Square Vs Shopify: Find Out Which Ecommerce Platform You Should Use!

Virginia Miller

September 1, 2024

In this article:

Do you want to start an online store but don't know which ecommerce platform to use? Then you're in luck! In this blog post, we'll compare Square and Shopify – two of the most popular eCommerce platforms around. By the end, you'll know which one is right for you. So let's get started!

What is Square Online Store and What Does it Offer?

Square Online Store is an ecommerce platform that allows businesses to create an online storefront easily. Some key things it offers:

Free online storefront creation using Square's website builder or a custom domain
Integrations with over 200 apps like marketing, accounting, etc.
Secure checkout and PCI compliance to protect customer data
In-person and online selling with the same Square account
2.9% + $0.30 transaction fees (potentially negotiable)

What is Shopify and What Does it Offer?

Shopify is another popular ecommerce platform used by over 1 million businesses globally. Some key things it offers:

Hundreds of professional templates to customize online stores
Built-in marketing features for promotions, abandoned cart recovery, etc.
Secure SSL encrypted checkout
Support for selling physical and digital products
24/7 support and a 15-day free trial period

Comparing Square Online Store vs Shopify

Flexibility

Square offers more flexibility to connect other business apps and tools seamlessly. Shopify also offers integrations but Square has more flexibility to customize.

Pricing

Square offers free software with only transaction fees of 2.9% + $0.30 per sale. Shopify starts at $29/month for basic plans. Square may be better for very small or new businesses.

Ease of Use

Both platforms are quite easy to use, with Shopify offering more design customization options. Square has a simpler interface that's very user-friendly.

Is Square or Shopify Better for You?

If you're just starting out or run a very small business, Square may suit your needs at first. The free plan and lower costs help minimize risks.

For larger product catalogs or more customization, Shopify is likely the better option. The monthly fee unlocks more advanced ecommerce features.

Consider your business' size, products, and budget to decide which platform fits best!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Square Online Store?

Square Online Store is an ecommerce platform from Square that allows businesses to create an online storefront for free. It charges 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fees and offers a website builder, over 200 app integrations, and omni-channel selling.

What does Shopify offer?

Shopify powers over 1 million online stores globally. It offers hundreds of templates, built-in marketing features, secure SSL encrypted checkout, support for physical/digital products, and 24/7 support.

Is Square better for small businesses?

Yes, Square's free software and only transaction fee pricing structure tend to work better for very small or new ecommerce businesses wanting to minimize risks and costs.

Is Shopify better for larger catalogs?

Yes, Shopify offers more advanced features, customization, and support better suited for larger ecommerce product catalogs and order volumes that small businesses may eventually outgrow Square for.

Can Square Online Store be customized?

Yes, Square offers an easy website builder and some customization options. But Shopify offers much more advanced design and customization capabilities.

Is Shopify easy to use?

Yes, Shopify is quite easy to use, especially with hundreds of templates to choose from. But less technical users may find Square's interface a bit simpler.

How do the costs compare?

Square is free to start and charges transaction fees. Shopify starts at $29/month for basic plans. Long term costs can vary widely based on sales volumes.