The Best Cloud POS Systems
Compare Top Cloud-Based POS Systems
What Is a Cloud POS System?
A cloud POS system is a type of POS system that uses the cloud to store data. Cloud POS systems are beneficial because they allow businesses to access their data from anywhere, at any time. They’re also typically more affordable than traditional POS systems since there’s no need to purchase or maintain hardware, although many cloud POS systems offer hardware for those that want it.
Many different industries can benefit from using a cloud POS system, including restaurants, retail stores, golf shops and more. Cloud POS systems come with a variety of features that can be customized to fit the needs of any business, such as inventory management, reporting, customer loyalty and marketing.
Key Features To Look For
When looking for a cloud POS system, there are several key features you should keep in mind. First, we’ll take a look at the basics before diving into POS-specific components:
- Ease of use: A cloud POS system should be easy to use, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time training your employees on how to use it. Look for a system with a user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop functionality.
- Affordability: Many cloud POS systems are more affordable than traditional POS systems since there’s no need to purchase or maintain hardware. However, some cloud POS systems do come with a monthly fee. Be sure to compare pricing options before making your decision.
- Data security: Since a cloud POS system stores data in the cloud, it’s important to make sure your data is secure. Look for a system that offers data encryption and security features to protect your information.
Now, let’s take a look at some POS-specific features to look for in a cloud POS system:
- Inventory management: Inventory management is necessary to help you keep track of your products. Find a system that can automatically update inventory levels when a product is sold in store or online.
Reporting: A cloud POS system should offer reporting features to help you track your sales, customers and more. A system that offers clear and concise reports is a valuable tool.
Customer loyalty: Customer loyalty features help you build relationships with your customers. Look for a system that offers rewards programs, gift cards and a CRM to track customer interactions.
Marketing: A cloud POS system should offer marketing features to help you promote your business. Invest in a system that allows for email marketing, social media integration and insights into marketing campaigns.
Software integrations: Software integrations help you streamline your business and expand your system’s functionality. Look for a system that connects to accounting, CRM and e-commerce platforms.
Built-in payment processing: A cloud POS system should offer built-in payment processing to help you accept payments and get paid faster, rather than relying on a third-party processor. Your system should also offer EMV/chip card support and NFC support.
What Does a Cloud POS Cost?
A cloud POS system typically costs less than a traditional POS system since there’s no need to purchase or maintain hardware. However, some cloud POS systems are completely free, while others do come with a monthly fee. Monthly fees typically start at around $20 per month (if not free), and increase based on the number of features and POS locations.
When considering the cost of a cloud POS system, be sure to compare pricing options and consider what features are important to your business. Often, the most expensive system isn’t necessarily the best option for your business—it’s important to find a system that offers the features you need at a price you can afford. Many POS providers offer free trials for you to test-drive the system before making a commitment.
Cloud vs. Traditional POS Systems
A cloud POS system offers several advantages over a traditional POS system, such as lower costs, scalability and data security. Here’s a closer look at the key differences between cloud and traditional POS systems:
- Cloud POS systems are typically more affordable than traditional POS systems since there’s no need to purchase or maintain hardware.
- Cloud POS systems are more scalable than traditional POS systems, so you can easily add users and locations as your business grows.
- Cloud POS systems offer data security features to protect your information, while traditional POS systems store data locally on premises, making it more vulnerable to data breaches.
- Cloud POS systems offer reporting and analytical features to help you track your sales, customers and more. Traditional POS systems typically don’t offer these features.
- Cloud POS systems offer built-in payment processing to help you accept payments and get paid faster. Traditional POS systems typically rely on a third-party processor, which can slow down payment processing.
Overall, a cloud POS system offers a number of advantages over a traditional POS system, making it a good choice for businesses of all sizes. However, a business might choose a traditional POS system over a cloud system if it prefers to keep its data on premises or if it needs a POS system that works off-line.
11 Benefits of a Cloud POS
A cloud POS system offers a number of advantages over a traditional POS system, making it a good choice for businesses of all sizes. Here are some of the key benefits of a cloud POS system:
- Accept payments from any device: Whether you’re at a pop-up shop or on the go, a cloud POS allows you to accept payments from any device with an internet connection.
- Track inventory in real time: A cloud POS gives you the ability to track your inventory in real time, so you can always see what’s in stock and reorder items as needed.
- Manage multiple locations from one central dashboard: A cloud POS makes it easy to manage multiple locations all from a centralized location, all without the need to invest in multiple programs. You can view sales data, track inventory and more from any location.
- Access your data from anywhere: With a cloud POS, you can access your data from anywhere in the world. This is convenient if you have multiple locations or if you travel often.
- Get insights into your business: A cloud POS provides valuable insights into your business, such as sales data, customer trends and more. This information can help you make informed decisions about your business.
- Integrate with other software: A cloud POS can be easily integrated with other software, such as accounting software, CRM software and marketing tools. This allows you to manage all of your business operations from one central platform.
- Lower costs: Cloud POS systems are typically more affordable than traditional POS systems. This is because there’s no need to purchase or maintain hardware.
- Scalability: A cloud POS system is more scalable than a traditional POS system. This means you can easily add users and locations as your business grows.
- Security: A cloud POS system offers data security features to protect your information. Traditional POS systems store data locally on the premises, which makes them more vulnerable to data breaches.
- Reporting and analytics: Cloud POS systems offer reporting and analytical features to help you track your sales, customers and more. Traditional POS systems typically don’t offer these features.
- Payment processing: Cloud POS systems offer built-in payment processing to help you accept payments and get paid faster. Traditional POS systems typically rely on a third-party processor, which can slow down payment processing.
Featured Partners
1
Clover
$14.95 per month (plus hardware)
90 days
Versatile POS, invoicing, employee management
2
Toast
$0
No
POS built specifically for restaurants, payroll, online ordering, team and inventory management
3
KORONA POS
$59/mo
Unlimited
Inventory management, custom reporting, advanced cashier functionality, accounting integrations
4
Lightspeed
$89 per month (billed annually)
14 days
2.6% plus 10-cent processing fee, dedicated account manager, integrated payments
Methodology
To determine the best cloud POS systems, we looked at a variety of factors. These included features such as mobile payments, software integrations, inventory management and pricing. We also considered real user experiences:
- Pricing: When it comes to pricing, we looked at the various plans offered by each cloud POS system. We considered both the monthly price and any transaction fees.
- Mobile payments: All of the cloud POS systems on our list offer mobile payments. This is an important feature as it allows businesses to accept payments anywhere, whether they’re selling in person, online or over the phone.
- Software integrations: We also looked at software integrations, as they allow businesses to connect their cloud POS system with other third-party business applications. This can streamline processes and make it easier to manage your business from one platform.
- Inventory management: Another important factor we considered was inventory management. This is a crucial feature for businesses that sell physical products, as it allows them to keep track of their stock levels and make sure they never run out of products.
- User experiences: Finally, we also read through real user experiences to get a better understanding of each cloud POS system’s features and benefits. This allowed us to identify any potential problems that users may have experienced.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best cloud POS for retail?
Clover is a great choice for retailers, as it offers features such as inventory management, loyalty programs and a CRM. For a 1% fee, retailers can also access funds immediately, making it perfect for cash-strapped businesses.
What is the best cloud POS for a restaurant?
Both eHopper and Aloha Cloud offer restaurant-friendly features. With notoriously slim margins, restaurants enjoy eHopper’s free processing and hardware while Aloha Cloud has front of house and back of house components for a seamless workflow.
What's the difference between on-premises and cloud POS?
An on-premises POS system is one that is installed and operated from your own premises. Meanwhile, a cloud POS system is hosted on a remote server and accessed via the internet. Cloud POS systems are typically more affordable and easier to scale than on-premises POS systems.
Is Toast POS cloud-based?
Toast POS is a cloud-based POS system. This means that it is hosted on a remote server and accessed via the internet.
Is Square POS cloud-based?
Square POS is cloud-based. You can run its software on any internet-connected device, such as a smartphone or tablet, and all your data is stored remotely.
