The best retail point-of-sale, or POS, systems come with excellent inventory management capabilities, transparent pricing, valuable reports and other features that help to run your business smoothly. That might include a way to accept payments on the go, maintain an e-commerce store or manage multiple locations.
Here are our top retail point-of-sale picks.
Best Retail POS Systems
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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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shopify Retail POS Learn more on Shopify POS's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 4.0/5 Best for E-commerce | In-person: 2.7% + $0.00 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $5 POS Lite; $89 POS Pro. (Paid Shopify plan is required for POS use.) | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on Shopify POS's secure website |
Square Retail POS Learn more on Square Retail POS's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Overall retail POS | 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 | ||
Clover Flex Learn more on Clover Flex's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Mobile POS users | In-person: 2.3% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $15 $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover Flex's secure website | ||
Lightspeed Retail POS Learn more on Lightspeed Retail POS's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Inventory management | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $89 for Lean plan, $149 for Standard plan, $269 for Advanced plan. | Learn more on Lightspeed Retail POS's secure website | ||
QuickBooks GoPayment | 5.0/5 Best for QuickBooks accounting users | N/A online; 2.4% + 25¢ in-person. Pricing differs for non-QuickBooks Online users. | $0 Monthly fee in some instances. |
Our pick for
E-commerce
Shopify Retail POS
Learn more
on Shopify POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$5
POS Lite; $89 POS Pro. (Paid Shopify plan is required for POS use.)
Square for Retail stands out for its transparent pricing, live support and wide range of useful features. With a user-friendly interface and free starter tier, it’s an excellent choice for retail businesses looking to get started quickly without a steep learning curve.
Pros
- Transparent, flat-rate payment processing fees.
- 24/7 customer support.
- E-commerce-friendly features, including access to vendors and resources to build an online store from scratch.
- Dropshipping, curbside pickup and local delivery options.
- Ability to automatically email customers who abandon carts and don’t complete purchases.
- Tracks inventory, hides out-of-stock products and offers inventory analysis.
- Plans are month-to-month and easy to cancel, upgrade or downgrade.
Cons
- You can “pause” your store for three months with no subscription fee or “pause and build” for a reduced monthly payment.
- true
Our pick for
Overall retail POS
Square Retail POS
Learn more
on Square Retail POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$0
Additional pricing tiers (per month): $60, custom.
Ability to create and print barcodes isn’t available on the free version.
Pros
- Transparent, flat fees.
- First magstripe credit card reader is free; free plan available.
- No fees for early termination, PCI compliance, chargebacks or setup.
- Offers inventory management, multi-location setup and appointment scheduling.
- Live support available by phone, instant message or email.
Cons
- Subscription fees are generally month-to-month and easy to cancel if needed. You also have the option to pause your subscriptions for up to three months.
- Loyalty program and email marketing features cost extra; appointment-booking for more than one person is an additional fee.
Our pick for
Mobile POS users
Clover Flex
Learn more
on Clover Flex's secure website
Monthly fee
$15
$14.95 and up.
If you’re looking for a happy medium between mobility and capability in your retail POS system — and you’re willing to pay for it — then our top pick is the Clover Flex. It packs several capabilities into a rectangular handheld retail POS system device. You can use it to process magstripe, chip and contactless payments from virtual wallets such as Apple Pay. The system also comes with a printer and a barcode scanner.
Pros
- All-in-one solution.
- Accepts payments offline and processes them when you can reconnect.
- Phone support.
- Includes customer engagement tools like discounts and perks.
Cons
- Contract termination fees may apply.
- No free hardware options.
Our pick for
Inventory management
Lightspeed Retail POS
Learn more
on Lightspeed Retail POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$89
for Lean plan, $149 for Standard plan, $269 for Advanced plan.
Shopify’s POS system is a great fit for businesses primarily selling items online. The Shopify e-commerce platform makes it easy for merchants who sell both online and in-person to manage all of their operations in a single place.
Pros
- Transparent, flat-rate fees.
- A comprehensive inventory management system to keep detailed records of your products across multiple locations and set automatic reorder points, so you don't run out.
- Offers option to use other payment processors in addition to in-house option.
- 24/7 phone support available in the U.S., plus chat and email support.
- No free plans available.
- Loyalty, e-commerce, accounting integrations and analytics features included only in more expensive plans.
- Prepaid annual and monthly fees are non-refundable; if you cancel your subscription, you’ll immediately owe the remaining installment fees in your plan, if any apply.
Cons
- Lightspeed Retail POS is a strong choice if you're looking to handle a high volume of transactions, a large inventory or operations in multiple locations. The versatile software starts at $69 per month, offering inventory management capabilities and a variety of other features, including employee and customer relationship management tools.
- Not ideal for businesses that don’t sell online.
Our pick for
QuickBooks accounting users
QuickBooks GoPayment
Payment processing fees
N/A
online; 2.4% + 25¢ in-person. Pricing differs for non-QuickBooks Online users.
Monthly fee
$0
Monthly fee in some instances.
QuickBooks GoPayment is a free app available for iPhone and Android which lets you sync transactions to your QuickBooks account. It works with QuickBooks Payments for payment processing, which offers competitive processing fees.
Pros
- No monthly fee for most plans ($20 for QuickBooks Desktop “Pay Monthly” Plan).
- Low payment processing fees.
- Free app for iPhone and Android.
- Automatically syncs transactions to QuickBooks Online account.
Cons
- Limited to businesses that use QuickBooks accounting software.
- Usually not compatible with software products outside the QuickBooks suite.
Our picks for best retail POS systems
Square for Retail
Our pick for: Best overall retail POS
Software:
- $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 for in-person transactions.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.
Why we like it: Square for Retail has no contract requirements, and with transparent, published prices, you know exactly what you’re signing up for. In addition to an array of retail-specific hardware and accessories, it's also compatible with both iOS and Android phones and tablets, offering flexibility for on-the-go shops making sales at flea markets, trade shows and more.
Once set up, the platform provides a range of reporting tools and customer, inventory and employee management options. There's also a variety of paid add-ons, including a loyalty program and payroll platform, all of which can be customized to match your preferences and business needs. Read our full Square for Retail POS review.
Clover Flex
Our pick for: Mobile POS users
Software: $14.95 and up per month.
Hardware: $499 for all-inclusive mobile device with printer and barcode scanner.
Payment processing: 2.3% plus 10 cents per transaction for Standard and Advanced plans; 2.6% plus 10 cents for Starter plan.
Why we like it: One of the most notable perks of the Clover Flex is that it doesn’t rely on a smart device to be fully functional; unlike many other mobile POS systems for retail, it’s a standalone system. This makes the Clover Flex’s considerable price of $499 easier to understand, especially if your retail store doesn’t already have a dedicated smart device. Read our full Clover POS review.
QuickBooks GoPayment
Our pick for: QuickBooks accounting users
Software: Free app.
Hardware:
- $39 for QuickBooks charging stand.
- $49 for QuickBooks card reader.
- $79 for QuickBooks card reader with charging stand.
Payment processing:
For QuickBooks Online users
- 2.4% plus 25 cents for in-person payments.
- 2.9% plus 25 cents for online and invoiced payments.
- 3.4% plus 25 cents for manually keyed payments.
- 1% for ACH transactions.
For QuickBooks Desktop users
Pay as you go plan (no monthly fee):
- 2.4% plus 30 cents per swiped transaction.
- 3.5% plus 30 cents per keyed-in transaction.
- 3.5% plus 30 cents per invoiced transaction.
Pay monthly plan (monthly fee):
- 1.6% plus 30 cents per swiped transaction.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents per keyed-in transaction.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents per invoiced transaction.
Why we like it: QuickBooks GoPayment is a mobile point-of-sale system app that uses QuickBooks Payments to process transactions. QuickBooks GoPayment's card reader can process both magstripe and chip card payments and connect to smart devices through Bluetooth. Even without the credit card reader, retail businesses can process keyed-in transactions through the GoPayment app. And unlike Square’s free reader, GoPayment’s can process chip cards and doesn’t require a jack to connect. However, QuickBooks Payments is only available to businesses that use QuickBooks for accounting. It’s a convenient, compatible low-cost add-on if you already rely on QuickBooks. Read our full QuickBooks GoPayment review.
Shopify POS
Our pick for: E-commerce
Software:
To use Shopify POS, you also must have a Shopify plan for e-commerce. The following prices reflect the annual billing option, which saves you money:
- $29 for Shopify Basic.
- $79 for regular Shopify.
- $299 for Shopify Advanced.
- $2,000 for Shopify Plus.
Once you have a Shopify plan for e-commerce, add either:
- $5 for Shopify POS Lite.
- $89 per location for Shopify POS Pro.
Hardware:
- $49 for Chipper 2X BT card reader or Tap & Chip card reader.
- $219 for Retail Kit.
- $399 for Shopify POS Go mobile device.
Payment processing:
- 2.4%, 2.6% or 2.9% plus 30 cents for online payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
- 2.4%, 2.5% or 2.7% for in-person payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
Why we like it: Each of Shopify’s POS system plans offers a dedicated POS and e-commerce website, with the higher-priced plans featuring lower credit card processing rates and more tools. (Note that you have to use Shopify Payments as your payment processor to lock in these rates.)
As an online-first POS, Shopify can host checkout, accept discounts, integrate with third-party applications, save customer information in a database, organize product catalogs and generate reports on your sales performance. You can also sell through multiple channels, including social media, and in multiple languages and dozens of currencies. Read our full Shopify POS review.
Lightspeed Retail POS
Our pick for: Inventory management
Software:
- $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 offers a selection of third-party applications that can extend the functionality of your store, as well as loyalty programs and e-commerce integrations included in its higher-priced plans. The company uses an in-house payment processor, Lightspeed Payments, to process transactions, but you have the option to use a third-party payment processor as well. Merchants processing a high annual volume can get cheaper quote-based pricing, making it a great choice for fast-growing businesses. Read our full Lightspeed Retail POS review.
What is a retail POS?
POS stands for point of sale, and it is where customers make purchases. A retail POS can be in a physical store, or it can be online. In addition to accepting payments, many business owners use POS systems to record sales, create receipts, track sales tax and more.
How to choose a retail POS system
Here’s what to take into account while trying to find the best retail POS system for your business:
Hardware cost
Hardware costs could include the cost of registers, barcode scanners, printers and card readers. Depending on the capabilities of the POS hardware, it could range in price from free to over $1,000.
Software cost
Generally, you'll have to pay a monthly fee to use POS software. However, in some cases, free versions are available.
Payment processing fees
Often, but not always, a POS system comes bundled with payment processing services. Sometimes, processing rates are the same regardless of what type of card is used. In other cases, processors charge interchange rates — which vary by card — plus a fee. The latter method can be less predictable. In addition to these processing fees, other fees might apply, such as PCI compliance fees or chargeback fees for charges returned to payment cards.
It's best to have a processor with transparent, easy-to-understand rates and minimal fees.
POS mobility
If you want your retail POS system to be as mobile as you and your employees are, then you should consider either supplementing your desktop POS system or replacing it with a handheld retail POS system. A more mobile retail POS may be especially convenient for retail businesses that sell through booths and markets.
Inventory management capabilities
Excellent inventory management capabilities are a must for retail POS systems. If you’re working with multiple locations, find a retail POS system that can help you keep track of inventory from location to location. If you handle large stocks of goods that you’re having trouble keeping up with, get a retail POS software that allows you to track purchase orders through it.
Customer tracking capabilities
High-performing retail POS systems also allow business owners and employees to keep track of a customer’s history with their business. Knowing what specific purchases a given customer has made can inform future sales.
Employee management
Consider a retail POS system that can generate reports on employee sales performance.
A version of this article was first published on Fundera, a subsidiary of NerdWallet. Claire Tsosie and Lisa Anthony, authors at NerdWallet, contributed to this article.
Last updated on May 26, 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.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
This will depend on the type of business you run, as well as your business’s specific needs. Square for Retail POS tops our list due to its transparent pricing, lack of contract and wide range of features.
The cost of a retail POS system can vary. If you are a brick-and-mortar retailer you will likely have some hardware costs — which can cost up to $1,000 — but you may opt to find a free software. If you need a more high-performing software, or something that provides more tracking functions, you may end up paying up to a few thousand dollars per year.