Shopify POS Pricing (2026): Plans, Costs, Fees & How to Save

Get a comprehensive breakdown of Shopify POS pricing, from monthly subscriptions to hardware costs. Discover how this robust system can benefit your business.

This Shopify POS Pricing includes the most up-to-date information about the costs of Shopify POS—the fixed and variable costs of the Shopify POS system, including the software, hardware, transaction fees, and monthly costs.

Shopify POS Overview: What’s Included?

Shopify POS is Shopify’s point of sale system for in-person selling. It connects your physical store to your online Shopify store, creating an omnichannel retail experience where inventory, customers, and orders sync automatically.

Every paid Shopify plan includes Shopify POS Lite at no extra cost. You just download the POS app on a smartphone or tablet and start selling. For retailers who need more advanced features, Shopify POS Pro is available as a paid add-on.

Here is what you get with any Shopify POS setup:

• Unified inventory management across online and in-store channels
• Customer profiles that track purchases from all sales channels
• Staff management with POS-specific roles and permissions
• Payment processing through Shopify Payments or third-party gateways
• Hardware compatibility with Shopify’s own card readers, terminals, and accessories

The real question is not whether Shopify POS costs money. It is how much you will pay based on your specific retail plan, number of locations, and hardware needs.

Shopify POS Lite vs POS Pro: Key Differences

Choosing between Shopify POS Lite and POS Pro is one of the biggest pricing decisions for retailers. Both run on the same app, but the feature gap is significant.

POS Lite (Free with All Plans)

Shopify POS Lite comes included with every Shopify subscription plan, from Starter to Plus. It is best for businesses that sell in person occasionally or at pop-up events.

What POS Lite includes:

• In-person checkout with card, cash, and contactless payments
• Product management with basic inventory tracking
• Customer profiles for capturing buyer information
• Order history synced with your online store
• Basic staff roles (limited to plan-level staff accounts)

POS Lite works well for small business owners who sell at markets, trade shows, or a single retail location without needing advanced analytics or staff management features.

POS Pro ($89/Month per Location)

Shopify POS Pro pricing is $89/month per location. If you commit to an annual billing cycle, the price drops to $79/month per location, saving you $120 per year.

What POS Pro adds beyond Lite:

• Unlimited staff accounts with customizable roles and permissions
• Omnichannel selling features like buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS)
• Advanced inventory management with demand forecasting and low-stock alerts
• In-depth retail analytics and daily sales reports
• Exchange and return workflows for complex retail operations
• Custom printed receipts and smart grid customization

POS Pro is best for established retailers with permanent store locations, multiple staff members, and higher transaction volumes. The staff management and omnichannel capabilities justify the cost for most growing retail businesses.

Note: Shopify Plus merchants ($2,300/mo) get POS Pro included for up to 20 store locations at no additional charge. This makes Shopify Plus POS pricing one of the best values for large-scale retail operations.

Shopify Subscription Plans & POS Costs

Your Shopify POS cost depends heavily on which Shopify retail plan you choose. Every plan includes POS Lite for free, but the subscription price, staff accounts, and transaction fees differ. Here is the full breakdown.

Feature	Starter ($5/mo)	Basic ($39/mo)	Grow ($105/mo)	Advanced ($399/mo)	Plus ($2,300/mo)
POS Lite included	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
POS Pro included	No	No	No	No	Yes (up to 20 locations)
Staff accounts	1	2	5	15	Unlimited
Inventory locations	2	10	10	10	20
In-person fee (Shopify Payments)	5%	2.6% + 10¢	2.5% + 10¢	2.4% + 10¢	2.15% + 30¢
Third-party gateway surcharge	N/A	2%	1%	0.5%	0.15%
Best for	Casual sellers testing in-person sales	Small business with a single location	Growing retailers needing reports and multiple staff roles	Multi-location retailers with high volumes	Enterprise retailers with large-scale operations

Tip: Shopify offers a 3-day free trial and a $1/month deal for the first 3 months. This gives you time to test POS features before committing to a full subscription.

Shopify POS Hardware Costs

Software aside, you will likely need physical hardware for your retail store. Shopify sells its own line of POS hardware directly through the Shopify Hardware Store. Here is what each piece costs.

Card Readers

Cash transactions continue to hold significant importance in retail businesses, making cash drawers an indispensable component of a Shopify POS system. They offer two main card reader options:

• Tap & Chip Card Reader ($49). Connects wirelessly via Bluetooth and supports chip, tap, and contactless payments (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay). This is the most affordable way to accept in-person payments.
• Shopify POS Terminal ($349): A countertop device with a built-in customer-facing display, card reader, and receipt printer. Best for permanent checkout counters.

Receipt Printers

Shopify offers receipt printers in different connectivity options:

• Wired receipt printers: Starting at $249
• Bluetooth and WiFi receipt printers: Up to $369

The price depends on connectivity type. Wireless printers cost more but give you flexibility to print from anywhere in the store.

Barcode Scanners

Barcode scanners speed up checkout and reduce manual entry errors. Shopify offers both 1D and 2D scanners:

• 1D Barcode Scanner: Starting at $199
• 2D Barcode Scanner: Up to $289

2D scanners can read barcodes from any angle and also scan QR codes, making them more versatile.

Cash Drawers

Cash transactions remain a significant part of retail businesses, making cash drawers an indispensable component of a Shopify POS system. They provide a secure place to store cash, coins, and checks. Shopify offers cash drawers ranging from $129 to $139. But the exact price depends on the model you choose, typically varying by size and type of lock.

POS Terminal and Bundles

For a complete countertop setup, Shopify offers hardware bundles:

• Tap & Chip Countertop Kit: $219 (includes card reader and dock)
• Shopify Countertop Kit: $459 (includes POS Go, tablet mount, stand, dock, and power adapter)
• Shopify POS Go: $299 (handheld all-in-one device with built-in tap, chip, swipe reader and barcode scanner)
• Wireless Countertop Bundle: $999 (includes tablet stand, barcode scanner, receipt printer, and cash drawer)

Shopify POS Go is worth highlighting. At $299, this handheld device is an all-in-one mobile POS solution with a built-in payment reader and barcode scanner. For a small business, it can replace multiple pieces of hardware and reduce your upfront costs significantly.

Shopify POS Hardware: Total Estimated Costs

Now that we’ve discussed the individual costs, let’s consolidate the minimum and maximum sums you might expect to pay for all the Shopify POS Hardware combined.

For the cost-free option, you don’t even have to buy a terminal. Just download the Shopify POS app for your mobile devices and use it.

• For the cost-effective paid options with all the Shopify POS hardware devices, you’re looking at a total of $129 (cash drawer) + $49 (card reader) + $249 (receipt printer) + $199 (barcode scanner) = $626
• On the higher end, choosing the most expensive options would amount to $139 (cash drawer) + $49 (card reader) + $369 (receipt printer) + $289 (barcode scanner) = $846

Overall, depending on your specific needs and choices, the total hardware cost for a Shopify POS system ranges from $626 to $846. Remember, these costs are a one-time investment, and the Shopify POS hardware usually lasts several years, ensuring you get a good return on your investment. These tools, while requiring an upfront cost, can lead to increased operational efficiency, faster checkouts, and improved customer experience — factors that can positively impact your bottom line.

Shopify POS Transaction Fees & Payment Processing

As covered in the subscription plans table above, in-person transaction fees range from 2.4% + 10¢ (Advanced) to 5% (Starter) with Shopify Payments, and third-party gateway surcharges add 0.15% to 2% on top. But what do these percentages actually mean for your bottom line?

Here is how transaction fees play out at different monthly sales volumes:

Monthly In-Person Sales	Basic (2.6% + 10¢)	Grow (2.5% + 10¢)	Advanced (2.4% + 10¢)
$5,000	~$130/mo	~$125/mo	~$120/mo
$10,000	~$260/mo	~$250/mo	~$240/mo
$20,000	~$520/mo	~$500/mo	~$480/mo
$50,000	~$1,300/mo	~$1,250/mo	~$1,200/mo

Note: Per-transaction fees (10¢ each) are estimated based on an average transaction size of $50.

When does upgrading your plan pay for itself?

The difference between Basic (2.6%) and Grow (2.5%) is just 0.1%, but at $20,000/month in sales, that saves you roughly $20/month. The Grow plan costs $66/month more than Basic ($105 vs $39). So upgrading from Basic to Grow purely for lower transaction fees only makes sense if you also need the extra features like professional reports, 5 staff accounts, and ecommerce automations.

However, the jump from Grow to Advanced (2.4%) saves another 0.1% per transaction. At $50,000/month in sales, that is $50/month in savings. Combined with the Advanced plan’s 15 staff accounts and lower third-party surcharge (0.5% vs 1%), retailers with high transaction volumes will quickly recoup the higher subscription cost.

Shopify Payments vs third-party gateways: the real cost difference

Suppose you run a retail store on the Grow plan ($105/mo) and process $20,000/month in in-person sales. With Shopify Payments, your annual processing fees would be roughly $6,000.

If you used a third-party gateway instead, Shopify adds a 1% surcharge on every transaction. That is an extra $200/month, or $2,400/year, on top of whatever your gateway charges. Your total Shopify fees alone would jump to $8,400/year before the gateway’s own processing fees.

The takeaway: using Shopify Payments saves you thousands in extra surcharges annually. Unless your third-party gateway offers significantly lower base rates, sticking with Shopify Payments is almost always the better deal.

Shopify POS Pricing: Variable costs

Beyond subscription fees, hardware, and transaction fees, there are Shopify POS hidden costs that catch many retailers off guard.

Number of Shopify POS Terminals

Suppose you are operating a retail store with two additional Shopify POS terminals, each requiring a card reader and a display. With card readers at $49 each and iPad displays stand averaging around $329, this would mean an additional cost of approximately ($49+$329) * 2 = $756.

Number of Store Locations

If you’re operating two additional store locations beyond what your Shopify plan includes, the cost is $89 per additional location. So this would mean an extra cost of $89 * 2 = $178 per month.

Add-ons and Apps

If you want to add three premium apps from Shopify’s App Store to improve customer experience, and each app costs approximately $30/month, the total extra cost would be $30 * 3 = $90 per month.

With these more detailed examples, your estimated variable costs would total up to $940 (one-time cost) and $424 monthly. As you can see, these costs can add up, so it’s crucial to take them into account when planning your budget. Please note that these prices are based on averages and may vary. Always verify current pricing and consider your specific business needs when estimating your total Shopify POS costs.

Other fees

The cost of opening a retail store can range from $10,000 to a few hundred thousand dollars, depending on factors such as location, business structure, sourcing products, finding a retail space, licenses and permits, insurance, operating costs, and equipment.

• Finding a Retail Space:
  • Purchasing retail space costs around $127 to $300 per square foot while leasing averages around $22 per square foot.
  • Loans with interest rates ranging from 2.2% to 18% are common for purchasing retail properties.
  • Renovations and preparations for the space can include expenses for paint, lighting installation, display cases, and security systems.
• Operating Costs & Equipment:
  • Point-of-sale (POS) systems can range from $300 to $10,000, with transaction fees typically around 3%.
  • Ongoing operating costs include utilities (averaging $2.10/sq ft), internet ($64/month), and cleaning ($200/cleaning).

5 Tips to Reduce Shopify POS Costs

Here are five savvy tips to help you cut costs without sacrificing the service quality of Shopify POS.

1. Use Shopify POS Go

Shopify POS Go is a Shopify mobile POS device. If you’re a small business owner, starting with this handheld device could save you significant upfront costs for buying other hardware devices.

2. Use Shopify Payments

As we discussed earlier, using Shopify Payments can help avoid additional transaction fees charged when using third-party payment gateways. Suppose you’re a retailer in the U.S. with a monthly transaction volume of $20,000. In this case, switching from a third-party gateway (which incurs an extra 2% transaction fee) to Shopify Payments could save you around $4,800 annually.

3. Make Use of Your Free Trial

Shopify offers a 3-day free trial and $1 per month for your first three months. While the trial period may be short, it allows you to test the Shopify POS system thoroughly without incurring any costs. If you leverage this to the maximum, set up your shop, and start selling from day one, you could generate sales while effectively paying almost nothing for the platform during these 3 months.

4. Rent Hardware

Buying Shopify POS hardware upfront can be a significant investment. Instead, consider renting Shopify POS hardware. This not only reduces your initial outlay but also keeps your Shopify POS system updated, as rental agreements often include upgrades to the latest equipment. For instance, if a cash drawer costs $159 to purchase, but you could rent it for $20/month, in the first year, you’d save $99.

5. Choose the Yearly Subscription

Opting for a yearly subscription over a monthly one can result in substantial savings. Usually, SaaS platforms like Shopify offer a discount for annual payments. As an example, if you receive a 10% discount on the Advanced Shopify plan when billed annually, this could amount to savings of $479.20 in a year. Not to mention another deal recently offered by Shopify POS: a 10% discount on the Shopify POS Pro plan, saving you $120 per year.

Shopify POS vs Competitors (Square, Lightspeed)

How does Shopify POS pricing stack up against popular Shopify POS alternatives like Square and Lightspeed? Here is a side-by-side comparison.

Feature	Shopify POS	Square POS	Lightspeed POS
Free plan available	POS Lite (free with Shopify plans starting at $39/mo)	Yes (Free tier, $0/mo)	No
Paid POS tier	POS Pro at $89/mo per location	Plus at $49/mo, Premium at $149/mo	Basic at $89/mo, Core at $149/mo, Plus at $289/mo
In-person transaction fee	2.4% to 2.6% + 10¢	2.4% to 2.6% + 15¢	2.6% + 10¢ (all plans)
Hardware starting price	$49 (Tap & Chip Reader)	Free card reader with account	Free terminal with all plans
Ecommerce integration	Built-in (full Shopify store)	Square Online (separate)	Lightspeed eCom (separate)
Best for	Retailers who also sell online	Small businesses want simplicity	Specialty retailers needing deep inventory

Shopify POS vs Square: Square wins on entry-level pricing with its free tier and free card reader. But Shopify POS is better for retailers who want a unified online and in-store experience. Square’s ecommerce tools are less powerful than Shopify’s full online store. If omnichannel selling is your priority, Shopify POS is the stronger choice.

Shopify POS vs Lightspeed: Lightspeed starts at $89/month (just for the POS software, no ecommerce store included), which is more expensive than Shopify’s Basic plan at $39/month with POS Lite included. Lightspeed offers deeper inventory features for specialty retailers like bike shops or apparel stores, but Shopify provides better value for retailers who need both online and in-store selling.

Shopify POS: Pricing Table

Here’s a table summarizing the potential costs of a Shopify POS system:

Cost Category	Price Range
Shopify Subscription	$5/mo (Starter) to $2,300/mo (Plus)
POS Lite	Free (included with all plans)
POS Pro	$89/mo per location ($79/mo billed annually)
Card Readers	$49 (Tap & Chip) to $349 (POS Terminal)
Receipt Printers	$249 to $369
Barcode Scanners	$199 to $289
Cash Drawers	$129 to $139
Shopify POS Go	$299
Hardware Bundles	$219 to $999
In-Person Transaction Fees	2.15% to 5% (varies by plan)
Third-Party Gateway Surcharge	0.15% to 2% (varies by plan)
Third-Party Apps	$0 to $100+/mo each

Estimated annual cost examples:

• Small business (Basic plan + POS Lite + Tap & Chip Reader): $39/mo + $49 one-time = roughly $517/year
• Growing retailer (Grow plan + POS Pro, 1 location + hardware bundle): ($105 + $89)/mo + ~$459 one-time = roughly $2,787/year
• Multi-location store (Advanced plan + POS Pro, 3 locations + full hardware): ($399 + $267)/mo + ~$999 one-time = roughly $8,991/year

These estimates do not include transaction fees, which depend on your sales volume.

Final words

Shopify POS pricing is flexible enough to work for almost any retail setup. A small business owner can start selling in person for as little as $39/month with POS Lite and a $49 card reader. A multi-location retailer with POS Pro, full hardware, and the Advanced plan might spend $8,000 or more per year.

The biggest factors that affect your total cost are your Shopify subscription plan, whether you need POS Pro, how many locations you operate, and your monthly transaction volume. Using Shopify Payments instead of a third-party gateway and choosing annual billing are two of the easiest ways to keep costs down.