Cash registers are required less today than ever before with the help of mobile point of sale systems. There are a handful of POS system options on the market currently, and this article provides you with the top eight options, to help you find the one best suited for your needs.

Top Eight Mobile POS Systems

  1. Clover- Best Mobile POS System for Brick-and-Mortar Stores
  2. Toast- Best Mobile POS System for Food Services
  3. Square- Best General Mobile POS System
  4. PayPal Zettle- Best Most Affordable Mobile POS Systems
  5. Lightspeed- Best Mobile POS Systems for Reporting
  6. Shopify- Best for Mobile Stores
  7. Shopify POS- Best Mobile POS Systems for Hardware Options
  8. Verifone mPOS- Best Mobile POS System for Cryptocurrency

1. Clover – Best Mobile POS System for Brick-and-Mortar Stores

Pricing: Starts at $9.95 per month for software; hardware starts at $99

Clover is a great on-the-counter option for any traditional storefront, as it comes equipped with a built-in receipt printer and multiple hardware options. Customers can tip through the Clover POS system, and can make in-person or online transactions. In terms of price, Clover is averagely priced compared to other POS systems, but this system also includes several integrations and payment processing methods.

Key Features:

  • In person transactions
  • Online transactions
  • Receipt printer
  • Multiple mobile hardware options (Mini, Flex, and Go)
  • Tipping feature

Reasons to Buy:

  • Internal printer
  • Swipe, tap and insert cards in one device
  • Average price point for transactions
  • Can access features through Clover’s app store
  • Flexible system with over 300 integrations

Reasons to Avoid:

  • No free version
  • Cannot purchase hardware without a merchant contract
  • More expensive compared to other POS systems
  • Setup can be complicated

2. Toast – Best Mobile POS System for Food Services

Pricing: Quote-based for newer version; free starter plan and paid packages start at $165 a month

Toast is a unique mobile POS system because it was designed with restaurants and food service providers in mind. The newest version requires your to request a quote, but this option also offers a free starter plan, along with being an all-in-one device. Toast’s features include menus, food alerts and a long-lasting battery. Customers can even send online orders through Toast.

Key Features:

  • Android-based hardware
  • Contactless payments and ordering system
  • All-in-one device
  • Online ordering
  • eGift card feature

Reasons to Buy:

  • Durable and long-lasting battery
  • Built specifically for restaurants
  • Go 2 version offers food-ready alerts
  • Best suited for small establishments
  • Update menus in real-time

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Contract required, which typically last for two years
  • Quote-based pricing which is difficult to compare
  • Customer support isn’t highly rated

3. Square – Best General Mobile POS System

Pricing: Free software; devices start at $10

Square is the most well-known and one of the first POS systems to go mobile. Square is the best for all purposes and accessible in both size and price. Square offers to provide the first device for free, then every device afterward is $10, including free software. There’s also a mobile app and multiple hardware options.

Key Features:

  • Monthly payment plans
  • No monthly additional fees
  • Square magstripe reader
  • EMV and NFC reader
  • Square terminal
  • Square register

Reasons to Buy:

  • Three types of devices available
  • Free hardware and software
  • Software works for both online and in-person businesses
  • Free mobile app
  • Flat-rate processing

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Best suited for Apple devices
  • You need two devices, unless you purchase the all-in-one device
  • Can get expensive for businesses with high volume purchases
  • Need a separate receipt printer

4. PayPal Zettle – Best Most Affordable Mobile POS Systems

Pricing: Free software; first reader starts at $29

PayPal Zettle is a trustworthy mobile POS system that offers unique features, including an integration with Microsoft Excel and accounts for staff members. With Zettle, users will have lesser fee amounts when transactions are paid through Venmo and PayPal, as well as pay less for the hardware. Although, PayPal Zettle does have fewer features compared to other POS systems.

Key Features:

  • Product libraries
  • Excel integration
  • Auto-backup feature
  • Staff accounts

Reasons to Buy:

  • PayPal and Venmo transactions have lesser transaction fees
  • In-person transactions are lower
  • Affordable hardware
  • Offers more payment options than other POS systems
  • Fast fund deposits

Reasons to Avoid:

  • No all-in-one device
  • Fewer features compared to other POS systems
  • No virtual terminal option
  • Monthly fee for ecommerce stores

5. Lightspeed – Best Mobile POS Systems for Reporting

Pricing: Monthly fee of $69

Lightspeed is a mobile POS system that is best for its management features, includes its reporting and inventory management features. Lightspeed’s POS system works with desktop computers, and Apple’s iPad. However, it is worth noting that while Lightspeed offers integrations with other payment processors, users will pay higher transaction fees for non-Lightspeed payment processors.

Key Features:

  • Other payment integrations
  • Reporting
  • Store credit
  • Inventory management

Reasons to Buy:

  • Works with both iPad and desktop computers
  • Extensive ecommerce features
  • Great reporting feature ratings

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Monthly fees are high
  • Additional fees for non-Lightspeed processors

6. Shopify – Best for Mobile Stores

Pricing: Starts at $9 per month

Shopify is one of the most popular platforms to not only build an ecommerce store but to also use as a mobile POS system. With an affordable price point and great reputation, Shopify is supported by many other website builders and offers multiple integrations with them. This makes Shopify a great POS system for those looking for their online store.

Key Features:

  • “Buy” button for websites
  • Supported by popular website builders, including WordPress, Wix, and more
  • Invoicing
  • Multiple website integrations
  • Lite option for those with traditional store fronts

Reasons to Buy:

  • Great option for smaller operations
  • You pay less in fees by paying for a larger package
  • Compact size for easy travelling

Reasons to Avoid:

  • Not designed for full-time operating businesses
  • Average processing fees of 2.7%

7. Shopify POS – Best Mobile POS Systems for Hardware Options

Pricing: Starts at $29 per month

In need of a physical POS system device but want to use Shopify? Shopify offers a physical POS system fit for more traditional storefronts, with a variety of device options. This version is higher priced compared to the online Shopify POS system, but is still quite affordable in addition to being usable offline and easy to set up. You will need a Shopify plan in order to operate this POS system, though.

Key Features:

  • Multiple sale channels
  • Inventory tracker
  • Other payment process integrations
  • Employee management
  • Multiple types of hardware

Reasons to Buy:

  • Choose from a variety of hardware
  • Usable offline
  • Easy set up

Reasons to Avoid:

8. Verifone mPOS – Best Mobile POS System for Cryptocurrency

Pricing: Quote-based

Verifone mPOS is a system that is specifically designed to allow customers to pay with cryptocurrencies. Because Verifone allows payment with cryptocurrency, this POS system handles payments with high security with automated processes. Customer data is also encrypted for maximum privacy with flexible payment options. One drawback to this option, unlike other mobile POS systems, is the pricing, as it is quote-based only with no free trial available.

Key Features:

  • Mobile devices
  • Automated processes
  • Encryption of customer data
  • Crypto-payment feature

Reasons to Buy:

  • Highly adaptable with flexible payment options
  • Integrations are easy to set up
  • Customers can pay with their cryptocurrency, through BitPay
  • Highly secure payments

Reasons to Avoid:

  • No free trial available

References

  • https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/best-mobile-pos
  • https://www.merchantmaverick.com/best-mobile-pos-systems/
  • https://ecommerce-platforms.com/articles/best-mobile-pos-systems
  • https://reviews.financesonline.com/p/verifone/