The best point-of-sale systems for grocery stores track inventory well, provide thorough sales reporting, have good receipt options and are easy to use, among other factors. Here are some top point-of-sale, or POS, options to upgrade grocery store checkout processes.
Comprehensive inventory tracking
Grocery stores deal with huge amounts of inventory — and rapid turnover of that inventory. A good grocery store POS system helps track how much of each unit you sell and how much you have shelved. You might also want this to sync across several locations if you have more than one store.
Thorough sales reporting
The best grocery store POS systems offer zoomed-out sales analytics. Be sure the sales reporting features for the POS system meet your specific needs.
Employee permissions
You’ll likely want a POS system with customizable employee permissions. That way, different people have different levels of access to POS capabilities. Consider whether you also want employee theft notifications.
Receipt options
Good grocery store POS systems give customers a choice between digital and physical receipts, meaning they can print, text or email receipts.
Easy-to-learn systems
The POS system should be intuitive and easy to use. Your employees work quickly, especially during peak hours, and a system that's easy to use and adjust can be a lifesaver. Employees also have varying levels of technical skill, so it’s important that anyone can learn the POS system quickly and easily.
Integrations
The best setups let you add to your POS system. For example, you may want to add a customer-facing screen so people can see their purchase totals. And you’ll likely want to add a scale if the POS doesn’t already come with one. You may also want the ability to integrate a customer loyalty program or coupon system.
Special sales capabilities
Your store may accept EBT cards and/or participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC. Or perhaps you plan to sell lottery tickets or regulated items such as liquor and tobacco products. A POS system that includes features related to these sales types will expand your store options.
Our Nerdy picks for
Overall grocery store POS
IT Retail3.5
NerdWallet Rating
Best Grocery Store POS Systems
Calculate your monthly cost estimate
Input your business’s monthly transaction details and we’ll help you sort from the best valueProduct | Cost Estimate | Payment processing fees | Cost Estimate | Learn more | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IT Retail | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 3.5/5 Best for Overall grocery store POS | N/A Quote-based. | $199 and up. | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | |
Square Retail POS Learn more on Square Retail POS's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Smaller businesses with simple POS needs | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + -$2.70 | $0 Additional pricing tiers (per month): $60, custom. | Learn more on Square Retail POS's secure website | ||
Revel Systems | Best for Well-established businesses with multiple locations | N/A | $198 and up. | |||
Clover POS Learn more on Clover POS's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Dependable, well-designed hardware | In-person: 2.3% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $15 $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover POS's secure website | ||
POS Nation | Best for Grocery store-specific features | N/A | $149 and up. | |||
Lightspeed POS Learn more on Lightspeed POS's secure website | 3.5/5 Best for Business app integrations | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $69 and up. | Learn more on Lightspeed POS's secure website | ||
Loyverse | 4.0/5 Best for Free POS software | N/A Varies by processor. | $0 |
Our pick for
Overall grocery store POS
IT Retail
3.5
NerdWallet rating Payment processing fees
N/A
Quote-based.
Monthly fee
$199
and up.
IT Retail has been in the business of building and selling grocery store POS systems for more than two decades. While its prices are higher and less transparent than some of its competitors, the company has built a POS system that includes all the features you’ll need to run your store, including a product lookup menu, wholesale sales functionality, customer loyalty programs and capabilities to accept all forms of payment, including EBT. The pricing structure is largely quote-based, but there is a pay-monthly option and two hardware bundle options with listed prices.
Pros
- System and features specifically designed for grocery stores.
- Accepts all payment types, including EBT, checks and gift cards.
- 24/7 tech support and training.
- Supports sales of regulated items like alcohol and tobacco.
Cons
- Lack of pricing transparency.
- Prices that are disclosed run higher than some competitors.
Our pick for
Smaller businesses with simple POS needs
Square Retail POS
Learn more
on Square Retail POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$0
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $60, custom.
Square offers both a free and paid version of its POS software for retailers. Pricing is transparent, and no contract is required.
Pros
- Free software plan available.
- Built-in payment processing.
- Easy to set up and navigate.
- Clear and transparent pricing.
- Extensive list of features and add-ons.
Cons
- Not a great fit for larger retailers, especially those with high sales volumes.
- Doesn’t accept cross-border card payments.
Our pick for
Well-established businesses with multiple locations
Revel Systems
Payment processing fees
N/A
Monthly fee
$198
and up.
Revel offers iPad-based POS systems along with a wide variety of hardware, including stands and self-service kiosks. Revel’s extensive list of POS features may best serve larger establishments with multiple locations, especially given the higher price point of the company’s software. Revel also offers setup and installation help as well as training and onboarding services, at an additional cost.
Pros
- Cloud-based platform makes it easier to manage across multiple store locations.
- Extensive list of tools and features.
- Can configure to suit many business types and sizes.
- 24/7 customer support.
Cons
- Lack of pricing transparency.
- Requires a three-year contract.
Our pick for
Dependable, well-designed hardware
Clover POS
Learn more
on Clover POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$15
$14.95 and up.
Clover point-of-sale hardware is pricey, but the reasonable monthly cost and low payment processing fees may help offset that upfront investment over time.
Pros
- Competitive flat rates for payment processing.
- Hardware performs well and is well designed.
Cons
- No free options.
- Pricing can be tough to understand.
Our pick for
Grocery store-specific features
POS Nation
Payment processing fees
N/A
Monthly fee
$149
and up.
POS Nation’s software comes with a variety of useful retail features, including coupon creation and acceptance, customer loyalty and built-in cash discount capability. Its hardware comes with 24/7 support and a two-year or lifetime warranty, depending on your plan. POS Nation offers both pre-built and custom plans and even includes a pricing tool on its website.
Pros
- Long list of POS features.
- 24/7 tech support and training.
- Supports sales of regulated items like alcohol and tobacco.
Cons
- Lack of pricing transparency.
- Prices that are disclosed run higher than some competitors.
Our pick for
Business app integrations
Lightspeed POS
Learn more
on Lightspeed POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$69
and up.
Lightspeed Retail is a POS system with strong, built-in inventory management features. In addition to keeping track of stock, business owners can fill out purchase orders from within the software and make bulk price changes across sales channels. They can also set up reorder points and low stock alerts and choose from a wide variety of product variations.
Pros
- Offers robust inventory management.
- Good customer service offerings.
- Lots of integrations.
Cons
- High price.
- Annual contracts required for lower pricing.
Our pick for
Free POS software
Loyverse
4.0
NerdWallet rating Payment processing fees
N/A
Varies by processor.
Monthly fee
$0
Loyverse offers free POS software with several features well suited to businesses in retail or food and drink industries. It can support inventory tracking for mixed drinks in bars and order management for cafes and restaurants, for example. It can also handle retail store inventory.
Pros
- Can be used for a variety of businesses, including restaurants, cafes, bars, grocery stores, retail stores and boutiques.
- Integrates with several payment processors, including SumUp and Zettle.
- Can be used with other payment processors without an integration.
- Free software includes a loyalty program, which most competitors offer as an add-on with additional cost.
Cons
- 24/7 live chat support is only available with paid add-on subscriptions.
- Not all features are available with the free version, including employee management and integrations into accounting and e-commerce apps.
IT Retail POS: Best overall grocery store POS
Monthly POS software fee: $199 a month for the IT Retail Flex plan. In addition to using the POS software, the Flex package allows you to essentially rent instead of buy your equipment.
Hardware:
- $1,499 for the IT Retail Freedom Standard hardware bundle, which comes with a touch-screen terminal, a cash drawer, a barcode scanner, an LCD customer display and a receipt printer.
- $1,999 for the IT Retail Freedom Premium hardware bundle, which includes all of the Standard bundle hardware plus a dual-arm mount for the customer display.
Payment processing: Fees are undisclosed; you need to sign a processing agreement.
Why we like it: IT Retail proudly declares on its website that it has been in the business of building and selling grocery store POS systems for more than two decades and, in fact, its “founder was a second-generation grocer.”
While its prices are higher and less transparent than some of its competitors, IT Retail has built a POS system that includes all the features you’ll need to run your store, including a product lookup menu to easily find products without scanning a label, wholesale sales functionality, customer loyalty programs and capabilities to accept all forms of payment, including EBT. The system supports sales of highly regulated items like alcohol and tobacco and includes important employee-related functions such as time tracking, a built-in training module and the ability to set employee permissions.
The POS app runs locally but auto-syncs every few minutes to the back-office software, which operates in the cloud, so your store data remains safe and can be easily accessible across multiple devices and locations. Back-office software includes an analytics dashboard, various sales and inventory reports and more.
The pricing structure is largely quote-based, but there is a pay-monthly option and two hardware bundle options with listed prices; it also offers an online pricing tool that allows you to customize your own POS system.
Pros:
- System and features specifically designed for grocery stores.
- Accepts all payment types, including EBT, checks and gift cards.
- Regular system backups keep data safe and up to date.
- Can sync and access data across devices and locations.
- Supports sales of regulated items like alcohol and tobacco.
Cons:
- Lack of transparent pricing.
- Disclosed software and hardware fees are on the pricey side.
Square for Retail POS: Best for smaller businesses with simple POS needs
Monthly POS software fee:
- $0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
- $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
- $60 for Square Restaurant and Retail Plus plans.
- $69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
Hardware:
- $0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
- $49 and up for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
- $149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included).
- $299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer.
- $799 for Square Register two-screen system.
Payment processing:
- 2.6% plus 10 cents (Free plan) or 2.5% plus 10 cents (Plus plan) for in-person transactions.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions or card-on-file invoices.
Why we like it: Square for Retail POS leads the charge in offering accessible, smart device-enabled POS systems. Square also stands out among competitors because it offers a free version of its POS system that includes all the core functionality most small retail businesses need, such as sales reporting, barcode scanning, low inventory alerts, employee time tracking and reporting and the ability to accept payments during Wi-Fi outages.
The Square for Retail Plus plan includes valuable features such as barcode printing, order forecasting, vendor management, and advanced reporting on profit margins and cost of goods sold. Add-ons for payroll and customer loyalty programs are available for an additional cost.
With competitive payment processing rates, transparent pricing and no contracts, Square for Retail POS is a strong fit for smaller stores that don’t require more specialized POS capabilities. Read our full Square for Retail POS review.
Pros:
- Transparent pricing.
- No contract or early-termination fees.
- Diverse hardware offerings.
- Free POS offering provides a lot of functionality.
Cons:
- Doesn’t run on Windows.
- POS functionality is not as specialized as some of the competitors in this space.
» MORE: Best liquor store POS systems
Revel POS systems: Best for well-established businesses with multiple locations
Monthly POS software fee: $198 a month and up. Revel advertises a software price of $99 per month per terminal, but fine print specifies a two-terminal minimum and three-year contract to receive this rate.
Hardware: Pricing is quote-based. Revel relies on third-party hardware such as iPads, Ingenico card readers and Epson printers. You can buy the hardware directly from Revel. Installation starts at $674.
Payment processing: Fees are undisclosed; you have to call to get a custom quote. Revel offers payment processing through its Revel Advantage arm. It also integrates with payment processing platforms from Adyen, FreedomPay and Moneris.
Why we like it: Revel offers iPad-based POS systems along with a wide variety of hardware that’s well suited for grocery stores, including stands and self-service kiosks. Revel’s extensive list of POS features may best serve larger establishments with multiple locations, especially given the higher price point of the company’s software. Revel also offers setup and installation help as well as training and onboarding services, at an additional cost. Read our full Revel POS review.
Pros:
- Cloud-based platform makes it easier to manage across multiple store locations.
- Extensive list of tools and features.
- Can configure to suit many business types and sizes.
- 24/7 customer support.
Cons:
- Lack of pricing transparency.
- Requires a three-year contract.
Clover POS systems: Best for dependable, well-designed hardware
Monthly POS software fee:
- $14.95 for Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter, Professional Services Starter and Standard and Home & Field Services plans.
- $49.95 for Retail Standard, Personal Services Standard and Advanced and Professional Services Advanced plans.
- $54.95 for Quick-Service Dining Starter and Standard plans.
- $64.90 for Retail Advanced plan.
- $69.90 for Quick-Service Dining Advanced plan.
- $84.95 for Full-Service Dining Starter plan.
- $99.90 for Full-Service Dining Standard plan.
- $114.85 for Full-Service Dining Advanced plan.
Hardware:
- $49 for chip, swipe and contactless Clover Go card reader.
- $599 for Clover Flex mobile POS with printer.
- $799 for Clover Mini POS.
- $1,699 for Clover Station Solo.
- $1,799 for Clover Station Duo.
Payment processing:
- 2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions for most plans.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter and Professional Services Standard plans, as well as Home & Field Services Standard and Advanced plans.
- 3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.
Why we like it: If you’re looking for a grocery store POS system that runs on high-performing, sharply designed hardware, Clover is a great fit. Although the company’s hardware pricing tends to be higher than some of its competitors, it outranks competitors with lower payment processing fees and monthly software fees. Particularly useful grocery store POS features include the ability to sell items by weight (through app integration), offer physical and digital receipts, track and report on sales, schedule and manage staff, set employee permissions, and offer promotions and loyalty programs. Read our full Clover POS review.
Pros:
- Competitive software and payment processing fees.
- Many useful grocery store POS features.
- Reputable, dependable hardware.
- Extensive library of app integrations.
- Offline mode to accept payments without a Wi-Fi connection.
- 24/7 support by phone, chat or email.
Cons:
- Products and pricing can be challenging to navigate.
- Hardware costs run higher than some competitors.
POS Nation: Best for grocery store-specific features
Monthly POS software fee: $149 a month for the Grocery Flex plan. In addition to using the POS software, the Flex package allows you to essentially rent instead of buy your equipment.
Hardware: $1,499 for the Grocery Freedom hardware bundle, which comes with a touch-screen terminal, a cash drawer, a barcode scanner, an LCD customer display and a receipt printer.
Payment processing: Fees are undisclosed; you need to sign a processing agreement.
Why we like it: If you’re looking for a POS system built specifically for grocery store sales that includes a ton of relevant features — like coupon creation and acceptance, customer loyalty, scale integration and built-in cash discount capability — consider POS Nation. The hardware comes with 24/7 support and a two-year or lifetime warranty, depending on your plan. POS Nation offers both pre-built and custom plans and even includes a tool on its website that allows you to build your own POS system and see how much it would cost. Because POS Nation also caters to liquor stores, tobacco shops and convenience stores, its system also includes those specialized sales capabilities. For example, you can validate IDs using a barcode scanner when ringing up regulated items like alcohol and tobacco.
Pros:
- System and features specifically designed for grocery stores.
- 24/7 tech support and training.
- Supports sales of regulated items like alcohol and tobacco.
Cons:
- Lack of pricing transparency.
- Prices that are disclosed run higher than some competitors.
Lightspeed Retail POS: Best for business app integrations
Monthly POS software fee:
- $89 for Lean plan ($69 if billed annually).
- $149 for Standard plan ($119 if billed annually).
- $269 for Advanced plan ($199 if billed annually).
Hardware:
Pricing for Lightspeed's iPad and desktop hardware kits is quote-based. Individual hardware products are listed in Lightspeed's online store:
- $99 for Chipper 2X BT card reader.
- $199 for iPad stand or swivel stand.
- $299 for WisePOS E countertop reader.
- $429 for Lightspeed Lite Server for data backup and offline mode functionality.
Payment processing:
- 2.6% plus 10 cents per in-person transaction.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
Why we like it: Lightspeed Retail POS excels in integrations and inventory management, particularly across multiple store locations. It offers an entire marketplace of partners whose applications integrate seamlessly with the POS system. You can filter by dozens of categories, including inventory management, payroll, loyalty and food costing. Lightspeed also offers 24/7 chat, email and phone support across all of its paid plans, as well as a complimentary onboarding session, how-to guides and webinars — offerings that not many of its competitors can boast of. Read our full Lightspeed Retail POS review.
Pros:
- 24/7 customer support through multiple channels.
- Breadth of software and app integrations.
- Inventory management features.
Cons:
- Some lack of transparency on hardware pricing.
- Annual contracts are required for lower software pricing.
Loyverse POS systems: Best for free POS software
Monthly POS software fee: $0.
Hardware: You can shop on the Loyverse website from a selection of hardware the company has tested for compatibility with its POS software. Prices are listed once you go into the Shop POS Portal. The company lists compatible options for both Android and iOS.
Payment processing: Through third-party payment processors.
Why we like it: Loyverse offers free POS software with several features well-suited to grocery store management, including the ability to sell weighted items, offer print or digital receipts, track inventory and receive alerts when stock is low, manage across multiple store locations, review store analytics, and create a customer loyalty program. The system also has an offline mode that allows you to continue transactions even when the internet connection is weak or broken — an important capability that not all competitors have.
Pros:
- Grocery and convenience stores are one specific use case this POS was designed for.
- Integrates with several payment processors, including SumUp and Zettle.
- Can be used with other payment processors without an integration.
- 24/7 live chat support.
Cons:
- Not all features are available with the free version, including employee management and integrations into accounting and e-commerce apps.
- Third-party payment processing is not ideal if you’re looking for an all-in-one POS and payment processing solution.
» MORE: Best free POS software
Hardware you'll need for a grocery store POS
In addition to grocery-friendly POS software, you'll also likely need certain hardware to complete your grocery store checkout terminal. Here are some items to look for.
Scale
If you sell anything that's priced by weight, then a POS scale is a must for your business — bonus points if you’re able to find a POS scale that has a barcode scanner for produce labels.
Barcode scanner
Being able to easily and efficiently ring up customers will make everyone happier. Plus, scanning barcodes will make managing your inventory that much more automated.
Card reader
Card readers can make or break your checkout process. Be sure that your card reader offers all of the payment options your customers want and that it works efficiently.
PIN keypad
Whether on a physical keypad or on the screen of a smart device, a PIN verification should be an option that your grocery store POS system offers customers.
Cash drawer
Even though cash-paying customers are getting rarer, you’ll definitely need a cash drawer to store whatever cash you and your employees handle when operating your grocery store POS system.
Receipt printer
Finally, you also want your grocery store POS system to provide your customers with receipt options. If you think your customers will prefer physical receipts over digital receipts, then you’ll need a receipt printer.
A version of this article was first published on Fundera, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.
Last updated on August 16, 2023
Methodology
NerdWallet’s point-of-sale systems provider ratings reward companies whose products and services are priced well and work in a variety of payment scenarios, among other criteria. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including cost, system capabilities, contract requirements, customer service and integrations and add-ons. Learn more about how we rate point-of-sale (POS) systems providers.
These ratings are a guide, but services, hardware and pricing can vary widely from business to business and provider to provider. We encourage you to shop around and compare several providers.
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