The 20 Best POS Systems To Effectively Manage Cash Flows, Ranked & Reviewed for 2025
The Top 10 POS Systems You Should Be Considering
Let’s do the top 10 list to get us started here. These are our favorite POS systems with their ideal use cases.
Get free help from our project management software advisors to find your match.
If you’re still thinking of your POS as “just a way to take payments,” you’re probably leaving money on the counter. Today’s best POS systems do a lot more than ring up sales—they manage inventory, sync channels, track customer behavior, and keep your staff from throwing the receipt printer out the window.
Problem is, most POS software still feels like it was designed for 2005.
And if you're scaling an omnichannel operation, switching to the right system isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s survival.
That’s why I dug through 20 of the most popular POS platforms to surface the ones that actually work for modern retail and ecommerce brands. No jargon. No fluff. Just real insights on:
- What each tool does well (and where it falls flat)
- Which use cases they’re best suited for
- How much they cost—plus any hidden fees
- What to watch out for before you sign that 3-year contract
Whether you're outfitting a chain of boutiques, managing multiple fulfillment channels, or just trying to survive the holiday rush with fewer breakdowns, there's a system here that can help.
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
We’ve been testing and reviewing retail and ecommerce software since 2021.
As retail experts ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software. We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions.
We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different finance and accounting use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent and our review methodology.
Comparing the Best POS Systems, Side-by-Side
Real quick before we go on into the reviews, let’s see each POS tool in a handy chart to compare pricing and trial info.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for B2B sellers | Free demo available | From $99/month | Website | |
| 2 | Best for real-time inventory management | Free trial available | From $59/month | Website | |
| 3 | Best for e-commerce businesses | 3-day free trial | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 4 | Best for high-volume businesses in various industries | 3-month free trial | From $79/month | Website | |
| 5 | Best for customization | Free demo available | From $59/month + payment processing | Website | |
| 6 | Best for hardware bundles | Not available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 7 | Best for high-volume businesses | Free account available | From 0.50% + $0.25 per transaction | Website | |
| 8 | Best all-in-one system for small businesses | Free demo available | From 2.3% + $0.1 per transaction | Website | |
| 9 | Best for direct credit card processing | Free plan available | From $13.95 plus 0.29% + 1.55% per transaction | Website | |
| 10 | Best for ease of set up and use | Free plan available | From $29/month + processing fees | Website |
The Best POS Systems, Reviewed
Here’s my list of the top 10 POS software systems for 2025.
I’ve summarized the main selling points of each tool and covered their features and supported integrations, to make sure your tech stack can support the POS system.
In case you want to compare POS systems and are more of a scanner than a reader, I’ve made a quick pros & cons list as well.
Stax Pay is a powerful point-of-sale (POS) system designed specifically for B2B sellers. It offers a range of features and integrations to streamline payment processing and enhance business operations.
Why I Picked Stax Pay: Stax Pay stands out for B2B sellers due to its tailored solutions that address the unique needs of business-to-business transactions. It offers flexible payment options, advanced invoicing capabilities, and seamless integration with accounting software, making it easier for businesses to manage large volumes of transactions and complex payment terms. Additionally, its robust reporting and analytics tools provide valuable insights into sales performance, helping businesses make informed decisions and optimize their operations.
Stax Pay Standout Features and Integrations
Key features include flexible payment options (credit card, ACH, and eCheck), advanced invoicing, recurring billing, and customizable payment plans. The platform also provides detailed reporting and analytics, integrated fraud prevention, and a user-friendly dashboard for managing transactions. With its robust API, businesses can easily integrate Stax Pay into their existing systems and workflows, ensuring a seamless payment experience for both the business and its customers.
Integrations include popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, customer relationship management (CRM) systems such as Salesforce and HubSpot, and ecommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. Additionally, Stax Pay connects with payment gateways like Authorize.net and Stripe, as well as marketing tools like Mailchimp and Constant Contact.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Seamless integration with popular tools
- Advanced invoicing capabilities
- Flexible payment options
Cons:
- Slight learning curve for new users
- Limited support for international transactions
KORONA POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale system designed for small to medium-sized businesses, including retail stores, restaurants, and niche markets like wineries and amusement parks. It offers a range of features like advanced inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM), and ecommerce integration.
Why I picked KORONA POS: I particularly like its advanced inventory management capabilities. It offers real-time tracking, automated reordering, and detailed reporting, ensuring businesses maintain optimal stock levels and reduce waste. The system's ability to handle complex inventory tasks, such as managing multiple locations and variations of products, provides a seamless and efficient operation for retailers.
KORONA POS Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include self-checkout kiosks, ticketing services, employee management, customizable user permissions, automated purchase orders, stock alerts, multi-store management, promotional tools, CRM features, offline mode, and secure data encryption.
Integrations include QuickBooks, WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, Mailchimp, and various payment processors such as PayPal, Stripe, Worldpay, Authorize.Net, and CardConnect.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed inventory management features
- The software layout can be customized
- Supports multiple locations
Cons:
- Reports could be more customizable
- Each terminal requires a separate payment
Shopify is an e-commerce platform with more than 20,000 online stores. It allows individuals and businesses to build digital storefronts and catalogs, manage and process orders, and collect payments. While the company is best known for online shopping, its POS system can also process in-person transactions.
Why I picked Shopify POS: For entrepreneurs and small businesses, building a Shopify store is a way to start earning revenue without the expense of a brick-and-mortar storefront. When those businesses want to expand to pop-up stores or permanent locations, the Shopify POS is an easy way to make the transition.
Shopify POS Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include a customizable POS home page, where you can keep your most-used modules at the forefront. Shopify also touts its advanced inventory management and precise staff permissions feature.
Integrations include Mailchimp, Zapier, Hubspot, Buffer, Quickbooks, Xero, ShipStation, Etsy, SKU IQ, ShipHero, and Klaviyo.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Order management tools
- Mobile transactions
- Online store builder
Cons:
- Limited hardware
- Designed for e-commerce
Payment Depot is a POS and merchant services provider that offers a transparent interchange+ pricing model. This helps businesses of all sizes save on transaction fees. The company's clear, straightforward pricing structure helps you avoid hidden costs, thereby better managing your cash flow.
Why I Picked Payment Depot: This platform's subscription-based pricing makes it a compelling choice for high-volume businesses. It offers a POS system for ecommerce, mobile, and physical payment terminals, making it flexible to various industries and business models. Whether you're a retail, service, restaurant or bar, or healthcare company, you'll be able to leverage their offering to better manage your cash flow and payment processing.
Payment Depot Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features include a free payment gateway, as well as the tool's virtual terminal capabilities provided through partnerships like SwipeSimple. This allows merchants to process payments online, via mobile, and over the phone without incurring additional gateway fees. The software is also compatible with POS systems like clover and vital select, and offers a user-friendly interface.
Integrations include Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, PrestaShop, and OpenCart. It also integrates with payment systems such as authorize.net and business management systems like Revel Systems.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive equipment offerings
- Cost-effective for businesses with high transaction volumes
- User interface is straightforward and intuitive
Cons:
- Limited to US-based, non-high-risk merchants
- Not ideal for low-volume businesses
Lavu promotes itself as a restaurant POS system made by restaurant people. Along with the POS, Lavu also sells MenuDrive (a marketing and online ordering tool) and Sourcery (an invoice and bill-pay tool).
Why I picked Lavu: With their open API and menu of add-on features, Lavu allows you to build the POS system you need and customize it to fit your business.
Lavu Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include team management and inventory management, along with real-time reporting. While Lavu can process mobile wallets like Apple Pay, it also has a cash discount program designed to reduce the fees you pay for processing debit and credit cards.
Integrations include 7shifts, Bento Box, Quickbooks, Restaurant365, Yelp, WISK.ai, TableUp, TipHaus, Paychex, Open Table, and Doordash.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Barcode scanning
- Inventory management
- Highly customizable
Cons:
- No free option
- Contract required
Epos Now is a POS and business management software designed to meet the needs of modern retail and hospitality businesses. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools that helps manage sales, inventory, customer relationships, and employee performance. The platform is user-friendly, scalable, and customizable.
Why I Picked Epos Now: The platform excels in delivering real-time inventory management, detailed sales analytics, and comprehensive customer relationship management (CRM) tools. For me, one of its standout features is its range of hardware bundles that include everything a business needs to get started, from touchscreen terminals to receipt printers and barcode scanners. These hardware solutions are seamlessly integrated with the software, ensuring a cohesive user experience.
Epos Now Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features include advanced reporting and analytics tools that provide deep insights into sales trends, customer behavior, and inventory levels. Additionally, the employee management module helps businesses optimize their workforce by simplifying scheduling, tracking hours worked, and monitoring performance. Another significant feature is the real-time data synchronization across multiple locations.
Integrations include Workforce.com, APO, Worldpay, BigCommerce, Magento, Deputy, Deliveroo, Mr Yum, Hopt, QuickBooks, Xero, Mailchimp, Shopify, Appointedd, simpleERB, WooCommerce, PayPal, Stripe, Sage, Zapier, Google Analytics, and more.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Tailored features for retail and hospitality businesses
- Reporting on multiple metrics
- Interface is easy to navigate
Cons:
- Occasional system lag
- May take time to set up
Helcim is a POS system and payment processing platform that emphasizes fee and rate transparency. They use an “interchange +” model. Interchange is the 1-3% that businesses have to pay to banks to move funds. This empowers businesses to choose the best payment processing rate they can find, to which Helcim makes only a small addition.
Why I picked Helcim: Along with their lack of setup and cancellation fees, Helcim’s pricing structure rewards you for selling more. That means that when you sell more products, you keep more and more of the profits. For high-volume businesses, the savings add up.
Helcim Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include the ability to process partial payments or deposits, as well as automatically create customer profiles that you can edit and add notes to. You can send invoices and email customers for continued engagement.
Integrations include Quickbooks, Foxy.io, WooCommerce, Magento, and Great Exposure. While pre-built integrations are few, Helcim does offer an API for customization.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Mobile app
- Virtual terminals
- User permissions
Cons:
- Very few integrations
- Requires 3rd party hardware
Launched in 2012, Clover is a cloud-based point-of-sale system and hardware collection which can be purchased directly or through a number of resellers. Along with credit and debit cards, Clover supports Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Why I picked Clover: Clover combines three important parts of business operations (point-of-sale, payment processing, and hardware) into one attractive system.
Clover Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include both virtual terminals and a wide range of hardware options. Clover also offers real-time reporting and sales analytics, which you can access anywhere from the Clover Go mobile app.
Integrations include Time Clock by Homebase, Thrive Inventory, BigCommerce, stockIt, Easy Labels, Magento, Yelp, and Paychex.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Highly customizable
- Customer loyalty program
- Rapid deposits
Cons:
- Poor customer service reviews
- Complex pricing
Merchant One is a financial service provider that offers a suite of tools for businesses to process electronic payments. They provide a variety of point-of-sale (POS) systems, mobile payment solutions, and online payment gateways to accommodate different business models and transaction environments.
Why I picked Merchant One: The POS systems offered by Merchant One come with features such as inventory management, sales reporting, and customer relationship management tools. These systems are intended to help businesses conduct sales transactions efficiently while providing insights into sales data and inventory levels.
Merchant One Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include support for a wide range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, electronic checks, and mobile payments. Merchant One also offers encryption technology, tokenization, and compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements to protect sensitive customer data.
Integrations include Clover Network, Inc., First Data Corporation, USAePay, Paytrace Gateway, Payeezy Gateway, Authorize.net, Aloha, Micros, Payflow Pro, and Maitre'D.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Various hardware options
- 24/7 customer support
- Fast and easy setup
Cons:
- Occasional slow deposit times
- Includes an early termination fee
Founded in 2011, Square is a payment processor and point-of-sale system offered by Block, the technology company behind TIDAL, Afterpay, and Cash App. Square started out as a simple and inexpensive way for small businesses to accept credit and debit cards, but it’s now a POS option for larger businesses as well.
Why I picked Square: Known for its simplicity and ease of use, Square is a good way for any business to get a POS system up and running. And, because there are no setup fees and you can use your own device as a virtual terminal, it costs nothing to start using Square.
Square Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include the ability to set up and sell through an online store, as well as selling through Facebook and Instagram. As your business grows, you can add on tools for loyalty programs, managing your cash drawer, and even payroll.
Integrations include Zapier, Quickbooks, Groupon, Drupal Commerce, Wix, WooCommerce, Uber Eats, Xero, Linktree, Bookkeep, and Ovation.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- No contracts
- Hardware at a range of price points
- Easy to get started
Cons:
- Incompatible with Windows OS
- Rates too high for large sales volume
Other POS System Options
Along with my recommendations above, here are a few more POS options that are worth considering:
- Toast
For Small Restaurants
- Lightspeed
For multi-channel retail
- Revel Systems
For customer loyalty programs
- eHopper
Low-cost option for retail
- PayPal Zettle
For PayPal users
- ProMerchant
For a highly customizable POS solution
- TouchBistro
All-in-one system for restaurants
- Aloha Cloud
For complex menus and inventory
- Payline Data
For customer loyalty programs
- GoDaddy
E-commerce features
Related Financial Software
If you still haven't found what you're looking for here, check out these other closely related tools that we've tested:
- Accounting Software
- ERP Software
- POS Software for Small Businesses
- Credit Card Processing Companies
- Best Merchant Services
- Inventory Management Software
Our Selection Criteria for POS Systems
When we evaluate POS systems, we don’t just look at who has the shiniest touchscreen or the lowest transaction rate. We’re looking for the tools that make real retail life easier—from frontline speed to back-office sanity.
Here’s how we broke down the scoring across seven key categories:
Core POS system functionality (25% of total score)
This is the non-negotiable stuff. A POS should do the job well—and not break under pressure.
- Handle transactions smoothly. Tap, chip, swipe, split payments—your POS needs to move as fast as your customers do.
- Keep inventory synced in real time. No more awkward “let me check the back” moments when your online store already sold it.
- Support multichannel selling. In-store, online, mobile, curbside—your POS should keep it all in sync.
- Offer clear, useful reporting. Daily sales, product trends, and staff performance should be one click away, not buried in a spreadsheet.
- Work even when the Wi-Fi doesn’t. Offline mode isn’t optional—your store can’t go down with your internet.
Additional standout features (25% of total score)
These are the power tools that make a POS system more than just a glorified calculator.
- Built-in CRM and loyalty tools. Track customer habits and reward them for sticking around—without duct-taping tools together.
- Employee management capabilities. Manage schedules, sales tracking, and role permissions from the same dashboard.
- Mobile and kiosk-ready. Your POS should go where your customers are—not keep them tied to a counter.
- Ecommerce and accounting integrations. Plays nice with Shopify, WooCommerce, QuickBooks, and your existing stack.
- Data security you can trust. End-to-end encryption, PCI compliance, and tokenized payments shouldn’t be “nice-to-haves.”
Usability (10% of total score)
Because your frontline team isn’t trying to solve a puzzle every time they ring up a sale.
- Intuitive design and layout. A new hire should be able to learn it during lunch.
- Fast system performance. Lags at checkout kill sales—and patience.
- Role-based user access. Managers need different views than cashiers. Your POS should get that.
- Minimal training required. If it takes a manual to figure out how to do a return, that’s a red flag.
Onboarding and support resources (10% of total score)
What happens after you buy matters just as much as what’s in the demo.
- Setup guides that don’t suck. Step-by-step instructions, videos, or interactive walkthroughs make rollout smoother.
- Migration help. Moving your data shouldn’t require an in-house IT wizard.
- Ongoing training materials. Give staff resources they can actually use—not just a PDF from 2014.
- Helpful live support. You want real humans when things break, not an endless loop of chatbot replies.
Customer support (10% of total score)
Because you will run into issues. The question is: will someone actually help?
- Multichannel availability. Phone, email, live chat—you shouldn’t have to send a carrier pigeon.
- 24/7 access. Retail hours don’t end at 5 p.m., and neither should your support.
- Competent reps. Not just someone reading off a script—someone who can solve the actual problem.
- Reliable documentation. Good support starts with a searchable knowledge base that actually answers your questions.
Value for money (10% of total score)
POS systems are an investment—but you shouldn’t feel like you need a finance degree to understand the pricing.
- Clear, honest pricing. No buried fees, mystery surcharges, or required upgrades just to access basic features.
- Scalable for growth. Whether you’ve got one store or ten, your POS should keep up without doubling your costs.
- Features that justify the spend. Are you saving time, reducing errors, or increasing sales? If not, why are you paying for it?
- Hardware flexibility. Use your own devices, lease from the vendor, or buy a bundle—it should work your way.
Customer reviews (10% of total score)
You don’t need thousands of five-stars—you need the right kind of feedback from retailers like you.
- Consistent user satisfaction. We look for recurring praise or pain points across platforms, not just cherry-picked testimonials.
- Detailed use cases. The best reviews mention what kind of business they run—and what the tool actually helped with.
- Indications of vendor responsiveness. Do they fix issues and update features, or ghost their customers post-sale?
- Feedback from your industry. A rave review from a café owner might not help a fashion retailer. We look for relevance.
How to Choose a POS System
Picking a POS isn’t just a tech decision—it’s a strategic one. The right system helps you sell faster, track smarter, and stay ahead of what your customers (and competitors) are doing next.
Here’s how to make sure you choose one that actually fits your business:
- Figure out what you’re trying to fix. Are you chasing faster checkouts? Tighter inventory control? Smarter omnichannel syncing? Start with the pain points—then find tools that solve them.
- Map out who’s using it. Will it be your sales floor team? Store managers? Ecommerce ops? The number of users—and what they’ll need to do—will shape your plan and pricing tier.
- List the systems it needs to plug into. POS is never a standalone tool. Identify your must-have integrations—like accounting, loyalty, inventory, or ecommerce—so you don’t get stuck with a disconnected setup.
- Define what “success” looks like. Get specific: Do you want to shave 10 seconds off every checkout? Reduce shrinkage by 20%? Track reorder points better? Set the target before shopping.
- Stress test it against your workflows. A slick demo doesn’t guarantee it works in the real world. Walk through your actual sales process, returns, inventory updates, and end-of-day closeouts using the system before you commit.
- Look past the sticker price. Check for hidden fees (like add-ons for basic features or locked-down hardware). And don’t forget onboarding, training, and any required third-party processors.
- Talk to someone who’s already using it. Even a quick DM to another retailer can save you hours of trial and error. User reviews are helpful, but real conversations are gold.
Choose the POS that fits how your business actually works—not how a vendor wants you to work.
The Top POS System Trends to Watch
The days of treating your POS like a fancy cash register are long gone. In 2025, it’s expected to run point on operations, customer engagement, and even marketing.
Here’s what’s shaping the next generation of POS systems—and why it matters.
- AI is getting personal. Smart POS systems are tapping into AI to recommend products, flag customer buying patterns, and even suggest upsells in real time—no creepy robots required.
- Cloud-based is the new default. Forget clunky legacy installs. Retailers are choosing cloud-based POS for anytime access, simpler updates, and way easier scaling across locations.
- Contactless isn’t optional anymore. Tap-to-pay, digital wallets, and mobile payments are table stakes. Customers expect frictionless checkout—especially the ones in a rush.
- Omnichannel isn’t a buzzword—it’s baseline. Leading POS systems are syncing in-store and online inventory, orders, and customer data so you can actually deliver on that “shop anywhere” promise.
- Security is stepping up. Biometric logins, encryption, and tokenized payments are becoming standard—because one breach can do serious brand damage.
- POS is going green. Digital receipts, paperless reporting, and low-power hardware are trending, and not just for the planet. Customers like to shop with businesses that share their values.
- Self-checkout is going mainstream. Whether it’s a kiosk, tablet, or mobile checkout option, retailers are finding that DIY checkout cuts lines and boosts throughput.
- Social selling is built in. POS tools are starting to link up with social platforms like Instagram and TikTok so you can move inventory straight from the feed.
- Data is finally driving decisions. Smart retailers are using POS analytics to track everything from product performance to staff productivity—and tweak strategies fast.
- Voice is creeping in. It’s still early days, but voice-enabled POS features (like reordering or accessing quick stats) are showing up in more tools, especially for fast-paced environments.
POS systems are no longer just a tool—they’re the connective tissue of your retail operation. The best ones are evolving into the operating system for your entire business.
What is a POS System?
A POS system (point of sale system) is the combo of hardware and software that helps you ring up sales, manage transactions, and keep your business humming—whether you're behind a counter, at a pop-up, or shipping from a warehouse.
But these days, a POS does way more than just take payments.
Modern POS systems help retailers:
- Track inventory in real time so you know what’s selling, what’s low, and what to restock.
- Connect online and in-store sales so your customers get a seamless experience wherever they shop.
- Collect customer data so you can run smarter loyalty programs, email marketing, and promotions.
- Manage staff and permissions so your team can work fast without stepping on each other’s toes.
- Generate reports that actually tell you what’s working—and what’s not.
Think of your POS as your business’s command center. If it’s clunky, outdated, or not talking to your other tools, it’s not just annoying—it’s costing you sales.
Key Features of POS Systems
POS software isn’t one-size-fits-all—but there are a few must-haves that separate a smart, scalable system from one that just slows your team down. These are the core features we look for when evaluating whether a POS is built for modern retail.
- Real-time inventory tracking. Keeps stock levels updated across every channel—so what sells online is instantly reflected in-store (and vice versa).
- Integrated payment processing. Supports all the usual suspects—credit, debit, mobile wallets, contactless—without needing a third-party workaround.
- Omnichannel order management. Lets you fulfill, refund, and track orders across physical stores, ecommerce platforms, and marketplaces, all from one dashboard.
- Customer profiles and purchase history. Automatically builds a database of who’s buying what, making loyalty programs and targeted offers way easier.
- Promotions, discounts, and loyalty tools. Run deals without duct tape—support BOGOs, auto-applied discounts, and points-based rewards directly from the POS.
- Multi-location management. Manage pricing, stock, sales, and staffing across multiple stores without logging into five different systems.
- Mobile and tablet support. Run transactions on the sales floor, at events, or curbside—wherever your team needs to be.
- Role-based staff permissions. Give team members access to what they need—and nothing they don’t.
- Offline mode. Keeps the register running even if the Wi-Fi takes a break (because of course it goes down on the busiest day of the week).
- Built-in reporting and analytics. Surface useful insights, not just dashboards for show—track top-sellers, margins, employee performance, and more.
If your POS doesn’t have at least most of these features, it might be time to start shopping.
Benefits of POS Systems
A good POS system isn’t just a checkout tool—it’s a growth engine. The right one can improve everything from sales velocity to inventory visibility to the way your team works.
Here’s what the best POS systems help retailers pull off:
- Faster, smoother checkouts. Reduce wait times and keep customers moving with quicker transactions and fewer tech hiccups.
- Improved inventory accuracy. Know exactly what you have, where it is, and when to reorder—no more guessing or overstocking deadweight items.
- Stronger customer retention. Use built-in CRM and loyalty tools to keep customers coming back (and spending more when they do).
- More informed decisions. Get real-time sales data, product performance reports, and staff metrics to guide smarter choices—not gut feelings.
- Omnichannel consistency. Sync inventory, pricing, and orders across every sales channel so customers get a unified experience, no matter where they shop.
- Operational efficiency. Save time by automating manual tasks like end-of-day reports, stock transfers, and discount rules.
- Better team management. Track staff performance, set permissions, and streamline scheduling from one place—without micromanaging.
- Higher profit margins. Combine tighter inventory control, smarter sales data, and faster workflows to boost revenue and reduce waste.
The best POS systems do more than process payments—they give you control, visibility, and leverage to grow faster (without growing pains).
Costs & Pricing for POS Systems
POS pricing can be all over the place. Some tools are “free” until you need to print a receipt, while others cost more than your lease. The key is knowing what you’re actually paying for—and what sneaky add-ons might show up later.
Here’s a breakdown of the typical pricing tiers you’ll see:
| Plan Type | Average Monthly Cost (Per Location) | Common Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Basic sales processing, limited inventory, minimal reporting | Pop-ups, food trucks, side hustles |
| Basic | $29–$59 | Expanded inventory, basic CRM, support for digital payments | Small shops and new ecommerce brands |
| Standard | $60–$129 | Advanced reporting, real-time sync, mobile POS, better analytics | Growing brands with multiple sales channels |
| Premium | $130–$249 | Loyalty integrations, predictive insights, robust user permissions | Multi-location retailers, high-volume stores |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | API access, custom workflows, dedicated support, complex integration support | Large retailers with custom needs |
Additional cost considerations
POS vendors love to keep the fine print… well, fine. Here’s what else might show up on your invoice:
- Hardware costs. Tablets, barcode scanners, receipt printers, cash drawers—it adds up fast. Expect $300–$2,000+ depending on your setup.
- Payment processing fees. Most POS systems charge between 2.0%–3.5% per transaction. And yes, those decimals matter when you’re doing volume.
- Implementation and onboarding. Some systems offer DIY onboarding; others charge for setup, training, or custom configuration.
- Add-ons and integrations. Want loyalty tools, advanced analytics, or seamless ecommerce sync? That might mean tier upgrades or à la carte pricing.
- Contract terms. Month-to-month pricing is flexible, but long-term contracts often come with better rates—and early termination fees.
- Support tiers. Basic chat support is usually free. If you want 24/7 phone support or a dedicated account rep, expect to pay more.
Pro tip: Don’t just compare sticker prices—compare what’s included at each level. A $79/month POS might actually be cheaper than a “free” one once you factor in processing fees and feature gaps.
Point of Sale System FAQs
Still have questions about POS systems? Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
What businesses need a POS system?
Nearly all restaurants and retail businesses need a point-of-sale system to quickly and easily ring up orders, both in-person and online. It’s not uncommon, however, for service-based businesses (plumbers, painters, etc.) or entertainment or events-based businesses (movie theaters, amusement parks) to also use a POS system.
What hidden costs should I watch out for?
The big ones: hardware bundles, payment processing rates, add-ons for basic features (like loyalty or reporting), and long-term contracts with cancellation fees. Always read the fine print—and ask what’s not included in the advertised price.
What kind of hardware do I need for a POS system?
That depends on how you sell. At minimum, most retailers need a tablet or terminal, card reader, cash drawer, and receipt printer. But if you’re mobile-first, you might just need a smartphone and a Bluetooth reader. Some vendors bundle hardware; others let you bring your own gear.
What’s the difference between a POS system and a payment processor?
A payment processor just moves money from your customer’s card to your bank account. A POS system runs the entire checkout flow—and everything around it. That includes ringing up sales, tracking inventory, syncing orders across channels, managing staff, and pulling reports. Some POS tools include payment processing, others let you bring your own.
Do I need a POS if I’m already using ecommerce software?
If you only sell online, your ecommerce platform might be enough—until you start selling in-person or managing more complex inventory. The moment you open a pop-up, run a warehouse, or want unified stock tracking across channels, a POS system can fill those gaps.
How hard is it to switch POS systems?
Not impossible—but it takes planning. You’ll need to migrate product data, customer info, and sometimes even hardware setups. The smoother systems offer migration tools and onboarding support. Pro tip: Run the new system side-by-side for a week if you can.
Can I use the same POS across multiple locations?
Yes—and you should. Most modern POS systems are built for multi-location management, letting you control inventory, pricing, and staff permissions from a single dashboard. Just make sure your vendor doesn’t charge extra for each new terminal or store.
Point of Sale, On Point.
If your current POS system makes your team want to scream into a barcode scanner, it might be time for a breakup.
The good news is that you’ve got options—and not just the “we promise this is revolutionary” kind. Real tools that are built for real businesses, with the features, pricing, and flexibility to keep things moving (and margins intact).
Whether you’re slinging sneakers, selling lattes, or shipping candles from your garage, there’s a setup that won’t make you cry during inventory counts.
So go forth. Choose boldly. And may your receipts always print straight the first time.
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