Shopify

Shopify POS Lite software is $0 POS Lite (Pro ~$89/location) when you have any Shopify plan, with in-person card payments processed through Shopify Payments at 2.7% (in-person, Basic). POS Pro, which adds advanced retail features, is an additional fee per location. Because Shopify POS sits on top of a Shopify plan, factor in the underlying plan cost too. The comparison table on this page shows current figures.

Yes. Shopify POS runs on the Shopify e-commerce platform, so you need a Shopify plan to use it. POS Lite is included with any plan; serious retail typically wants POS Pro, which adds advanced features per location for an extra fee. This makes Shopify POS the natural fit for US retailers who already sell, or plan to sell, online, since one system covers both channels.

Yes, this is its core strength. Shopify POS unifies inventory and orders across your online store and your physical locations, so stock, customers, and orders live in one place. A customer can buy online and return in store, or buy in store and have it shipped, all tracked in the same system. For US retailers selling across both channels, this unified stock and order management is the main reason to choose it.

Shopify includes native AI through Sidekick, an AI assistant for running your store, and Magic, which generates product copy and images. Shopify also publishes a Storefront MCP server, so AI shopping agents can connect to your catalog. These tools span the whole Shopify platform, including the POS, rather than being sold as separate add-ons.

No. Shopify POS is built for retail and omnichannel selling, not hospitality, so it has no table management, floor plans, or kitchen display. If you run a restaurant, bar, or cafe, a hospitality-focused system like Toast, Lightspeed Restaurant, SpotOn, or Square for Restaurants is the right choice. Shopify POS is the pick for product retailers who also sell online.

Shopify plans start at $39/mo (Basic) for the Basic plan, rising to $105/mo (Grow) and $399/mo (Advanced) for the higher tiers. Annual billing brings the monthly rate down. Every plan includes hosting, an SSL certificate, and unlimited products.

Shopify adds a 2% (Basic) platform fee on the Basic plan when you use a third-party gateway instead of Shopify Payments. The fee falls on higher plans and is waived entirely if you process through Shopify Payments, which most US merchants do.

Yes. Shopify Tax can calculate US sales tax at checkout based on the buyer's location and your nexus, including rooftop-accurate rates, with built-in tools for tracking where you have a tax obligation. It is a meaningful advantage for stores selling across multiple states.

Yes. Shopify is fully hosted, so hosting, security certificates, and content delivery are all included in the monthly plan. It also includes Shopify Shipping with discounted USPS, UPS, and FedEx labels, so you do not arrange separate hosting or shipping accounts.

Yes. Shopify has a native Storefront MCP connection, which lets AI assistants and shopping agents read your catalog, search products, and start a checkout on a shopper's behalf. In plain terms, MCP (Model Context Protocol) is the standard that lets an AI assistant talk to your store safely. Shopify also bundles native AI tools such as the Sidekick assistant and Magic copy and image generation.

Shopify is a hosted, all-in-one platform with a predictable monthly fee and no server management. WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin where you arrange and maintain your own hosting. Shopify suits merchants who want simplicity, sales-tax automation, and support; WooCommerce suits those who want maximum control and the lowest software cost.

Yes. Shopify offers a free trial, after which you choose a paid plan. There is no long-term contract and you can cancel at any time.