The first thing that jumps out when comparing Shopify and Square is the stark contrast between a euro‑priced starter that barely costs a cent and a U.S. app that starts at $30 a month. Shopify’s entry‑level plan is listed as EUR 1 / month on a region‑priced page, while Square’s Kitchen Display System app is $30 / month on its U.S. pricing site.
The pricing ladder in focus
Shopify’s visible tiers move from EUR 1 / month to EUR 27 / month, then a token‑priced EUR 0.3 / month that advertises AI chat support, followed by EUR 79 / month, EUR 289 / month for an Advanced bundle, and finally EUR 2100 / month for the top‑end offering. A handful of out‑of‑context figures—EUR 36 / month, EUR 4500, EUR 0.25, EUR 0.35, and a $99 / month line—appear on the same page, all quoted in euros except the last, which is in dollars. The page explicitly serves EUR, so all euro figures are region‑priced.
Square’s pricing sheet is more compact but focused on add‑on apps: the Kitchen Display System app costs $30 / month, the Kiosk app $50 / month, a generic $99 / month line appears without a named tier, and a $35 / month bundle includes Square Payroll, Payroll, and Square Hardware. No euro‑denominated numbers appear on Square’s U.S. page.
| Vendor | Plan description | Stated price |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Unnamed entry tier | EUR 1 / month |
| Shopify | Mid‑tier with AI chat | EUR 0.3 / month |
| Shopify | Advanced bundle | EUR 289 / month |
| Shopify | Top‑level tier | EUR 2100 / month |
| Square | Kitchen Display System app | $30 / month |
| Square | Kiosk app | $50 / month |
| Square | Payroll & hardware bundle | $35 / month |
The table shows that Shopify’s cheapest euro tier is effectively free‑ish, while Square’s lowest dollar‑priced app already costs $30. If you need a full e‑commerce storefront, Shopify’s EUR 27 / month tier may be the sweet spot, offering basic online sales without the AI‑heavy add‑ons. Square, by contrast, shines when you already have a physical checkout and simply need supplemental tools like a KDS.
Who each service really serves
Shopify’s tiered pricing, especially the EUR 1 and EUR 27 levels, is aimed at merchants just launching an online shop who want the flexibility to scale into AI‑driven interactions or advanced analytics later. The presence of a $99 / month line suggests a parallel U.S. offering, but the bulk of the list remains euro‑centric, hinting that Shopify expects European sellers to dominate its mid‑range market.
Square’s pricing model is built around point‑of‑sale extensions. The $30 KDS and $50 Kiosk fees make sense for restaurants or retail locations that already run Square’s core payment system and need to add hardware‑driven functionality. The $35 payroll bundle targets small businesses that want an all‑in‑one HR solution without leaving the Square ecosystem.
If your priority is a low‑cost entry into online sales, Shopify’s EUR 1 starter tier gives you a foothold that Square simply does not provide. Conversely, if you already run a physical store and need specialized apps, Square’s $30‑plus pricing aligns with the incremental cost of adding those capabilities. In short, Shopify is the better bet for pure e‑commerce growth, while Square wins for brick‑and‑mortar extensions.
Pricing verified on 2026-09-12.