Update:

Shopify Tap and Chip Card Reader Review 


Shopify

Summary

Shopify is a Canadian e-commerce platform that helps small businesses build an online store and sell online through retail POS systems. The following is our review of their Shopify Tap and Chip card reader.

Advantages

  • Simple to operate
  • Sync via Bluetooth
  • Takes chip, tapping, NFC payments

Disadvantages

  • Magstripe payments not possible
  • Less appealing for non Shopify users
Shopify logo

Shopify

Shopify logo

Shopify

Summary

Shopify is a Canadian e-commerce platform that helps small businesses build an online store and sell online through retail POS systems. The following is our review of their Shopify Tap and Chip card reader.

Advantages

  • Simple to operate
  • Sync via Bluetooth
  • Takes chip, tapping, NFC payments

Disadvantages

  • Magstripe payments not possible
  • Less appealing for non Shopify users

Summary

About Shopify
Pricing and commissions
The Shopify reader in detail
Cards accepted
Who is Shopify for?
Ordering your Shopify Terminal
Shopify setup
How to receive funds
How to take payment
Features
Security
Support and customer service
Customer reviews
Overall verdict

About Shopify 

The Shopify platform has been in operation since 2006 offering online retailers a suite of services including payments, marketing, shipping and customer engagement tools.

It is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms on the planet, with a 23% share of the eCommerce platform market in the U.S. in 2022. Shopify’s Tap and Chip Card Reader works with the Shopify card reader app to accept EMV chip and contactless payments. It uses Bluetooth technology so it works anywhere you have a connection to Bluetooth.

One of the best things about Shopify is that it’s a complete solution. This means that you don’t need to piece together different software programs to run your store.

With its own card reader that businesses can use to accept payments, this Shopify POS terminal is compatible with both credit and debit cards, and it connects to the Shopify platform via Bluetooth. This means that businesses can use the card reader without having to worry about connecting it to a computer or other device.

Shopify: Pricing and Commissions

The Tap & Chip Card POS Reader sold for $49 when offered by Shopify and the dock is available for $39. A simple and user-friendly card reader that takes both chip and tap payments at $49 dollars is indeed a reasonable price. 

The cost of processing payment on this device depends on the Shopify plan you have. Here are the costs per transaction.

PriceTransaction fees
Basic Shopify$29/month2.9% + $0.30 online transactions, 2.7% in-person transactions
Shopify$79/month2.6% + $0.30 online transactions, 2.5% in-person transactions
Advanced Shopify$299/month2.4% + $0.30 online transactions, 2.4% in-person transactions

Shopify Payments will charge additional transaction fees if you use any other payment processor than Shopify Payments. These are 2.0% for a Basic Shopify Plan, 1.0% for a Shopify Plan, and 0.5% for an Advanced Shopify Plan.

Shopify allows small businesses, freelancers and retailers to escape the old pricing of payment terminals with its simple model: Terminal purchase with software and transaction fees.

Basic Shopify includes an online store, two staff accounts, and the ability to print shipping labels for online orders. The higher-level plans add an increased number of locations for inventory management, additional reporting, extra employee accounts, discounts with shipping companies like UPS and the U.S. Postal Service and increased support for international sales.

The Shopify plan enables a limit of five employee accounts and may be used across an unlimited number of storefronts.

Access to professional reports, which will allow you to keep a closer eye on your business’s performance, are added to the Basic Shopify plan with this add-on.

The Shopify POS Lite platform is included, just as it is with the Basic plan. However, in addition to that, this plan has more sophisticated shipping tools and reduced credit card processing rates.

The Advanced Shopify plan extends the capabilities of the previous Shopify plans by making it possible to have up to 15 employee accounts spread over up to eight different locations.

The Shopify reader in detail

This terminal, which functions similarly to a standard point-of-sale system, enables companies to:

  • Read and accept payments made using bank cards.
  • Accept contactless payments
  • Accept payments made through NFC using a mobile wallet (Google Pay & Apple Pay)

You will want a device that is equipped with Shopify POS in order to link your reader with it via Bluetooth. The reader is compatible with the following electronic gadgets:

  • Apple: iPhone 5 or a later model.
  • iPad Air: at least the second generation.
  • iPad, at least up to and including Generation 4
  • iPad Mini, preferably at least Generation 2
  • iPad Pro: Any type of iPad Pro that is able to run iOS 11.4 or a later version
  • Android: An Android smartphone that is running Lollipop version 5.0 or a later version.

It takes around one to 2 hours to completely charge the Tap & Chip Reader. Once it has been completely charged, the reader’s battery should be able to support sales for a full week.

You will find its compact size to be convenient in terms of ergonomics, particularly when compared to conventional payment terminals, which may sometimes be rather huge and heavy.

Shopify’s Tap & Chip POS machine is a compact and lightweight gadget, measuring 2.83 inches by 3.39 inches by 0.51 inches, and weighs 0.2 pounds. It shouldn’t be an issue for you if your intention is to take infrequent card payments using the device you have in your hand.

Furthermore, the gadget doesn’t come with a clasp or clamp that may be used to keep it in place.

Because of this, it is highly recommended that you use it in conjunction with the dock that Shopify provides for the device. The dock costs $39 on its own. The dock keeps the reader firmly in place and ensures that it is always charged.

Additionally, it comes with a nut and bolt so that it may be mounted on a countertop if desired.

Cards accepted by Shopify

Card typeAccepted?
Debit cardsYes
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover etc)Yes
Digital wallets (Apple Pay/Google Pay)Yes

Mastercard and Visa typically allow tap limits of up to $250, introduced post pandemic ensuring fewer consumers need to touch payment machines. This can vary depending on the card provider. The practice, which saves time for each transaction, has seen its use soar since the pandemic. 

Who is Shopify for?

Shopify continues to grow in part because the platform is intended to be simple enough for small-business operators and anyone unfamiliar with POS systems to navigate. It is recommended for companies with online stores, not just physical outlets and also businesses with lots of checkout terminals per location. 

Shopify can be particularly useful for:

  • Retail stores
  • Quick service dining
  • Cafes, restaurants, boutiques, convenience stores, shops, clothing stores and merchants
  • Home & field services
  • Personal services
  • Professional services
  • Hairdressers and beauty salons
  • Couriers, drivers and taxis

Most of Shopify’s target audience are smaller businesses, as noted above. Some activities are not accepted however by Shopify. These mainly include industries that are restricted including gambling or unlicensed professions. 

Shopify order process

Registration for the service can be completed online on the official Shopify website. Customers can enter their details and register for a Shopify account. Sending the terminal is free and can take up to 5 days after validation of the opening of the account.

We recommend that you plan to purchase your Shopify payment terminal at least 7 working days before you need it.

Shopify setup

Customers will receive your pre-configured Shopify, typically arriving pre-charged with 50% battery. There is no need for a technician, so you can carry out the setup by yourself in approximately 10-15 minutes. 

To get started:

  • Make sure your card reader is charged. When the reader has reached its maximum capacity, each of the four battery indication lights that are located on the top of the gadget will become illuminated. It should take between one and two hours to complete this task.
  • Get the Shopify reader application on your mobile device by downloading and installing it for free.
    • Launch the application and then login in to the Shopify shop; if you don’t already have an account, create one first.
    • To activate the reader, flip it over and locate the power switch on the bottom of the device.
    • At this point, the reader ought to automatically link up with the application via the use of Bluetooth.
  • To ensure that the connectivity has been established, tap the Home button located in the bottom-left corner of the app, and when the menu has shown, pick Settings from the list of options.
    • To access the link, scroll down until you see it.
    • Choose Card Reader first from following menu, and then choose Tap & Chip after that.
    • If you have the app turned on, it should be able to find your reader.
  • You should see a Connect reader link; choose it, then select “Connect” to complete the setup process.

If you completely charge the device, it should have a run time of up to eight hours for the typical small and medium business.

The Shopify Tap & Chip Scanner is only functional with Shopify POS and can only be purchased on the Shopify website, where it is also the only place it can be found. It is not compatible any other processing program, therefore you won’t be able to utilize it with any of them.

How to receive funds from your Shopify transactions

Aside from that, the only other need is that you link your Shopify store to a bank account. Before you can link your bank account to Shopify Payments and begin accepting customer payments, you will first need to verify that your financial institution satisfies the following criteria.

  • The checking account is a complete checking account held in US dollars with a financial institution located in the United States.
  • ACH transactions may be processed using this bank account.

The forms of electronic bank transfers that were outlined above are often accepted by checking accounts. Shopify Payments is not compatible with checking accounts that have been pre-configured to exclusively accept wire transfers.

Shopify Payments does not offer savings accounts, flexible FX accounts, virtual accounts, or money transfer services that imitate bank accounts. Neither do virtual accounts or money transfer services.

Contact your bank if you want to verify that your account is able to take the sort of transfer that is specified for your area.

In the U.S, the pay period consists of two full days of the workweek. It is possible that the cash will take some time to show up in your corporate account once they have been transferred.

The processing of deposits into your bank account normally takes anywhere from 24 to 72 hours at a bank.

How to take payment from customers with the Shopify

When your company is a single proprietorship, you are instantly set up to take all major payment methods in the majority of countries the moment you start your Shopify shop with Shopify Payments enabled. This is the case even if your company is the only employee.

The rate for your card  is determined by the Shopify membership plan that is associated with your shop, however you are free to switch plans anytime you choose.

Simply enter the amount, and the customer will do the rest as on a conventional terminal: insert their card, type their pin code and validate. A green tick confirms the success of the transaction and it is also possible to print the credit card receipt with compatible printers.

To charge the terminal, use the included cable and plug it into a computer or electrical outlet. Plug it into a computer or electrical outlet. It can be put to charge on or off or whilst in use which is convenient. Once charged, you’ll be able to enjoy up to 500 transactions on a single charge. 

Finally, you will be notified if the payment terminal software is updated. Updates are quite simple to perform and an update check is even performed by default when your device is connected to the application. 

Shopify features

The following is a list of some of the benefits that come with using Shopify POS:

Contactless payment

Like any good mobile payment terminal, Shopify enables you to accept:

  • Contactless payments
  • Payments by digital wallet (Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay)

This feature is highly appreciated by small traders because it saves a lot of time and avoids lines.

Payment features

Shopify gives shops the ability to create gift vouchers that can be used both in-store and online, as well as accept a variety of payment methods all within the same transaction.

These are known as the Custom Payment Options. The capability to design one’s own unique payment alternatives is the characteristic that sets Shopify POS apart from its competitors. Do you want to take payments in the form of personal cheques, gold bullion, or Monopoly money? This is how you can do it.

In addition, Shopify enables additional sales channels, which you may access by simply copying and pasting the “Buy Button” into your website or other social media networks. You are not limited to merely selling things from inside your Shopify shop; you may do it wherever you like.

Store management

Shopify interfaces easily with Accounting Software like as QuickBooks and Xero, and it also allows you to access all previous orders, regardless of whether they were placed in-store or online. When you upgrade to a more powerful Shopify POS subscription, you have access to a new option called Multiple Staff Accounts.

Reporting

The Point of Sale software provided by Shopify provides you with a number of analytics tools, such as dashboards that analyze sales, bookings, and traffic trends.

Product management

Your items may be arranged in almost any manner that you like when you work with a business. You also have the option of providing your customers with a variety of product sizes, materials, and colors, each of which may have its own SKU #, price and weight.

Inventory management

Shopify’s sophisticated inventory control system makes it simple to monitor which of your products are most popular with customers and which are the most cost-efficient.

Additionally, you have the option of either associating a product with an already existing barcode or creating a new one for it.

Security

Shopify has shown that it satisfies the requirements set out by the Payment Card Industry (PCI). It makes the comprehensive compliance reports available online. Additionally, it manages a mechanism via which users may report any problems they encounter with the system’s security.

Shopify also performs fraud analysis, which monitors your online transactions and alerts you to those that may be fake. If you so want, you can also use the Shopify app store to install and download third-party fraud detection applications.

If someone challenges a payment that was made to you via Shopify, you will often be charged a chargeback fee in the amount of $15 if you utilize Shopify Payments, which is Shopify’s credit card processor.

Shopify is responsible for paying this cost that the bank charges. You will be entitled to a reimbursement of this cost in the event that you successfully contest the chargeback.

Support and Customer Service

Shopify provides comprehensive customer support, including assistance with fundamental issues and the majority of everyday tasks.

Shopify provides a broad variety of supplemental customer care alternatives in addition to its direct customer service that is available around the clock by telephone, online chat, email, and Twitter.

The Shopify Community gives you access to over 900,000 Shopify Merchants and Partners to engage in meaningful conversations with your peers whilst the Shopify Help Center also offers a series of useful articles to help you get started with Shopify Point of Sale or troubleshoot various issues. 

Shopify: Customer Reviews

Shopify does have a page on Trustpilot with over 1,330 reviews, but these are not specific to the Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader. 

Although there are more positive comments made about Shopify and Shopify POS than there are negative ones, customers have a lot of problems. It is possible to continue processing payments during an outage with some services; however, this is not the case with Shopify.

Additionally, some users have discovered that the cost of utilizing Shopify is higher than what is process began once they discover that they require to buy software or feature add-ons in order to have the features that they require.

Reviews that are favorable emphasize how simple it is to use, how great the customer service is (including the availability of live chat assistance around the clock), and how well Shopify integrates with other eCommerce platforms.

Shopify: Overall verdict

Overall, Shopify’s Tap & Chip Card Reader is a solid card reader, well priced, easy to use, with good customer support and is ideal for Shopify connected businesses.   

If you’re already using Shopify to run an online store via Shopify’s eCommerce service, it makes sense to use Shopify’s POS and in-store card reader. If you aren’t already in the Shopify ecosystem, there are cheaper options available.

While the app is impressive allowing transactions to take place with a wide variety of cards, it has additional value by offering tracking, synchronization of orders with customers, inventory checks and lots more too. 

Summary

About Shopify
Pricing and commissions
The Shopify reader in detail
Cards accepted
Who is Shopify for?
Ordering your Shopify Terminal
Shopify setup
How to receive funds
How to take payment
Features
Security
Support and customer service
Customer reviews
Overall verdict

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