For most Singapore SMEs, Shopify wins on feature breadth, multi-channel selling, and international expansion. Square is ideal if you're primarily selling in-store with light online needs. Both integrate with local payment gateways (Stripe, 2Checkout), but Shopify's app ecosystem is significantly larger.
Running an online store in Singapore means navigating GST 9%, international shipping logistics, and payment processing across multiple currencies and methods. Square and Shopify are the two most popular platforms for Southeast Asian SMEs, but they serve different business models.
Square traditionally powers in-store checkout with light ecommerce bolt-ons. Shopify is purpose-built for online selling but also supports physical retail. If you're choosing between them for your Singapore business, understanding their strengths—and pricing in SGD—is critical.
Both platforms charge subscription fees plus payment processing fees. Here's what matters for your SGD budget:
| Feature | Shopify | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Plan | SGD 29/month (includes online store) | Free (in-store only); SGD 29/month for online store |
| Ecommerce Plan | SGD 99/month | SGD 99/month |
| Payment Fee (Online) | 2.2% + SGD 0.30 | 2.6% + SGD 0.30 |
| Payment Fee (In-Store) | Not primary focus | 1.69% (no monthly fee for Reader) |
| Shipping Tool | Built-in; partnerships with SingPost, DHL | Manual integration needed |
The math: If you're selling SGD 10,000 worth of goods monthly, Shopify's total cost is roughly SGD 200–250 (plan + payment fees). Square's equivalent is SGD 250–300. Over a year, Shopify edges ahead—but only if you don't use Square's in-store reader, which is genuinely free.
This is where regional nuance matters. Both platforms integrate with Stripe and 2Checkout, which accept most Singapore payment methods: bank transfers (DBS, OCBC, UOB), credit/debit cards, and buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) like GCash and Grab Pay.
Shopify's advantage: direct integration with Shopify Payments, which settles funds in SGD within 1–2 days to local bank accounts. You avoid currency conversion delays.
Square's advantage: its in-store card reader (Contactless + Chip) is cheaper for physical retail. If you run a pop-up or offline store, Square's hardware ecosystem is purpose-built and more cost-effective. However, Square's online payment processing is less localized for Southeast Asia compared to Shopify.
Both platforms handle GST 9% registration, but with differences:
Shopify: Automatically calculates GST at checkout if your annual turnover exceeds SGD 1 million. You can file GST returns through Shopify's built-in tax dashboard. It integrates with Xero and other accounting software, making bookkeeping straightforward.
Square: Handles GST but requires more manual configuration. If you're using Square's POS for in-store sales, you'll need to manually reconcile with your GST returns—especially if you're blending online and offline revenue.
For CPF contributions, neither platform manages this directly (you handle payroll separately). But Shopify's integration with tools like Guidepoint simplifies financial reporting, which matters if you have employees.
Shopify offers 24/7 email and live chat support via its Help Center and community forums. Square's support is available but slower for non-premium tiers. For Singapore-based SMEs, Shopify's responsiveness during Asian business hours is a practical advantage.
Both offer video tutorials and documentation, but Shopify's creator community in Southeast Asia is significantly larger—meaning more local case studies, templates, and peer support.
In Singapore's competitive retail landscape, Shopify is the more versatile choice for most growing SMEs. Its payment processing, multi-channel selling, and integration ecosystem make scaling easier. The slightly lower payment fees also add up over time.