Quick Verdict
For most small businesses prioritizing low initial costs, Loyverse is the best choice because its core POS is free. If you require extensive inventory and sales history tools, Loyverse offers affordable monthly add-ons starting at $5/month. Choose Shopify POS if you need seamless online-offline synchronization, despite its higher base price of $25/month.
Choosing the right point of sale system is a critical decision for small retail and coffee shop owners. The right tool must handle transactions smoothly while also supporting the unique operational demands of serving customers efficiently.
This comparison explores how Clover, Loyverse, and Shopify POS approach these needs. By understanding their core strengths, you can select the platform that best aligns with your specific business goals and daily workflow.
Side-by-Side Snapshot
| Tool | Price | Free Plan | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover | Custom pricing — contact sales/reseller (software plans commonly listed from ~$14.95/month depending on processor/reseller; official site does not publish one fixed price) | No standalone free plan; 90-day free software trial for Virtual Terminal (no hardware) | 2026-09-16 |
| Loyverse | Core POS is free — paid add-ons per store: Unlimited sales history $5/month ($50/year), Employee management $25/month ($250/year), Advanced inventory $25/month ($250/year) | Free plan available (POS, sales analytics for last 31 days, essential inventory, loyalty program, multi-store management); each paid add-on has a 14-day free trial | 2026-10-09 |
| Shopify POS | Basic $25/month, Grow $65/month, Advanced $399/month (Plus $2,300/month on 3-year term) — page has a pay-monthly/pay-yearly toggle but shows no separate yearly prices; POS Pro add-on $89/month per location (billed yearly) | No free plan; trial of 3 days free, then 3 months for $1/month | 2026-10-09 |
Where These Numbers Come From
The prices and plan details in the table above are what we recorded for each tool, last checked between 2026-09-16 and 2026-10-09. Each section below links to the official site. Prices change often, so confirm the current price there before you decide.
Clover
Verified 2026-09-16Overview
Clover is a point of sale system designed specifically for retail and coffee shop environments. It offers a 90-day free software trial for the Virtual Terminal without requiring hardware.
- Specialized POS features for retail and coffee shops
- 90-day free software trial for the Virtual Terminal
- No hardware required for the initial software trial
Clover suits small business owners and operators in the retail and coffee shop industries who prefer a specialized POS solution with a free initial software trial.
- Provides a 90-day free software trial for the Virtual Terminal
- Tailored functionality for retail and coffee shop businesses
- Official site does not publish one fixed price, requiring contact with sales or a reseller for specific costs
Loyverse
Verified 2026-10-09Overview
Loyverse is a Retail & Coffee Shop POS that offers a free core system alongside paid add-ons. It includes essential tools for sales analytics, inventory, and loyalty programs in its free tier.
- Free core POS with sales analytics for the last 31 days
- Multi-store management and loyalty program included
- Paid add-ons for unlimited sales history and advanced inventory
Small retail and coffee shop owners seeking a no-cost core POS with optional paid upgrades for advanced inventory and employee management.
- Core POS is free to use
- Each paid add-on offers a 14-day free trial
- Free plan limits sales analytics to the last 31 days
Shopify POS
Verified 2026-10-09Overview
Shopify POS is a retail and coffee shop point of sale solution designed for business owners. It offers tiered monthly subscriptions with an option to add POS Pro for additional locations.
- Tiered pricing plans ranging from Basic to Advanced
- POS Pro add-on option for additional locations
- Flexible trial period including 3 days free and subsequent months for $1/month
This item suits best for small business owners and operators in the retail and coffee shop industries looking for a point of sale system with scalable pricing tiers.
- Offers a low-cost entry point with a 3-day free trial and 3 months for $1/month
- Provides scalable options through tiered plans and add-ons
- There is no free plan available
What to Weigh Before You Choose
Pricing Structure Transparency
Some platforms bundle costs into a single subscription while others separate core software fees from processor-specific or feature-based add-ons. You should verify exactly which line items are mandatory versus optional to predict your true monthly overhead.
Cost for Add-On Features
Essential capabilities like advanced inventory tracking or detailed employee management may require separate monthly fees beyond the base plan. It is critical to identify which specific tools you need daily and confirm whether they are included in the entry-level tier or priced separately.
Multi-Location Management Fees
Scaling to additional physical locations often triggers higher subscription tiers or per-site charges for advanced point-of-sale capabilities. Review how the cost structure changes when you add a second store to ensure the pricing model remains sustainable for your growth plans.
Hardware and Processor Requirements
Certain systems mandate specific hardware purchases or tie software costs to exclusive payment processing agreements, creating a total cost of ownership that extends beyond the software label. Compare the total initial investment and ongoing transaction fees against the flexibility of using third-party hardware and processors.
Our Pick and Who It Fits
Loyverse is ideal for small retailers seeking a free core POS with optional paid add-ons like employee management. Shopify POS suits businesses already using the e-commerce ecosystem or needing robust multi-channel integrations. Clover fits readers who prefer a hardware-centric kiosk setup and are comfortable navigating custom pricing through resellers.
Common Questions
What are the starting monthly costs for these three POS systems?
Loyverse offers a free core POS plan. Clover software plans are commonly listed from ~$14.95/month, though specific pricing depends on the processor or reseller as the official site does not publish one fixed price. Shopify POS starts at $25/month for the Basic plan.
How do the add-on costs compare between Loyverse and Shopify POS?
Loyverse charges per store for add-ons such as Employee management at $25/month and Advanced inventory at $25/month. Shopify POS offers the POS Pro add-on for $89/month per location when billed yearly.
Which option is best for a shop that needs advanced inventory and employee management without a high base fee?
Loyverse is a strong candidate because its core POS is free, and specific features like Employee management and Advanced inventory are available as paid add-ons for $25/month each per store.
What are the pricing tiers for Shopify POS?
Shopify POS offers a Basic plan at $25/month, a Grow plan at $65/month, and an Advanced plan at $399/month. There is also a Plus plan listed at $2,300/month on a 3-year term.
Pricing and feature details on this page are independently researched and verified against official sources.
Pricing shown was accurate at the time of publishing and may change — verify on the official site.