Shopify POS (Point of Sale) is an app and hardware system that lets you accept payments and sell products in person. It syncs with your Shopify store, so inventory, orders, and customer data stay unified across online and retail channels.

How much does Shopify POS cost?

Shopify POS Lite is included free with all Shopify plans. Shopify POS Pro costs $89/month per location and adds features like staff permissions, inventory management, and unlimited registers. Hardware is purchased separately.

What hardware do I need for Shopify POS?

At minimum, you need an iOS or Android device with the Shopify POS app. For a full setup, you can add a card reader, receipt printer, barcode scanner, and cash drawer. Shopify sells compatible hardware through their Hardware Store.

Does Shopify POS sync with my online store?

Yes. Inventory, products, orders, and customers sync automatically between your online store and POS locations. When you sell in-store, inventory updates across all channels in real time.

Shopify POS: Complete Point of Sale Guide

Shopify POS (Point of Sale) extends your Shopify store to in-person selling. Whether you run a retail store, market booth, or pop-up shop, Shopify POS lets you accept payments, track inventory, and keep everything synced with your online business. This guide covers how it works and whether it's right for you.

What Is Shopify POS?

Shopify POS is an app that turns an iPad or mobile device into a point of sale system:

Accept payments: Credit cards, debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, cash
Unified inventory: Stock syncs between online and in-person sales
Customer data: Same customer profiles across all channels
One dashboard: Manage everything from Shopify admin

Shopify POS Plans

POS Lite (Free)

Included with all Shopify plans:

Basic checkout functionality
Card payments and cash
Product and inventory sync
Email receipts

POS Pro ($89/month per location)

Advanced features for retail operations:

Unlimited staff accounts with permissions
Unlimited registers per location
Smart inventory management (low stock reports, counts)
Staff sales attribution
In-store analytics
Buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS)
Exchanges

Hardware Options

Essential Hardware

iPad or mobile device: Runs the POS app
Card reader: Accepts chip, tap, and swipe payments

Optional Hardware

Receipt printer: For printed receipts
Barcode scanner: Quick product lookup
Cash drawer: Secure cash storage
iPad stand: Counter-mounted display

Shopify sells all hardware through the Shopify Hardware Store. Third-party compatible hardware also works.

Setting Up Shopify POS

Step 1: Download the App

Download Shopify POS from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)
Log in with your Shopify account

Step 2: Set Up Locations

Go to Settings > Locations in Shopify admin
Add your retail locations
Enable POS for each location

Step 3: Connect Hardware

Pair your card reader via Bluetooth
Connect optional hardware (printer, scanner)
Test a transaction before going live

Key Features

Unified Inventory

Inventory syncs across all sales channels:

Sell online, inventory updates in POS
Sell in-store, online stock adjusts automatically
Transfer inventory between locations

Customer Profiles

Customers created in-store sync to your online customer list
View complete order history across channels
Apply loyalty programs and discounts

Checkout Options

Custom discounts and price adjustments
Split payments across multiple methods
Email or print receipts
Add order notes

Collections in Retail

Your Shopify collections appear in the POS app, making it easy to browse products by category during checkout.

Keep Collections Organized: AWSM Collections helps you maintain well-organized product collections that work in both your online store and POS system without extra steps.

Payment Processing

In-person payments use Shopify Payments:

Competitive card rates (vary by plan)
Same payout schedule as online sales
No third-party payment gateway needed

POS Analytics

Track in-store performance:

Sales by location, staff, or time period
Compare in-store vs. online performance
Best-selling products by channel
Daily cash tracking (POS Pro)

Who Should Use Shopify POS?

Retail stores: Permanent locations needing full POS functionality
Pop-up shops: Temporary selling with mobile checkout
Markets and events: Craft fairs, festivals, trade shows
Restaurants and cafes: Basic food service (limited menu support)

Limitations

Complex restaurant features (table management, kitchen displays) require dedicated restaurant POS
Offline mode has limited functionality
POS Pro adds significant monthly cost for multiple locations

Conclusion

Shopify POS bridges online and in-person selling with unified inventory and customer data. For retailers already using Shopify online, it's a natural extension. Start with POS Lite to test the waters, then upgrade to Pro as your retail operations grow.