Shopify vs Square
Square builds outward from in-person payments. Shopify builds outward from e-commerce. Both are excellent. Your answer depends on which channel is your growth engine. Growing online? Shopify. Growing in-store? Square.
Our Verdict
Shopify for e-commerce-first businesses, DTC brands, and anyone where online is the growth driver. Square for in-person-first businesses, service providers, and anyone who values simplicity and free starting costs.
Best for:
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Shopify POS | Square | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No ($39/mo minimum) | Yes | Square |
| E-commerce | Best-in-class | Good | Shopify POS |
| In-person POS | Good | Excellent | Square |
| Processing (in-person) | 2.4-2.7% | 2.6% + 10¢ | Tie |
| Inventory sync | Excellent | Good | Shopify POS |
| Service businesses | Limited | Excellent (appointments) | Square |
| App ecosystem | Massive (8000+) | Large | Shopify POS |
| Invoicing | Basic | Excellent | Square |
Shopify POS
Pros
- ✓E-commerce leader
- ✓True omnichannel
- ✓Massive app ecosystem
- ✓Best for scaling online
Cons
- ✗Monthly cost from day one
- ✗POS is secondary
- ✗Less ideal for services
Square
Pros
- ✓Free to start
- ✓Excellent POS
- ✓Great for services
- ✓Strong invoicing
Cons
- ✗E-commerce less sophisticated
- ✗Inventory management basic
- ✗App ecosystem smaller
In-Depth Analysis
The Core Strength Question
Where does your business primarily happen—online or in-person? Shopify built e-commerce first and added POS. Square built POS first and added online. Both 'do both' now, but they're each stronger in their origin area. Match the tool to your primary channel.
The True Cost Analysis
Square: free until you need features. Shopify: $39/mo (Basic) + $89/mo (POS Pro) = $128/mo minimum for comparable features. On $20k/month sales, processing is similar. The real question: does Shopify's e-commerce strength earn you more than $128/month?
Growth Trajectory
Square scales well for in-person growth. Add locations, add staff, add registers—the free plan supports it. Shopify scales well for online growth—unlimited products, powerful marketing tools, conversion optimization. Which growth path is yours?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Shopify for online and Square for in-store?
Technically yes, but you'd need to sync inventory manually or via third-party tools. It's fragile and creates extra work. Better to pick one platform and commit to it.
Which is easier to learn?
Square is simpler overall. Shopify's POS is easy but the full platform (e-commerce, apps, marketing) has more to learn. If you're non-technical and just need in-person payments, Square has less friction.