Choosing the right POS system can significantly impact the success of your small business. Shopify currently offers two options: Shopify POS Lite and Shopify POS Pro. This user-friendly point of sale solution helps streamline essential store operations such as inventory management, sales tracking, and customer data handling.
In this article, ConnectPOS will walk you through the key differences between Shopify POS Lite vs. Pro, helping you make the best decision for your business. We’ll compare their features — from basic checkout functions to advanced inventory tools — so you can confidently choose the POS system that fits both your current needs and future growth plans.
Overview of Shopify POS Lite vs Pro
Shopify POS Lite is the essential point-of-sale system included with any Shopify plan for basic in-person sales, while Shopify POS Pro is an upgrade ($89/month/location) for retail businesses offering advanced features like staff management, omnichannel selling, inventory management, and detailed reporting across multiple locations. Choose Lite for simplicity and single-location use, and Pro for scaling, retail operations, and advanced control.
What Is Shopify POS Lite?
Shopify POS Lite is free with every Shopify plan and is designed for merchants of all sizes to set up and manage a physical store or sell in person on the go. It has the essentials: product and inventory management, payment processing and customer management. In short, Shopify POS Lite is a good starting point for businesses with basic retail needs and low in person transactions.
Key Features of Shopify POS Lite:
- Accepts in-person payments using Shopify Payments
- Synchronizes online and offline inventory
- Manages orders and customers from a unified dashboard
- Basic reporting and analytics
- Discount and gift card support
Best For:
- Online-first businesses with occasional in-person sales
- Startups and small vendors
- Merchants testing physical retail before scaling
What Is Shopify POS Pro?
Shopify POS Pro is the advanced version of Shopify POS that has everything in Shopify POS Lite and more. It’s an omni channel selling solution, staff management, business insights and more. Merchants who upgrade to Shopify POS Pro will pay extra monthly fee to use the extra features.
Key Features of Shopify POS Pro:
- Unlimited registers per location
- Smart inventory management with in-depth tracking
- Staff roles and permissions
- In-store pickup and local delivery options
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- Omnichannel sales tools (e.g., ship-to-customer from store)
- Custom receipts and printed barcode labels
Best For:
- Physical retail stores and chains
- High-volume sellers needing multiple registers and staff roles
- Businesses that prioritize customer experience and operational efficiency
Shopify POS Lite vs Pro: Feature Comparison Table
When deciding between Shopify POS Pro and Lite, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of each plan. The following comparison table outlines the pros and cons of Shopify POS Lite vs Pro:
►►► Optimal solution set for businesses: Multi store POS, Next-gen POS, Inventory Management Software (MSI), Self Service, Automation, Backorders
| Feature | POS Lite | POS Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free (with Shopify subscription) | $89/month per location |
| Inventory Management | Basic | Smart inventory with stock transfers |
| Staff Management | Basic (no permissions) | Custom roles & permissions |
| Omnichannel Capabilities | Limited | Full support for BOPIS & ship-to-home |
| Advanced Reports | No | Yes |
| Customer Profiles | Yes | Enhanced with in-store purchase history |
| Hardware Support | Basic Shopify hardware | Full hardware suite |
Pricing Overview
- POS Lite: $0 (included in all Shopify plans)
- POS Pro: $89/month per location (on top of your Shopify plan)
Tip: Shopify often offers trials or seasonal discounts on POS Pro. It’s worth testing during a peak sales period to see its full value.
When Should You Upgrade to Shopify POS Pro?
Consider upgrading to Shopify POS Pro if:
- You run a physical storefront with steady foot traffic.
- You manage multiple retail locations.
- You need staff permissions, inventory transfers, or advanced reporting.
- You want a frictionless omnichannel experience across online and offline touchpoints.
If your sales are primarily online or occur occasionally at in-person events, POS Lite may be sufficient.
Alternatives to Shopify POS Pro
If you’re looking for more customization, integration options, or are facing cost constraints, Shopify POS Pro might not be your only choice. Popular alternatives include:
- ConnectPOS – Built for omnichannel retailers with Magento, BigCommerce, and Shopify integrations. Offers real-time sync and customizable POS setups.
- Square POS – A free, user-friendly alternative ideal for small businesses.
- Lightspeed POS – Designed for complex retail operations with robust reporting and multi-store support.
Shopify POS Lite vs Pro: Which Options is Better?
Both Shopify POS’s have their benefits. The one that’s best for you depends on the level of functionality you need for in-store sales. The Shopify POS Lite version is good for businesses just starting out with omnichannel sales, it has a bunch of features to track sales and inventory.
But if you’re committed to offline sales and opening a permanent store rather than a pop up, you may find Shopify POS Pro is a better fit. The Shopify POS Pro version has more features to boost sales and better customer relationships and more staff management tools. Therefore, evaluate all associated costs for each package thoroughly before making a decision. The expenses for Shopify POS Pro can accumulate quickly, especially if you need to outfit multiple locations with their own hardware solutions.
Final Thoughts
The choice between Shopify POS Lite and Pro depends on your retail complexity, sales volume, and business goals. POS Lite is great for businesses just starting with in-person selling, while POS Pro is a powerful upgrade for scaling operations and providing a seamless omnichannel experience.
If you’re unsure, consider starting with Lite and upgrading to Pro as your business grows. And don’t forget to explore alternatives like ConnectPOS if you need deeper customization or broader platform compatibility.
►►► Optimal solution set for businesses: Shopify POS, Magento POS, BigCommerce POS, WooCommerce POS, NetSuite POS, E-Commerce POS
