# Best Retail POS Systems - Page 25 *By [Subhransu Sahu](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/subhransu-sahu)* This page was last updated on June 9th, 2025 Retail point of sale (POS) software provides an easy-to-use tool for employees and customers, helping to complete retail transactions in physical locations (stores, showrooms, etc.). By using POS software, retail employees can find information about products, create sales orders, accept payments, and deliver receipts in an expeditious manner. This helps employees perform more transactions in less time while customers benefit from shorter waiting times at checkout. POS software can also be used to provide information to customers on product availability, pricing, etc. Furthermore, retail managers can use this type of software to monitor retail transactions and analyze sales or inventory data such as volume, amount, or frequency. Some advanced POS solutions may also provide functionality to manage inventory or customer profiles. POS software is usually installed on dedicated hardware designed and built for it. The main benefit of this type of hardware is that it provides users a tactile screen which simplifies navigation. An increasing number of POS solutions are now available on mobile devices such as tablets or smartphones. To deliver maximum efficiency, POS software integrates with ERP or inventory management solutions to exchange data on products, with CRM for customer information, or with other retail solutions such as supply chain and logistics. POS should not be confused with e-commerce software, either, which is exclusively used for online sales. To qualify for inclusion in the POS software category, a product must: - Provide access to information about products, inventory, pricing, or transaction history - Allow customers to pay using various methods such as cash, credit or debit card, etc. - Manage other types of transactions such as returns, sales cancellation, or exchanges - Offer secure data access and functionality to protect sensitive data such as customer information and credit card numbers - Include reporting and analytics to monitor sales indicators for each location, as well as returns or order cancellations ## How Many Retail POS Systems Products Does G2 Track? **Total Products under this Category:** 733 ### Category Stats (Jun 2026) - **Average Rating**: 4.11/5 (↑0.01 vs May 2026) The average rating of products in this category, based on all submitted ratings - **New Reviews This Quarter**: 78 - **Buyer Segments**: Small-Business 66% │ Mid-Market 23% │ Enterprise 10% Represents the distribution of reviewers across all products in this category. - **Top Trending Product**: SumUp (+0.367) - Among all products in this category, SumUp recorded the largest rating increase compared to last month *Last updated: June 01, 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 - 733+ 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 (1,182 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 Retail POS Systems Is Best for Your Use Case? - **Leader:** [Square Point of Sale](https://www.g2.com/products/square-point-of-sale/reviews) - **Highest Performer:** [KORONA POS](https://www.g2.com/products/korona-pos/reviews) - **Easiest to Use:** [Square Point of Sale](https://www.g2.com/products/square-point-of-sale/reviews) - **Top Trending:** [Stripe Terminal](https://www.g2.com/products/stripe-terminal/reviews) - **Best Free Software:** [Square Point of Sale](https://www.g2.com/products/square-point-of-sale/reviews) ## 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) --- **Sponsored** ### Rezku POS Rezku is a powerful restaurant POS solution designed to simplify front-of house and back-of-house operations, boosting growth and enhancing the guest experience. Easily manage online ordering, inventory, and reporting—plus get built-in tools for delivery, loyalty programs, gift cards, and more. Rezku makes restaurant operations smoother with seamless integrations and flexible tools. Whether you run a bar, café, food truck, or full-service restaurant, Rezku’s POS system delivers dependable hardware and adaptable software to match your unique needs. [Visit website](https://www.g2.com/external_clickthroughs/record?secure%5Bad_program%5D=ppc&secure%5Bad_slot%5D=category_product_list&secure%5Bcategory_id%5D=1111&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_id%5D=1112&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bmedium%5D=sponsored&secure%5Bplacement_reason%5D=neighbor_category&secure%5Bplacement_resource_ids%5D%5B%5D=1112&secure%5Bprioritized%5D=false&secure%5Bproduct_id%5D=49847&secure%5Bresource_id%5D=1111&secure%5Bresource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bsource_type%5D=category_page&secure%5Bsource_url%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fcategories%2Fretail-pos%3Fpage%3D3&secure%5Btoken%5D=b559cad685c76ea1a2a34ab07d2864e3c584e3e82c9e5c67c3a498b133f2a3d0&secure%5Burl%5D=https%3A%2F%2Frezku.com%2Fconversion%2Fg2&secure%5Burl_type%5D=custom_url) --- ## 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. [Retailware Garment](https://www.g2.com/products/retailware-garment/reviews) **Product Description:** Retailware Garment is specializing in solutions for the retail sector on the Microsoft windows platform. Retailware Garment has developed extremely user friendly barcode solutions for various retail business verticals like garmnet stores. ### 2. [RetailzPOS](https://www.g2.com/products/retailzpos/reviews) **Product Description:** RetailzPOS is a powerful retail point-of-sale (POS) system designed for liquor stores, smoke shops, and convenience stores in the USA. It helps businesses streamline operations with advanced features such as real-time inventory management, barcode scanning, customer loyalty programs, and integrated payment processing. The platform supports dual pricing, cash discount programs, and detailed sales reporting to improve profitability and reduce processing fees. RetailzPOS is ideal for high-volume retail environments looking for speed, accuracy, and business growth. ### 3. [Revitpay](https://www.g2.com/products/revitpay/reviews) **Product Description:** Revitpay is a leading payment processing solutions provider, dedicated to helping businesses streamline their payment operations and maximize their revenue potential. We specialize in connecting merchants with the best payment processors in the industry. Our team of experts works tirelessly to ensure our clients receive competitive rates, reliable service, and ongoing support throughout their payment processing journey. ### 4. [rGuest Buy Kiosk](https://www.g2.com/products/rguest-buy-kiosk/reviews) **Product Description:** rGuest Buy Kiosk is named Self-service Kiosk Champion for hotels and resorts that want to offer superior guest service while growing the bottom line. ### 5. [Rista](https://www.g2.com/products/rista/reviews) **Product Description:** Rista is a US company that offers new age Cloud ERP solution to F&B businesses globally. It offers an omni-channel sales platform on Cloud that helps streamline all online and offline sales channel with a common unified inventory system. ### 6. [RM Pro](https://www.g2.com/products/rm-pro/reviews) **Product Description:** RM Pro is an all-in-one POS that puts the power of real-time data to work for you in every key area of your business – Point of Sale, SMART Tools, Inventory, Relationships, Employee Management and much more. Expertly crafted for Rug Retailers, RM Innovation delivers over three decades of trusted industry expertise. This ensures the needs of your business drive the development of technology – not the other way around. ### 7. [Roamsoft POS Software](https://www.g2.com/products/roamsoft-pos-software/reviews) **Product Description:** We provide best custom point of sale software development solutions for all your businesses from restaurants till retail that is compatible over integration to all third-party devices. ### 8. [Rodgers Software](https://www.g2.com/products/rodgers-software/reviews) **Product Description:** Retail Point of Sale Software & Hardware ### 9. [ROSS](https://www.g2.com/products/ross/reviews) **Product Description:** ROSS is a management package for wireless phone dealers. ### 10. [SACS POS](https://www.g2.com/products/sacs-pos/reviews) **Product Description:** SACS POS is a complete POS software for small businesses. ### 11. [SalePointPOS](https://www.g2.com/products/salepointpos/reviews) **Product Description:** SalePoint POS CLOUD POS & INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE. SalePoint POS is a cloud Based Point Of Sale and inventory management software. With SalePointPOS retail solution you can process sales, manage inventory, maintain customer loyalty, and keep track of vendors, all in the cloud Using SalePoint POS scale your business from one retail store to many. Access your POS from anywhere on any device with just an internet connection. SalePointPOS allows the user to maintain their sale cash records so that they can check the amounts at the day end and then open the register with the amount on the next day. Our Point-of-Sale screen consists of various daily use options, to make the billing process easier. From Draft to Multiple Pay methods, product listings and even recent transactions too, so that you don't have to go anywhere else. Get every option in reach of your hands! ### 12. [SalesMate+](https://www.g2.com/products/kts-infotech-pvt-ltd-salesmate/reviews) **Product Description:** Salesmate+ is a sales CRM software for growing small and medium-sized businesses. ### 13. [SalesPlay](https://www.g2.com/products/salesplay/reviews) **Product Description:** SalesPlay is the ultimate free point of sale (POS) software designed for retail stores, cafes & restaurants, bakeries, food trucks, pharmacies, groceries, clothing stores, salons, spas, and more. Transform your smartphone or tablet into a reliable Point Of sale system, effortlessly managing sales, inventory, and employees for a seamless business operation. With a powerful back-office web-based system, it's perfect for single or multiple establishments. ### 14. [Sanguine POS](https://www.g2.com/products/sanguine-pos/reviews) **Product Description:** Sanguine introduces Retail Management System(RMS), a Retail software which has been designed keeping in mind the needs of todays smart Retailer. ### 15. [Sapo POS](https://www.g2.com/products/sapo-pos/reviews) **Product Description:** Bizweb offers Sapo POS, a store management software,and helps small and midsize businesses to build professional sales websites with Sapo web ### 16. [SaralPOS](https://www.g2.com/products/saralpos/reviews) **Product Description:** Our tools are designed to make your life easier and our detailed reporting interface helps you make smarter business decisions. ### 17. [SEBA POS](https://www.g2.com/products/seba-pos/reviews) **Product Description:** Transform Your Veterinary Practice with SEBA-VET, the best & highly affordable Offline (On-Premise) & Cloud-Based Veterinary Practice Management Software. Sign up Now ### 18. [SELLmatix POS](https://www.g2.com/products/sellmatix-pos/reviews) **Product Description:** Himatix have been commercial software developers since 1981, before the first IBM Personal Computer was released. During that time we have developed commercial solutions for a broad range of industries, but by far the majority of software we have written has been for brick and mortar retail businesses, restaurants and bars. ### 19. [SenPOS](https://www.g2.com/products/senpos/reviews) **Product Description:** For over 30 years, SENPOS has been pioneering Point of Sale technology to maximise operational efficiencies, business profitability and customer engagement across the hospitality industry. As industry leaders, our system is powerful, user-friendly, trusted and the most advanced on today’s market. Above all, we offer our customers a truly POSitive Experience. ### 20. [SetMyCart](https://www.g2.com/products/setmycart/reviews) **Average Rating:** 5.0/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 1 **Product Description:** SetMyCart is a SaaS-based Unified Commerce Platform enabling manufacturers and D2C (Direct to Consumer) brands to sell across multiple channels (Online + Offline). We provide a customizable platform to set up their own eCommerce store along with a robust Admin dashboard to manage orders received from multiple sources like eCommerce website, Mobile App, offline in-store billing, calls, social media pages and integration with selected marketplaces. Our innovative marketing add-ons helps these businesses to increase the revenue top line with personalized marketing for their customers. ### What Do G2 Reviewers Say About SetMyCart? *AI-generated summary from verified user reviews* **Pros:** - Users value the **ease of management** with SetMyCart, significantly reducing their workload from orders to inventory. - Users find the **ease of use** of SetMyCart incredibly beneficial for managing orders and inventory effortlessly. - Users appreciate the **ease of inventory management** with SetMyCart, significantly reducing their workload and stress. - Users enjoy the **easy order management** of SetMyCart, significantly reducing their workload and streamlining processes. - Users love the **time-saving features** of SetMyCart, making order and inventory management effortless. **Cons:** - Users found the initial learning curve **difficult** , but support was available to assist with understanding features. - The **learning curve** for SetMyCart can be steep initially, but support assists in overcoming challenges. #### What Are Recent G2 Reviews of SetMyCart? **"[SetMyCart – A lifesaver for my D2C Business](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/setmycart-review-10352897)"** **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars *— Shivam V.* [Read full review](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/setmycart-review-10352897) --- ### 21. [ShipRite Global Connect](https://www.g2.com/products/shiprite-global-connect/reviews) **Product Description:** ShipRite Global Connect is a POS solution for retail mail and shipping centers which features include a complete Point of Sale, Inventory Manager, Multi-carrier shipping, Mailbox Rental Manager, package and mail check in and check out certified by DHL, FedEx, and other carriers. ### 22. [Shopaver](https://www.g2.com/products/shopaver/reviews) **Product Description:** Shopaver offers an innovative all-in-one POS solution designed to enhance business operations, catering to both retail and e-commerce sectors. Their services encompass online presence management, in-person sales facilitation, compliance, billing, and inventory management. The company aims to empower businesses by improving efficiency across multiple sales channels. Shopaver targets retail and e-commerce businesses looking to streamline their operations. ### 23. [Shopbox](https://www.g2.com/products/shopbox/reviews) **Product Description:** Shopbox is an all-in-one POS solution for small and medium sized businesses. It allows you to simplify your payments, optimize employee productivity, and maximize your revenue and to manage multiple outlets and obtain real-time sales updates by shop, employee, cash register or item no matter where you are. ### 24. [Shopdesk](https://www.g2.com/products/shopdesk/reviews) **Product Description:** Shopdesk is a browser based multi-location retail management and point of sale software with different modules like inventory, accounting. ### 25. [Shopfront](https://www.g2.com/products/shopfront/reviews) **Product Description:** Shopfront is a cloud based point of sale system designed by industry experts to assist you with running and managing your retail store. ## 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.