Zapier Alternative for Shopify Square Integration: DPL vs Zapier
Keep Shopify and Square in sync without maintaining two sets of Zaps. Two-way product and inventory sync, location-level stock control, and field-level rules, so you can update prices from Square without overwriting your Shopify titles and descriptions. For when you need more than "when this happens, do that."
Square Integration DPL vs Zapier
Square Integration
Zapier
Zapier can send information from Shopify to Square and from Square to Shopify, but those are separate workflows. Zapier says it does not support two-way syncing between apps and describes Zaps as one-directional automations.
Keep Shopify and Square in Sync Without Managing Separate Zaps
Connect your existing accounts, review your product matches and locations, and choose what you want to sync.
Two Ways to Connect Shopify and Square: Zapier vs DPL
Both can connect Shopify and Square. The difference is whether you want to build each workflow yourself or manage the Shopify-Square sync as one setup.
Zapier
Zapier works well when Shopify and Square are part of a wider workflow. You choose the trigger, choose what happens next, and add other apps when needed.
- Update Shopify inventory after a Square order
- Create Square orders from Shopify orders
- Create and update customer records
- Connect Shopify and Square with 9,000+ other apps
- Build separate workflows for each direction and use case
If you only need a few Shopify-Square automations, especially when other apps are part of the workflow, Zapier may already be enough.
DPL Square Integration
DPL is built for stores that need Shopify and Square to keep working with the same products, stock, locations, and orders.
- Match Shopify variants with Square variations
- Choose which locations should share inventory
- Set Shopify or Square as the source for product fields
- Check shared SKUs before inventory sync starts
- Keep two-way product and inventory sync inside one app
If Shopify and Square themselves need to stay aligned, DPL keeps product matches, locations, field rules, and two-way sync in one place.
Where Zapier and DPL Differ in a Shopify-Square Setup
Product synchronization
Stock needs to move both ways
Zapier
You can create one Zap for Square → Shopify and another for Shopify → Square. Data moves both ways, but you are still maintaining two separate workflows. Zapier does not support two-way sync as one shared connection, and opposite Zaps need checks to stop them from triggering each other in a loop.
DPL Square Integration
DPL handles both directions inside the same Shopify-Square setup. The products are linked first, then the SKU, location, and inventory rules are used whenever stock changes.
If you only need stock moving one way, a Zap may be enough. If both sides need to stay updated, DPL keeps the rules together.
Existing Products and Catalog Matching
Keep Stock Updates From Falling Behind
Zapier
If you already use Shopify and Square, the products are not starting from scratch. Some SKUs may match, some may not, and the same product might have been set up differently on each platform. A new Zap does not go back and sort through that whole catalog for you. Existing records need to be handled separately before you can rely on them in a new workflow.
DPL Square Integration
DPL can move products from Square to Shopify or Shopify to Square, but it can also link products that are already there. It can match products by title or SKU. For variants, it also checks variation count, titles, and SKUs. You can review those matches before inventory or orders start using them.
For an existing store, getting the product matches right comes before syncing the next sale.
Product Field Control
Square should not overwrite everything in Shopify
Zapier
With Zapier, you choose what each action sends. So if you want Square to update the price but leave the Shopify description alone, you need to build the Zap that way.
DPL Square Integration
DPL lets you choose Shopify or Square separately for: Title, Description, Price, Images. That means Shopify can keep the content you use for the online store while Square still updates another field.
You may want both systems connected without giving both of them control over the same product information.
Shared SKUs and Inventory Matching
A matching SKU is not always a safe match
Zapier
A SKU can help a Zap find the right product. The problem starts when the same SKU is used more than once. At that point, the workflow still needs to know which record should actually receive the stock update.
DPL Square Integration
DPL checks for shared SKUs before automatic inventory sync starts. If it finds them, shared-SKU syncing stays off until you choose to enable it.
This is worth checking if you have bundles, reused SKUs, old products, or a large variant catalog.
Orders, Customers, and Gift Cards
There is usually more to sync than stock
Zapier
Zapier gives you Shopify and Square actions for orders and customers. You can create Square orders from Shopify activity, find customers, create new customer records, or update existing ones. Shopify also has gift card actions in Zapier, but the current Shopify + Square pairing does not show a ready-made gift card sync between the two platforms.
DPL Square Integration
DPL can bring eligible Square orders into Shopify and send Shopify orders to Square. Refunds and cancellations from Shopify can also be sent back to Square. Customer sync and gift card support sit in the same app as the product and inventory sync. DPL also notes that order sync starts from the date you turn it on, so older orders are not pulled in.
You can build individual order and customer flows in Zapier. DPL keeps them with the rest of the Shopify-Square sync.
Timing and Failed Syncs
Check how fast the update runs and what happens when it does not
Zapier
Several Square triggers are polling, including New Order and New Customer. On paid plans, the default check is every 2 minutes on Professional and every 1 minute on Team and Enterprise. If a Zap fails, you can check Zap History and Zapier's error tools.
DPL Square Integration
DPL shows sync status and detailed logs inside the Shopify-Square app. Failed product uploads and supported order syncs trigger alerts, and you can retry them after fixing the problem.
When the stock numbers stop matching, you need somewhere clear to check what failed and try it again.
Location and Inventory Source Control
Choose which stock Shopify should actually see
Zapier
Zapier lets you set the location inside the trigger or action you build. If you have several Square locations, you need to make sure each workflow is using the right one. That matters because stock sitting in one Square store does not always mean it should be available in Shopify.
DPL Square Integration
DPL lets you choose which Shopify and Square locations take part in inventory sync and set a primary inventory source. So if one Square location fulfills Shopify orders and another only serves walk-in customers, you do not have to treat all of that stock as one pool. DPL also shows connected stock separately from total stock.
The stock you own is not always the stock you want Shopify to sell. That gives you seven categories without weakening any of the six you already had.
Zapier Pricing vs DPL Pricing
The starting prices do not tell you much on their own because Zapier and DPL charge for different kinds of usage.
Zapier
Zapier Professional starts at $19.99/month when billed annually and includes 750 tasks per month. Shopify is a Premium app, so you need a paid Zapier plan for Shopify workflows.
- $19.99/month starting price
- 750 tasks/month on the starting Professional tier
- Successful Zap actions use tasks
- More steps and separate Zaps can increase usage
With Zapier, the price depends on what your Zaps actually do. One order can use more than one task if several actions run from it.
DPL Square Integration
DPL starts at $39.99/month. Instead of task usage, each plan has published limits for product, order, and gift card syncs.
- Silver = $39.99/month. Up to 1,000 product syncs
- Gold = $59.99/month. Up to 2,000 product syncs + 1,000 order syncs/month
- Platinum = $99.99/month. Up to 10,000 product syncs + 3,000 order syncs/month + 500 gift card syncs/month
- 7-day free trial on the listed plans
With DPL, you choose the plan around how much Shopify-Square syncing your store needs rather than counting each Zap action.
What That Could Look Like (Example)
Say you process 400 Shopify orders, 400 Square orders, and 100 new customers in a month:
- 400 Shopify orders → 400 inventory actions
- 400 Square orders → 400 inventory actions
- 100 new customers → 100 customer actions
That is about 900 Zapier tasks before refunds, retries, or extra workflow steps. A 750-task Professional plan would not cover that example without additional task usage.
With DPL, 800 order syncs fit within Gold’s published 1,000 order syncs per month. Product sync usage is counted separately.
Actual Zapier task usage depends on how your Zaps are built and how many successful actions each one runs.
Is DPL The Right Zapier Alternative For Your Store?
The right choice depends on what you actually need Shopify and Square to do together. A few targeted automations are very different from keeping the same catalog, stock, locations, and orders aligned all day.
When You Need A Dedicated App
A dedicated app starts to matter when you are spending more time managing the relationship between Shopify and Square than the individual actions. Both channels already have catalogs. The same stock sells online and at the counter. Multiple locations need mapping. Some product attributes should remain in Shopify’s control while others are controlled by Square. DPL keeps those rules inside the Shopify-Square app instead of spreading them across separate workflows.
When Zapier Is Enough
You probably do not need a dedicated Shopify-Square app if your requirement is small. Maybe you only want a Shopify customer copied into Square. Maybe a Square order needs to update Shopify stock and then send a message to Slack. Maybe your team already runs dozens of Zapier workflows and Shopify-Square automation is only one more piece. That is exactly the kind of work Zapier is good at.
Switching From Zapier
Square Integration to DPL
You do not need to rebuild your Shopify store or Square catalog. Before you switch, check which Zaps currently touch your products, inventory, orders, refunds, or customers. You do not want Zapier and DPL updating the same records at the same time.
Before Switching to Zapier Alternative
- Check which Shopify-Square Zaps are currently active
- Review the product and SKU matches you want to keep
- Confirm which Shopify and Square locations should sync
- Decide which platform should control inventory and product fields
Connect Shopify and Square
Install the DPL Square Integration and connect your Square account. Your existing products stay where they are.
Review the Product Links
DPL auto-links products by title or SKU. Check the linked products and variants before inventory or order sync depends on them.
Set the Locations and Product Rules
Choose which Shopify and Square locations should sync, set the primary inventory source, and choose whether Shopify or Square controls title, description, price, and images. Check shared SKUs at the same time. Shared-SKU inventory sync stays off until you enable it.
Test Before Turning Off Your Zaps
Run the DPL workflows you plan to use and check the results. Once the product, inventory, order, and customer updates are working as expected, disable the Zap that was doing the same job. Remember that DPL order sync starts from the date you enable it. It does not pull older orders retroactively.
Ready To Make The Switch?
Connect your existing Shopify and Square accounts, set up your sync preferences, and get started with DPL.
What Shopify Merchants Say About DPL
Built for Shopify, DPL Square Integration currently has a 4.9/5 rating from 239 reviews on the Shopify App Store.
“Works great! Does exactly what it is supposed to do! I can adjust inventory on Shopify or on Square and it syncs right away.”
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
01Can Zapier connect Shopify and Square?
Yes. Zapier has Shopify and Square triggers, searches, and actions for inventory, orders, customers, and other workflows.
02Does Zapier support two-way Shopify Square sync?
Not as one shared two-way sync. Zapier says its Zaps are one-directional. You can build separate Zaps going in opposite directions, but you also need to stop them from triggering each other in a loop.
03Can Zapier sync Shopify and Square inventory?
Zapier can update Shopify inventory from Square activity and Square inventory from Shopify activity through separate Zaps. Its current Shopify + Square page includes inventory workflows in both directions.
04What happens to the products I already have before I set up Zapier?
A normal Zap does not automatically process your whole existing catalog. Older records need separate handling if you want them included in a new workflow.
05Is Shopify free to use with Zapier?
No. Shopify is a Premium Zapier app, so you need a paid Zapier plan to use it in Shopify workflows.
06Is Zapier real-time for Shopify and Square?
It depends on the trigger. Several Square triggers, including New Order and New Customer, are polling triggers rather than instant triggers.
07Can I sync Shopify and Square without Zapier?
Yes. You can use a dedicated Shopify Square integration instead. DPL supports product transfer, two-way product and inventory sync, selected locations, orders, customers, gift cards, logs, and failure alerts.
08Can DPL sync multiple Shopify and Square locations?
Yes. You choose which Shopify and Square locations take part in inventory sync and set a primary inventory source.
08Can DPL sync multiple Shopify and Square locations?
Yes. You choose which Shopify and Square locations take part in inventory sync and set a primary inventory source.
09Does DPL sync gift cards between Shopify and Square?
Yes. DPL supports the Square gift card lifecycle across POS and online. Gift card sync limits depend on the DPL plan you use.
10What happens if a DPL sync fails?
DPL sends failure notifications for supported product uploads and order syncs. Once you fix the cause, you can manually retry the failed sync.
Final Thoughts
Zapier can be enough if you need a few Shopify-Square automations or want Square and Shopify to take part in workflows with other apps.
If your problem is keeping Shopify and Square themselves aligned, the work goes beyond individual triggers and actions. You need the correct products linked, the right locations sharing stock, clear rules for product fields and SKUs, and a way to see what happened when a sync fails.
DPL Square Integration is built around that Shopify-Square setup.
Keep Shopify and Square Working From the Same Setup
Connect the accounts you already use, review your product matches, choose the locations that should share stock, and set the rules you want before turning sync on.