How to Build Your Own Shopify POS
Replace Shopify POS with a custom build. The point of sale for every sale
Build Difficulty: 4/5
A few focused days to build a solid replacement
Estimated Timeline
Based on 93 features at Few Days difficulty, expect about 3-5 days with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 8 categories. See all 93 features
Inventory(14 features)
Reduce errors and increase profit from a single place using smart recommendations from Stocky app by Shopify
Get purchase order suggestions based on recent product performance or seasonality
Identify trends and confidently plan for the future with reports about your locations and inventory
Decide which products are worth reordering and which are taking up valuable storage and cash based on stock performance grading
Use a barcode scanner to match your store inventory to your records
+9 more in this category
Payments(12 features)
Shopify Payments comes included with every Shopify plan for fully integrated payments both in store and online
Easily manage and reconcile chargebacks in the Shopify admin and win 17% more disputes
Create custom payment options like checks or transactions taken through external terminals
Sell flexible gift cards, redeemable online or in store with ability to email digital cards and let shoppers add them to Apple Wallet
Accept as much or as little payment as you want in the form of deposits or layaways
+7 more in this category
Reporting & Analytics(11 features)
Understand how much you'll be paid and when you'll receive your money from in-person and online sales
Accurately track the balance of your cash drawer for end-of-day deposits
Make informed decisions with detailed insights into sales, products, and staff performance compiled in a daily report generated from your POS
Get an overview of your entire business online and in-store at a glance
Track the performance of your promotions so you can evolve your approach over time
+6 more in this category
Checkout(10 features)
Quickly build carts through search, customized product tiles, or scanning barcodes from your device camera or a connected barcode scanner
Improve the data captured at checkout by enforcing cart actions like adding a customer to an order or attributing a sale to a staff member
Send custom email or SMS receipts and build your customer contact list for re-engagement
Easily customize printed receipts to fit your brand with access to the code editor for more advanced modifications
Use custom line items to bundle items on the spot and set a price
+5 more in this category
Customer Management(9 features)
Empower staff to create personalized shopping experiences with tools to track customer preferences
Build your contact list by collecting valuable customer information at checkout with options to choose which fields are required
Access customer loyalty insights and lifetime value reporting through POS Pro
Improve clienteling and personalization in store by creating custom attributes that allow staff to capture the retail customer data that means most to your business
Personalize customer experiences with profiles that track contact information, preferences, lifetime value, and more
+4 more in this category
Hardware(6 features)
Complete your POS setup with barcode scanners, receipt printers, and more compatible hardware
Build your ideal point of sale with hardware that staff can use at the counter or on the floor
Get replacements for any Shopify hardware with issues while under warranty with 1-year standard warranty or 2 years with POS Pro
Sell reliably at the counter with Shopify's innovative POS Tablet Stand and the POS Terminal card reader, complete with customer-facing display
Pair this lightweight reader to your POS device over Bluetooth and accept contactless or chip-insert payments anywhere
+1 more in this category
Staff Management(6 features)
Specify when your staff would need manager approval for actions like applying discounts or editing taxes
Assign custom roles to store staff ensuring they have the correct permissions
Attribute sales to staff members for commissions or kudos
Control permissions and track staff performance from one place with customizable roles
Give staff members unique PINs to log into POS
+1 more in this category
Marketing(5 features)
Group shoppers by purchase history, location, or spending habits and create targeted marketing campaigns with personalized offers
Capture customer emails at checkout and stay in touch with marketing emails and promotions
Promote your store and automatically sync products and information with Google Merchant Center
Send customers an email with items they were interested in but didn't purchase in store
Create campaigns to connect with your local customers that drive store visits and sales
Cost Calculator
Keep Paying Shopify POS
Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 93 features at easy complexity.