Best Cloud-Based POS Systems: 4 Solutions for Modern Vendors

Looking to centralize all of your data and operations in one neat, organized place? Then modern cloud-based point of sale is the answer.

This article zeroes in on the best cloud-based POS solutions, cutting through the clutter to deliver exactly what you need. With a focus on functionality, ease of use, and scalability, we’ve curated a list that promises to solve your POS woes. Get ready to discover the ideal solution that will revolutionize your business operations. Let’s dive in.

BEST Cloud-Based POINT OF SALE – A QUICK LOOK:

  1. KORONA POS: Best cloud-based POS for inventory management.
  2. Square POS: Best cloud-based POS for user-friendly interface.
  3. Shopify POS: Best cloud-based POS for eCommerce integration.
  4. Lightspeed: Best cloud-based POS for restaurant.

KORONA POS: Best Cloud-Based POS for Advanced Inventory

KORONA POS overview

Cloud-based point of sale streamlines inventory management by providing real-time updates and accessibility from any location, enabling businesses to monitor stock levels remotely.

These systems automate inventory tracking, reducing the likelihood of errors and minimizing manual input.

korona pos logo

Pros

  • In-depth reporting
  • Integration options
  • Great scalability

Cons

  • Not for full restaurant service
  • Doesn’t support clothing stores

KORONA POS Pricing

Core

$59/mo

Retail

$69/mo

Enterprise

Custom

Key Features

  • Ensure that you keep an optimal stock level for each item.
  • Integrate with other business applications, facilitating seamless data flow between inventory, sales, and financial records.
  • Running out of stock leads to sales loss, while being overstocked ties up your cash.
  • Access and control inventory from anywhere with a remote app
  • Cloud facilitates easy data and product transfer between stores

Pros

  • In-Depth Data and Reporting

Like your inventory, cloud software can forecast data and analyze trends in real-time. Reports focusing on best/worst sellers, day-to-day sales patterns, sales per transaction, inventory values, and many others are readily available with a cloud-based system.

  • Integration with Other Business Management Tools

Under the cloud, KORONA POS manage email marketing, loyalty programs, and other forms of customer relationship management (CRM). Combining any or all of your CRM into one platform saves you time and money and ensures consistency and ease of communication with each customer.

  • Improve Your Scalability

If you’re a multi-location store owner, you’ll have a ton of data to manage, which can be complicated to track if you have various types of software. KORONA POS system is designed to be scalable. There is no need to invest in expensive, cumbersome servers for each location.

Cons

  • Not Ideal for Restaurant Service

First and foremost, KORONA POS is tailored for retail. While the platform does offer great cloud-based solutions for QSRs and coffee shops, full scale hospitality with table service isn’t quite their bread and butter.

  • Doesn’t Support Apparel Retailers

KORONA POS is focused on optimizing the verticals they do support. Apparel is not one of these. Because the system is not equipped to handle sizing information is ill-suited for the clothing vertical.

Pricing

  • KORONA POS Core: A simple plan for standard business operations priced at $59/month.
  • KORONA POS Retail: An advanced plan with inventory management and more automation priced at $69/month

Square POS: Best Cloud-Based POS for Intuitive Interface

Square POS overview

Square POS stands out as a widely adopted and adaptable cloud-based point of sale system, capturing the attention of businesses across various scales.

Its emphasis on a user-friendly interface and comprehensive features distinguishes Square POS as a compelling cloud-based POS.

square logo

Pros

  • In-depth reporting
  • Integration options
  • Great scalability

Cons

  • Limited advanced features
  • Less than stellar support

Square POS Pricing

Retail Free

Free subscription with 2.6% plus $0.10 for most transactions

Retail Plus

$89/mo per location

Key Features

  • Square is sought out for its intuitive interface and simplicity.
  • Configuring the system, inputting products, and conducting transactions require only basic training. This user-friendly interface saves businesses time and minimizes the learning curve for employees.
  • Square offers a range of hardware options, with everything from simple mobile card readers to fully equipped desktop terminals.
  • Flexibility allows businesses to choose the hardware that best suits their needs, whether for a brick-and-mortar store, pop-up shop, or mobile business.

Pros

  • eCommerce integration

Square seamlessly integrates with Square Online Store, facilitating businesses in online product sales. This functionality can particularly aid businesses seeking to broaden their online footprint and connect with a wider audience.

  • Inventory management

Square POS offers solid cloud-based inventory management, helping businesses track their products, import new stock, and trigger low-stock alerts.

These tools help businesses improve their merchandising, stock level balance, and more.

  • Customizable reporting

Square offers comprehensive sales reports and analytics tailored to assist businesses in gaining valuable insights into their operational performance. These include tracking sales trends over time, pinpointing top-selling products, and closely monitoring employee performance metrics.

With the cloud, businesses can enjoy the convenience of accessing this vital information from anywhere with an internet connection, enabling swift decision-making and strategic planning.

Cons

  • Limited Advanced Features

Certain advanced cloud POS features such as inventory management or customer relationship management (CRM) tools may require additional subscriptions or integrations. These can incur extra costs and complexity for businesses.

  • Less Than Stellar Support

Square’s operates as a startup-style tech company, prioritizing low overhead costs over robust customer service. The company often forces customers to use email, support forums, and social media for assistance. Many users have reported significant delays, sometimes waiting several days for a response.

Square POS pricing

  • Square for Retail Free: The POS software is free, but Square charges a premium for processing. This starts at 2.6% plus $0.10 per transaction for typical card swipes or dips. If you manually input card numbers, it’s 3.5% plus 15¢ per transaction.
  • Square for Retail Plus: This option costs $89 per month per location, with an extra $40 per month for each additional device. Transaction fees get reduced to 2.5% plus 10¢ for in-person sales and 2.9% plus 30¢ for online sales.

Shopify POS: Best Cloud-Based POS for eCommerce Integration.

Shopify POS overview

Shopify offers a robust cloud-based POS system that seamlessly integrates with online stores, providing retailers with a unified platform for managing in-person and online sales channels.

Its intuitive interface streamlines inventory management, order processing, and customer data across all touchpoints. With Shopify, retailers can easily scale their businesses while maintaining a consistent brand experience, making it an ideal solution for those seeking seamless online integration.

shopify pos logo

Pros

  • Efficient checkout
  • Strong CRM
  • Solid support

Cons

  • Less flexible payment processing
  • Built with eCommerce in mind

Shopify POS Pricing

Basic

$39/mo

Retail

$89/mo

Advanced

$399/mo

Key Features

  • Seamless integration with Shopify online platform
  • Automatic syncing between different sales channels
  • Purchase online, return in-store
  • Integrated digital marketing tools for email campaigns, social platforms, and Google Shopping

Pros

  • Efficient Checkout

Enhances the efficiency of transactions for both clientele and employees alike. This cloud-based system facilitates seamless item exchanges across various locations, enables efficient shopping cart management, and allows for personalized printed receipts.

  • Strong CRM

The platform empowers retailers to establish comprehensive customer profiles. Here you can monitor purchase histories and foster meaningful relationships by tailoring personalized communication and offering rewards.

The cloud connects these profiles across sales channels and locations.

  • Solid Support

Shopify boasts reliable 24/7 support via phone, live chat, and email, ensuring assistance is readily available at any hour of the day. This comprehensive support system offers users immediate access to knowledgeable representatives who swiftly address inquiries and resolve issues.

Such robust support reinforces trust and reliability, empowering businesses to navigate any challenges effectively and maintain seamless operations around the clock.

Cons

  • Less Flexible Payment Processing

Shopify POS encourages clients to use Shopify Payments. Those that wish to look for third-party must pay a third-party transaction fee.

  • Built with eCommerce in Mind

While Shopify POS offers functionality for brick-and-mortar sales, its foundation as an eCommerce-centric platform may lack some features explicitly tailored for in-person transactions. The system prioritizes online sales management, potentially resulting in a less intuitive interface for traditional retail settings.

For example, some customers have complained about less-than-stellar checkout times and buggy hardware issues.

Pricing

  • Basic: $39/month
    • For “solo entrepreneurs”
    • 2.9% + 30¢ USD online / 2.6% + 10¢ USD in person
    • Simple POS setup
    • 24/7 support
  • Shopify: $105 USD/mo:
    • Ideal for “small teams”
    • ard rates starting at
    • 2.7% + 30¢ USD online / 2.5% + 10¢ USD in person
    • Additional staff logins
  • Advanced Shopify: $399 USD/month
    • Ideal for scaling a business.
    • 2.5% + 30¢ USD online / 2.4% + 10¢ USD in person
    • Advanced reporting
    • 15 additional staff logins
    • Higher checkout capacity

Lightspeed: Best Cloud-Based POS for Restaurants

Lightspeed POS overview

Lightspeed stands out as the premier cloud-based POS for restaurants due to its comprehensive features tailored specifically for the food service industry, including table management, menu customization, and integrated payment processing.

Its intuitive interface and real-time reporting capabilities empower restaurant owners to optimize operations, increase efficiency, and deliver exceptional dining experiences to their customers.

lightspeed pos logo

Pros

  • Efficient order management
  • Integrated inventory management
  • Enhanced customer experience

Cons

  • Higher cost
  • Learning curve
  • Dependence on internet connection

Lightspeed POS Pricing

Starter

$69/mo

Essential

$189/mo

Premium

$399/mo

Key Features

  • User-friendly interface with an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it simple for restaurant staff to quickly learn and utilize the POS system effectively.
  • Lightspeed provides customizable features tailored to the specific needs of restaurants, allowing them to adapt the POS system to their unique workflows and preferences.
  • Solid reporting and analytics tools for restaurant owners and managers to gain valuable insights into sales trends and diner behavior to make informed business decisions.

Pros

  • Efficient Order Management

Lightspeed streamlines the order-taking process, improving efficiency and reducing errors by allowing servers to quickly input orders directly into the system, which are then seamlessly relayed to the kitchen.

  • Integrated Inventory Management

Lightspeed integrates inventory management features, enabling restaurants to track stock levels in real-time, automate reordering processes, and minimize waste, ultimately leading to cost savings and improved operations.

  • Enhanced Customer Experience

With features such as tableside ordering and payment processing, Lightspeed enhances the overall dining experience for customers by reducing wait times and providing convenient payment options.

Cons

  • Cost

While Lightspeed offers comprehensive features, some restaurants may find the initial setup and ongoing subscription costs to be relatively high compared to other POS solutions.

  • Learning Curve

Despite its somewhat user-friendly interface, there may still be a learning curve for restaurant staff unfamiliar with POS systems, which could temporarily impact productivity during the transition period.

  • Dependence on Internet Connection

As a cloud-based POS system, Lightspeed relies entirely on a stable internet connection. Any disruptions to the internet service could potentially disrupt operations or limit access to critical functionalities.

Pricing

Starter: $69 with processing at 2.6% + 10¢

Essential: $189 includes more features with processing also at 2.6% + 10¢

Premium: $399 with the most features and custom processing rates

How To Choose the Best Cloud-Based POS

  • Scalability and Flexibility

How quickly can you add a new checkout lane or open a second location? Evaluate the scalability and flexibility of the cloud-based POS solution to accommodate business growth and evolving needs.

A scalable system can effortlessly handle fluctuations in transaction volumes and business expansion.

  • Reliability and Uptime

Assess the reliability and uptime performance of the cloud infrastructure supporting the POS system. Uninterrupted access to critical business functions is essential for seamless operations.

A cloud platform with high availability ensures minimal downtime and uninterrupted service delivery, minimizing disruptions and maximizing productivity for both staff and customers.

  • Integration Capabilities

Consider the integration capabilities of the cloud-based POS system with other essential business applications and third-party services. Seamless integration with accounting software, inventory management systems, eCommerce platforms, and payment gateways is a must.

A unified view of business operations, enables informed decision-making and holistic management.

  • Accessibility and Mobility

The capability to remotely monitor all business data is a fundamental aspect of the best cloud-based POS systems for retail operators. This feature enables business owners and managers to access real-time sales data, inventory levels, employee performance metrics, and other crucial insights from any location with internet connectivity.

Comprehensive visibility and control over business operations remotely empowers retail operators to make informed decisions, identify trends, and respond promptly.

  • Updates and Upkeep

Many cloud-based POS systems automatically update to ensure that users have access to the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches without the need for manual intervention. These updates are typically deployed seamlessly in the background by the POS provider, minimizing downtime.

Automatic updates also help to enhance system performance, address any potential vulnerabilities, and ensure compliance with evolving industry standards, contributing to overall reliability and security.

Cloud-Based POS Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a cloud-based POS?

A cloud-based POS (Point of Sale) system is a digital platform used by businesses to process transactions, manage inventory, and track sales data. Unlike traditional POS systems that rely on on-premises hardware and software, cloud-based POS operates entirely over the internet, storing data securely in remote servers. This allows businesses to access their POS system from any internet-enabled device, offering flexibility, scalability, and real-time insights into their operations.90

  • How much does a cloud-based POS system cost?

The cost of a cloud-based POS system varies depending on factors such as the features included, the size of the business, and the hardware required. Generally, businesses can expect to pay a monthly subscription fee of few dollars to several hundred dollars per month, per location. Most providers offer tiered pricing plans or customized pricing based on specific business needs.

  • What are the major differences between legacy POS and cloud-based POS?

Legacy POS systems typically rely on on-premises hardware and software, requiring significant upfront investment and maintenance costs. Cloud-based POS systems operate entirely over the internet, eliminating the need for physical infrastructure and offering greater flexibility and scalability. Additionally, legacy POS systems often lack real-time data access and updates, whereas cloud-based POS systems provide instant access to sales data, inventory levels, and customer information from any internet-enabled device.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the optimal choice of cloud your based platform hinges on the unique requirements of each business. With each provider offering distinct advantages, it’s essential to carefully consider factors such as industry specialization, scalability, and integration capabilities.

By thoroughly evaluating these aspects, businesses can confidently select a cloud-based POS provider that aligns seamlessly with their operational needs. If you are interested in empowering your business with streamlined processes, enhanced customer experiences, and the best inventory management available, click the link below!

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Written By

Michael Chalberg

Michael has long focused his writing on the world of retail and small businesses. He''s been a part of the KORONA POS team since 2018 and loves helping entrepreneurs find ways to adapt and succeed. In his spare time, you'll likely find him hiking somewhere in the Southwest.