Owning a small business presents several challenges, but the most testing business issues always seem to involve technology. It can feel daunting to try and keep up with rapid technological updates and changes required to run your business.
One thing you can’t go without is a point of sale (POS) system. There are dozens of options to choose from and it can be hard to know which one is the right fit for your needs. Most POS systems have some features in common, but different strengths and weaknesses. Let’s break down the 4 most popular point of sales systems to help you choose.

1. Square POS
Square POS has some pretty enviable qualities with simple, but effective transactions. What makes Square POS ahead of the game is its easy-to-use features and affordable hardware.
The affordability of Square’s hardware is countered by its somewhat pricey operating costs, a result of their larger retail store customer base. Square POS will set you back around $60 per month, including a branded stand and card reader.
Square POS’s popularity is largely due to its free iPad POS system, which manages sales and inventory, helps keep track of customer purchases, and emails receipts.
2. Lightspeed POS
Lightspeed POS stands out from the crowd with its excellent inventory management system. The system provides managers with the ability to import items, order from pre-loaded catalogues, and more. You can also customize your own POS appearance choosing details like color, size, and style.
Lightspeed POS offers several plans with the most common option being ‘Starter’ at $99 per month. Starter includes one cash register and a maximum of five employee accounts. Other hardware packages include scanners, receipt printers, iPad stands, and cash drawers.
This system is one of the most reliable point of sale systems you can choose. It offers easy onboarding features, great analytics, and 24/7 support. Lightspeed POS is not only a great retail POS system overall but also perfect for businesses with complex inventories.
3. Vend POS
Vend POS works with a wide range of third-party features, which can be highly beneficial for your business. For instance, if you choose to work with Vend POS, you get to add a third-party payment method via Square POS, Shopify POS, or PayPal.
Vend also offers numerous ecommerce integrations making it simple to sell your products through digital, physical, and mobile channels alike. Additionally, it provides sales and inventory management, split and contactless payments, customer profiles, and gift cards.
You can also choose between running Vend POS on iPads, PCs, and Macs; whatever you prefer. It is easy to use, it’s flexible, and can give you amazing results.
4. Shopify POS
Shopify is most commonly known for its ecommerce offering, but it also has a competitive POS system, which includes ecommerce integration.
If you opt for Shopify, you’ll get to enjoy your own branded online store and be able to sell through online channels including Instagram, eBay, and Amazon.
Some of the best features of Shopify are its sales management, inventory management, and employee management systems as well as its sales analytics. Shopify also provides an easy way to issue discount codes and has its own app so you can manage your operations on the go.
This POS system is especially beneficial if you want to sell both online and in physical stores. It offers email, live chat, and phone customer support available 24/7.
Shopify packages start at $29 per month.