Point of Sale vs POS Variable Priced Productsfor Shopify (2026)
Point of Sale and POS Variable Priced Products both enhance Shopify's point-of-sale functionality, but cater to distinctly different merchant needs. Point of Sale aims to be a comprehensive omnichannel solution, integrating online and in-person sales, inventory management, and customer relationship management. It targets merchants who need a unified system to manage all aspects of their business across multiple channels, providing features like local pickup, email carts, and integrated payments. POS Variable Priced Products, on the other hand, fills a very specific niche: enabling variable pricing for products directly within the Shopify POS. This app targets businesses that routinely adjust prices at the point of sale, such as florists, vintage clothing stores, or jewelers. It focuses on ease of use for adjusting prices during the sale, maintaining reporting integrity (COG), and automating inventory adjustments. While Point of Sale is broad, POS Variable Priced Products is highly focused, providing a solution for a specific pain point.
At a Glance
Point of Sale
387 reviews
POS Variable Priced Products
16 reviews
Detailed Overview
Point of Sale
Shopify POS is the only point of sale that’s as good at selling in person as it is online.
Key Features
- Convert more with features like local pickup, email carts and ship to customer.
- Keep customer profiles, product details and inventory levels at your fingertips.
- Sell and accept gift cards, split payments, returns and exchanges.
- Accept payments anywhere with always-ready retail check out hardware.
- Omnichannel built-in tools to manage your online and in-store in one place.
POS Variable Priced Products
Enable variable priced selling by changing product prices when using POS
Key Features
- Adjust product prices during the time of sale when using Shopify POS
- View/modify product cost of goods sold $ and margin % during time of sale
- Vendor, product type, product cost (COGS) included in Shopify sales reporting
- Automatic inventory / stock adjustment from base product
- Add tax-exempt line-items and products with special tax overrides
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 2.9/5 | 4.9/5 |
Rating Point of Sale2.9/5 POS Variable Priced Products4.9/5 | ||
| Reviews | 387 | 16 |
Reviews Point of Sale387 POS Variable Priced Products16 | ||
| Target Merchant | Any merchant needing a full omnichannel POS system | Merchants who sell variable-priced goods at POS (e.g., florists, vintage clothing) |
Target Merchant Point of SaleAny merchant needing a full omnichannel POS system POS Variable Priced ProductsMerchants who sell variable-priced goods at POS (e.g., florists, vintage clothing) | ||
| Core Functionality | Full-featured POS system with online/offline integration | Enabling variable pricing and COGS reporting within Shopify POS |
Core Functionality Point of SaleFull-featured POS system with online/offline integration POS Variable Priced ProductsEnabling variable pricing and COGS reporting within Shopify POS | ||
| Ease of Use | Potentially complex due to feature richness | Likely easier to use for its specific variable pricing purpose |
Ease of Use Point of SalePotentially complex due to feature richness POS Variable Priced ProductsLikely easier to use for its specific variable pricing purpose | ||
| Value Proposition | Unified omnichannel sales, inventory, and customer management | Accurate variable pricing and reporting within the POS system |
Value Proposition Point of SaleUnified omnichannel sales, inventory, and customer management POS Variable Priced ProductsAccurate variable pricing and reporting within the POS system | ||
| Inventory Management | Comprehensive inventory tracking across locations | Automatic stock adjustment of base product |
Inventory Management Point of SaleComprehensive inventory tracking across locations POS Variable Priced ProductsAutomatic stock adjustment of base product | ||
| Payment Options | Accepts various payment methods, including gift cards and split payments | Supports tax-exempt items and tax overrides |
Payment Options Point of SaleAccepts various payment methods, including gift cards and split payments POS Variable Priced ProductsSupports tax-exempt items and tax overrides | ||
Our Verdict
For merchants seeking a complete, integrated omnichannel POS solution, Point of Sale is the logical choice, assuming they can overlook the concerningly low 2.9 rating (likely worth researching user reviews thoroughly to understand the source of the poor score). However, those needing the ability to easily adjust product prices and COGS at the time of sale within Shopify POS should opt for POS Variable Priced Products. It solves a specific problem effectively, as evidenced by its high rating, even though its review count is low.
Given the disparity in ratings and the clearly defined use case of POS Variable Priced Products, a merchant needing variable pricing is better off choosing POS Variable Priced Products despite the low review count. For others considering Point of Sale, extensive due diligence on user feedback is crucial before committing.
Common Questions
Can Point of Sale handle variable pricing?
While Point of Sale offers general POS functionality, it doesn't explicitly state that it offers COGS based pricing updates. A separate app may be needed if variable pricing with COGS is a core requirement.
Does POS Variable Priced Products offer full inventory management like Point of Sale?
No. POS Variable Priced Products focuses on adjusting the price of a product at the time of sale and automatically adjusting stock levels of the base product. It does not provide a comprehensive inventory management system.
Which app is easier to set up and use?
POS Variable Priced Products is likely easier to set up and use because it focuses on a single, well-defined function (variable pricing at POS). Point of Sale, with its broader feature set, may require more configuration and training.
Which app is better for a business with both online and physical stores?
Point of Sale is the better choice for businesses with both online and physical stores because its designed to create an omnichannel experience with integrated sales, inventory, and customer data.
If I just want a basic POS to take payments in my store, which should I use?
Point of Sale offers the features for accepting payments. The low ratings should be carefully considered when choosing.
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