The 24 Best Shopify POS Alternatives, Ranked & Reviewed for 2025
The Top 10 Shopify POS Alternatives, For Your Consideration
The leaderboard here can give you the high level suggestions you might need before reading on. Here are the best Shopify POS alternatives and their specialties:
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Retail doesn’t slow down for a glitchy checkout or an inventory count that’s always wrong. Shopify POS can be solid, but it’s not always the best fit—some stores hit pricing walls, need stronger inventory management, or want more payment processing flexibility.
We know the stakes here aren’t theoretical.
When your point of sale system breaks down, so do your workflows, customer experience, and bottom line. The right setup doesn’t just process transactions—it keeps your inventory accurate, your team productive, and your sales channels aligned.
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With one-on-one help, we guide you to your top software options. Narrow down your software search & make a confident choice.
This guide cuts through the marketing noise.
We’ve reviewed the strongest Shopify POS alternatives for real retail needs—advanced inventory tracking, loyalty programs, better pricing, and everything in between. No fluff. Just the options worth your time and budget.
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Comparing the Best Shopify POS Alternatives, Side-by-Side
Price matters, but so do the workflows, payment methods, and customer experience you need to run retail without chaos. This chart highlights pricing details so you can quickly see which providers align with your budget and operational needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for diverse business needs | Free plan available | From $29/month + processing fees | Website | |
| 2 | Best for scalable solutions | Free demo available | From $69/month | Website | |
| 3 | Best for advanced inventory management | Free demo available | From $89/month | Website | |
| 4 | Best for inventory management | Free demo available | From $59/month | Website | |
| 5 | Best for detailed reporting | Free demo available | From $44/month | Website | |
| 6 | Best for secure transactions | Free demo available | From $89/month for one station | Website | |
| 7 | Best for flexible payments | Free demo available | From 3.25% plus $0.15 per transaction | Website | |
| 8 | Best for Magento integration | 7-day free trial | From $69/month | Website | |
| 9 | Best for restaurant management | Free demo available | From $69/month | Website | |
| 10 | Best for fast setup | Free plan available | From 2.29 % + $0.09 per transaction | Website |
The 10 Best Shopify POS Alternatives, Reviewed
These reviews focus on the details that count: core features, pricing, integrations, and use cases. Get clear, practical insights to choose a POS system that can actually handle your retail demands.
Square is a versatile point-of-sale solution designed for businesses of all sizes, offering tools for sales processing, inventory management, and customer engagement. Retailers, restaurants, and service providers use it to manage transactions efficiently and enhance customer experiences.
Why it's a good Shopify POS alternative: Square provides a range of features that cater to diverse business needs, including flexible payment processing and detailed analytics. Its inventory management tools help you keep track of stock levels effortlessly. The customizable dashboard allows you to focus on the metrics that matter most to your business. With Square, you can also manage customer relationships and build loyalty programs to enhance customer retention.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include appointment scheduling, employee management, and invoicing capabilities. These features help your team manage bookings, oversee staff effectively, and handle billing with ease.
Integrations include QuickBooks, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Xero, and Shopify.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports customer loyalty programs
- Strong inventory management
- Customizable dashboard
- Detailed analytics available
Cons:
- Potential connectivity issues
- May need additional hardware
- Can be complex for new users
Toast is a point-of-sale system designed specifically for the restaurant industry, offering tools for order management, payment processing, and customer engagement. Restaurants, cafes, and bars use it to enhance operations and improve guest experiences.
Why it's a good Shopify POS alternative: Toast offers scalable solutions tailored to the unique needs of the foodservice industry. Its tableside ordering and kitchen display features help streamline service and reduce wait times. The customizable menu management allows you to quickly update offerings based on inventory and customer preferences. Additionally, Toast's integrated payment processing ensures secure transactions and smooth checkout experiences.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include loyalty programs, real-time reporting, and employee scheduling. These features help your team build customer loyalty, gain insights into business performance, and manage staff shifts efficiently.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, 7shifts, PeachWorks, and Grubhub.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable menu management
- Efficient tableside ordering
- Tailored for the restaurant industry
- Scalable for growing businesses
Cons:
- Requires additional hardware
- Limited to foodservice environments
- May require extensive training
Lightspeed is a cloud-based point-of-sale solution designed for retailers and restaurants, providing tools for inventory management, sales, and analytics. Businesses use it to manage their inventory with precision and gain insights into their operations.
Why it's a good Shopify POS alternative: Lightspeed offers advanced inventory management features that allow you to track stock levels, manage suppliers, and automate reordering processes. Its analytics tools provide detailed insights into sales performance, helping you make informed business decisions. The system's customizable reporting lets you focus on key metrics that drive your business. Additionally, Lightspeed's user-friendly interface ensures a smooth onboarding experience for your team.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include employee management, customizable receipts, and loyalty programs. These features help your team manage staff effectively, enhance customer experiences, and build customer loyalty.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Shopify.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Supports various business types
- Customizable reporting options
- Detailed analytics and insights
Cons:
- Potential for technical issues
- May need additional hardware
- Limited offline capabilities
Erply is a cloud-based POS system designed for retailers, offering solutions for inventory management, sales processing, and customer relationship management. Retailers and business owners use it to keep track of stock levels, streamline sales, and enhance customer interactions.
Why it's a good Shopify POS alternative: Erply provides advanced inventory management features that help you maintain accurate stock levels and reduce discrepancies. With real-time inventory tracking, you can make informed decisions on purchasing and stocking. The system's reporting capabilities offer insights into sales performance and inventory turnover. Additionally, Erply's flexible pricing models cater to different business sizes and needs.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customer loyalty programs, mobile POS capabilities, and multi-store management. These features help your team build customer loyalty, process sales on the go, and manage multiple locations efficiently.
Integrations include Shopify, QuickBooks, Xero, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports multi-store management
- Strong reporting capabilities
- Real-time inventory tracking
- Advanced inventory management
Cons:
- Potentially resource-intensive
- Limited to retail businesses
- Can be complex to set up
talech is a comprehensive point-of-sale solution designed for small to medium-sized businesses, offering tools for sales tracking, inventory management, and customer engagement. Retailers and service providers use it to enhance operational efficiency and improve customer experiences.
Why it's a good Shopify POS alternative: talech excels in detailed reporting, providing insights into sales trends, inventory levels, and customer behaviors. Its advanced reporting features help you make data-driven decisions to optimize your operations. With customizable reports, you can focus on metrics that matter most to your business. talech also offers inventory management and employee tracking, allowing you to oversee all aspects of your business effectively.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include appointment scheduling, discount management, and employee permissions. These features help your team manage bookings, apply discounts efficiently, and control staff access.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Shopify.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports data-driven decisions
- Employee tracking features
- Strong inventory management
- Customizable reports
Cons:
- Requires internet connection
- Can be resource-intensive
- May require training
Heartland is a versatile POS system designed for retailers, offering tools for payment processing, inventory management, and customer engagement. Retailers and business owners use it to handle transactions securely and efficiently, while also managing their inventory and customer relationships.
Why it's a good Shopify POS alternative: Heartland provides advanced security measures, ensuring that your transactions are protected against fraud and data breaches. Its comprehensive payment solutions support various payment methods, offering flexibility to your customers. The system's inventory management tools help you keep track of stock levels and manage reordering. Heartland's reporting capabilities provide insights into sales performance, helping you make informed business decisions.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include employee management, customizable receipts, and loyalty programs. These features help your team manage staff effectively, enhance customer experiences, and build customer loyalty.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Shopify.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed reporting capabilities
- Effective inventory management
- Comprehensive payment solutions
- Strong transaction security
Cons:
- Limited to certain business types
- Requires ongoing maintenance
- Can be complex to set up
SumUp is a mobile point-of-sale solution that caters to small businesses and entrepreneurs, allowing them to process payments on the go. It's used by merchants who need a simple, portable way to accept card payments.
Why it's a good Shopify POS alternative: SumUp offers flexibility in payment processing with its mobile card readers and app-based system. You can accept payments anywhere, making it ideal for businesses on the move. Its straightforward setup and user-friendly interface ensure you can start accepting payments quickly. The transparent pricing structure and lack of monthly fees make it an attractive option for cost-conscious businesses.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a virtual terminal, invoicing capabilities, and sales tracking. These features help your team manage transactions remotely, send invoices easily, and monitor sales performance.
Integrations include QuickBooks, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, and Shopify.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Portable card readers
- Simple interface
- Easy to set up
- Flexible mobile payments
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Requires internet connection
- Basic reporting tools
Magestore is a POS system tailored for Magento users, offering solutions for inventory management, sales processing, and customer engagement. Retailers using Magento benefit from its seamless integration and comprehensive retail functionalities.
Why it's a good Shopify POS alternative: With its tight Magento integration, Magestore allows you to manage online and offline sales in a unified platform. Its inventory management and order fulfillment features help you keep track of stock levels and streamline operations. The customizable reporting tools give you insights into sales performance and customer behavior. Additionally, Magestore's flexibility in adapting to various retail environments makes it a solid choice for Magento-based businesses.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include barcode scanning, real-time inventory updates, and customizable reporting. These features help your team efficiently manage stock, ensure accurate inventory levels, and gain insights into business performance.
Integrations include Magento, which allows for a unified commerce experience across multiple channels.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Flexible for various retail types
- Customizable reporting tools
- Real-time inventory updates
- Seamless Magento integration
Cons:
- Can be resource-intensive
- Limited to Magento users
- Requires Magento platform
TouchBistro is a restaurant management POS system designed for the foodservice industry, offering tools for order management, payment processing, and customer engagement. Restaurants, cafes, and bars use it to streamline operations and improve guest experiences.
Why it's a good Shopify POS alternative: TouchBistro offers specialized features for the foodservice industry, including tableside ordering and menu management, which help with efficient service. Its intuitive interface and restaurant-specific capabilities make it a great fit for busy dining environments. With features like staff management and detailed reporting, you can handle day-to-day operations smoothly. The system's focus on enhancing dining experiences sets it apart from more general POS systems.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include tableside ordering, menu management, and staff scheduling. These features help your team serve guests efficiently, keep menus up-to-date, and manage staff shifts effectively.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, 7shifts, Square, and PayPal.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed reporting capabilities
- Efficient tableside ordering
- Intuitive interface
- Specialized for foodservice industry
Cons:
- Can be complex for small cafes
- Requires iPad for operation
- Limited to restaurant use
PayPal POS is a payment processing solution designed to facilitate quick transactions for small businesses and retailers. It allows users to manage sales, accept various payment methods, and track business performance.
Why it's a good Shopify POS alternative: With PayPal POS, you get a fast setup process that enables you to start accepting payments right away. Its integration with PayPal's extensive payment network ensures secure and versatile payment options. The system's simplicity and ease of use make it a great choice for those who need to get up and running quickly. Additionally, PayPal POS offers mobile payment capabilities, giving you flexibility in how and where you accept payments.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include mobile card readers, intuitive dashboard, and detailed transaction reports. These features help you process payments on the go, monitor sales effectively, and analyze business performance.
Integrations include QuickBooks, WooCommerce, Shopify, BigCommerce, and Magento.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use
- Mobile payment capabilities
- Secure payment options
- Quick setup process
Cons:
- Occasional connectivity issues
- Basic reporting capabilities
- Not ideal for large businesses
Other Shopify POS Alternatives
Here are some additional Shopify POS alternatives that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- eHopper
For small businesses
- Shift4
For omnichannel retail
- Helcim
For small business support
- KORONA POS
For retail scalability
- Stax Pay
For flat-rate pricing
- Merchant One
For personalized service
- ProMerchant
For high-risk businesses
- SpotOn
For integrated marketing tools
- Payline Data
For flexible payment options
- ePOS
For cloud-based solutions
- Payment Depot
For transparent pricing
- Bindo
For inventory tracking
- Clover
For customizable hardware
- Lavu
For restaurant features
Our Selection Criteria For Shopify POS Alternatives
We didn’t pick these providers out of a hat. We focused on real retail priorities—from handling inventory and payment processing to supporting multi-location workflows and loyalty programs. Here’s the framework we used to evaluate each point of sale system on this list.
Core functionality (25% of total score)
We made sure every POS system could handle retail fundamentals without shortcuts.
- Process in-person and online transactions reliably.
- Manage inventory with real-time tracking and purchase orders.
- Generate sales reports that actually inform decisions.
- Support multiple payment methods, including credit cards, mobile, and gift cards.
Additional standout features (25% of total score)
We looked for features that move you from “basic” to “better.”
- Multi-location management for scaling your business.
- Advanced analytics for smarter buying and staffing.
- Customizable interfaces and permissions to match your workflows.
- Built-in loyalty programs and customer profiles to drive repeat sales.
- Offline mode for when connectivity fails, but business can’t stop.
Usability (10% of total score)
A POS system isn’t helpful if your team dreads using it.
- Intuitive interface for fast onboarding.
- Easy navigation for checkout and inventory tasks.
- Customization options for unique workflows.
- Quick transaction processing so you don’t hold up the line.
Onboarding (10% of total score)
We know time is money, so setup should be painless.
- Access to training videos and documentation.
- Interactive product tours that don’t require an IT degree.
- Ready-to-use templates for common retail workflows.
- Responsive support during setup.
Customer support (10% of total score)
Problems will come up—it’s how the provider responds that counts.
- 24/7 support availability for those late-night reconciliations.
- Fast, helpful responses (not endless hold music).
- Comprehensive knowledge bases with real answers.
- Quality live chat or phone support for urgent issues.
Value for money (10% of total score)
We’re looking for pricing that actually makes sense.
- Transparent pricing with no surprise fees.
- Strong feature sets for the cost.
- Flexible plans that scale with your business.
- Discounts or incentives for growing teams.
Customer reviews (10% of total score)
We also listened to the people who’ve used these systems daily.
- Overall satisfaction ratings across industries.
- Commonly reported pros and cons that match real use cases.
- Frequency of meaningful updates.
- Signs of strong customer retention over time.
What is Shopify POS?
Shopify POS is a point-of-sale system for managing in-store and online sales. It lets you process payments, track inventory, and manage customer profiles in one system.
For retail stores and small businesses, it’s meant to simplify checkout, reduce errors, and keep operations running smoothly—so you can actually focus on selling instead of fixing your workflows.
Why Look For a Shopify POS Alternative?
Shopify POS has its place, but there are plenty of reasons retailers look elsewhere. Here’s what usually pushes business owners to consider other providers:
- Advanced inventory needs. If you require real-time tracking, purchase orders, or advanced inventory management beyond Shopify’s basics.
- Payment processing flexibility. Some teams want more options, better rates, or support for specific payment methods and hardware.
- Offline functionality. Losing sales because your system needs constant internet isn’t an option for busy stores.
- Pricing and fees. Shopify’s transaction fees and plan pricing can add up fast, especially for high-volume or multi-location operations.
- Non-retail use cases. Not every business model fits into Shopify’s retail-centric approach.
- Geographic limitations. Shopify Payments and certain features aren’t available everywhere you might want to sell.
If you’re running into any of these issues, you’re not alone. The good news? There are plenty of feature-rich, scalable, and flexible POS solutions that can actually meet your needs.
Key Features of Shopify POS Alternatives
Here’s what to look for when you’re sizing up alternatives to Shopify POS—features that actually help you keep operations smooth, sales channels aligned, and customers happy:
- Omnichannel selling. Sync in-store, online, and mobile sales without creating inventory chaos.
- Smart inventory management. Real-time tracking, purchase orders, barcode scanners, and low stock alerts to avoid surprises.
- Staff management. Control permissions, schedule shifts, and track performance so everyone knows their role.
- Checkout experience. Fast, reliable processing with support for discounts, custom receipts, and exchanges.
- Reporting and analytics. Detailed sales reports and advanced insights to drive better buying and staffing decisions.
- Payment processing. Accept multiple payment methods—from credit cards and gift cards to mobile wallets—with secure, transparent fees.
- Customer loyalty. Build profiles, launch loyalty programs, and keep shoppers coming back.
- Order management. Handle returns, special orders, and multi-channel workflows without headaches.
- Customization and add-ons. Adapt the POS to your business with apps, integrations, and tailored permissions.
Shopify Alternatives FAQs
Before I let you leave, let me talk to you about the questions you still have wedged up there somewhere (I assume). Don’t worry, we’ve got answers too.
Can I use these POS systems with my existing hardware?
Many POS providers support popular hardware like barcode scanners, cash drawers, and card readers you already own, but always check the compatibility list before you commit.
Some systems push their own branded hardware, like Clover or Square POS, while others work with generic Android and iOS devices to keep costs down.
How hard is it to migrate from Shopify POS to another system?
Migration isn’t always turnkey, but most providers offer onboarding help, data import tools, or even white-glove services.
Expect to export products, inventory levels, and customer data from Shopify, then map it into your new POS. Always test thoroughly before going live to avoid checkout surprises.
Do these alternatives work for multi-location retailers?
Yes, but not all are built equally. Look for providers that support multi-location inventory tracking, role-based permissions, consolidated sales reports, and location-specific pricing. Options like Lightspeed, Erply, and Heartland are designed with multi-store workflows in mind.
What should I budget beyond the monthly subscription?
Don’t just focus on the sticker price. Consider payment processing fees, hardware costs (like iPads and card readers), add-ons, and potential per-location fees.
Some cloud-based POS systems seem cheap up front but charge heavily for advanced features or reporting.
How secure are these POS systems for payment processing?
The reputable ones take security seriously. Look for PCI compliance, end-to-end encryption, and tokenization to protect cardholder data. Many also include fraud detection and secure payment gateways. If a provider is vague about security details, treat that as a red flag.
Will these POS systems integrate with my ecommerce platform?
Most modern POS alternatives offer solid ecommerce integrations. Expect native or plug-in support for platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento.
Check if the integration syncs inventory in real time and supports unified customer profiles—those details matter for true multichannel selling.
Shopify Isn’t Your Only Checkout Option
Shopify POS has its place, but you don’t have to stay stuck with a system that can’t keep up.
Better pricing, advanced inventory tracking, flexible payment processing—there are real alternatives built for how you actually run your store.
We put this guide together so you can skip the sales fluff and see what delivers in the real world. Pick the point-of-sale system that keeps your team moving, your customers happy, and your sales channels in sync.
Ready to level up your retail ops? Choose smart, streamline everything, and get back to the part of business that actually makes you money.
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