A Square vs. Shopify comparison

What’s the best all-in-one POS software for you?

How Square compares to Shopify*

4.6/5

Square’s Trustpilot score

1.6/5

Shopify’s Trustpilot score

Cost comparison

  Square Shopify
In-person processing fee
and monthly fees
• 1.6% per tap or insert
• Zero monthly fees
• 1.5% (min. $399/month)
• 1.7% (min. $105/month)
• 1.9% (min. $39/month)
No chargeback fees
Yes
Yes, $25
No additional fees for
American Express or JCB
Yes
Yes
No hardware rental fees
Yes
Yes
Get paid on the weekend
Yes
No
Instant transfer -
access funds in minutes (for a fee)
Yes
No

In-person payments

  Square Shopify
Free POS App with no monthly fees No monthly fees when you take payments with Square
No
All-in-one POS system with
customer display and built-in software
Square Register - $1,099
No
Portable EFTPOS machine
with built-in receipt printer &
pre-installed POS software
Square Terminal - $329
No
Countertop iPad POS stand with
built-in card reader
Square Stand - $149
No
Tap-and-go card reader Square Reader - $65 WisePad3 Reader - $69
Afterpay acceptance in person
Yes
No
Physical gift cards
Yes
Yes
Free shipping on all hardware and
interest-free instalments available**
Yes
No
Compatible with hundreds of
third-party accessories
such as printers and cash drawers
Yes
Limited compatibility
Offline payments
(Process card payments
without internet access)
Yes
No

Online and remote payments

  Square Shopify
Free online store
Yes
No
Website templates
Yes
Yes
Online ordering
for Restaurants
Yes
Yes
Photo Studio app for
item library and online store
Yes
No
Payment links
Yes
Yes
Invoicing software
Yes
No
Virtual Terminal to take
payments over the phone
or on your computer
Yes
No
Afterpay acceptance online
Yes
No
e-Gift Cards
Yes
Yes

Solutions designed for you

  Square Shopify
Retail POS System
Yes
No
Restaurant POS System
Yes
No
POS System for
Appointments-based
businesses
Yes
No
Self-ordering kiosk
Yes
No
Kitchen Display System
Yes
No
Loyalty program software
Yes
No
Email marketing software
Yes
Yes
Team management
Yes
Yes
Online staff rostering
Yes
No
Inventory management
Yes
Yes

*Competitive data on this page was collected as of 15 July 2022 and is based on information found on shopify.com.au. This information is subject to change or update without notice. Square does not make any representations as to the completeness or accuracy of the information on this page.

1.6% card present rate applies for Square Sellers who sign up on or after 30 May 2024. The rate of 1.9% will apply for Square Sellers who signed up prior to this date when using Square Reader, Square Stand or Tap to Pay, as listed in the Square Fee Schedule.

Cut wait times with Square Kiosk

Reduce queues and order errors with Square Kiosk, your go-to self-ordering solution for Aussie hospitality businesses. Keep your sales up and operations smooth when things get busy, letting your team focus on other value-add tasks, while handling more orders even if you are short-staffed.

  • Cut wait times and make service faster
  • Minimise order errors
  • Free up staff for other value-add tasks

Everything you need to run your business, anywhere, anytime.

Square has all the tools you need to reach your customers and grow your business, whether in person, online or both.

Set up a free online store that seamlessly syncs with your in-person sales, items and customer management.

Send an unlimited number of invoices, estimates or recurring invoices to request payments for goods & services.

Square Point of Sale is simple to set up, easy to use and has no monthly costs, you only pay processing fees.

Keep new and existing customers coming back with Marketing and Loyalty tools that grow your business.

Simplify your day with our web-based appointment scheduling software and app.

Streamline your operations with Square for Retail’s advanced Inventory & vendor management, reports, purchase orders, barcode label printing, and more.

Our restaurant POS system is built for speed. From menu management to coursing, every tool helps your team move faster.

Get your money deposited in your bank account as fast as the next day or instantly for a fee.

Michael Harms, Owner Barrowby Green - Woori Yallock, VIC

Four things you can depend on with Square.

Whether you need a point of sale for your retail store, quick-service restaurant, beauty salon or on-the-go jobs, Square offers the reliability and ease of use every business needs.

Run your business online.

Whether or not your business has a brick-and-mortar location, building a robust online presence can help you engage shoppers from a distance.

  • Build your free website to take orders, sell goods, manage inventory and book appointments – all synced through your POS system.
  • Accept every kind of card payment and track all your sales in one place – from your online store, invoices, payments over the phone, Afterpay and in-person sales.
  • Sell online – including through Instagram – and offer pickup, shipping and delivery options.

Hardware for selling anywhere.

Square Reader

The fastest and most secure way to pay. Accept chip and PIN cards, contactless payments, Apple Pay and Google Pay. An easy solution for your on-the-go business.

Square Terminal

The all-in-one portable EFTPOS machine that lets you accept all kinds of payments easily and print (or email) receipts – the perfect solution for tableside services.

Square Register

The fully integrated touchscreen point-of-sale that lets you start selling right out of the box. Manage card and contactless payments, online sales and more, all from one POS register.

Square Stand

Turn your iPad into a powerful point of sale with payments built in.

Get started free

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Start selling in minutes
Sign up and start taking payments with Square in minutes.

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Pay no extra fees for Square Point of Sale
Take card payments with Square and you won’t need to pay anything for Square Point of Sale. No setup fee, no monthly minimum fee, no compliance fee, no hardware rental fee.

Create your free account today.

Set up your POS system now and start selling in minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

(by people thinking about switching from Shopify to Square)

** All payment plans are issued by Square AU Pty. Ltd. All plans are interest-free. First payment will be due at checkout. Available plan lengths vary from 3, 6, and/or 12 instalments based on purchase amount. All plans subject to credit approval.