Quick Overview
- 1#1: Shopify - All-in-one platform for building online stores, managing inventory, and handling in-person sales with POS.
- 2#2: Square - Free POS software for payments, sales tracking, inventory management, and business insights in retail stores.
- 3#3: Lightspeed Retail - Cloud-based POS with advanced inventory, CRM, purchasing, and multi-store management for retailers.
- 4#4: Clover - Customizable POS system with app marketplace for payments, inventory, loyalty, and retail operations.
- 5#5: Revel Systems - iPad-based cloud POS offering real-time analytics, inventory control, and e-commerce for retail stores.
- 6#6: BigCommerce - Scalable e-commerce platform supporting multi-channel sales, B2B, and headless commerce for stores.
- 7#7: WooCommerce - Open-source WordPress plugin for creating customizable online stores with extensions for payments and inventory.
- 8#8: Adobe Commerce - Flexible enterprise e-commerce platform with advanced customization for high-volume online retail.
- 9#9: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce - Omnichannel commerce solution integrating POS, e-commerce, and supply chain for retail enterprises.
- 10#10: SAP Commerce Cloud - Composable cloud platform for personalized B2C and B2B commerce experiences in large-scale retail.
We evaluated tools based on feature breadth, reliability, user-friendliness, and value, ensuring they excel in addressing the unique demands of today's retail environments.
Comparison Table
Store software simplifies retail operations, aiding everything from point-of-sale transactions to inventory management. This comparison table explores tools like Shopify, Square, Lightspeed Retail, Clover, and Revel Systems, outlining key features, strengths, and ideal business types. Readers will find clear insights to select the best fit for their unique needs, whether prioritizing online sales, in-person functionality, or multi-location support.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shopify All-in-one platform for building online stores, managing inventory, and handling in-person sales with POS. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | Square Free POS software for payments, sales tracking, inventory management, and business insights in retail stores. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 3 | Lightspeed Retail Cloud-based POS with advanced inventory, CRM, purchasing, and multi-store management for retailers. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 4 | Clover Customizable POS system with app marketplace for payments, inventory, loyalty, and retail operations. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Revel Systems iPad-based cloud POS offering real-time analytics, inventory control, and e-commerce for retail stores. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 6 | BigCommerce Scalable e-commerce platform supporting multi-channel sales, B2B, and headless commerce for stores. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 7 | WooCommerce Open-source WordPress plugin for creating customizable online stores with extensions for payments and inventory. | specialized | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 8 | Adobe Commerce Flexible enterprise e-commerce platform with advanced customization for high-volume online retail. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 5.8/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 9 | Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce Omnichannel commerce solution integrating POS, e-commerce, and supply chain for retail enterprises. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 10 | SAP Commerce Cloud Composable cloud platform for personalized B2C and B2B commerce experiences in large-scale retail. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 6.7/10 | 7.5/10 |
All-in-one platform for building online stores, managing inventory, and handling in-person sales with POS.
Free POS software for payments, sales tracking, inventory management, and business insights in retail stores.
Cloud-based POS with advanced inventory, CRM, purchasing, and multi-store management for retailers.
Customizable POS system with app marketplace for payments, inventory, loyalty, and retail operations.
iPad-based cloud POS offering real-time analytics, inventory control, and e-commerce for retail stores.
Scalable e-commerce platform supporting multi-channel sales, B2B, and headless commerce for stores.
Open-source WordPress plugin for creating customizable online stores with extensions for payments and inventory.
Flexible enterprise e-commerce platform with advanced customization for high-volume online retail.
Omnichannel commerce solution integrating POS, e-commerce, and supply chain for retail enterprises.
Composable cloud platform for personalized B2C and B2B commerce experiences in large-scale retail.
Shopify
specializedAll-in-one platform for building online stores, managing inventory, and handling in-person sales with POS.
Shopify App Store with 8,000+ apps for endless customization without coding
Shopify is a leading all-in-one e-commerce platform that empowers businesses to build, launch, and scale online stores with ease. It provides customizable themes, secure payment processing via Shopify Payments, inventory management, and marketing tools all in one dashboard. With its vast app marketplace exceeding 8,000 integrations, Shopify supports everything from dropshipping to enterprise-level operations, handling millions in sales volume reliably.
Pros
- Extensive app ecosystem with over 8,000 integrations
- Highly scalable infrastructure with 99.99% uptime
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder and mobile app
- 24/7 expert support and PCI-compliant security
Cons
- Transaction fees on non-Shopify Payments (0.5-2%)
- Premium apps and themes add to costs
- Advanced customizations require coding or developers
Best For
Businesses and entrepreneurs of all sizes seeking a robust, user-friendly platform to quickly launch and grow an online store.
Pricing
Starts at $29/mo (Basic), $79/mo (Shopify), $299/mo (Advanced), $2,000+/mo (Plus); 3-day free trial, no credit card required, with volume discounts available.
Square
specializedFree POS software for payments, sales tracking, inventory management, and business insights in retail stores.
Free, unlimited users and locations with instant setup and offline functionality
Square is a versatile point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for retail stores, providing hardware like card readers and software for processing payments, managing inventory, tracking sales, and handling employee schedules. It supports both in-person and online transactions with features like real-time reporting, customer management, and e-commerce integrations. Ideal for small to medium businesses, Square emphasizes simplicity and scalability without requiring long-term contracts.
Pros
- Intuitive setup with no monthly software fees
- Robust inventory and sales tracking tools
- Seamless payment processing with contactless support
Cons
- Transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume stores
- Advanced analytics require paid add-ons
- Hardware purchases add to initial costs
Best For
Small to medium retail stores seeking an affordable, user-friendly POS with reliable payment processing and basic inventory management.
Pricing
Free POS software; 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction, 2.9% + 30¢ online; hardware starts at $0 for basic reader, up to $799 for full terminal.
Lightspeed Retail
specializedCloud-based POS with advanced inventory, CRM, purchasing, and multi-store management for retailers.
Real-time omnichannel inventory synchronization across physical stores, online shops, and marketplaces
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based POS and retail management platform designed for brick-and-mortar stores, offering comprehensive tools for inventory tracking, sales processing, and customer management. It excels in omnichannel retailing by seamlessly integrating in-store, online, and mobile sales channels with real-time inventory synchronization. The software also provides advanced analytics, employee scheduling, and multi-location support to help retailers scale efficiently.
Pros
- Robust inventory management with matrix support for product variants and real-time multi-location syncing
- Powerful reporting and analytics for data-driven decisions
- Extensive integrations with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and accounting tools like QuickBooks
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be expensive for small single-location stores
- Mobile app occasionally experiences connectivity issues
- Advanced customizations require add-ons or developer support
Best For
Multi-location retailers or growing businesses needing scalable omnichannel POS with strong inventory control.
Pricing
Starts at $89/month per register (Lean plan), with Standard ($109/month), Advanced ($149/month), and custom Enterprise options; includes transaction fees on some plans.
Clover
specializedCustomizable POS system with app marketplace for payments, inventory, loyalty, and retail operations.
The Clover App Market with over 400 third-party apps for endless customization.
Clover is a versatile point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for retail stores, restaurants, and service businesses, providing hardware like the Clover Station, Mini, and Flex alongside cloud-based software for transactions, inventory tracking, and reporting. It supports contactless payments, employee management, and customer loyalty programs, with seamless integration for online ordering and delivery. The platform's App Market allows extensive customization through third-party apps, making it adaptable to specific store needs.
Pros
- Extensive App Market for tailored customizations
- Reliable hardware options with built-in payment processing
- Strong inventory and multi-location management tools
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly with add-ons and apps
- Customer support can be inconsistent
- Best performance requires Clover-specific hardware
Best For
Small to medium-sized retail stores seeking a customizable POS with integrated payments and scalable features.
Pricing
Software plans start at $14.95/month per device (Register/Retail plans), plus hardware costs ($500-$2,000+), processing fees (2.3% + $0.10 in-person), and optional app subscriptions.
Revel Systems
specializediPad-based cloud POS offering real-time analytics, inventory control, and e-commerce for retail stores.
Real-time cloud synchronization across unlimited locations for centralized inventory and sales oversight
Revel Systems is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) platform tailored for retail stores and restaurants, providing comprehensive tools for transaction processing, inventory tracking, and sales reporting. It supports iOS hardware like iPads and integrates seamlessly with e-commerce platforms, loyalty programs, and accounting software. The system excels in multi-location management with real-time data synchronization and offline functionality to ensure uninterrupted operations.
Pros
- Robust inventory management with real-time tracking and multi-location support
- Extensive integrations with over 100 third-party apps including QuickBooks and Shopify
- Advanced analytics and customizable reporting for data-driven decisions
Cons
- Higher pricing structure that scales with add-ons and locations
- Primarily iOS-focused hardware limits flexibility for some users
- Occasional reports of steep learning curve for advanced features
Best For
Multi-location retail and restaurant businesses seeking scalable POS with strong inventory and reporting capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for Starter plan per terminal; Growth at $299/month; Enterprise custom pricing, plus hardware and transaction fees.
BigCommerce
enterpriseScalable e-commerce platform supporting multi-channel sales, B2B, and headless commerce for stores.
Built-in B2B functionality with customer quotes, pricing rules, and account management without requiring add-ons
BigCommerce is a scalable SaaS e-commerce platform that enables businesses to build, manage, and optimize online stores with support for B2B, B2C, and multi-channel selling. It provides enterprise-grade tools like headless commerce, advanced inventory management, and seamless integrations with ERPs, CRMs, and marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay. The platform emphasizes customization through APIs and apps, making it suitable for growing mid-market and enterprise retailers.
Pros
- No transaction fees on any plan
- Robust B2B and headless commerce capabilities
- Excellent scalability and API integrations
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Higher costs for Pro and Enterprise tiers
- Fewer free themes compared to competitors
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise businesses needing scalable, feature-rich e-commerce with B2B support and no transaction fees.
Pricing
Standard ($29/mo), Plus ($299/mo annually), Pro ($999/mo annually), Enterprise (custom); all billed annually for best rates.
WooCommerce
specializedOpen-source WordPress plugin for creating customizable online stores with extensions for payments and inventory.
Open-source architecture with full WordPress integration for infinite customization without platform limitations
WooCommerce is a free, open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that converts any WordPress site into a powerful online store. It provides core features like product catalogs, shopping carts, payment gateways, shipping options, and inventory management, with extensive customization via thousands of extensions and themes. As one of the most popular store solutions, it powers over 28% of all online stores and scales from small shops to large enterprises.
Pros
- Free core plugin with unlimited scalability
- Vast ecosystem of 60,000+ extensions and themes
- Seamless WordPress integration and strong community support
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-WordPress users
- Requires separate hosting and potential performance tuning
- Premium extensions and themes add ongoing costs
Best For
WordPress users or developers seeking a highly customizable, open-source e-commerce platform without vendor lock-in.
Pricing
Core plugin is free; premium extensions, themes, and hosting start at $0-$500+/year depending on needs.
Adobe Commerce
enterpriseFlexible enterprise e-commerce platform with advanced customization for high-volume online retail.
Deep integration with Adobe Experience Cloud for AI-driven personalization and omnichannel orchestration
Adobe Commerce, formerly known as Magento, is a powerful enterprise-grade e-commerce platform that enables businesses to create highly customizable online stores with support for B2B and B2C operations. It offers robust scalability, multi-store management, and seamless integrations with Adobe's Experience Cloud suite for enhanced personalization and analytics. Designed for complex, high-traffic sites, it excels in delivering tailored shopping experiences across multiple channels.
Pros
- Exceptional scalability and performance for high-volume stores
- Vast marketplace of extensions and themes for customization
- Advanced B2B features like quote management and customer-specific pricing
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring developer expertise
- High implementation and maintenance costs
- Complex setup process not ideal for beginners
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises needing highly customizable, scalable e-commerce solutions with advanced B2B/B2C capabilities.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing starts at around $22,000/year for the base package, plus additional fees for cloud hosting, implementation, and support.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce
enterpriseOmnichannel commerce solution integrating POS, e-commerce, and supply chain for retail enterprises.
AI-powered unified CPOR (Compose, Price, Order, Reserve) engine for real-time omnichannel order orchestration
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce is a cloud-based, omnichannel retail platform that integrates point-of-sale (POS), e-commerce, inventory management, and customer engagement tools for unified store and online operations. It leverages AI for personalized recommendations, demand forecasting, and operational insights, while supporting in-store fulfillment like buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS). Designed for scalability, it connects seamlessly with the broader Microsoft ecosystem including Dynamics 365, Power BI, and Azure.
Pros
- Comprehensive omnichannel capabilities unifying store, online, and call center
- Deep AI-driven insights for inventory, pricing, and customer personalization
- Seamless integration with Microsoft tools like Teams, Power BI, and Azure
Cons
- Complex setup and steep learning curve requiring IT expertise
- High pricing makes it unsuitable for small retailers
- Customization often needs specialized developers
Best For
Large enterprise retailers with multi-channel operations needing robust scalability and Microsoft ecosystem integration.
Pricing
Subscription-based: Commerce scale units start at ~$350/month (per transaction capacity) + user licenses from $60-$340/month depending on role.
SAP Commerce Cloud
enterpriseComposable cloud platform for personalized B2C and B2B commerce experiences in large-scale retail.
Composable commerce architecture with native SAP integration for unified order management across channels
SAP Commerce Cloud is a robust, cloud-native e-commerce platform tailored for enterprise-level businesses, enabling sophisticated B2B and B2C storefronts with omnichannel capabilities. It supports personalized shopping experiences, advanced promotions, and seamless integration with SAP's ERP, CRM, and supply chain systems. The platform excels in handling high-volume traffic and complex commerce scenarios, including headless commerce architectures.
Pros
- Exceptional scalability for global enterprises
- Deep integrations with SAP ecosystem and third-party tools
- Advanced AI-driven personalization and analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup requiring developers
- High implementation and customization costs
- Less intuitive for small businesses or quick deployments
Best For
Large enterprises needing scalable, omnichannel commerce deeply integrated with SAP ERP and backend systems.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing via quote, typically starting at $50,000+ annually depending on scale and modules.
Conclusion
Among the top tools, Shopify leads as the most versatile all-in-one solution, seamlessly blending online store building, inventory management, and in-person sales. Square follows with its free POS tools, perfect for small retail setups, while Lightspeed Retail shines with advanced cloud-based features and multi-store management, catering to growing businesses. Together, these options cover diverse needs, but Shopify remains the top pick for its comprehensive, user-friendly design.
Take your store to the next level—start with Shopify to access a robust platform that adapts to your unique needs, whether you’re launching a new business or scaling an existing one.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison