ChatGPT answers, unedited

For a small maker business (handmade goods, crafts, art, candles, jewelry, ceramics, apparel, etc.) that needs a simple POS + an online store, I’d usually narrow it to Shopify vs Square. The right pick depends mostly on where your sales happen. Shopify TechnologyAdvice

My short recommendation

Pick shopify.com if:

• Your goal is to build a brand and grow online
• You expect online sales to become a major part of the business
• You want a polished website, better product pages, email marketing, shipping tools, and room to expand
• You sell at craft fairs/pop-ups but want everything tied together in one inventory system

Shopify’s strength is ecommerce first, with POS added on. It’s generally the better fit for makers who want their website to become their main storefront. Shopify TechnologyAdvice

Pick squareup.com if:

• Most of your sales are in person
• You do farmers markets, craft fairs, pop-ups, studios, or a small physical shop
• You want the simplest setup and lowest upfront cost
• You mainly need a card reader, inventory, receipts, and a basic online presence

Square started as a POS/payment system, so it tends to feel simpler for occasional in-person selling. Fit Small Business TechnologyAdvice

How I’d choose for common maker scenarios

What about Etsy + Square?

That combo can work well early because Etsy provides marketplace discovery while Square handles in-person payments. The downside is that inventory, customer data, and branding are split between systems. Shopify

My default setup for a serious small maker in 2026:

• Starting out / mostly local: Square + Etsy
• Trying to build a long-term brand: Shopify + Shopify POS
• Already getting steady online traffic: Shopify from day one

A few details would change the answer:

1. What do you make (jewelry, food, clothing, art, etc.)?
2. Roughly what % of sales will be in person vs online?
3. Do you already sell on Etsy or are you starting from scratch?

For a small maker business that needs a simple POS + online store, I’d narrow it to Square vs. Shopify:

My practical pick: Square

If you're making products yourself—candles, pottery, jewelry, art, woodworking, etc.—and you'll sell at craft fairs, markets, pop-ups, and occasionally online, I'd start with Square.

Square's free plan includes POS and online-store functionality, with no monthly subscription; you pay payment-processing fees when you sell. Square Square You can also take payments directly from a phone, or add a Square Reader/Terminal as you grow. Square Square

The particularly nice part for a maker is that your product catalog and inventory can serve both your physical and online sales, so you don't have to maintain two systems. Square also supports connecting its catalog to Wix if you eventually want a more design-oriented website. Square Wix Support

When I'd choose Shopify instead

Pick Shopify if you expect the online store to become the main business, rather than an extension of your market/fair sales.

Shopify's current Basic plan is $29/month when billed annually, and it gives you a much more ecommerce-focused storefront, marketing ecosystem, selling on social/marketplaces, and room to build a larger online operation. Shopify Its POS integrates directly with the Shopify ecommerce system. Shopify

Rule of thumb:

• 🧑‍🎨 “I make stuff and sell it at markets + have a small website” → Square
• 🛒 “I make stuff and I'm building a serious online brand/store” → Shopify

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether most sales will be at markets or online, I can give you a more specific setup—including which hardware I'd buy and what you'd actually pay per month.

If you're making products yourself—candles, pottery, jewelry, art, woodworking, etc.—and you'll sell at craft fairs, markets, pop-ups, and occasionally online, I'd start with Square.

Square's free plan includes POS and online-store functionality, with no monthly subscription; you pay payment-processing fees when you sell. Square Square You can also take payments directly from a phone, or add a Square Reader/Terminal as you grow. Square Square

The particularly nice part for a maker is that your product catalog and inventory can serve both your physical and online sales, so you don't have to maintain two systems. Square also supports connecting its catalog to Wix if you eventually want a more design-oriented website. Square support.wix.com

When I'd choose Shopify instead

Pick Shopify if you expect the online store to become the main business, rather than an extension of your market/fair sales.

For a small maker business that needs a simple POS + online store, I’d narrow it to Square vs. Shopify.

The practical choice

• Square — best fit if you primarily sell at craft fairs, markets, pop-ups, or a small physical shop, and want the simplest setup. Square combines POS, inventory, payments, and an online store, and its Free plan has no monthly subscription fee; you pay processing fees when you sell. Square Square
• Shopify — better fit if your online store is going to be the center of the business, with markets/pop-ups as an additional sales channel. Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month when billed monthly, and its POS integrates with the online store and inventory. Shopify
• Wix — worth considering if the website/design/branding matters more than having a particularly strong retail POS. Its POS capabilities are more limited than Square's/Shopify's for a maker doing lots of in-person selling. wix.com Wix Help Center

For a typical maker

If you're making things like candles, pottery, jewelry, art, woodworking, baked goods, crafts, etc., I'd start with Square if your sales mix looks something like:

craft fairs + Instagram/Facebook + occasional local pickup + a simple online shop

You can start without a monthly software fee, use a phone with Tap to Pay or a $59 Square Reader, and keep your in-person and online inventory together. Square Square

I'd lean toward Shopify instead if your goal is:

primarily online sales + social media/ads + shipping orders + growing into a substantial ecommerce operation.

One particularly important distinction: Square is POS-first with an online store attached; Shopify is ecommerce-first with POS attached.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how much you expect to sell per month, and whether most sales will be online or at markets, I can lay out the actual monthly costs for Square vs. Shopify for your situation.

For a small maker business—handmade goods, art, candles, jewelry, crafts, etc.—I’d narrow it to Square vs. Shopify.

My pick: Square

If your priority is simple POS + a straightforward online store without spending much, I’d start with Square.

• Square Free is $0/month and includes POS, inventory, sales reporting, customer management, and an online store that syncs with your in-person sales. Square Square
• It’s particularly good if you sell at markets, craft fairs, pop-ups, and occasional in-person events.
• Hardware is inexpensive: Square's contactless/chip reader is currently $59, while a Terminal is $299. Square
• You can start with essentially no monthly software commitment and upgrade later if you need advanced inventory, loyalty, staff management, etc. Square

When I'd choose Shopify instead

Pick Shopify if you expect the online store to become the center of the business.

Shopify has a stronger ecommerce ecosystem, more sophisticated online-store customization, marketing integrations, and room to grow. Its POS also keeps online and in-person inventory/orders connected. Shopify

The tradeoff is cost: Shopify Basic is currently $39/month month-to-month ($29/month when billed annually), before optional POS Pro, while Square can start at $0/month. Shopify Shopify

Quick decision

If I were starting a small maker business today, I'd start with Square. You can get the physical POS and online shop working together without committing to a substantial monthly subscription. If the online side takes off, moving to a more ecommerce-heavy setup becomes worth considering.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products you have, whether you sell mostly at markets or online, and your expected monthly sales, I can tell you which one I'd pick for your situation and estimate the actual monthly/payment-processing cost.

For a small maker business (crafts, ceramics, jewelry, candles, art, handmade goods, etc.) needing a simple POS + online store, I’d narrow it to two choices:

My default pick: Shopify

Choose Shopify if you expect your online store to become a major sales channel.

Best for:

• Selling online + at craft fairs/pop-ups
• Growing a recognizable brand
• Lots of products, variants, SKUs, collections
• Instagram/TikTok/social selling
• Shipping orders regularly
• Eventually adding wholesale

Why makers like it:

• Online store is much stronger than most POS-first systems
• Inventory can stay synced between your website and in-person sales
• Better product pages, SEO, apps, email marketing integrations, and scaling options www.shopify.com
• Shopify POS is designed to connect physical sales with the online store www.shopify.com

Downside: More expensive and more setup than the simplest options.

Best simple/low-cost choice: Square

Choose Square if you mostly sell in person and just need a basic online presence.

Best for:

• Farmers markets
• Craft fairs
• Occasional pop-ups
• A small catalog
• Getting started cheaply

Why it works well:

• Very easy POS setup
• Affordable hardware
• Good inventory basics
• Can add a simple online store
• Free POS plan available fitsmallbusiness.com

Downside: The online store experience is not as powerful as Shopify if ecommerce becomes your main business. technologyadvice.com

Other options worth considering

Etsy + Square

Good if your main goal is marketplace discovery rather than building your own brand.

Pros:

• Existing customer traffic
• Easy for handmade products

Cons:

• Less control over branding and customer relationship
• You’re building on someone else’s marketplace

Big Cartel

Good for artists with a small number of products and a very simple shop. www.shopify.com

Quick decision guide

If I were setting up a new maker business today, I’d usually start with Square if sales are 80% in-person, or Shopify if the goal is to grow online. The biggest mistake is choosing based only on today’s sales volume instead of where you want the business to go in 1–2 years. technologyadvice.com

If you tell me what you make, where you sell now (markets/store/online), approximate number of products, and monthly sales volume, I can give a more specific recommendation.

For a small maker business (handmade goods, ceramics, candles, jewelry, art, clothing, crafts, etc.) that needs a simple POS + online store, I’d narrow it to two choices: Square or Shopify. The right one depends mostly on whether you are event/pop-up first or online-store first. www.shopify.comfitsmallbusiness.com

My default pick: Shopify

Choose Shopify if you expect your online store to become the center of the business.

Best for:

• Selling online + at craft fairs/pop-ups
• Growing a brand
• Having a polished storefront
• Managing lots of product variations (sizes, colors, scents, collections)
• Email marketing, apps, shipping tools, social selling

Pros

• Best-in-class ecommerce tools
• Online inventory and in-person inventory stay synced
• Strong product catalog management
• Lots of room to grow www.shopify.com

Cons

• More expensive than a bare-bones setup
• More features means slightly more learning

Best budget/simple choice: Square

Choose Square if you mostly sell in person and just need a basic online presence.

Best for:

• Farmers markets
• Craft fairs
• Studio sales
• Occasional online orders
• Starting with minimal monthly cost

Pros

• Very easy setup
• Free POS option
• Affordable hardware
• Good for mobile selling www.shopify.comfitsmallbusiness.com

Cons

• Online store tools are less powerful than Shopify
• You may outgrow it if ecommerce becomes a major channel technologyadvice.com

Quick decision guide

A common path for makers is:

• Start with Square if you’re doing weekend markets and validating demand.
• Start with Shopify if you already know you want to build a real online brand. www.launchadvisor.co

If you tell me:

1. what you make,
2. where you sell now (Etsy, markets, Instagram, website, store),
3. roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and
4. whether you ship orders,

I can give you a more specific recommendation.

For a small maker business (handmade goods, crafts, art, candles, ceramics, jewelry, woodworking, etc.) that needs a simple POS + an online store, I’d narrow it to three choices:

My default pick: shopify.com

Best if you want to grow beyond craft fairs. TechnologyAdvice Shopify

Choose Shopify if:

• Your website/storefront is going to be a major sales channel
• You want a polished brand experience
• You sell through Instagram, markets, pop-ups, and online
• You expect your catalog or sales volume to grow

Pros:

• Excellent online store tools
• Strong inventory syncing between online and in-person sales
• Huge ecosystem for shipping, email marketing, apps, and automation
• Good long-term choice

Cons:

• More expensive than a basic POS setup
• You may pay for features you don’t need yet

Best setup:

• Shopify online store
• Shopify POS for markets/pop-ups
• A barcode system if you have lots of SKUs

Best simple/low-cost choice: squareup.com

Best if you mostly sell in person and want easy setup. Fit Small Business Fit Small Business

Choose Square if:

• Most sales happen at farmers markets, fairs, pop-ups, or a small studio
• You want to start cheaply
• You don’t need a highly customized website

Pros:

• Very easy to learn
• Great card reader hardware
• Free POS software option
• Simple inventory and customer tracking
• Square Online gives you a basic store

Cons:

• Online store features are less powerful than Shopify
• Branding/customization is more limited TechnologyAdvice

Best setup:

• Square POS + Square Online
• Upgrade later if online sales become significant

Best if you are an artist with a tiny catalog: bigcartel.com

Good for:

• 5–50 products
• Artists who want something simple
• Minimal maintenance

Less ideal if:

• You need advanced inventory
• You want sophisticated marketing tools
• You sell many variations (sizes/colors/options)

Quick decision guide

My recommendation for most serious small makers: start with Shopify if you can afford the monthly cost; start with Square if you’re still validating the business. Shopify gives you more room to build a brand, while Square gets you selling with less friction. LaunchAdvisor TechnologyAdvice

A few details would change the answer:

1. What do you make (jewelry, food, clothing, art, etc.)?
2. Are most sales at markets/events or online?
3. Roughly how many products/SKUs do you have?
4. Are you already on Etsy?

For a small maker business (handmade goods, crafts, ceramics, jewelry, candles, art, apparel, etc.), I’d usually narrow it to Shopify + Shopify POS vs Square POS + Etsy/Square Online. The right choice depends mostly on whether your business is online-first or market/pop-up-first. Shopify Shopify

My default pick: Shopify + Shopify POS

Choose this if you want to build a brand and grow.

Best fit:

• You sell online regularly (not just occasional drops)
• You do craft fairs/pop-ups and want one inventory system
• You care about a polished storefront, email marketing, customer accounts, discounts, product photography, collections, etc.
• You may eventually sell wholesale or run ads

Pros:

• Online store and POS share the same catalog and inventory
• Stronger ecommerce tools and app ecosystem
• Better long-term platform if your website becomes a major sales channel Shopify

Cons:

• Higher monthly cost than starting with Square
• More setup decisions
• You have to drive your own traffic (unlike Etsy’s marketplace discovery)

Pick Square + Etsy (or Square Online) if you are mostly a maker-market seller

Best fit:

• 80–90% of sales happen at fairs, markets, studios, or local events
• You need a simple card reader and checkout
• Etsy already brings you customers
• You don’t want to maintain a full website yet

Pros:

• Very easy POS setup
• Low upfront cost; Square has a free POS option and Square Online can connect with Square inventory/payments Square Square
• Great for pop-ups and occasional selling

Cons:

• Etsy is your storefront but not really your brand home
• You may eventually want to migrate if your website becomes important
• Managing a separate Etsy + POS + website stack can get messy

Quick decision table

A practical path many makers take

1. Start with Square POS + Etsy if you’re testing demand.
2. Move to Shopify + Shopify POS once you have repeat customers, 50+ products, or steady online sales.

If I were setting up a new maker brand today and expected to grow beyond local markets, I’d choose Shopify + POS. If I were making a few hundred sales a year at fairs, I’d choose Square + Etsy. launchadvisor.co

A few details would change the recommendation:

• What do you make?
• Roughly how many products/SKUs?
• Are you mostly selling online, at markets, or in a physical shop?
• Monthly sales now (or expected)?

For a small maker business that needs a simple POS + online store, I’d pick Square unless your online store is going to become the main part of the business.

My recommendation: Square

Square is probably the better starting point because it keeps things simple:

• $0/month POS plan — you pay processing fees when you make sales. Square Square
• Built-in online store that syncs with your Square product catalog and POS. Square
• Inventory, products, customer information, orders, and in-person/online sales can live together.
• You can start extremely cheaply with just Tap to Pay on your phone or a $59 Square Reader; you don't have to buy a full register. Square Square
• Especially good if you're selling at markets, craft fairs, pop-ups, and occasionally online.

The U.S. Square Free plan currently has no monthly subscription fee, with card-present processing listed at 2.6% + 15¢ and online card payments at 3.3% + 30¢. Square Square

When I'd choose Shopify instead

Shopify is the better choice if you expect your website to become the heart of the business—lots of online orders, email marketing, SEO, collections, product variants, shipping, etc.

Shopify Basic is currently $39/month, with online card rates starting at 2.9% + 30¢; its basic POS functionality is included, while POS Pro is an additional $89/month per location. Shopify

Bottom line: If you're making things yourself and selling at farmers markets, craft fairs, pop-ups, Instagram, and a relatively simple website, start with Square. You can get selling without committing to a monthly ecommerce subscription.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how much you expect to sell per month, and whether most sales will be markets or online, I can tell you which one I'd choose for your specific business and what hardware/setup I'd buy.

For a small maker business (handmade goods, crafts, ceramics, jewelry, art, candles, apparel, etc.) that needs a simple POS + online store, I’d usually narrow it to Square vs Shopify. Shopify TechnologyAdvice

My default pick: Square if you are mostly selling in person

Choose Square if you:

• Do craft fairs, pop-ups, markets, studio sales, or a small shop
• Need something you can set up quickly
• Have a small product catalog
• Want low upfront cost
• Don’t want to spend much time managing a website

Why it fits makers:

• Excellent mobile POS experience
• Affordable card readers
• Simple inventory tracking
• Built-in online store option
• Easy taxes, receipts, customer tracking, and sales reports Fit Small Business Fit Small Business

A typical maker setup:

• Square Reader + phone/tablet at markets
• Square Online storefront
• Inventory synced between booth and website

Pick Shopify if your online store is the main business

Choose Shopify if you:

• Expect most sales to come from your website
• Want to build a brand, email list, and repeat customers
• Have lots of product variations (sizes, colors, collections)
• Sell through Instagram, TikTok, marketplaces, or ads
• Expect growth

Shopify is stronger for:

• Store design
• Product merchandising
• Shipping workflows
• Discounts/promotions
• Apps and integrations
• Long-term ecommerce growth Shopify TechnologyAdvice

Quick decision table

Other options worth knowing

• Etsy: good for discovery and reaching handmade shoppers, but it is more of a marketplace than your own store. Many makers eventually pair Etsy with their own site. Shopify
• Big Cartel: worth considering if you have a very small catalog and want something lightweight. Shopify

My recommendation for most solo makers: start with Square unless you already know your website will be your main growth engine. You can always move to Shopify later, but starting with a simple system lets you spend more time making and selling. Fit Small Business TechnologyAdvice

If you tell me:

1. what you make,
2. where you sell now (markets/Etsy/Instagram/website), and
3. roughly how many products/SKUs you have,

I can give you a more specific pick.

For a small maker business—especially if you sell at craft fairs, markets, pop-ups, and also want a straightforward online shop—I’d pick squareup.com.

My quick recommendation

Why Square: You can start with a $0/month POS plan, take payments with your phone or Square hardware, and have your online store, catalog, inventory, discounts, and sales connected. Square says its free plan has no monthly subscription cost—you pay processing fees when you take a payment. Square Square

That's particularly attractive for a maker because you can have one inventory list for things like:

12 candles → 5 sold at a market → 7 automatically available online

Square also supports online selling, shipping, pickup, customer accounts, gift cards, product bundles, and abandoned-cart emails. Square

When I'd choose Shopify instead

I'd choose shopify.com if your online store is going to be the main business, rather than an extension of your market sales.

Shopify's e-commerce capabilities are stronger, and it has a much bigger ecosystem for apps, marketing, SEO, product variations, and scaling. But its Basic plan currently starts at $39/month, and its more advanced POS features require an additional $89/month per location for POS Pro. Shopify

So my rule of thumb:

• Mostly craft fairs + some online sales → Square
• 50/50 in-person and online → Square
• Mostly online + building a major e-commerce brand → Shopify
• Just starting and trying to keep expenses down → Square
• Lots of complicated variants, subscriptions, sophisticated online marketing → Shopify

For a small maker business, I'd start with Square. You can always move to Shopify later if the online side becomes the bigger part of the business.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether you sell mostly at markets or online, I can tell you which one I'd choose for your specific setup and what hardware I'd buy.

12 candles → 5 sold at a market → 7 automatically available online

Square also supports online selling, shipping, pickup, customer accounts, gift cards, product bundles, and abandoned-cart emails. Square

When I'd choose Shopify instead

I'd choose shopify.com if your online store is going to be the main business, rather than an extension of your market sales.

For a small maker business that needs both a simple POS and an online store, I’d pick Square unless your online store is going to be the main engine of the business.

My pick: Square

Why: it’s the simpler, lower-commitment option for a maker selling at markets, craft fairs, pop-ups, and online.

• POS: Square’s basic POS software is free; you mainly pay payment-processing fees. Square Square
• Online store: Square Online can use the same product catalog, inventory, orders, and customer information as your in-person operation. Square Square
• Markets/pop-ups: You can even take payments using Tap to Pay on an iPhone or Android without dedicated hardware. Square
• Hardware is inexpensive: Square currently lists its basic contactless/chip reader at $59 and Square Stand at $149. Square
• Costs are predictable: Square Free has no monthly subscription; current US rates are 2.6% + 15¢ for in-person card payments and 3.3% + 30¢ for online/invoice payments. Square

When I'd choose Shopify instead

Choose Shopify if you expect the online store to become the primary business—for example, lots of online orders, extensive product variants, sophisticated merchandising, social/marketplace selling, or eventually multiple sales channels.

Shopify's strength is that its ecommerce and POS systems are deeply integrated, but the entry cost is higher: the current Basic plan is $39/month when paid monthly, and POS Pro adds $89/month per location if you need its advanced retail features. Shopify Shopify

Simple decision

Bottom line: I'd start with Square. It gives a maker business a very straightforward way to sell at a market on Saturday and have essentially the same inventory available online Sunday, without committing to a substantial monthly software bill.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, your expected monthly sales, and whether most sales will be markets or online, I can tell you which one I'd choose for your specific business and what the monthly/transaction costs would look like.

For a small maker business that needs a simple POS + online store, I’d pick Square.

My recommendation: Square

squareup.com is the better fit if you’re primarily a maker selling at markets, pop-ups, craft fairs, or a small studio/store, and you also want a straightforward online shop.

• Simple POS: You can take payments with a phone, tablet, or Square hardware, including Tap to Pay. Square
• Online store included: Square lets you build an online store and sync products, inventory, orders, and discounts with your POS. Square Square
• Low commitment: Square's Free plan has no monthly subscription fee; you pay processing fees when you sell. Square
• Good maker features: inventory, SKUs, low-stock alerts, gift cards, shipping, pickup, and product bundles are all supported. Square Square

When I'd choose Shopify instead

shopify.com is my choice if your online store is going to become the main business—lots of products, significant online marketing, Instagram/social selling, sophisticated shipping, or eventually a larger retail operation.

Shopify's Basic plan currently starts at $39/month monthly ($29/month when billed yearly), with online selling and in-person POS included; more advanced POS functionality costs extra. Shopify Shopify

Bottom line: If you told me “I make candles/jewelry/ceramics/art/etc., sell at markets, and want a website where people can buy my stuff,” I'd start with Square. You can keep the setup inexpensive and uncomplicated, then move to Shopify later if e-commerce becomes the dominant channel.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether most sales happen online or at markets, I can give you a much more specific pick—including the POS hardware I'd use.

For a small maker business that wants a simple POS + online store, I’d pick Square unless your online store is going to be the main engine of the business.

My recommendation: Square

Block, Inc.’s squareup.com is probably the easiest starting point because it was built around straightforward in-person selling, while Square Online connects directly to the same product catalog, inventory, customers, and orders. Square Square

Why I'd lean Square for you: you can start with no monthly POS subscription on Square Free, take payments with your phone or inexpensive hardware, and have the online store use the same inventory. Square Square

For example, if you make candles, pottery, jewelry, art, woodworking, baked goods, etc., you could have:

Your products → Square inventory → POS at markets/pop-ups → Square Online store → one set of sales/inventory data.

When I'd choose Shopify instead

Choose shopify.com if you expect online sales to become the majority of your business and you care more about having a polished, expandable e-commerce site than having the simplest possible POS.

Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month monthly, with online and in-person selling integrated; more advanced POS functionality is an additional $89/month per POS Pro location. Shopify

My rule of thumb:

• 🧑‍🎨 Mostly making + selling at markets, fairs, pop-ups + some online: Square
• 🛒 Mostly selling online + building a serious brand/e-commerce site: Shopify
• 📱 Want to start extremely cheaply and simply: Square
• 📈 Expect lots of products, marketing, integrations, and e-commerce growth: Shopify

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, whether you sell at markets, and your expected monthly sales, I can tell you which one I'd choose for your specific business and what hardware/setup I'd buy.

Why I'd lean Square for you: you can start with no monthly POS subscription on Square Free, take payments with your phone or inexpensive hardware, and have the online store use the same inventory. Square Square

For example, if you make candles, pottery, jewelry, art, woodworking, baked goods, etc., you could have:

Your products → Square inventory → POS at markets/pop-ups → Square Online store → one set of sales/inventory data.

When I'd choose Shopify instead

Choose shopify.com if you expect online sales to become the majority of your business and you care more about having a polished, expandable e-commerce site than having the simplest possible POS.

Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month monthly, with online and in-person selling integrated; more advanced POS functionality is an additional $89/month per POS Pro location.

My rule of thumb:

For a small maker business—especially if you sell at craft fairs, markets, pop-ups, and also want a straightforward online shop—I’d narrow it to Square vs. Shopify.

My pick: Square

I’d choose Square if your priority is simple + inexpensive + easy in-person selling.

• POS: Excellent for markets/pop-ups; the basic POS has no monthly software fee. Square
• Online store: Square’s free plan includes a website builder, shipping, pickup/local delivery, and automatic syncing with Square POS. Square
• Cost: The free online plan charges 2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction; in-person processing on the free POS is 2.6% + 15¢. Square
• Big advantage: Your inventory and sales stay in one system without paying Shopify's monthly subscription.

Pick Shopify instead if...

Choose Shopify if you expect the online store to become the heart of the business.

Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month month-to-month ($29/month when paid annually), and it combines the online store with in-person POS. Shopify Shopify

It's better if you care about:

• A more polished/expandable ecommerce website
• Lots of online marketing and ecommerce integrations
• Growing into a larger catalog
• Eventually selling through multiple channels
• More sophisticated ecommerce functionality

The simple decision

For most tiny maker businesses, I'd start with Square. You can get a functioning POS + online shop without committing to a monthly ecommerce subscription. And if the online side eventually takes off, that's the point where Shopify becomes more compelling.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, where you sell in person (markets, wholesale, own shop, etc.), and your expected monthly sales, I can tell you which one I'd choose for your specific business and what hardware I'd buy.

For a small maker business (handmade goods, crafts, ceramics, candles, jewelry, art, apparel, etc.) that needs a simple POS + online store, I’d usually narrow it to Square vs Shopify. Both are strong, but they fit different selling styles. TechnologyAdvice

My default pick: squareup.com if you’re small and sell in person often

Choose Square if you:

• Do craft fairs, markets, pop-ups, or occasional retail events
• Want the lowest-cost way to start
• Need a simple checkout on an iPad/phone
• Have a small catalog (dozens to a few hundred products)
• Don’t want to spend much time maintaining a website

Why it works well:

• Free POS software tier
• Easy inventory tracking
• Simple online store included
• Affordable card readers
• Good for “scan item → take payment → go” selling Fit Small Business Square

A typical setup:

• Square POS app
• Square Reader
• Square Online store
• Inventory synced between booth sales and online orders

Pick shopify.com if your brand is primarily online

Choose Shopify if you:

• Expect your website to become your main sales channel
• Want a polished branded storefront
• Plan to grow into wholesale, subscriptions, ads, email marketing, or social selling
• Have lots of product variants (sizes, colors, materials)
• Want stronger ecommerce tools long term

Shopify’s advantage is that it was built around ecommerce first, then added POS. It generally gives you more flexibility for online merchandising, marketing, and growth. TechnologyAdvice

A typical setup:

• Shopify online store
• Shopify POS at markets/pop-ups
• iPad + card reader
• Shipping integrations
• Email marketing apps

Other options worth considering

• etsy.com — Good if you’re validating products and want marketplace traffic, but it’s less ideal as your only “home base” because customers belong to the marketplace ecosystem.
• bigcartel.com — Good for artists with a small catalog who want something very simple.
• woocommerce.com — Powerful if you already use WordPress, but usually more maintenance than a maker wants.

Quick decision rule

For most solo makers under roughly $100k–$250k/year, I’d start with Square unless online growth is the main goal. If your ambition is “build a recognizable brand and sell nationwide,” I’d start with Shopify so you don’t have to migrate later. LaunchAdvisor TechnologyAdvice

If you tell me:

1. what you make,
2. whether you sell mostly markets vs online,
3. approximate number of products/SKUs, and
4. whether you already use Etsy/Instagram,

I can give a more specific recommendation.

For a small maker business that needs both a simple POS and an online store, I’d pick Shopify—unless keeping monthly costs as close to zero as possible is your #1 priority.

My pick: Shopify

Why it fits a maker business well:

• One product catalog for craft fairs/pop-ups + your website.
• Inventory stays synchronized between in-person and online sales.
• Easy product variants—sizes, colors, scents, materials, etc.
• Strong online store, checkout, shipping, discounts, gift cards, and customer accounts.
• You can start with the basic POS features without paying for POS Pro. Shopify Shopify Help Center
• Shopify Basic is currently $39/month month-to-month or $29/month billed annually; in-person card processing starts at 2.6% + 10¢ with Shopify Payments. Shopify

shopify.com

The alternative: Square

I'd choose Square instead if you're mostly selling at markets/pop-ups and the online store is secondary.

Square's basic POS software is free, and its current US in-person processing starts at 2.6% + 15¢. Square Square

squareup.com

The tradeoff is that Shopify is generally the better e-commerce-first system, while Square is particularly attractive for a very small business that wants a cheap/easy POS. Shopify Fit Small Business

What I'd do

Bottom line: Shopify is my recommendation if you're building a real brand, not just adding a website to a market-stall business. You get a much stronger foundation for growing online without having to migrate platforms later.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products you have, whether you sell mostly online or at markets, and your monthly sales range, I can tell you which one I'd choose for your specific setup and what hardware you'd actually need.

For a small maker business selling at markets/pop-ups plus online, I’d pick Square.

My ranking

Why I'd choose Square

1. The POS is the priority.
Square is particularly good if you're selling at craft fairs, farmers markets, pop-ups, or a small physical shop. You can even take payments with Tap to Pay on a phone, so you don't necessarily need dedicated hardware. Square Square

2. The online store is already integrated.
Your products, inventory, discounts, orders, and sales can live in the same ecosystem rather than having a POS and web store that you have to keep synchronized. Square

3. You can start very cheaply.
Square's U.S. Free plan has $0/month software cost; you primarily pay payment-processing fees when you make a sale. Square

4. It fits a maker's workflow.
For example: make 20 candles → add them to inventory → sell 8 at Saturday's market → sell 3 online → inventory stays coordinated.

When I'd choose Shopify instead

I'd pick Shopify if you expect the online store to become the heart of the business—lots of products, substantial shipping volume, Instagram/social selling, sophisticated marketing, or eventually multiple sales channels.

Shopify's Basic plan currently starts at $39/month, and basic in-person POS functionality is included; more advanced POS features are an additional $89/month per location. Shopify

So my simple rule is:

Mostly markets + some online → Square.
Mostly online + some markets → Shopify.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether you sell mostly at markets or online, I can tell you which one I'd choose for your business and what the setup would cost.

For a small maker business—especially if you sell at markets/pop-ups and also want a straightforward online shop—I’d pick Square.

My pick: Square

Why it fits a maker business well:

• Simple POS: You can start with Square’s free POS plan and use your phone/tablet for in-person sales. Square Square
• Online store included: Square Online connects directly to the same product catalog, inventory, orders, and customer data as your POS. Square
• Good for markets: Tap-to-Pay lets you accept contactless payments without necessarily buying a dedicated terminal. Square
• Inventory stays synchronized: Sell the last three candles/pieces/prints at a market and your online inventory can reflect that automatically. Square
• Low commitment: Square Free has no monthly subscription fee; you primarily pay payment-processing fees when you sell. Square

When I'd choose Shopify instead

Pick Shopify if your online store is going to be the main business and you expect to build a substantial ecommerce operation.

Shopify is stronger for a sophisticated online storefront, ecommerce marketing, apps, and scaling. But its Basic plan starts at $39/month, and Shopify POS Pro is another $89/month per location if you need the more advanced POS functionality. Shopify

Quick decision

Bottom line: For a small maker starting out, I'd go Square first. You can get the POS and online store under one roof without taking on much monthly overhead. Square Square

If you tell me what you make, roughly how much you expect to sell per month, and whether most sales will be at markets or online, I can tell you which one I'd choose for your specific business and what the likely monthly/payment fees would look like.

For a small maker business that sells both in person and online, I’d pick Square unless you have a strong reason to prioritize e-commerce over the physical POS.

My pick: Square

Square is probably the best fit if you’re selling things like handmade goods at markets, craft fairs, pop-ups, or a small storefront and want a straightforward online shop.

• Very simple POS: You can even take payments with Tap to Pay on an iPhone/Android, so you can start without buying a full register. Square
• Online store + POS are integrated: Products, orders, customers, and inventory can be managed together. Square
• Low commitment: Square's Free plan has $0/month software cost; you pay payment-processing fees when you sell. Square Square
• Good for makers: You can have one product catalog for your craft-fair sales and your website, reducing the chance of selling something online that's already sold at an event.
• You can add shipping, pickup, discounts, gift cards, customer accounts, etc. as you grow. Square

When I'd choose Shopify instead

Shopify would be my choice if your online store is going to be the main business and the POS is secondary.

Shopify has a more powerful e-commerce ecosystem, better options for growing an online brand, and a very mature app ecosystem. Its Basic plan is currently $39/month when paid monthly ($29/month annually), with a full-featured online store and unlimited products. Shopify

The tradeoff is that Shopify is more of an e-commerce platform that also does POS, whereas Square feels more like a simple POS that also gives you an online store.

What I'd pick by situation

Bottom line: For a small maker business, I'd start with Square. It's hard to justify paying for a more complicated system until the business actually needs it. You can start at $0/month for the software and upgrade as your inventory, marketing, and operations become more sophisticated. Square Square

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether you mostly sell at markets or online, I can tell you whether I'd go Square vs Shopify vs another option for your specific setup.

For a small maker business (handmade goods, crafts, ceramics, candles, art, apparel, jewelry, etc.) needing a simple POS + online store, I’d usually narrow it to Square vs Shopify. The right choice depends mostly on where you sell. TechnologyAdvice

My default pick: squareup.com if you are mostly in-person

Choose Square if you sell at:

• craft fairs
• farmers markets
• pop-ups
• a small studio/shop
• occasional events

Why it fits makers:

• Very fast setup
• Simple inventory tracking (sizes, colors, variations)
• Affordable card readers
• Free POS software option
• Built-in online store for basic selling
• Good for a one-person operation that doesn’t want to manage a lot of tech Fit Small Business TechnologyAdvice

Typical setup:

• Square Reader + phone/tablet
• Square Online storefront
• Inventory synced between your booth and website

Pick Square if your sentence is: “I make things and I sell them at markets; I need a website too.”

Pick shopify.com if you want to grow online

Choose Shopify if:

• your website will become your main sales channel
• you want stronger branding/customization
• you plan to run ads, email marketing, subscriptions, wholesale, or social selling
• you expect hundreds of products eventually

Strengths:

• Better ecommerce tools
• More powerful product pages
• Better shipping workflows
• Huge app ecosystem
• Stronger long-term platform for a growing brand TechnologyAdvice Shopify

Typical setup:

• Shopify store
• Shopify Payments
• Shopify POS for markets/pop-ups

Pick Shopify if your sentence is: “I want to build a real online brand and markets are just one sales channel.”

Other options worth considering

Etsy + Square

Good if you want marketplace discovery:

• Etsy brings shoppers who are already looking for handmade items
• Square handles in-person sales

Downside: you don’t fully own the customer relationship.

bigcartel.com

Good for:

• very small catalogs
• artists
• simple shops

Less ideal if you want serious inventory management or growth. Shopify

My recommendation by maker type

If you tell me what you make, where you sell now (markets/Etsy/Instagram/store), and roughly how many products/SKUs you have, I can give you a more specific recommendation.

For a small maker business selling both at markets/in person and online, I’d pick Square if “simple” is the priority, and Shopify if you expect the online store to become a major part of the business.

My pick: Square

squareup.com is probably the best starting point for a small maker because:

• POS software can be free — Square’s Free plan has no monthly subscription; you primarily pay payment-processing fees. Square Square
• It handles markets, craft fairs, pop-ups, and in-person sales very well.
• Your online store and physical POS share inventory, orders, discounts, and customer information. Square
• You can start very simply with Tap to Pay on your phone rather than buying a complete register. Square
• You can add a proper card reader/register later without changing platforms.

When I'd choose Shopify instead

shopify.com is the better choice if you're thinking, “The website is going to be the heart of my business.”

Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month month-to-month or $29/month when billed annually, and basic in-person selling is included. Shopify Shopify

It's particularly attractive if you want:

• A nicer/more customizable ecommerce site
• Lots of online sales
• Instagram/social selling and other sales channels
• More sophisticated inventory and customer management later
• A platform you can grow into

The downside is that Shopify gets more expensive if you need advanced physical-retail features: POS Pro is another $89/month per location. Shopify

The simple decision

For a typical one-person maker business, I'd start with Square. You can get selling without committing to a monthly ecommerce/POS bill, while still having an online shop and synchronized inventory. Square

If you tell me what you make, roughly how much you expect to sell per month, and whether most sales will be at markets or online, I can tell you which one I'd choose specifically—and what hardware I'd buy (or avoid).

If you’re a small maker business—handmade goods, crafts, candles, jewelry, art, etc.—and you want one simple system for selling at markets + selling online, I’d pick Square for most businesses.

My recommendation: Square

squareup.com is the better starting point if simplicity and low fixed cost matter most.

• $0/month for Square Free — you pay processing fees when you sell. Square Square
• You can take payments at craft fairs/pop-ups with a phone or inexpensive card reader.
• Your online store, inventory, orders, discounts, and in-person sales can stay synced. Square Square
• Current standard processing is 2.6% + 15¢ in person and 2.9% + 30¢ online. Square
• You can start without buying dedicated POS hardware; Square supports Tap to Pay on iPhone/Android. Square

When I'd choose Shopify instead

shopify.com is my pick if the online store is going to become the main business.

Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month monthly ($29/month when billed annually), with a full online store and in-person selling included. More advanced retail POS features cost an additional $89/month/location. Shopify Shopify

I'd choose Shopify if you expect to care a lot about:

• A more sophisticated ecommerce website
• Online marketing and SEO
• Lots of products/variants
• Selling through Instagram/social channels and marketplaces
• Eventually building a larger ecommerce brand

Quick decision

For a typical one-person maker business, I'd start with Square. You can get the POS and online store running without committing to a monthly ecommerce subscription, and move up to paid Square features only when you actually need them. Square

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products you have, and whether most sales happen at markets or online, I can give you a much more specific Square-vs-Shopify recommendation.

For a small maker business selling both at markets/in person and through an online shop, I’d pick Square unless your online store is likely to become the main part of the business.

My recommendation: Square

squareup.com is probably the simplest starting point:

• $0/month for the basic POS, so you can start without another monthly software bill. Square Square
• Your in-person and online inventory stays synced, which is particularly useful when you make limited quantities of products. Square
• You can build a basic online store, accept payments, offer shipping/pickup, and sell in person from the same system. Square
• Hardware is relatively inexpensive: the basic Square Reader is currently $59, and Square Stand is $149. Square
• You can even take contactless payments directly on an iPhone/Android without buying hardware. Square

For a maker doing craft fairs, pop-ups, Instagram sales, and a modest web shop, that's a very attractive combination.

When I'd choose Shopify instead

shopify.com becomes my pick if you expect the online store to be the heart of the business.

Shopify's ecommerce tools are deeper, and its POS ties directly into the online Shopify store. But the entry-level Shopify plan is currently $39/month, with POS Pro costing another $89/month/location if you need its advanced retail features. Shopify

So I'd roughly think of it this way:

Bottom line: If you told me, "I make candles/jewelry/ceramics/art/etc., I do weekend markets, and I just need a nice little website where people can buy my stuff," I'd start with Square. You can always move to Shopify later if ecommerce becomes substantial.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether most sales are currently at markets or online, I can narrow it down to the exact setup I'd use.

For a small maker business that wants a simple POS + online store, I’d pick Square unless you already know you’re going to be heavily e-commerce-focused.

My quick ranking

Why Square: its free plan includes POS, online selling, websites, ordering and invoicing, so you can start without committing to a monthly software bill. squareup.com You can also take payments directly from a phone, so you don't necessarily need a dedicated register to start. squareup.com

Square

When I'd choose Shopify instead: if the online store is going to be the main business—lots of products, Instagram/social selling, sophisticated merchandising, subscriptions/apps, SEO/content, or you expect e-commerce to become much bigger than your in-person sales. Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month monthly ($29/month annually), with online store functionality and basic in-person selling included. www.shopify.com

Shopify

The rule of thumb

Mostly craft fairs / markets / local sales + a website → Square.

Mostly online sales + occasional markets → Shopify.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether you'll sell mostly at markets or online, I can tell you which one I'd actually use—and what the cheapest setup would be.

For a small maker business that needs a simple POS + online store, I’d pick Square unless your online store is going to become the bigger part of the business.

My pick: Square

squareup.com is probably the best starting point for a maker selling at markets, craft fairs, pop-ups, and online.

• $0/month on Square’s Free plan for the online store. Square Square
• POS and online inventory/orders can stay synced.
• You can take payments with a phone, card reader, or other Square hardware.
• The online store supports shipping, pickup, and local delivery. Square
• It's particularly good if you're doing in-person markets/pop-ups and don't want to pay a big monthly software bill.
• The downside is that Square's online storefront is less polished/flexible than Shopify.

When I'd choose Shopify instead

shopify.com is the better choice if your website/ecommerce business is the main event and the physical POS is secondary.

Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month monthly ($29/month when paid annually), and includes the full online store plus basic in-person selling. Shopify Shopify

I'd choose Shopify if you expect to have:

• A substantial product catalog
• Lots of online sales
• More sophisticated website/branding
• Email/marketing integrations
• Multiple sales channels
• The need to grow into a more sophisticated ecommerce operation

The simple decision

For a typical small maker—candles, ceramics, jewelry, art, clothing, crafts, etc.—I'd start with Square. You can get the POS and online shop running without committing to a substantial monthly subscription. Square's current free online plan charges processing fees when you sell rather than a monthly software fee. Square

If you tell me what you're making, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether you'll sell mostly at markets or online, I can tell you which one I'd use in your exact situation.

For a small maker business—especially if you sell at craft fairs, markets, pop-ups, and also want a simple online shop—I’d pick Square for most businesses.

My pick: Square

squareup.com is probably the best fit if your priorities are simple + inexpensive + in-person selling.

• $0/month for the basic POS software.
• You can start with a small card reader rather than buying a full register.
• Square can handle in-person and online sales with synced inventory. Square Square
• Its online store can handle shipping, pickup, local delivery, customer accounts, and basic ecommerce. Square
• Current U.S. Square Free card-present processing is 2.6% + $0.15. Square
• It's particularly good if you're selling physical handmade products at markets and want the online store to be an extension of that business.

When I'd choose Shopify instead

shopify.com becomes my recommendation if the online store is going to be a major part of the business.

Shopify is stronger for ecommerce: better storefront customization, product merchandising, marketing ecosystem, and long-term online growth. Its POS also connects online and in-person inventory. Shopify Shopify

The tradeoff is that you're paying for the ecommerce platform from the beginning—Shopify Basic is currently listed at $29/month when billed yearly, before other costs. Shopify

The simple decision

For a typical one-person maker business, I'd start with Square. You can get selling without committing to a monthly POS subscription, and you can upgrade as the business grows. Current comparisons also put Square among the strongest options for small businesses because of its free starting tier and practical in-person/online tools. Fit Small Business

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, where you sell (Etsy, markets, your own website, etc.), and your approximate monthly sales, I can tell you whether I'd choose Square vs Shopify vs Etsy + Square specifically for your situation.

For a small maker business that needs a simple POS + online store, I’d pick Square in most cases.

My ranking

Why I’d choose Square

1. The POS is the strong point.
Square's basic POS software is free, and you can take payments with a reader or even Tap to Pay on your phone. squareup.comsquareup.com

That's particularly nice for a maker business selling at markets, festivals, craft fairs, or pop-ups.

2. Your online shop and physical inventory can stay together.
Square Online connects to the same catalog, so products, inventory, orders, and customer information can be managed alongside your in-person sales. squareup.com

3. You don't have to build a complicated ecommerce operation.
If you're selling, say, 30–100 handmade products rather than running a giant catalog, Square is plenty capable.

4. The cost structure is straightforward.
Square's free plan has no monthly POS software fee; its current U.S. card-present rate is 2.6% + 15¢, while online payments are 3.3% + 30¢. squareup.comsquareup.com

When I'd pick Shopify instead

I'd choose Shopify if your plan is more like:

"I'm building a real ecommerce brand, and the website/online sales will eventually be more important than selling at markets."

Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month month-to-month ($29/month if billed annually), with a full-featured online store and in-person selling included. www.shopify.com

Its ecommerce ecosystem is considerably deeper, but you can end up paying for capabilities a small maker doesn't actually need. Shopify's more advanced POS functionality also costs an additional $89/month per location. www.shopify.com

What I would not do

I wouldn't start with Wix + Square unless having a particularly beautiful/content-heavy website is important to you. Wix can connect to Square and sync products/inventory/orders, but now you're managing two platforms instead of one. support.wix.com

Bottom line: start with Square. It's the lowest-friction combination of "take money at a market" + "have a decent online shop" + "don't spend your life administering software."

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products you have, whether you sell mostly online or at markets, and your approximate monthly sales, I can tell you whether I'd choose Square or Shopify—and which exact plan/hardware I'd use.

For a small maker business that needs both a simple POS and an online store, I’d usually narrow it to Square vs Shopify. The right choice depends on where most of your sales happen. www.launchadvisor.cotechnologyadvice.com

My default pick: Shopify if you want to grow online

Choose Shopify if you:

• Sell handmade goods, crafts, apparel, art, candles, ceramics, etc.
• Want your own branded website (not just a marketplace)
• Expect online sales to become important
• Need better product pages, shipping tools, marketing, and integrations
• Do occasional markets/pop-ups and want POS synced with inventory

Shopify’s strength is that it started as an ecommerce platform and has added POS, so it’s usually better when the website is the “main store.” technologyadvice.com

My budget/simple pick: Square if you sell mostly in person

Choose Square if you:

• Do craft fairs, farmers markets, pop-ups, or a small storefront
• Need to start cheaply
• Want a very simple card reader + inventory system
• Only need a basic online shop

Square is excellent for makers who are physically selling most of the time and just need an online presence. technologyadvice.com

Where Etsy fits

Etsy can be useful as an additional sales channel because it has built-in shoppers looking for handmade products, but it is less ideal as your only home base if you want to build a recognizable brand. fitsmallbusiness.com

Quick decision:

• 80% in-person sales (markets/events) → Square
• 80% online sales or you want to build a brand → Shopify
• Just testing products and need discovery → Etsy + Square/Shopify later
• Selling online + at markets + growing inventory → Shopify + Shopify POS

For most serious small makers starting today, I’d lean Shopify unless your business is mainly weekend markets. It costs more, but it gives you more room to grow without migrating later. www.launchadvisor.cotechnologyadvice.com

If you tell me:

1. what you make,
2. whether you sell at markets/stores/online now,
3. approximate number of products/SKUs, and
4. your monthly budget,

I can give a more specific recommendation.

For a small maker business that needs both a simple POS and an online store, I’d pick Square unless your online store is going to be the main engine of the business.

My pick: Square

Square is probably the best fit if you’re selling things like handmade goods at markets, craft fairs, pop-ups, and occasionally online.

Why:

• $0/month POS software on Square Free—you mainly pay payment processing when you sell. squareup.com
• Online store can be connected to the same product catalog and POS. squareup.comsquareup.com
• Inventory, orders, customers, and sales are unified.
• Hardware is inexpensive: Square Reader is $59, and Square Stand is $149. squareup.com
• You can start very simply and upgrade as you grow.

When I'd choose Shopify instead

Shopify is better if your website/ecommerce operation is going to be the center of the business.

Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month month-to-month ($29/month when billed annually), with a full-featured online store and in-person POS included. www.shopify.com Its POS Pro features are an additional $89/month/location, but you probably wouldn't need Pro for a small maker operation. www.shopify.com

The simple decision

For a typical one-person maker business, I'd start with Square. You can get a POS running without committing to a monthly subscription, while still having a real online storefront. Square's Free plan specifically includes POS, website/online ordering, and related tools. squareup.com

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether you'll sell mostly at markets or online, I can narrow it down between Square vs Shopify vs Etsy + Square and tell you exactly what I'd use.

For a small maker business selling both in person (markets, fairs, pop-ups) and online, I’d pick Square unless your online store is going to be the main growth engine.

My pick: Square

Square POS

Why it fits a maker business particularly well:

• $0/month for the basic POS — you pay processing fees when you sell. squareup.com
• Excellent for craft fairs, markets, pop-ups and mobile selling.
• Inventory is shared between your in-person and online sales.
• You can build a simple online store without paying for a separate ecommerce platform. Square's free tier includes websites/online selling. squareup.com
• Hardware is inexpensive: a basic Square Reader is $59, while a Square Stand is $149. squareup.com
• The current in-person processing rate on Square Free is 2.6% + 15¢ per transaction; online is 3.3% + 30¢. squareup.com

When I'd choose Shopify instead

Shopify

Choose Shopify if you expect the online store to become the heart of the business—lots of products, sophisticated product pages, email/marketing integrations, social selling, subscriptions, wholesale, etc.

Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month month-to-month ($29/month billed annually), with online card rates starting at 2.9% + 30¢. Its basic POS functionality is included, but POS Pro adds $89/month per location for advanced retail features. www.shopify.com

The simple decision

For a typical small maker—candles, ceramics, jewelry, art, woodworking, crafts, etc.—I'd start with Square. It's less expensive and less infrastructure than you need to get selling, while leaving you room to upgrade as you grow.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether you sell mostly at markets or online, I can tell you which one I'd choose for your specific setup and what the monthly costs would look like.

For a small maker business that needs a simple POS + online store, I’d pick Square in most cases.

My ranking

🥇 I'd start with Square

The big advantage is simplicity: Square's free POS has no monthly software fee, and its online store can sync with Square POS and inventory. You can sell at craft fairs, markets, pop-ups, etc., and have those sales reflected in the same product/inventory system as your website. squareup.comsquareup.com

You also don't need to buy elaborate hardware. For example, Square currently offers a $59 contactless/chip reader, while a Square Stand is $149. squareup.com

For a maker, that's a pretty compelling starting point:

Make product → list it once → sell at a market or online → inventory stays synchronized.

When I'd choose Shopify instead

I'd choose Shopify if you think your website will eventually become the center of the business—lots of products, online orders, shipping, email/marketing integrations, wholesale, social selling, etc.

Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month monthly ($29/month when billed annually), and includes online selling plus basic in-person POS. More advanced POS functionality is an additional $89/month per location. www.shopify.com

It's considerably more powerful for ecommerce, but that can also mean more stuff to configure and pay for than a small maker actually needs.

My rule of thumb

If 70%+ of your sales will be in person: → Square

If 70%+ will be online: → Shopify

If you're just starting and don't know yet: → Square, because you can start with essentially no monthly POS software cost and see where the business goes. squareup.comsquareup.com

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether you sell mostly at markets, through Instagram, Etsy, or your own website, I can tell you which one I'd personally choose and what the cheapest sensible setup would be.

For a small maker business that needs both a simple POS and an online store, I’d pick Square in most cases.

My ranking

Why I'd lean Square

For a maker—ceramics, candles, jewelry, art, woodworking, clothing, etc.—you probably want to be able to:

• Take payments at craft fairs/pop-ups without much setup
• Keep inventory synchronized between your booth and website
• Have a simple branded online shop
• Sell from your phone/tablet
• Avoid a big monthly software bill while you're small

Square's Free plan has $0/month software cost, and Square says its POS doesn't require you to purchase hardware—you can even use Tap to Pay on a phone. Its online-store system is also integrated with the POS, so products and inventory can stay synchronized. squareup.com

That's a particularly nice fit for a maker whose sales might be 70% in-person at markets and 30% online, for example.

When I'd choose Shopify instead

I'd pick Shopify if you're expecting the website to become the primary sales channel—for example:

Instagram/TikTok → your website → shipping orders all over the country

Shopify's ecosystem is substantially stronger for ecommerce, marketing, apps, product variations, shipping, and scaling. Its Basic plan is currently $39/month, with in-person selling included, although the more advanced POS features require an additional POS Pro subscription. www.shopify.com

So I'd think of it this way:

Mostly markets + simple website → Square

Mostly online + occasional markets → Shopify

Beautiful content/brand website is the priority → Wix

One other option is Wix + Square POS. Wix officially supports connecting Square POS and syncing products/inventory, but I'd generally avoid adding that extra layer unless you specifically prefer Wix's website builder. support.wix.com

If you tell me what you're making, roughly how much you expect to sell per month, and whether you'll do mostly craft fairs/markets or online sales, I can tell you exactly which one I'd use and what the cheapest setup would be.

For a small maker business—especially if you sell at craft fairs, markets, pop-ups, and also want a straightforward online shop—I’d pick Square.

My pick: Square

Why it fits a maker business well:

• $0/month to start for Square’s basic online store; you pay payment processing when you sell. squareup.comsquareup.com
• POS and online inventory/sales can be synced, so selling an item at a market can update its online stock. squareup.com
• Very easy to take payments in person, including without dedicated hardware using Tap to Pay. squareup.comsquareup.com
• You can add shipping, local delivery, pickup, customer accounts, and social selling. squareup.com
• It's a particularly good fit if you're testing the business and don't want another $40-ish monthly bill before sales justify it.

When I'd choose Shopify instead

I'd go with Shopify if the online store is going to be the heart of the business—lots of products, serious online marketing, subscriptions/apps, wholesale, multiple sales channels, or plans to grow substantially.

Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month month-to-month ($29/month when billed annually), and its POS connects directly to the online store. www.shopify.com

Bottom line: If you're making candles, ceramics, jewelry, art, baked goods, crafts, etc. and expect a mix of in-person + online sales, I'd start with Square. You can always move to Shopify later if ecommerce becomes the dominant part of the business.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether most sales will be markets or online, I can tell you which one I'd choose specifically for your business.

For a small maker business that needs both a simple POS and an online store, I’d pick Square unless your online store is going to be the main engine of the business.

My recommendation: Square

Why: it’s the simpler, lower-cost starting point for a maker selling at craft fairs, markets, pop-ups, and online.

• $0/month for Square Free POS software. You pay processing fees when you sell. squareup.com
• Square also gives you an online store, so your in-person and online inventory can live in the same ecosystem. squareup.comsquareup.com
• You can start with just your phone and Tap to Pay, or add a $59 Square Reader if you want a dedicated card reader. squareup.com
• The basic in-person rate is currently 2.6% + 15¢ per transaction. squareup.com
• It's particularly attractive if you do markets/pop-ups, because you don't need to commit to a substantial monthly software bill.

When I'd choose Shopify instead

I'd choose Shopify if you're expecting the online store to become the center of the business—lots of products, serious online marketing, social selling, shipping, subscriptions/apps, or eventually multiple sales channels.

Shopify's online/ecommerce capabilities are stronger, and its POS is tightly integrated with the online store. But the entry point is more expensive: the Basic plan is currently $39/month, and more advanced POS functionality is another $89/month per location. www.shopify.com

Simple decision

For a typical small maker, I'd start with Square. You can get selling without taking on a monthly platform cost, and its online store is good enough for a straightforward catalog. squareup.comsquareup.com

If you tell me what you're making, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether you'll sell mostly at markets or online, I can tell you which one I'd choose for your specific business and what hardware I'd buy.

For a small maker business that needs both a simple POS and an online store, I’d pick Square unless your online store is going to be the main engine of the business.

My pick: Square

Square is the better simple/low-cost starting point:

• $0/month for Square Free; you pay payment-processing fees when you sell. squareup.com
• Your POS and online store share the same inventory, orders, discounts, and customer data. squareup.comwww.shopify.com
• You can start very cheaply with a $59 card reader, or use Tap to Pay on your phone without buying hardware. squareup.com
• The online store handles shipping, pickup, local delivery, gift cards, discounts, and basic SEO. squareup.comwww.shopify.com
• Particularly good if you're doing craft fairs, markets, pop-ups, workshops, or occasional in-person sales.

When I'd choose Shopify instead

Shopify is worth the extra cost if you expect online sales to become the core business.

Shopify Basic is currently $39/month monthly, with online and in-person selling integrated; its POS Pro upgrade is another $89/month/location if you need advanced retail features. www.shopify.com

I'd choose Shopify if you care about:

• A more polished/brand-focused ecommerce site
• Lots of products/variants
• Growing online traffic and marketing
• Selling through multiple online channels
• Eventually having a more sophisticated retail operation

Simple decision

For a typical small maker just getting started, I'd start with Square. You can get the POS + website + inventory system running without committing to a monthly ecommerce subscription. Square's current Free plan specifically includes POS, website, online ordering, and related tools. squareup.com

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether most sales happen online, at markets, or in a physical shop, I can give you a more definitive Square vs. Shopify recommendation.

For a small maker business that needs a simple POS + online store, I’d pick Square in most cases.

My ranking

Why Square: its free POS has no monthly subscription, and Square Online can use the same product catalog/inventory as your in-person operation. You can take payments with a phone, and Square explicitly supports syncing online and in-person inventory/orders. squareup.com

For a maker doing craft fairs, pop-ups, markets, occasional custom orders, and a small web shop, that's a very nice setup: one catalog, one payment system, one dashboard.

Square's current U.S. Free plan has $0/month software cost; standard in-person processing is 2.6% + 15¢, while online card payments are 3.3% + 30¢. squareup.com

When I'd choose Shopify instead

I'd choose Shopify if you expect the online store to become a serious part of the business—lots of SKUs, significant online marketing, subscriptions, sophisticated inventory, apps/integrations, etc.

Shopify Basic currently starts at $39/month and includes online selling plus basic POS functionality, but the more advanced POS features require POS Pro at $89/month per location. www.shopify.com

So my rule of thumb is:

"I make things and sell them in person, with an online store on the side" → Square.

"I run an e-commerce brand that also happens to sell at markets/stores" → Shopify.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, where you sell (markets, fairs, own website, Etsy, etc.), and approximate monthly sales, I can tell you which one I'd personally choose and what the setup would cost.

For a small maker business—handmade goods, markets/pop-ups, fairs, occasional online orders—I’d pick Square.

My pick: Square

Why: it’s the simplest way to have one inventory + POS + online store without committing to a sizable monthly software bill.

• $0/month for Square’s basic POS software. squareup.com
• You can sell in person and online, with inventory syncing between them. squareup.com
• Excellent for craft fairs, farmers markets, pop-ups, and occasional retail events because you can use a small card reader or phone rather than a full checkout setup.
• Square's online store can handle shipping, pickup, local delivery, customer accounts, and social selling. squareup.com
• You can start very cheaply and add more sophisticated inventory/retail features later.

When I'd choose Shopify instead

Shopify is the better choice if your website is going to be the center of the business—lots of online orders, a growing product catalog, multiple sales channels, subscriptions/apps, etc.

Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month, and its POS integrates tightly with the online store and inventory. www.shopify.com

So I'd think of it this way:

For a typical one-person maker business, I'd start with Square. You can always move to Shopify later if ecommerce becomes the bigger part of the business.

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products you have, and whether you sell mostly at markets or online, I can tell you which one I'd choose for your specific setup and what hardware I'd buy.

For a small maker business that wants a simple POS + online store, I’d pick Square.

My ranking

Why I'd choose Square

1. It starts at $0/month.
Square's current Free plan includes the POS, product/item catalog, inventory tracking, invoicing, and an online site/store. You pay transaction fees rather than a monthly software subscription. squareup.com

2. It's particularly good for makers who sell in person.
If you're doing craft fairs, markets, pop-ups, workshops, or occasional retail, Square's POS is straightforward, and you can even accept Tap to Pay on an iPhone or Android without buying a terminal. squareup.com

3. Your inventory can stay unified.
The same product catalog can power your in-person and online sales, which is a big deal when you have, say, 30 candles or 12 handmade mugs and don't want to manually reconcile what sold at a market with what's listed online. Square's online store supports pickup, delivery and shipping as well. squareup.com

4. You can start extremely lean.
I'd start with Square Free, rather than paying for a higher tier. Square currently lists in-person processing at 2.6% + 15¢ and online processing at 3.3% + 30¢ on its Free plan. squareup.com

When I'd pick Shopify instead

I'd choose Shopify if you're thinking:

"The online store is going to become the main business, and the POS is mainly there so I can sell at markets."

Shopify's Basic plan is currently $39/month, with online selling built in and POS included for basic in-person selling. Its more advanced POS Pro functionality is another $89/month per location. www.shopify.com

Shopify is the better long-term choice if you expect to build a substantial ecommerce operation—lots of products, sophisticated online merchandising, email/marketing integrations, social selling, apps, etc.

The simple rule

Mostly markets + some online → Square.
Mostly online + some markets → Shopify.

For a small maker business, I'd start with Square unless you already know ecommerce will be the center of the business. You can get surprisingly far without paying a monthly fee. squareup.com

If you tell me what you make, roughly how many products/SKUs you have, and whether you sell mostly at markets or online, I can tell you which one I'd choose for your specific business and what I'd buy to set it up.