6 Best Pharmacy POS Systems

• Integrated Pharmacy System: PioneerRx is the only software on our list that comes with both the pharmacy management system and the POS. BestRx and PrimeRx are pharmacy software with optional integrated POS systems, while Lightspeed and Square are independent POS systems that require users to integrate a pharmacy system. (RetailSTARx is a POS system with prescription management tools.) PioneerRx offers built-in tools for adherence, patient risk scores, and even patient labs for pharmacies branching into other services. It has a real-time prescription lookup feature and alerts, loyalty, and automation tools to streamline checkout.
• Strong patient tools: Loyalty programs are great (and PioneerRx has one), but this system focuses on what patients need the most—help with their prescriptions. With tools like automated refills and patient notifications, you can help your customers get their medications before they run out. When a sale is totaled, the POS system will alert the cashier if they (or someone at their address) have another prescription ready or in progress. Patient risk tracking, delivery and drive-thru options, ID scanning, signature recording, and tracking for pseudoephedrine-based (PSE) drug sales round out this system’s comprehensive set of tools.
• Enhanced workflow: Pioneer offers several tools to help reduce wait times. Interactive Voice Response lets your phone system handle common calls about pharmacy information or prescription status. You can bundle prescriptions and over-the-counter medications for the will-call bin, and scan a single barcode to pull them all up at the register.
• Pharmacy-centric inventory and ordering: While we didn’t find the non-prescription inventory section as modular as Lightspeed’s, we were impressed with the pharmaceutical side. It offers usage-based ordering (so customers can sync all their prescriptions), low-stock alerts, and automatic reorder points. Additionally, it links with multiple wholesalers within the software.

Pioneer does not give pricing information until you’ve seen a demo and discussed your needs. If it’s like the other RX POS software on our list, there will probably be a hefty upfront fee followed by monthly payments. The inventory system is not as granular as Lightspeed’s. The only help videos we found online addressed hardware and installation.

• Multi-pharmacy support: Micro Merchant Systems’ PrimeCENTRAL function lets you manage multiple pharmacies from a single place. You can view reports of your complete operations or drill down to individual stores. Likewise, you can manage and replenish inventory, see store stock levels, and adjust inventories. As documents and information are stored in a central location, any pharmacy with permission can access records as needed. Patients can have their prescription information transferred between locations, making it easier to get prescriptions filled.
• Excellent customer support: PrimeRx says it maintains a 60-second speed-of-answer time, with 95% of problems being solved on the first call. It provides customer support seven days a week with extended hours. Compare this to RetailSTARx, which only has support during business hours. PioneerRx and Lightspeed offer 24/7 support, however.
• Delivery: PrimeRx offers excellent delivery tools that make it a competitor to BestPOS. You can use the MobilePOS to get payments upon delivery or send an SMS or text from your in-store POS to collect payment ahead of time. If you purchase the extra module, PrimeDELIVERY, your drivers can download the app to their smartphones; all transactions feed directly back to PrimeRx and PrimePOS.
• Automated reorder: While most other systems on our list offer low stock counts that automatically populate into a purchase order, PrimePOS automates reordering. It ties to wholesaler systems so that when the supply falls below an amount you set, it automatically transmits a new order to the wholesaler.

As a customizable fleet of tools, PrimeRx can get pricey as you add functionality. For a less expensive option, consider RetailSTARx. Like PioneerRx and BestRx, you pay a hefty initial fee for PrimeRX, then monthly maintenance fees. It lacks an ecommerce system; for that, consider RetailSTARx for its mobile ecommerce solution or Square or Lightspeed for a full website. We did not find online help tools, and third-party integrations are necessary for adding to the system’s functionality.

• Easy-to-use, feature-rich POS: RetailSTARx is easy enough to use that a cashier can get started after only a few minutes of training. Hotkeys make smooth workflows, but you can go deep with multiple discounting strategies, multi-clerk commission splitting, layaways, credit memos, hold tickets, receipt notes, and more. You can collect detailed customer information right from the screen for loyalty programs, compliance tracking, or targeted promotions.
• Automatic compliance updates: Unlike Square or Lightspeed, RetailSTARx automatically updates the latest rules for healthcare regulations like the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Policy for IIAS and FSA. It integrates with NPLEx and MethCheck for PSE sales tracking as well.
• Ecommerce site: While BestRx only works with Google Pointy for online sales, RetailSTARx provides you with a complete and mobile-friendly ecommerce website. Your customers can shop for OTC medications, gifts, last-minute groceries, and anything else you offer. Your ecommerce site integrates with the POS for easy pickup at the curb or drive-thru or for delivery.
• Prescription call-up: Like with PioneerRx, when a cashier scans the barcode of one prescription, if the customer has other prescriptions that need a pickup, they will also be shown on screen. This not only speeds checkout but also makes sure the customer gets all their medications.
• Strong inventory tools: You can scan in an item and set basic information. Low-stock counts will also be reflected in the purchase order, so it always orders the amount you need to keep the minimum stock (or you can change it to order more). RetailSTARx integrates with major pharmaceutical wholesalers like McKesson, Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen, and HD Smith.

We did not find tools for tracking order status or interactive voice messaging, as you will find with PioneerRx. While you can set low stock amounts, it does not have low stock alerts like Lightspeed. Customer support is only available Mon.–Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern time.

• Accept payment via text: BestPOS has a button right on the main screen to accept remote payments. Clicking this button sends the amount to the customer via text, where they can then pay using whatever electronic means they have, including FSA cards. When the payment is received, the order is released for mailing, delivery, or pickup through the drive-thru or curbside. This is the only POS system on our list with this easy tool.
• Mail order tools: BestPOS and BestRx work together for mail order sales with automatic refills, mobile delivery, and two-way messaging for automated refill reminders and campaigns like flu vaccination season. BestRx also partners with Pointy, so you can list your products on Google to expand your digital presence. However, you will need to use an integration for an online store; Square, Lightspeed, and RetailSTARx provide online store tools.
• Compliance tracking: BestRx uses Methcheck, software used by 50,000 pharmacies to track and manage pseudoephedrine-based (PSE) drug sales electronically. PrimeRx also has this, while Pioneer has its own tracking feature. It lets you get date-of-birth verification for sales. BestRx can capture prescription, HIPAA, credit card, and PSE signatures while accurately recording the date and time a signature was taken.
• Pharmacy-specific integrations: BestRx offers hundreds of integrations, which, unlike Square and Lightspeed, are specifically for the pharmaceutical and medical industry. Find integrations for adherence packaging, data reporting, e-prescriptions, patient education, and even telepharmacy. BestRx listed the most pharmacy-focused integrations of those on our list.
• Patient care: In addition to reminders, you can collect and store vitals like weight, blood pressure, and immunizations to help your patients stay on top of their health in more ways than simply buying their medication. With integrations, you can share this information with their doctor.
• Web-based portal and mobile app: Patients can create a free account with Your Local Pharmacy, a portal/app by BestRx. From the app, they’ll be able to manage their prescriptions, request refills, or send messages and questions to their pharmacies. For pharmacies, the app integrates with the BestRx software and automatically queues refill requests, creates a branch-specific QR code, and provides marketing materials.

BestRx does not have an online ordering site; instead, it depends on Google Pointy. It also depends on integrations for some tools, which PioneerRx includes by default, like interactive voice messaging. The BestPOS system is a separate purchase of several thousand dollars upfront, followed by monthly maintenance fees.

• Robust inventory management: Unlike Square, Lightspeed is made to organize and track large quantities of inventory across all channels and locations, and help you manage high sales and order volumes. It offers a customizable matrix inventory that lets you manage products in bulk or individually. You can even break up cases, such as for selling water bottles. You can also set up product variants and assign unique serial numbers to help identify inventory.
• Low-stock alerts: Lightspeed’s standout feature (lacking in most of the software on our list) is the low-stock alert. You can also set reorder points for each item—the level at which the POS will notify you that product levels are getting low. It also has built-in purchase ordering with over 3,000 pre-loaded vendor catalogs, although you may need to integrate your pharmaceutical wholesaler.
• Online ordering: Lightspeed, like Square, offers a powerful online selling solution that integrates seamlessly with its POS system. In addition to excellent tools for adding and displaying products, you can add a blog, testimonials, size guides, and even embedded videos.
• Marketing: Lightspeed has a built-in omnichannel loyalty program included in higher-level subscription tiers. (Square charges extra, while others have it at all plan levels.) It’s highly flexible: for example, you can create a tiered rewards system for both in-store and online purchases, send one-time deals for birthdays or to VIP customers, and design emails with templates or a drag-and-drop builder.

Lightspeed, like Square, does not have native pharmacy management software; you’ll need an integration. Unlike Square, however, you may need an API. (Square integrates with some healthcare apps.) It’s also weaker on medicine-specific tools like prescription tracking. The customer loyalty program also costs extra, whereas PioneerRx, BestPOS, RetailSTARx, and PrimeRx include it in their systems.

• Free POS system: Square’s basic POS system is free, letting you put your money into pharmacy management software. Square’s tools are relatively basic (simpler inventory, basic reports, no scheduling function), but you can’t beat the price. No other system on our list offers free POS.
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): Do you sell expensive non-prescription items or just want to encourage your customers to use your store for other purchases? Offer your customer the option to pay in four installments over six weeks with Afterpay—while you get paid in full immediately. No other system we looked at offered this at the register. Afterpay does not work with prescription drug sales, but customers can apply it to all their other purchases.
• Order online, pick up in-store: Even Square’s free version provides you with a free online store and website-building tools. Square has tools for in-store pickup and local delivery, including an Open Tickets function for drive-thru operations. Square also has its own handheld terminal for easy curbside payment and a mobile app. While Square restricts pharmaceutical sales online, for online sales of non-pharmaceutical products, it works well.
• Square Business Tools: As you grow your pharmacy, you may find it handy to have all your business tools seamlessly integrate. If you upgrade to Square for Retail Plus, you get additional team management tools (which include labor-vs-sales reports) and advanced inventory (which includes automatic purchase order generation). You can also add modules for payroll, appointments, and loyalty. In addition, Square offers banking and credit services.
• Integrations: Square does not have the tools needed for specific pharmacy functions like HIPAA forms. It integrates with a few medical-related software, but otherwise, you will need an API. However, it does integrate with a wide range of other apps, from accounting to delivery services.
• Flexible payment options: Square recently partnered with Cardinal Health, a manufacturer and distributor of medical and laboratory products, to offer more flexible payment solutions for pharmacies. Customers can now use contactless methods such as text-to-pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay when making payments. Pharmacies can process these transactions with Modern Payments Processing via the Square Terminal hardware. Independent pharmacies also get access to more analytics and dashboard features and Square’s vast ecosystem of tools.

Square for Retail is not designed specifically for pharmacies. You will need to integrate with a pharmacy management app, which adds its own cost. It also lacks age verification tools, so the onus is on your cashiers to check manually.

Like Lightspeed, Square offers its own payment processing system, but you are required to use the integrated processing for the latter. As noted above, Square does not allow for internet/mail-order/telephone order pharmaceutical sales. Choose one of the others on this list if you want the freedom to pick your own payment processor.

Apart from features that high-end non-pharmacy systems contain (granular inventory management, ecommerce tools, streamlined checkout, etc.), look for tools for patient care and information recording, prescription management, drive-thru capability, and pharmacy-centric inventory management and integrations.

Monthly fees range from $0 (Square for Retail free plan) to around $300 (BestPOS plus RX software). You’ll also need to consider one-time payments for the POS system installation, which could range as high as $7,000.

If budget is your biggest concern, try out Square’s free plan and see if the features it offers are enough for your needs. If you need more pharmacy-centric tools, call PioneerRx and negotiate with them to get custom quotes for your POS fees.