Inventory POS systems are designed to handle sales and track stock at the same time. They help you stay on top of what’s in stock, what needs reordering, and what’s moving quickly. You get real-time updates, better accuracy, and fewer manual steps. For businesses that rely on staying organized and keeping shelves stocked, the right system makes a difference. Here’s how the top options compare.
Best POS Systems for Inventory Management in 2025
⭐ Lightspeed – Best for advanced retail inventory with multi-location tracking
⭐ Clover – Best for flexible, customizable inventory setups
⭐ Square – Best for small businesses needing free, built-in inventory tools
⭐ Epos Now – Best for retail and hospitality businesses with real-time needs
⭐ SumUp – Best for simple setups and mobile-first sellers
⭐ SpotOn – Best for restaurants needing inventory tied to menus
What Is an Inventory POS System?
An inventory POS system is a point-of-sale platform with built-in inventory management tools. It lets businesses track inventory automatically as items are sold, received, or returned.
Key benefits include:
- Real-time tracking: Inventory adjusts as sales happen.
- Low stock alerts: Set thresholds and get notified when it’s time to reorder.
- Purchase order management: Order directly from suppliers inside the system.
- Multi-location sync: Manage inventory across multiple stores or warehouses.
Inventory POS Quick Comparison
| POS System | Best For | Real-Time Tracking | Multi-Location Support | Low Stock Alerts | Built-In Payments | Free Trial |
| Lightspeed | Advanced retail | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Clover | Custom setups | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Square | Free basic inventory | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Epos Now | Hospitality + retail | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| SumUp | Simple setups | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| SpotOn | Restaurants | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Our Top Picks
Inventory needs can vary depending on how your business operates—some need advanced tracking across locations, others just need a simple way to stay organized. These are the POS systems that stand out for how they handle inventory, each suited to different setups and priorities.
1. Lightspeed: Best for best for advanced retail inventory
Advanced inventory management capabilities
Smarter sales & reporting Lightspeed is built for retailers that need detailed control over their inventory. It supports multi-location stock tracking, product variations, bulk imports, and supplier management—all in one system. You can create custom workflows, automate reorders, and get real-time data on what’s selling and where. It’s especially strong for businesses with large catalogs or multiple stores that need inventory to stay tightly synced and organized.
Key Features
- Multi-location inventory tracking: View and manage stock levels across all stores or warehouses in one dashboard.
- Product variants and bundles: Track items with different sizes, colors, or styles, and group products into kits or bundles.
- Automated low-stock alerts and reordering: Set thresholds to get notified and generate purchase orders automatically.
- Supplier management: Store supplier info, track costs, and order directly from the platform.
- Inventory reporting and analytics: Get detailed insights into product performance, margins, and inventory value over time.
- Barcode scanning and label printing: Speed up receiving, counting, and selling with integrated barcode tools.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Strong multi-location inventory controls
- Detailed product variant and bundling support
- Built-in purchase ordering and supplier management
- Real-time reporting with inventory-focused insights
- Scales well for growing or multi-store businesses
Cons
- Higher cost compared to basic POS systems
- Can be more complex to set up for smaller operations
- Some advanced features may require add-ons or higher-tier plans
Who It’s For
Lightspeed is ideal for retail businesses that manage a large number of SKUs, operate across multiple locations, or need detailed inventory control. It’s a strong fit for clothing stores, electronics shops, home goods retailers, and other businesses where product variations, supplier tracking, and inventory reporting are essential.
2. Clover: Best for flexible, customizable inventory setups
Cloud-hosted & accessible from anywhere
Accept payments & track inventory Clover is a plug-and-play POS system that gives businesses flexibility in how they manage inventory. It supports item-level tracking, modifiers, variants, and categories out of the box, and you can expand its capabilities through the Clover App Market. It’s well-suited for businesses that want a simple starting point but the option to grow or tailor the system over time.
Key Features
- Item tracking with modifiers and variants: Easily manage products with different sizes, styles, or add-ons.
- Inventory categories: Group items into categories to keep things organized and easier to find.
- Stock level adjustments: Update your inventory counts anytime, either one-by-one or in bulk.
- Low-stock alerts: Set alerts so you know when it’s time to reorder.
- Basic reporting tools: See what’s selling and what’s not with simple, item-level reports.
- App integrations: Add more advanced inventory tools from the Clover App Market if you need them.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simple setup
- Customizable inventory options
- Good for retail and quick-service
- Supports third-party inventory apps
- Reliable hardware
Cons
- Advanced features often cost extra
- Basic reporting
- Limited for complex or multi-location inventory
Who It’s For
Clover is a good fit for small to mid-sized businesses that need basic inventory tools with room to customize. It works well for retail shops, quick-service restaurants, and service-based businesses that want a straightforward system they can build on over time.
3. Square: Best for built-in inventory tools
Free setup & no hidden fees
Create customer profiles in seconds Square offers a free POS system with built-in inventory features that are simple but effective. It covers the basics—like tracking stock levels, setting low-stock alerts, and generating item-level sales reports—without any upfront software costs. It’s a solid choice for small businesses, pop-ups, and solo operators that want to keep inventory organized without adding complexity.
Key Features
- Built-in inventory tracking: Keep tabs on stock levels automatically as you make sales.
- Low-stock alerts: Set thresholds and get notified when items run low.
- Item library with variants: Add products with options like size or color.
- Basic reporting: View sales by item to see what’s moving.
- Mobile access: Manage inventory from your phone or tablet.
- Third-party integrations: Connect to more advanced inventory apps if needed.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free plan includes core inventory tools
- Easy to set up and manage, even for first-time users
- Inventory automatically syncs with sales in real time
- Mobile-friendly, so you can manage inventory on the go
- Scalable with paid add-ons and third-party integrations
Cons
- Advanced inventory features require separate apps or upgrades
- Not built for businesses with complex inventory or multiple locations
- Reporting is limited compared to higher-end systems
Who It’s For
Square is best for small businesses, solo operators, and pop-ups that need a simple way to track inventory without paying for extra software. It’s a strong fit for retail, cafes, market vendors, and anyone starting out who needs something easy, reliable, and mobile-friendly.
4. Epos Now: Best for retail and hospitality businesses
100+ app integrations for your business
Business reporting available in real-time Epos Now is a cloud-based POS system designed for both retail and hospitality, with strong inventory features built in. It supports real-time stock updates, multi-location management, and connects easily with ecommerce and accounting tools. Inventory adjusts automatically as items are sold or returned, making it a reliable option for businesses that need accurate stock levels across channels.
Key Features
- Real-time inventory updates: Stock levels adjust automatically as you sell, restock, or process returns.
- Multi-location support: Easily manage inventory across multiple stores or locations from one place.
- Variants and bundles: Keep track of product variations like size or color, or group items into sets.
- Low-stock alerts and reordering: Get notified when stock runs low and reorder directly through the system.
- Ecommerce and accounting integrations: Connect with tools like Shopify or QuickBooks to keep everything in sync.
- Inventory reports: Get clear insights into what’s selling, what’s sitting, and where you’re making margin.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Real-time stock tracking helps keep inventory accurate
- Works well for both retail and hospitality setups
- Easy to manage inventory across multiple locations
- Integrates with popular ecommerce and accounting tools
- Solid reporting for inventory performance and sales trends
Cons
- Some features require extra modules or subscriptions
- Interface can feel dated compared to newer systems
- Customer support can be hit or miss depending on the plan
Who It’s For
Epos Now is a good fit for retail stores, quick-service restaurants, and hospitality businesses that need real-time inventory tracking across multiple locations. It’s especially useful for businesses that want to integrate inventory with ecommerce or accounting tools and need clear reporting without a complex setup.
5. SumUp: Best for mobile-first sellers
Integrates with top e-commerce platforms
Automated rewards & marketing SumUp offers a lightweight POS system that includes basic inventory tools, ideal for businesses that don’t need complex tracking. It’s designed to work well on mobile devices and makes it easy to manage products, update stock, and monitor sales from anywhere. For small shops, pop-ups, or solo operators who want something straightforward, SumUp keeps things simple without cutting corners.
Key Features
- Basic inventory tracking: Add products, track stock levels, and update quantities as needed.
- Bulk product uploads: Quickly add or update multiple items at once.
- Mobile-friendly POS: Manage inventory and sales from your phone or tablet.
- Product catalog with variants: Set up items with size, color, or other options.
- Simple sales reporting: See what’s selling and view basic performance data.
- Integrated payments: Accept card and contactless payments right through the system.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to use and quick to set up
- Affordable with no long-term contracts
- Mobile-friendly for on-the-go sales and inventory updates
- Great for small inventories or simple product setups
- Built-in payments keep everything in one place
Cons
- Lacks advanced inventory features like automated reordering
- Not built for multi-location or high-volume inventory
- Reporting is basic compared to more robust systems
Who It’s For
SumUp is best for small businesses, mobile vendors, and solo sellers who need a simple way to track inventory and take payments. It’s a good fit for setups with a limited product range, like market stalls, pop-up shops, salons, or service-based businesses that don’t need deep inventory tools.
6. SpotOn: best for restaurants needing inventory tied to menus
24/7 support & low commission rates
Ability to build custom menus SpotOn is a restaurant-focused POS system with inventory tools designed to work alongside menu management and ingredient tracking. It helps you monitor food costs, track ingredient usage, and keep stock levels in check—all from a system built specifically for hospitality. If you run a restaurant, bar, or café and need inventory tied directly to what’s on your menu, SpotOn keeps it streamlined.
Key Features
- Ingredient-level tracking: Monitor what you’re using down to each menu item’s ingredients.
- Menu and inventory sync: Link inventory directly to menu items for more accurate tracking.
- Real-time updates: Stock levels adjust automatically as orders are placed.
- Low-stock alerts: Get notified when ingredients or items run low.
- Vendor and order management: Track suppliers and manage restocking directly in the system.
- Built-in reporting: See food cost breakdowns, waste tracking, and usage trends.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Built specifically for restaurants and hospitality
- Ingredient-level tracking helps manage food costs
- Menu and inventory are tightly integrated
- Real-time updates improve accuracy and reduce waste
- Includes vendor and purchase order tools
Cons
- Not suited for retail or non-restaurant businesses
- May require setup help to link menus and inventory correctly
- Advanced features may come with higher-tier plans
Who It’s For
SpotOn is best for restaurants, bars, cafés, and other food service businesses that need inventory tied directly to their menus. It’s a strong fit for operators who want better control over ingredient usage, food costs, and supplier management—all within a POS system built for the way kitchens run.
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Why Use a POS System for Inventory?
Using a POS system with built-in inventory tools isn’t just convenient—it’s a smarter way to run your business. Here’s what it helps you do:
- Track inventory in real time: Know exactly what’s in stock without manual counts or guesswork.
- Avoid stockouts and overordering: Set alerts so you can reorder before you run out—or stop buying what’s not selling.
- Simplify multi-location management: Keep inventory synced across stores, warehouses, or online channels.
- Speed up reordering: Create purchase orders and manage suppliers right from your POS.
- Get clear data on what’s selling: Use item-level reports to make better buying and pricing decisions.
- Save time and reduce errors: Automate the parts of inventory management that usually eat up hours.
These systems keep your operation running efficiently—and help you stay focused on selling, not stock-checking.
What to Look for in an Inventory POS System
Not all POS systems handle inventory the same way. If you’re comparing options, here are the features and factors that matter most:
- Ease of use: The system should be simple to learn and manage day to day, even for non-technical users.
- Real-time tracking: Inventory should update automatically with every sale, return, or restock.
- Low-stock alerts and reordering: Look for systems that flag low inventory and help automate reordering.
- Product variants and modifiers: Essential if you sell items with different sizes, colors, or custom options.
- Multi-location support: If you have more than one store or warehouse, make sure inventory syncs across them.
- Reporting and analytics: The system should give you clear data on what’s selling, what’s not, and where you’re making margin.
- Integration options: Whether it’s ecommerce, accounting, or third-party inventory tools, choose a system that can connect with the rest of your workflow.
The Bottom Line
If inventory is a core part of your business, your POS system should be doing more than just processing payments. The right setup gives you control over stock, helps you avoid costly mistakes, and saves time on day-to-day tasks. Whether you need something simple or more advanced, every system on this list offers solid inventory tools with different strengths. The best choice comes down to your business size, how you sell, and how much control you want over your inventory.
FAQ
Q: What is an inventory POS system?
A: An inventory POS system is a point-of-sale platform that also tracks stock levels, product movement, and reordering. It updates inventory automatically as items are sold, returned, or restocked.
Q: Do I need a POS system with inventory management?
A: If you sell physical products and want to keep track of stock accurately, yes. A POS with inventory tools helps prevent stockouts, avoid overordering, and saves time on manual tracking.
Q: Can I use a POS system for multiple locations?
A: Many systems support multi-location inventory, letting you sync and manage stock across stores, warehouses, or sales channels. Just make sure the one you choose includes this feature.
Q: Are inventory features included in free POS systems?
A: Some systems like Square offer basic inventory tools for free, but more advanced features—like supplier management or detailed reporting—often require a paid plan or add-ons.
Q: What’s the difference between basic and advanced inventory features?
A: Basic features usually include item tracking and low-stock alerts. Advanced systems offer real-time syncing, purchase order management, supplier tracking, multi-location tools, and deeper reporting.
Q: Which industries benefit most from inventory POS systems?
A: Retail, restaurants, cafes, salons, and any product-based business can benefit. The level of inventory control you need will depend on how many items you manage and how you sell them.