Shopify POS vs SumUp POS
Side-by-side comparison — pricing, features, ratings, use cases. Find which Pos Systems fits you best.
🔍 Independently researched ·
📊 Data-driven
73/100
$5 starting
Existing Shopify merchants who operate a physical retail store or pop-up and want a POS system that fully unifies in-per
★ Best
💰 Pricing
Starting at $5 (subscription)
Fee notes:
- Online transaction fees: 2.9% + 30¢ (Basic), 2.6% + 30¢ (Shopify), 2.4% + 30¢ (Advanced) when using Shopify Payments
- In-person transaction fees: 2.4% for Basic, 2.4% for Shopify, 2.2% for Advanced (with POS Lite)
- If not using Shopify Payments, additional fee: 2.0% (Basic), 1.0% (Shopify), 0.6% (Advanced)
- POS Pro add-on: $89/month per location
- Payment processing fees vary by country and are not included in subscription price
⚠ Watch for:
- If using a payment gateway other than Shopify Payments, you may incur additional fees (up to 2%)
- POS Pro is an extra $89/month per location unless you're on Shopify Plus
- Transaction fees for in-person payments may be higher if you use a third-party card reader
- Shopify charges a fee for using its payment gateway: 2.9% + 30¢ for online, 2.4% for in-person (Basic plan)
🔧 Features
✓ Shopify Ecosystem✓ Unified Inventory✓ Retail✓ Staff Management
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Deep native integration with Shopify e-commerce is the killer feature. Unlike third-party POS systems that require complex API workarounds, Shopify POS syncs inventory, customers, orders, and payments in real time between your online store and physical location. This eliminates the nightmare of overselling or inconsistent customer data. For example, if you sell a product in-store, it automatically deducts from your web inventory, so online customers never see out-of-stock items.
- Strong retail features in POS Pro, which is available for an additional fee, elevate the system beyond basic checkout. It includes advanced inventory management with purchase orders and stock transfers, granular staff permissions for controlling who can do what (like issuing refunds or viewing reports), and in-store analytics that give you insights into sales trends, employee performance, and product profitability. These tools are crucial for growing retail businesses that need more than just a cash register.
- User-friendly interface that doesn't require a lengthy training session. Cashiers can learn the basics in minutes, and the backend is equally intuitive. The system supports a variety of hardware, from iPad-based setups with card readers to full touchscreen terminals, so you can tailor it to your store's needs and budget. The quick setup on existing hardware is a plus for pop-up shops and seasonal stores.
- Flexible and scalable for multi-location operations. Shopify POS supports multiple registers per location, and with POS Pro you can manage inventory across several stores, transfer stock between them, and view consolidated or per-location reports. This makes it viable for regional chains that are expanding, though the per-location fee is a consideration.
⚠ Watch out for
- Requires a Shopify subscription, which means it's not a standalone POS solution. If you're not already using Shopify for e-commerce, you'll have to pay for the Shopify Basic plan ($39/month) just to use its POS, making it more costly than some standalone POS systems that offer similar features for a lower upfront price.
- Advanced features are gated behind monthly fees. The base POS plan is quite basic—staff management, advanced inventory, and purchase orders are only available in POS Pro, which costs an additional $89/month per location. If you have multiple stores, this can add up quickly, and you may find yourself paying significantly more than expected for a system you thought was affordable.
- Offline mode is limited. While you can process sales offline, many features like syncing inventory, accessing customer history, or processing returns won't work without an internet connection. This can be a major headache for retailers in areas with unstable Wi-Fi or for those who need to operate in offline settings like outdoor markets.
- Customer support hours may not align with round-the-clock retail operations. While support is generally responsive, it's not available 24/7 for all plans, and you might end up waiting for a callback or chat response during off-hours. This could be a setback if you run a late-night store.
🎯 Best for
Existing Shopify merchants who operate a physical retail store or pop-up and want a POS system that fully unifies in-person and online sales.
🚫 Who should skip
Restaurants, bars, or full-service hospitality businesses, as well as retailers who don't already use Shopify and want a simpler, lower-cost standalone POS.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal for basic sales; Moderate for setting up advanced inventory, staff permissions, and multi-location workflows.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Shopify POS is an excellent choice for existing Shopify merchants who want a seamless omnichannel retail solution. It's also a good fit for growing retail businesses that value deep integration. However, if you're not already using Shopify, or you're a small business on a tight budget, the required
62/100
Free tier
Small businesses in Europe — like cafes, merch stalls, and field-service pros — that want a low-risk, pay-as-you-go card
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
No monthly subscription required, pay only per transaction; hardware purchased separately.
Fee notes:
- Transaction fee: 1.69% per transaction (chip and PIN, contactless, mobile wallets) for standard card payments
- Transaction fee for manually keyed transactions: 2.55% + 0.10 USD
- Chargeback fee: 13.00 USD per chargeback
- Refund: no fee to refund if within same day; otherwise standard transaction fee applies
- No monthly fees, no setup fees, no cancellation fees
⚠ Watch for:
- Chargeback fee of 13.00 USD applies even if you win the dispute
- Refunds after the same day still incur the processing fee
- International cards and Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) may incur additional FX markup
- Hardware costs are not included; prices for card readers range from 29 to 79 USD depending on model
🔧 Features
✓ European✓ No Monthly Fee✓ Pay Per Tx✓ 4m Merchants✓ Smb✓ Free Tier
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Free POS software with no monthly fees or long-term contracts – This is a huge plus for small businesses and startups with tight budgets. Unlike competitors like Shopify POS (which costs $89/month for basic features) or Square (which has a free tier but pushes paid plans), SumUp's core software includes everything you need to take payments, manage products, and view basic reports at zero recurring cost. You only pay when you make a sale, which is ideal for low-volume merchants.
- Low-cost, portable card readers with reliable Bluetooth – SumUp’s hardware is among the most affordable on the market, starting at around €29 for the basic reader. The readers are compact, charge quickly, and sync easily with your phone or tablet via Bluetooth. The 3G/4G model lets you take payments anywhere, even without Wi-Fi, which is perfect for market stalls and delivery services. This hardware-first approach is a differentiator in a market where competitors like Zettle (iZettle) charge similar prices but might not offer the same range.
- Intuitive dashboard and simple product management – The software was clearly designed with non-technical users in mind. You can add products with photos, set prices, organize them into categories, and apply discounts in a few taps. The dashboard gives a clear overview of daily sales, transaction history, and customer data (if you collect it). This simplicity reduces training time and lets you focus on serving customers, not fumbling with software.
- Multi-currency and multi-language support for European merchants – Since SumUp is headquartered in Europe, it handles multiple currencies and languages out of the box. This is a lifesaver for businesses near borders or those that sell to tourists. The system automatically settles in your home currency, and you can switch languages easily. This localization is a competitive edge over US-centric competitors.
- Regulation-free setup – You can start using SumUp without a lengthy approval process. There's no credit check or extensive paperwork; you just download the app, verify your identity, and order a reader. You can even begin accepting card payments using the app’s “Card Payments” feature with a smartphone’s NFC (though it's slower than a dedicated reader). This immediacy is perfect for businesses that need to start selling quickly.
⚠ Watch out for
- Transaction fees are relatively high compared to competitors with subscription plans – While the free POS software is great, the per-transaction fee of 1.69% for card payments is higher than some competitors if you're doing high volume. For instance, Zettle (iZettle) charges 1.5% for Visa/Mastercard, and SumUp itself offers lower rates (1.49%) if you pay for the SumUp One plan. If you're processing more than €10,000/month, the cumulative fees might exceed what you'd pay with a flat monthly subscription like Lightspeed or Shopify POS.
- Advanced features are locked behind a paid SumUp One plan – The free tier only includes basic reporting, inventory, and single-user access. If you need multiple staff users (with different permissions), advanced analytics, or integrations with accounting software like Xero or QuickBooks, you'll need to subscribe to SumUp One (starting at €39/month). This effectively adds a recurring cost, undermining the “free” appeal for growing businesses.
- Hardware is proprietary and not compatible with third-party peripherals – Unlike open POS systems that allow you to connect any barcode scanner, cash drawer, or receipt printer, SumUp hardware is designed to work only with SumUp’s own accessories. This limits your ability to build a custom setup. For instance, you can't connect a standard cash drawer via USB; it must be a SumUp-compatible one (which they sell, but at an additional cost). This lock-in could be a dealbreaker for businesses with existing hardware.
- Customer support is limited – SumUp primarily offers support through email, a help center, and a contact form on their website. There's no phone support in many countries, and live chat is only available in certain regions. Response times can vary, with some users reporting delays of 24-48 hours. This might be frustrating if you encounter a payment issue during a busy sales period and need immediate help.
- No built-in loyalty program or CRM – While SumUp does allow you to collect customer emails and send promotional emails (via the free plan), there's no advanced loyalty program or customer relationship management (CRM) built in. You'll need to integrate third-party apps (often via the paid plan) to create points-based loyalty or targeted marketing campaigns. For businesses that rely on repeat customers, this could be a missing feature.
🎯 Best for
Small businesses in Europe — like cafes, merch stalls, and field-service pros — that want a low-risk, pay-as-you-go card payment solution without subscription fees.
🚫 Who should skip
Full-service restaurants, large multi-location retailers, and businesses that need deeply customizable POS software for complex workflows.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal — setting up the app and pairing a card reader is straightforward, and the interface is simple enough for staff to learn in a few minutes.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
SumUp POS is a fantastic choice for micro-businesses, pop-up shops, and mobile vendors who need a low-cost, no-contract payment solution with basic inventory and sales tracking. It's also ideal for businesses that want to start taking card payments without a significant upfront investment. However,
📊 Use Case Suitability
Higher score = better fit. Scores from editorial review.
Use CaseShopify POSSumUp POS
Omnichannel Retail Store95—
Shopify POS excels at syncing inventory, customers, and orders between physical
Pop-up Shops and Markets88—
The mobile-first POS app works on iOS and Android with portable card readers, ma
Multi-location Retail Chains80—
With POS Pro and a higher-tier Shopify plan, you can manage inventory transfers
Staff Management and CRM78—
Customer profiles display purchase history, notes, and local pickup orders, whil
Fast Food or Quick-service Counter30—
Shopify POS lacks dedicated kitchen display, table mapping, and speed-of-service
Pop-up retail shops and sidewalk stands—95
SumUp's portable card readers and no-monthly-fee pricing make it ideal for low-v
Salon and home-service payment collection—85
You can invoice clients and take card payment at their doorstep, though booking
Cafe counter checkouts—90
Simple order entry, inventory tracking, and quick payment suits counter service
🧭 Which One Should You Pick?
Choose Shopify POS if...
- You are: Existing Shopify merchants who operate a physical retail store or pop-up and want a POS system that fully unifies in-per
- 👍 Deep native integration with Shopify e-commerce: inventory, customers, orders, and payments sync aut
- 👍 Strong retail features in POS Pro, including advanced inventory management, staff permissions, purch
- 👍 Easy-to-use interface that is intuitive for cashiers and store managers, with fast setup on existing
- 💰 From $5/mo
- ⚠ Trade-off: Requires a Shopify subscription, so it's not a standalone POS for non-Shopify me
Choose SumUp POS if...
- You are: Small businesses in Europe — like cafes, merch stalls, and field-service pros — that want a low-risk, pay-as-you-go card
- 👍 Completely free POS software with no monthly fees or contract.
- 👍 Low-cost, portable card readers that sync to the app via Bluetooth.
- 👍 Trusted by millions of merchants across Europe, with localized payment processing for multiple curre
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Transaction fees are higher than some competitors if you need premium rate disco
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Shopify POS cost?
Shopify POS Lite is included free with any Shopify paid plan, but advanced features like in-store analytics, custom permissions, and multi-location inventory require Shopify POS Pro, which costs $89 per location per month. You'll also need to pay for your Shopify subscription and any hardware.
What is the difference between Shopify POS Lite and POS Pro?
POS Lite covers basic sales, payments, and inventory syncing. POS Pro adds advanced inventory management, staff permissions, in-store analytics, and retail-specific features like purchase orders and store credit. You can start with Lite and upgrade per location when you need more.
How does Shopify POS compare to Square?
Shopify POS is better if you already use Shopify for e-commerce, as it provides true unified inventory and customer data. Square is often easier to set up and can be cheaper for solo sellers, but it lacks deep e-commerce integration and in-store/online syncing at the same level.
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