Quick Overview
- 1#1: Square - Provides an all-in-one POS system for retail stores with seamless payment processing, inventory management, and sales reporting.
- 2#2: Shopify POS - Offers a unified POS solution integrated with e-commerce for managing in-store and online sales from a single platform.
- 3#3: Lightspeed Retail - Delivers cloud-based POS software with advanced inventory control, multi-store support, and analytics for retail businesses.
- 4#4: Clover - Supplies customizable POS hardware and software for handling payments, customer loyalty, and store operations efficiently.
- 5#5: Revel Systems - iPad-centric POS platform featuring real-time reporting, inventory tracking, and integrations for retail environments.
- 6#6: Epos Now - Cloud POS system for retail stores offering unlimited users, hardware flexibility, and extensive third-party integrations.
- 7#7: KORONA POS - Robust POS software tailored for small to medium retail stores with strong inventory and employee management features.
- 8#8: Loyverse - Free mobile POS app for small stores providing sales tracking, inventory management, and loyalty programs.
- 9#9: RetailEdge - Windows-based POS solution for independent retailers with comprehensive inventory, CRM, and purchase order tools.
- 10#10: Zettle by PayPal - Simple card reader POS for small stores enabling quick payments, sales insights, and basic inventory tracking.
Tools were ranked based on core functionality (payment processing, inventory management, integrations), usability, and overall value, ensuring they cater to diverse retail needs while delivering reliable performance
Comparison Table
Store POS software is vital for modern retail operations, and the right tool can transform transaction processing, inventory tracking, and customer management. This comparison table evaluates top options including Square, Shopify POS, Lightspeed Retail, Clover, Revel Systems, and more, highlighting features, pricing, and usability to guide businesses toward the best fit.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Square Provides an all-in-one POS system for retail stores with seamless payment processing, inventory management, and sales reporting. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 2 | Shopify POS Offers a unified POS solution integrated with e-commerce for managing in-store and online sales from a single platform. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Lightspeed Retail Delivers cloud-based POS software with advanced inventory control, multi-store support, and analytics for retail businesses. | enterprise | 8.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Clover Supplies customizable POS hardware and software for handling payments, customer loyalty, and store operations efficiently. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Revel Systems iPad-centric POS platform featuring real-time reporting, inventory tracking, and integrations for retail environments. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Epos Now Cloud POS system for retail stores offering unlimited users, hardware flexibility, and extensive third-party integrations. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | KORONA POS Robust POS software tailored for small to medium retail stores with strong inventory and employee management features. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 8 | Loyverse Free mobile POS app for small stores providing sales tracking, inventory management, and loyalty programs. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 9 | RetailEdge Windows-based POS solution for independent retailers with comprehensive inventory, CRM, and purchase order tools. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 10 | Zettle by PayPal Simple card reader POS for small stores enabling quick payments, sales insights, and basic inventory tracking. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
Provides an all-in-one POS system for retail stores with seamless payment processing, inventory management, and sales reporting.
Offers a unified POS solution integrated with e-commerce for managing in-store and online sales from a single platform.
Delivers cloud-based POS software with advanced inventory control, multi-store support, and analytics for retail businesses.
Supplies customizable POS hardware and software for handling payments, customer loyalty, and store operations efficiently.
iPad-centric POS platform featuring real-time reporting, inventory tracking, and integrations for retail environments.
Cloud POS system for retail stores offering unlimited users, hardware flexibility, and extensive third-party integrations.
Robust POS software tailored for small to medium retail stores with strong inventory and employee management features.
Free mobile POS app for small stores providing sales tracking, inventory management, and loyalty programs.
Windows-based POS solution for independent retailers with comprehensive inventory, CRM, and purchase order tools.
Simple card reader POS for small stores enabling quick payments, sales insights, and basic inventory tracking.
Square
enterpriseProvides an all-in-one POS system for retail stores with seamless payment processing, inventory management, and sales reporting.
Completely free core POS software with instant payment processing and no hidden fees
Square is a versatile POS software solution tailored for retail stores, providing seamless payment processing, inventory tracking, sales analytics, and customer management tools. It offers free software that pairs with affordable hardware like the Square Reader and Terminal, enabling businesses to accept cards, contactless payments, and digital wallets without monthly fees. The platform supports omnichannel selling, integrating in-store and online operations effortlessly.
Pros
- Free POS software with no monthly fees or contracts
- Intuitive mobile-first interface for quick setup and use
- Robust inventory, reporting, and e-commerce integrations
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢) can accumulate for high-volume stores
- Advanced features require paid add-ons or hardware
- Customer support primarily email-based for free tier
Best For
Small to medium retail stores seeking an affordable, user-friendly POS without long-term commitments.
Pricing
Free POS software; 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction, 2.9% + 30¢ for online; hardware starts at $49.
Shopify POS
enterpriseOffers a unified POS solution integrated with e-commerce for managing in-store and online sales from a single platform.
Real-time inventory and sales sync across online and physical stores
Shopify POS is a comprehensive point-of-sale system that enables retailers to process in-person transactions while maintaining seamless synchronization with their Shopify online store. It supports a wide range of hardware, including card readers, receipt printers, and scales, and accepts major payment methods like credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Ideal for omnichannel businesses, it provides real-time inventory management, customer data unification, and sales analytics across physical and digital channels.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Shopify e-commerce for unified inventory and customer data
- Supports diverse payment options and hardware compatibility
- Scalable for single stores to multi-location enterprises with robust reporting
Cons
- Requires a Shopify subscription, adding to overall costs
- Advanced features like POS Pro incur extra per-location fees
- Customization often needs third-party apps, increasing complexity
Best For
Omnichannel retailers with an existing Shopify online store seeking real-time sync between in-store and online sales.
Pricing
Included in Shopify plans ($29-$399/month); POS Pro add-on $89/location/month; hardware like card reader $29-$59 one-time.
Lightspeed Retail
enterpriseDelivers cloud-based POS software with advanced inventory control, multi-store support, and analytics for retail businesses.
Real-time multi-store inventory visibility and centralized management
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based POS system tailored for brick-and-mortar and multi-channel retailers, providing tools for point-of-sale transactions, inventory tracking, customer management, and e-commerce integration. It excels in synchronizing data across multiple store locations and online platforms in real-time, enabling omnichannel selling. The platform includes advanced reporting, employee scheduling, loyalty programs, and purchase order management to streamline retail operations.
Pros
- Superior multi-location inventory management with real-time syncing
- Seamless integrations with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce
- Comprehensive analytics and customizable reporting dashboards
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for single-location small businesses
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Growing retail businesses with multiple locations needing robust omnichannel and inventory capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location (Essential); $99/month (Standard); $149/month (Advanced); additional fees for hardware and add-ons.
Clover
enterpriseSupplies customizable POS hardware and software for handling payments, customer loyalty, and store operations efficiently.
Clover App Market with 5,000+ apps for unparalleled customization
Clover is a cloud-based POS system from Fiserv tailored for small to medium-sized businesses in retail, restaurants, and services, offering flexible hardware like the Clover Station, Mini, Flex, and Go devices. It handles payments, inventory tracking, employee management, sales reporting, and customer loyalty programs through an intuitive dashboard. Businesses can extend functionality via the Clover App Market with thousands of third-party integrations for e-commerce, delivery, and specialized tools.
Pros
- Vast App Market for extensive customization and integrations
- Reliable, durable hardware options suited for various business types
- Seamless built-in payment processing with competitive rates
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs (starting around $500+)
- Monthly fees per device can add up for multi-location setups
- Customer support can be slow during peak issues
Best For
Small to medium retail stores, quick-service restaurants, and service businesses needing customizable hardware-integrated POS with strong app ecosystem support.
Pricing
Hardware from $499+; software plans from $14.95/mo (Lite) to $114.85/mo (Restaurant) per device, plus 2.3% + $0.10 payment processing fees.
Revel Systems
enterpriseiPad-centric POS platform featuring real-time reporting, inventory tracking, and integrations for retail environments.
Integrated Kitchen Display System (KDS) with real-time order routing and modifiers for efficient restaurant workflows
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad-centric POS solution tailored for retail stores, quick-service restaurants, and full-service eateries. It provides robust inventory management, real-time sales reporting, employee scheduling, and customer loyalty tools to streamline operations. The platform supports multi-location businesses with seamless integrations to accounting software, e-commerce, and delivery services.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including advanced inventory and multi-location support
- Strong third-party integrations for payments, accounting, and online ordering
- Reliable offline mode with automatic cloud syncing
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs tied to iPads and peripherals
- Customer support can be inconsistent and slow to resolve issues
- Limited customization options for non-restaurant retail users
Best For
Multi-location restaurants and retail businesses seeking a scalable, iOS-based cloud POS with strong reporting.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per terminal (Essentials plan), plus hardware (~$500+ per setup) and transaction fees; higher tiers up to $299/month for advanced features.
Epos Now
enterpriseCloud POS system for retail stores offering unlimited users, hardware flexibility, and extensive third-party integrations.
EPOS Now AppStore with over 100 third-party integrations for seamless customization
Epos Now is a cloud-based POS system tailored for retail stores, cafes, and restaurants, providing tools for sales processing, inventory management, and customer relationship management. It supports multi-location operations with real-time reporting, loyalty programs, and e-commerce integrations to streamline business operations. The platform offers customizable hardware bundles alongside its software, making it suitable for scaling businesses.
Pros
- Wide range of integrations via the AppStore (100+ apps)
- Cloud-based access for remote management and multi-site syncing
- Comprehensive inventory and reporting tools
Cons
- Pricing can add up with hardware bundles and add-ons
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced features
- Customer support response times vary
Best For
Small to medium retail stores needing scalable POS with strong inventory tracking and multi-location support.
Pricing
Software starts at £25/month per device; full packages with hardware from £1,000+ upfront plus £109-£249/month.
KORONA POS
enterpriseRobust POS software tailored for small to medium retail stores with strong inventory and employee management features.
Advanced compliance suite with integrated age verification, tobacco tax compliance, and lottery ticket sales support
KORONA POS is a robust, cloud-based point-of-sale system designed primarily for high-volume retail environments like convenience stores, smoke shops, liquor stores, and specialty retailers. It offers comprehensive inventory management, real-time reporting, employee scheduling, and multi-location support to streamline operations. Key features include age verification for compliance, weight-based selling, and integrations with accounting software like QuickBooks and payment processors.
Pros
- Powerful inventory management with real-time tracking and vendor ordering
- Built-in compliance tools like age verification and tax calculations for regulated sales
- Scalable for multi-store operations with centralized reporting
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small single-location businesses
- Initial setup and hardware integration may require technical support
- Fewer marketing and loyalty features compared to general-purpose POS systems
Best For
High-volume retail stores in regulated industries such as convenience, tobacco, and liquor shops needing advanced inventory and compliance capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per terminal for Starter plan; Pro at $149/month and Enterprise custom pricing, plus one-time setup fees and hardware costs.
Loyverse
enterpriseFree mobile POS app for small stores providing sales tracking, inventory management, and loyalty programs.
Unlimited free POS usage with no time limits or transaction fees on core features
Loyverse is a cloud-based POS system tailored for small retail and restaurant businesses, providing essential tools for sales processing, inventory management, customer tracking, and employee scheduling via a mobile app. It supports multi-store operations with real-time data sync across iOS and Android devices. Users can access detailed reports and analytics, with options for loyalty programs and integrations to expand functionality.
Pros
- Completely free core POS features with no transaction limits
- Intuitive mobile-first interface for quick setup and use
- Real-time inventory tracking and multi-device synchronization
Cons
- Advanced reporting and analytics require paid add-ons
- Limited customization for complex business needs
- Relies heavily on stable internet connection
Best For
Small retail stores, cafes, and food trucks needing a cost-free, mobile-friendly POS without advanced enterprise features.
Pricing
Free plan forever; paid add-ons like Back Office ($5/location/month), Hardware Server ($10/month), and Restaurant module ($5/location/month).
RetailEdge
enterpriseWindows-based POS solution for independent retailers with comprehensive inventory, CRM, and purchase order tools.
Matrix inventory system for handling variable products like clothing sizes and colors with precise stock tracking
RetailEdge is a Windows-based point-of-sale (POS) software tailored for small to medium-sized retail stores, providing comprehensive inventory management, sales processing, customer relationship management (CRM), and detailed reporting capabilities. It supports features like purchase orders, vendor tracking, gift cards, layaways, serial number control, and multi-store operations. The software integrates with QuickBooks and other accounting tools, making it suitable for independent retailers seeking robust backend functionality without monthly subscriptions.
Pros
- Perpetual license model offers excellent long-term value without recurring fees
- Strong inventory management with matrix sizing, serial tracking, and multi-location support
- Reliable QuickBooks integration and customizable reporting for streamlined operations
Cons
- Windows-only compatibility limits use on modern multi-platform setups
- Dated user interface feels clunky compared to cloud-based competitors
- Limited mobile and e-commerce integrations require additional workarounds
Best For
Small independent retailers with physical stores needing advanced inventory control and one-time purchase affordability.
Pricing
One-time perpetual licenses start at $795 for single-user/single-store (Basic), $1,195 for Pro edition, with optional annual support at $295+; no subscriptions required.
Zettle by PayPal
enterpriseSimple card reader POS for small stores enabling quick payments, sales insights, and basic inventory tracking.
Portable Bluetooth card reader enabling payments anywhere with instant PayPal deposits
Zettle by PayPal is a mobile-first point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for small businesses, featuring a compact Bluetooth card reader and iOS/Android app for processing card payments, digital wallets, and contactless transactions. It includes basic inventory management, sales reporting, and customer tracking to help merchants monitor performance on the go. While straightforward for entry-level retail, it lacks the depth of full-featured POS platforms for high-volume stores.
Pros
- Affordable hardware with quick Bluetooth setup for mobile use
- Competitive transaction fees and no monthly software fees
- Seamless integration with PayPal for easy fund transfers
Cons
- Limited advanced inventory and reporting tools for scaling businesses
- Fewer third-party app integrations compared to competitors like Square
- Occasional app connectivity issues in busy environments
Best For
Small retail shops, market vendors, and mobile merchants seeking a simple, low-cost POS for basic transactions.
Pricing
Free POS app; card reader from $29, countertop terminal $199; transaction fees 2.7% per swipe/tap or lower (1.4% + 10¢) with volume-based plans.
Conclusion
Square leads the pack as the top choice, offering an all-in-one solution that seamlessly combines payment processing, inventory management, and sales reporting. Shopify POS stands out as a strong alternative for those needing integrated in-store and online sales, while Lightspeed Retail impresses with advanced inventory control and multi-store support. Each of the top tools caters to distinct needs, but Square remains the clear standout for a versatile retail experience.
Don’t miss out—try Square to streamline your store’s operations, whether you’re a small business or a growing chain, and unlock efficient, sales-boosting tools.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
