Quick Overview
- 1#1: Lightspeed Retail - Delivers advanced POS and real-time multi-location inventory management with purchase orders, bundles, and matrix inventory for retail businesses.
- 2#2: Shopify POS - Syncs in-store and online sales with unified inventory tracking, low stock alerts, and multi-channel fulfillment capabilities.
- 3#3: Square for Retail - Provides affordable POS with automatic inventory updates, stock transfers, and composite inventory for small to medium retailers.
- 4#4: Clover - Offers customizable POS hardware and software with inventory tracking, vendor management, and app-based integrations.
- 5#5: Revel Systems - iPad-based cloud POS featuring advanced inventory tools like recipe costing, purchase orders, and real-time reporting.
- 6#6: Toast - Restaurant-focused POS with robust inventory management including ingredient tracking, waste logging, and vendor portals.
- 7#7: Epos Now - Cloud-based POS system with real-time inventory control, stock alerts, and seamless integrations for various retail sectors.
- 8#8: TouchBistro - iPad POS for restaurants offering inventory management with recipe tools, cost tracking, and automated reordering.
- 9#9: Loyverse - Free mobile POS app with essential inventory tracking, low stock notifications, and multi-store support for small businesses.
- 10#10: KORONA POS - Flexible POS software with comprehensive inventory features like serial tracking, bundles, and detailed reporting for retail and service.
We assessed contenders based on feature depth (including real-time tracking, multi-channel sync, and customization), user-friendliness, reliability, and value, ensuring a comprehensive ranking that serves diverse business needs.
Comparison Table
Navigating the world of point of sale (POS) and inventory management software? This comparison table outlines tools like Lightspeed Retail, Shopify POS, Square for Retail, Clover, and Revel Systems, highlighting key features, integration capabilities, and operational strengths to help you match software to your business needs. Whether you manage a small boutique, a busy café, or a growing retail outlet, discover how each tool streamlines inventory tracking, sales processing, and reporting to boost efficiency and scalability.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lightspeed Retail Delivers advanced POS and real-time multi-location inventory management with purchase orders, bundles, and matrix inventory for retail businesses. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | Shopify POS Syncs in-store and online sales with unified inventory tracking, low stock alerts, and multi-channel fulfillment capabilities. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Square for Retail Provides affordable POS with automatic inventory updates, stock transfers, and composite inventory for small to medium retailers. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 4 | Clover Offers customizable POS hardware and software with inventory tracking, vendor management, and app-based integrations. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 5 | Revel Systems iPad-based cloud POS featuring advanced inventory tools like recipe costing, purchase orders, and real-time reporting. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Toast Restaurant-focused POS with robust inventory management including ingredient tracking, waste logging, and vendor portals. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Epos Now Cloud-based POS system with real-time inventory control, stock alerts, and seamless integrations for various retail sectors. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | TouchBistro iPad POS for restaurants offering inventory management with recipe tools, cost tracking, and automated reordering. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Loyverse Free mobile POS app with essential inventory tracking, low stock notifications, and multi-store support for small businesses. | other | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 10 | KORONA POS Flexible POS software with comprehensive inventory features like serial tracking, bundles, and detailed reporting for retail and service. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
Delivers advanced POS and real-time multi-location inventory management with purchase orders, bundles, and matrix inventory for retail businesses.
Syncs in-store and online sales with unified inventory tracking, low stock alerts, and multi-channel fulfillment capabilities.
Provides affordable POS with automatic inventory updates, stock transfers, and composite inventory for small to medium retailers.
Offers customizable POS hardware and software with inventory tracking, vendor management, and app-based integrations.
iPad-based cloud POS featuring advanced inventory tools like recipe costing, purchase orders, and real-time reporting.
Restaurant-focused POS with robust inventory management including ingredient tracking, waste logging, and vendor portals.
Cloud-based POS system with real-time inventory control, stock alerts, and seamless integrations for various retail sectors.
iPad POS for restaurants offering inventory management with recipe tools, cost tracking, and automated reordering.
Free mobile POS app with essential inventory tracking, low stock notifications, and multi-store support for small businesses.
Flexible POS software with comprehensive inventory features like serial tracking, bundles, and detailed reporting for retail and service.
Lightspeed Retail
enterpriseDelivers advanced POS and real-time multi-location inventory management with purchase orders, bundles, and matrix inventory for retail businesses.
Real-time omnichannel inventory synchronization that prevents overselling across physical stores, online shops, and third-party marketplaces
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) and inventory management platform designed specifically for retail businesses of all sizes. It provides real-time inventory tracking across multiple locations, automated purchase orders, stock transfers, and advanced features like matrix inventory for variants and kit builders. The software integrates seamlessly with e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, and accounting tools, enabling omnichannel selling while offering robust reporting and analytics for optimized operations.
Pros
- Real-time multi-location inventory management with automated reordering and low-stock alerts
- Seamless omnichannel integration syncing POS, online stores, and marketplaces
- Powerful analytics and customizable reporting for data-driven decisions
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be expensive for small single-location retailers
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced inventory features
- Additional costs for hardware, add-ons, and transaction processing fees
Best For
Multi-location retail businesses needing scalable POS and advanced inventory management with e-commerce synchronization.
Pricing
Starts at $89/month (billed annually) for Essentials plan per register; Plus at $129/month, Advanced at $189/month; includes transaction fees (0.5-2.6%) and optional hardware.
Shopify POS
enterpriseSyncs in-store and online sales with unified inventory tracking, low stock alerts, and multi-channel fulfillment capabilities.
Real-time omnichannel inventory synchronization
Shopify POS is a comprehensive point-of-sale system integrated with Shopify's e-commerce platform, enabling retailers to manage in-store sales while maintaining real-time inventory synchronization across online and physical channels. It offers robust inventory management features like multi-location tracking, low-stock alerts, purchase orders, and automated stock transfers. Ideal for omnichannel businesses, it supports hardware like iPads and receipt printers for seamless checkout and reporting.
Pros
- Seamless real-time inventory sync between online store and physical locations
- Multi-location inventory management with transfer and fulfillment tools
- Extensive app ecosystem for custom inventory workflows
Cons
- Requires a Shopify subscription as base, adding to costs
- Advanced features often need additional paid apps
- Hardware setup and compatibility can incur extra expenses
Best For
Omnichannel retailers with an existing Shopify online store seeking unified POS and inventory management.
Pricing
POS Lite free with any Shopify plan ($29-$2,000+/mo); POS Pro $89/location/mo; hardware sold separately.
Square for Retail
specializedProvides affordable POS with automatic inventory updates, stock transfers, and composite inventory for small to medium retailers.
Completely free core software with no monthly fees, only pay-per-transaction pricing
Square for Retail is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for retail businesses, combining seamless payment processing with comprehensive inventory management tools. It enables real-time stock tracking, low-stock alerts, purchase order creation, and multi-location inventory syncing, all accessible via intuitive mobile or desktop apps. Ideal for streamlining operations, it integrates hardware like card readers and stands for a complete retail solution without mandatory software subscriptions.
Pros
- Exceptionally user-friendly interface with quick setup and mobile accessibility
- Real-time inventory tracking and multi-location support at no extra software cost
- Seamless integration of payments, sales, and inventory in one platform
Cons
- Transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume businesses
- Lacks advanced features like demand forecasting or serialized inventory tracking
- Reporting and customization options are basic compared to enterprise solutions
Best For
Small to medium retail stores and boutiques needing an affordable, easy-to-use POS with solid basic inventory management.
Pricing
Free POS and inventory software; processing fees of 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction or 2.9% + 30¢ online; hardware starts at $49.
Clover
enterpriseOffers customizable POS hardware and software with inventory tracking, vendor management, and app-based integrations.
App Market with hundreds of third-party apps for customizable inventory tools like advanced forecasting and supplier integrations
Clover is an all-in-one POS system from Fiserv that provides integrated inventory management for retail, restaurants, and service businesses. It offers real-time stock tracking, multi-location support, purchase order management, and item customization with modifiers and composites. Users can access detailed reporting and integrate via the App Market for advanced inventory apps.
Pros
- Intuitive dashboard and mobile app for easy inventory updates
- Real-time syncing across devices and locations
- Robust App Market for extending inventory capabilities
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs and subscription fees
- Advanced features often require paid apps
- Reporting lacks depth without add-ons
Best For
Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses needing a user-friendly POS with reliable basic-to-intermediate inventory management.
Pricing
Hardware leases from $49/month (Clover Go) to $115/month (Station Duo); software starts at $14.95/month per device plus 2.3-3.5% + $0.10 transaction fees.
Revel Systems
specializediPad-based cloud POS featuring advanced inventory tools like recipe costing, purchase orders, and real-time reporting.
Ingredient-level inventory tracking with recipe costing and waste management tailored for hospitality businesses
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad POS platform tailored for restaurants, bars, and retail businesses, featuring robust inventory management tools for real-time stock tracking and multi-location synchronization. It automates purchase orders, handles receiving, vendor management, and provides detailed analytics on inventory costs, turnover, and waste. The system integrates inventory data directly with sales, recipes, and reporting for accurate forecasting and cost control.
Pros
- Real-time multi-location inventory visibility and synchronization
- Advanced recipe costing and ingredient-level tracking for foodservice
- Comprehensive reporting and automated reorder points
Cons
- High subscription costs with per-terminal pricing
- Hardware limited primarily to iPads and Apple ecosystem
- Steeper learning curve for advanced inventory features
Best For
Multi-location restaurants and retail operations requiring integrated POS and sophisticated inventory management.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per terminal for core POS (billed annually), plus 2.3%+ transaction fees, hardware costs, and add-ons; enterprise plans custom-priced.
Toast
enterpriseRestaurant-focused POS with robust inventory management including ingredient tracking, waste logging, and vendor portals.
Real-time inventory deduction based on actual POS sales and recipe usage
Toast is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, offering integrated inventory management that tracks stock levels in real-time synced with sales data. It includes features like recipe costing, low-stock alerts, waste tracking, and automated purchase orders to streamline operations. Multi-location support and vendor integrations make it suitable for growing foodservice businesses, though it's optimized primarily for hospitality rather than general retail.
Pros
- Seamless real-time inventory syncing with POS transactions and sales data
- Robust recipe costing and ingredient-level tracking for foodservice
- Multi-location management with automated purchase orders and vendor integrations
Cons
- Pricing is custom and can be expensive for smaller operations
- Learning curve for advanced inventory features and reporting
- Less flexible for non-restaurant retail inventory needs
Best For
Restaurants and foodservice businesses seeking an all-in-one POS with strong inventory integration for perishable goods management.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at ~$70/month per location (plus hardware, processing fees, and add-ons).
Epos Now
specializedCloud-based POS system with real-time inventory control, stock alerts, and seamless integrations for various retail sectors.
Vast app marketplace with over 100 third-party integrations for seamless expansion of POS and inventory capabilities
Epos Now is a cloud-based POS system tailored for retail, restaurants, and hospitality businesses, providing comprehensive inventory management tools like real-time stock tracking, low-stock alerts, and multi-location support. It integrates sales processing with inventory control, purchase orders, and supplier management to optimize operations. The platform offers mobile access and customizable reporting, making it suitable for businesses needing scalable point-of-sale and stock management solutions.
Pros
- Real-time multi-location inventory tracking and automated reordering
- Extensive marketplace with 100+ integrations for e-commerce and accounting
- Flexible hardware compatibility and cloud-based mobile access
Cons
- Pricing escalates quickly with add-ons and multiple terminals
- Mixed customer support experiences and occasional software bugs
- Advanced inventory features require higher-tier plans
Best For
Small to medium retail and hospitality businesses needing an all-in-one POS with robust inventory management.
Pricing
Starts at $25/month per terminal (annual billing), with Pro plans from $69/month; hardware and add-ons extra.
TouchBistro
specializediPad POS for restaurants offering inventory management with recipe tools, cost tracking, and automated reordering.
Advanced recipe costing that automatically calculates ingredient usage and profitability per menu item
TouchBistro is a cloud-based POS system designed specifically for the restaurant industry, offering robust inventory management tools that track stock levels, monitor usage, and integrate seamlessly with sales data. It includes features like recipe costing, waste tracking, vendor management, and real-time alerts to prevent stockouts, helping restaurants optimize food costs and operations. Ideal for full-service and quick-service eateries, it combines POS functionality with inventory insights to streamline back-of-house processes.
Pros
- Restaurant-specific inventory tools like recipe costing and waste logging
- Real-time syncing between sales and inventory for accurate tracking
- Strong integrations with restaurant hardware and third-party apps
Cons
- Higher pricing may not suit small operations
- Learning curve for advanced inventory features
- Limited flexibility outside hospitality vertical
Best For
Full-service restaurants and bars seeking an all-in-one POS with deep inventory management for food cost control.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at around $69/month per terminal (Starter plan), scaling to $165+/month for premium features; hardware and add-ons extra.
Loyverse
otherFree mobile POS app with essential inventory tracking, low stock notifications, and multi-store support for small businesses.
Unlimited free multi-store inventory synchronization with real-time updates across devices
Loyverse is a cloud-based POS and inventory management software tailored for small retail, cafes, and service businesses, offering real-time sales processing, stock tracking, and purchase order management via mobile apps on iOS and Android devices. It supports unlimited products, employees, and customers on the free plan, with features like barcode scanning, low-stock alerts, and multi-store synchronization. The platform provides customizable receipts, loyalty programs, and analytics to streamline operations for growing SMBs.
Pros
- Free core POS and inventory features with unlimited items, employees, and stores
- Intuitive mobile interface with quick setup and barcode support
- Real-time multi-location inventory sync and automated stock alerts
Cons
- Requires constant internet connection with no full offline mode
- Advanced reporting and employee time tracking require paid add-ons
- Limited native integrations compared to enterprise solutions
Best For
Small retail shops, cafes, and food trucks needing a cost-free, mobile-first POS with reliable inventory management.
Pricing
Free forever plan for basics; add-ons like POS Pro ($5/location/month) and Back Office ($10/month) for advanced features; payment processing fees apply.
KORONA POS
specializedFlexible POS software with comprehensive inventory features like serial tracking, bundles, and detailed reporting for retail and service.
Real-time multi-store inventory synchronization with automated low-stock alerts and vendor portals for seamless replenishment.
KORONA POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale system tailored for high-volume retail businesses like convenience stores, smoke shops, and liquor stores, with strong emphasis on inventory management. It offers real-time inventory tracking, multi-location synchronization, purchase order automation, and vendor management to streamline stock control. The platform integrates with hardware like receipt printers and scales, providing detailed reporting and low-stock alerts for efficient operations.
Pros
- Robust real-time multi-location inventory tracking and automated purchase orders
- Customizable dashboards and advanced reporting for inventory analytics
- Unlimited users and strong scalability for growing retail chains
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-tech-savvy users due to extensive customization options
- Higher pricing compared to basic POS systems, especially for single locations
- Limited native e-commerce integrations requiring third-party add-ons
Best For
Multi-location specialty retailers handling high-volume transactions and complex inventory like tobacco or liquor stores.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month for the first terminal, $59/month for additional terminals; custom enterprise pricing available with no long-term contracts.
Conclusion
The top tools demonstrate distinct strengths, but Lightspeed Retail stands out as the top choice with advanced multi-location inventory management, while Shopify POS excels in seamless multi-channel sync and Square for Retail offers affordability. Both are valuable alternatives, catering to different business needs.
Explore Lightspeed Retail to unlock its robust features and streamline your inventory and sales operations—an investment that can elevate your business efficiency.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
