6 Best Pharmacy POS for 2023

• 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 an optional integrated POS system, while Lightspeed and Square are independent POS systems that require an integrated 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.
• Patient tools that go beyond loyalty: Loyalty programs are great, but PioneerRx 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. Plus, it has a loyalty program tied to a customer ID like a phone number.
• ID and PSE tracking: Keep your pharmacy and your customers safe. PioneerRx has ID scanning, signature recording, and tracking for pseudoephedrine-based (PSE) drug sales. Track these sales in the POS, and the pharmacy software can report directly to jurisdictions where direct reporting is available.
• Enhanced workflow: Everyone hates the long wait at the pharmacy. Pioneer offers several tools to help reduce this. 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. Plus, it offers apps for drive-thrus, mobile order ahead, and delivery. In all, we think it’s the best on our list for workflow.
• 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.
• Assistance for new pharmacies: PioneerRx says its mission is to save and revitalize independent pharmacies, and it twice won the Flip the Pharmacy’s Technology Solutions Partner award (2020 and 2021). It helped pharmacists process over 2.8 million eCare Plans in 2021. PioneerRx also provides education and tools to help new pharmacies get started and succeed, like its Catalyst Pharmacy podcast, one of the top podcasts for pharmacists. While not vital to POS systems, this makes it stand out from the rest as a pharmacy-first provider.

Pioneer does not give pricing information until you’ve seen a demo and they’ve 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 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. Plus, patients can use loyalty points at any store and have refills transferred if desired.
• 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 during extended hours. Compare this to RetailSTARx, which only has support during business hours. PioneerRx and Lightspeed offer 24/7 support, however.
• Curbside payments: MobilePOS Pharmacy Curbside is the mobile extension for PrimePOS that runs on Bluetooth-enabled Windows 10 tablets. Unlike Lightspeed or Square, it lets you record customer signatures specifically for HIPAA compliance.
• 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, 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.

• 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, for an online store you need to integrate, Square, Lightspeed, and RetailSTARx provide online store tools.
• Accept payment via text: One standout for BestPOS is that it 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.
• 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.
• US-based customer support: BestRx has extended-hours customer support with US-based agents who are experts in the system. In addition, you can download a remote assistance app that will give their experts access to your program so they can jump right in to figure out—and fix—the problem.

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

• 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 can provide you with a complete ecommerce website that’s mobile-friendly. 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 populate to the screen. This not only speeds checkout but also makes sure the customer gets all their medications.
• Strong inventory tools: RetailSTARx offers an in-depth inventory section. You can simply scan in an item and set basic information, or you can add modifiers. 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.

• Free POS system: If budget is a concern, then Square lets you put your money into your pharmacy management software. Its basic POS system is free. The tools are more 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 payments over six weeks with Afterpay. 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. Online orders automatically appear in the POS registers. 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’s the best.
• 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 the team management tools (which include scheduling) and the 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.

Square for Retail is not designed 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 in its case, you are compelled to use it. As noted above, it does not allow for internet/mail-order/telephone order pharmaceutical sales. The in-store and online fees are reasonable, but avoid typing in a card if you can. That gets pricey. Choose one of the others on this list if you want the freedom to pick your own payment processor.

• Robust inventory management: Unlike Square, Lightspeed is made to organize and track large quantities of inventory 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.
• Low stock alerts: Its standout feature (lacking in most of the software on our list) is the low stock alert. It also has built-in purchase ordering with over 3,000 pre-loaded vendor catalogs, although you may need to integrate your pharmaceutical wholesaler.
• Checkout tools: Like PrimeRx and RetailSTARx, you can program hotkeys for quicker checkouts. There is also a convenient spot on every transaction to leave notes and add customer information, which is a good place to put any suggestions like a reminder to add a supplement to future orders or ask about side effects.
• 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 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.