What Is Shopify POS Hardware?

By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly which pieces of Shopify POS hardware exist, what each one costs, how they compare to third-party alternatives, and which Shopify plan you actually need to use them.

What is Shopify POS Hardware?

Shopify POS (Point of Sale) hardware refers to the physical devices used in brick-and-mortar retail stores to process transactions, manage inventory, and run checkout. These tools connect to the Shopify POS app on your tablet or smartphone, giving you a full retail system that syncs with your online Shopify store in real time.

Shopify sells its own branded hardware directly through the Shopify Hardware Store, and it also maintains a compatibility list of third-party devices that work with the POS app. The hardware spans card readers, receipt printers, cash drawers, barcode scanners, tablet stands, and all-in-one handheld devices.

Shopify POS Hardware: What's Included

Here is a full breakdown of every Shopify POS hardware device, what it does, and what it costs. All prices are in USD and represent the Shopify Hardware Store retail price.

Shopify Card Reader (Tap & Chip, $49)

The Shopify Card Reader is the entry-level payment device and the most popular piece of Shopify POS hardware. It accepts contactless payments (tap-to-pay via NFC), chip cards (EMV), and magnetic stripe cards. The reader pairs to your iPhone or Android phone via Bluetooth and runs on a rechargeable battery. It is compact enough to hold in one hand, which makes it the go-to option for market stalls, pop-up retail, and mobile vendors.

The Shopify Card Reader does not print receipts and does not scan barcodes, so if you need those functions you will need to add the relevant hardware separately.

Shopify Retail Stand for iPad ($149)

The Shopify Retail Stand is an aluminum countertop mount that holds an iPad (compatible with iPad models from 2018 onward). It swivels 360 degrees so customers can sign on screen or review their cart. A slot on the stand houses the Shopify Card Reader, keeping it mounted at the register. The stand connects to the iPad via Lightning or USB-C and charges the Card Reader at the same time.

This is the standard setup for a fixed checkout counter in a boutique or small retail shop.

Shopify POS Go, All-in-One Handheld Device ($399)

The Shopify POS Go is the most capable piece of Shopify POS hardware in the lineup. It is a standalone Android-based handheld device with a built-in card reader (tap, chip, and swipe), a built-in barcode scanner, and a 5.5-inch touchscreen. The POS Go runs the Shopify POS app natively, so it does not need a separate phone or tablet.

It is designed for floor-roaming sales associates who need to complete a full checkout anywhere in the store, including accepting payments and scanning items, without being tied to a counter. It connects to a receipt printer via Bluetooth for paper receipts. A cellular connectivity add-on is available if you need the device to work without Wi-Fi.

Shopify Receipt Printer, Star mWorks (approximately $299)

Shopify's compatible receipt printer is the Star Micronics mPOP or mWorks series thermal printer. It prints receipts wirelessly via Bluetooth and connects to your iPad or iPhone running the Shopify POS app. Thermal printing means no ink cartridges, only a standard thermal roll that you replace when it runs out.

The printer can also connect to a cash drawer via RJ-11 cable, triggering the drawer to open automatically when a cash sale is processed. If you sell from a fixed counter and always offer paper receipts, a receipt printer is worth the investment.

Shopify Cash Drawer (approximately $139)

The Shopify Cash Drawer is a standard locking cash drawer with coin and bill slots. It plugs into the receipt printer via RJ-11 cable and opens automatically when the printer sends the open signal at the end of a cash transaction. You can also open it manually with the included key.

A cash drawer is only useful if you accept cash payments. If your store is card-only, you can skip it.

Shopify Barcode Scanner (approximately $229)

Shopify's compatible barcode scanners are USB or Bluetooth devices that read both 1D (standard linear) and 2D (QR code) barcodes. You scan items at checkout to add them to the cart instantly, or scan items during inventory counts to reconcile stock without manual entry.

If you have a large product catalog and high checkout volume, a dedicated barcode scanner speeds up transactions significantly compared to manual product search. If you buy the Shopify POS Go, the built-in scanner covers this function at no extra cost.

Shopify POS Hardware vs Third-Party Hardware

Shopify-branded hardware is not the only option. Shopify POS supports a range of third-party devices, and in some cases third-party hardware can save you money or offer features that Shopify's own products do not.

When to use official Shopify hardware

• Guaranteed compatibility: Shopify-branded hardware is tested and supported by Shopify directly. If something breaks or does not pair, Shopify support can help you troubleshoot.
• Simplest setup: Official hardware pairs to the Shopify POS app in a few taps with no manual configuration.
• Warranty and replacement: Shopify hardware comes with a one-year warranty and direct replacement options.

When third-party hardware makes sense

• Receipt printers: Star Micronics printers (the mPOP, TSP143, and TSP654 series) are fully supported by Shopify POS and often available at lower prices through Amazon or office supply retailers.
• Barcode scanners: Honeywell, Zebra, and Socket Mobile scanners appear on Shopify's official hardware compatibility list. USB models are the most reliable option.
• Card readers via Shopify Payments: Additional card readers are available through Shopify if you operate multiple registers. Third-party card terminals (such as Verifone or Ingenico) do not work with Shopify POS directly.

Before buying any third-party hardware, check Shopify's official hardware compatibility list to confirm the specific model is supported. Shopify does not guarantee that every Star Micronics or Honeywell model works, only the models they have tested.

Which Shopify Plan Do You Need for POS Hardware?

All Shopify plans include access to Shopify POS Lite, which is the standard version of the point-of-sale app. POS Lite covers basic in-store selling: accepting payments, issuing refunds, managing products, and viewing basic reports. All of the hardware described above works with POS Lite.

Shopify POS Pro costs $89 per month per location and adds these capabilities on top of POS Lite:

• Staff roles and permissions (limit what each staff member can see or do)
• Exchanges (swap items without processing a full refund and repurchase)
• Unlimited register shifts with detailed cash tracking
• Advanced inventory reports and demand forecasting
• Buy online, pick up in-store and local delivery features
• Smart inventory management with purchase orders

For a solo operator or a small shop with one or two staff members, POS Lite is sufficient. If you run a multi-staff retail location that needs role-based permissions and detailed shift reporting, POS Pro is worth the monthly cost.

Essential Shopify POS Hardware Components

To summarize the core components, here is what a typical Shopify POS setup looks like depending on the retail scenario:

• Market stall or pop-up: Shopify Card Reader ($49) + smartphone. Total: $49.
• Small boutique with fixed counter: Shopify Retail Stand ($149) + iPad + Card Reader ($49) + Receipt Printer ($299) + Cash Drawer ($139). Total: approximately $636 plus iPad.
• Full retail shop with inventory scanning: Above setup plus Barcode Scanner ($229). Total: approximately $865 plus iPad.
• Mobile sales associate or floor checkout: Shopify POS Go ($399) + Bluetooth receipt printer ($299). Total: approximately $698.

Choosing the Right Shopify POS Hardware

Selecting the right hardware comes down to four factors: where you sell, how many transactions you process, whether you accept cash, and your budget.

• Fixed vs mobile: A fixed counter suits a Retail Stand and iPad setup. Mobile or floor-roaming sales benefit more from the POS Go or a card reader paired to a smartphone.
• Cash vs card-only: If you accept cash, you need a receipt printer (to trigger the cash drawer) and a cash drawer. Card-only stores can skip both.
• Product volume: High-SKU stores with fast checkout lines benefit from a dedicated barcode scanner. Low-volume stores can search products manually in the app.
• Budget: Start with just the $49 Card Reader and add components as your business grows. You do not need to buy everything at once.

Setting Up Shopify POS Hardware

Setting up Shopify POS hardware takes about 30 minutes for a standard counter setup. Follow these steps:

1. Order hardware from the Shopify Hardware Store (hardware.shopify.com) or from a compatible third-party retailer. Verify compatibility before ordering any third-party device.
2. Download the Shopify POS app on your iPad or iPhone from the App Store. Log in with your Shopify account. On POS Go, the app is pre-installed.
3. Pair the Card Reader: In the Shopify POS app, go to Settings, then Hardware, then Card Reader. Hold the Card Reader button until the light pulses and follow the on-screen pairing steps.
4. Connect the Receipt Printer: Turn on the printer and connect it to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPad, or pair it via Bluetooth. In the POS app go to Hardware, then Receipt Printer, then Add Printer.
5. Connect the Cash Drawer: Plug the cash drawer's RJ-11 cable into the matching port on the receipt printer. The POS app triggers the drawer through the printer automatically.
6. Connect the Barcode Scanner: Plug a USB scanner into the USB port on the iPad's hub or connect a Bluetooth scanner through the Hardware settings menu.
7. Run a test transaction: Use a test payment in the Shopify POS app to confirm the card reader processes a payment, the printer prints a receipt, and the cash drawer opens. Fix any connection issues before going live.

If you run into pairing problems, the most common fix is to force-close the Shopify POS app and re-open it, then retry the hardware pairing from the Hardware settings screen.

Conclusion: What Is Shopify POS Hardware?