Increased mobility is key in adapting to the way people shop. Mobile point-of-sale apps allow businesses to efficiently attend to customers and complete sales anywhere in-store, curbside, and off-site. A mobile POS (mPOS) also makes it possible to manage business tasks remotely with tablets or smartphones, though many also offer terminals, credit card processors, and other tools.
The best mobile POS software for small businesses are:
- Square: Best overall free mobile POS software for small businesses
- Lightspeed: Best mobile POS for retailers and specialty shops
- Shopify: Best for online businesses expanding to in-person sales
- Clover: Best for mobile POS for building your customer base
- Toast: Best mobile POS for sit-down restaurants
How We Evaluated Mobile POS Software
Most popular POS systems offer a certain level of mobility so we narrowed our list of 36 popular POS software down to eight with the best mobile solutions. We then compared those eight POS systems based on price and mobility features including compatibility with iOS and Android systems, offline mode, and digital receipts. We also considered general POS features, including payment types, inventory management, and access to integrations such as ecommerce, team management, and marketing features. Finally, we considered our retail expert’s opinion based on their personal knowledge of each software.
Based on our evaluation criteria, Square comes out on top as the best mobile POS for small businesses, receiving the highest overall score from our grading system for mobile POS software (4.11 out of 5). Our mobile POS scoring system ranked our top eight choices according to what we recommend based on testing different software and working with small businesses that use POS systems every day.
Click through the tabs below for a more detailed breakdown of our evaluation criteria.
30% of Overall Score
We looked at each software’s pricing plans for options under $75 monthly because we want to highlight the most cost-effective solution. Maximizing sales is important so we checked for turnover limitations and gave top points for unlimited transaction processing, inventory listings, and volume discounts. We also gave points for systems that provide users with the most flexible payment processing options. Finally, we assigned high marks for POS providers that help users get the most economical hardware solution for their business.
20% of Overall Score
Mobile POS software users come from different industries so we wanted a solution that offers the most flexible features. First, we looked at its ability to accept most types of payments and the depth of inventory management tools offered by the system. We also wanted software that highlights customer relationship and loyalty features. Points were also given to software that offers access to a wide variety of integrations and add-ons. Lastly, we looked for the quality of built-in reporting functions that supports the system’s business management tools.
25% of Overall Score
Overall convenience is the theme for mPOS-specific features, which is why we highlighted a lot of ease of use criteria in this section. We wanted a system that allows for the best mobility, as users should be able to process transactions off-site, curbside, and anywhere inside the store. We also made sure that each mPOS solution can issue digital receipts and ring sales offline. Points were also given for systems that offer the most options for compatible operating software and mobile devices.
5% of Overall Score
We evaluated each system’s customer service availability, giving high marks for those that provide round-the-clock support. We also made sure that users get cloud-based solutions, which allow businesses to process transactions and access information from anywhere, thereby supporting mobility in their point-of-sale.
20% of Overall Score
Finally, we evaluate each system’s overall performance from a professional standpoint so readers know how highly we would recommend the software, and for what type of business it fits best. We took a detailed look at the quality of both general and industry-specific features, noting standout, as well as any missing functions. We also weighed the software and hardware options against their cost to determine which system offers a good overall value for its price. I also awarded points based on my personal experience interacting with the software and the company’s customer support.
Square POS
PROS
- Forever-free subscription plan
- Compatible with Android and iOS
- Includes a free magstripe reader
CONS
- Limited to Square’s payment processor
- Quality of customer support needs improvement
- Restaurant and retail software not compatible with Android
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 5 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 3.63 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| mPOS Specific Features | 4.8 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 5 | OUT OF | 5 |
Square POS is the most versatile of all industry-leading POS systems in the market today. It offers free POS solutions for restaurants, retailers, and appointment-based businesses while also including a free online store. Add a free magstripe card reader that transforms smartphones into payment processors, and Square makes it easy for anyone to start their own business. Mobile POS users will also like that Square is compatible with both Android and iOS operating software.
Based on our evaluation, Square earned a 4.61 out of 5, getting top marks for pricing, mobility, and expert score. However, a somewhat steep add-on pricing structure and unreliable live customer support prevented the software from gaining a perfect score. Square is also our choice for the best overall POS system for small businesses as it offers the best value for most retail, restaurant, and service businesses alike.
Square POS Pricing
Square offers a free plan for its POS software, including industry-specific counterparts. However, Square for Retail, Square for Restaurants, and Square Appointments all have paid plans you can upgrade to. Using Square’s POS software means that users will also have to use their built-in card processor, which may not be exactly a deal-breaker with its simple flat-rate processing fee. Mobile POS users can use smartphones to process payments, but there are also installment plans available for those who wish to purchase additional hardware.
- Square POS: Free
- Square POS for Retail: $0-$299 per month per location
- Square POS for Restaurants: $0-$299 per month per location
- Square Appointments: $0-$90 per month
- In-person card transaction fee: 2.6% + 10 cents per tapped (mobile payments), dipped (chip cards), and swiped (magstripe cards)
- Keyed-in card transaction fee: 3.5% + 15 cents (manual or card on file)
- Online card payments: 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction
- Custom pricing: available for businesses with more than $250,000 in card sales and has an average ticket size of over $15
- Hardware: Every Square POS account comes with a free magstripe reader, while a contactless reader for EMV and chip cards costs $49. Mobile POS users can also go with the Square Terminal for $299. Other hardware ranges from $39 to $639.
Square mPOS users can accept card payments on-the-go with its magstripe and contactless card reader
Square POS Features
- Payments and checkout: Square is PCI compliant, and can be used to accept most payment types, process discounts, tips, and refunds, send email receipts, and sync data across multiple POS systems or locations.
- Mobility: Cloud-based and can accept offline card transactions only by holding payment information for 72 hours and automatically processes payment information when it reconnects to the internet. Sends digital receipts.
- Device compatibility: Connect Square’s card reader to Android and iOS smartphones or tablets. Or, purchase Square Terminal, a mobile POS system. Square is also compatible with receipt printers, bar code scanners, customer and kitchen facing displays.
- Business management tools: Upload and manage unlimited inventory items and set low stock alerts. Create customer profiles, track purchase history, and manage online orders.
- Ecommerce: Square comes with a fully integrated free online store so it automatically syncs with your inventory information. Sell on Instagram and other social media platforms, accept online orders, set appointments, and arrange for pickup or delivery for pickup or services.
- Reporting: Square’s Dashboard app lets users view and compares the sales performance of each location. It also provides daily reports on refunds, customer insights, and inventory. Users with upgraded plans will also find additional data such as reports on team performance, loyalty, and marketing data.
Lightspeed
PROS
- Works on iOS and desktop
- Strong reporting features
- Feature-rich inventory management
CONS
- Has a learning curve
- Expensive monthly subscription cost
- Not compatible with Android
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 5 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 3.63 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| mPOS Specific Features | 3.93 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 4.69 | OUT OF | 5 |
Lightspeed is one of our top recommended POS systems for retailers. It’s also a great choice for businesses needing a mobile POS because it’s compatible with Apple iPads and can run on any computer browser. Lightspeed’s matrix inventory management can handle large volumes, complex kits or bundles, many variants, plus there’s a work order feature for services like repairs or building custom products.
Based on our evaluation, Lightspeed earned a score of 4.39 out of 5, with high marks for pricing, ease of use, and its advanced inventory and analytics tools. However, some key features like loyalty programs, accounting integrations, and customizable reporting are only available with more expensive plans.
That being said, Lightspeed remains one of the most feature-rich POS systems in the market and is our top recommendation for inventory management.
Lightspeed Retail Pricing
Lightspeed’s basic subscription plan still falls within our affordable plan threshold, which means start-up retailers with a high volume of inventory can hit the ground running with Lightspeed’s advanced inventory features. Using Lightspeed’s built-in payment processor also includes a free payment terminal. However, mobile POS users who prefer alternative payment processing can choose from Lightspeed’s integrated payment systems which include WorldPay and TSYS.
- Lightspeed Retail POS software: $69 – $259 monthly
- Additional terminal: $29 per month
- In-person card transaction fee: 2.6% + 10 cents tapped, inserted, or swiped
- Keyed-in card transaction fee: 2.6% + 30 cents per transaction
- Custom pricing: Lightspeed offers volume discount pricing for businesses that process over $250,000 a month
- Hardware: Subscribing to Lightspeed’s built-in payment processing includes a free payment terminal. Access the system from a browser or users can download the software to an iPhone or iOS tablet. Alternatively, Lightspeed also offers iPad and desktop POS kit options along with other hardware accessories.
Lightspeed Retail provides a fully integrated POS system with its ecommerce and omnichannel tools.
Lightspeed POS Features
- Sales tools: Add images and specify product variants to serve customers anywhere in the store. Lightspeed also offers a professional ecommerce solution that can be combined with contactless payment and omnichannel tools for a powerful integrated retail POS system.
- Mobility: Lightspeed Retail is a hybrid solution. Data is stored in Lightspeed’s servers and synced to the user’s platform and is also accessible through a browser. However, offline mode is only available for Lightspeed Restaurant POS solutions so the iPad device requires a Wi-Fi connection to process payments.
- Device compatibility: Lightspeed runs on iOS and is one of our most recommended iPad POS systems. It’s also accessible from a browser with Lightspeed Web Works on Firefox Chrome. Wireless cash registers, Bluetooth scanners, and receipt printers are also compatible hardware.
- Business management tools: Process accepts all payment types including discounts, layaway options, and refunds. Basic and advanced inventory management features, customer relationship management, and reporting features are also built-in to the system.
- Ecommerce: Ecommerce features are available in higher-tier plans. It’s built to accept international sales, with 14 languages and multiple currencies, and is fully integrated so managing sales and inventory is done seamlessly from the platform. It also allows users to sell on social media, run marketing campaigns, and manage shipping.
- Integrations: Lightspeed offers a wide variety of integrations including QuickBooks, Xero, and Mailchimp. There are also a number of specialty shop integrations for business-specific features like bike rentals, appointment scheduling, and instant messaging.
- Reporting: There are over 50 built-in reports for Lightspeed which includes sales, profit, low stock, team performance, and customer reports. Users can also create custom reports along with visualizations and guides on how to interpret data.
Shopify
PROS
- Competitive subscription plan
- Includes shipping tools and discounts
- Includes multiple location management
CONS
- Lacks offline payment processing
- Fees for using third-party payment processors
- Requires an ecommerce account
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 4.13 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| mPOS Specific Features | 4.05 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 5 | OUT OF | 5 |
Shopify is a big name in the world of online selling. And for those ready to cross over to in-person sales, Shopify also offers a free POS app and a POS pro solution for a seamless transition. You’ll need a Shopify ecommerce plan to use the POS app, but it provides all the omnichannel features you could want at an affordable price.
Shopify earned an overall score of 4.36 out of 5, and outstanding marks for pricing ease of use, omnichannel tools, and overall value. A lack of offline payment processing prevented Shopify from earning a higher score.
Shopify POS Pricing
Shopify’s basic plan offers some of the best value-for-money features. The basic POS app, dubbed Shopify POS Lite, is free with every Shopify ecommerce plan. Users can manage up to four locations and access shipping features including discounts. Transaction fees vary depending on the ecommerce subscription plan and third-party payment processors are available, but for an extra charge.
- Shopify POS Lite: Free, comes with Shopify’s Ecommerce subscription which costs $29 – $299 per month
- Shopify POS Pro: $89 per month/location, on top of any ecommerce plan subscription
- Hardware Costs: None. Download Shopify POS app to an iPad or Android smartphone or tablet
- Card Reader: Shopify Tap and Chip card reader $49
- Retail kit: $229 includes iPad stand, card and chip reader and dock, mounting kit, and mini dock cable
- Hardware Accessories: Bar code scanners (from $229), label printers (from $119), cash drawers ($139), receipt printers (from $289)
Shopify POS is included in all Shopify ecommerce plans.
Shopify POS Features
- Omnichannel features: Shopify’s main advantage is its omnichannel features. Users can set up seamless checkout options so customers can browse in-store and buy online, buy online and pick up in-store, or buy in-store and request for shipping. There are also tools for emailing customers with invites to purchase online, and QR codes to drive in-store customers online.
- Mobility: Shopify is primarily a web-hosted, Service as a Software (SaaS) solution so its operation depends on a reliable internet connection. While it does not process transactions offline, users can still ring up sales through a mobile device or desktop.
- Device compatibility: Shopify POS now runs on both iOS (10.0+) and Android (5.0+) devices. It also supports Bluetooth scanners and printers.
- Business management tools: Accept custom payment types, process split tenders, partial payments, discounts, refunds, and exchanges. Create customer profiles with tags, manage contact information, customize loyalty programs, run email marketing campaigns, and more. Manage inventory, orders, and products across multiple locations.
- Reporting: Retail sales reports, cash flow reports, finance reports, discount reports, and cash tracking are available in both POS plans. POS Pro users also have access to daily sales, product, and staff performance reports.
Clover
PROS
- Strong customer engagement tools
- User-friendly interface
- Built-in ecommerce integration
- Full access to API
CONS
- Limited reporting features in basic plan
- Requires purchase of hardware to access order management features
- Hardware can be expensive
- Expensive keyed-in transaction fee
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 3.63 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| mPOS Specific Features | 4.8 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 4.06 | OUT OF | 5 |
Clover POS stands out because businesses have access to customer loyalty and rewards management tools regardless of the plan they subscribe to. Most POS software includes loyalty and rewards as an add-on.
Clover has software for both retail and restaurant businesses. Users can set up timed discounts (for happy hours), and loyalty programs that activate after repeat business. A Clover Rewards app joins your business to other Clover users in a rewards program that encourages patrons. For this reason, we recommend Clover as the best mPOS software in building a strong customer base.
Based on our criteria, Clover earned an overall score of 4.26 out of 5, with outstanding marks for mPOS-specific features and ease of use. However, the somewhat steep cost of hardware and limited access to inventory, order management, and reporting features prevented Clover from earning additional points.
Clover also lost points because it’s also owned by First Data. While you can purchase Clover through third-party merchant services accounts, if you purchase directly through Clover, you’re getting a First Data merchant account, which is not one of our recommended payment processors.
Clover POS Pricing
Clover POS offers solutions from simply accepting and tracking payments with a mobile device, to a full-featured restaurant set-up. For mobile POS users, Clover has options for tablet and fully independent handheld solutions. Each hardware device option can be paired with Clover’s subscription plans.
- Clover POS Software: $9.95 – $39.95 monthly. The $9.95 plan only includes keyed-in virtual terminal payment processing, which is more expensive.
- Clover Go: Mobile card reader for smartphone, $69
- Clover Flex: Independent handheld mPOS, $499 or $166/mo. for 3 months
- Clover Mini: Tablet mPOS with built-in printer, $749 or $250/mo. for 3 months
Clover offers a wide array of mobile POS hardware solutions.
Clover POS Features
- Mobility: Clover is a cloud-based solution so data is accessible anywhere with an internet connection, even on a browser with its web dashboard. It’s also available offline and can process transactions which will be synced as soon as the internet connection is restored.
- Device compatibility: Clover runs on both iOS and Android devices and is also accessible online for processing transactions with its virtual terminal.
- Business management tools: Process split tenders, accept payments tableside, and via QR code on bill. Manage and track menu and inventory items, including item variants, exchanges, and modifiers. Order management options include managing order types, open tabs, online ordering, table mapping, and tableside ordering.
- Ecommerce: Ecommerce features include integrations with BigCommerce and Ecwid. You can sync customer and inventory data, connect to and sell in online marketplaces and on Instagram.
- Integrations: Aside from Ecommerce, Clover also integrates with QuickBooks, Docusign Gusto, and Timelock. Other tools are available for managing phone orders, appointments, and more.
- Reporting: Aside from the basic transaction and sales by employee reporting, users with upgraded plans also have access to product mix reporting, revenue class reporting, and sales by order type.
Toast
PROS
- Touchless ordering and payments
- Popular third-party integrations
- Table-side and online ordering tools
- Handheld POS device built for restaurant service
CONS
- Limited basic plan
- Limited to Android device
- Mandatory signup with Toast Payment
- Tied to a long-term contract with Toast payment processor
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 3.38 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 4.13 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| mPOS Specific Features | 3.55 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 5 | OUT OF | 5 |
Restaurants require a different type of POS system, and Toast has designed its POS specifically for this. Casual-dining establishments’ need for mobility is where Toast shines, with its table-side ordering, firing, and payment processing tools providing seamless customer service. Mobile POS users will also appreciate Toast’s online and contactless ordering tool included in its range of solutions. Ideal for casual, fast-casual, fine dining, bars, and more, Toast is the best mobile POS for sit-down restaurants.
In our evaluation, Toast scored a 3.98 out of 5 in our mobile POS scoring system. It earned high marks for mPOS-specific features, ease of use, and standout restaurant features, while pricey subscriptions and lack of iOS compatibility prevented Toast from earning a higher score.
Toast Pricing
Toast starts at $69 per month, and restaurant-grade hardware ranging from handhelds to kitchen display systems are also available. You will have to sign up for a Toast Payments merchant account which holds a contract and early termination fee. Contract terms and transaction fees are also customized, and therefore, undisclosed.
- Toast Starter: $69 per month, per terminal (cloud-based POS, payment processing, customer care)
- Toast Essentials: $99 per month, per terminal (Toast Starter plus online ordering and delivery, Toast take out app)
- Toast Growth: $189 per month, per terminal (Toast Essentials plus gift cards, loyalty, and marketing)
- Toast Payments: Single flat-rate card transaction fees, custom-built rate under contract with early termination fee
- Toast Hardware Kit: Starts at $799
- Optional Add-ons: Online ordering, marketing, loyalty, kitchen operations, payroll, team management, gift cards
Toast offers a wide-range of restaurant grade hardware options.
Toast POS Features
- Contactless features: Toast’s No-Contact Technology is noteworthy, and includes online ordering and contactless delivery tools as well as Toast’s TakeOut App. Businesses get access to local drivers so there are no commission fees. Guests order directly from you, so you have all the customer data and can set your own minimum orders and delivery charges. It also gives guests a contactless way to order and pay at their table.
- Mobility: With the handheld device, your waitstaff can take orders and process payments at the table or curbside. Devices also alert waitstaff when an order is ready. Offline mode lets you take payments even without internet connectivity.
- Device compatibility: Toast is compatible with Android tablets. However, Toast also offers its own suite of hardware that’s built to withstand daily rush of restaurant activities.
- Business management tools: Split checks, add tips, open and close bar tabs, issue digital receipts, and get real-time feedback. Manage voids, payouts, and set discount parameters. Manage inventory across multiple locations. Team live training, shift, and payroll management.
- Restaurant Tools: Take orders and payments table-side. Cloud-based menu management allows users to remotely update and start a menu countdown. Manage inventory tracking and connect to kitchen display systems.
- Reporting Analytics: Cloud-based reports let users access data anywhere. Review sales and performance by location, monitor product mixes, get variance reporting, and waste tracking.
Bottom Line
Small business owners want a mobile POS to maximize sales by removing the limitations of tethered POS systems. However, not all businesses are the same, and finding the best fit is as important as looking for the most affordable solution. We hand-picked our choices for the best mobile POS software with sustainability and the needs of different types of businesses in mind.
Square is the best mobile POS system for small businesses because it offers efficient solutions for both restaurants and retailers while also opening the possibility of online expansion with almost zero cost. Built-in payment processing with competitive fees, proactive customer engagement tools, and hardware options that allow much flexibility also makes Square the most versatile overall POS solution. Visit Square to create a free account.
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