Quick Overview
- 1#1: Square - All-in-one POS system for processing payments, managing inventory, sales tracking, and customer loyalty for small retailers.
- 2#2: Shopify - E-commerce platform with integrated POS for seamless online and in-store retail sales management.
- 3#3: Lightspeed Retail - Cloud-based retail POS software with advanced inventory, CRM, purchasing, and multi-location features.
- 4#4: Clover - Customizable POS hardware and software ecosystem for payments, inventory, and app-based retail tools.
- 5#5: Revel Systems - iPad-centric cloud POS platform focused on retail inventory management, reporting, and integrations.
- 6#6: Odoo - Modular open-source ERP with POS, inventory, accounting, and CRM tailored for small retail operations.
- 7#7: Zoho Inventory - Inventory and order management tool with POS, warehouse tracking, and multi-channel sales support.
- 8#8: Cin7 - Inventory management platform that connects POS, e-commerce, accounting, and suppliers for retailers.
- 9#9: ERPLY - Cloud POS and retail ERP system for sales, inventory control, loyalty programs, and multi-store operations.
- 10#10: Loyverse - Free mobile POS app for small shops managing sales, stock, employees, and analytics.
We ranked tools by evaluating feature depth (including POS, inventory, CRM, and integrations), user experience, reliability, and value, ensuring each entry balances functionality with accessibility for small business owners.
Comparison Table
For small retailers aiming to optimize operations, choosing the right business software is critical—with tools like Square, Shopify, Lightspeed Retail, Clover, and Revel Systems standing out. This comparison table details key features, pricing structures, and usability to help you identify the best fit for your store’s needs, whether focusing on in-store sales, online presence, or inventory management. Explore how each solution stacks up to make an informed decision that boosts efficiency and growth.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Square All-in-one POS system for processing payments, managing inventory, sales tracking, and customer loyalty for small retailers. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 2 |  Shopify E-commerce platform with integrated POS for seamless online and in-store retail sales management. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Lightspeed Retail Cloud-based retail POS software with advanced inventory, CRM, purchasing, and multi-location features. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 4 | Clover Customizable POS hardware and software ecosystem for payments, inventory, and app-based retail tools. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | Revel Systems iPad-centric cloud POS platform focused on retail inventory management, reporting, and integrations. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Odoo Modular open-source ERP with POS, inventory, accounting, and CRM tailored for small retail operations. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 7 | Zoho Inventory Inventory and order management tool with POS, warehouse tracking, and multi-channel sales support. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 8 | Cin7 Inventory management platform that connects POS, e-commerce, accounting, and suppliers for retailers. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | ERPLY Cloud POS and retail ERP system for sales, inventory control, loyalty programs, and multi-store operations. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Loyverse Free mobile POS app for small shops managing sales, stock, employees, and analytics. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 |
All-in-one POS system for processing payments, managing inventory, sales tracking, and customer loyalty for small retailers.
E-commerce platform with integrated POS for seamless online and in-store retail sales management.
Cloud-based retail POS software with advanced inventory, CRM, purchasing, and multi-location features.
Customizable POS hardware and software ecosystem for payments, inventory, and app-based retail tools.
iPad-centric cloud POS platform focused on retail inventory management, reporting, and integrations.
Modular open-source ERP with POS, inventory, accounting, and CRM tailored for small retail operations.
Inventory and order management tool with POS, warehouse tracking, and multi-channel sales support.
Inventory management platform that connects POS, e-commerce, accounting, and suppliers for retailers.
Cloud POS and retail ERP system for sales, inventory control, loyalty programs, and multi-store operations.
Free mobile POS app for small shops managing sales, stock, employees, and analytics.
Square
specializedAll-in-one POS system for processing payments, managing inventory, sales tracking, and customer loyalty for small retailers.
Free magstripe card reader that instantly turns smartphones into full POS terminals
Square is an all-in-one POS and business management platform tailored for small retail businesses, enabling seamless in-person, online, and mobile payments with integrated inventory tracking, sales analytics, and customer management tools. It offers free POS software with optional hardware like card readers and terminals, supporting retail operations from pop-up shops to brick-and-mortar stores. Additional features include e-commerce integration, loyalty programs, and staff scheduling, making it a versatile solution for growing small retailers.
Pros
- Free POS software with no monthly fees or contracts
- Intuitive mobile app and quick setup for immediate use
- Comprehensive ecosystem including payments, inventory, and e-commerce
Cons
- Transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume sales
- Advanced reporting requires paid add-ons
- Custom hardware purchases add upfront costs
Best For
Small retail businesses seeking an affordable, user-friendly POS system with flexible payment processing and no long-term commitments.
Pricing
Free core POS software; processing fees from 2.6% + 10¢ (in-person) to 2.9% + 30¢ (online/keyed); hardware starts at $49; premium features like payroll from $35/month + $6/employee.
Shopify
specializedE-commerce platform with integrated POS for seamless online and in-store retail sales management.
The expansive Shopify App Store, enabling endless functionality extensions without coding expertise
Shopify is a comprehensive e-commerce platform designed for small retail businesses to build, manage, and scale online stores with ease. It provides customizable themes, inventory management, secure payment processing, and marketing tools to drive sales. The platform also supports point-of-sale (POS) systems for seamless in-person transactions, enabling omnichannel retail operations.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder for quick store setup
- Vast App Store with over 10,000 integrations for customization
- Robust omnichannel support including POS for online and in-store sales
Cons
- Transaction fees (up to 2%) if not using Shopify Payments
- Costs add up quickly with premium apps and themes
- Advanced customizations require coding or developer help
Best For
Small retail businesses wanting a scalable, user-friendly platform for online sales and physical store integration without deep technical expertise.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Basic), $105/month (Shopify), $399/month (Advanced); plus 2.4-2.9% + 30¢ transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments.
Lightspeed Retail
enterpriseCloud-based retail POS software with advanced inventory, CRM, purchasing, and multi-location features.
Matrix inventory system for efficient handling of product variations, serial numbers, and layered pricing
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based POS and retail management platform tailored for small to medium-sized brick-and-mortar and omnichannel retailers. It provides comprehensive tools for inventory tracking, sales processing, customer management, and e-commerce integration, enabling seamless operations across multiple locations. The software emphasizes real-time data synchronization, advanced reporting, and features like purchase orders and loyalty programs to support business growth.
Pros
- Robust inventory management with matrix support for variants, bundles, and real-time multi-location syncing
- Strong omnichannel capabilities including e-commerce integrations (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce) and BOPIS
- Detailed analytics, customizable reporting, and built-in CRM/loyalty tools
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be expensive for very small single-location shops
- Initial setup and advanced features have a learning curve
- Customer support response times can vary, with some users reporting delays
Best For
Small to medium retail businesses with multiple stores needing advanced inventory control and omnichannel sales integration.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month (Lean plan) per location, $99 (Standard), $149 (Advanced), billed annually; hardware and add-ons extra.
Clover
specializedCustomizable POS hardware and software ecosystem for payments, inventory, and app-based retail tools.
Vast App Market with 500+ third-party apps for tailored retail functionality like loyalty programs and e-commerce integrations
Clover is a comprehensive point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for small retail businesses, providing hardware like countertop terminals and software for processing payments, managing inventory, tracking sales, and handling employee scheduling. It features a robust app marketplace for custom integrations and supports omnichannel selling, including online ordering and delivery. With its cloud-based platform, Clover enables real-time data access and reporting from any device.
Pros
- Extensive app marketplace with over 500 integrations for customization
- User-friendly interface with intuitive touchscreen hardware options
- Reliable payment processing supporting contactless, EMV, and multiple payment types
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs (starting at $500+)
- Transaction fees can add up (2.3%-3.5% + $0.10 per swipe)
- Limited advanced analytics in lower-tier plans
Best For
Small brick-and-mortar retail stores needing a scalable POS with inventory management and easy payment processing.
Pricing
Software plans from $14.95/mo (Register Lite) to $99.85/mo (Register Pro), plus hardware ($499-$1,699) and transaction fees (2.3%-3.5% + $0.10); custom quotes available.
Revel Systems
specializediPad-centric cloud POS platform focused on retail inventory management, reporting, and integrations.
Real-time, centralized inventory management across all locations with automated reordering
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad-centric POS platform designed for small retail and restaurant businesses, offering robust sales processing, inventory management, customer loyalty programs, and advanced reporting. It supports multi-location operations with real-time data syncing and extensive third-party integrations for e-commerce and accounting. The system emphasizes mobility and scalability, making it suitable for growing retail operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive inventory tracking with purchase orders and low-stock alerts
- Powerful analytics and customizable reporting dashboards
- Seamless multi-location management and cloud-based accessibility
Cons
- Premium pricing with additional hardware costs
- Heavy reliance on iOS devices limits hardware flexibility
- Customer support can be slow for non-enterprise users
Best For
Small retail businesses with multiple locations needing advanced inventory control and real-time sales insights.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per terminal (Starter), $199/month (Growth), $299+/month (Enterprise); hardware and add-ons extra.
Odoo
enterpriseModular open-source ERP with POS, inventory, accounting, and CRM tailored for small retail operations.
Modular app ecosystem with seamless integration across 30+ business apps, allowing tailored retail workflows without third-party tools
Odoo is a modular, open-source ERP platform offering a comprehensive suite of applications for small retail businesses, including POS, inventory management, sales, eCommerce, CRM, and accounting. It enables retailers to manage point-of-sale transactions, track stock across multiple channels, process orders, and handle finances from a unified dashboard. The system's scalability allows businesses to start with essential modules and expand as they grow, with seamless integration between apps.
Pros
- All-in-one modular suite covering POS, inventory, eCommerce, and accounting
- Free open-source Community edition with thousands of community apps
- Highly customizable and scalable for growing retail operations
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and customization
- Enterprise features require paid subscriptions that can add up
- Performance issues with large datasets without proper hosting
Best For
Growing small retail businesses needing an integrated, scalable ERP that combines POS, inventory, and online sales management.
Pricing
Free Community edition; Enterprise starts at $24.90/user/month per app (billed annually, minimum 3 apps/users).
Zoho Inventory
specializedInventory and order management tool with POS, warehouse tracking, and multi-channel sales support.
Real-time multi-channel inventory synchronization across platforms like Amazon, Shopify, and physical stores
Zoho Inventory is a cloud-based solution for managing inventory, orders, and warehouse operations tailored for small businesses. It enables real-time stock tracking, purchase and sales order automation, barcode scanning, and shipping label generation. The software integrates seamlessly with e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and eBay, as well as other Zoho apps for comprehensive business management.
Pros
- Multi-channel sales integration with real-time inventory sync
- Multi-warehouse management and automation workflows
- Free tier and scalable pricing for growing retailers
Cons
- Learning curve for non-Zoho users due to modular interface
- Advanced reporting and customization in higher plans only
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Small retailers handling multi-channel online/offline sales who need robust inventory control without high costs.
Pricing
Free plan (up to 20 online orders/month); paid plans from $29/mo (Standard) to $399/mo (Ultimate), billed annually.
Cin7
enterpriseInventory management platform that connects POS, e-commerce, accounting, and suppliers for retailers.
Real-time, multi-location inventory management with automatic stock allocation across all sales channels
Cin7 is a cloud-based inventory management platform tailored for retailers and wholesalers, centralizing stock control across multiple sales channels like e-commerce, POS, and marketplaces. It streamlines order fulfillment, purchasing, supplier management, and reporting with real-time synchronization. The software integrates deeply with platforms such as Shopify, Amazon, QuickBooks, and Xero, making it ideal for omnichannel operations.
Pros
- Seamless real-time inventory syncing across unlimited channels
- Extensive integrations with 700+ apps including e-commerce and accounting tools
- Powerful B2B portal and advanced reporting for data-driven decisions
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for beginners
- Higher pricing tiers may strain very small retail budgets
- Occasional glitches in integrations reported by users
Best For
Growing small retail businesses with multi-channel sales needing robust, centralized inventory and order management.
Pricing
Core plan starts at $349/month (billed annually), Pro at $599/month, and Enterprise at $999+/month; custom quotes available.
ERPLY
enterpriseCloud POS and retail ERP system for sales, inventory control, loyalty programs, and multi-store operations.
Real-time multi-store inventory synchronization across unlimited locations
ERPLY is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) and inventory management platform designed specifically for retail businesses, offering tools for sales processing, stock tracking, customer management, and multi-location operations. It includes features like real-time inventory synchronization, loyalty programs, detailed reporting, and integrations with e-commerce and accounting systems. Ideal for small retailers needing robust back-office functionality alongside frontline POS capabilities.
Pros
- Comprehensive multi-location inventory and POS management
- Strong reporting and analytics tools
- Flexible integrations with e-commerce and accounting software
Cons
- Dated user interface with a learning curve
- Pricing scales quickly for additional users or locations
- Customer support can be slow outside business hours
Best For
Small retail chains with multiple stores requiring centralized inventory control and detailed reporting.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for basic POS (1 user), with tiers up to $99+/month per location/user; custom enterprise pricing available.
Loyverse
specializedFree mobile POS app for small shops managing sales, stock, employees, and analytics.
Unlimited free users and sales processing with seamless real-time cloud sync across devices
Loyverse is a cloud-based POS system designed for small retail businesses, providing essential tools for sales processing, inventory management, employee tracking, and customer loyalty programs. It operates via mobile apps on iOS and Android, supporting unlimited users and transactions on the free plan. Additional features like advanced reporting and multi-store management are available through affordable add-ons, making it scalable for growing shops.
Pros
- Free core POS with unlimited users and no transaction fees
- Intuitive mobile-first interface that's quick to set up
- Strong inventory and multi-device synchronization
Cons
- Advanced analytics and reporting locked behind paid add-ons
- Limited customization for receipts and branding in free tier
- Customer support primarily email-based with no phone option
Best For
Single or multi-location small retail shops needing a cost-free, mobile POS for basic operations without complex setup.
Pricing
Free plan for core POS; add-ons like Back Office ($5-$25/location/month), Loyalty Programs ($5/month), and Inventory ($10/location/month).
Conclusion
The reviewed tools showcase the breadth of innovation in small retail software, with Square leading as the top choice for its seamless all-in-one approach to payments, inventory, and loyalty management. Shopify, a strong second, excels for its integrated online and in-store solutions, catering to retailers focused on e-commerce growth. Lightspeed Retail rounds out the top three, offering advanced cloud-based features like multi-location management and CRM tools. Together, they meet diverse needs, proving there’s a standout option for every retail operation.
Take the first step toward smoother operations—explore Square, the top-ranked tool, to streamline payments, track inventory, and build customer loyalty effortlessly.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison