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Shopify is the stronger candidate when ecommerce is central and you want online and in-person sales managed through Shopify; Square is worth a close look when you prioritize a free POS tier and tools for in-person retail, food service, appointments or mobile work. The better choice depends on your sales channels, workflow and total costs—not a single processing-rate headline. This comparison covers US pricing and claims shown by the vendors; check the linked pages for current terms and availability in your region.
Shopify vs Square at a glance
| Consideration | Shopify | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Best starting point | Evaluate if ecommerce is central and you want in-person selling connected to Shopify. | Evaluate if a $0 POS tier and in-person or service workflows are priorities. |
| Entry POS subscription | Shopify Basic is listed at $39/month on Shopify’s US POS pricing page; basic in-person selling is included in paid plans. | Square Free is listed at $0/month on Square’s US comparison page. |
| US card processing examples | Basic: 2.9% + $0.30 online and 2.6% + $0.10 in person. | Free: 3.3% + $0.30 online and 2.6% + $0.15 in person. |
| Paid POS tier | POS Pro adds $89/month per location. | Plus: $49/month per location; Premium: $149/month per location. |
| Notable fit described by vendor | Connected ecommerce and retail tools, with additional capabilities in POS Pro. | Retail, quick-service restaurants, salons and on-the-go work, plus booking features described on its pricing page. |
These are vendor-listed US terms, not an independent performance ranking. Shopify’s rates and plan fees are detailed at Shopify POS pricing and comparison; Square’s plan rates and fees are listed on its US POS comparison page and US POS pricing page.
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Compare the costs that actually apply to your sales
Online, in-person and keyed rates are different
For the United States, Shopify’s comparison page gives Basic card rates of 2.9% + $0.30 online and 2.6% + $0.10 in person. Its rate example is dated September 23, 2026, and is based on a single $100 online order paid with a domestically issued standard consumer card. The example excludes subscription costs, manually keyed transactions, premium or business cards, American Express and internationally issued cards. Shopify says the example adds 1% for internationally issued cards; rates vary by country. See Shopify’s comparison and its stated assumptions.
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Square lists these US rates by POS plan:
| Square plan | Monthly price | In-person rate | Online rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | 2.6% + $0.15 | 3.3% + $0.30 |
| Plus | $49/month per location | 2.5% + $0.15 | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| Premium | $149/month per location | 2.4% + $0.15 | 2.9% + $0.30 |
Square’s rates and prices are listed on its US pricing page and US plan comparison. They depend on payment type and plan; do not assume a plan’s headline rate covers every transaction.
#1 Best Overall
- With Square Terminal, you can ring up sales, accept payments, and print receipts, all with one device. Use it at the counter or ring up customers anywhere in your store.
- Accept all major credit and debit cards and pay one low rate with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts.
- Process chip cards in just two seconds.
- Get your money as soon as the next business day.
- Use it cordlessly with the built-in battery, designed to last all day.
Include subscriptions, add-on fees and equipment
Subscription cost can change which system is less expensive for your business. Shopify Basic is listed at $39/month, and POS Pro adds $89/month per location. Shopify says its paid plans include basic in-person selling; Pro is an optional tier for additional retail capabilities. Square’s listed plans are Free at $0/month, Plus at $49/month per location and Premium at $149/month per location. These are not identical feature bundles, so compare the tools you need alongside the monthly charge.
If you use a third-party payment provider with Shopify, Shopify’s comparison page lists additional transaction fees of 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow and 0.6% on Advanced, on top of the outside processor’s own rate. Those fees can materially affect a comparison; check the applicable plan and current terms at Shopify’s US comparison page.
Rank #2
- With Square Handheld, you can accept payments, take tableside orders, or scan barcodes anywhere. With a slim design and comfortable grip, the POS is easy to carry in your palm or pocket. Square Handheld is designed to withstand water splashes and dust. Add an optional protective case for accidental drops. A long-lasting battery and offline payments let you keep selling.
- Slim, pocketable, and lightweight so you can accept payments wherever your customers are.
- Take tableside orders, bust lines, or use the built-in barcode scanner, all with one sleek device.
- A battery that can power through your shift and offline payments let you keep selling, even if your internet is down.
- Accept all major credit and debit cards and pay one simple rate with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts required.
A useful estimate needs your channel mix and transaction pattern. Calculate online, in-person and any manually entered payments separately, then add subscriptions and the hardware you need. Without your transaction volume and channel mix, there is no reliable annual-savings winner.
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Which system fits your sales channels?
Choose Shopify for a Shopify-centered online and in-person workflow
Shopify says its plans support online selling and describes POS as connected to its ecommerce platform. If your store’s online catalog and checkout are central, consider whether you want products, customer activity and in-store sales handled within that same setup. Shopify’s claims about connected selling describe its product; they do not establish that it will suit every merchant better than Square.
Rank #3
- A complete countertop point of sale — Combine dual responsive touchscreens, built-in POS software, and durable hardware for a fast, reliable checkout experience.
- Serve customers faster — Run smoothly through busy shifts, complex menus, and big orders with high-speed processing, memory, and responsive touchscreen displays.
- Accept every way they pay — Take all major cards at one simple rate, with no hidden fees or long-term contracts. Receive funds as soon as the next business day.
- Handle real-world demands — Resist everyday spills, dust, and wear with a durable, IP54-rated design.
- Stay reliable through every rush — Maintain strong connectivity and consistent performance through your busiest hours.
Consider Square for an in-person or service-led business
Square’s US comparison page describes its POS for retail, quick-service restaurants, beauty salons and on-the-go jobs. Its pricing page describes booking capabilities including online booking, scheduling, reminders and appointment deposits. Check the plan-level availability and details of the specific functions your operation needs. These vendor descriptions are useful for identifying potential fit, not proof that Square outperforms Shopify in a particular industry.
Square also says merchants can create a free website, sell online and through social platforms, and track sales across online, invoices, phone and in-person channels. Those channel labels do not guarantee the same ecommerce features or workflow as Shopify. Compare the actual catalog, checkout, order-management and reporting requirements before choosing.
Rank #4
- BPA and BPS Free (Phenol-Free) Thermal Paper: Our thermal paper is a heat-sensitive paper that is made with a special coating for inkless receipt printing without the use of chemicals such as Phenol. Each paper roll is inspected for quality before it is packed and shipped. To maintain the quality of this product, store in a cool dark place and avoid contact with oil, plastics, chemicals, and fat.
- For Any Business: Paper receipts are needed by every business including retail shops, restaurants, and even doctor's offices! The most popular type of POS system receipt paper printer is a thermal printer which etches the transaction details into the paper. Chances are if a receipt is printing thermal receipt paper is in use! The Paper Planet thermal printer paper rolls are all bright white for clear printing.
- More Prints Per Roll: Nothing is more frustrating than changing your POS receipt paper in the middle of a sale. Each roll of our thermal printer paper for Square Terminal POS system provides you with more prints per roll than standard receipt roll paper. Every roll also features a pink warning mark for when the roll is running low.
- Guaranteed To Fit Square Terminal: The rolls included in this credit card machine paper bundle are designed by Paper Planet to work perfectly with the Toast Square Terminal credit and debit card reader thermal receipt paper printer and provide clean, smudge-free printing every time.
- Know When To Replace: Every roll also features a clear pink warning mark near the end of the paper. This simple but important feature helps prevent unexpected runouts by giving staff a visual cue that it’s time to replace the roll.
Inventory, staff and daily operations
Inventory and omnichannel selling
Square says online and in-person sales automatically update inventory and can trigger low-stock alerts. Shopify lists inventory management and deeper inventory reporting among POS Pro features. The cited vendor pages do not provide an independent, like-for-like test of inventory accuracy; focus on whether each system supports your locations, stock rules, transfers and reporting needs.
The Tool Desk
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Shopify says POS Pro adds unlimited staff access, permissions, richer customer profiles, returns across locations, inventory management, retail reports and omnichannel selling. If you need those capabilities, evaluate the $89/month-per-location add-on against the equivalent workflows you would use on Square’s selected plan.
Best Value
- For Square Terminal Case Perfect fit: This storage bag is specially designed for square terminal, which collects credit card machine and all accessories together, ensuring its safety and reliability in any situation. Protective case for square terminal external size:8.2*6.8*3.2 inches(Case Only! Mobile POS and accessories not included) Note: Case designed for bare device only. Remove any protective cover before use to ensure proper fit!
- Multi-functional Structural Design for Square Terminal Cover: Travel case for square reader has well-planned internal space with 6 slots in total. Main slot is for square card reader, while 5 small slots are specifically designed for storing receipt paper rolls. This design allows each item to be stored separately, avoiding friction and collision damage, while also making storage and retrieval more convenient
- For Square Terminal Accessories Storage Premium materials: Made of high-quality material, carrying bag for square terminal credit card is sturdy, shock-resistant and drop-proof, which can protect your POS machine from scratches and dust. For square terminal container also absorbs external impact forces and ensures device safety
- Large capacity of Hard Case for Square Terminal: With zipper mesh pocket, for square receipt paper holder collects adapter, charging cables, and other accessories in one place. To prevent potential damage to credit card machine from these accessories, partition is designed inside storage bag to effectively separate. For square card reader case not only protects for square terminal, but also keeps accessories organized and easy to carry
- Portable & Lightweight: For square terminal printer paper pouch size is moderate, suitable for hand-carrying or placing in backpack. Sturdy handle design greatly enhances portability, making it an ideal choice for business professionals during business trips or daily office use. Storage bag for square terminal comprehensive protective design ensures POS machine can work stably and safely in various environments
Offline selling
Square says it offers offline mode for temporary internet outages, but the cited comparison does not specify which payments or transactions work offline or their conditions. Confirm those terms against your connectivity risks before relying on the feature. The reviewed Shopify comparison passages do not establish an equivalent offline claim.
Hardware, migration and integrations
Budget for compatible equipment
Shopify says a POS setup needs a smartphone or tablet and a Shopify card reader. Optional equipment includes stands, barcode scanners, cash drawers and receipt printers. Square lists hardware including Reader, Terminal, Stand, Handheld and Register. Model compatibility and availability can vary by region, so verify the exact devices for your country and setup on the vendors’ current pages: Shopify POS and Square POS.
Check what carries over when switching
Square says merchants moving from Shopify can import item or customer CSV files and that there is no Square-Shopify integration. Treat these as Square’s descriptions, not a guarantee that every field or workflow transfers cleanly. Before switching, map the data you need—such as product variants, customer records and inventory—and validate the import process directly with the provider.
Availability and how to make the decision
The detailed Shopify rate comparison is US-specific. Shopify says Shopify Payments is available only in certain countries and regions, and its rates vary by country. Do not apply US rates or plan assumptions to another market; check local pricing, payment-provider availability, supported hardware and taxes before comparing.
- List your channels: estimate sales through online checkout, in-person terminals and any keyed or other payment methods.
- Identify required workflows: specify ecommerce, inventory, staff permissions, multi-location returns, appointments, restaurant operations and offline needs.
- Price the full setup: combine the relevant processing rates, monthly plan or add-on charges, per-location costs and compatible hardware.
- Validate the workflow: test the catalog, checkout, reporting and data-import requirements that matter before committing.
Shopify publishes survey results on its comparison page: 88% of surveyed customers who switched from Square to Shopify POS agreed that it better integrates in-store and online sales; Shopify also reports 80% satisfaction and 78% saying it saves time on inventory management. Shopify does not provide the sample size or full methodology in the cited passage, so these figures are vendor-reported survey results rather than independent head-to-head evidence. Shopify also attributes cost comparisons to an EY report, but those enterprise-comparison claims should not be applied to a small merchant or treated as a direct Shopify-versus-Square result without the study’s scope. Shopify’s comparison page presents these claims.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
