Square vs Shopify POS for a store with two locations: fees, stock and the website
For the counter alone, Square Plus costs less than Shopify Grow with POS Pro at two locations: about $41–$155 a month when each location takes $15,000–$50,000 in card sales. The answer changes when you also sell online, because Shopify’s price includes your online store and one shared inventory, while a Square counter plus a separate website means two systems and often a sync app.
What each option costs at the counter
Two locations, in-person card sales only, average sale $50. Subscription + percentage + per-sale fee.
| In-person sales per location per month | Square Plus | Square Premium | Shopify Grow + POS Pro ×2 (monthly) | Shopify Grow + POS Pro ×2 (12-month term) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 (600 sales in total) | $938 | $1,108 | $1,093 | $1,049 |
| $30,000 (1,200 sales) | $1,778 | $1,918 | $1,903 | $1,859 |
| $50,000 (2,000 sales) | $2,898 | $2,998 | $2,983 | $2,939 |
Inputs, checked October 5, 2026:
| Item | Subscription | In-person card rate |
|---|---|---|
| Square Plus | $49 per location per month | 2.5% + 15¢ |
| Square Premium | $149 per location per month | 2.4% + 15¢ |
| Shopify Grow | $105 per month (monthly billing) | 2.5% + 10¢ |
| Shopify POS Pro | $89 per location per month, or $67 on a 12-month term | — |
The Shopify columns include an online store; the Square columns do not.
Where Square comes out ahead
If you only sell in person, carry a simple catalog, and don't need a website that shares stock with the shop, Square Plus is the cheaper counter at these volumes. That is a legitimate reason not to switch.
Where Shopify comes out ahead
- You sell online too. With Shopify, the website and both counters share one product list, one stock count and one customer list. With a Square counter and a website on another platform, you pay for both and usually add an app to keep stock in sync.
- Stock moves between locations. Shopify POS Pro includes stock transfers and inventory reporting per location. On Square, cross-location returns, fulfilment and transfer orders are Premium features.
- Staff roles. POS Pro adds unlimited staff logins and permission control per location.
Two things to check before deciding
- Your current contract. If you pay Square through a standard account, you can usually leave; if your processing comes through another provider, read the agreement first.
- Your hardware. Square's card readers don't work with Shopify Payments. Some printers, scanners and cash drawers may carry over; check them against Shopify's supported-hardware list.
How to run your own numbers
Take last month's in-person card sales per location and your average sale. Multiply sales by the card rate, add 15¢ (Square) or 10¢ (Shopify) per sale, and add the subscriptions. If you also sell online, add the cost of your current website plan and any sync app to the Square side.
Questions
- Does Square charge per location?
- Square Plus and Premium are priced per location per month ($49 and $149 when we checked). Square Free is $0.
- Are Shopify’s in-person rates lower?
- The percentage is the same on Square Plus and Shopify Grow (2.5%); Shopify’s per-sale fee is 10¢ versus Square’s 15¢. Plan subscriptions and POS Pro make up most of the difference.
Sources
- Square for Retail pricing (US)
- Shopify POS pricing (monthly and yearly)
- POS Pro yearly subscription terms
- Migrate from Square (hardware note)
Merchant Dash LLC may earn referral revenue from Shopify if you choose a paid Shopify plan or Shopify POS Pro after working with us. That never changes what you pay Shopify.