When comparing Shopify POS vs POS Nation, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to retail point-of-sale technology. Shopify POS, rated 4.5/5, offers Retailers already using or planning to use Shopify for eCommerce. Meanwhile, POS Nation, rated 4.4/5, provides Liquor stores, tobacco shops, convenience stores. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison: Shopify POS vs POS Nation
| Feature | Shopify POS | POS Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Retail | Retail |
| Starting Price | $89/month (POS Pro) | $99/month or one-time purchase |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free Version | Yes | No |
| Best For | Retailers already using or planning to use Shopify for eCommerce | Liquor stores, tobacco shops, convenience stores |
Shopify POS Overview
Shopify POS seamlessly connects your online and retail stores, allowing you to sell anywhere. It syncs products, inventory, and customer data between your online store and physical locations.
Shopify POS is offered by Shopify Inc. (founded 2013) based in Ottawa, Canada. The system focuses on Retail, Pop-up shops, Markets, Omnichannel sellers.
Key Features:
- Unified inventory
- Customer profiles
- Staff management
- In-store analytics
- Product management
- Gift cards
POS Nation Overview
POS Nation provides point-of-sale systems for retail stores, liquor stores, tobacco shops, and grocery stores. Features inventory management, age verification, and tobacco scan compliance.
POS Nation is offered by POS Nation (founded 2001) based in Charlotte, NC. The system focuses on Liquor Stores, Tobacco, Convenience.
Key Features:
- POS
- Inventory Management
- Age Verification
- Tobacco Compliance
- E-commerce
- Reporting
Feature Comparison
Shopify POS Features:
- Unified inventory
- Customer profiles
- Staff management
- In-store analytics
- Product management
POS Nation Features:
- POS
- Inventory Management
- Age Verification
- Tobacco Compliance
- E-commerce
When comparing features, Shopify POS stands out with Best-in-class eCommerce integration, while POS Nation differentiates itself with Age-restricted retail expertise. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Shopify POS | POS Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $89/month (POS Pro) | $99/month or one-time purchase |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Free Trial | Available | Available |
| Free Version | Yes | No |
Shopify POS offers a free version, which is great for testing or small operations. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Shopify POS
Pros:
- Seamless eCommerce integration
- Beautiful interface
- Strong brand recognition
- Extensive app store
- Great for omnichannel
Cons:
- Best with Shopify eCommerce
- POS Pro needed for key features
- Transaction fees without Shopify Payments
POS Nation
Pros:
- Industry specialization
- Compliance features
- Flexible pricing
- Good support
Cons:
- Niche market focus
- Add-on costs
- Hardware required
Who Should Choose Shopify POS?
Shopify POS is ideal for Retailers already using or planning to use Shopify for eCommerce. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Pop-up shops, Markets, Omnichannel sellers.
However, Shopify POS may not be the best fit for Restaurants or businesses not doing eCommerce.
Who Should Choose POS Nation?
POS Nation is ideal for Liquor stores, tobacco shops, convenience stores. The system is particularly well-suited for Liquor Stores, Tobacco, Convenience.
However, POS Nation may not be the best fit for Restaurants or apparel retail.
Our Recommendation
Both Shopify POS and POS Nation are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Shopify POS if you’re Retailers already using or planning to use Shopify for eCommerce. Choose POS Nation if you’re Liquor stores, tobacco shops, convenience stores. Shopify POS has a higher user rating (4.5 vs 4.4). Also, choose Shopify POS if you want to start with a free version. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.