Shopify POS Hardware: Every Device You Need to Sell In Person

Selling online is only half the equation. Pop-up shops, retail locations, markets, and events all need hardware that syncs with your Shopify store. Here is every piece of Shopify POS hardware available right now, what it costs, and exactly which setup makes sense for your business.

What Is Shopify POS?

Shopify POS (Point of Sale) is the system that lets you accept in-person payments using Shopify. It connects directly to your online store so inventory, orders, and customer data stay in sync across every channel. Sell a product at a farmers market on Saturday morning and your online inventory updates instantly. No spreadsheets. No manual adjustments.

The POS software runs on iOS and Android devices. The hardware is what turns those devices into a full checkout station. Depending on your needs, that could mean a single card reader in your pocket or a complete countertop terminal with a cash drawer, receipt printer, and barcode scanner.

Every Piece of Shopify POS Hardware (Explained)

Shopify POS Go (Handheld Device)

The POS Go is Shopify's all-in-one handheld device. It is a purpose-built mobile POS terminal with a 5.5-inch touchscreen, built-in card reader, and barcode scanner. Think of it as a smartphone that was designed from the ground up to sell products. No personal apps, no distractions, just commerce.

At $399, the POS Go is ideal for merchants who need mobility. Walk the floor at a trade show, check out customers in a fitting room, or ring up sales at a pop-up booth. It accepts tap, chip, and swipe payments. The battery lasts a full business day. It connects via Wi-Fi and runs the full Shopify POS app with access to your product catalog, customer profiles, and discount codes.

The POS Go also includes a built-in barcode scanner, which means you do not need a separate scanning device. For small-footprint retail or mobile selling, this is the simplest path from zero to accepting payments.

Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader

This is Shopify's most affordable hardware option at $49. The Tap & Chip reader is a small wireless device that pairs with your iPhone or Android phone via Bluetooth. Customers can tap their contactless card or phone, or insert a chip card.

It is compact enough to fit in a pocket and charges via USB-C. A single charge lasts for a full day of transactions. For merchants just getting started with in-person selling, this reader plus your existing phone is all you need. No stand, no printer, no additional equipment required.

The reader works with the free Shopify POS Lite app that comes with every Shopify plan. That means there is no additional monthly software cost to start selling in person.

Shopify POS Terminal

The Shopify POS Terminal is a countertop device with a larger customer-facing display. It is designed for permanent retail locations where you want a polished, branded checkout experience. The terminal includes a built-in card reader that accepts tap, chip, and swipe payments.

Unlike the POS Go, the terminal is meant to stay on your counter. It pairs with other accessories like a receipt printer, cash drawer, and barcode scanner to create a complete checkout station. The customer-facing screen lets buyers confirm totals, select tip amounts, and approve payments without you needing to turn your device around.

For established retail stores, the POS Terminal delivers a professional experience that builds trust. Customers see a clean, dedicated checkout device rather than someone swiping cards on a personal phone.

iPad Stands and Mounts

Many Shopify merchants use an iPad as their primary POS display. Shopify sells countertop iPad stands that hold the tablet at the perfect angle for checkout. These stands look clean, keep the iPad secure, and often include a swivel so the screen can rotate between staff and customer views.

An iPad setup is a popular choice for cafes, boutiques, and service-based businesses. Pair it with the Tap & Chip reader and you have a sleek, modern checkout for under $500 total (including the iPad). Some stands also include cable management and charging docks so your device stays powered throughout the day.

Barcode Scanners

If you sell products with barcodes, a dedicated scanner speeds up checkout dramatically. Shopify supports Bluetooth barcode scanners that pair with your POS device. Scan a product and it instantly appears in the cart. No searching through your catalog, no manual entry errors.

Barcode scanners are essential for stores with large inventories. A clothing boutique with 200+ SKUs or a specialty food shop with dozens of products will save significant time at checkout. They also make inventory counts faster and more accurate. Most compatible scanners cost between $100 and $300.

Receipt Printers

Shopify POS supports thermal receipt printers that connect via Bluetooth or USB. These printers produce the standard paper receipts customers expect at a retail counter. Shopify also supports emailing or texting receipts directly from the POS app, so a physical printer is optional for many businesses.

That said, certain industries still expect paper receipts. Grocery, electronics, and high-value retail customers often want a physical record. If you serve those customers, a receipt printer is worth the $300 to $400 investment. Thermal printers are fast, quiet, and do not require ink cartridges.

Cash Drawers

If you accept cash, you need a cash drawer. Shopify-compatible cash drawers connect to your receipt printer and open automatically when a cash transaction is processed. This keeps the workflow smooth and reduces the chance of errors.

Cash drawers typically cost between $100 and $200. They come in various sizes depending on how much cash you expect to handle. For high-volume cash businesses, choose a drawer with multiple bill and coin compartments. For low-volume cash acceptance, a compact drawer will do.

What You Need for Different Setups

Pop-Up Shop or Market Booth

Keep it minimal. You want to pack light and set up fast. The best option is either the POS Go ($399) or the Tap & Chip reader ($49) paired with your smartphone. Both connect via Wi-Fi or your phone's hotspot. No printer, no stand, no cables. Just show up and sell.

If you want to look a little more polished, add a small tablet stand and an iPad. But for most pop-ups, the POS Go alone handles everything. It scans barcodes, accepts cards, and runs your full product catalog. Total investment: under $400.

Permanent Retail Store

A brick-and-mortar location needs a more complete setup. Start with the Shopify POS Terminal or an iPad on a countertop stand. Add a Tap & Chip reader (or use the terminal's built-in reader), a barcode scanner, a receipt printer, and a cash drawer. This creates the full checkout station your customers expect.

For a multi-register store, you can set up multiple POS stations. Each one syncs with the same Shopify account, so inventory and sales data stay unified. A single-register retail setup runs roughly $800 to $1,200 depending on which accessories you choose.

Restaurant or Cafe

Restaurants need speed and mobility. An iPad mounted at the counter works well for order entry, paired with the Tap & Chip reader for payments. If staff need to take orders tableside, add a POS Go for mobile checkout. A receipt printer is useful for kitchen tickets.

Keep in mind that Shopify POS is built for retail, not full restaurant management. It does not natively support table mapping or course management. But for quick-service restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, and food trucks, it handles menus, modifiers, and payments just fine. Pair it with Shopify POS Pro ($89/month per location) for advanced features like staff permissions and detailed reporting.

Hardware Bundles and Pricing

Shopify offers hardware bundles through the Shopify Hardware Store that package multiple devices together at a slight discount compared to buying everything individually. Bundles typically include a combination of a card reader, stand, and accessories.

Here is a quick pricing overview of individual hardware:

• Tap & Chip Card Reader: $49
• POS Go (Handheld): $399
• POS Terminal: Check Shopify Hardware Store for current pricing
• iPad Stand: $149 to $199 (varies by model)
• Barcode Scanner: $119 to $299
• Receipt Printer: $299 to $399
• Cash Drawer: $119 to $159

A starter bundle with a Tap & Chip reader, stand, and basic accessories runs around $300 to $500. A full retail bundle with terminal, scanner, printer, and cash drawer can run $1,000 to $1,500. Shopify ships hardware directly and offers a 30-day return policy on most devices.

Third-Party Compatible Hardware

You do not have to buy everything from Shopify. The POS app works with a range of third-party accessories. Here are the main categories and what to look for.

iPads: Any iPad running iPadOS 16 or later works with Shopify POS. You do not need the latest model. A base iPad (10th generation) at $349 is a solid, affordable choice.

Android Tablets: Shopify POS is available on Android, though the experience is optimized for iOS. If you go the Android route, choose a tablet with at least 3GB of RAM and Android 10 or later.

Barcode Scanners: Bluetooth scanners from brands like Socket Mobile and Honeywell work with Shopify POS. Check the Shopify Help Center for the current compatibility list before purchasing.

Receipt Printers: Star Micronics and Epson thermal printers are widely supported. The Star Micronics TSP143IV is a popular choice that connects via Bluetooth, USB, or Ethernet.

Cash Drawers: Most standard cash drawers that connect via a receipt printer's RJ12 port work fine. The APG Vasario and Star Micronics drawers are both compatible.

POS Go vs. iPad Setup: Which Is Better?

This is the most common question merchants ask. Both options work well, but they serve different purposes.

Choose POS Go if: You need maximum mobility. You sell at markets, pop-ups, or events. You want an all-in-one device with a built-in card reader and barcode scanner. You prefer a dedicated commerce device without personal apps or notifications. You want the simplest possible setup with zero accessories.

Choose an iPad setup if: You have a fixed retail location. You want a larger screen for browsing products and managing orders. You need a customer-facing display for tips or payment confirmation. You plan to add a full accessory suite (printer, scanner, cash drawer). You want to use the same device for other business tasks when needed.

In terms of cost, the POS Go at $399 is an all-in-one solution. An iPad setup starts at around $398 (base iPad at $349 plus the $49 Tap & Chip reader) but often grows to $600 to $800 once you add a stand and accessories. The POS Go is more portable. The iPad is more versatile.

Many established retailers use both. An iPad at the main counter and a POS Go for floor staff or off-site events. The devices all sync through the same Shopify account, so it does not matter which one processes the sale.

How to Order Shopify POS Hardware

All first-party Shopify hardware is available through the Shopify Hardware Store at hardware.shopify.com. You need an active Shopify subscription to purchase. Here is the process.

1. Log in to your Shopify admin. Navigate to the Point of Sale channel. If you have not added it yet, install the Shopify POS sales channel from the Shopify App Store.
2. Visit the Hardware Store. Browse available devices and bundles. Add what you need to your cart.
3. Check shipping availability. Shopify hardware ships to select countries. US, Canada, UK, Ireland, and Australia are currently supported. Availability varies by device.
4. Place your order. Hardware purchases are separate from your Shopify subscription billing. You pay upfront for the devices.

Orders typically ship within a few business days. Shopify offers a 30-day return window for hardware in original condition. If a device arrives defective, contact Shopify support for a replacement.

Setup Tips for Getting Started Fast

Once your hardware arrives, follow these steps to get selling quickly.

Charge everything first. The POS Go and Tap & Chip reader both need a full charge before first use. Plug them in and let them charge completely before pairing.

Download the Shopify POS app. Install it on your iPad, iPhone, or Android device. Log in with your Shopify credentials. The app will walk you through pairing your card reader and other accessories.

Pair your devices via Bluetooth. The Tap & Chip reader connects via Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your device and follow the in-app pairing prompts. The POS Go handles everything internally, no pairing needed.

Set up your product catalog. Your online products automatically sync to POS. But you may want to create POS-specific collections or adjust which products appear at the register. Use the POS app settings to customize your smart grid with your most-sold items for fast access.

Configure tax settings. In-person tax rules may differ from your online tax settings, especially if you sell in multiple locations. Go to Settings in your Shopify admin and verify that your POS locations have the correct tax rates applied.

Run a test transaction. Before opening to real customers, process a test sale. Use Shopify's test mode or run a small real transaction and refund it. Verify the receipt prints correctly (if using a printer), the cash drawer opens (if applicable), and the sale appears in your Shopify admin.

Train your staff. The Shopify POS app is intuitive, but staff should practice before going live. Show them how to search products, apply discounts, process returns, and switch between payment methods. Five minutes of practice prevents five hours of headaches.

POS Software: Lite vs. Pro

Hardware is only half the equation. You also need to choose between Shopify POS Lite (free with every plan) and Shopify POS Pro ($89/month per location).

POS Lite covers the basics: product management, payment processing, customer profiles, and order history. It is enough for most small merchants, pop-ups, and single-location stores.

POS Pro adds advanced features: unlimited staff POS logins with custom permissions, inventory management with low-stock alerts, detailed staff performance reports, omnichannel selling (buy online, pick up in store), and exchange workflows. If you have employees, multiple registers, or high-volume retail, POS Pro pays for itself in operational efficiency.

The Bottom Line

Shopify POS hardware makes it possible to sell anywhere your customers are. Whether you need a $49 card reader for weekend markets or a full countertop setup for a flagship retail store, every piece connects back to your Shopify admin. Inventory stays in sync. Customer data stays unified. Sales reports cover every channel.

Start small. The Tap & Chip reader and your phone is enough to start accepting in-person payments today. As your business grows, add a POS Go for mobility, upgrade to a terminal for your permanent location, and layer in scanners, printers, and drawers as needed.

But remember: your in-store experience should match your online presence. Customers who discover you at a pop-up will visit your website next. If your online store looks outdated or generic, you lose the momentum. Design your online store with Clyro, the AI-powered Shopify theme builder that creates a premium storefront from simple text prompts. No code. No cookie-cutter templates. Just a store that looks as good as the experience you deliver in person.