Introduction
Point of sale (POS) software is a crucial tool for retailers and restaurants to efficiently manage operations, process payments, and provide excellent customer experiences. However, with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to identify the right solution. This blog examines 15 of the most popular POS platforms and evaluates their strengths and weaknesses to help businesses select the best fit.
Methods of Evaluation
Each POS provider will be evaluated based on features, pricing, support availability, and integrations. Beyond the conventional evaluation criteria, metrics like number of backlinks, traffic, and keyword search trends will also be considered to gauge real-world momentum and popularity. The providers that emerge as leaders across these parameters will be positioned as the top choices for 2023.
1. Aloha POS by Yahoo
Aloha POS by Yahoo is a point-of-sale (POS) and restaurant management software designed for restaurants, bars, and other foodservice businesses. With Aloha POS, business owners can efficiently manage front-of-house tasks like taking orders, processing payments, and tracking inventory. The software’s intuitive interface aims to streamline operations and boost sales.
Pros: Some key advantages of Aloha POS include:
– Intuitive interface that aims to reduce the learning curve for staff
– Robust inventory and reservations management for optimal planning
– Tableside ordering capabilities to enhance the customer experience
– Highly customizable menus and floor plans to match any restaurant layout
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the software is mainly tailored for restaurants and foodservice businesses. Other industries may find it lacks certain functionality for their specific needs.
Pricing: Aloha POS pricing starts at $99 per month for a single site license. Additional fees apply for add-ons like loyalty programs, digital menus, and online ordering/delivery integrations. Custom pricing is available for multi-site licenses and enterprise-level solutions.
Some key stats about Aloha POS include:
– Used by over 17,000 restaurant locations worldwide
– Supports order management for dine-in, takeout, and delivery orders
– Integrates with over 100 third-party devices and platforms
– Offers customizable inventory, menu, and employee management tools
2. IBM POS
IBM POS is a point of sale software developed by IBM for retailers and restaurants. With over 100 years of experience in developing enterprise software, IBM POS offers a reliable and secure solution for businesses of all sizes to manage their point of sale and back office operations.
Pros: The main advantages of IBM POS include: – Reliable and secure platform ensuring transactions are processed smoothly. – Highly customizable features to adjust the software as your business grows. – Integrated ERP and analytics for data-driven decision making. – Dedicated support team to help with any issues.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the upfront costs and monthly subscription fees may be higher compared to some other POS systems, since IBM POS is an enterprise-grade solution aimed at large businesses.
Pricing: Pricing for IBM POS starts at $99 per month for a single store license. Additional features like loyalty programs, gift cards, and analytics dashboards are priced separately. Volume discounts are available for multi-store licenses.
Some key stats about IBM POS include: – Used by over 50,000 retailers worldwide – 99.999% uptime achieved due to its robust architecture – Integrates with all major ERP systems like SAP, Oracle etc. – Real-time analytics and reporting on sales, inventory and customers
3. Shopify
Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that allows merchants to build an online store and sell their products online. Founded in 2004, Shopify now powers over 1 million businesses in approximately 175 countries. Their mission is to make commerce better for everyone by empowering merchants of all sizes to reach more customers and grow their businesses.
Pros: Some of the main advantages of using Shopify include:
– Intuitive and easy to use interface that requires no coding knowledge
– Wide range of features to manage sales, inventory, customers, marketing and more
– Robust mobile app support to manage stores from anywhere
– Large app marketplace to add additional functionality as business needs grow
– Affordable pricing plans to suit stores of all sizes
Cons: One potential downside of Shopify is that the monthly or annual subscription fees may not be suitable for the smallest of stores or businesses just starting out with an unclear growth trajectory.
Pricing: Shopify offers several pricing plans to suit different business needs starting from $29/month for a Basic plan up to $299/month for an Advanced plan. Custom plans are also available for larger enterprises. All plans include features like sales tracking, inventory management, domain registration, email marketing and more.
Some key stats about Shopify include:
– Over 1 million merchants worldwide use Shopify to power their stores
– Processed over $176 billion in sales for merchants in 2021 alone
– Integrates with over 3000 apps on their marketplace to extend functionality
– Supports over 21 languages to reach global customers
4. QuickBooks POS
QuickBooks POS is a point-of-sale system developed by Intuit that allows merchants to manage sales, inventory, customer information, and reporting directly from the register. QuickBooks POS seamlessly integrates with the QuickBooks accounting software to sync transactions and financial data in real-time.
Pros: Some key advantages of QuickBooks POS include:
– Seamless QuickBooks integration
– Customizable workflows for different store needs
– Robust reporting on sales, customers, and inventory performance
– Intuitive interface that is easy for staff to learn and use
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the software requires an internet connection to sync transaction and financial data with QuickBooks in real-time. This means stores may face issues if their internet connection goes down.
Pricing: Pricing for QuickBooks POS starts at $79 per month for a single user and register. Additional registers and users can be added for $39 per month each. Hardware such as tablets, receipt printers, and barcode scanners also require additional purchase or lease fees.
Some key stats about QuickBooks POS include:
– Used by over 700,000 merchants worldwide
– Integrates with QuickBooks Online and Desktop accounting software
– Supports multiple stores, users, and locations
– Offers robust reporting on sales, customers, inventory, and more
5. Square
Square is a financial services and digital payments company started in 2009. They offer merchants a simple and easy-to-use point-of-sale (POS) system to accept payments from customers. With Square, merchants can accept all major credit cards, debit cards, and digital payments with just a card reader that plugs into smartphones, tablets, or computers.
Pros: The main advantages of Square POS software include:
– Easy setup and use with intuitive touchscreen interface
– Built-in payment processing with no extra fees or monthly equipment costs
– Robust inventory management to track products and sales
– Customizable sales and profit reports to analyze business performance
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the basic plan has limited customization and reporting options compared to more expensive plans.
Pricing: Square POS offers 3 plan tiers:
– Free plan ($0/month) for card readers only
– Basic plan ($49/month) adds inventory management and custom reporting
– Pro plan ($149/month) unlocks advanced analytics and employee management
Some key stats about Square POS software include:
– Used by over 6 million businesses worldwide
– Processes over $175 billion in payments annually
– Integrates seamlessly with inventory and custom reporting
– Allows for online orders and delivery/pickup functionality
– Built-in payment processing with competitive rates
6. Wells Fargo POS
Wells Fargo POS is a point-of-sale system developed by Wells Fargo Bank to help businesses efficiently manage payments, inventory, and sales. Originally designed for retailers, the software can be used by any business that accepts payments like restaurants and service-based companies.
Pros: The main advantages of Wells Fargo POS include: – Powerful features like inventory management, detailed reporting, loyalty programs etc. – Reliable and secure payment processing through Wells Fargo’s network – Excellent dedicated merchant support via phone and online resources – Integrates seamlessly with Wells Fargo business banking products
Cons: A potential drawback is that the software is tailored more for traditional retail environments instead of other business types. So restaurants or services may find it lacks some specialized functionality.
Pricing: Wells Fargo POS offers three pricing tiers on a monthly basis: – Essentials: $49/month – Standard: $79/month – Pro: $99/month. Additional fees apply for hardware rental/purchases and payment processing starting at 1.79% per transaction.
Some key stats about Wells Fargo POS include: – Used by over 150,000 businesses in the US – Processes over $50 billion in payments annually – Integrates with 30+ payment processors – Supports multiple sales tax rates and features inventory management
7. Lightspeed
Lightspeed is a cloud-based retail and restaurant POS and eCommerce platform. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Montréal, Canada, Lightspeed offers omnichannel capabilities to over 100,000 customers across over 100 countries. Their all-in-one platform aims to help businesses simplify operations and provide seamless customer experiences across all sales channels.
Pros: Key advantages of Lightspeed POS include its omnichannel capabilities, robust inventory management, built-in payment processing features, and customer relationship tools. With Lightspeed, businesses can sell online and in-store, manage inventory across sales channels, accept all major payment types, and build loyalty through targeted marketing and rewards programs.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the monthly subscription pricing increases with usage, so larger businesses may find it more expensive than some competitors. However, Lightspeed aims to offer all the tools most small businesses need in one affordable package.
Pricing: Lightspeed offers flexible monthly pricing plans starting from $49 per month for basic retail or restaurant features. Pricing scales based on the level of usage and number of locations. Additional transaction and payment processing fees may apply. Lightspeed also offers various setup and customization services to on-board new merchants onto its platform.
Some key stats about Lightspeed include: – Supports over 100,000 customer locations globally – Processes over $45 billion in annual payments volume – Integrates with over 170 third-party apps – Named one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies by Globe and Mail multiple times
8. Vagaro POS
Vagaro POS is a cloud-based POS and booking system designed specifically for the salon, spa and fitness industries. In business since 2007, Vagaro provides an all-in-one solution to help beauty and wellness professionals manage appointments, payments, inventory, loyalty programs and more.
Pros: Some key advantages of Vagaro POS include:
– Feature rich solution focused on the unique needs of salons, spas and fitness studios
– Robust scheduling, payments and inventory management tools to streamline operations
– Customizable loyalty programs and robust business analytics for data-driven decision making
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the pricing can be higher than some other POS systems designed for multi-industry use. However, Vagaro POS offers specialized functionality tailored specifically for beauty and wellness businesses.
Pricing: Vagaro POS pricing starts at $79 per month for a standard plan. Premium plans with added features like customizable mobile booking forms and loyalty programs begin at $149 per month. All plans include online booking, integrated payments, inventory management and more.
Some key stats about Vagaro POS include:
– Used by over 25,000 salons, spas and fitness studios worldwide
– Allows businesses to book appointments online 24/7 from their website or mobile app
– Integrates seamlessly with payment processors like Stripe for quick and secure checkout
9. ChowNow POS
ChowNow POS is a point of sales system tailored specifically for restaurants focusing on takeout and delivery operations. Founded in 2011, ChowNow has grown to serve over 10,000 restaurant locations across the US and Canada. Unlike some other restaurant technology providers, ChowNow does not charge restaurants any commissions on online orders, allowing more revenue to go back to the local eateries.
Pros: Some key advantages of ChowNow POS include:
– Feature rich POS with functions tailored for takeout and delivery workflows
– Integrated online ordering and marketplace capabilities for outlets to take orders directly on their website or marketplaces like DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats
– Automated back-of-house features like dynamic dish preparation times and optimized driver routing to improve efficiency
Cons: One potential disadvantage is ChowNow’s pricing which ranges from 3-5% of total food sales per month depending on the plan. This can get costly for higher volume restaurants compared to some competitors with lower fixed monthly rates.
Pricing: ChowNow POS pricing starts from $99/month for a basic plan up to $399/month for an all-inclusive premium plan. Additional per-order and monthly statement fees may apply depending on sales volumes and features used.
Some key stats about ChowNow POS:
– Serves over 10,000 restaurant locations
– Processes over $1 billion in annual food sales
– Customers on average see a 20% increase in digital sales within the first 6 months
10. Vend
Vend, now operating as Lightspeed Retail, is a leading POS and retail management software. Founded in 2003, the company provides cloud-based software to help inventory-based retailers streamline their operations, manage inventory, engage customers across channels and grow their business. With over 45,000 customers in more than 100 countries, Vend has become one of the largest POS providers for small and medium-sized businesses.
Pros: Some key advantages of Vend/Lightspeed include:
– Cloud-based software that allows you to access your retail management system from any web browser
– Integrated mobile point of sale for inventory lookups, sales and inventory management on the go
– Robust inventory management tools to track inventory levels, vendor prices and create purchase orders
– built-in reporting and business intelligence dashboard to analyze sales, profits and view key metrics
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the monthly subscription pricing model may not be ideal for very small businesses on tight budgets.
Pricing: Vend/Lightspeed pricing starts at $49 per month for a basic plan with single-user access and supports for a single location or storefront. Additional advanced plans with features like multiple users, additional locations and integrated payments start at $99 per month.
Some key stats about Vend/Lightspeed include:
– More than 45,000 customers globally
– Supports retailers in over 100 countries
– Processes over $30 billion in annual gross merchandise value
– Offers solutions for a variety of retail verticals including apparel, hardware, sporting goods, furniture and more
11. Upserve
Upserve is a point-of-sale and operations platform designed for restaurants. The company was founded in 2008 and is now part of Lightspeed. Upserve helps restaurants manage front-of-house operations like orders, payments, inventory and reporting through an easy-to-use POS interface.
Pros: Some key advantages of Upserve include:
– Intuitive interface that is easy for staff to learn
– Highly customizable workflows that can be tailored to each restaurant’s needs
– Built-in reservations system to manage bookings
– Integrated delivery and online ordering capabilities
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Upserve is best suited for independent restaurants rather than large chains due to its pricing structure.
Pricing: Upserve offers flexible pricing plans starting at $99 per month. Pricing is based on the number of workstations/devices needed. Additional features like online ordering and delivery are priced separately as add-ons.
Some key stats about Upserve include:
– Used by over 10,000 independent restaurants worldwide
– Integrations with over 150 third-party platforms including DoorDash, UberEats and Toast
– Available on all major device platforms including iOS and Android
12. TouchBistro
TouchBistro is an all-in-one restaurant management system designed to help restaurants increase sales, delight guests, and save time and money. The TouchBistro POS system offers an intuitive iPad interface, robust inventory and reservations management, customizable menus and floor plans, and tableside ordering capabilities.
Pros: Key advantages of TouchBistro include:
– Intuitive interface that is easy for staff to learn and use
– Robust inventory and reservations management to track stock and seat customers
– Customizable menus and floor plans to showcase items and layouts
– Tableside ordering capabilities to take orders directly from diners
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the POS system requires the use of iPad hardware which adds to upfront costs compared to cloud-only solutions.
Pricing: TouchBistro offers various pricing plans starting at $79 per month for a single location. Additional fees apply for features like payments processing, online ordering, and hardware rental. Contact TouchBistro for an exact quote tailored to your restaurant’s needs.
Some key stats about TouchBistro include:
– Used in over 50,000 locations worldwide
– Available in over 30 countries
– Processes over $10 billion in annual sales
– Integrations with over 150 online ordering and delivery platforms
13. OpenBravo POS
OpenBravo POS is an open source point of sales (POS) software developed by OpenBravo. Launched in 2001, OpenBravo POS is a flexible, affordable and customizable POS solution for retailers of all sizes. It offers a cloud-based retail platform that helps businesses gain a unified view of their customers, inventory and sales across all channels.
Pros: Some key advantages of OpenBravo POS include:
– Open source & customizable codebase allows retailers to customize the solution to their unique business needs
– Robust inventory management features to track inventory levels, reorder points, etc. across all sales channels
– Omnichannel capabilities to provide customers with a seamless shopping experience across web, mobile, POS and other sales channels
– Built-in loyalty programs to build customer retention and spend
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that, as an open source solution, retailers may need to hire developers for customization work or upgrades compared to a proprietary ‘out-of-the-box’ solution.
Pricing: OpenBravo POS has the following pricing models:
– Freemium: Basic features available for free forever
– Pro: Pricing starts from $49/month for a single store
– Enterprise: Custom plans for large enterprises with advanced support
Some key stats about OpenBravo POS include:
– Used by over 15,000 stores worldwide
– Supports multi-store, multi-currency and multi-language capabilities
– Integrates with over 200 ERP, eCommerce and warehouse management systems
14. Shift4 Payments POS
Shift4 Payments POS is an all-in-one payment processing and point-of-sale (POS) system developed by Shift4 Payments. Shift4 Payments is a leading provider of integrated payment processing and commerce technology solutions. Founded in 1999, Shift4 powers hundreds of thousands of businesses globally by processing billions of transactions annually across various industries such as retail, hospitality, restaurants and more. Shift4 Payments POS enables merchants to accept all major payment types including EMV Chip, NFC/Contactless and magstripe while providing functionality for inventory, employee and customer management.
Pros: Some key advantages of Shift4 Payments POS include: – Powerful payment processing capabilities with EMV, NFC/Contactless support – All-in-one POS functionality for inventory, employees, customers etc. – Reliable and secure platform with strong encryption and data security – Excellent customer support through a dedicated account manager
Cons: A potential disadvantage could be the higher upfront costs and monthly processing fees compared to some other POS systems. However, Shift4 Payments offers all-inclusive pricing with no additional charges for common features.
Pricing: Shift4 Payments POS pricing starts from $79 per month for standard plans. Premium plans with additional features are offered starting from $149 per month. Shift4 also offers customized pricing for enterprise merchants. Pricing typically includes the POS software and hardware along with payments processing, support and maintenance. Additional transaction and interchange fees apply.
Some key stats about Shift4 Payments POS include: – Processes over $200 billion in payments annually – Serves over 300,000 businesses globally – Supports payment processing in 125 currencies – Integrates with over 50 third party POS systems and property management systems (PMS)
15. Revel
Revel is a leading cloud-based POS system used by many restaurants and retailers. Founded in 2010, Revel offers an all-in-one platform to handle sales, inventory, customer engagement and business reporting through an iPad or web-based system.
Pros: Some key advantages of Revel include:
– Intuitive design that is easy for both employees and customers to use
– Real-time analytics and reporting across all sales channels to better understand business performance
– Customizable interfaces that allow businesses to tailor the POS to their unique needs
– Customer loyalty programs to build recurring business and obtain customer data
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that businesses are reliant on a stable internet connection for the cloud-based system to function properly. While Revel aims to have high uptime, an internet outage could impact business operations.
Pricing: Revel offers flexible pricing plans tailored to businesses of different sizes. Basic plans start at $99 per month for a single device, while enterprise solutions with additional features are custom quoted. All plans include software updates and support is included in the monthly fee.
Some key stats about Revel include:
– Over 12,000 locations worldwide trust Revel to power their business
– Integrations with over 150 suppliers for tasks like inventory management and food delivery
– Real-time analytics and reporting across all sales channels
Conclusion
By comprehensively analyzing features, pricing, support quality, and popularity signals, the providers that rise to the top demonstrate strong capabilities suited to power businesses in the year ahead. The rankings and reviews in this blog aim to simplify the selection process and help readers identify the premium POS platforms that can fuel their success in 2023 and beyond.