6 Best Convenience Store POS Systems

Overview

Who should use it: 

Convenience stores that want to offer fuel management, cigarette, liquor, lottery sales, and food service functions

Why we like it: 

POS Nation is a locally installed POS with a cloud backup option, giving this system excellent offline functionality. It has a highly customizable interface, with hotkeys and different register layouts for various parts of your c-store.

The software’s age verification includes the ability to ID scan. It has strong inventory features, including tracking for individual items or cases, plus programmable discounts and deli management tools.

In addition, POS Nation has customer relationship management (CRM) tools to track buying patterns and create targeted promotions. Its bundle price includes hardware, and users give it high marks for ease of use.

Overview

Who should use it: 

Small convenience stores on a tight budget and looking for a broad feature set at affordable monthly prices (and no long-term contracts) will love KORONA POS. Additionally, with its unlimited free trial option, you can set up a demo account and test the software for as long as you need.

Why we like it: 

KORONA offers strong inventory features, including product sales tracking, demand forecasting, and purchase order functions. It’s also on our list of best POS systems, along with IT Retail.

The KORONA “accounts” setting lets you track lottery payouts directly in the POS. KORONA, like LS Forecourt, includes gift card functions for no additional charge.

Its cash tracking includes a “blind drop” setting so employees cannot see their tendered cash drop before counting the money in their drawer, which can help prevent employee theft. Customer service is excellent, and users praise the interface and support. You can’t integrate a payment processor, however.

Overview

Who should use it: 

Busy convenience stores that need pump control with easy pricing settings, plus automated stock replenishments

Why we like it: 

LS Retail’s Forecourt POS offers fantastic inventory tools, both for fuel and for stock, including foodstuffs. The cashiers have complete control of the pumps as needed, and can easily process discounts, gift cards, and loyalty programs. It has lottery, alcohol sales, loyalty, and other tools to manage transactions quickly and build your local customer base. In addition, it has food service capabilities for your snack bar, deli, or small restaurant.

Its retail tools are strong, too. You can create an online store, track inventory and set up low-stock alerts, and monitor sales. Like KORONA, it can help predict stock levels based on historical sales and business goals. You can pull up sales history by customer, too.

Overview

Who should use it: 

Convenience stores that want to offer a broad range of services to customers, especially self-checkout and pay-at-pump options

Why we like it: 

With NCR you can create a complete end-to-end POS, payment, and technology solution that includes fuel sales, foodservice, and retail. It offers self-checkout, pay-at-the-pump, in-store payments, and a range of supported payment processors. NCR also lets you apply customer rewards points at the POS terminal or the pump. It has customizable video functions that can promote loyalty programs and even let customers order food at the pump.

It also offers an open application programming interface (API), so you can build customized solutions with your preferred third-party apps.

NCR POS lost some ground when it came to price. It requires a custom quote to determine your overall cost. It also uses a reseller system to sell its POS. Price and contract terms can vary by reseller, so it is hard to tell if you’re getting the best deal.

Overview

Who should use it: 

Convenience stores that want affordable POS subscriptions and a pay-as-you-go hardware plan; stores that want comprehensive and easy-to-use back office tools.

Why we like it: 

Though primarily known as a restaurant POS system, Toast has begun expanding into different business types such as hybrid restaurant-and-retail businesses. As a convenience store POS, it offers features for cash management and tracking, stock replenishment and purchase ordering, and age verification (via integration). It’s also quite easy to use, with strong user reviews, an offline mode, mobile hardware solutions, and 24/7 support.

However, Toast does not offer fuel management or lottery sales tools. You will also need to commit to a two-year contract if you want to use this POS.

Overview

Who should use it: 

Convenience stores that want to offer or emphasize self-checkout and don’t need fuel management tools

Why we like it: 

While, like KORONA, it lacks fuel management tools, IT Retail nonetheless is a very complete convenience store POS. Because it was designed for grocery stores, it has expiration-date inventory as well as ID verification for alcohol sales and lottery ticket sales. It tracks cashier performance like KORONA, too, and offers a strong loyalty program. IT Retail scored well for its anti-theft features, strong inventory tools, and extensive checkout options.

The touch screen is customizable to speed sales transactions, and users praise the program for its ease of use. IT Retail also has the most comprehensive options for self-checkout terminals of any system on this list.

Lack of fuel monitoring is a downside, though. This system can also get pretty pricey since the hardware starts at $2,000 per lane. However, the system operates on a lot of popular third-party hardware—like Epson receipt printers—so you may be able to reuse some of your existing hardware.