Shopify POS and SpotOn POS are two of the most recognized systems for handling in-person sales, but which one is right for your business?
I've tested and analyzed both platforms, looking at everything from pricing and hardware to features and industry use cases.
The verdict?
Shopify POS is the stronger choice if you're a retailer or ecommerce brand looking for omnichannel growth, while SpotOn POS is a better fit for food service businesses like restaurants, bars, and cafes.
In this detailed review, I’ll walk you through how each system performs in the areas that matter most to small and mid-sized businesses.
Quick Verdict: Shopify POS vs SpotOn POS
| Feature Category | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Shopify POS |
| Hardware & Setup | SpotOn POS |
| Ecommerce Integration | Shopify POS |
| Restaurant Tools | SpotOn POS |
| Customer Support | SpotOn POS |
| Inventory Management | Shopify POS |
| Ease of Use | Shopify POS |
| Industry Fit (Retail) | Shopify POS |
| Industry Fit (Food) | SpotOn POS |
Overall Winner: Shopify POS
If you’re in retail, or already use Shopify online, Shopify POS is the clear winner. It delivers top-tier inventory tools, ecommerce integration, and ease of use.
At a Glance: Shopify POS vs SpotOn POS
| Feature | Shopify POS | SpotOn POS |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Retail, ecommerce | Restaurants, cafes, food service |
| Starting Price | $39/month + POS plan | Custom pricing (avg. $65–$135/mo) |
| POS Software Tiers | Lite (Free) / Pro ($89/month) | Single tier w/ customizations |
| Payment Processing Fees | 2.4%–2.9% + 30¢ | 1.99% + 25¢ (may vary) |
| Hardware Options | iPad, Shopify POS Go | Full terminals, handhelds, KDS |
| Online Selling | Built-in Shopify store | Limited ecommerce |
| Setup & Support | Self-service + 24/7 support | White-glove onboarding + support |
| Offline Mode | Yes | Yes |
Pricing: Shopify POS vs SpotOn POS
Pricing is a major factor when choosing a POS system.
While both Shopify and SpotOn charge monthly fees, their pricing models work very differently.
Shopify POS Pricing
Shopify POS pricing is transparent and available on their website. Here's what it looks like:
| Plan | Price (USD/month) |
|---|---|
| Shopify POS Lite | Included with all Shopify plans |
| Shopify POS Pro | $89 per location |
| Basic Shopify Ecommerce | $39 |
| Shopify Ecommerce | $105 |
| Advanced Shopify | $399 |
You’ll need a Shopify ecommerce plan to use POS. Payment processing rates range from 2.4% to 2.9% + 30¢ depending on the plan.
SpotOn POS Pricing
SpotOn’s pricing isn’t listed online because it’s customized to your business size, industry, and hardware needs. But based on user reports and quotes I’ve seen, here’s what you can expect:
- Software License: $65–$135/month per terminal
- Transaction Fees: 1.99% + 25¢ (can vary)
- Hardware: Starts at $1,000 for terminals
- Installation Fee: Often included
The Verdict: Shopify POS Wins on Transparent Pricing
If you want clear, predictable monthly costs, Shopify POS is the better option.
SpotOn can work out to be more expensive, especially for small businesses with fewer resources.
Hardware and Setup
Shopify POS Hardware
Shopify sells dedicated hardware bundles through its online store, including:
- Tap & chip card readers
- All-in-one POS Go terminals
- iPad stands
- Barcode scanners
- Receipt printers
- Cash drawers
Everything integrates natively with the Shopify POS app. You can also use your existing iPad or smartphone to run Shopify POS Lite.
Setup is simple—download the app, connect your hardware, and you’re ready to go.
SpotOn POS Hardware
SpotOn offers enterprise-grade hardware for high-volume operations, including:
- Full POS stations with built-in screens
- Handheld ordering devices (great for restaurants)
- Customer-facing displays
- Kitchen display systems (KDS)
- Integrated cash drawers and receipt printers
SpotOn usually includes installation and training in its onboarding, which is ideal for businesses that need technical support.
The Verdict: SpotOn POS Wins for Hardware and Setup
SpotOn gives you industrial-grade equipment and hands-on installation, which is ideal for restaurant owners or high-traffic locations.
Sales Features and In-Store Capabilities
When it comes to handling transactions and managing your store, both systems offer impressive functionality—but they’re optimized for different use cases.
Shopify POS Sales Features
- Unified online and in-store inventory management
- Custom discounts and promotions
- Customer profiles with purchase history
- Local pickup, delivery, and ship-from-store
- Staff permissions and roles
- Offline mode for uninterrupted selling
- Analytics and reporting dashboards
These tools are particularly useful for ecommerce brands expanding into physical retail or pop-ups.
SpotOn POS Sales Features
- Menu building and item modifiers
- Table management and seating plans
- Tip tracking and payouts
- Split payments and custom order flows
- Loyalty programs and customer profiles
- Quick-service and dine-in modes
- KDS integration for kitchen efficiency
SpotOn is packed with features tailored specifically for restaurants and food businesses.
The Verdict: Shopify Wins for Retail, SpotOn Wins for Restaurants
Shopify dominates retail. SpotOn is clearly better for food and hospitality businesses.
Ecommerce Capabilities
This is one of the biggest differences between the two platforms.
Shopify POS Ecommerce Integration
Shopify is built as an ecommerce-first platform. With Shopify POS, you get:
- Full online store included in your plan
- Seamless inventory syncing between store and POS
- Multichannel selling (Instagram, TikTok, Amazon)
- Abandoned cart recovery
- SEO tools and blogging platform
- Email marketing with Shopify Email
You can manage both your online and offline business from one dashboard.
SpotOn POS Ecommerce Integration
SpotOn does have online ordering options—mainly for food businesses:
- Online menu publishing
- QR code ordering
- Integration with DoorDash and Uber Eats
- Limited product catalog functionality for retail
You won’t get a full online store experience, and ecommerce is not a priority in their platform.
The Verdict: Shopify POS Wins for Ecommerce
If selling online is part of your business strategy, Shopify is the only real choice here.
Inventory Management
Shopify POS Inventory Features
Shopify POS is designed to help manage complex inventory across multiple locations.
Key features include:
- Real-time inventory sync
- Stock transfers between locations
- Low stock alerts
- Smart product recommendations
- Product bundling and variants
- Barcode support
SpotOn POS Inventory Features
SpotOn's inventory tools are geared more toward menu items and food ingredients:
- Menu item management
- Ingredient-level inventory tracking
- Modifier customization
- Auto 86’ing (removing sold-out items)
- Daily specials and timed menus
The Verdict: Shopify POS Wins for Product Inventory
Shopify handles SKU-based product inventory far better. SpotOn wins in menu management, but Shopify is the stronger platform overall for stock control.
Customer Support and Onboarding
Shopify POS Support
- 24/7 live chat and email
- Help center with guides and videos
- Phone support on higher-tier plans
- Forums and community groups
Shopify’s support is responsive and reliable, but it leans toward self-service unless you're on one of the higher plans.
SpotOn POS Support
- Dedicated account manager
- Onboarding specialist
- Phone, email, and on-site support
- Menu and catalog setup services
- Staff training included
SpotOn focuses on direct, human support at every stage. From initial consultation to post-launch training, you’ll always have someone to reach out to.
The Verdict: SpotOn POS Wins for Service
SpotOn offers more personalized onboarding and support, which is especially helpful for new restaurant owners or teams that need hands-on help.
App Integrations and Add-Ons
Shopify POS App Ecosystem
- 8,000+ apps in the Shopify App Store
- Loyalty programs
- Accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero
- Fulfillment and shipping partners
- Marketing apps like Klaviyo, Mailchimp, and Facebook Ads
Because of its massive app ecosystem, Shopify POS allows you to build a highly customized point of sale system tailored to your exact workflow.
Whether you're automating taxes, syncing customer reviews, or running flash sales, there's likely an app that already does it.
SpotOn POS App Integrations
- More limited app marketplace
- DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats integrations
- Payroll, scheduling, and accounting tools
- In-house loyalty and marketing tools included
While the app store is smaller, SpotOn’s platform takes a more built-in approach. Most features you need come out of the box, which reduces your reliance on third-party apps.
The Verdict: Shopify POS Wins on Flexibility
If you want more control, customization, or access to third-party tools, Shopify’s ecosystem is far superior.
Industry Use Case: Retail vs Restaurant
| Business Type | Best POS System |
|---|---|
| Clothing Stores | Shopify POS |
| Pop-Up Shops | Shopify POS |
| Cafes | SpotOn POS |
| Quick-Service Restaurants | SpotOn POS |
| DTC Brands | Shopify POS |
| Bars/Nightclubs | SpotOn POS |
The industry you’re in will likely determine the best fit.
Shopify POS is built for product-based selling, with great tools for handling inventory, orders, and multi-channel sales.
SpotOn POS is clearly designed for the unique needs of food and hospitality, where quick service, tipping, and table layout matter more than ecommerce.
Final Verdict: Which POS Should You Choose?
After analyzing both Shopify POS and SpotOn POS across all key areas, here’s my final recommendation:
Choose Shopify POS if:
- You’re a retail store or ecommerce brand
- You need to manage online and offline inventory
- You want transparent pricing and fast setup
- You want access to the largest POS app ecosystem
Shopify POS gives you the most flexibility if you’re planning to grow both online and in-store.
It’s especially useful if you’re already on the Shopify platform or plan to move your store online in the future.
Choose SpotOn POS if:
- You run a restaurant, bar, or food service business
- You need menu management and table service features
- You want white-glove setup and ongoing account support
- You value powerful in-store tools over ecommerce
SpotOn POS will save you time on day-to-day operations and give your staff tools built specifically for food service workflows.
If speed, tipping, and menu customization are essential to your business, SpotOn is built for exactly that.
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