Compare POS - Point of Sale Software / System

Introduction

Retail Express

A Review of Features and Benefits:

As an Australian cloud-based POS software, Retail Express is an all-in-one platform designed by retailers, for retailers. The point of sale (POS) system boasts itself as a comprehensive solution with business management capabilities, and it provides more extensive features compared to other POS systems available.

Key Features:

Extensive Integrations: Retail Express allows for integrations with numerous other apps, including After pay, Microsoft, Shopify, WooCommerce, and Mailchimp, making it easy to incorporate into an existing retail strategy.
Efficient Inventory Management: The platform includes all the standard features necessary for managing inventory and business performance, such as low-stock alerts, insights about optimum inventory levels, and streamlined purchase ordering.

Pros:

Made for Retailers: This platform is designed specifically for retailers, which means it has many features that can benefit retail businesses.
Local Product: Retail Express is only available in Australia and New Zealand, which may appeal to small business owners who prefer a “made local” product.

Cons:

- Non-Transparent Pricing: Retail Express is the only retail POS system on our list that doesn’t indicate its price on its website. Some sources estimate that it starts at $129 per month with no free trial available.

- Limited Customisation: If your business conducts complicated sales, you may find that Retail Express lacks the customization options you need to integrate these processes.

Overall, Retail Express is a solid choice for retail businesses in Australia and New Zealand. While it may not be the most advanced POS system on the market, it offers extensive integrations and efficient inventory management features that can help retailers manage their businesses more effectively. If you own a retail business and want to integrate your POS system with accounting software and other business systems, Retail Express can provide the features you need.

Shopify POS

The Best Tool for Your Retail Business:

In today’s retail landscape, businesses need to be equipped with the right technology to keep up with the competition. Shopify POS is one such tool that provides retailers with a seamless solution for managing their in-person sales and inventory while syncing it with their online store. Let’s dive deeper into the features and benefits of Shopify POS.

Overview of Shopify POS:

Shopify POS is a software solution that allows retailers to manage their sales, inventory, and customer data from one integrated platform. It can be used on an iPad, iPhone, or Android device with a card reader to process payments and track inventory. Shopify POS also supports a range of payment options, including credit and debit cards, gift cards, and Apple Pay.

Features and Benefits of Shopify POS:

Seamless CX Across Online and In-Person:

One of the standout features of Shopify POS is that it allows customers to buy online and pick up in-store, or buy in-store and have the order shipped directly to their home. This makes it easy for retailers to manage inventory across multiple locations, and for customers to have a seamless shopping experience.

Advanced Inventory Management:

With Shopify POS, retailers can manage their online store and physical store inventory in one place. The software provides fantastic functionality such as forecasting inventory, creating purchase orders, and transferring stock. This helps retailers to keep their inventory levels optimised, and prevent stock outs or overstocking.

Staff Permission Controls:

Shopify POS offers custom staff permissions, which allows retailers to control the information that their retail employees can see on the POS system. This feature is particularly useful for retailers with employees at different tier levels.

Limited Free Version:

For retailers who conduct most of their business online but occasionally need an option to take in-person sales, the free Shopify POS Lite package is a great option. It provides basic functionality for accepting payments and managing inventory, without any monthly fees.

Advanced Reporting:

Shopify’s reporting features are best-in-class. Retailers can calculate costs and margins across individual products or locations, and get precise answers as to why their business is performing well.

Scalability:

Shopify POS is a scalable solution that can accommodate the needs of businesses of all sizes. As a retailer grows, Shopify POS can grow with them, providing more advanced functionality and integrations.

Cons of Shopify POS:

Not Cheap:

While Shopify’s transaction fees are in the reasonable 1.5%-1.9% ballpark, the monthly fees can add up quickly. Additionally, the base Shopify cart has very few features, so retailers may end up paying for third-party apps that attract monthly recurring fees.

Poor Choice for Non-eCommerce Stores:

Shopify POS is primarily designed for integration with existing eCommerce businesses. Retailers who don’t have an eCommerce business or who mainly sell in-person may find other, more affordable POS software options.

Conclusion

Overall, Shopify POS is a powerful tool for retailers looking to manage their sales and inventory across multiple channels. With advanced inventory management, staff permission controls, and advanced reporting features, Shopify POS offers retailers a seamless solution for managing their business. While the software may not be the most affordable option for all retailers, its scalability and integration with the Shopify eCommerce platform make it a great choice for businesses looking to grow.

Lightspeed Retail

The All-In-One Commerce Platform for Large Australian Retail Businesses:

As a large retail business in Australia, you need a comprehensive solution that can manage your operations efficiently. Lightspeed offers a one-stop commerce platform that includes both cloud-based POS software and hardware to equip your business with the necessary tools. In this review, we will focus on Lightspeed's offerings specifically for retail businesses, outlining its pros and cons and scoring it on several criteria.

Pros:

Integrated CRM Features:

Lightspeed combines essential systems such as a POS system and a customer management system, making it easier to manage customer relationships. With its loyalty programs, you can reward customers for their purchases, encouraging them to return without much effort on your part.

Exceptional Customer Service:

While some customers may complain about Lightspeed's customer service, most reviews report an exceptional team. You can receive quick answers to your questions from a friendly, knowledgeable support person as you navigate the POS system.

Advanced Inventory Management:

Lightspeed's inventory management is where it truly outperforms other popular cloud-based POS software like Square. It supports complicated retail inventory across multiple locations and product variations, ensuring you remain sane. You'll receive low-stock alerts, reminding you to purchase new inventory, and can benefit from built-in inventory counting to save time and minimise shrink.

Low Transaction Fees:

Despite higher monthly fees than Square ($79-$199 / month), Lightspeed offers a low 1.3% fee on all transactions where the customer's card is present, making it a cost-effective solution.

Cons:

High Monthly Fees:

Lightspeed charges both transaction and monthly fees, which can be a significant drawback for casual retailers and small businesses.

Boring Hardware:

While Lightspeed's hardware is functional and robust, it's not as aesthetically pleasing as the options available from Square.

Overall Score:

Based on our scoring criteria, we give Lightspeed POS system an overall score of 4/5. Here's a breakdown of the criteria:

User-Friendliness: 3/5

Conclusion:

Lightspeed is a powerful and scalable platform that can meet the needs of large, complex Australian retail businesses. While its high monthly fees may deter some, its integrated CRM features, advanced inventory management, and low transaction fees make it a worthwhile investment. The exceptional customer service and business management tools make it a comprehensive solution that can streamline your operations and boost sales.

Epos Now

Revolutionising Retail Management: Epos Now, the Complete Business Solution

Epos Now is a cloud-based POS (point of sale) system and business management software designed to cater to the needs of small to medium-sized businesses. With a plethora of features such as inventory management, sales reporting, customer management, and employee management, Epos Now is a versatile solution suitable for various business types and industries.

One System to Rule Them All:

Whether you are running a car wash, a flower shop, a clothing boutique, or a grocery store, Epos Now is the one-stop solution for all your retail management needs. Here are some key features that make it stand out: Multi-site and omnichannel store management: Manage multiple stores and online channels from one central location. Detailed sales analytics: Get insights into your top-performing products and employees, enabling you to make informed decisions. Real-time stock updates: Keep track of stock levels and get real-time updates on stock counts and drops. Integration with a fully loaded ecommerce platform: Seamlessly sync your Epos Now till with popular ecommerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. Suite of business automation apps: Choose from a range of business automation apps, from marketing to bookkeeping to payroll.

The Complete Retail Solution:

Epos Now offers a complete retail solution that includes POS software, terminal, cash till, and printer. With everything you need to trade, you can be up and running in no time.

Integrations:

Epos Now integrates with a wide range of systems and platforms to provide a comprehensive solution for managing a retail business. Here are some of the key integrations:

Accounting software: Epos Now integrates with accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage, enabling you to manage your financial data in real-time.

E-commerce platforms: Epos Now integrates with popular e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce, enabling you to manage your online sales, inventory, and customer data from a single platform.

Payment gateways: Epos Now integrates with payment gateways such as PayPal, Stripe, and Square, enabling you to accept online payments securely and seamlessly.

Shipping providers: Epos Now integrates with shipping providers such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL, enabling you to manage your shipping processes from a single platform.

Loyalty programs: Epos Now integrates with loyalty programs such as LoyaltyLion and Stamp Me, enabling you to manage your customer loyalty programs and reward your loyal customers with special offers and discounts.

Marketing automation: Epos Now integrates with marketing automation platforms such as Mailchimp and Dotdigital, enabling you to automate your marketing campaigns and engage with customers through targeted email and SMS campaigns.

Other integrations: Epos Now also integrates with other systems such as barcode scanners, receipt printers, and cash drawers.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, Epos Now is a game-changing solution for retail businesses looking to streamline their operations, increase efficiency, and provide a seamless shopping experience for their customers. With its comprehensive suite of features and integrations, Epos Now is the complete business solution for any retail business

Cin7 POS

Revolutionise Your Inventory Management with Cin7 POS:

Managing inventory can be a challenging task for retailers, but with Cin7 POS, a cloud-based inventory management software, retailers can efficiently manage their inventory and sales channels from one platform. Here's a look at how Cin7 POS can help your retail business:

All-in-One Inventory Management Solution:

Cin7 POS offers an all-in-one solution for managing your inventory, sales, and customer data from a single platform. The system provides a range of features, including barcode scanning, sales reporting, and multi-store support, allowing you to manage all aspects of your business.

Real-time Inventory Management:

With Cin7 POS, you can track inventory levels in real-time, ensuring you always have the right stock levels. The system automatically updates inventory levels as sales transactions occur, helping you avoid stockouts and overselling.

Seamless Sales Channels:

Cin7 POS supports multiple sales channels, including in-store, online, and wholesale. The system seamlessly integrates with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce, allowing you to manage your online sales, inventory, and customer data from one platform.

Integrations:

Cin7 POS integrates with a range of third-party systems, including accounting software, payment gateways, shipping providers, and loyalty programs, providing a comprehensive solution for managing a retail business. Some of the integrations include:

E-commerce platforms: Manage your online sales, inventory, and customer data from a single platform with integrations with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.

Accounting software: Manage your financial data, including sales data, expenses, and tax information, in real-time with integrations with accounting software like Xero, QuickBooks, and MYOB.

Payment gateways: Accept online payments securely and seamlessly with integrations with payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Square.

Shipping providers: Manage your shipping processes, including tracking shipments and printing shipping labels, from one platform with integrations with shipping providers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL.

Loyalty programs: Manage your customer loyalty programs and reward your loyal customers with special offers and discounts with integrations with loyalty programs like Marsello and Collect.

Conclusion:

Overall, Cin7 POS offers a range of features and integrations that enable retailers to streamline their operations, increase efficiency, and provide a seamless shopping experience for their customers. Say goodbye to inventory management woes and hello to a powerful inventory management solution with Cin7 POS.

Square for Retail

The Best Overall POS for Small Businesses in Australia:

Square is a leading name in the POS industry, and it is not hard to see why. It is a popular choice among Australian small businesses and retailers, thanks to its user-friendly, intuitive interface and affordable pricing structure.

A Brief History of Square:

Square was launched in 2009 as a payment acceptance device, but it has since evolved into a comprehensive cloud-based POS software package. Today, it is known for offering an easy-to-use POS platform that caters to small and medium-sized businesses.

Hardware Options:

Square offers several hardware options to customise your POS experience, ranging from chip card readers to entire Square registers.

Pros of Square POS:

Easy to Learn:

Square's interface is very user-friendly and intuitive. It uses a simple, clean, modern design that takes just a few minutes to learn. Even employees with no prior point-of-sale system experience can quickly get up to speed with the system.

If your company uses barcodes to ring up products, you can easily connect a barcode scanner to the Square hardware as well.

Third-Party Integrations:

Square's App Marketplace allows seamless third-party integrations with many apps. This feature is especially useful for service providers who want to take appointments through their Square POS system or e-commerce site owners who want to integrate with WooCommerce or BigCommerce.

No Monthly Fees (On The Free Plan):

You won't pay monthly fees to use Square's POS system when you purchase the company's free plan. While you will pay a slightly higher (1.9%) fee on certain transactions, which we will discuss below, you won't need to tack on membership fees to your overall costs.

Clear and Competitive Fees:

Square's transaction fees are clear and competitive. As of January 2023, you'll pay between 1.6% and 2.2% of each transaction, depending on its risk profile:

1.6% when a customer's card is present and tapped, inserted, or swiped on Square Terminal or Square Register.

1.9% when a customer's card is present and tapped, inserted or swiped on Square Reader and Square Stand.

2.2% when a customer's card is not present and manually entered the card number via your Square hardware or cloud software.

Why Choose Square?

Square offers small businesses a range of features that are hard to find in other POS systems. These features include:

Easy-to-use interface Seamless third-party integrations No monthly fees on the free plan Clear and competitive fees

Conclusion:

Overall, Square is an excellent choice for small businesses looking for a reliable, affordable, and user-friendly POS system.

DEAR POS

A comprehensive Cloud-Based Point of Sale System for Retailers:

DEAR POS is a cloud-based point of sale (POS) system that is designed to help retailers manage their sales and inventory. It is part of the DEAR Systems platform, which also includes modules for inventory management, purchasing, accounting, and e-commerce. With DEAR POS, retailers can easily process sales transactions, manage customer data, and track inventory levels in real-time.

Features:

DEAR POS is designed to be flexible and customizable to meet the unique needs of different types of businesses. It offers a range of features that can be configured and customised to suit the specific requirements of a business, including:

Barcode scanning: DEAR POS supports barcode scanning to speed up the checkout process and reduce errors. Product and customer management: DEAR POS enables retailers to easily manage their product and customer data, including product descriptions, pricing, and customer contact information. Order processing: With DEAR POS, retailers can quickly process orders, generate invoices, and manage order fulfilment. Sales reporting: DEAR POS provides retailers with real-time sales reports and analytics to help them make informed business decisions.

Integrations:

DEAR POS integrates with a wide range of systems and platforms to provide a comprehensive solution for managing a retail business. Some of the integrations include:

E-commerce platforms: DEAR POS integrates with popular e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. This integration enables retailers to manage their online sales, inventory, and customer data from a single platform.

Accounting software: DEAR POS integrates with accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks, and MYOB. This integration enables retailers to manage their financial data, including sales data, expenses, and tax information, in real-time.

Payment gateways: DEAR POS integrates with payment gateways such as PayPal, Stripe, and Square. This integration enables retailers to accept online payments securely and seamlessly.

Shipping providers: DEAR POS integrates with shipping providers such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL. This integration enables retailers to manage their shipping processes, including tracking shipments and printing shipping labels, from a single platform. Loyalty programs: DEAR POS integrates with loyalty programs such as Marsello and Collect. This integration enables retailers to manage their customer loyalty programs and reward their loyal customers with special offers and discounts.

Other integrations: DEAR POS also integrates with other systems such as barcode scanners, receipt printers, and cash drawers.

Conclusions:

Overall, DEAR POS offers a wide range of integrations that enable retailers to streamline their operations, increase efficiency, and provide a seamless shopping experience for their customers. With its comprehensive set of features and integrations, DEAR POS is an excellent choice for retailers who want to manage their sales and inventory in a streamlined and efficient manner.

Quickbooks POS

A Comprehensive Retail Management Solution:

QuickBooks POS (Point of Sale) is a powerful software that is specifically designed for small businesses to manage their sales, inventory, and customer information. This software is loaded with features that help retailers streamline their operations and improve their customer experience.

Features of QuickBooks POS:

QuickBooks POS offers a range of features that enable retailers to process sales transactions, manage customer data, and track inventory levels in real-time. Some of the key features include:

Sales Management: QuickBooks POS enables businesses to manage sales in-store, online, and on mobile devices, providing a seamless shopping experience to customers. With features such as barcode scanning, product and customer management, order processing, and sales reporting, retailers can easily process sales transactions and manage their sales channels.

Multi-Store Management: QuickBooks POS also allows retailers to manage multiple stores from a single platform, including inventory, sales, and customer data, providing a bird's eye view of operations.

Customizable Reporting: With QuickBooks POS, businesses can create customizable reports that provide insights into sales trends, inventory levels, and customer behaviour, empowering retailers to make informed decisions.

Customer Management: QuickBooks POS enables businesses to manage customer information, including contact details, purchase history, and loyalty program information, helping retailers build long-lasting relationships with their customers.

Payment Processing: QuickBooks POS offers multiple payment processing options, including credit card processing, debit card processing, and mobile payments, providing customers with a seamless checkout experience.

Integrations:

QuickBooks POS integrates with a wide range of systems and platforms to provide a comprehensive solution for managing a retail business. Some of the integrations include:

QuickBooks Accounting Software: QuickBooks POS integrates with QuickBooks accounting software, allowing businesses to manage their financial data in real-time. This integration provides a bird's eye view of a company's financial health, allowing businesses to make informed decisions.

E-commerce Platforms: QuickBooks POS integrates with popular e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce, enabling retailers to manage their online sales, inventory, and customer data from a single platform.

Payment Gateways: QuickBooks POS integrates with payment gateways such as PayPal, Square, and Stripe, providing customers with secure and seamless payment processing options.

Shipping Providers: QuickBooks POS integrates with shipping providers such as FedEx, UPS, and USPS, enabling retailers to manage their shipping processes, including tracking shipments and printing shipping labels, from a single platform.

Loyalty Programs: QuickBooks POS integrates with loyalty programs such as Perkville and FiveStars, enabling retailers to manage their customer loyalty programs and reward their loyal customers with special offers and discounts.

Other Integrations: QuickBooks POS also integrates with other systems such as barcode scanners, receipt printers, and cash drawers, enabling retailers to streamline their operations and improve their efficiency.

Conclusion:

Overall, QuickBooks POS is a comprehensive retail management solution that enables small businesses to manage their sales, inventory, and customer information, while also providing integrations with other systems to streamline operations and improve the customer experience. With its robust features and integrations, QuickBooks POS is a powerful tool that helps businesses stay ahead of the competition.

Hike POS

The Perfect Solution for Retail Businesses:

Hike is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system that is specifically designed to cater to the needs of retail businesses. With its ability to integrate data across multiple locations, Hike is an ideal choice for larger-scale retailers in Australia. In this article, we will delve deeper into the features and benefits of Hike POS, as well as its potential drawbacks.

Pros:

Easy Configuration:

Hike is an incredibly user-friendly platform that can be easily learned, configured, and customised to suit your retail store's specific needs. This POS system is compatible with iPads, Macs, and PCs, and can be seamlessly integrated with your existing POS system. Many users find the Hike interface easy to navigate, even without prior experience using a POS system.

Excellent Inventory Management:

Hike offers inventory management solutions that cater to both small and large businesses' needs. This system is particularly useful for businesses with extensive inventory, such as building supply businesses and consignment shops. Hike's inventory management features allow you to keep track of low-stock items and access real-time reporting of key metrics, including sell-through rates, margins, and profitability. This valuable data helps you make informed business decisions and optimise your inventory management processes.

Compatibility with Multi-Location Businesses:

Hike offers exceptional multi-store management functions, enabling seamless synchronisation of client, employee, and stock data across multiple locations. If you own a multi-location business, you'll have access to sales data for any of your locations on any phone, tablet, or computer. This feature makes it incredibly easy to manage your business, no matter where you are.

Excellent Support and Resources:

Hike's customer service team is available 24/7 via live chat. Their extensive knowledge base includes e-books, articles, courses, and tools that enable you to learn the system inside and out and use its features to your fullest advantage.

Cons:

Pricing Structure:

Hike offers two main pricing tiers - Essential, which costs $79/month, and Plus, which costs $109/month. For larger businesses, custom pricing is available through the Enterprise plan. While Hike's pricing is relatively competitive, it may not be the most affordable option for smaller businesses.

Difficulty Changing Payment Methods:

Some users have reported issues when trying to change the payment methods for online orders that have already been submitted. This glitch can be frustrating for both businesses and customers alike.

Bugs with eCommerce Integration:

While Hike offers exceptional eCommerce integration, users have reported glitches with certain third-party integrations, such as Shopify. This issue can be a time-consuming hassle for businesses trying to integrate multiple platforms. If you primarily use Shopify, we would recommend using Shopify POS for your business transactions and online ordering. However, if you use other eCommerce platforms, like WooCommerce, you may not encounter integration issues with Hike.

Conclusion:

Hike POS is an excellent choice for eCommerce businesses that don't use Shopify and companies with multiple locations. It's also well-suited for stores with large inventories, as its inventory management features are developed and accessible. While there are some potential drawbacks to using Hike, its extensive range of features and excellent customer support make it a top contender for retail businesses looking for a reliable POS system.

Commbank POS

An Overview of Australia's Leading Payment Solution:

If you're looking for a reliable point-of-sale (POS) system, CommBank EFTPOS is worth considering. Despite being Australia's largest financial institution, CommBank is often overlooked when it comes to selecting a POS system. However, their POS software and hardware offerings are well-respected in the industry, and chances are you've already used one of their terminals in the last few days.

CommBank EFTPOS is an ideal option for businesses that already use BigCommerce for their inventory management and payment processing needs. With CommBank, you can synchronise your existing software with proven, reliable hardware backed by one of Australia's top banks.

CommBank offers two POS terminals: Smart and Essential Plus. The Smart terminal is ideal for businesses that need to take payments on-the-go, while the Essential Plus terminal is more suited for businesses that require an integration with their existing POS system. Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of using CommBank EFTPOS:

Pros:

BigCommerce Partnership:

If you're already using BigCommerce to run your business, CommBank offers an online payment gateway that you can easily integrate with your existing website. As one of Australia's largest e-commerce platforms, BigCommerce supports tens of thousands of merchants, making it an ideal choice for your online store.

Recurring Payments & Billing Options:

While CommBank EFTPOS is primarily designed for retail POS, it also offers functionality for service providers. With BPOINT, powered by CommBank, you can set up recurring payments and billing options. You can even establish intelligent billing rules to reconcile customer payments with ease.

Low Fees:

Compared to other options such as Square, Lightspeed, and Shopify, CommBank offers much lower fees. You'll only need to pay a $29.50 monthly hardware rental fee and a 1.1% transaction fee on card payments. If your revenue is higher than $1 million, you can even speak with CommBank about customising your pricing package for your specific business, which may lead to further reductions.

Expert Tip: Speak with CommBank to negotiate an even better rate.

Cons:

No Inventory Management:

CommBank EFTPOS lacks inventory management features, so you'll need to keep track of your stock separately. Additionally, you won't be able to scan barcodes or automatically add up a customer's bill through your EFTPOS terminal. You'll need to integrate it with other POS software on a computer or smart device.

Limited Add-Ons And Features:

Compared to other POS systems, CommBank EFTPOS is very limited. It lacks the endless customizability of Square, Lightspeed, and Shopify, and doesn't offer advanced tools or features. Its primary focus is on payment processing, and not much else.

In-Depth Application:

Before you can begin using your CommBank EFTPOS system, you'll need to submit a lengthy application. As a financial institution, CommBank's application process is thorough and bureaucratic. You'll need to ensure that you qualify for this POS system, have a registered business trading name with ASIC, and an accredited POS vendor, among other requirements.

CommBank EFTPOS Criteria: Score:

Ease Of Use: 4/5 Fees: 4/5 Scalability: 4/5 Business Management Tools: 4/5 Support: 4/5

Conclusion:

Overall, CommBank EFTPOS is a straightforward POS system that's suitable for certain businesses. If you're looking for a device to process credit card payments and already have a POS software you like, CommBank's terminals are an excellent add-on. On the other hand, if you're an established business with a BigCommerce-powered back end, CommBank is an even better choice, thanks to its seamless native integration.