrating third-party apps, while Shopify POS has a bigger selection. The versatility and functionality of Shopify helps in optimizing the cost to make an app and offers access to a huge choice of other applications, which can be used for everything from inventory control to customer relationship management.  

Although Square does have a lot of connectors, Shopify’s app store has an advantage due to its sheer size and variety. 

User-friendly interface 

The ‘smart grid’ design is the vital factor to effectively build a Shopify app that makes navigation easier by giving rapid access to the most popular apps, deals, and items. User-friendliness is a priority for Square as well. Still, Shopify’s clean, simple interface makes it easier for consumers to access the functionality they want with fewer clicks, making it more efficient in busy retail settings. 

 

Efficient inventory syncing 

Shopify POS has the benefit of syncing all inventory within the system, guaranteeing consistent and accurate stock management if your company runs both online and physical stores.  

While Shopify’s synchronization feature works better than Square’s inventory management solutions regarding seamless connection between online and offline retail channels, Square does provide these tools. 

Square POS Advantages over Shopify POS 

 

Functional offline mode 

Square excels at performing seamless offline transactions. This function is priceless for companies that do not always have dependable internet connectivity or are situated in locations where internet outages occur frequently. Although Shopify POS has offline functionality, Square has an advantage because of its extensive offline features. 

 

Ease of setup and use 

Square POS is well known for being simple to set up. Without much technological expertise or prior POS experience, businesses may rapidly get started thanks to its intuitive features as well as user-friendly design and can provide a seamless experience by overcoming all the Square POS errors in ease. 

 

Who is Shopify Suitable for? 

 

Shopify was developed primarily as a software platform for creating online stores, and it first debuted back in 2004. It offers POS for various purposes such as retail software, restaurant management software, PC POS Software, and more. 

Shopify POS is best suited for: 

  • Craftspeople, owner-run businesses, and one-person businesses with few in-person sales. 
  • Online retailers who occasionally or for the first time sell in person. 
  • Solo entrepreneurs who sell crafts online occasionally hold in-person sales events at pop-up marketplaces. 
  • Businesses with regular in-person sales and several staff members will find the Shopify POS Pro plan meeting the sophisticated capabilities they need. This includes brick-and-mortar stores, pop-up shops, and establishments with many employees. 

Who is Square Suitable for? 

Since its inception as a POS and payment processing solution for in-person purchases in 2009, Square has been around for many real-time needs. It is available for salon POS software, offline POS software, Deli software, Food Truck software, etc. 

 

Square POS is best suited for: 

  • Retailers at farmer’s markets, independent bookshops, and boutique clothing stores. These are companies that conduct their operations mostly offline, sometimes with a modest online presence. 
  • Local brewpubs, inns owned by families, and food trucks. Square provides a POS system specifically designed for restaurants, complete with functions catered to the particular requirements of the food service sector. 
  • Independent consultants, small service providers, and artisans who sell their goods at fairs. Square is perfect for small businesses where the owner is frequently the only employee. 

Ending Note 

The best POS system is very dependent on the demands of your particular company. Shopify POS can be the best option if your company engages heavily in e-commerce and you need seamless connectivity between online and offline sales. Square POS can be your best option if ease of use and transaction flexibility are important to you. Before selecting a choice, take into account aspects like your industry, size, and business model. 

 

About the Author:

Author Name:- Harikrishna Kundariya
Biography:- Harikrishna Kundariya, a marketer, developer,
IoT, ChatBot & Blockchain savvy, designer, co-founder,
Director of eSparkBiz Technologies. His 12+ years of
experience enables him to provide digital solutions to new
start-ups based on IoT and SaaS applications.