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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Shopify Point of Sale (POS) vs Square

Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 4.4★ · Free to download 55
Winner Square
Square 4.7★ · Free to download 75

Square is generally a more reliable and user-friendly POS solution, despite some update-related issues, while Shopify POS struggles with frequent bugs, connectivity problems, and frustrating interface changes.

Full reviews: Shopify Point of Sale (POS) · Square

Square offers a more stable and easier-to-use experience for small businesses, with strong inventory tracking and quick payment processing. Shopify POS, while integrated with the Shopify ecosystem, is plagued by persistent bugs, connectivity issues, and disruptive interface updates that hinder daily operations.

Head to head

Ease of Use edge: SquareR2R3R5R35
Shopify Point of Sale (POS) Shopify POS users report a generally positive initial experience, finding it easy and fast to use R2R35. However, frequent interface changes cause confusion and frustration, requiring staff to constantly re-learn the app R3. Some users also find specific functions, like sending receipts, complicated R2R5.
Square Square is widely praised for its user-friendly interface and ease of use, making it suitable for new business owners R62. Users appreciate its straightforward navigation and quick setup . However, some older users find frequent format changes confusing , and others report difficulty finding certain functions .
Reliability & Performance edge: SquareR1R6R10R11
Shopify Point of Sale (POS) Shopify POS suffers from significant reliability issues, particularly after updates. Users report constant app crashes, freezing screens, and unresponsiveness during checkout R10R13R16. Connectivity problems with card readers and barcode scanners are common, leading to lost sales and troubleshooting in front of customers R6R11R12R22. Login issues and being locked out are also reported R1R25.
Square Square generally offers a reliable experience, with many users reporting no failures over years of use . Payments process easily and quickly . However, some users experience glitches, lagging, and app crashes, especially when loading images . Connectivity issues with hardware like stands and card readers are also mentioned .
Features & Functionality edge: SquareR7R9R14R23
Shopify Point of Sale (POS) Shopify POS is praised for integrating the online store with the physical location R23. Key features like inventory synchronization are appreciated R53. However, users report issues with the search function R7R33, inability to process returns for contactless payments R9, and problems with discount application R9R14R53. Missing features include a 'save cart' option and kiosk mode . Recent updates have also removed or altered useful functionalities .
Square Square is lauded for its comprehensive features, including inventory tracking, product stock management, and easy checkout options like Apple Pay R62. It offers seamless integration for various business aspects . However, users report issues with label printing , creating purchase orders , and problems with inventory management, such as items snapping to the top of the screen . Some features are released before they are fully ready .
Updates & Changes edge: Shopify Point of Sale (POS)R3R10R13R16
Shopify Point of Sale (POS) Shopify POS updates are a major source of frustration, frequently introducing bugs, changing the interface for the worse, and breaking existing functionality R3R10R13R16. Users report issues like hidden checkout options, freezing screens, and broken barcode scanners after updates R10R13R22R28. The constant changes disrupt workflow and require staff retraining .
Square Square updates also frequently cause problems, with users reporting that something stops working properly after every release . Issues include miscommunication with printers, changes to purchase order processes, and a redesigned checkout screen that is less intuitive . Some users dislike the new format and find it confusing . However, the app is generally seen as constantly improving despite these issues .
Customer Support edge: Shopify Point of Sale (POS)R1R21R25R33
Shopify Point of Sale (POS) Shopify POS users report difficulty with support, especially when facing critical issues like being locked out R1R25. While one user had a positive experience getting an issue fixed R21, others mention that support sometimes denies problems exist R33.
Square Square receives overwhelmingly negative feedback regarding its customer support. Users describe it as horrible, nonexistent, and unhelpful . Many report being unable to get in touch with anyone or receiving canned, irrelevant responses .
Pick Shopify Point of Sale (POS) if

you are already deeply integrated into the Shopify ecosystem for your online store and need a basic POS that syncs inventory, and you are willing to tolerate frequent bugs and interface changes R23R53.

Pick Square if

you prioritize a generally stable, easy-to-use POS system with robust inventory management and quick payment processing, even if it means dealing with occasional update-related glitches and poor customer support R62.

Evidence note: Reviews for Shopify POS are heavily skewed towards recent negative experiences related to updates, while Square's reviews, though also mentioning update issues, have a stronger base of long-term satisfaction.

Frequently asked

Do these apps have free versions?
Both Shopify Point of Sale (POS) and Square are free to download, but they operate on a freemium model where core processing fees apply and advanced features may require paid subscriptions R62R74.
Which app is better for inventory management?
Square appears to have a stronger and more organized inventory management system, with users praising its ability to track inventory, product stock, and prices effectively R62. Shopify POS users, while appreciating inventory synchronization R53, report issues with variant selection and barcode scanning that can impact inventory counts R27R28.
Are there common issues with hardware connectivity?
Yes, both apps have reported issues with hardware connectivity. Shopify POS users frequently experience problems with tap-to-pay, card readers, and barcode scanners not working or disconnecting R6R11R12R22. Square users also report their iPads losing connection with stands and barcode scanners failing after updates .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 4/5 · US Great app!: Great overall experience! Easy and fast to use. The only problem is the receipt is hard to send via email or text to the customer, it is complicated to get the email/number correct. I have not yet used the new version and I hope that that small problem is solved. I totally recommend this app to all small businesses with Shopify! It is a very wonderful experience.
  2. [R3] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 3/5 · US Stop changing the interface design.: It keeps changing and only gets worse.
  3. [R5] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 4/5 · US X: All I want to do is email a receipt, why can't I do that thru the regular shop interface online!?
  4. [R35] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 5/5 · US Love It!: Easy to use.
  5. [R1] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 1/5 · US Forgotten pin… locked out forever: Will not let you log in to change pin number if you forget. So the app is useless to me. Deleting until their AI can figure it out I guess…
  6. [R6] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 3/5 · US Laggy.: Very slow and tap to pay works only sometimes. It will say there are connectivity issues but running a speed test on a laptop on the Dane WiFi says the WiFi is fast. Even changing between screens that don’t require payment can sometimes take a while.
  7. [R10] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 1/5 · US HORRIBLE UPDATE: Please fix this, the newest update is ruining our in store sales. Every time someone checks out the buttons for cash go away and we had to force close and try and click it fast before the buttons disappear and then we have to force close the app between every purchase because the screen won’t clear and freezes and then doesn’t even give us an option to print a receipt. The new upd
  8. [R11] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 4/5 · US Tap and Pay not working: The Tap and Pay refused to work on my iPhone 15 ProMax on a craft show day. I hadn’t used it since December. As I have had a similar problem in the past, I assumed it was an update. When I went to test it a few days later to troubleshoot it, it was suddenly working fine. Hopefully whatever the problem was, it was resolved.
  9. [R7] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 2/5 · US Search function never works: Search function never works correctly
  10. [R9] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 3/5 · US No customer info?: It’s impossible to do returns because every single sale from contactless payment says “no customer”. We have to give customers a gift card as credit instead. Not great and an awkward experience for customers. You can’t do discounts with decimals point percentages off (like 12.22%) to get an even number on a sale item. So that makes us have to do manual discounts we have to app
  11. [R14] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 4/5 · US Can’t enter manual code: I have a discount code for a free item on the app, but whenever I try to add it the cart it says invalid code. I can enter a percent or amount off just not the code
  12. [R23] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 5/5 · US Excellent: This app is the online store on your physical location.
  13. [R13] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 1/5 · US Awful update: What is going on with the POS Shopify app? This update is hiding checkout options when we need customers to pay. Freezing when an order is able to finish so we have to force close the app all day between purchases. Where in the world or how do you do an exchange??? The button says return or exchange but only gives return option. This app has become horrendous lately for our business
  14. [R16] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 1/5 · US Recent update causing problems: For the second time this year (2026), a poorly optimized update was allowed to go live. Crippling the checkout process; slow non responsive interface, constant app crashes, failed checkouts & exchanges. If you are debating whether or not to use Shopify, avoid at all costs. They are pushing half baked AI imagined software updates onto us, and it will not end anytime
  15. [R21] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 3/5 · US Updated: App doesn’t work. now FIXED: Spoke with an employee of the company. We were able to get it fixed. Had to force quit. Haven’t used it yet though, but I’m able to see my items on the app. I keep deleting and reinstalling. iOS and app up to date. Keeps giving me an error message about location and won’t let me type or exit out which is why I delete and reinstall.
  16. [R25] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 1/5 · US Onboarding nightmare: I thought a washing machine had the worst UX but Shopify is a POS literally. I was trying to help someone receive payments and the app is stuck in the create a pin screen and nothing works. No support, just dead on delivery.
  17. [R33] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 3/5 · GB Great when it works: POS is a great app but it seems everytime they do an update it breaks something. The most recent being the search function, notes says it’s updated but I spent 2 days with it saying random items didn’t exist. Spoke to support and they said there wasn’t anything wrong but all of a sudden after a further small update it’s all working again. Hmm. It’s a shame it’s so great when i
  18. [R62] Square 5/5 · US THE BEST APP EVER!: This app is so amazing for my small business! It keeps track of all my inventory, product stock, and prices! It makes it so easy for check out, you can do Apple Pay, or card payments on your phone! It only takes a small fee from your card payment but is SO worth it! 100% worth it!!!!
  19. [R74] Square 5/5 · US Business saver: Amazing app a must have for businesses! Fees are somewhat reasonable but if they go any higher I will go elsewhere. So as long as it remains the same or better I’m Fully support,
  20. [R27] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 3/5 · US V7 Variant Bug?: When scanning a product with multiple variants but a common UPC the app now arbitrarily selects a variant and adds it to the cart, bypassing the variant selection screen. Potentially causing over/under charges and inventory count issues. This must be fixed.
  21. [R28] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 1/5 · US barcode scanning: app is no longer scanning bardoes.
  22. [R53] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 4/5 · GB Not perfect, but a good place for devs to build on: Easy win for inventory synchronisation using Stocky app. Now they have made contactless payments the default on the card reader, this is a big step forward, especially when contactless is now the go to method for hygiene above all else. Limitations which must be resolved IMHO 1. Default discount selection - you have to do discounts manually ever
  23. [R12] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 3/5 · US Great in theory: Mostly works great with one major flaw. The contactless payment rarely works when needed. There is usually some update that needs to happen (my apps are set to update automatically but for some reason this one never does) or some other troubleshooting you can do to get it to work eventually but it’s of little help when you’re trying to use it with a customer. You don’t want to sit
  24. [R22] Shopify Point of Sale (POS) 2/5 · US What happened?!: This used to be a great app but now doesn't function properly. I loved the bar code scanner but now it almost never works. Same thing with the card reader it almost never connects causing loss in sales! I've tried using it on multiple devices and it's the same on all of them! I'm seriously considering changing platforms for my buisness.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store