POS software is a powerful tool that allows small retailers and other companies to streamline and optimize their point-of-sale operations.
With this type of software, store operators can easily create product entries, calculate total costs and taxes, generate bills, and receive payments. In addition to these essential functions, small business POS software can also help businesses in managing their client records, inventory tracking, and handle other transactions. By automating many of the tasks associated with running a retail business, small business POS software helps store owners save time and increase efficiency.
Whether you’re running a small brick-and-mortar shop or an online store, this software can be an invaluable resource for managing your business and growing your customer base.
In this article, we will discuss some of the top POS systems for small businesses, their features, capabilities, pricing, and other options to help you choose the best POS system for your specific needs and business.
What We’ve Considered When Making This List
In our search for a suitable point of sale (POS) system, we prioritized affordability for small business owners and included systems that had essential POS functions like check and order management, the ability to handle multiple payment forms, and inventory monitoring capabilities.
We also took into consideration the versatility of the system and whether it was suitable for multiple company types or exceptionally well-suited for a particular industry.
After thoroughly evaluating several POS systems and considering the above criteria, we concluded that Square is the best all-purpose POS system for most people and small businesses. This system stood out due to its versatility and ability to meet the needs of a wide range of users. It is also highly regarded in the industry and has a strong reputation for reliability and effectiveness.
These are some of the features we’ve looked in to determine which POS systems are the best for you and your business:
Price
We value POS systems that provide a free plan or trial, cheap subscription plans, and additional features to support potential expansion if needed. We also searched for systems with low-cost integrated payment processing, a variety of hardware options, and no restrictions on the number of users, inventory, or payments.
On the other hand, we subtracted points from systems that needed long-term contracts and significant installation fees. This enabled us to select POS systems that were cost-effective and appropriate for small enterprises.
Register Capabilities
In order to run a successful business, it is vital to have fast and customizable checkout tools, an efficient way to manage customers, the ability to sell from any location, a system for tracking orders, and a method for processing online orders.
With the significant changes in the way businesses operate in recent years, we also took into account the need for contactless payment options, integrated online purchasing, and features for an online store. These capabilities help businesses streamline operations and provide a better customer experience.
Inventory Tracking and Reporting Features
When evaluating point of sale (POS) systems, we placed high importance on inventory tracking capabilities. We also took into account the level of sophistication and ease of use of each system’s reporting dashboard, as well as the marketing and personnel management tools that were available.
A system with robust inventory tracking and reporting features, as well as useful marketing and employee management tools, can significantly benefit a business by helping optimize operations and improve efficiency.
Customer Support
When choosing a point of sale (POS) system, we prioritized systems that provided 24-hour phone assistance. We also considered additional types of service, including help tickets, email or live chats, and the ease of installation and configuration.
We also searched for systems with an offline option or hybrid installation capability, which allows organizations to continue operations even if their internet connection is lost.
Finally, we assessed if the system provided an online base of knowledge, video tutorials, or a training option to assist new staff in rapidly and efficiently getting up to speed. These tools for assistance and training might be critical for maintaining smooth operations and reducing downtime.
Reviews
When evaluating point of sale (POS) systems, we considered the overall quality and stability of the system’s features and security measures. We also looked at the value for money offered by each system, taking into account its standout features and pricing.
In addition to these objective considerations, we considered the experts’ personal experience with every system and communicating with customer service representatives, as well as evaluations and experiences from other small company owners. All of these factors played a role in determining the best POS systems for small businesses.
Top Pos Systems For Small Business
- Square POS
- Clover POS
- LightSpeed Retail POS
- Revel POS Systems
- TouchBistro
Square POS
Square is a leading provider of point of sale (POS) software and hardware for small businesses. The company is known for its rapid pace of innovation, constantly releasing new features and updates to help small businesses streamline their operations and grow their customer base.
It is a POS system and device supplier popular among small businesses in a wide range of industries, including retail and restaurants. Its adaptability and range of pricing choices make it the ideal all-around POS system for small enterprises.
Square provides three options, all of which incorporate integrated payments but vary in cost and functionality. Credit card processing costs of 2.9% + $0.30 are charged on the Free and Professional plans, with the Professional plan costing $12 per month for extra features. The Performance plan charges $26 each month and contains more services, but the processing fee remains the same. The Premium plan, which costs $72 per month, has lower processing fees of 2.6% + $0.30.
- Selling online and in-person while controlling inventory, checking sales statistics, and supervising your personnel is free.
- Professional: $12 per month for personalized websites that do not use Square branding.
- Performance: Professional reporting, ratings, advertising features, and more are available for $26 per month.
- Premium: $72 per month. It offers a decreased processing charge and improved performance.
Pros
- Strong free online sales options
- Inventory can be easily tracked
- Integrated payment mechanism
Cons
- Expensive processing costs for high-volume enterprises
- The free option is lacking in sophisticated features
- Additional charge for a loyalty program
Clover POS
Clover provides a choice of hardware solutions in addition to a large selection of plans and price alternatives. This ranges from standard countertop registers to mobile card readers for on-the-go businesses. The hardware costs for these devices may be high, but they are built to be durable and last for a long time, so the investment is often worth it for businesses that rely on their point-of-sale system daily.
One of the most useful features of Clover is its ability to accept a wide range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, as well as mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. This makes it easy for businesses to accommodate the preferences of their customers, regardless of how they prefer to pay.
Overall, Clover is a reliable and easy-to-use point-of-sale system that can help businesses streamline their transactions and manage their operations more efficiently. Its free trial for the first 30 days is an excellent way for companies to try out the platform and see if it’s the right fit for their needs before committing to a paid plan.
Pros
- Simple to set it up and personalize
- All-in-one POS system
- Option for customized payment processing costs
- Excellent hardware selections
Cons
- Expensive hardware
- A few Clover resellers are untrustworthy
- Possible lengthy contract terms
LightSpeed Retail POS
Lightspeed Retail is unquestionably one of the most outstanding retail POS systems available at this pricing point. Lightspeed features whatever small-to-medium-sized retail enterprises might need to sell and run their business if you’re ready to pay a little more. It also has fantastic customer service to help you through it all.
Lightspeed is the ideal POS system for every retail shop that requires capabilities like comprehensive inventory control, vendor sales orders, installed eCommerce, and a slew of software connectors to make your software more effective.
Also, Lightspeed Retail is among the finest POS systems for rental companies, thanks to its quotation, reservation, and comprehensive inventory management features. Lightspeed Retail has you covered. From renting out photo equipment and party furnishings to wedding locations.
Pros
- Designed especially for merchants
- Outstanding inventory management
- eCommerce platform developed in-house
Cons
- Expensive add-ons
Revel POS Systems
Because of its tremendous customizability, Revel Systems is a multi-channel iPad point-of-sale system that can handle a wide range of enterprises. With a multitude of connectors and an open API, Revel allows you to build a POS system from the bottom up, including just the tools you want and removing unnecessary features. You may add new features and services to help your business as it grows. You are free of your original choices.
Despite its high price and long-term contracts, Revel is likely the most powerful iPad POS system available, especially for quick-serve restaurants although a lot of retailers use it also. Revel has you covered whether you require virtual menus, self-order software, caller ID connectivity, or any combination of these features.
With this highly flexible system, Revel is one of the finest solutions for even the most specialized sectors, which is why it ranks among the top POS systems for golf courses and top drive-through POS systems.
Pros
- It offers various hardware and software connections
- Payment processor selection
- Powerful offline mode
Cons
- Requirement of lengthy and at least two-terminal contracts for the best pricing
- Pricing for add-ons is not entirely clear
- For small firms, it is too expensive
TouchBistro
TouchBistro POS is perfect for small businesses looking for an affordable yet comprehensive point-of-sale system. With a starting price of only $69 per month, TouchBistro offers a range of features that can help small businesses streamline their operations, improve customer service, and increase efficiency.
Additionally, many add-ons allow businesses to customize their POS system to meet their specific needs. For larger firms, TouchBistro is also a great option since it’s an all-in-one platform that can handle the complexity and scale of more extensive operations. Whether you are a small cafe or a large chain of restaurants, TouchBistro has a solution that can help you manage and grow your business.
A loyalty reward and gift voucher program, customer profile development, and an online purchasing method for those who must get in and out fast are all ways to turn occasional visitors into lifetime clients. Furthermore, TouchBistro’s offline mode enables mobile food service operators to accept orders and payments while on the road.
Pros
- Excellent offline mode
- Outstanding POS flow for waiters and kitchen personnel.
- There are several payment processor alternatives.
- Contracts are renewed monthly
Cons
- There are no self-service kiosks.
- Add-ons are expensive.
How to Choose The Right POS System For Your Small Business?
When selecting the ideal POS system, keep your company’s long-term needs in mind. The finest POS system will not only provide you with the tools and features you want now but will also be able to adapt and develop with your business in the future.
Make certain that the system you select can handle payments effectively and inexpensively, whether where you sell your products or how the clients pay. In addition, thoroughly examine the pricing structure of each system you are considering.
A higher monthly rate may appear to be more expensive at first look, but it is more cost-effective in the long term if it contains lower transaction costs.
Finally, the optimal POS system for your company will strike the perfect combination of functionality, flexibility, and pricing.
When searching for the right POS software, there are several key features to consider:
- Credit card processing capabilities, including the ability to choose your payment processor or use a specific processor
- Loyalty and gift card options
- Appointment scheduling and reminders for businesses that handle appointments
- Inventory management tools
- Customer relations management (CRM) features for managing customer data
- Advanced reporting capabilities
- E-commerce integration for managing online and in-store sales from a single platform.
Conclusion
In conclusion, small business POS software is essential for streamlining and optimizing point-of-sale operations. The right software can help small retailers automate tasks, manage customer records and inventory, and handle various transactions.
This article reviewed some of the top POS systems for small businesses, considering factors such as price, register capabilities, inventory tracking and reporting features, customer support, and system compatibility.
We identified Square as the best overall POS system for most small businesses due to its versatility and ability to meet the needs of a wide range of users. However, it is vital for small business owners to carefully evaluate their specific needs and consider various options before choosing the right POS system for their business.
