Comparison
Square vs Shopify POS
Both do retail and both do online. Square leads with the store and adds a website. Shopify leads with the website and adds a store.
Compare
How they actually differ
01
Lead channel
Square: in-store first. Shopify: online first.
02
Catalog
Both share one catalog across channels when set up properly.
03
Ecommerce depth
Shopify has more themes, apps and merchandising control.
04
In-store range
Square covers appointments, invoices, food and services too.
05
Pricing
Both publish rates; the software tiers differ in what's included.
06
Payments
Shopify Payments vs Square; compare effective rate on your mix.
Where the revenue is decides it
Over 60% online with a small physical presence: Shopify. Over 60% in-store with a supporting web shop: Square. Around even, it comes down to which team's daily workflow you'd rather optimize.
Square covers more business types
If you also take appointments, send invoices or serve food, Square handles those on the same account. Shopify's strength is narrower and deeper.
- Appointments and services
- Invoicing and estimates
- Food and beverage workflows
- Multiple business lines on one login
Don't run two catalogs
The worst outcome is a POS and a webstore with separate item lists. Whichever you choose, one catalog and one set of counts.
Where we stand
We're an authorized Clover and Square dealer, so treat this as an informed but interested opinion. Product names and trademarks belong to their owners. Features and pricing change — verify current details with each vendor before you buy.
What you get
Equipment at no cost, free setup, no long-term contract.
Every business we set up gets the same thing: the hardware they need at no cost to them, the configuration and training done for you, and a real person to call afterward — without being locked into a multi-year agreement.
01
No long-term contract required
Flexible month-to-month terms are available on both platforms. You stay because the system works, not because a three-year agreement says you have to.
02
Equipment at no cost to you
Terminals, stations, printers and readers provided at no cost while you process with us. The equipment stays ours — if you ever move to another provider, you simply send it back.
03
Free setup, on site or remote
Catalog and menu build, modifiers, hardware placement, permissions, reports and hands-on staff training. Included, not billed hourly.
04
Ongoing support with no hidden fees
A direct line to the person who configured your system. Menu changes, new hardware, new staff, a report that stopped making sense — no support tier to buy.
How the equipment works
To be straight with you: the equipment isn't a giveaway. We provide the hardware your business needs at no cost to you while you process with us, and it stays ours — if you ever decide to move to a different provider, you simply return it. We look at every business we work with as a partner, and we're invested in your success, not in locking you into a box you paid for. And yes, if you want your rates compared side by side with what you pay today, we'll do that too.
FAQ
Questions we get
Which is better for a boutique?
Both work. If Instagram and online orders drive your sales, lean Shopify. If the store does, lean Square.
Can I keep Shopify and use Square hardware?
Mixing platforms usually means duplicate catalogs. We generally advise against it.
Which is cheaper?
Depends on plan tier and volume. We'll model both against your actual sales.
Free consultation
Get An Honest Recommendation
Tell us how your business runs. We'll come back with a straight recommendation — including telling you if what you already have is fine.
Prefer to talk? Book a 15-minute call. Based in Southeast Wisconsin. Working with businesses nationwide.
Equipment at no cost, free setup, no long-term contract.
- No long-term contract
- Equipment at no cost
- Free setup
- Ongoing support
Locally owned since 2000 · owner-run in Southeast Wisconsin. What’s included →
Related
Keep reading
Start with a conversation.
Tell us how your business runs. We'll help you figure out what actually fits — Clover, Square or a specific configuration of either.