Quick Overview
- 1#1: Lightspeed Retail - Comprehensive cloud-based POS system for retail with advanced inventory management, CRM, and omnichannel selling capabilities.
- 2#2: Square for Retail - User-friendly POS software integrated with payment processing, inventory tracking, and sales analytics for small to medium retailers.
- 3#3: Shopify POS - Seamless POS that synchronizes in-store and online sales for unified omnichannel retail operations.
- 4#4: Clover - Customizable POS platform with app marketplace, hardware options, and robust payment integrations for retail businesses.
- 5#5: Epos Now - Cloud EPOS system offering real-time reporting, multi-location support, and e-commerce integration for retail stores.
- 6#6: Revel Systems - iPad-centric POS solution with powerful inventory, employee management, and analytics for retail environments.
- 7#7: Loyverse POS - Free mobile POS app with inventory control, customer loyalty, and multi-store capabilities for small retailers.
- 8#8: KORONA POS - Secure, scalable POS software with advanced reporting, integrations, and hardware flexibility for retail operations.
- 9#9: Retail Pro - Global enterprise POS platform for multi-store retail with sophisticated merchandising and supply chain tools.
- 10#10: LS Retail - Microsoft Dynamics-based retail software suite for POS, inventory, and ERP integration in large-scale operations.
We evaluated these tools based on feature strength (including omnichannel capabilities and analytics), user experience, reliability, and value, ensuring a balanced mix of functionality and practicality for retailers of all sizes.
Comparison Table
This comparison table outlines key features, pricing, and functionality of popular retail EPOS software, including Lightspeed Retail, Square for Retail, Shopify POS, Clover, and Epos Now, to help retailers identify the best fit for their needs. Readers will gain clarity on scalability, tools, and cost structures, enabling informed decisions for their business operations.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lightspeed Retail Comprehensive cloud-based POS system for retail with advanced inventory management, CRM, and omnichannel selling capabilities. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Square for Retail User-friendly POS software integrated with payment processing, inventory tracking, and sales analytics for small to medium retailers. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 3 | Shopify POS Seamless POS that synchronizes in-store and online sales for unified omnichannel retail operations. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Clover Customizable POS platform with app marketplace, hardware options, and robust payment integrations for retail businesses. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Epos Now Cloud EPOS system offering real-time reporting, multi-location support, and e-commerce integration for retail stores. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Revel Systems iPad-centric POS solution with powerful inventory, employee management, and analytics for retail environments. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Loyverse POS Free mobile POS app with inventory control, customer loyalty, and multi-store capabilities for small retailers. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 8 | KORONA POS Secure, scalable POS software with advanced reporting, integrations, and hardware flexibility for retail operations. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 9 | Retail Pro Global enterprise POS platform for multi-store retail with sophisticated merchandising and supply chain tools. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 10 | LS Retail Microsoft Dynamics-based retail software suite for POS, inventory, and ERP integration in large-scale operations. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
Comprehensive cloud-based POS system for retail with advanced inventory management, CRM, and omnichannel selling capabilities.
User-friendly POS software integrated with payment processing, inventory tracking, and sales analytics for small to medium retailers.
Seamless POS that synchronizes in-store and online sales for unified omnichannel retail operations.
Customizable POS platform with app marketplace, hardware options, and robust payment integrations for retail businesses.
Cloud EPOS system offering real-time reporting, multi-location support, and e-commerce integration for retail stores.
iPad-centric POS solution with powerful inventory, employee management, and analytics for retail environments.
Free mobile POS app with inventory control, customer loyalty, and multi-store capabilities for small retailers.
Secure, scalable POS software with advanced reporting, integrations, and hardware flexibility for retail operations.
Global enterprise POS platform for multi-store retail with sophisticated merchandising and supply chain tools.
Microsoft Dynamics-based retail software suite for POS, inventory, and ERP integration in large-scale operations.
Lightspeed Retail
enterpriseComprehensive cloud-based POS system for retail with advanced inventory management, CRM, and omnichannel selling capabilities.
True omnichannel commerce with unified inventory visibility across all sales channels
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based POS and retail management platform tailored for modern retailers, offering seamless point-of-sale transactions, inventory tracking, and customer management. It supports omnichannel selling by integrating online stores, in-store sales, and marketplaces into a unified system. Advanced analytics, multi-location capabilities, and extensive third-party integrations make it ideal for scaling retail operations.
Pros
- Robust inventory management with real-time tracking and purchase order automation
- Seamless omnichannel integration for online, in-store, and marketplace sales
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for data-driven decisions
Cons
- Higher pricing can be steep for very small businesses
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced features
- Some users report occasional glitches in mobile app
Best For
Multi-location retailers and growing businesses needing scalable omnichannel POS with strong inventory control.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month (Lean), $99/month (Standard), $149/month (Advanced); enterprise custom pricing; per location, billed annually.
Square for Retail
specializedUser-friendly POS software integrated with payment processing, inventory tracking, and sales analytics for small to medium retailers.
Advanced retail-specific inventory management with automated purchase orders and vendor tracking
Square for Retail is a cloud-based EPOS system tailored for brick-and-mortar stores, offering inventory management, sales tracking, customer loyalty programs, and seamless payment processing. It integrates online and in-store sales, supports modifiers for complex items, and provides real-time reporting accessible via iPad, Android devices, or Square hardware. Designed for small to medium retailers, it emphasizes ease of use and scalability without long-term contracts.
Pros
- Intuitive setup and user-friendly interface requiring minimal training
- Comprehensive inventory tools including purchase orders, stock alerts, and multi-location support
- Seamless integration with Square payments and no monthly fees on the free plan
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢ per swipe) add up for high-volume stores
- Advanced reporting and customization locked behind paid plans
- Hardware costs extra and may require additional investment for full setup
Best For
Small to medium retail businesses needing an affordable, easy-to-deploy EPOS with strong inventory management and payment integration.
Pricing
Free plan; Plus ($60/month per location); Premium (custom). Transaction fees: 2.6% + 10¢ (in-person), 2.9% + 30¢ (online/invoiced).
Shopify POS
enterpriseSeamless POS that synchronizes in-store and online sales for unified omnichannel retail operations.
Real-time omnichannel inventory syncing across online and physical stores
Shopify POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale system integrated with the Shopify e-commerce platform, enabling retailers to process in-store transactions, manage inventory, and handle customer data in real-time. It supports hardware like card readers, barcode scanners, and receipt printers, while syncing sales data across online and physical channels. This makes it a powerful EPOS solution for omnichannel retail operations, with features including staff permissions, reporting, and buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS).
Pros
- Seamless real-time synchronization between online store and in-store inventory
- Extensive app marketplace for custom features and integrations
- Scalable for businesses from small shops to multi-location retailers
Cons
- POS Pro advanced features require additional $89/month per location fee
- Limited offline mode compared to dedicated standalone EPOS systems
- Full functionality tied to a Shopify subscription, increasing overall costs
Best For
Retailers with an existing Shopify online store seeking a unified omnichannel POS solution.
Pricing
POS Lite free with any Shopify plan (Basic $29/mo, Shopify $105/mo, Advanced $399/mo); POS Pro $89/location/mo; hardware sold separately.
Clover
specializedCustomizable POS platform with app marketplace, hardware options, and robust payment integrations for retail businesses.
App Market with over 200 third-party apps for unparalleled customization in inventory, loyalty, and e-commerce integrations
Clover is a versatile cloud-based POS system tailored for retail businesses, providing integrated payment processing, inventory management, employee scheduling, and customer loyalty tools. It offers a range of hardware options like countertop stations, mobile devices, and handheld scanners to suit various store setups. The platform's strength lies in its extensive App Market, enabling users to add custom apps for e-commerce, accounting, and more specialized retail needs.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and minimal training required
- Expansive App Market for extensive customization and integrations
- Seamless payment processing with competitive rates and PCI compliance
Cons
- High upfront costs for hardware purchases
- Additional subscription fees for premium apps and advanced features
- Reporting capabilities can feel limited in lower-tier plans
Best For
Small to medium-sized retail stores seeking a flexible, customizable POS with robust hardware options and easy scalability.
Pricing
Hardware from $499 (Mini) to $1,699 (Station Duo); software plans: Register Lite (free with payments), Register ($14.95/mo), up to Register Pro ($114.85/mo); retail payments 2.3% + $0.10 per keyed transaction.
Epos Now
specializedCloud EPOS system offering real-time reporting, multi-location support, and e-commerce integration for retail stores.
App Store with over 100 integrations for payments, CRM, and e-commerce
Epos Now is a cloud-based EPOS software tailored for retail businesses, providing robust point-of-sale functionality, real-time inventory management, and sales reporting. It supports multi-location operations and integrates with hardware like card readers and printers for efficient checkout processes. The platform's app marketplace allows customization with over 100 third-party integrations for e-commerce, accounting, and loyalty programs.
Pros
- Extensive app marketplace with 100+ integrations
- Intuitive interface and quick setup
- Strong multi-location and inventory tracking
Cons
- Additional fees for apps and premium features
- Hardware costs extra and can add up
- Occasional connectivity issues in low-bandwidth areas
Best For
Small to medium retail businesses needing scalable EPOS with flexible integrations and multi-store support.
Pricing
Subscription from £25/month per device (Pro plan) to £109/month (Enterprise); hardware and add-ons extra.
Revel Systems
enterpriseiPad-centric POS solution with powerful inventory, employee management, and analytics for retail environments.
iPad-native design with seamless Apple ecosystem integration for true mobility in retail POS operations
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad-centric POS solution tailored for retail and hospitality businesses, providing tools for sales processing, inventory management, customer relationship management, and employee scheduling. It excels in multi-location operations with real-time data synchronization across devices and offers a vast marketplace of over 100 third-party integrations for e-commerce, loyalty programs, and accounting. Designed for mobility, it transforms any iPad into a full-featured terminal, making it suitable for modern, fast-paced retail environments.
Pros
- Extensive third-party integrations (100+ apps)
- Real-time cloud syncing for multi-location retail
- Comprehensive inventory and analytics reporting
Cons
- Requires Apple hardware (iPads/iPhones), limiting flexibility
- Subscription pricing can become expensive for larger setups
- Customer support response times vary
Best For
Multi-location retailers seeking a scalable, mobile-first POS with strong omnichannel capabilities.
Pricing
Core plan starts at $99/month per terminal; Pro at $299/month; Enterprise at $849/month; plus hardware (~$500+ per iPad setup) and 2.3-2.6% processing fees.
Loyverse POS
specializedFree mobile POS app with inventory control, customer loyalty, and multi-store capabilities for small retailers.
Fully free core POS with unlimited transactions and real-time cloud sync across unlimited devices
Loyverse POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale system tailored for small retail businesses, cafes, and service providers, enabling quick sales transactions, inventory tracking, and customer management via mobile apps on iOS and Android. It supports real-time data synchronization across multiple devices and locations, with features like employee time tracking, loyalty programs, and basic analytics. The software integrates with common hardware such as receipt printers, cash drawers, and barcode scanners, making it suitable for on-the-go retail operations.
Pros
- Completely free core plan with unlimited items and transactions
- Intuitive mobile-first interface with quick setup
- Real-time multi-store inventory and sales syncing
Cons
- Advanced reporting and inventory features locked behind paid add-ons
- Limited native integrations with accounting software
- Customer support primarily via email and tickets, no live chat
Best For
Small retail shops, cafes, and market stalls seeking a free, mobile-friendly EPOS without steep learning curves or upfront costs.
Pricing
Free plan available indefinitely; paid add-ons start at $5/location/month for features like advanced inventory, employees, and analytics.
KORONA POS
enterpriseSecure, scalable POS software with advanced reporting, integrations, and hardware flexibility for retail operations.
Advanced reporting with over 100 customizable real-time reports
KORONA POS is a cloud-based EPOS system tailored for retail businesses, especially high-volume operations like convenience stores, liquor shops, and smoke shops. It provides robust inventory management, employee tracking, multi-location support, and advanced reporting tools. The platform integrates with various payment processors and hardware, offering offline capabilities for uninterrupted service.
Pros
- Extensive customization options for reports and workflows
- Strong multi-store inventory synchronization
- Reliable offline mode and hardware compatibility
Cons
- Complex setup for advanced configurations
- Pricing can be high for single-location small businesses
- User interface feels dated compared to modern competitors
Best For
Multi-location specialty retail businesses needing detailed inventory control and reporting.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per terminal for basic plans, with Pro and Enterprise tiers up to $299+/month; custom quotes available.
Retail Pro
enterpriseGlobal enterprise POS platform for multi-store retail with sophisticated merchandising and supply chain tools.
Retail Pro Prism cloud platform for real-time global visibility and unified data across all stores and channels
Retail Pro is a robust enterprise-level retail management software suite, including POS, inventory control, CRM, and analytics tailored for multi-store and international operations. It supports complex retail environments with features like centralized merchandising, real-time reporting, and e-commerce integration. The platform, including its cloud-based Prism version, enables scalability across global chains while handling multi-currency and multi-language needs.
Pros
- Comprehensive multi-store and multi-channel management
- Strong inventory and supply chain optimization tools
- Excellent support for international retail with multi-currency/language
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup
- Higher pricing suited more for enterprises than small businesses
- User interface feels dated compared to modern cloud-native POS systems
Best For
Large multi-location retailers or international chains needing scalable, feature-rich EPOS for complex operations.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at $5,000-$10,000 annually per store plus implementation fees; contact for quote.
LS Retail
enterpriseMicrosoft Dynamics-based retail software suite for POS, inventory, and ERP integration in large-scale operations.
Unified Microsoft Dynamics-powered platform that combines full retail ERP with real-time POS across all channels
LS Retail's LS Central is a comprehensive, Microsoft Dynamics 365-based solution that integrates POS, ERP, inventory management, merchandising, and CRM into a single platform for retail operations. It supports multi-store chains across verticals like grocery, fashion, pharmacy, and restaurants, enabling real-time data synchronization and omnichannel capabilities. Designed for scalability, it handles complex retail processes from back-office to front-end sales with robust reporting and analytics.
Pros
- Deep integration with Microsoft Dynamics 365 for seamless ERP-POS functionality
- Scalable for multi-location and international retail operations
- Extensive vertical-specific features for grocery, fashion, and pharmacy
Cons
- High implementation costs and complexity for smaller retailers
- Steep learning curve due to enterprise-level customization
- Pricing lacks transparency and is quote-based only
Best For
Mid-to-large retail chains needing an all-in-one, scalable POS and ERP system with strong Microsoft ecosystem integration.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $20,000+ annually for mid-sized deployments, scaling with users, stores, and modules.
Conclusion
From the extensive review, Lightspeed Retail rises as the top choice, boasting comprehensive cloud-based tools including advanced inventory management, CRM, and omnichannel selling, which set it apart. Square for Retail stands out for its user-friendliness and integrated payment processing, while Shopify POS excels in unifying in-store and online sales—both strong alternatives for varied needs. The best option depends on specific requirements, but Lightspeed Retail proves a standout across key areas.
Explore Lightspeed Retail today to unlock a seamless, all-in-one solution that simplifies operations and enhances customer engagement for your retail business.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
