Best POS Systems for Small Businesses in 2025

What Is a POS System for SMBs?

A POS system for small and micro businesses is the place where customers complete purchases, whether in-store, online, or on the go. It includes the hardware and software used to accept payments, track sales, manage inventory, and handle other daily business tasks. A modern POS system goes beyond a simple cash register by helping you streamline operations, improve accuracy, and make smarter business decisions.

Think of it as your business’s command center.

Modern POS systems combine hardware (like card readers, barcode scanners, or receipt printers) with software that helps you run your business more efficiently. You can track sales, manage inventory, handle refunds, run promotions, and even see which products are selling best – all from one system.

For small businesses, a good POS system can help with:

• Accepting payments (credit cards, digital wallets, tap-to-pay, etc.)
• Keeping track of what’s in stock
• Managing customer info and purchase history
• Running loyalty programs and discounts
• Generating sales reports and insights
• Syncing with your online store or accounting tools

In short, a POS system helps you sell smarter – not harder. Whether you run a retail store, a coffee shop, a salon, or a food truck, the right POS can save you time, reduce errors, and help your business grow.

Quick Look: Top POS Systems for Small Business

⭐ Square – Best all-around POS for small businesses

⭐ Shopify POS – Best for selling online & in-store

⭐ Lightspeed – Best for growing retail stores

⭐ Clover – Best for custom setups & flexibility

⭐ KORONA POS – Best for niche and specialty retailers

⭐ Toast POS -Best for restaurants and food businesses

The Best POS Systems for Small Business (Full Reviews)

The ideal system for small and micro businesses is designed specifically with their needs in mind. It is user-friendly, flexible, and provides the necessary tools for growth. With features like real-time reporting and simple inventory management, these POS solutions aim to help you operate your business more efficiently every day.

Below are the best POS solutions for small e-commerce stores, restaurants, and retail businesses.

Square POS

Best for: Small businesses that want an easy, affordable, all-in-one solution

Hardware: Optional (start with your phone or tablet)

Square POS is a great POS system for small businesses that need simplicity and affordability. It’s perfect for restaurants, cafes, and small retail shops that want a fast setup with minimal costs. Square offers a free basic plan, allowing businesses to accept payments, manage inventory, and engage customers without breaking the bank. It also includes valuable tools for growing businesses, such as analytics, invoicing, and team management. This system is designed for businesses that need flexibility, making it especially effective for mobile POS system for small business like food trucks and market stalls.

Specific Benefits:

• Free basic plan with no monthly fees
• Easy setup with no long-term contracts
• Works well for businesses on the move, such as food trucks and pop-up stores
• Provides tools for inventory management and customer engagement
• Free website with online store integration

Perfect for: Retail shops, cafes, salons, food trucks, pop-up vendors, and service providers.

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Shopify

Best for: Businesses selling both online and in-store

Hardware: Shopify card reader or full POS kit

Shopify POS is ideal for businesses that are managing online and physical stores. Retailers using Shopify for their eCommerce business will find the integration seamless, allowing them to track inventory, sales, and customer data across all channels. With its easy-to-use interface, Shopify POS helps small retail businesses stay organized by unifying their online and in-person sales, making it perfect for boutiques, pop-up shops, and any business looking to expand digitally.

Specific Benefits:

• Seamless integration with Shopify’s eCommerce platform
• Real-time inventory tracking across channels
• Manage both online and in-store sales in one system
• Perfect for businesses looking to scale with both retail and digital presence

Perfect for: Ecommerce brands, boutiques, brick-and-click shops, and craft sellers.

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Lightspeed POS

Best for: Retailers with large inventories and multiple locations

Hardware: Compatible with iPads or bundled with Lightspeed hardware

Lightspeed is built for serious retail. If your business manages lots of SKUs, multiple stores, or complex inventory, this POS gives you the control you need. The interface is sleek, and the backend is powerful without being overwhelming.

Specific Benefits:

• Advanced inventory tools (including bulk import & matrix variants)
• Multi-store management
• Built-in CRM for customer insights
• Vendor purchase ordering and supplier management
• Deep analytics and sales trends

Perfect for: Apparel shops, pet stores, sports gear shops, home goods, or any retailer scaling up.

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Clover POS

Best for: Small businesses that want flexibility and scalable hardware

Hardware: All-in-one Clover hardware (Mini, Flex, Station)

Clover offers sleek hardware, an app-based system, and tons of customization options. Whether you run a quick-service restaurant, a salon, or a retail store, you can tailor Clover to your specific needs. The interface is intuitive and the system runs smoothly, even during peak hours.

Specific Benefits:

• Contactless and EMV payments
• Employee management & time tracking
• Offline mode (keep selling even without Wi-Fi)
• Integrates with apps like QuickBooks, DoorDash, and more
• Customizable dashboards and reports

Perfect for: Restaurants, salons, retail shops, and businesses that need great hardware with flexibility.

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KORONA POS

Best for: Specialty retailers and niche businesses with complex needs

Hardware: BYOD (bring your own device) or purchase through KORONA

KORONA POS stands out for its flexibility and industry-specific features. It’s especially strong for businesses with unique needs – like museums, events, vape shops, and wineries. The reporting and inventory tools are robust, and the system is cloud-based with strong offline capabilities.

Specific Benefits:

• Custom product groups and sales triggers
• Ticketing and event integration
• Employee roles and performance tracking
• Powerful analytics dashboard
• Loyalty tools and recurring billing options

Perfect for: Specialty retail, amusement parks, liquor stores, and events-based businesses.

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Toast POS

Best for: Restaurants, cafes, and food service businesses

Hardware: Toast hardware required (Android-based terminals, handhelds, kiosks)

Toast POS is built specifically for the food service industry, making it the best POS system for small restaurants. Whether you run a restaurant, cafe, or food truck, Toast offers features like table management, online ordering, and delivery options, ensuring smooth operations in both dine-in and takeaway environments. It also integrates with delivery services and offers advanced reporting, which helps food service businesses streamline their workflows and improve customer service.

Specific Benefits:

• Tableside ordering and payments with handheld devices
• Kitchen display systems (KDS) to streamline order flow
• Menu management that’s quick and customizable
• Online ordering and delivery integration (no extra tablet needed)
• Built-in tipping, staff management, and time tracking
• Real-time reports on sales, menu performance, and labor costs

Toast also offers tools for marketing, loyalty, and gift cards – all in one dashboard. Plus, it’s a cloud-based system, so you can manage your restaurant from anywhere.

Perfect for: Coffee shops, fast-casual restaurants, bakeries, bars, breweries, food trucks, and full-service dining.

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Why You Can Trust the Expertise of Sonary

At Sonary, we are committed to providing accurate and trustworthy information to help you make informed decisions. Our research process is meticulous, transparent, and guided by a dedication to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, ensuring accurate, real-world insights.

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Unlike many other review platforms, we conduct in-depth evaluations of the software and services we feature. Our expert team tests and actively uses the tools we review to understand their features, performance, and value comprehensively. Our assessments are based on real-world use, giving you insights beyond surface-level descriptions. Our research methodology includes analyzing key consumer factors such as pricing, functionality, device usability, scalability, customer support quality, and unique industry-specific features. This hands-on approach and dedication to transparency mean you can trust Sonary to deliver regular, up-to-date content and recommendations that are well-researched and genuinely helpful for your business needs.

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Small Business POS Systems – Comparison Table

POS System	Best For	Online Sales	Inventory Tools	Hardware Options
Square	All-around POS for small biz	✅ Built-in	✅ Basic	Phone, tablet, Square kits
Shopify	Online + in-person selling	✅ Full sync	✅ Smart sync	Shopify readers, POS kits
Lightspeed	Retailers with large inventories	✅ Shopify, BigCommerce	✅ Advanced	iPad, Lightspeed bundles
Clover	Restaurants & custom setups	✅ With apps	✅ Customizable	Clover devices only
KORONA	Niche or specialty businesses	✅ Via add-ons	✅ Very detailed	BYOD or KORONA hardware
Toast	Restaurants & food businesses	✅ Built-in	✅ Menu-focused	Toast terminals & handhelds

What Small Businesses Should Look for in a POS System

When choosing a POS system for your small business, it’s important to focus on features that simplify your daily operations and support your growth

• Ease of use: You and your team should be able to learn it fast.
• Cost structure: Look at both monthly fees and transaction fees.
• Hardware flexibility: Can you use what you already have?
• Integrations: Will it play nicely with your accounting, e-commerce, or marketing tools?
• Inventory needs: Basic or advanced?
• Industry fit: Does it offer features that match your business type?

The best POS systems for small businesses aren’t one-size-fits-all – they need to match features with your specific workflow.

Still unsure which one fits your business? Think about where and how you sell. If you’re just starting out, mobile POS is usually the easiest and most affordable place to begin.

Types of POS Systems (And Which One’s Right for You)

POS systems aren’t one-size-fits-all. The “best” type depends on how you sell, whether it’s in a store, online, on the go, or all of the above.

1. Cloud-Based POS (a.k.a. Mobile POS)

This is the most popular type for small businesses. It runs on phones or tablets and stores your data securely online. It’s super easy to use, flexible, and perfect for businesses that don’t want to deal with bulky hardware.

• Runs on internet-connected devices like tablets or smartphones
• Affordable, easy to update, and accessible from anywhere
• Great for retail, pop-up shops, and food trucks

Best for: Retail shops, cafes, food trucks, pop-ups, solo business owners

2. Terminal POS

This is the traditional setup you’d see at a front counter, with a touchscreen monitor, card reader, receipt printer, and cash drawer. It’s stable and reliable, especially for busier storefronts.

• Traditional POS setup with hardware at a fixed checkout location
• Usually includes a monitor, cash drawer, card reader, and receipt printer
• Ideal for businesses with a physical storefront and higher sales volume

Best for: Brick-and-mortar stores, restaurants, and high-volume locations

3. Self-Service POS

These are touchscreen kiosks where customers can place their own orders or check out. They speed up lines and cut down on wait times.

• Kiosks that let customers place orders or check out on their own
• Becoming popular in quick-service restaurants and convenience stores
• Helps reduce labor costs and speed up lines

Best for: Quick-service restaurants, coffee shops, grab-and-go spots

4. Multichannel POS

This type connects your physical store, website, and even social media sales into one system. It keeps your inventory and customer data in sync no matter where the sale happens.

• Syncs in-store, online, mobile, and social selling into one system
• Helps track customer activity and inventory across all sales channels
• Great for small businesses that sell online and offline

Best for: Businesses that sell online and in-store, like boutiques or gift shops

What Features Should Small Businesses Look for in a POS System?

Not every POS is built the same, and what’s “best” really depends on how your business runs day to day. Here are the features that make the biggest difference for small business owners:

Must-Have Features

• Fast, Reliable Checkout – Accept cards, mobile payments, and cash with no hiccups.
• Inventory Tracking – Know what’s in stock, what’s running low, and what’s flying off the shelves.
• Sales Reports – Get real-time insights on your revenue, top products, and busiest hours.
• Customer Profiles – See purchase history, add notes, and reward loyal shoppers.
• Employee Management – Track hours, assign roles, and keep tabs on performance.

Nice-to-Have Features

• Online Selling Tools – Especially useful if you want to offer pickup, delivery, or local shipping.
• Gift Cards & Loyalty Programs – Encourage repeat customers and boost word-of-mouth.
• Offline Mode – Keep selling even when Wi-Fi goes down (huge for markets or pop-ups).
• Appointment Booking – Ideal for salons, spas, and service-based businesses.

Tip: Don’t pay for bells and whistles you won’t use. Stick to what helps you work smarter.

How Much Does a Small Business POS System Cost?

When choosing a POS system, price is often one of the first questions small business owners ask. The good news is that POS system prices for small businesses vary widely, making it easier to find an option that fits your budget.

POS Software Pricing

Many providers offer free plans, which work well for startups or simple setups. If your business needs more tools, most small business POS system prices for software fall between $10 and $150 per month, depending on features.

• Free plans: Basic inventory and sales tools, ideal for new or very small businesses

• Paid plans: Starting at $10 to $30 per month and increasing based on needs like employee tracking, analytics, or multiple locations

POS Hardware Costs

Hardware adds to your overall small business POS system cost. Some businesses use a phone or tablet with a card reader, while others choose a full hardware bundle.

• Mobile setups (tablet and card reader): $50 to $400

• All-in-one terminals: $500 to $1,500

• Accessories (printers, scanners, cash drawers): $100 to $600 based on quality and volume

Payment Processing Fees

Most POS providers charge a fee for every transaction, usually between 2.5% and 3.5%, for credit card, tap-to-pay, or online payments. This fee is standard across the industry and should be factored into your total POS system cost.

If you’re running a small business, budget matters, and the good news is, there’s a POS system for just about every price range.

Bottom line: You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a solid POS system. Start with what you need now, and upgrade as your business grows.

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What Type of Hardware Is Needed for POS Systems

The hardware required for a POS system can vary significantly depending on the type of business and its specific needs. Let’s dive into a few industries and the typical POS hardware they might require.

Retail Stores

• Barcode scanners: Quickly scan product tags during checkout.
• Cash drawers: Securely store cash from transactions.
• Receipt printers: Provide customers with paper or digital receipts.
• Touchscreen monitors or tablets: Easy sales, returns, and inventory management directly from the sales floor.

Restaurants and Cafés

• Touchscreen terminals: For servers to input orders and process payments at tables.
• Kitchen printers: Send orders directly to the kitchen without manual intervention.
• Mobile POS devices: For tableside ordering and payment processing.
• Digital menu boards: Display menu items dynamically with real-time updates.

SEE FULL LIST

Service Businesses like Salons and Spas

• Tablet or mobile POS systems: Manage appointments and process payments right from the service chair.
• Barcode scanners: For retailing products available at the location.
• Receipt printers: Provide clients with receipts for services rendered.

Mobile Businesses like Food Trucks and Market Stalls

• Mobile POS systems: Compact and wireless systems that can handle transactions anywhere.
• Portable card readers: To accept credit card payments on the go.
• Smartphones or tablets: Equipped with mobile selling apps and card readers.

Essential Considerations

Ensure the hardware can withstand the business environment, such as waterproof devices for outdoor use or rugged devices for high-traffic areas.

The hardware should seamlessly integrate with your POS software, ensuring smooth operation and data synchronization.

Choose hardware that can grow with your business, whether that means adding more terminals or integrating with additional systems like loyalty program management or e-commerce platforms.

By selecting the proper hardware, businesses can enhance operational efficiency, improve customer service, and manage transactions more effectively. 

Always consider the specific demands of your business environment to choose the most appropriate POS hardware solutions.

Final Thoughts

The right POS system can significantly enhance your small business’s efficiency and growth potential. From streamlining daily operations to understanding your customers better and expanding your sales channels, POS systems offer a suite of indispensable tools in today’s digital age. 

Whether in retail, hospitality, or any service-oriented sector, investing in a robust POS system tailored to your specific needs can substantially improve service delivery and customer satisfaction.

The key to maximizing the benefits of a POS system lies in choosing the right system for your business needs, ensuring it integrates well with other tools you may use, and training your staff effectively. 

By staying informed and proactive, small businesses can leverage these advanced systems to stay competitive and thrive in an increasingly complex market. Embrace the technology that a modern POS system offers, and you’ll be able to scale up your business more effectively.

FAQs

Q: Which POS system is easiest for small businesses to set up?
A: Square. You can get started in minutes and even use your own smartphone or tablet.

Q: Which POS is best for selling both online and in-store?
A: Shopify POS. It syncs your inventory, orders, and customers across both.

Q: Are there free POS systems?
A: Yes! Square offers a completely free plan with no monthly fees.

Q: Do I need special hardware?
A: Some systems like Square and Shopify work with phones/tablets. Others, like Clover, provide sleek all-in-one terminals.