Square vs Shopify
Square
Free POS system and payments platform designed for in-person retail, restaurants, and small businesses.
Solo entrepreneurs, restaurants, food trucks, pop-up shops, and small retail stores focused on in-person sales
VS
S
Shopify
Comprehensive SaaS ecommerce platform for building online stores
Ecommerce-first businesses, growing retailers needing omnichannel selling, brands requiring advanced marketing automation and global scalability
Short Answer
Square excels as a free, in-person POS system ideal for small businesses and restaurants, while Shopify is the comprehensive ecommerce platform built for online selling with omnichannel capabilities. Square's strength lies in point-of-sale simplicity, whereas Shopify dominates in online store features, marketing tools, and scalability.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Square if you run a small in-person business, restaurant, or food service with minimal online sales and want free or low-cost POS capabilities. Choose Shopify if you're building an ecommerce business or need seamless omnichannel selling with advanced marketing and inventory tools. For growing retail businesses balancing both channels, Shopify POS offers superior integration despite higher base costs.
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Square7.5
7.5Shopify
Choose Square if
Solo entrepreneurs, restaurants, food trucks, pop-up shops, and small retail stores focused on in-person sales
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Key Differences at a Glance
🔹
Primary Use Case: In-person POS and small retail vs Ecommerce and omnichannel selling
🧠
Free Plan Availability: Square wins (Yes, fully functional free POS vs Starter plan at $5/month minimum)
🔹
Entry-Level Pricing: Shopify wins ($5/month (Starter) or $39/month (Basic) vs Free or $49/month (Plus plan))
Key Facts & Figures
| Metric | Square | Shopify | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Satisfaction Rating(out of 5) | 4.4/5 | — | — |
| Free Plan Cost(USD/month) | $0 | $5 (Starter plan minimum) | -100% |
| Mid-Tier Plan Cost(USD/month) | $49 (Plus plan) | $105 (Shopify Plan) |
Key Differences
Square
Attribute
Shopify
In-person POS and small retail
Primary Use Case
Ecommerce and omnichannel selling
Yes, fully functional free POS🏆
Free Plan Availability
Starter plan at $5/month minimum
Free or $49/month (Plus plan)
Entry-Level Pricing
$5/month (Starter) or $39/month (Basic)🏆
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