Shopify POS has become an exceptionally popular choice for retailers. As Shopifyโ€™s built-in POS solution, it appears to be the natural choice for those business owners who have already built their online stores on the platform. By paying an extra US$29 per month, you can get the whole package and incorporate your brick-and-mortar store into your Shopify platform. However, while Shopify POS may be easy to adopt for retailers who already work on the online platform, it is not necessarily the best POS option. There are several alternatives to Shopify POS that are less expensive and that offer a few additional advantages. In this article, we will compare four of these alternatives, including our own Access2Pay platform. Whether you run a small, specialty retail store or a large-scale retail outlet, you may find these POS alternatives more suitable.

Why Look For Alternatives To Shopify POS?

Why are so many retailers looking for alternatives to Shopify POS? Although the platform works well, it does come with a few drawbacks which have caused many users to start looking elsewhere.

alternatives to Shopify pos

Understanding the Limitations of Shopify POS

Some of the key limitations of Shopify POS include:

  • Limited integration capacity: Shopify POS does a great job of integrating online and in-store points of sale, provided you use Shopify for both. If you are not working within the Shopify ecosystem, its POS platform wonโ€™t be of much use to you unless you migrate all your data and re-train your employees.

  • Limited scalability: Shopify POS is not easily customizable, meaning you canโ€™t easily make changes as your business strategy shifts or starts to expand.

  • No offline mode: Shopify POS does not have an offline mode, which means your business comes to a standstill if there is an internet outage.

  • Additional costs: Shopify POS can be quite costly. Add-ons incur extra costs and, if you are not using Shopify Payment, you will have to pay for every transaction you do – up to 2% per transaction.

Benefits of Considering Alternatives like Access2Pay

If Shopify POS is not the answer, then what is? What are the benefits of choosing a different system? Before you can find an answer to that question, you need to search through the various options and evaluate them to decide which one suits you best. What do you want from a POS system, aside from the basic functions that they all have, such as payment processing and inventory management?

POS system selection involves assessing all the alternatives on the basis of the value they offer versus what they charge. Consider the limitations of Shopify POS as outlined above. As you look at the alternatives, look for packages that have a solution for all of these drawbacks.

  • You need a system that is capable of integrating seamlessly with third-party software, as well as merging your online and in-store operations.

  • You need a POS system that will grow with your business, and that can adapt to the scale of your operations, across multiple platforms and locations.

  • You need a customizable solution from which you can build a unique POS experience, moulded to the specific needs and challenges of your business.

  • You need a solution that is not limited to a single ecosystem and proprietary products.

  • You need a solution that is cost-effective and does not involve a list of hidden costs.

Best Shopify POS Alternatives to Consider

The following systems are excellent options if you are looking for alternatives to Shopify.

Access2Pay

Our system is a scalable, customizable, cloud-based POS solution that is perfect for retailers of all kinds, whether they sell clothing, and electronics, or operate an amusement park. This feature-rich package integrates effortlessly with e-commerce platforms and third-party software. It checks all the boxes in connection with the criteria outlined above:

  • Type of payments: Access2Pay accepts all payment methods.

  • Reliability: The systems run reliably and easily, and can continue in offline mode if the internet connection is interrupted.

  • Scalability: Access2Pay is endlessly scalable

  • Fees: This is an affordable option – especially considering the functionality and value-adds, and there are no hidden costs.

  • Security: Our system includes sophisticated security measures to keep your data safe.

  • Integration: Access2Pay integrates effortlessly across all platforms, and in multiple store locations. It also integrates readily with third-party software. You can connect your entire retail ecosystem with ease.

  • Customer support: We offer around-the-clock customer support.

  • Contract terms: Our terms of service are easy and flexible.

Access2Pay is also exceptionally versatile. It offers considerable benefits for businesses dealing in fashion and apparel, electronics and appliances, specialty items and much more. It is an omnichannel solution that integrates with legacy systems and helps our customers to make their businesses more efficient and profitable.

Square

Square is a popular choice among retailers and startups. It is versatile, easy to use and easily integrates with a wide range of business platforms – both on Shopify and otherwise. It is a simple, but effective, all-in-one solution for all retail business needs. Its pros include:

  • Simple setup

  • Intuitive interface

  • Integration capacity

  • Easy inventory tracking

  • Many free features

However, there are several drawbacks to this system:

  • Limited customization capacity

  • Lack of advanced features

  • Fees for added devices and users

  • Processing fees for more orders

  • Platform limitations: only works on iOS and Android

  • High payment processing fees

  • Requires proprietary hardware

Lightspeed

Lightspeed Commerce is another popular POS solution that is very popular with businesses in food service and hospitality industries. Although it is a robust and relatively efficient system, it has limitations. Its pros include:

  • Integration capacity

  • Customer relationship management features

  • Reporting and analytics features

  • Onboarding, training and customer service

Among its cons:

  • Unintuitive and cumbersome user interface

  • Higher payment processing fees

  • Limited application – it is best for the hospitality industry and does not perform as well in other industries.

Key Features to Look for in an Alternative To Shopify POS

When you are looking for a good alternative to Shopify POS, what should you look for? The following features are the most important:

Ease of Use

There is no reason why a good POS system should be complicated. The interface should be simple and intuitive, and sales staff should be able to master its essential functions very quickly. Making a sale should be fast, efficient and easy.

Reporting and Analytics

A POS system should encompass accurate, detailed analytics for sales, customers, inventory and staff:

  • Sales: Track and analyze sales day to day, customer to customer, month to month, etc. With careful, data-driven analysis, you can optimize your selling and buying strategies.

  • Inventory: Monitor changes in your inventory from minute to minute, with each sale and the addition of each new stock item. You should be able to pull multiple reports that analyze your inventory from a variety of different angles.

  • Customers: Customer management systems enable you to collect data from your clientele. You can track purchase preferences and set up personalized marketing campaigns.

  • Staff: Use reporting and analytics to see how well your staff are performing, and whether or not they are fulfilling requirements regarding hours and sales figures. This data can also help you manage your payroll.

Ease of Integration

POS systems should be capable of extensive platform, location and channel integration. This means that they should be able to integrate your online and in-store sales and inventory, work across multiple store locations, and merge with third-party software packages, such as accounting programs, etc.

Security and Compliance

Your system must be secure and guaranteed to keep all your sensitive data safe. Your business data, including all your customersโ€™ information, must be guaranteed to stay safe. This makes it essential to go with a cloud-based system with specially designed security features. Your security measures should also ensure compliance with the various data laws and regulations in your state, province or country.

Customer Support and Service Quality

A POS system is not only about the software or hardware you buy; it is about the people behind these systems. The tools should be backed by dependable, ongoing customer support provided by a team that is both technically proficient and focused on providing excellent service.

Benefits of Using Access2Pay

Access2Pay is a product of InfoCorp Computer Solutions, a world leader in integrated revenue management and system integration. We have built our reputation on a foundation of providing solid products as well as qualified professionals who work alongside our business partners to solve each client’s unique revenue management needs. Our solutions have grown over the past few years into leading scalable and modular systems. In working with our clients, it became evident that the high investment that organizations have made in their existing systems required a robust and flexible system.

Access2Pay offers these features:

  • Easy integration of all points of sale, across all locations and your e-commerce platform

  • Up-to-the-second tracking of sales, revenue and inventory, as each transaction is recorded

  • Seamless integration of in-store and e-commerce sales

  • Synchronization with accounting systems and any other software you need to run your business

  • Advanced customer management and account management functions

  • Easy payment processing on multiple devices, at highly competitive rates

  • Capacity to integrate a wide array of payment methods

  • Advanced reporting and analytics tools

  • A customer management system that allows you to capture client information and track purchase histories. You can then generate targeted marketing campaigns based on past purchases and preferences.

  • Employee management to help you manage permissions and settings for staff members, optimize scheduling and shifts and keep track of sales and commission numbers.

We have every confidence that we can provide the best alternative to Shopify POS. Contact us today for more information about our point of sale and payment processing solutions.

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Anand Misir has extensive experience in payment solutions, working with businesses, government agencies, and retailers to improve transaction efficiency. At Access2Pay, he focuses on developing reliable and scalable payment systems that meet the needs of clients across Canada, the US, and beyond. His expertise lies in integrating technology to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences.

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