A complete comparison of Shopify POS hardwares
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Shopify POS is a point-of-sale system that Shopify offers for retailers.
Shopify is not only offering digital commerce services but also services for physical touchpoints. In other words, with Shopify POS, your business can integrate offline and online data into one place.
As the fact that Shopify launched a new mobile POS hardware called Shopify POS GO in Sep 2022 shows, Shopify is paying more and more attention to POS systems. They have several options to start Shopify POS for your business.
Which hardware should I choose for Shopify POS?
When you consider starting Shopify POS, you will face these questions since they are offering three options now. So, in this blog, we will overview each characteristic and conclude which hardware you should choose for your business.
What is Shopify POS?
Shopify POS is a point-of-sale application that enables you to sell your products anywhere such as brick-and-mortar stores and pop-up shops.
The strength of this POS application is the data that is collected in person can sync with online Shopify store data. You can manage all relevant data across brick-and-mortar stores and online stores in one place.
Moreover, you can efficiently manage your inventories that are sold online and offline simultaneously. This is very useful for shop owners who have several brick-and-mortar shops.
Find more details from Shopify Point of Sales Overview
What kind of hardware is Shopify offering?
You need to choose hardware to access Shopify POS and Shopify gave us basically 3 options: POS Go, Card Readers and Tap to Pay on iPhone. We overview each characteristic, and pros and cons. (In this post, we don’t discuss Tap to Pay on iPhone since it’s only available in the United States.)
POS Go
POS Go Mobile Device | Built by Shopify
Shopify POS Go is an all-in-one POS device that Shopify launched in September 2022. This is the latest device from all three options.
You can make payments on Shopify POS with only this device. Since this device is all-in-one, you can receive any payments and close the This device also has a barcode scanner so you can check the inventory by scanning a barcode.
This device also has a card reader in it so your customers can use a credit card for payment.
Shopify POS Go Features
- Accepts tap, chip, and swipe payments
- Integrated 1D/2D barcode scanner
- Long battery life
- High-performance processor
- 5.5″ HD display, using Gorilla Glass 5
- Wifi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac @ 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Boots to Shopify
Price: $399
Card Reader
Chipper 2X BT Reader
This card reader is an EMV-compliant card reader that accepts tap, chip, and swipe payments with the Shopify POS app. (What is EMV compliance?)
You need to connect this device to your mobile devices with Bluetooth.
- Accepts tap, chip, and swipe payments
- Shopify POS protects card data per PCI DSS requirements
- EMV certified to keep both you and your customers safe
- Connects wirelessly to your tablet or mobile phone using Bluetooth
- Designed to be comfortable to hold and take with you wherever you’re selling
Price: $49
Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader
This device is an EMV-compliant card reader. With the Shopify POS app, you can accept contactless and chip card payments using Shopify’s Tap & Chip Reader.
This device is only available in supported countries.
You can also purchase Shopify Dock for Tap & Chip Reader.
- Accepts chip and contactless payments
- Shopify POS protects card data per PCI DSS requirements
- EMV certified to keep both you and your customers safe
- Connects wirelessly to your tablet or mobile phone using Bluetooth
- Designed to be comfortable to hold and take with you wherever you’re selling
Price: $49
Which hardware is the best option for you?
If you are thinking about starting Shopify POS for an event, brick-and-mortar shop, market, etc… You might think about which hardware you should buy to use the Shopify POS system. Let’s compare these three devices!
| POS Go | Chipper 2X BT Reader | Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader | |
| Payment | Tap, chip, swipe | Tap, chip, swipe | Chip and contactless |
| EMV | Certified | Certified | Certified |
| Device | Not necessary | Necessary | Necessary |
| Barcode | ⃝ | ╳ | ╳ |
| Price | $399 | $49 | $49 |
There is a big price difference between POS Go and other card readers. So firstly we need to think about which we should purchase, an all-in-one device or just a card reader.
If you are going to sell your product irregularly or one time only at a market, event, or pop-up store, you should purchase a card reader. You can download the Shopify POS system to your mobile phone or tablet so all you need to pay are the device cost and Shopify POS subscription cost.
On the other hand, if you run brick-and-mortar stores, POS Go is recommended. The biggest advantage of POS Go is you can make payments only with this device. You do not need to prepare other devices. Furthermore, a barcode scanner is installed so shop clerks can check the inventory easily. Therefore, for shop clerks, POS Go is the easiest way to close sales. In short, POS Go is the best option if you are hiring someone to checkout in brick-and-mortar stores.
Conclusion
Three hardwares for Shopify POS were compared in this post. Of course, the best option depends on the individual situations, but we hope this blog helps your decision-making for starting Shopify POS.
Connecting eCommerce and brick-and-mortar stores is the first step to adopt a omnichannel strategy. We can help your company take the next step by embracing an omnichannel approach.
If you are interested, CONTACT US.
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