Shopify POS Lite: Setup, Features & Limits in 2025
What is Shopify POS Lite?
Shopify POS Lite is a Point of Sale system made for small businesses using Shopify. It helps store owners sell products in person—like at a shop, market, or pop-up. The best part? It comes free with all Shopify plans!
- Accept cash, card, and other payments
- Manage orders and inventory
- Connect with your online store
Table of Contents
POS Lite vs Pro: What’s the Difference?
Many people ask: POS Lite vs Pro – which one should I choose?
Let’s break it down.
POS Lite (Free):
- Basic features
- Great for small shops
- Comes with all Shopify plans
POS Pro (Paid):
- Advanced features like staff roles, inventory tracking, and reports
- Costs $89/month per location (as of 2025)
- Best for bigger or growing businesses
Key takeaway: If you’re just starting out or running a small store, Shopify-POS Lite is more than enough.
POS Lite: Features in 2025
Here are the top features you get with POS Lite in 2025:
1. Accept In-Person Payments
You can accept payments via:
- Cash
- Credit/debit card (with card reader)
- Gift cards
2. Syncs with Online Store
All your orders and inventory update automatically between online and offline sales.
3. Mobile-Friendly App
Use the Shopify POS App on iPad, iPhone, or Android devices.
4. Basic Inventory Management
You can:
- View product availability
- Update stock levels
- Search products quickly
5. Customer Profiles
Save customer info and see past orders to provide better service.
Shopify POS Lite: Limits in 2025
Even though POS Lite is free, it does have some limits:
1. No Smart Inventory Tools
You can’t track stock across multiple locations or forecast demand.
2. No Advanced Staff Permissions
Only basic user access; no roles or sales tracking by employee.
3. No Detailed Analytics
You won’t get full reports on sales, profits, or staff performance.
4. No In-Store Pickup or Exchanges
Only POS Pro allows advanced order handling like pickups and returns.
5. Limited Customization
You can’t customize the checkout screen or print custom receipts.
How to Set Up POS Lite (Step-by-Step Guide)
Setting up POS Lite is easy. Here’s how to do it in 2025:
Step 1: Choose a Shopify Plan
POS Lite is included with all plans:
- Basic
- Shopify
- Advanced
You don’t need to pay extra for POS Lite!
Step 2: Install the Shopify POS App
- Go to your App Store or Google Play
- Search for “Shopify POS App”
- Download and log in with your Shopify account
Step 3: Choose Your Location
When you log in, select or create the store location where you’ll be selling.
Step 4: Add Products
Your POS app pulls products from your online store. You can also add products manually from the app.
Step 5: Connect a Payment Method
- Use Shopify Payments for cards
- Accept cash or other offline methods
- You can also connect a Shopify Card Reader (hardware)
Step 6: Start Selling!
Now you can:
- Add items to cart
- Accept payment
- Print/email receipts
- Track orders in your dashboard
Shopify POS App: What You Need to Know
The Shopify POS App is the heart of the POS system. It connects your products, customers, and payments.
Benefits:
- Works on iOS and Android
- Easy to use
- Syncs with online orders
- Track inventory
Tip: Always keep your app updated for best performance!
Shopify POS Pricing in 2025
Let’s talk about Shopify POS Pricing:
| Plan | Price | Features |
| POS Lite | Free | Basic selling tools |
| POS Pro | $89/month/location | Advanced staff & inventory tools |
You only pay for POS Pro if you upgrade manually. Shopify-POS Lite remains free with your main plan.
Shopify POS Plans Overview
You don’t buy Shopify POS separately. It’s part of your regular Shopify subscription.
Here’s a quick breakdown of Shopify POS plans:
| Shopify Plan | POS Lite Included | Upgrade to POS Pro? |
| Basic | Yes | Optional |
| Shopify | Yes | Optional |
| Advanced | Yes | Optional |
| Plus | Yes | Optional (often included) |
Who Should Use Shopify POS Lite?
Shopify-POS Lite is perfect for:
- Pop-up stores
- Weekend market sellers
- Small retail shops
- Online sellers doing occasional offline sales
If you have simple needs and only sell from one location, POS Lite is all you need.
When to Upgrade to Shopify POS Pro
You might need Shopify POS Pro if:
- You run multiple stores or warehouses
- You need staff roles and sales tracking
- You want in-store pickup and advanced returns
- You need smart inventory tools
Good to know: You can upgrade just one location to POS Pro if needed.
Tips to Get the Most from Shopify-POS Lite
- Keep your POS app updated
- Train your staff to use the app smoothly
- Use customer profiles to grow repeat sales
- Use email receipts to promote your website
- Track inventory daily to avoid overselling
FAQs
Q1: Is Shopify-POS Lite really free?
Yes! It comes free with all Shopify plans.
Q2: Can I use Shopify-POS Lite without internet?
You need internet to sync orders, but some actions work offline temporarily.
Q3: Can I add discounts or gift cards in POS Lite?
Yes. You can apply discount codes and gift cards manually.
Q4: Does POS Lite work with barcode scanners or printers?
Yes, if you use Shopify-supported hardware.
Q5: Can I upgrade to POS Pro later?
Yes, you can upgrade any time and downgrade if needed.
Final Thoughts
Shopify POS Lite is a solid choice for small business owners in 2025. It’s simple, free, and built to help you sell in-person while staying connected to your online store.
If you need more power, Shopify POS Pro is there to grow with you. But for most beginners or small sellers, POS Lite does the job just right.
