Octopus POS vs. Shopify POS

The Octopus iPad app follows a fairly typical “block” format. Once users have logged in, they can access dedicated areas for processing sales, editing products, managing inventory, adding or modifying customer details, and creating reports.

Users should keep in mind that they will need to download separate apps to access the customer-facing display, catalogue (for browsing by customers or corporate clients in-store), and certain barcode scanning features. Users can also download a dedicated app for mobile devices.

The “Food POS” has a similarly straightforward and visually-attractive layout, with sections for managing tables, amending menu items, processing orders, and so on.

"This looks like a visually promising app….”

“This looks like a visually promising app….” “We decided to work with Octopus because they offer international support.”

“No import feature means you waste time re-entering your existing products.”

Both the register and back-office dashboards are simple and easy-to-use. The register interface, which is accessed via an app (compatible with Android and iOS mobile devices and tablets), follows a typical block format, with a checkout area and customizable grid menu for including discounts, popular add-on-items, recommended products, and so on.

Admin tasks, such as adding products and setting staff permissions, are done through the browser-based back-office. Like the register dashboard, the backend interface follows a standard layout and is very easy to navigate.

"My overall experience with the POS software has been extremely positive."

"Shopify POS is our main POS system for a large retail space. Easy to use and train all staff."

"Easy to set up and define products for sale at a physical store."

Octopus has a robust package of core features, and both retailers and restaurant managers will find everything they need to run an efficient point-of-sale system. The mid-range “Advanced” package allows for an unlimited number of sales transactions, products, and users.

Subscribers have access to a suite of inventory management, customer relationship management, analytics, and promotional tools. Notable features include credit notes, the option to offer customer-facing terminals, features for consignment and corporate sales, email receipts, employee permissions, stock transfer between outlets, and support for loyalty programs.

Users can also pay extra for “add-on” modules. These optional extras include an advanced analytics engine, ecommerce site-builder, and full customer management platform (CRM).

Keep in mind that integrations are only available on the top-tier enterprise plan.

Shopify POS has an extensive set of features. Small and medium retailers will find everything they need and more. All the essentials, including product management, integrations with third-party tools, payment processing, iPad and Android compatibility, barcode scanning, and analytics are included. Shopify also has some interesting additional functionality, such as “buy online, pick up in store” and “email carts” (to allow customers to browse in store and buy online) that aren’t offered by competitors.

The one downside is that some of the advanced features, which many retailers will nonetheless consider essential, are only available on the top-tier plan. These include staff permissions, minor stock adjustments (to account for damaged items, for example), and most automation features.

Octopus doesn’t offer much in the way of integrations. If you want to build a fully-integrated tech stack, there are better solutions on the market (take a look at our reviews of Shopify POS, Clover and Vend). The enterprise package does include “custom integrations”, so it’s worth getting in touch to see if it’s possible to sync with your existing apps if you’re thinking about opting for this plan.

Octopus is best for retailers that are looking for a comprehensive “all in one” solution. It’s possible to supplement the point-of-sale system with an in-house ecommerce platform (for running your own online store), extensive analytics dashboard, and an advanced customer relationship management app (CRM). However, you will have to pay extra for these tools. If this set-up appeals to you, sign up for the free trial to give the software a test drive. If on the other hand, you would prefer to build a fully-connected suite of separate apps, then you should look for an alternative solution.

For larger retailers and restaurant chains, Octopus also offers its own-brand self-service kiosks and a queue management system.

Shopify offers literally thousands of ecommerce integrations. Around fifty or so are designed exclusively for Shopify POS (the others integrate with the ecommerce platform directly).

Shopify Payments, which is the built-in payments processor for Shopify POS, is compatible with over one hundred third-party payment solutions, including Paypal, Skrill, Worldpay, and many others. The only downside, as already mentioned, is that Shopify charges an extra percentage for each sale when you opt for an alternative to its native processor.

The majority of integrations built exclusively for the POS system are related to either customer loyalty (Smile, Rewardify, Swell, etc.), marketing, or payroll and staff management.

Keep in mind that Shopify’s native ecommerce tools sync with the POS system very closely, so you can access a range of apps, in categories such as accounting, inventory management, order fulfilment, analytics, customer support, third-party marketplaces, and more, through the central Shopify dashboard. The tight coupling of both systems means that you essentially have access to the entire Shopify integrations library through your POS.

One final point to keep in mind is that most integrations are with third-party apps and tools, so you will have to pay extra to use them.

Evaluating value for money is a little difficult for Octopus. The entry-level plan “Basic POS”, which allows for unlimited users, is relatively well-priced at $49/month (with discounts for annual subscribers). Many users, however, will require the mid-range “Advanced POS” package. This is because some features which may be essential, such as advanced promotion tools and analytics, are unavailable on the basic option.

What’s more, add-ons, such as the ecommerce store-builder and customer relationship management platform, will incur extra costs. Information about payment processing is not published online, so you should check fees before subscribing.

We think that Shopify is hands-down one of the best solutions on the market when it comes to price. Smaller retailers will struggle to find a more inexpensive alternative with the same third-party compatibility, support package, and number of features.

Shopify POS is offered as part of its ecommerce packages, and three options are available - Basic Shopify at $29/month, Shopify at $79/month, and Advanced Shopify at $299/month. The advanced package allows for fifteen user accounts. An enterprise plan, called Shopify Plus, is also available and is offered on a custom pricing model.

Retailers also have the option to upgrade to the Shopify POS Pro plan, which will cost an extra $89/month per store. This allows for unlimited numbers of staff and registers.

Card processing fees also vary depending on the plan size. They start at 1.7% for in-person sales on the “Basic” package and go down to 1.5% on the Advanced one.

The only downside, and the reason we didn’t give Shopify a full 10/10 for “value for money” is because an extra 1% per sale (2% on the basic plan) is charged when using a third-party payment processor.

Octopus falters a little when it comes to help and support, especially when compared to other brands in the POS space. The online documentation could be more extensive, there is no English-speaking community of users, and customer service is only through support tickets on small business plans.

Enterprise users, on the other hand, will be given a dedicated account manager, personalized support, and access to staff training.

Overall, the help and support package provided by Shopify is very excellent. Users have access to 24/7 customer service via email, phone, and live chat. Extensive documentation, particularly in regards to onboarding, is provided. Notably, Shopify has taken the time to develop “migration” tools to enable retailers to transfer product and customer information from previous platforms.

Shopify also has one of the largest active communities on the web, to which you can pose questions that might not be appropriate for the customer service team.

On the negative side, Shopify doesn’t offer any one-on-one onboarding training for new customers. That said, due to the platform’s popularity, it’s easy to find independent Shopify experts if you need help getting set up.

Octopus isn’t the best solution on the market. But it’s not the worst, either. It offers a straightforward, robust package of features at a reasonable price-point. The ease of signing up for a free trial means that smaller retailers have no reason not to give it a test run. Keep in mind that, apart from the back-office, Octopus is run exclusively on iPads.

We recommend that larger retailers and restaurant chains book a demo to explore what’s on offer as part of the enterprise package. A number of features, such as corporate sales tools, advanced analytics, and assignment of a dedicated account manager, may make it an attractive proposition.

Shopify is one of the web’s leading ecommerce solutions. And it’s easy to see why. It offers an extensive feature-set at an extremely competitive price-point.

Retailers should understand a few key points, however, when it comes to Shopify’s proprietary point-of-sale-system, Shopify POS.

First, it is not available as a standalone solution. If you already have an ecommerce store and are looking for a POS system that will integrate with it, you will need to opt for an alternative. Second, you will have to use Shopify’s in-house payment processor, Shopify Payments, if you don’t want to pay extra fees on top of those charged by the provider.

If you are looking for a complete POS and ecommerce solution, however, then Shopify POS is 100% worth considering. You can take advantage of a free trial, free hardware returns, and an excellent support package when getting set up.