Top 6 Best Point of Sale(POS) Systems for Small Business

We always come across Point of Sale(POS) systems in our daily lives, but most of us aren’t that interested in them as consumers. However, a POS system is essential if you ever decide to start your own small business, especially a physical store. You might not know where to get one right away, and even if someone tries to sell you one, you might not be sure if it’s good or not. So, today I’m here to recommend 6 POS systems for small businesses. I’m sure there’s one that’ll be perfect for you.

What is Point of Sale(POS) System

POS stands for Point of Sale, and it’s got a couple of meanings. Most people are familiar with it referring to the physical location where a customer finalizes a purchase. For instance, in a retail store, this would be the checkout counter. Back in the day, that usually meant a cash register.

While a POS system, or point-of-sale system, is an electronic system that businesses use to manage and process sales transactions. It typically consists of a combination of hardware and software, including a computer, a monitor, a barcode scanner, a receipt printer, and a payment terminal.

POS systems are essential for businesses of all sizes, from small retail shops to large enterprises. They streamline the checkout process, track inventory, and provide valuable data about sales and customer behavior.

Modern POS systems offer a wide range of features beyond basic transaction processing. These features can help businesses improve efficiency, increase profitability, and enhance customer service. Some common POS system features include:

• Inventory management: POS systems can track inventory levels in real-time, so businesses always know what they have in stock. This helps to prevent stockouts and overstocking.
• Customer relationship management (CRM): POS systems can collect customer data, such as names, addresses, and purchase history. This data can then be used to create targeted marketing campaigns and improve customer service.
• Sales analytics: POS systems can generate detailed reports on sales data. This information can be used to identify trends, track performance, and make informed business decisions.

In addition to these core features, many POS systems also offer a variety of advanced features, such as Online ordering, Employee management, Loyalty programs, etc.

The cost of a POS system can vary depending on the size and features of the system. However, there are many POS systems available on the market that can cater to businesses with varying budgets, so let’s delve into some of these systems. It’s important to note that this discussion will primarily focus on Point of sale software, as hardware components may need to be purchased separately.

1. Shopify POS – Online and offline sales seamlessly

Shopify is a well-known online e-commerce platform and SaaS software that many businesses use to build their own online stores. Shopify has enabled numerous merchants to create e-commerce websites, some of which even sell products globally. On Shopify’s e-commerce platform, they’ve developed a POS system that works alongside their online store system. Therefore, Shopify’s POS system is renowned for its seamless integration of online and offline sales channels.

Key Features of Shopify POS:

Shopify POS Pricing Plans:

To understand the pricing of Shopify POS, you need to know the difference between Shopify plans and Shopify POS plans, let’s start by getting a general understanding of Shopify’s plans：

Shopify POS Plans & Pricing:

Shopify POS includes two main plans: Lite and Retail.

• Lite Plan: This plan includes only basic transaction features and supports a single physical location for checkout. It’s ideal for merchants who don’t have an online or offline store but need a payment solution. For example, if you sell products on social platforms but lack a payment channel, the Lite plan is perfect for you.
• Retail Plan: This is a full-featured POS system suitable for users with actual physical stores. It includes one POS Pro location for checkout. If you subscribe to a Shopify POS plan only, it is not linked to a Shopify online store and is used primarily for offline transactions, such as those in retail stores and restaurants. It can also handle some online transactions, like sales through social platforms.

*3rd-party payment providers mean that customers don’t use Shopify Payments when making their payments.

Shopify Plans & Pricing:

Shopify offers specific plans for building online stores. All Shopify Plans include the Shopify POS Lite plan. If you need to integrate your online and offline stores, you’ll need to subscribe to a Retail(POS Pro) Plan additionally. This ensures that all your transactions, whether online, offline, mobile, or even international, are synced and recorded in a single system.

For businesses that require both online and offline capabilities, combining Shopify Plans with Shopify POS is the perfect solution. For example, the basic Shopify package costs $39 per month, and adding the POS Pro subscription costs an additional $89 per month, this is not very costly for starting a business.

Who is Shopify POS for:

• Online and offline retail stores, Shopify POS allows you to manage in-person sales, track inventory, and offer omnichannel fulfillment options. This system is versatile and can also be used in supermarkets. If you purchase multiple Shopify POS Pro plans, it can be implemented across chain supermarkets.
  • If you already have an online store on Shopify, the Shopify POS system will sync your online and offline inventory in real-time, ensuring a seamless and integrated sales experience across all your sales channels.
• Pop-Up Shops & Events: Easily set up temporary sales points and manage transactions on the go.
• Restaurants & Cafes: Process orders efficiently, manage tables, and offer self-service options.

4.8

Pros

• Customers can effortlessly switch between online and offline shopping with consistent product availability and personalized service.
• Shopify POS offers tiered plans to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises.
• Streamlined checkout processes, real-time inventory management, and unified customer data save time and resources.
• Provide more options to your customers with omnichannel selling and flexible fulfillment.
• User-friendly account interface

Cons

• Shopify POS plans have a built-in transaction fee for each sale processed through the system (but only if the customer choose 3rd-party payment providers to make payment)

Sale: ✨ Try Shopify POS free for 3 days →

Visit Shopify POS Now!

2. Square POS system

In the realm of payment processing, Square stands as a prominent name, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions that empower businesses to accept payments seamlessly and efficiently. At the heart of Square’s ecosystem lies its robust POS system, enabling businesses of all sizes to streamline their checkout processes and enhance customer experiences.