Today’s customers don’t think in channels—they expect to browse online, buy in-store, and return by mail seamlessly. Yet most retailers still manage their operations through separate point of sale (POS) systems, creating friction at every step.
With global cashless payments expected to double between 2024 and 2029, it’s essential for retailers to have POS systems that are flexible and fast.
Unified commerce brings your entire business to a single platform. The top POS companies offer one system that takes care of inventory management, customer data, and reporting across all channels. No more sync delays or data silos, just smooth shopping experiences that keep customers coming back.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose a POS company that transforms your retail operations and sets you up for growth.
What is a POS company?
A POS company provides hardware systems, software systems, and integrated systems to deliver payment processing solutions for businesses. These range from basic systems that function as electronic cash registers to sophisticated platforms that handle multiplatform sales, analyze data, and build unified customer profiles.
POS systems fall into three different categories. Some traditional POS systems specialize in just one type, while others offer a hybrid of categories.
- Hardware systems. Include physical equipment like cash registers, receipt printers, and barcode scanners, which are traditionally used for in-store purchases.
- Software systems. Enable online businesses to process virtual payments and orders from customers anywhere.
- Integrated systems. Combine hardware and software, allowing businesses to handle in-store and online transactions through a single platform.
7 best POS companies
Below are some major POS vendors, with an overview of their systems and costs.
| Company | Monthly cost | Transaction fees |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | $0 to $89/month/location | From 2.6% + 10¢ |
| Square | $0 to $149/month | From 2.6% + 15¢ |
| Toast | $0 to $90/month | From 2.49% + 15¢ |
| Lightspeed | $89 to $289/month | From 2.6% +10¢ |
| Clover | $16 to $240/month | From 2.3% + 10¢ |
| TouchBistro | From $69/month | Varies |
| Epos Now | From $79/month | 2.6% +10¢ |
1. Shopify
Shopify stands out as the only unified commerce platform that natively connects your online store and point-of-sale system. While other providers require complex integrations and middleware, Shopify delivers a true single system for your entire retail operation.
Shopify pricing:
- POS Lite: Included with all Shopify plans
- POS Pro: $89/month/location
- In-person transaction fees: 2.6% + 10¢ (Basic), 2.4% + 10¢ (Advanced)
- Hardware: Starts at $49 for a card reader
The power of Shopify’s unified approach shows in the numbers: retailers see 8.9% higher annual sales growth on average and reduce operating costs by up to 16%. This is because all your data flows through one system.
Key unified commerce features:
- Real-time inventory syncing across all channels
- Unified customer profiles that follow shoppers everywhere
- Unified reporting across online and in-store sales
- Smart product grouping for better inventory management
- Unlimited registers and support for up to 1,000 locations
- Built-in payment processing
- Staff management and permissions
- Integrated marketing tools
- Extensive hardware options
- Native omnichannel capabilities (buy online pickup in-store, returns anywhere, etc.)
- App store with more than 8,000 integrations to extend your capabilities
“We use Shopify for everything, from sales reporting to making informed decisions on how we grow and scale the business,” says Phoebe Simmonds, founder and CEO of The Memo. “We’re able to understand our customers and their behavior online, but also in store, and we can connect the two seamlessly.”
2. Square
Square’s point-of-sale software includes features like tracking customer appointments and scheduling employee shifts. It’s an effective solution for single-location businesses, but if you want to expand, you may find it limiting due to website migration challenges and the rising costs of per-location subscription plans.
Square POS systems primarily cater to food and beverage, apparel, and beauty stores. It offers a variety of hardware, including mobile card readers, iPad stands, registers, and handheld terminals. Plus, an app allows shoppers to use smartphones to tap and pay for contactless services.
Square pricing:
- Free: $0/month per location
- Plus: $49/month/location
- Premium: $149/month/location
- In-person transaction fees: 2.6% + 15¢ (Free), 2.5% + 15¢ (Plus), 2.4% + 15¢ (Premium)
Learn more about how Square compares to Shopify POS.
3. Toast
Toast was designed for restaurants, coffee shops, and food service establishments, featuring spill-resistant hardware and specialized POS software that handles menu management, online ordering, and kitchen-to-server notifications.
Toast pricing:
- Retail POS: Starts at $90/month
- Pay upfront fees: 2.49% card-present
- Pay-as-you-go fees: 3.09% per transaction
4. Lightspeed
Lightspeed offers POS systems for retail businesses, restaurants, and golf courses. It’s an integrated cloud-based software that works both in-person and online.
Lightspeed pricing:
- Basic: $89/month
- Core: $149/month
- Plus:$289/month
- Card-present transactions fees: 2.6% + 10¢
- Card-not-present transactions fees: 2.9% + 30¢
Learn more about how Lightspeed compares to Shopify POS.
5. Clover
Clover’s cloud-based POS systems are aimed primarily at retailers, but can also be configured for restaurants, bars, and health care providers. Clover is known for its integration with third-party apps such as Mailchimp (for email campaigns), Docusign (for virtual document signing), and Homebase (for employee scheduling).
Clover pricing:
- Basic: Starts at $16/month
- Standard: Starts at $180/month
- Advanced: Starts at $240/month
- Transaction fees: 2.5% + 10¢ per tapped, swiped, or inserted card
Learn more about how Clover compares to Shopify POS.
6. TouchBistro
TouchBistro is designed just for restaurants, cafes, and bars. It works on tablets and helps with menus, staff schedules, table orders, split checks, and managing tabs. TouchBistro works with many payment systems, so you can choose how to handle credit cards and payments. Its tablet systems usually cost less upfront than bigger specialized systems.
TouchBistro pricing:
- One device: Starts at $69/month
- Extra costs for add-ons like online ordering or customer rewards
- Equipment costs vary depending on needs
7. Epos Now
Epos Now works for stores and restaurants, with cloud-based software that handles inventory, sales reports, and staff schedules. Businesses can add extra features like customer rewards or online ordering if needed.
The system works on Epos Now’s hardware or compatible devices you might already have, giving you options for different setups. It also connects with QuickBooks and Xero to make bookkeeping easier.
Epos Now pricing:
- Required subscription: $79/month
- System offers: Starts at $349
- Transaction fees: 2.6% + 10¢
How to choose the best POS company
When choosing the best POS for your retail business, consider the following criteria:
Some find it helpful to focus on what features you’ll need right away.
“For our flagship store, we wanted a reliable POS system that would provide our essential retail functionality out of the box and wouldn’t create a lot of unnecessary risk,” says Mitou Nguyen, senior product manager of fulfillment and operations at Babylist. “We also needed to have a holistic view of our customers, whether they were buying online or in-store.”
Cost
Figuring out how many sales you expect, how many people will use the system, and what you can spend will help you pick the right payment plan.
Every POS company charges differently. Most take between 2% and 3% of each sale, and some add extra fees, like 10¢ per transaction.
Look out for any hidden fees that will add to your total cost. These include payment processing fees for certain rewards cards, monthly charges for add-ons like loyalty programs or advanced reporting, and the possibility of price increases when your initial contract term expires and comes up for renewal.
If your average sale is on the larger side, you’ll probably get more for your money from POS companies that charge lower percentage fees. Flat fees will add up if your business has a large volume of small purchases.
Read: POS System Costs Guide
Features
Some POS systems work on phones, which is great for food trucks or pop-up shops, while others are built for ecommerce. Look for systems that can connect all of your sales channels, like your website, physical store, and mobile, so that you can manage everything in one place.
Prioritize the POS features your team will use in daily operations, such as basic inventory tracking or a simple loyalty program. You can keep your costs down by avoiding paying for complex tools you won’t use. Think about what your business needs today and might need as you grow, then make a list of must-have features before you start shopping around.
Hardware
Your POS needs the right tools to work smoothly. Consider what equipment you’ll need, like card readers, receipt printers, or tablets. Some systems work with basic POS hardware, while others need specific devices.
Choose hardware that fits your budget, but also consider how it’ll work in your space. For example, restaurants look for spill-resistant equipment to handle kitchen conditions, while pop-up shops benefit from portable readers that facilitate mobile transactions.
Scalability
Your POS system should be able to scale alongside your business. Look for a platform that makes adding new locations, users, or features seamless.
To grow with ease, consider a system that takes a unified commerce approach, syncing inventory across every sales channel to eliminate disconnected data silos. With a flexible POS system, you can start small and add advanced capabilities over time.
Support
When your POS system isn’t working, you’re losing money. Pick a provider that offers the support you need when needed. Check if they provide 24/7 help, how quickly they respond, and what kind of training they offer for your team.
Before you commit, test each provider’s support channels—such as phone, email, or live chat—to make sure they’re responsive and helpful. Keep in mind that some providers charge extra for priority support or guaranteed faster response times.
Ease of use
Your team needs to be able to learn the system quickly and use it efficiently. Every hour spent on extensive POS training is an hour your staff isn’t on the sales floor. “Our store manager came from a major retail brand with different systems in place, but she was able to jump in and understand Shopify POS on day one,” says Kenny Haisfield, founder of Kenny Flowers. “There was virtually no learning curve.”
Look for clean, simple interfaces that make sense for your business. Consider how easy it is to do common tasks like processing refunds, adding items, or closing out at the end of the day.
Run your entire retail operation with Shopify POS
While every POS system offers unique advantages, Shopify POS stands out for businesses looking to unite their online and in-person sales. Its seamless integration with Shopify’s ecommerce platform means you can manage inventory, track customer data, and view reports across all sales channels from one dashboard.
Shopify POS delivers a compelling mix of features, reliability, and ease of use. Plus, with 24/7 support and regular updates, it offers top-notch service with every plan.
POS company FAQ
How much does a POS system typically cost?
POS software companies usually charge between 2% and 3% of the purchase value of each transaction. Some POS software programs also charge monthly fees ranging from $20 to $200—and sometimes more. Buying POS hardware is an additional cost.
Can I use the same POS system for multiple locations?
Yes. Shopify POS Pro, for example, lets business owners use the same POS system for as many as 1,000 different store locations. Many other POS providers accommodate multiple locations, sometimes at an additional cost.
What types of businesses are best suited for POS systems?
Retail stores, restaurants, and ecommerce businesses are all well-suited for POS systems. POS systems are especially helpful for businesses that receive a large number of payments by credit card, either in-person or online.
What’s the difference between a POS system and a payment processor?
A POS system manages business operations like inventory, staff schedules, and sales reporting. A payment processor is the service that routes transaction data and moves money from a customer’s bank to yours.
How long does it take to set up a POS system?
It depends on the size and complexity of the business. Retailers can get up and running quickly once inventory, payments, and hardware are ready.
For example, luggage brand July opened and integrated its fourth retail location within a week using Shopify POS. Larger rollouts with multiple stores, custom hardware, or more extensive staff training can take longer.
