Shopify Pos Lite Vs Pro

You’re eyeing Shopify for your business, but you’re torn between their POS Lite and POS Pro options. Which one will serve your ecommerce needs best?

In this article, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of both. We’ll compare their features, pricing differences, and user profiles to help you make an informed choice.

Whether you’re a small business looking for basic tools or a brick-and-mortar retailer needing advanced features, there’s a Shopify POS for you. We’ll guide you through the process, focusing on what matters most to your operation and budget.

Shopify’s POS systems are known for their multichannel selling features, integrated payment processing, and user-friendly interface. But, are they the perfect fit for your business? Let’s find out.

Understanding Shopify POS Options

Understanding your POS options is crucial for your business. When it comes to Shopify’s offerings, you’ll need to decide between the basic features of Shopify POS Lite or the advanced tools of the Shopify POS Pro.

Weighing the pros and cons of Shopify POS Lite vs Pro is a necessary step in determining the best fit for your business.

The Shopify POS Lite comes without an additional cost and is included in all Shopify plans. It equips you with fundamental tools necessary for running your business. These include integrated hardware with Shopify Payments, email or SMS receipts, inventory, orders, and customer management. It also provides a customer view app and camera barcode scanning.

On the other hand, Shopify POS Pro, although requiring an additional investment, provides you with a more comprehensive POS system. It offers enhanced features like custom printed receipts, unique staff roles and permissions, unlimited POS-only staff, automatic discounts, and advanced inventory management. This subscription is particularly designed for brick-and-mortar retailers with permanent retail locations.

The choice between Shopify POS Lite and Pro ultimately depends on your business needs and budget. The key is understanding your POS options and aligning them with your business strategies for maximum benefit.

Features Comparison: Differences between Shopify POS Lite and Pro

When comparing the two, you’ll notice that the Lite version comes with basic functionality, while the Pro version offers more advanced features like staff management and detailed inventory tracking.

This features comparison between Shopify POS Lite vs Pro can help you understand which option is better for your needs.

Shopify POS Lite is your go-to option if you want a simple, efficient way to manage your business. It offers basic features such as integrated hardware with Shopify Payments, email and SMS receipts, and basic inventory management. It’s a great choice for small businesses or those just starting out.

On the other hand, Shopify POS Pro steps up the game with a range of advanced features. It offers custom printed receipts, unique staff roles and permissions, and unlimited POS-only staff. You also get automatic discounts and enhanced inventory tracking with Shopify POS Pro. It’s designed to cater to more established brick-and-mortar retailers who need a robust and comprehensive POS solution.

	Shopify Pro	Shopify Lite
Ideal For	Mid to large brick and mortar businesses who sell online and a need for more complex tools	Small to mid-sized businesses who sell online and instore
Hardware Cost	Starting at $69 WisePad 3 Card Reader – $69	Starting at $69 WisePad 3 Card Reader – $69
Software Cost	From $89 (USD) per month	included in Shopify Plan
Online Transactions	2.4% + $0.30 per in-person transaction	2.7% + $0.30 per in-person transaction
In-Person Transactions	2.4% per in-person transaction	2.7% per in-person transaction
Mobile Device	Yes	Yes
Customer Service	24/7 customer support through phone, live chat, and email	24/7 customer support through phone, live chat, and email
Contract	No contract required	No contract required

POS Pro added features include Staff management, Omnichannel selling, Customer management, Inventory management, Detailed Retail reports.

So, when deciding between Shopify POS Lite vs Pro, consider the features that are most important to your business. Choose the option that provides the functionality you need to manage your business effectively.

Pricing Plan Differences between POS Lite and Shopify POS Pro

When comparing Shopify POS Lite vs Pro, the pricing differences are significant and should be considered in your decision.

The Shopify POS Lite is included for free with all standard Shopify plans. This means you don’t have to worry about any additional costs on top of your standard Shopify plan, making it a cost-effective choice for businesses just starting out or those operating on a tight budget.

On the other hand, the Shopify POS Pro plan comes at an extra cost of $89 per month per location. This cost is on top of your standard Shopify plan, making it a more substantial investment. However, the Pro plan offers advanced features that can streamline your operations, making it a worthwhile investment for larger businesses or those with multiple locations.

When considering Shopify POS pricing, it’s essential to weigh these costs against the potential benefits of each plan. Determine which features your business truly needs and whether the additional cost of the Pro plan can be justified by the value it brings to your operations.

Ideal User Profiles

Choosing the right point-of-sale system isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision, and the best fit largely depends on the unique needs of your operation. When considering Shopify POS Lite vs Pro, it’s essential to identify the ideal user profiles for each.

Shopify POS Lite is perfect if you’re just starting out or running a small to medium-sized business. It offers essential features like inventory and order management, email or SMS receipts, and even a customer view app. So, if you’re a Shopify user aiming to streamline your in-store and online operations without too many complexities, choosing Shopify POS Lite might be an economical and efficient choice.

On the other hand, using Shopify POS Pro is more fitting for established brick-and-mortar retailers with permanent locations. This subscription comes with advanced features like unique staff roles and permissions, automatic discounts, and enhanced inventory management. It’s worth the extra investment if you’re a Shopify user aiming for more robust control over your operations.

So, understanding your business needs and the capabilities of each system will guide you to the POS system that’s right for you.

Choosing Your Plan: Shopify POS Lite VS Pro 

Now, let’s dive into the details of selecting the perfect plan for your business. Remember, it’s like shopping for a new outfit – you want the right fit, style, and price for your specific needs.

The choice between Shopify POS Lite and Pro will largely hinge on your business requirements and budget.

When choosing Shopify POS, you need to consider the size of your business, the number of sales channels, and the complexity of your operations. If you’re a small business with straightforward operations, the Shopify POS Lite could be the best fit. It offers essential features and is included in your Shopify plan, making it cost-effective.

However, if you’re a larger retailer or run a complex operation, you’ll likely benefit from the enhanced features the Pro version offers. The Shopify POS Pro subscription unlocks advanced tools like staff roles, unlimited POS-only staff, and automatic discounts. Although it comes with an additional cost, the investment might be worthwhile for the efficiencies and capabilities it delivers.

Take the time to weigh the pros and cons of Lite vs Pro. Your choice should ultimately enhance your business operations and contribute to your growth.

Conclusion: What is better Shopify POS Pro or Shopify POS Lite?

In conclusion, when considering Shopify POS Lite vs Pro, you need to weigh your options. Consider the features offered, your business type, and your budget.

While POS Lite provides basic tools, POS Pro offers enhanced features for an additional cost.

Ultimately, the decision depends on what is best for your business.

Keep in mind that Shopify POS is renowned for its multichannel selling, integrated payment processing, and user-friendly interface, making it a strong contender in the market. Plus, Shopify POS Lite is available on Shopify subscriptions for free (from Basic Shopify plan upwards). This makes it a no brainer to trial the Shopify POS app in lite version before upgrading to the pro. 

FAQ

What’s the difference between POS Lite and POS Pro?

POS Lite and POS Pro are two versions of Shopify’s POS app. POS Lite comes free with every Shopify plan and gives businesses of any size the ability to sell in-person from a retail store or on the go. On POS Lite, you can manage products, accept payments, and build customer relationships.

You can enhance the functionality of POS Lite by upgrading to POS Pro.

The Shopify POS Pro provides the following additional features:

• Faster workflows for exchanges, discounts, local pickup, stock transfers, and more
• More control over staff permissions with unlimited POS PINs and custom roles
• Deeper insights about product performance with in-depth inventory reporting
• A 2-year warranty on hardware
• Access to a dedicated retail support team

If your retail business sees a lot of foot traffic, has multiple levels of staff, or carries an extensive product catalogue, we recommend upgrading to the POS Pro subscription to unlock these essential features for your business.

What is the best POS System that can be integrated with Shopify?

The Shopify Platform has their own POS system that has the ability to transform online stores into brick-and-mortar powerhouses.

How can I upgrade from POS Lite to Pro? 

Existing Shopify lite users can get the upgraded version of Shopify POS simply by accessing their POS settings.