Choosing between Shopify POS and Retail Pro for your business? Both are popular retail solutions, but they serve different needs. Shopify POS starts at $89/month (POS Pro) and is Unified commerce platform connecting online and in-store sales, while Retail Pro starts at Contact for pricing and is Enterprise retail management software. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Shopify POS vs Retail Pro
| Feature | Shopify POS | Retail Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Retail | Retail |
| Starting Price | $89/month (POS Pro) | Contact for pricing |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Mid-Market to Enterprise |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | Yes | No |
| Best For | Retailers already using or planning to use Shopify for eCommerce | Multi-store specialty retailers |
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
Retail Pro Overview
Retail Pro is an enterprise retail management software for specialty retailers. Offers POS, inventory management, and customer engagement tools for multi-store operations.
Retail Pro is offered by Retail Pro International (founded 1986) based in Folsom, CA. The system focuses on Specialty Retail, Apparel, Multi-store.
Key Features:
- POS
- Inventory Management
- Multi-store
- Customer Management
- Reporting
- E-commerce Integration
Feature Comparison
Shopify POS Features:
- Unified inventory
- Customer profiles
- Staff management
- In-store analytics
- Product management
Retail Pro Features:
- POS
- Inventory Management
- Multi-store
- Customer Management
- Reporting
When comparing features, Shopify POS stands out with Best-in-class eCommerce integration, while Retail Pro differentiates itself with Enterprise retail focus. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Shopify POS | Retail Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $89/month (POS Pro) | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Premium |
| Free Trial | Available | Not 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
Retail Pro
Pros:
- Enterprise scalability
- Deep inventory features
- Multi-store management
- Customizable
Cons:
- High cost
- Complex implementation
- Requires IT resources
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 Retail Pro?
Retail Pro is ideal for Multi-store specialty retailers. The system is particularly well-suited for Specialty Retail, Apparel, Multi-store.
However, Retail Pro may not be the best fit for Small single-location stores.
Our Recommendation
Both Shopify POS and Retail Pro 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 Retail Pro if you’re Multi-store specialty retailers. Shopify POS has a higher user rating (4.5 vs 4.0). 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.