Best POS System Companies
Point of sale systems can make customer sales smoother, boost productivity, streamline reporting and improve business performance across all departments. Use our guide to research the best POS system company for you. We recommend starting by considering what you need to track and the depth of reporting you require. Many POS system products can be customized for your business.
- Our recommendations are based on what reviewers say.
- 4,243,660 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
- We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
- We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
- Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
Compare Reviews for Top POS System Companies | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
POS Nation specializes in complete point-of-sale systems. The company covers a variety of industries, including retail and restaurant, and its systems are customizable to fit any customer's specific needs. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
AccuPOS integrates with customers' existing accounting systems, helping them save time and money with its efficiency. AccuPOS is compatible with most major accounting software, including Quickbooks, Sage 50 and Sage 100. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Upserve is a smart restaurant management assistant serving up everything a business needs to run a smoother operation. Upserve can manage the entire restaurant, from employees to guests via a smartphone, tablet or computer. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Point-of-sale solutions. Offers hardware, software and installation services. Customizable solutions. 24/7 technical support. Three-year warranty. Services all types of industries, including restaurant and retail. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Harbortouch is one of the largest payment processors in the United States, offering electronic cash registers and credit card processing terminals. The company has earned many awards for its service and products. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | ||||
Read Author Review | BarcodesInc offers a variety of POS products, including bar code scanners, inventory software and label printing. The company features popular brands like Motorola, Unitech and Honeywell. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
Read Author Review | Gotmerchant offers processing services for most major credit cards, including Visa, American Express and MasterCard. The company offers retail credit card machines, and its system integrates well with popular accounting software. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
Read Author Review | Offers point of sale software. Integrates social media and e-commerce. Compatible with mobile devices. Plans range from $60 to $180 a month. Stock management and insight add-ons available. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
Read Author Review | PDQ POS is a full-featured POS system that can integrate with any dining establishment to increase efficiency and sales. Training is simple and fast, even for individuals with no prior POS experience. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
Read Author Review | POS Guys offers a wide range of POS processing and recording equipment, including retail POS systems, restaurant systems, salon POS systems, and mobile POS systems. The company also offers financing for approved customers. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent |
Important POS system features
Inventory tracking
For many users, the most important part of a POS system is the inventory tracking. Systems can it show what is in stock and help facilitate sales. Other POS systems have the capability to work with a web-based e-commerce site to stay up-to-date.
- Recent reconciliation: Some systems allow end-of-day reconciliation, where a user inputs all online sales at day’s end. Others automatically notify the system of sales as they occur, debiting inventory immediately.
- Add ecommerce: One of the major challenges of e-commerce lies in ensuring inventory. Enjoy a quick and easy, pick-and-pull system.
Data collection
Access to more and better data can be a big selling point for a POS system. Some systems can track customer zip codes, show the busiest times of day, or track sales trends.
- Customer care: Tried and true marketing starts with things like mailings. Break sales down by zip code, as long as customers provide the information.
- Streamline scheduling: Check to see when the most customers checkout, thus determining the best times to schedule more employees.
- Track the trends: See what items are popular and what items are sitting on shelves, all in a glance. This makes re-orders faster and easier.
Report generation
Collecting data is great, but if it doesn’t come in a usable format it’s unhelpful. Good report features can make all the difference.
At the end of the month, quarter or whenever the business is required to file, have the POS system show the total sales for the time period. No manual entry into a spreadsheet or totaling up receipts.
- Catch the cash flow: See total sales, daily, weekly, monthly or annually, to do easy apples-to-apples comparisons.
- Select a sale: Not sure if a promotion is doing its job? Run a report and see how the clearance items stack up in store.
User friendliness
The best POS systems are fairly self-explanatory for the user, but business owners may need to work on the administrative side. It’s easier to change programming, add new items, and train new users on some systems than it is on others.
- Potluck programming: Add in a sale price or change the pre-programmed sales tax using administrative access.
- In inventory: Add new items using SKUs, pictures or other individual identifiers, depending on the system.
- Train tomorrow: Training may take as little as a few hours to start ringing, though it may take a few weeks for new users to understand all the ins and outs.
Customization
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all POS system. Be sure to ask about the different options for customization, like whether your business needs appointment booking, or whether the system has the ability to add extras, like gratuities or shipping charges.
- Add appointments: For businesses like hair salons, spas and other service industries, appointment setting is a must. Be sure to ask about customization for calendar management.
- Totaling with tips: Although this is something arranged through a chosen credit card processor, their equipment can work with the POS system. Some come already integrated and some are totally separate.
- Ship to site: Sometimes things are not in stock, but don’t lose out on a sale. Many POS systems can add a standardized shipping charge or even search for the exact cost
Mobility
A traditional system needs a constant setup that never changes, but there are now options for mobile use. Businesses that spend a lot of time in travel, offer checkout throughout the store or use frequent digital displays may want more mobile POS options.
- Selling on the go: At expos, conventions, street fairs and other short-term functions, having a mobile POS system can mean the difference between turning a profit and closing up shop.
- Say goodbye to lines: Why make customers wait in long lines when they can check out anywhere? Mobile POS solutions allow salespeople to bring the register with them.
- Carte blanche with the catalog: Instead of using manned checkout lines, some retailers have started using tablet-based POS systems to offer checkout at various points through a store. These stations can include the entire catalog, allowing shoppers to see everything, not just what is on the shelves.
Types of POS systems
Cash register
For some retailers, a simple cash register with a few extra functions is all they need for a POS. It is a one-time expense and can do the job for years to come.
Desktop
Possibly the most common type of POS, these work with a computer terminal in a single location or through a network of computers. They consist of some basic equipment including the terminal, screen, scanner, cash drawer and receipt printer. The credit card machine might or might not be integrated.
Mobile
Tablet computers have created an entirely new category of POS systems. Tablet systems take up less space, offer fast setup and often have an attractive price point.
Cloud-based
Cloud-based POS systems are a software package along with a credit card machine. Providers may offer anything from a complete POS setup to just a plug and play add-on for a smart phone.
Custom-built
Not every business fits neatly into a recognized niche, but customization is always an option. Some businesses need scales incorporated into their systems (grocery stores), while others need to calculate specific taxes on items like alcohol.
Businesses that use POS systems
Retail stores
Most retailers use a POS system to track sales and minimize errors when ringing up customers. These can be as simple as a basic register or as complex as the systems used in nationwide big box retailers. In an environment where a cashier might wait on hundreds of customers per day, a POS is an essential element to success.
Restaurants
Managing reservations, ensuring correct charges and splitting checks are all made much easier through a restaurant-specific POS system. Ideal for quick, walk-upon service, fine dining and everything in between.
Salon & spa
Salons and spas offering a range of services need a quick and easy way to keep track of pricing. Looking up the cost of a hair color for long hair versus short hair should only take a second, and with a POS system it does. A salon that sets appointments, offers in-home services and splits the take with stylists needs an accurate way to track customers and commissions.
Health services
A doctor’s office can track patient appointments, insurance reimbursements and amount due by the patient. This can help reduce the cost of debt collection from a missed co-pay. It can also help reduce the number of missed appointments by generating a list of patients scheduled to help with reminders calls.
POS systems FAQ
How much does a POS system cost?
What are advantages of POS?
- Increased efficiency
- Accuracy
- Additional payment options
- Inventory management
- Simplified accounting
- Speedier transactions
What is the difference between POS and EPOS?
What to consider when buying POS?
- The size of your business and how many terminals you need
- How many products you plan on selling
- How many locations you have (in case you need networking)
- If you have any need for the information the POS gathers
A few other things to consider with your POS system are:
- Features
- Cost
- Usability
- Cloud-based or local storage
- Integration with other software
- Support
- Data capability
- Mobile payment capacity
How do you set up a cash register?
Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter!
Compare Reviews for Top POS System Companies | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Read Author Review | Semicron offers a wide range of POS systems and products, including bundles and individual products. Its ID scanners and driver's license readers help reduce the likelihood of identity theft or tobacco and alcohol sales to minors. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent | |||
Read Author Review | TouchSuite software integrates with Quickbooks accounting software and other payment processing services. The company offers a 24-hour support system that's open seven days a week. | ![]() | Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide Live agent |
Information in this guide is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only; it is not legal, health, investment or tax advice. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from its use.
Want your company to be on this guide?
Yes, continueYou’re signed up
We’ll start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. We value your privacy. Unsubscribe easily.