Quick Overview
- 1#1: Lightspeed Retail - Cloud-based POS platform with advanced multi-location inventory management, purchase orders, and stock forecasting for retailers.
- 2#2: Shopify POS - Integrated POS system that syncs real-time inventory across online stores, physical locations, and multiple channels.
- 3#3: Square for Retail - Affordable POS software with built-in inventory tracking, low stock alerts, and composite item management for small businesses.
- 4#4: Clover - Flexible POS hardware and software ecosystem with inventory apps for tracking stock levels and supplier orders.
- 5#5: Revel Systems - iPad-based POS with robust inventory control, recipe management, and detailed reporting for retail and restaurants.
- 6#6: Toast - Restaurant POS featuring ingredient-level inventory tracking, variance reporting, and automated reordering.
- 7#7: Epos Now - Customizable cloud POS with real-time inventory monitoring, supplier integration, and multi-site management.
- 8#8: KORONA POS - Secure retail POS system offering advanced inventory features like bundles, matrices, and loss prevention tools.
- 9#9: Erply - Cloud POS and inventory solution with unlimited items, matrix variants, and purchase order automation for global retailers.
- 10#10: Retail Pro - Enterprise-grade POS software with comprehensive inventory management, merchandising, and centralized control for chains.
These tools were selected based on core features (including inventory tracking, multi-channel sync, and reporting), quality (reliability, scalability), ease of use, and overall value, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of retailers and restaurants alike.
Comparison Table
Explore a comparison of inventory-focused Point of Sale software, featuring tools such as Lightspeed Retail, Shopify POS, Square for Retail, Clover, and Revel Systems. Discover how each solution balances inventory tracking, sales processing, and operational tools to meet diverse business sizes and workflows.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lightspeed Retail Cloud-based POS platform with advanced multi-location inventory management, purchase orders, and stock forecasting for retailers. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 2 |  Shopify POS Integrated POS system that syncs real-time inventory across online stores, physical locations, and multiple channels. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Square for Retail Affordable POS software with built-in inventory tracking, low stock alerts, and composite item management for small businesses. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 4 | Clover Flexible POS hardware and software ecosystem with inventory apps for tracking stock levels and supplier orders. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Revel Systems iPad-based POS with robust inventory control, recipe management, and detailed reporting for retail and restaurants. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Toast Restaurant POS featuring ingredient-level inventory tracking, variance reporting, and automated reordering. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Epos Now Customizable cloud POS with real-time inventory monitoring, supplier integration, and multi-site management. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | KORONA POS Secure retail POS system offering advanced inventory features like bundles, matrices, and loss prevention tools. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 9 | Erply Cloud POS and inventory solution with unlimited items, matrix variants, and purchase order automation for global retailers. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Retail Pro Enterprise-grade POS software with comprehensive inventory management, merchandising, and centralized control for chains. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
Cloud-based POS platform with advanced multi-location inventory management, purchase orders, and stock forecasting for retailers.
Integrated POS system that syncs real-time inventory across online stores, physical locations, and multiple channels.
Affordable POS software with built-in inventory tracking, low stock alerts, and composite item management for small businesses.
Flexible POS hardware and software ecosystem with inventory apps for tracking stock levels and supplier orders.
iPad-based POS with robust inventory control, recipe management, and detailed reporting for retail and restaurants.
Restaurant POS featuring ingredient-level inventory tracking, variance reporting, and automated reordering.
Customizable cloud POS with real-time inventory monitoring, supplier integration, and multi-site management.
Secure retail POS system offering advanced inventory features like bundles, matrices, and loss prevention tools.
Cloud POS and inventory solution with unlimited items, matrix variants, and purchase order automation for global retailers.
Enterprise-grade POS software with comprehensive inventory management, merchandising, and centralized control for chains.
Lightspeed Retail
enterpriseCloud-based POS platform with advanced multi-location inventory management, purchase orders, and stock forecasting for retailers.
Matrix inventory system for handling product variants (e.g., sizes, colors) with automated stock allocation across channels
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) and inventory management platform tailored for retail businesses, offering real-time stock tracking, sales processing, and multi-channel order fulfillment. It excels in handling complex inventory needs like serialized items, matrix variants, and purchase order automation, while integrating seamlessly with e-commerce platforms such as Shopify and WooCommerce. The system also provides robust reporting, CRM tools, and multi-location support to optimize operations across physical and online stores.
Pros
- Comprehensive real-time inventory management with advanced tools like matrix SKUs and low-stock alerts
- Seamless omnichannel integration for in-store, online, and marketplace sales
- Scalable multi-location support with centralized control and detailed analytics
Cons
- Higher pricing may deter very small businesses
- Steeper learning curve for advanced inventory features
- Customer support can be inconsistent during peak times
Best For
Multi-location retail stores needing robust inventory control and unified online-offline sales management.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per register (Lean plan, billed annually), with Standard at $99 and Advanced at $129+; additional fees for hardware and add-ons.
Shopify POS
enterpriseIntegrated POS system that syncs real-time inventory across online stores, physical locations, and multiple channels.
Seamless real-time inventory synchronization between online storefront and physical POS locations
Shopify POS is a versatile point-of-sale system integrated with Shopify's e-commerce platform, enabling retailers to manage in-person sales while maintaining real-time inventory synchronization across online and physical channels. It offers robust inventory tracking, multi-location support, and seamless order fulfillment, making it ideal for omnichannel retail operations. The system supports customizable hardware setups and a vast app ecosystem to extend functionality for inventory management and sales.
Pros
- Real-time inventory syncing across online store, multiple POS locations, and sales channels
- Extensive app marketplace for advanced inventory tools like stock alerts and purchase orders
- Scalable hardware compatibility with iPads, card readers, and receipt printers
Cons
- Requires a paid Shopify subscription (starting at $29/month) for full POS access
- Advanced inventory features may need third-party apps, adding extra costs
- Occasional dependency on stable internet for optimal real-time syncing
Best For
Omnichannel retailers with both online and brick-and-mortar stores seeking unified inventory management.
Pricing
POS software is free with Shopify Payments; requires Shopify plans from $29/month (Basic) to $2,300+/month (Enterprise); hardware sold separately (e.g., $29 card reader).
Square for Retail
enterpriseAffordable POS software with built-in inventory tracking, low stock alerts, and composite item management for small businesses.
Seamless omnichannel inventory management that syncs stock levels in real-time across in-store, online, and delivery channels.
Square for Retail is a cloud-based POS system tailored for retail businesses, combining seamless payment processing with advanced inventory management tools. It enables real-time stock tracking, low-stock alerts, purchase order creation, and multi-location inventory syncing to prevent overselling. The platform integrates in-store, online, and mobile sales channels, providing unified reporting and analytics for efficient retail operations.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and mobile accessibility
- Real-time inventory syncing across online and physical stores
- Comprehensive reporting and low-stock notifications
Cons
- Ongoing transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume sales
- Limited advanced inventory forecasting compared to enterprise solutions
- Hardware costs are additional and not included in software pricing
Best For
Small to medium retail stores seeking an affordable, user-friendly POS with strong inventory basics and omnichannel support.
Pricing
Free basic POS software; Square for Retail at $60/month per location (after 30-day trial) plus 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction.
Clover
enterpriseFlexible POS hardware and software ecosystem with inventory apps for tracking stock levels and supplier orders.
App Marketplace with 400+ integrations for customizable inventory tools like multi-channel selling and automated reordering
Clover is a versatile point-of-sale (POS) system designed for small to medium businesses, offering integrated inventory management alongside payment processing, sales tracking, and customer relationship tools. It provides real-time inventory tracking, low-stock alerts, purchase order management, and multi-location support to streamline stock control in retail environments. The platform's app marketplace allows customization for advanced inventory needs like barcode scanning and e-commerce syncing.
Pros
- Seamless real-time inventory syncing across multiple locations
- Extensive app marketplace for inventory extensions like advanced reporting
- Integrated payment processing reduces need for third-party gateways
Cons
- Hardware costs can be high for full setups
- Advanced inventory features often require paid apps
- Transaction fees add up for high-volume sellers
Best For
Small to medium retailers and restaurants needing an all-in-one POS with reliable inventory management and hardware flexibility.
Pricing
Software plans start at $14.95/month per device (Payments) up to $114.85/month (Restaurant); hardware from $49-$1,699 one-time; 2.3% + $0.10 per transaction.
Revel Systems
enterpriseiPad-based POS with robust inventory control, recipe management, and detailed reporting for retail and restaurants.
Advanced recipe costing and ingredient-level inventory tracking optimized for foodservice businesses
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad POS platform tailored for restaurants and retail, with powerful inventory management tools for real-time tracking, purchase orders, and vendor integration. It streamlines operations by combining sales processing, employee scheduling, and detailed reporting into one ecosystem. Businesses benefit from multi-location support and automated low-stock alerts, making it suitable for scaling inventory needs alongside point-of-sale functions.
Pros
- Comprehensive real-time inventory tracking with forecasting and matrix support
- Multi-location management and seamless supplier integrations
- Robust reporting and analytics for inventory optimization
Cons
- Premium pricing with additional hardware and processing fees
- Relies heavily on iOS devices, limiting flexibility
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
Best For
Growing restaurant chains and retail operations needing scalable, integrated POS and advanced inventory management.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per terminal for core POS, plus $50-100/month for advanced inventory features, hardware costs, and 2.3%+ payment processing fees.
Toast
specializedRestaurant POS featuring ingredient-level inventory tracking, variance reporting, and automated reordering.
Advanced recipe costing and menu engineering tools that automatically calculate inventory usage and profitability per dish
Toast is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, featuring integrated inventory management that tracks stock levels, recipes, waste, and vendor orders in real-time. It combines point-of-sale transactions with tools for menu engineering, cost control, and low-stock alerts to streamline operations. While powerful for food service, its restaurant focus makes it less versatile for general retail inventory needs.
Pros
- Robust inventory tracking with recipe costing and waste management
- Seamless integration with POS, online ordering, and kitchen displays
- Real-time analytics and reporting for inventory variances
Cons
- High pricing with custom quotes and processing fees
- Primarily optimized for restaurants, limiting flexibility for other retail
- Steep learning curve for advanced inventory features
Best For
Restaurant owners and managers seeking an all-in-one POS and inventory solution for food service operations.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at $69-$165 per terminal/month plus hardware (~$500-$2000) and 2.99% + $0.15 per transaction fees.
Epos Now
enterpriseCustomizable cloud POS with real-time inventory monitoring, supplier integration, and multi-site management.
EPOS Now App Store with 70+ third-party integrations for custom inventory and POS workflows
Epos Now is a cloud-based POS system tailored for retail, hospitality, and service businesses, seamlessly integrating point-of-sale transactions with advanced inventory management. It offers real-time stock tracking, low-stock alerts, purchase order generation, and multi-location inventory syncing to prevent stockouts and overstocking. The platform supports e-commerce integrations and detailed reporting for optimized inventory decisions.
Pros
- Robust real-time inventory tracking with automated alerts and reorder suggestions
- Extensive integrations via App Store (70+ apps) including accounting and e-commerce
- Scalable for multi-location businesses with centralized back-office control
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly with add-ons and hardware requirements
- Customer support can be slow during peak times
- Advanced inventory features have a moderate learning curve
Best For
Small to medium retailers and hospitality venues needing scalable, cloud-synced inventory management alongside POS.
Pricing
Subscriptions start at £25/month per terminal (Essential plan), scaling to £109+/month for premium features; hardware bundles from £299+ one-time.
KORONA POS
enterpriseSecure retail POS system offering advanced inventory features like bundles, matrices, and loss prevention tools.
Integrated vendor portal for direct purchase order submission and real-time inventory collaboration with suppliers
KORONA POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale system designed primarily for high-volume retail businesses like convenience stores, smoke shops, and liquor stores, with strong emphasis on inventory management. It provides real-time inventory tracking across multiple locations, automated purchase orders, vendor portals, and low-stock alerts to optimize stock levels and reduce shrinkage. The platform supports customizable reporting, employee management, and integrations with accounting software, e-commerce, and payment processors for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Robust multi-location inventory synchronization and real-time tracking
- Automated purchase order generation and vendor management integration
- Comprehensive reporting tools with customizable dashboards and analytics
Cons
- Pricing can be expensive for single-location or small businesses
- Initial setup and advanced feature configuration have a learning curve
- Fewer out-of-the-box integrations compared to larger competitors
Best For
Multi-location retail stores like convenience shops, tobacco outlets, and liquor stores needing advanced inventory control and high-volume transaction handling.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starting at around $99/month per terminal, with tiers scaling by features, locations, and support; hardware and add-ons extra.
Erply
enterpriseCloud POS and inventory solution with unlimited items, matrix variants, and purchase order automation for global retailers.
Matrix inventory management for handling product variations like sizes and colors with precise stock levels
Erply is a cloud-based POS and inventory management software tailored for retail businesses, offering real-time stock tracking, sales processing, and purchasing in a unified platform. It supports multi-location operations with centralized inventory control, customer loyalty programs, and detailed analytics for informed decision-making. The system integrates with various hardware like receipt printers and scales, making it versatile for sectors like grocery, fashion, and services.
Pros
- Real-time multi-location inventory synchronization
- Advanced inventory tools including matrices, kits, and serial tracking
- Comprehensive reporting and customizable dashboards
Cons
- Steep learning curve for complex features
- Pricing scales up quickly for additional users/locations
- Limited native integrations with some popular e-commerce platforms
Best For
Multi-store retail businesses needing robust, centralized inventory and POS management across locations.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month per cash register for basic POS; higher tiers from $39-$79/month with advanced features; custom enterprise pricing available.
Retail Pro
enterpriseEnterprise-grade POS software with comprehensive inventory management, merchandising, and centralized control for chains.
Real-time global inventory management with cross-location visibility and automated replenishment across 100+ countries
Retail Pro is a robust enterprise-level retail management platform offering point-of-sale (POS), inventory control, order management, and CRM tools designed for multi-location and international retailers. It provides real-time inventory visibility, multi-currency and multi-language support, and advanced analytics to streamline complex retail operations. The software excels in handling high-volume transactions and omnichannel sales while integrating with various hardware and third-party systems.
Pros
- Superior multi-store and global inventory synchronization
- Highly customizable with Prism IDE for tailored workflows
- Strong support for international operations including 100+ currencies
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex implementation
- High upfront costs and ongoing fees
- Less intuitive interface compared to modern cloud-native POS solutions
Best For
Mid-to-large multi-location retail chains with complex, international inventory and POS needs.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically starting at $5,000-$10,000 per store annually plus implementation fees of $10,000+.
Conclusion
The reviewed inventory point of sale software varies in focus—from multi-location management to channel sync and affordability—with Lightspeed Retail emerging as the top choice, thanks to its advanced inventory control and forecasting. Shopify POS shines for seamless online-offline integration, while Square for Retail offers a strong, budget-friendly solution with essential tools, ensuring there’s an option to suit nearly every business need. Together, these top performers set the standard for efficient inventory and sales operations.
Don’t miss out on optimizing your business—try Lightspeed Retail today to unlock its robust capabilities, or explore Shopify POS or Square for Retail to find the perfect match for your unique requirements.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison