# Best Enterprise Retail POS Systems *By [Subhransu Sahu](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/subhransu-sahu)* Products classified in the overall Retail POS category are similar in many regards and help companies of all sizes solve their business problems. However, enterprise business features, pricing, setup, and installation differ from businesses of other sizes, which is why we match buyers to the right Enterprise Business Retail POS to fit their needs. Compare product ratings based on reviews from enterprise users or connect with one of G2's buying advisors to find the right solutions within the Enterprise Business Retail POS category. In addition to qualifying for inclusion in the Retail POS Systems category, to qualify for inclusion in the Enterprise Business Retail POS Systems category, a product must have at least 10 reviews left by a reviewer from an enterprise business. ## How Many Retail POS Systems Products Does G2 Track? **Total Products under this Category:** 731 ### Category Stats (May 2026) - **Average Rating**: 4.11/5 (↑0.01 vs Apr 2026) - **New Reviews This Quarter**: 64 - **Buyer Segments**: Small-Business 72% │ Mid-Market 20% │ Enterprise 8% - **Top Trending Product**: SumUp (+0.367) *Last updated: May 18, 2026* ## How Does G2 Rank Retail POS Systems Products? **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 4,600+ Authentic Reviews - 731+ Products - Unbiased Rankings G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category. ## Top Retail POS Systems at a Glance | # | Product | Rating | Best For | What Users Say | |---|---------|--------|----------|----------------| | 1 | [Square Point of Sale](https://www.g2.com/products/square-point-of-sale/reviews) | 4.6/5.0 (1,181 reviews) | mobile checkout with basic inventory control | "[Seamless Payment Collection with Automation](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/square-point-of-sale-review-12672421)" | | 2 | [Stripe Terminal](https://www.g2.com/products/stripe-terminal/reviews) | 4.4/5.0 (70 reviews) | custom in-person payments for Stripe-based workflows | "[Stripe Unifies Online and In-Person Payments with Flexible Checkout and Reporting](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/stripe-terminal-review-12732583)" | | 3 | [Shopify POS](https://www.g2.com/products/shopify-shopify-pos/reviews) | 4.4/5.0 (353 reviews) | unified online and store sales | "[Helpful Support, Reliable POS systems, and Flexible Payment options](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/shopify-pos-review-12706183)" | | 4 | [Zettle by PayPal](https://www.g2.com/products/zettle-by-paypal/reviews) | 4.4/5.0 (33 reviews) | simple mobile card acceptance tied to PayPal | "[Easy Mobile Card Payments with PayPal Transfers](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/zettle-by-paypal-review-12725585)" | | 5 | [QuickBooks Point of Sale](https://www.g2.com/products/quickbooks-point-of-sale/reviews) | 4.1/5.0 (102 reviews) | sales and inventory tied to accounting workflows | "[Effortless Transactions, Exceptional Flexibility](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/quickbooks-point-of-sale-review-12225618)" | | 6 | [Clover](https://www.g2.com/products/clover/reviews) | 3.9/5.0 (105 reviews) | terminal-based payments with loyalty and recurring billing | "[Efficient for Payments, High Cost for Advanced Features](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/clover-review-12663409)" | | 7 | [SpotOn](https://www.g2.com/products/spoton/reviews) | 4.4/5.0 (235 reviews) | restaurant POS with management and marketing tools | "[Outstanding POS Support—Efficient, Knowledgeable, and Proactive](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/spoton-review-12794124)" | | 8 | [Fortis](https://www.g2.com/products/fortis-fortis/reviews) | 4.8/5.0 (19 reviews) | integrated payment collection across channels | "[Seamless Integration and Exceptional Support](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/fortis-review-11791762)" | | 9 | [KORONA POS](https://www.g2.com/products/korona-pos/reviews) | 4.7/5.0 (67 reviews) | multi-location inventory and sales control | "[Customization and Analytics Real-Time Inventory and Reporting](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/korona-pos-review-12754162)" | | 10 | [Vibe Retail](https://www.g2.com/products/vibe-vibe-retail/reviews) | 5.0/5.0 (25 reviews) | variant-heavy retail inventory with omnichannel sync | "[Accurate Migration and Real-Time Inventory Sync That Unifies Retail Operations](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/vibe-retail-review-12841408)" | ## Which Type of Retail POS Systems Tools Are You Looking For? - [Retail POS Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/retail-pos) *(current)* - [Retail Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/retail-management-software) - [Restaurant POS Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/restaurant-pos) - [Omnichannel Commerce Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/omnichannel-commerce) ## Buyer Guide: Key Questions for Choosing Retail POS Systems Software ### What does Retail POS Software do? I describe retail POS software as the operational core that enables retailers to process transactions, manage inventory, and serve customers at the point of sale. It connects the moment a sale happens to everything that follows: stock updates, payment records, staff activity, and reporting. These platforms centralize checkout, product data, customer history, and back-office visibility into a single environment, keeping retail operations running accurately. Instead of reconciling sales across disconnected systems or tracking inventory manually, everything flows through a single system that supports speed at the counter and clarity in the back office. ### Why do businesses use Retail POS Software? From the G2 reviewer patterns I evaluated, businesses use Retail POS Software to reduce manual work at checkout and make sales, inventory, and customer data easier to manage. Users often highlight staff simplicity, quick payment flows, and clearer visibility into what sells. Common benefits include: - Faster checkout and smoother payment acceptance. - Better inventory visibility and stock control. - Easier sales reporting and transaction history. - Support for online, in-store, and mobile selling. ### Who uses Retail POS Software primarily? I found that daily users and administrators appear most often in G2 feedback, pointing to businesses, retailers, food and beverage operators, apparel sellers, and sellers that connect physical and digital channels. Primary G2 users include: - **Store associates** who need to run checkout, process payments, apply discounts, handle returns, and complete customer purchases quickly. - **Retail managers** who need to oversee sales, monitor inventory, update product records, and manage daily store activity. - **Owners** who need visibility into revenue, stock levels, customer trends, and performance across stores or channels. - **Administrators** who need to configure products, payment settings, user permissions, tax rules, receipts, and reports. ### What types of Retail POS Software should I consider? From the G2 reviewer sentiment I evaluated, buyers should consider POS types based on selling model and complexity. - **General retail POS:** checkout, inventory, reporting, and customer records. - **Payment-led POS:** card acceptance, terminals, and transaction speed. - **Omnichannel POS:** online stores, in-person sales, and shared catalogs. - **Inventory-focused POS:** stock, variants, suppliers, or multiple locations. - **Food-service POS:** menus, orders, and fast counter service. - **Specialty retail POS:** consignment, apparel, convenience, or niche retail. ### What are the core features to look for in Retail POS Software? I found that G2 users often highlight features that affect daily work directly: - Ease of use for staff and administrators that helps teams process sales and manage store activity with less training. - Fast, reliable payment processing that helps retailers complete checkout smoothly and avoid delays during busy periods. - Inventory tracking with timely updates that helps teams monitor stock levels, update products, and reduce overselling. - Sales reports, dashboards, and transaction history that help owners and managers understand revenue, trends, and store performance. - Integrations with ecommerce, accounting, or payment tools that help connect in-store and online operations. - Hardware support for terminals, readers, tablets, printers, and mobile devices that helps retailers run checkout in the format that fits their store. - Customer management and receipt workflows that help teams track buyer information, manage returns, and support repeat purchases. - Configuration for products, discounts, taxes, and locations that helps retailers adapt the POS to their catalog and operating model. - Responsive support and onboarding resources that help teams set up the system and resolve issues faster. ### What trends are shaping Retail POS Software right now? From the G2 reviewer patterns I evaluated, several trends stand out: - **Omnichannel retail:** users value links between stores, online selling, and catalog data. - **Embedded payments:** reviewers discuss speed, terminal reliability, and processor flexibility. - **Real-time inventory:** buyers want stock visibility that prevents errors. - **Data-driven management:** reporting and analytics mark value. - **Mobile hardware:** users appreciate tablets, readers, and compact terminals. - **Faster adoption:** small teams favor systems they can learn quickly. - **Customization pressure:** users want flexibility as workflows become more specific. ### How should I choose Retail POS Software? For me, the strongest retail POS software is the kind that makes daily sales faster, inventory easier to manage, and store operations more connected. When checkout speed, hardware compatibility, returns, discounts, integrations, and reporting work smoothly together, retail POS software becomes a dependable system for running the business today while supporting growth over time. --- ## What Are the Top-Rated Retail POS Systems Products in 2026? ### 1. [Square Point of Sale](https://www.g2.com/products/square-point-of-sale/reviews) **Average Rating:** 4.6/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 1,181 **Why buyers love it?:** When I evaluated G2 feedback for Square Point of Sale, ease of use stood out as the clearest reviewer theme. Reviewers highlight quick setup, portable devices, and simple payment acceptance for in-store, mobile, and event-based sales. I found that users also value inventory tools, dashboards, and the ability to keep online and in-person transactions in one system. Some reviewers mention support delays, add-on costs, limited customization, and connectivity issues as areas that affect the experience. Overall, the sentiment points to a flexible POS choice for businesses that need accessible checkout and lightweight retail management. ### What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Square Point of Sale? *AI-generated summary from verified user reviews* **Pros:** - Users value the **straightforward and seamless setup** of Square Point of Sale, enabling quick and easy integration. - Users value the **quick and easy transaction processing** of Square Point of Sale, enhancing their sales efficiency. - Users appreciate the **advanced features** of Square POS for invoicing, customization, and robust reporting capabilities. - Users appreciate the **ease of use** with Square Point of Sale for seamless payment collection and transactions. - Users appreciate the **quick and easy setup** of Square Point of Sale, making it convenient for mobile transactions. **Cons:** - Users express concern over **high fees** for credit card processing, which can significantly impact overall costs for businesses. - Users find the **expensive processing fees** of Square Point of Sale burdensome, particularly for larger businesses with high order volumes. - Users find **access limitations** frustrating, particularly with user setup and mobile payment issues when offline. - Users find **missing features** like limited customization and high pricing to be frustrating and restrictive. - Users are frustrated by **high processing fees** for credit card payments, as costs accumulate and affect profitability. #### Key Features - Receipts - Loyalty Programs - Inventory Management - Digital Billing - Consolidation #### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Square Point of Sale? **"[Seamless Payment Collection with Automation](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/square-point-of-sale-review-12672421)"** **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars *— Verified User in Events Services* [Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/square-point-of-sale-review-12672421) --- **"[Square Point of Sale: Simple, Flexible, and Easy for Staff to Learn](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/square-point-of-sale-review-12726472)"** **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars *— Jean R.* [Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/square-point-of-sale-review-12726472) --- #### What Are G2 Users Discussing About Square Point of Sale? - [What is Square Point of Sale used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-square-point-of-sale-used-for) - 1 comment - [What is Square Invoices used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-square-invoices-used-for) - 1 comment - [What is Square for Retail used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-square-for-retail-used-for) ### 2. [Vibe Retail](https://www.g2.com/products/vibe-vibe-retail/reviews) **Average Rating:** 5.0/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 25 **Why buyers love it?:** Vibe Retail’s feedback was highly specific to modern retail operations. Reviewers highlight real-time inventory, variant handling, purchase orders, replenishment, Shopify and QuickBooks connections, customer profiles, loyalty tools, reports, and fast checkout. When I evaluated the sentiment, users often praise onboarding, migration help, and support for boutiques or growing retail teams. Areas for improvement include advanced reporting customization, more integrations, customer lookup speed, and learning time for deeper features. Vibe Retail fits retailers that need inventory accuracy across products, channels, and store activity. ### What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Vibe Retail? *AI-generated summary from verified user reviews* **Pros:** - Users highlight the **enhanced visibility** in inventory management, ensuring efficient handling of stock and demand. - Users praise the **top-notch customer service** provided by Vibe Retail, ensuring a seamless support experience. - Users praise Vibe Retail for its **ease of use** , complemented by excellent customer service and fair pricing. - Users appreciate the **efficiency** of Vibe Retail, as it streamlines ordering and enhances visibility in inventory management. - Users value the **navigation ease** of Vibe Retail, which streamlines ordering and ties inventory to real jobs effectively. #### Key Features - Credit Card Payments - Loyalty Programs - Inventory Management #### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Vibe Retail? **"[Reliable Inventory Sync and Smooth Shopify POS Migration](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/vibe-retail-review-12842031)"** **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars *— Dan R.* [Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/vibe-retail-review-12842031) --- **"[Accurate Migration and Real-Time Inventory Sync That Unifies Retail Operations](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/vibe-retail-review-12841408)"** **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars *— Rachel C.* [Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/vibe-retail-review-12841408) --- ### 3. [Aloha Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/aloha-cloud/reviews) **Average Rating:** 3.9/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 328 **Why buyers love it?:** Aloha Cloud feedback emphasized restaurant workflow control through a cloud-based system. Reviewers highlight ease of use, intuitive navigation, payment processing, reports, menu updates, customer engagement, and the ability to work away from a fixed station. I found that users value the platform when operations need daily adjustments and clearer visibility for managers. Concerns include onboarding challenges, limited flexibility, and unreliable third-party integrations. Aloha Cloud fits restaurant teams that want remote administrative access and connected operational tools. ### What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Aloha Cloud? *AI-generated summary from verified user reviews* **Pros:** - Users value the **ease of use** of Aloha Cloud, enjoying intuitive navigation and a clean interface for all. - Users appreciate the **intuitive and user-friendly interface** of Aloha Cloud, making navigation and setup effortless. - Users value the **intuitive interface** of Aloha Cloud, enhancing ease of navigation and overall user experience. - Users value the **streamlined efficiency** of Aloha Cloud, enjoying intuitive navigation and improved operational management. - Users appreciate the **user-friendly interface** of Aloha Cloud, making navigation and setup easy and intuitive. **Cons:** - Users feel frustrated by the **limited customization** options in Aloha Cloud, hindering their ability to tailor the experience. - Users experience **slow performance** with Aloha Cloud, facing issues like freezing and lag during use. - Users face a notable **learning curve** for mastering Aloha Cloud's advanced features, complicating initial usage. - Users report that **poor customer support** negatively impacts their experience with Aloha Cloud, affecting overall satisfaction. - Users report **connectivity issues** with Aloha Cloud, impacting system performance and overall reliability during outages. #### Key Features - Price Adjustments - Menu Building - Payment Gateway - Reporting - Analytics #### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Aloha Cloud? **"[Aloha Cloud: Reliable, Versatile, Needs Slight Tuning](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/aloha-cloud-review-12253668)"** **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars *— Omkar M.* [Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/aloha-cloud-review-12253668) --- **"[Flexible Cloud Access with Real-Time Reporting and Reliable Backups](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/aloha-cloud-review-12248708)"** **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars *— Balkishan N.* [Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/aloha-cloud-review-12248708) --- #### What Are G2 Users Discussing About Aloha Cloud? - [What is NCR Network & Security Services used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-ncr-network-security-services-used-for) - [What is Fractals used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-fractals-used-for) - [What are the POS capabilities?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/ncr-pos-what-are-the-pos-capabilities) - 2 comments ### 4. [Shopify POS](https://www.g2.com/products/shopify-shopify-pos/reviews) **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 353 **Why buyers love it?:** When I assessed Shopify POS feedback, the most distinct pattern was how often reviewers connect it to omnichannel retail. Reviewers highlight real-time inventory, order tracking, customer lookup, and the convenience of one dashboard for store and online activity. I found that users appreciate using phones, tablets, and other devices to support checkout and inventory tasks. Common concerns include pricing, setup complexity, occasional lag, receipt workflows, and limited custom reporting fields. The product fits retail teams that want store operations tied closely to their ecommerce system. ### What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Shopify POS? *AI-generated summary from verified user reviews* **Pros:** - Users appreciate the **user-friendly interface** of Shopify POS, making it easy for anyone to use effectively. - Users appreciate the **ease of use and seamless integration** of Shopify POS, simplifying inventory management across channels. - Users appreciate the **seamless integrations** of Shopify POS, which unify online and in-store sales effectively. - Users praise Shopify POS for its **easy setup** , making it simple for anyone to start using effectively. - Users appreciate the **seamless order management** of Shopify POS, simplifying online and offline sales with real-time syncing. **Cons:** - Users find Shopify POS to be **expensive** , particularly due to high delivery costs and rising subscription fees. - Users find the **limited features** in Shopify POS restrictive, particularly for small businesses on lower plans. - Users find **customization options limited** , making it challenging to tailor Shopify POS to unique business needs. - Users find the **limited customization** options restrict flexibility and control, which can hinder tailored business needs. - Users face **connectivity issues** with Shopify POS, especially during offline mode, affecting transaction reliability and performance. #### Key Features - Credit Card Payments - Loyalty Programs - Employee Management - Credit Card Processing - Multi-Currency #### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Shopify POS? **"[Helpful Support, Reliable POS systems, and Flexible Payment options](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/shopify-pos-review-12706183)"** **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars *— Jason L.* [Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/shopify-pos-review-12706183) --- **"[Incredible Mobile POS for Trade Shows—Customizable, Tap to Pay, and Offline Ready](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/shopify-pos-review-12763784)"** **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars *— Jordan D.* [Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/shopify-pos-review-12763784) --- #### What Are G2 Users Discussing About Shopify POS? - [What is Shopify Pos Pro?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-shopify-pos-pro) - [What are the key features of a POS system?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/shopify-pos-what-are-the-key-features-of-a-pos-system) - [How does Shopify integrate with POS?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-does-shopify-integrate-with-pos) ### 5. [iQmetrix Interconnected Commerce](https://www.g2.com/products/iqmetrix-interconnected-commerce/reviews) **Average Rating:** 4.0/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 48 **Product Description:** iQmetrix is the only provider of Interconnected Commerce software solutions for telecom retail. Interconnected Commerce is a complete set of software and technologies that are modular, flexible, and have telecom-specific capabilities, enabling telecom retailers to provide an uplifting experience for their customers. We empower telecom retailers to transact, activate, and fulfill products, as well as operate their business, and unify the online and in-store experiences. We interconnect the entire industry, bridging carriers, retailers, manufacturers, and a huge ecosystem of vendors and external system integrations. For 26 years, we’ve been passionate about helping the leading brands in telecom to grow by providing best-in-class software, services, and expertise that enables them to adapt and thrive. Our solutions powered $17BN in sales last year, handling more than 53 million invoices and more than 26 million activations, and are used by hundreds of thousands of telecom retail professionals across almost 800 clients. iQmetrix is a privately held software-as-a-service (SaaS) company with employees in Canada, the U.S., India, and Europe. For more information, please visit www.iqmetrix.com. #### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of iQmetrix Interconnected Commerce? **"[Innovative Solutions and Outstanding Optimization Support](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/iqmetrix-interconnected-commerce-review-12045659)"** **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars *— Anubhuti G.* [Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/iqmetrix-interconnected-commerce-review-12045659) --- **"[Easiest Retail Inventory and Point of Sale Management System EVER](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/iqmetrix-interconnected-commerce-review-9699055)"** **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars *— Verified User in Retail* [Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/iqmetrix-interconnected-commerce-review-9699055) --- ### 6. [Lightspeed Retail](https://www.g2.com/products/lightspeed-retail/reviews) **Average Rating:** 4.0/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 286 **Product Description:** Lightspeed Retail is the leading POS and payments platform that enables you to automate tasks, streamline operations and improve visibility across all your stores and channels. With Lightspeed, you can manage sales, inventory, customers and suppliers from one easy to use solution. Plus, access flexible and customizable reports on your sales, inventory and customers, so you can make smarter business decisions that help you grow. With Lightspeed’s unified payments solution, you’ll have your payments hardware, software and customer support in one place, empowering you to provide employees and customers with an elite checkout experience every time. ### What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Lightspeed Retail? *AI-generated summary from verified user reviews* **Pros:** - Users value the **top-tier customer support** of Lightspeed Retail, enhancing service efficiency despite some unresolved challenges. - Users praise the **efficiency** of Lightspeed Retail, noting its quick performance and helpful operational features. - Users appreciate the **quick server and diverse features** of Lightspeed Retail, enhancing operational efficiency across industries. - Users praise the **powerful inventory management** that efficiently tracks products and automates purchases across multiple locations. - Users find the **quick and efficient reporting** of Lightspeed Retail satisfactory for retail and service needs. **Cons:** - Users express frustration over **high fees** and poor support, making account management a daunting challenge. - Users report frustratingly **poor customer support** from Lightspeed Retail, making issue resolution exceedingly difficult and time-consuming. - Users find Lightspeed Retail **expensive** , especially when adding essential features, leading to frustrations with overall value. - Users find the **high pricing and integration challenges** with Lightspeed Retail a significant drawback to its overall value. - Users find the **limited features** of Lightspeed Retail require costly upgrades, making it less appealing than other POS options. #### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Lightspeed Retail? **"[Transformative POS with Excellent Help Support](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/lightspeed-retail-review-12535601)"** **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars *— Taryn O.* [Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/lightspeed-retail-review-12535601) --- **"[A Good POS](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/lightspeed-retail-review-11242681)"** **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars *— Nicole G.* [Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/lightspeed-retail-review-11242681) --- #### What Are G2 Users Discussing About Lightspeed Retail? - [What is Lightspeed Retail used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-lightspeed-retail-used-for) - [What is the best POS system for a small retail store?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-the-best-pos-system-for-a-small-retail-store) - [Does Lightspeed integrate with QuickBooks?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/does-lightspeed-integrate-with-quickbooks) ## What Is Retail POS Systems? [POS Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/pos) ## What Software Categories Are Similar to Retail POS Systems? - [Retail Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/retail-management-software) - [Restaurant POS Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/restaurant-pos) - [Omnichannel Commerce Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/omnichannel-commerce) --- ## How Do You Choose the Right Retail POS Systems? ### What You Should Know About Retail POS Software ### What is Retail POS Software? Every business requires a way to exchange money for goods and services. Typically, that process happens at a cash register, but these transactions are increasingly handled by POS software installed on a PC or mobile device. Granted, these devices will need to be connected to a variety of hardware such as a receipt printer, cash drawer, credit card reader, or barcode scanner to be fully functional. However, more and more POS software providers are offering POS terminals that house a tablet to run the POS solution as well as hardware to read credit cards and hold cash. For a small business, a POS solution may provide a variety of features to help run a retail store. The software may provide real-time inventory management, basic accounting, and other back-office functions. Some may include loyalty programs and the ability to create and redeem gift cards. Integration with an e-commerce platform is also common, to maintain accurate inventory information. While much of the functionality is similar, retail POS software lacks many of the restaurant-specific features included in [restaurant POS software](https://www.g2.com/categories/restaurant-pos), as it is built specifically with retailers in mind. ### Why Use Retail POS Software? Retail POS software provides retail business owners with tools to manage transactions and organize their business on the back end. Retail POS systems help business owners with inventory control, customer loyalty, credit card processing, accounting, customer service, and even employee management. While eliminating the use of cash registers removes much of the manual accounting and inventory management, retail POS software has the added benefits of creating reports and providing analytics based on sales data. For a small business looking to grow, this kind of information can be invaluable. Mobile POS solutions can also be a huge help for small-business owners who don’t necessarily own a storefront but do want to be able to process credit card payments in person. POS hardware that can plug into a mobile phone or tablet can allow small-business owners to create mobile shops for farmers’ markets, trade shows, conventions, craft fairs, and more, all while capturing the same data. ### Who Uses Retail POS Software? Retail POS software is primarily used by retailers and their employees. Online retailers can also benefit from retail POS software, particularly if they also own a storefront. Store owners and managers will be most likely to utilize the back-office features such as accounting, employee management, and inventory management. While many of these functions can be performed using dedicated software solutions, the advantage of retail POS software is that many of these various features are bundled within a single platform. Retail employees will primarily use POS functions to ring up customers, restock shelves and displays, and manage customer loyalty programs. Depending on the size of the store and the number of employees, businesses may want multiple terminals running the same POS software. Single-person businesses may run a retail POS system on a mobile phone or tablet to create a mobile business that doesn’t require a dedicated storefront. They may also want to use retail POS software to manage an online store if their focus is not mainly in-person transactions. ### Kinds of Retail POS Software Generally, POS systems are divided by the industry they service. Given that there are hundreds of different kinds of retailers, it stands to reason that there are hundreds of kinds of POS systems. Oftentimes, POS systems are rolled into industry-specific platforms. Hotels, for instance, will have POS functionality built into their [hotel management software](https://www.g2.com/categories/hotel-management). These platforms will be able to do much more than simply process guests’ payments, but a crucial part of running that hotel will require POS functionality. Many standalone retail POS systems can be used by any industry. While the needs of certain industries (such as the restaurant industry) may be specific, most retail POS systems are flexible enough to be used by any retailer. ### Retail POS Software Features **Inventory Management —** Any business that sells physical goods needs some kind of [inventory control system](https://www.g2.com/categories/inventory-control). With a retail POS system, users can track inventory in real time as transactions are made. Each transaction deducts the purchased goods from the available inventory, so at the end of each day or week, managers can see what needs to be restocked and what is not selling as quickly. If a business runs a storefront in addition to an online store, the software can keep track of the total inventory and ensure that orders are not processed without the necessary items. **Accounting –** [Accounting software](https://www.g2.com/categories/accounting) is the backbone of many small businesses, but retail POS software often contains accounting features to help smaller businesses stay organized. With financial information and inventory data in one place, users can create accurate budgets and forecast growth based on real data. Keeping accurate records is incredibly important, and having all that information available digitally saves a lot of time sorting through receipts and invoices come tax season. **Employee Management –** Scheduling employee shifts and organizing the training of new hires can take up a lot of a store manager’s time. With features that help create balanced employee schedules and standardized training timelines, users can spend more time on important tasks. While not all retail POS systems will contain this feature, the option may be important to small business owners or businesses with a lot of employee turnover. **E-Commerce –** Purchasing items online has become the norm, if not the default, so creating an online store should at least be on every retailer’s radar. Many retail POS systems now integrate with e-commerce platforms, if they do not provide the tools to create an online store within their own platform. With in-store and online inventory data stored in one place, there’s no fear of overselling within either platform. **Loyalty Management –** Building and retaining a customer base is crucial for any retailer. A loyalty program encourages customers to return and entices lapsed customers to become re-engaged. [Loyalty management software](https://www.g2.com/categories/loyalty-management) features make it easy to create and enact a program that works for each specific business. For instance, by linking a customer’s profile with their credit card, the system can automatically apply a discount when a frequent customer makes a purchase without requiring the customer to provide a punch card or coupon. **Credit Card Processing –** In an increasingly paperless world, credit card transactions are becoming the norm, for better or for worse. Retail POS software makes it easy to process these transactions by either using their own credit card processors or partnering with a third-party credit card processor. While there are nearly always fees involved, they are typically small (two to five percent of each transaction) and an understood price of doing business. **Reporting and Analytics –** Insight into one’s business is a crucial piece of the puzzle when planning for success. Many retail POS systems provide reporting and analytics features so business owners can get an end-to-end view of their business and know exactly where they are succeeding and where they need work. Based on customer and purchase information, these reports and analytics can help businesses save money on inventory and help plan and create growth. **Email Marketing –** Marketing is often a deciding factor behind the success of a business, so the fact that some retail POS systems have [email marketing software](https://www.g2.com/categories/email-marketing) features can make a huge difference. With the ability to collect email addresses at checkout, business owners can then create newsletters or email promotions for customers all within the POS platform. ### Trends Related to Retail POS Software Mobile technology is a huge overall trend, but within the retail POS ecosystem, mobile point-of-sale technology is making these systems accessible for even the smallest business. Mobile POS allows businesses to operate using a mobile device or tablet instead of a cash register. This helps the business itself become mobile, since the only equipment required may be a mobile phone and a credit card reader. Small businesses without storefronts become more empowered to grow their business, since they can operate similarly to a storefront, without all the costs associated with renting a storefront. ### Software and Services Related to Retail POS Software [**Restaurant POS Software**](https://www.g2.com/categories/restaurant-pos) **—** Restaurant POS software operates very similarly to retail POS software, but includes features specifically catered to the restaurant industry. While retail POS software may be used for quick service restaurants or premade food vendors, restaurant POS includes table management, kitchen ticket creation, menu planning, and more. [**E-Commerce Platforms**](https://www.g2.com/categories/e-commerce-platforms) **—** E-commerce platforms are built specifically to house online stores and businesses that operate solely online. While retail POS systems may include the ability to create an online store, e-commerce platforms contain everything a business would need to sell items online.