We reviewed 15 different POS systems using a complex methodology to help you find the seven retail POS systems for small businesses. With so many options available, I’m confident you’ll find the system that helps you track sales, manage inventory, and take your retail business to the next level. Clover, Square for Retail, and Heartland Retail are top all-in-one systems, combining payments, inventory tracking, employee management, and analytics in a single platform. It offers a free trial and is ideal for retail businesses needing advanced inventory and e-commerce integrations. It supports functions like sales order management, inventory tracking, and reporting. Heartland Retail is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed for retail businesses and is most popular point of sale software for retail along with Square and Shopify.
These systems reduce wait times, boost efficiency, and align with the growing demand for automation and contactless service. Retailers who prefer a traditional setup often choose Windows-based systems for their familiarity and customisability. Despite the shift toward mobile solutions, fixed POS systems continue to dominate the market, accounting for 54.9% of UK revenue share in 2024.
This will allow you to access the app directly from your iPhone or other mobile devices. The APK is a convenient way to install new apps directly onto your device without having to go through Google Play Store, making it quick and easy to get started. With its high RTP of 98% and adjustable difficulty levels, this game caters to both casual players and high-rollers alike. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just looking for something new, Chicken Road is an excellent choice. The game’s vibrant graphics and retro arcade soundtrack will transport you to a fun farmyard setting, making every play session feel like a new adventure.
- Hike POS is a streamlined, iPad-based POS system designed for small retail stores.
- Out of all the retail POS systems we analysed, we’ve determined the easiest to use is Square POS.
- You can quickly sync products with your online store, so the two are always in sync with no manual data entry.
- Read our retail POS hardware guide, to wise up on the questions you should ask POS providers to find the best retail equipment for your business – before committing to any long term contracts.
Why is Square a top choice for small businesses?
For example, a customer can chicken road buy in store and have the product shipped to them from the nearest location with it in stock. Befitting a company whose primary business is online commerce, Shopify has cornered the market in omnichannel selling. There’s plenty of analytics and reports to get your teeth into as well, including staff performance and customer spend, all of which can be customised to align with your business metrics. Finally, Square sells a variety of sleek, compact, and affordable hardware, including terminals, card readers, iPod stands, and accessories, so you can find your perfect retail POS setup. Her background includes work as a financial advisor and business coach, where she helped small businesses grow and scale their companies. Katherine Haan, MBA, is a Senior Staff Writer for Forbes Advisor’s SMB team, where she covers small business strategy, entrepreneurship, and business software.
SumUp: a simple, low-cost POS that excels in speed and efficiency
There’s no clear way to categorize them, which can make retrieving specific data more time-consuming than expected. This simplicity helps store owners keep tabs on performance in real time. Users often mention that daily or monthly sales performance can be accessed quickly without navigating through complex dashboards.
Robust Hardware
Your retail POS system should work across channels and locations. What works for a standalone shop won’t always suit a growing retail chain. Look for a solution that focuses on your day-to-day needs, not just a long list of features Start by identifying where your store is losing time and money. Focusing on these areas helps you choose a system that saves time, improves accuracy, and supports your shop’s success. Poor POS choices don’t just waste money; they can actively harm your business.
Why is Clover a top choice for small businesses?
At Wonderful we’re dedicated to making things as easy as possible for businesses to get onboard. It integrates with Shopify’s eCommerce platform and syncs inventory across physical and online stores. Shopify POS is a great option for UK retailers expanding online. Some modern POS systems, like Wonderful, offer support for Open Banking payments and bank transfers, helping to reduce card fees. Many UK retailers use softPOS apps like Zettle, Square, and Wonderful to turn their mobile devices into full-featured POS terminals. With the UK retail POS market expected to reach USD 1,498.8 million by 2030, growing at a steady 9.4% CAGR, it’s clear that more retailers are recognising the need for scalable, future-ready systems.
Do note that GoDaddy’s POS system works only with its POS hardware. But there is an additional expense for the Shopify POS hardware, and it charges a monthly fee ($29/month for the most basic option). Boost productivity from the storefront to the back office with a sleek, modern POS terminal from GoDaddy. We checked their transaction fees, support quality and pricing plans, among many other things. Choose the right one and you can also process payments from anywhere – even when your network connection is down, which means the ultimate in flexibility. Small Business is the UK’s number one site for small business owners.
Start by making a list of “must-haves” versus “nice-to-haves.” Do you manage a large, complex inventory? Think about your biggest operational challenges and what features would make the biggest impact. The wrong one, however, can create daily frustrations, from clunky checkout processes to inaccurate inventory counts. Picking a point of sale system is a huge decision for your business. This bird’s-eye view is critical for making informed decisions and efficiently managing operations as your business grows.
#6 — Vend (by Lightspeed)
- To start using the Chicken Road earning app, you first need to complete a simple registration process that takes just a few minutes.
- Many UK retailers report increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and repeat business within the first three months of implementation.
- Clover will have you covered with both gift cards and an extensive app store, if these are key features for you.
- The Toast POS system is a top-tier choice for restaurants, cafes, and bars because its features are designed to handle the unique challenges of that environment.
- A standout feature is its ability to track stock in real-time across both physical and online stores.
- As well as selling its own retail POS hardware, it provides all the features and functions you could ever need, whether you’re a florist or a farm shop.
The application also includes demo access, bonus options, and customizable settings that make the experience more personal and convenient. Safe card and PayPal deposits Receive a 500% bonus on your first deposit, followed by additional bonuses on your 2nd to 4th deposits. Enjoy a 500% deposit boost as a special welcome offer.
Toast POS
The ability to customize what hardware you need enables you to start small and add more as your business grows. Unlike some of its competitors, you’ll need to integrate AirPOS with a companion service in order to take payments, which ultimately means more research for your business. It requires no fixed contracts, making it perfect for small businesses that want to stay light on their feet. AirPOS isn’t as well known as competitors like Square, but it’s a great choice, particularly for small retailers. Also, inventory management is a breeze as you can easily create and manage product catalogs. Then, in case a customer scans an item, its details will pop up immediately on the terminal screen, showing the total cost and easing the payment process.
Are you ready to see which POS systems are delivering the strongest returns in the real world? Meanwhile, global providers like Square offer extensive online documentation and chat-based help. Primark has introduced self-service checkouts in 41 UK stores, with plans for continued rollout, a move that highlights how automation can streamline operations and reduce staffing costs. Implementation time depends on the complexity of the POS system and the size of your retail operation.
It’s built for retailers who sell both online and in-person and need those two worlds to communicate seamlessly. It’s designed to help you manage everything from sales and customer information to inventory. Instead of offering a single, rigid POS system, we focus on providing customized payment solutions that integrate with the hardware and software that work best for you.
Best POS system for retail of 2025
A handheld, tablet-based POS system means you can take orders and payments on the move, and if you have existing tablets you don’t mind using for business purposes, this can save you a lot of money. Clover will have you covered with both gift cards and an extensive app store, if these are key features for you. These are the key reasons as to why we ranked takepayments the best merchant account provider for small businesses. This is a pretty standout deal for new business owners who want to get set up with all they need to start taking payments, but without worrying about factoring in monthly software fees. While Clover is a great choice for larger businesses, if you’re just starting out, Square’s transparent set pricing, cheaper hardware, and free plan is more beginner friendly.
A retail POS system helps manage this complexity by tracking serial numbers, handling special orders, and managing supplier information all in one place. This allows you to track purchase history and offer personalized recommendations, creating a better shopping experience that encourages repeat business. Malware and ransomware attacks are real threats that can exploit system vulnerabilities to steal data. Your business is going to succeed, and your POS needs to be able to scale with you. One of the biggest mistakes business owners make is choosing a system that doesn’t have room to grow. This information is gold for making smarter business decisions.
Also, clear the app cache and data if you’ve installed it before. Check your device storage and clear unnecessary files or apps to free up room for the game. Before installing, you can also scan the APK file with a reliable antivirus app on your phone or upload it to an online virus scanner like VirusTotal. Malware, viruses, or modified apps can easily slip into unofficial downloads, leading to security breaches or poor game performance. Using only verified sources protects your personal data and guarantees smooth gameplay without unexpected bugs or security risks.
📱 Can the game be installed on any Android device?
Additionally, check user reviews or official announcements confirming the latest version to avoid outdated apps that might lack important security patches. Downloading APK files from unreliable sources can put your device and personal data at serious risk. After installation, open the Chicken Road app from your app drawer. Since APK files are installed outside the Google Play Store, you need to allow your device to install apps from unknown sources.
Prioritise solutions with built-in support for VAT, Making Tax Digital compliance, and other UK-specific requirements to ensure smooth, compliant operations. If you use Xero, Shopify, or customer engagement tools, your POS system should connect directly to eliminate manual entry and reduce errors. The best providers will welcome specific, detailed questions and support their answers with real examples. The complexity of your product range plays a key role in determining which POS system is right for your store; it’s not a one-size-fits-all. A recent GS1 UK report found that 96% of retail leaders expect QR codes to become standard for product engagement by 2030. It should sync inventory automatically and help manage orders from any source.
This means you should get a fee structure that’s tailored to your business. However, as we’ve mentioned, one of takepayments’ key strengths is its bespoke transaction fees. Takepayments’ POS terminal prices aren’t the most expensive I’ve seen, but it doesn’t offer a free plan like Square or SumUp. If building customer engagement is a top priority, Square or Lightspeed will be a more solid option.