Software Comparison
Shopify POS vs Square POS — Irish POS Software Compared
Choosing between Shopify POS and Square POS is one of the most common decisions Irish businesses face when evaluating pos software. This comparison breaks down everything an Irish SME needs to know, from Revenue integration and GDPR data residency to pricing and ease of use.
Square POS wins on cost for low-volume retailers and hospitality businesses — it is free to start with a 1.75% transaction fee and Irish IBAN payouts, making it ideal for market stalls, pop-ups, and small cafes. Shopify POS wins for any Irish business that sells both online and in-store — its unified inventory, Shopify Payments in Ireland, and seamless omnichannel integration are unmatched at its price point. If you have or plan to have an online store, Shopify POS is the clear choice. If you are purely in-person and want to get started with card payments at zero monthly cost, Square is the more accessible option.
Shopify POS vs Square POS — Feature Comparison
| Feature | Shopify POS | Square POS |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | €36/month (Basic plan) including online store | Free — pay 1.75% per transaction only |
| Transaction Fees | None with Shopify Payments; 2% fee if using external gateway | 1.75% per card transaction |
| Irish IBAN Payouts | Via Shopify Payments — supported in Ireland | Yes — direct to Irish IBAN, next-day payouts |
| SEPA Payments | Yes — Shopify Payments supports SEPA in Ireland | No — card payments only |
| Irish VAT Handling | Yes — configurable VAT rates (23%, 13.5%, 9%, 0%) | Yes — VAT rates on receipts and reporting |
| Online + In-Store Sync | Yes — unified inventory and order management across channels | Limited — basic online store only via Square Online |
| Hardware | Shopify card reader; iPad and Android compatible | Elegant free card reader; Square Terminal; iPad compatible |
| GDPR Data Residency | Mixed — US and EU data processing | Mixed — US and EU data processing |
| Offline Mode | Yes — limited offline card acceptance | Limited — requires connectivity for most features |
| Revenue Integration | No — requires accounting software integration | No — requires accounting software integration |
| Hospitality Features | Limited — primarily retail-focused | Good — table management, kitchen display, tips |
| Irish Support | Online support only — no Irish phone line | Online support only — no Irish phone line |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting Price | €24/month flat | €0/month |
| Free Trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Irish Compliance | ||
| Revenue Integration | ✗ | ✗ |
| PAYE Modernisation | ✗ | ✗ |
| Irish Bank Feeds | ✗ | ✗ |
| GDPR Data Residency | Both | Both |
| SEPA Direct Debit | ✓ | ✗ |
| Irish IBAN Support | ✗ | ✓ |
| VAT Handling | ✓ | ✓ |
Irish Compliance Comparison
For Irish businesses, compliance with Revenue, GDPR, and local banking standards is non-negotiable. Here is how Shopify POS and Square POS compare on the requirements that matter most to Irish SMEs.
Revenue Integration
Neither Shopify POS nor Square POS offers native Revenue Online Service integration. Irish businesses in pos may not need this feature directly, but should ensure their accounting software handles Revenue compliance separately.
Irish Bank Feeds
Neither Shopify POS nor Square POS offers direct Irish bank feed integrations, which is expected for pos software. Your accounting platform should handle bank feeds separately.
GDPR Data Residency
Both Shopify POS and Square POS offer eu and us data centres (configuration required). Irish businesses should confirm that EU data processing is enabled on their account to ensure GDPR compliance, particularly if handling sensitive customer or employee data.
SEPA and IBAN Support
Shopify POS supports SEPA Direct Debit and Irish IBAN format, making euro payments and bank transfers seamless. Square POS does not support SEPA natively, which could mean extra manual steps when processing euro payments or setting up direct debits for Irish customers.
VAT Handling
Both Shopify POS and Square POS handle Irish VAT, including standard VAT return preparation and submission. Irish businesses can manage their VAT obligations from either platform without needing a separate tool.
Pricing Comparison
All prices below are in euro. Pricing can change — we verify vendor pricing monthly, but always confirm on the vendor's website before purchasing.
Shopify POS
€24 /mo
- Pricing model: Flat rate
- Free trial: Yes
- EUR pricing guaranteed: No — may fluctuate with exchange rates
Square POS
Free
- Pricing model: Flat rate
- Free trial: Yes
- EUR pricing guaranteed: No — may fluctuate with exchange rates
At entry level, Square POS is the more affordable option. However, total cost of ownership depends on the number of users, add-ons, and features your business requires. Always calculate the full annual cost for your team size before committing.
Who Should Choose Shopify POS
Shopify POS is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:
- ✓ Those who value: seamless online-offline integration
- ✓ Those who value: great for omnichannel
- ✓ Those who value: strong inventory
Who Should Choose Square POS
Square POS is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:
- ✓ Budget-conscious businesses — Square POS starts at just €0/month
- ✓ Those who value: free to start
- ✓ Those who value: elegant hardware
Our Verdict
Square POS wins on cost for low-volume retailers and hospitality businesses — it is free to start with a 1.75% transaction fee and Irish IBAN payouts, making it ideal for market stalls, pop-ups, and small cafes. Shopify POS wins for any Irish business that sells both online and in-store — its unified inventory, Shopify Payments in Ireland, and seamless omnichannel integration are unmatched at its price point.
If you have or plan to have an online store, Shopify POS is the clear choice. If you are purely in-person and want to get started with card payments at zero monthly cost, Square is the more accessible option.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific business needs, team size, and priorities. We recommend taking advantage of free trials from both vendors before making your final decision. If you are working with an Irish accountant or payroll bureau, ask which platform they prefer — their familiarity with the software can save you significant time and hassle during setup and ongoing support.
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