Shopify POS vs Square POS vs Clover: Best POS for Retail Businesses
Choosing a point-of-sale system is choosing your entire commerce infrastructure. The right pick depends on whether you are primarily online, primarily in-person, or both — and whether you want software simplicity or hardware flexibility. Here is the direct comparison.
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The Quick Answer
Shopify POS is the best choice if you have or want an online store alongside your physical retail. Square POS is the best choice if you are retail-only or just starting and want zero monthly software fees. Clover is the best choice if you need advanced inventory management, employee permissions, or restaurant-specific features and are comfortable with longer-term processor contracts.
Side-by-Side Breakdown
Shopify POS: software $29–$299/month (covers both online + in-person), transaction fee 2.4–2.9% (waived if you use Shopify Payments), hardware $49–$459, best-in-class unified inventory across channels. Square POS: software free to $60/month, transaction fee 2.6% + 10 cents in-person, hardware $0 (free magstripe reader) to $799 (register), strong free tier but limited for complex inventory. Clover: software $14.95–$84.95/month, transaction fees 2.3–2.6% + 10 cents (tied to First Data/Fiserv), hardware $599–$1,799, most restaurant and retail-specific workflows but proprietary hardware lock-in.
When to Choose Shopify POS
Shopify is the right default if you plan to sell online and in-person from the same inventory. The unified product catalog, customer records, and order management across channels saves hours every week once you are at volume. The monthly cost is higher than Square's free tier, but if you are processing more than $5,000/month the unified reporting and inventory sync pays for itself. Shopify POS Pro ($89/month add-on) adds staff management, custom roles, and omnichannel returns.
When to Choose Square or Clover
Square wins for pure retail or service businesses that do not need an online store, or for food and beverage where Square for Restaurants is purpose-built. The free tier is genuinely functional for early-stage businesses under $10,000/month. Clover wins for franchises, restaurants with complex modifier menus, or businesses that need advanced employee management — but read the processor contract carefully. Clover hardware is locked to the merchant account, which creates switching friction.
The Verdict
If you are launching a retail business with any online component, Shopify is the right long-term choice even though the entry cost is higher. If you are purely in-person and just getting started, Square's free plan removes all barriers and you can always migrate later. Avoid Clover for a brand new business unless you specifically need its restaurant or franchise feature set — the hardware lock-in and processor contract are significant switching costs.
How to Get Started
1. Shopify: start a free trial at shopify.com, enable Shopify POS from the app, and order a card reader or the Shopify POS Go device. 2. Square: create a free account at squareup.com, order the free magstripe reader, and download the POS app. 3. Clover: contact a Clover reseller or Fiserv directly — pricing depends on your processing volume and hardware bundle. Ask for the total cost of ownership in writing before signing anything.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use Shopify POS without a Shopify online store?
Yes. Shopify offers a Starter plan at $5/month that gives you POS and basic online selling via a link. You do not need a full ecommerce storefront to use their POS system.
What happens to my data if I switch POS systems?
Product catalogs and customer records can usually be exported as CSV files from any major POS. Sales history is trickier — some systems lock historical reports. Export everything before you cancel any subscription.
Is Clover hardware compatible with other payment processors?
No. Clover hardware is proprietary and tied to your Fiserv/First Data merchant account. If you switch processors, your Clover hardware becomes non-functional. This is the main risk of choosing Clover.
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