1/26/2025

Using Shopify Card Readers Without a POS Subscription: Is It Possible?

When it comes to running a business using Shopify, one of the most common questions popping up in discussions is whether you can use Shopify card readers without the POS subscription. Shopify, the beloved e-commerce platform, puts a lot of nifty tools at your disposal, and knowing how to navigate them can be a game-changer. So, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of this topic!

Understanding Shopify POS

Shopify provides a Point of Sale (POS) system which allows you to manage sales from a physical location. This system gives you everything – from processing payments to inventory management and customer profiles. However, not everyone needs a full-fledged POS system. Can you get away with just using Shopify card readers without the subscription? Let’s find out!

The Basics of Card Readers

Shopify has rolled out various card readers to help businesses accept payments seamlessly. The Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader is a popular choice among vendors, letting them accept contactless, chip insert, and swipe payments. But when you start off with just the card reader, the question remains – do you NEED the subscription?

Can You Use Card Readers Without Shopify POS Subscription?

The straightforward answer to that is NO. Unfortunately, Shopify card readers are designed to work IN TANDEM with the Shopify POS subscription. Without the subscription, you will not be able to utilize all the features that make the card readers efficient and effective.

Why is the Subscription Necessary?

Payment Processing Needs: The POS app is vital for processing payments through the card readers. It functions as an interface connecting your devices, which without a subscription, you won’t have access to.
Comprehensive Inventory Management: A major benefit of the POS system is that it tracks your inventory in real-time, something you definitely need if you're engaging in both online and offline sales.
Customer Profiles and Support: The POS subscription allows for creating and maintaining detailed customer profiles, enhancing customer experience & future sales.
Mobile Billing: You get to bill your customers directly from any mobile device through the POS system, which isn’t possible without it.

Alternative Solutions if You Don't Want a POS Subscription

If the subscription fee is a deal-breaker for you (it’s about $89 a month per location), here are a few alternative routes you can explore:

1. Utilizing Cash Payments

You can always fall back on cash payments to avoid paying for the POS subscription. You’ll have to manage cash transactions manually, but it’s a great way to avoid the extra monthly charge. Not to mention, you won’t have to handle card-related fees, either.

2. Manual Card Entry

Another option would be to enter card details manually through the Shopify Admin, which you can access anytime. As Shopify Community staff suggests, manual entry of card details is possible as a workaround in those situations where a card reader isn’t available. That could work great if you’ve got a few customers at a time but isn’t practical for high-volume sales.

3. Leverage Shopify’s Online Solutions

If most of your sales are online (lockdown anyone?), consider using the Shopify payments portal and embracing e-commerce as much as possible. This way, you can still benefit from their low transaction fees without needing a subscription to the POS system. The online store is FREE to use under standard plans, barring the fees related to credit card transactions, of course.

4. Third-Party Payment Processors

If you really want to handle in-person transactions without the Shopify POS, think about using a third-party payment processor like Square or PayPal. However, this would require setting up a custom payment option in the Shopify admin dashboard and managing two systems concurrently could be a tad cumbersome. You’ll miss out on the inventory sync feature between the two systems.

Using Shopify Card Readers Effectively

If you’ve decided to plunge into the Shopify POS world, let’s talk a bit about how to maximize your investment in the system and hardware:

1. Choosing the Right Hardware

Your POS experience will largely depend on the hardware you choose. Make sure your card readers are compatible with the devices you plan to use. Check the Shopify POS hardware compatibility guide for more precise info.

2. Customization of the POS Interface

The Shopify POS allows you to customize the layout and appearance of the interface to suit the needs of your business. Ensure creating shortcuts for popular items or frequent transactions to speed up the checkout process. The easier it is for your staff to use, the happier your customers will be!

3. Train Your Staff

Train your staff members thoroughly, letting them familiarize themselves with the system beforehand. The more they know about how to operate the POS system, the smoother the operation will be.

Consider Arsturn to Enhance Customer Experience

While Shopify has great tools to help you run your business, consider enhancing your customer interaction with Arsturn. Arsturn enables you to instantly create custom AI chatbots for your website, allowing customers to engage and ask questions 24/7 without feeling like they’re just numbers in a queue.

Benefits of Arsturn:

Effortless Chatbot Creation: No coding skills? No problem! With Arsturn's user-friendly interface, you can create conversational AI chatbots in no time.
Insightful Analytics: Access valuable insights into your customer conversations, helping you tailor your marketing strategy and boost sales.
Instant Information: Reduce wait times by allowing your chatbot to instantly answer frequently asked questions, leading to higher customer satisfaction.

Using a chatbot ensures that your customers get the assistance they need, improving their overall experience and giving your business a competitive edge.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Shopify card readers cannot be used standalone without a POS subscription, there are alternative solutions and workarounds available for those who want to keep costs down. The POS subscription adds a great range of functionalities, which enhance the overall efficiency of your retail operation. For businesses looking to level up their engagement game, don’t forget to check out Arsturn to give your customers the help they want, when they want it, leading to a satisfying shopping experience!

So, there you have it, folks! Whether it’s about going full-on with Shopify’s subscription model or finding ways to work around its limitations, you’re now well-equipped to make informed decisions for the business. Happy selling!