In this guide, we'll cover:
Why Shopify desktop version is more practical for your business?
How to leverage your current hardware for POS activities?
Which Shopify point of sale offers the best experience on a desktop?
If you want to reduce expenses, enhance productivity, or get more out of your existing resources, this guide will help you identify the best Shopify POS for desktop in 2025.
Can I run Shopify POS on a PC?
NO. The Shopify native POS app doesn’t operate on PCs or desktop computers. The official Shopify POS app is for mobile devices only, specifically iPads and iPhones. However, there are Shopify POS desktop solutions if you want to use POS on your computer in the next part.
Source: Shopify iPad requirements from Shopify POS FAQ
Understanding the Shopify POS App
Before looking into options, it is worth noting that the native POS app on Shopify is:
A mobile app works best on iOS devices
Designed primarily for iPad and iPhone
Downloaded through the App Store/Google Play
Not available for desktop operating systems such as Windows or macOS.
Why choose a desktop Shopify POS system?
1. Save on hardware costs
The most convincing reason for selecting a Shopify POS app for PC is that you can utilize the hardware you already have (PC/laptop). Therefore, switching to a desktop POS can be more affordable. You can repurpose your existing hardware rather than requiring new tablets or mobile devices.
Consider this: a new iPad for POS can range from $349 to $1,299, not including accessories. More so, certain features of Shopify POS, including Tap to Pay, require newer devices or versions of the operating system.
Source: Shopify POS FAQ
Multiply that by several checkout stations, and the costs escalate quickly. With existing desktop equipment, those dollars could be redirected to other business enhancements or to keep the cash flow healthier.
2. Combine checkout and admin tasks in one place
Shopify POS for Windows is great at consolidating checkout functions with administrative tasks within a single interface. Unlike systems that rely on tablets and often restrict users to only the checkout function, desktop systems enable your employees to:
Process sales transactions
Update inventory records
Generate detailed reports
Manage customer relationships
Handle accounting tasks
3. Efficiently multitask with multiple windows and larger screens
Shopify POS Windows with larger screen real estate and support for various windows change the management of your business. Your employees can:
Keep the POS interface open while checking inventory levels
Reference customer history during a transaction
Monitor real-time sales data while serving customers
Handle email communications between sales
4. Lower training costs thanks to your staff's familiarity with desktop systems
Most employees have used desktop computers, so managers can greatly reduce training costs and time. Besides, the learning curve with desktop POS is generally shorter for these reasons:
Staff are familiar with keyboard and mouse navigation
Desktop interfaces follow standard computing conventions
Multiple windows and menus are intuitive for most users
Typing and data entry are more efficient with physical keyboards
5. Skip the constant Apple upgrades and avoid planned obsolescence
One of the most frustrating aspects of mobile Shopify POS is the constant pressure to upgrade hardware. This is especially true for Apple devices, notoriously designed for obsolescence. The older devices slow down increasingly with each new software update.
Android devices are not immune to this issue either. Aged batteries, pre-installed apps consuming system resources, and the added load from security patches can all affect a device's performance post-update.
Shopify pos app for PC offers:
Longer hardware lifecycles
More predictable upgrade paths
Better compatibility with new software
Lower total cost of ownership over time
More powerful processors
Expandable memory
Upgradeable components
6. Improve network reliability with wired connections
Wired network connections provide:
More stable internet connectivity
Faster transaction processing
Reduced risk of payment failures
Better security for sensitive data
Top 5 Shopify POS Apps for PC in 2025
1. Magestore POS app for Shopify: Best affordable, built-in POS for Shopify
Unlike mobile-only POS from Shopify, Magestore POS for Shopify works on any device with a web browser, including laptops, PC, and tablets. The POS can run on any browser but will perform best in speed and responsiveness due to Google's PWA technology. Additionally, you can use the POS on tablets to take orders on the sales floor, at events and fairs, or in pop-up stores.
Magestore's POS comes with several features that enhance the operational efficiency within a retail outlet. The salient ones are real-time inventory sync, advanced loyalty programs, intuitive staff management, and customized discounts. With these tools, you can offer your customers a seamless omnichannel shopping experience.
Key Features:
Sync real-time data between online and physical stores, including product details, orders, and customer information
Track and manage inventory across multiple warehouses and stores to prevent stockouts or overstocking
Support for loyalty points, gift cards, and store credits that apply to both online and in-store shopping
Create and manage roles, assign permissions, and monitor employee performance
Easily create and manage product barcodes to speed up Shopify checkout and inventory tracking
Compatible Devices:
Pricing:
Magestore POS for Shopify has two main plans. Both of the plans come with a 30-day free trial.
Lite: $15/month/location with employee management, roles, multiple POS devices per location, etc.
Standard pricing: $50/month/location with all the features of Lite plus multi-location management, session management, invoice customization, order holds, multiple carts, gift cards, and other advanced features
2. Epos Now POS: Best for ease of use and scalability
Epos Now is a robust POS system that integrates perfectly with Shopify. This serves as an excellent option for retail and hospitality sectors to streamline their online and in-store processes. Getting set up is simple. Shopify sellers just need to download the app from the Epos Now Back Office and log in. The POS will then automatically integrate with your Shopify account.
Key features
Automatically let your sales data and inventory sync between online and offline stores.
Gain complete visibility into your business with real-time sales reports
Real-time updates to identify the best-selling products
Monitor individual products and web pages to optimize your offerings
Analyze and compare in-store and online performance to develop focused and effective marketing campaigns
Compatible devices: laptops, mobile phones, tablets, and PCs running Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Pricing: The "Complete System" package starts at $999 or $39 monthly, payable over 3 years.
3. Erply POS: Best for robust reporting and analytics
Erply POS is a cloud-based POS and inventory management solution for retailers with multiple locations. The system integrates with Shopify through the "Erply POS Integration" app available on the Shopify App Store, which ensures data alignment between the two systems.
Key features:
Sync your product details with this integration in one minute, including vital inventory information and product images
Set initial minimum viable or minimum stock levels, which will sync with your Shopify website
Easily take price lists from your Erply into your Shopify web store and launch pricing campaigns
Provides sales, inventory, and performance reports to support business decision-making
Compatible devices: laptops, smartphones, tablets, and PCs running Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Pricing:
Free Package: Includes basic POS features but no inventory management.
Brick & mortar with small stock: $59/month (or $49/month if paid annually)
E-tailer: $99/month (or $79/month if paid annually)
Franchise & Chain Package: Custom pricing
4. Hike POS: Best for user-friendly interface and customer support
Hike POS doesn’t integrate with Shopify natively. Still, since the Hike team develops and manages the integration, you can enable desktop integration of Shopify POS without a connecting app.
Hike provides flexible hardware solutions and a powerful Android and iOS mobile application. However, the advanced features, such as multistore management and custom reporting, require an upgrade to the plan. Additionally, it doesn’t come with an in-built payment processor. Therefore, businesses must rely on third-party solutions such as Worldpay, PayPal, Square, Evo, or Elavon.
Key features:
Update customer, inventory, or product information in either system, and it will immediately update everywhere
When a customer places an order in your Shopify portal, Hike automatically syncs that order so that you can offer in-store pickup exchange and provide ways for the customers to pay in-store on pickup
Access comprehensive in-store and online sales analytics within a single real-time platform
Compatible devices: PC, Mac, Android, iPad, and iPhone.
Pricing:
5. Square POS: Best for small startups on a limited budget
Square POS appeals primarily to small and mid-sized businesses due to its basic plan's absence of monthly fees and a flat transaction fee structure. This makes Square especially attractive to new companies that require a reliable POS system upfront without significant costs.
The downside is Square and Shopify don’t integrate natively. Square POS can, however, be integrated with Shopify through third-party applications. One such app, SkuIQ, enables integration between the two for automatic data synchronization. Of course, these 3rd-party connectors come up with a monthly price, which could affect your money flow.
Furthermore, we found that Square's inventory management features are pretty basic compared to other POS software, even on a paid plan. If your Shopify store requires complex inventory management, high customization, or sells subscription products, Square may not be the right fit.
Key features:
Help you avoid stock-outs by monitoring the stock levels in real time
Send notifications when inventory levels fall below set thresholds
Allow for the import of extensive inventories via CSV files
Generate reports that elaborate on sales trends, best-selling products, and peak business hours.
Integrate with eCommerce solutions to connect sales and inventory across in-person and online channels.
Accept all major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, as well as contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Compatible devices: Android, tablets, iPad, and iPhone.
Note: For swipe, dip, or tap credit card payments with Square Virtual Terminal on PC and Mac, you must buy Square Terminal for $299. After you have Square Terminal, you can turn your Mac or PC into a complete Shopify POS app for PC.
Pricing:
Square for retail
Square for restaurants
Conclusion
While the Shopify POS app is indeed restricted to mobile devices, businesses have plenty of powerful desktop-based alternatives to POS operations today. The solutions we've reviewed offer different strengths that could simplify your retail operations while potentially saving you on hardware costs and increasing efficiency.
While selecting the best Shopify POS app for PC, consider your business needs.
Current hardware infrastructure
Budget constraints
Required features (inventory management, reporting, customer relationship management)
Number of locations
Staff training requirements
Integration capabilities
A good desktop POS solution allows you to take advantage of existing equipment, cut down on expenses, and introduce a better workflow within your retail operation. The heart of the matter lies in selecting a system that will suffice for today and be scalable to your business growth in 2025 and beyond. Thank you for reading!
