Question 1

What is Retail POS Software?

Accepted Answer

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, as it is built specifically with retailers in mind.

Question 2

Why Use Retail POS Software?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Who Uses Retail POS Software?

Accepted Answer

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.

How Many Retail POS Systems Products Does G2 Track?

Category Stats (Sep 2026)

How Does G2 Rank Retail POS Systems Products?

G2 Grid® for Retail POS Systems

Zwing POS

Who Is the Company Behind Zwing POS?

Best Retail POS Systems - Page 66