The Best POS System for Small Business: 5 Top Providers

Big-box point of sale (POS) systems don’t serve the needs of small retailers. Your store has its own rhythm — bundling craft supplies into project kits, managing boutique inventory by size and color, or tracking customers who sign up for classes. You need a POS solution made to handle those specifics.  

Generic POS software overloads you with enterprise features you won’t use and skips the tools that keep your shop running. The best POS system for small businesses should be simple, affordable, and focused on the daily transactions that drive your workflows.

Below are five providers to consider — including specialty retail systems, mid-market options, and budget-friendly choices — to help you find the right fit for your business.

1. Rain POS: Best for Specialty Retail

Rain POS is made for retailers whose products don’t follow a one-size-fits-all model. Whether cutting ribbon and wire by the foot in a craft store, managing style and color combinations in a boutique, or tracking gear inventory in an outdoor shop, Rain POS provides the tools to handle it all. 

With Rain POS, you can:  

• Sell products by measurement: Ring up fabric, trim, rope, or other goods sold by yard, foot, or weight with pricing that automatically adjusts to the exact amount.

• Run classes and workshops: Create schedules, accept payments, and track attendance for sewing lessons, art workshops, or hiking prep classes.

• Build detailed customer profiles: Save size, color, and style preferences — or favorite outdoor brands — so you can personalize recommendations and upsell.

• Connect in-store and online sales: Sync your point of sale with your website so stock counts update in real time and customers can shop however they prefer.

Rain POS keeps sales, registration, and service in one place, making it the best POS system for small businesses that rely on custom measurements, classes, or repeat customers. 

Pricing

Rain POS offers tiered subscriptions that scale with your business — from solo shops to multistore retailers needing advanced inventory, class management, and marketing tools. Connect with their team to find the plan that best fits your operation. 

Customer Reviews

“RAIN lives in the cloud, and being able to access our POS from any device is a huge advantage over the POSs we were using before… The user interface is clean and user-friendly; just what you'd expect from a modern cloud-based platform.” — Max

“I would not do business without RainPOS. I have a busy mosaic studio where customers come in and create as well as purchase from my retail…the system fits my needs perfectly as a small art studio with inventory.

Class modules are awesome and produce Class Reports that are useful, along with the calendar. I've been using RainPOS now for over 4 years.”  — Melissa 

2. Lightspeed: Best for Inventory-Heavy Stores

Shops with thousands of stock-keeping units (SKUs) need a system that keeps complex inventories under control. Lightspeed helps retailers organize products, track movement across locations, and simplify reordering with the kind of tools big retailers use, scaled for small business budgets.

With Lightspeed, you can:

• Manage stock across locations: Monitor inventory at multiple stores or warehouses in real time, so you always know where items are available.

• Set reorder points: Trigger purchase orders automatically when products reach a preset threshold, reducing stockouts.

• Categorize products thoroughly: Sort by brand, size, style, or custom tags for faster lookups at checkout and easier reporting.

• Analyze sales performance: Use detailed reports to identify slow movers, adjust pricing, and spotlight your most profitable items.

Whether it’s a hardware store tracking small parts or a pet supply shop managing hundreds of brands, this is the best POS system to help small businesses stay on top of inventory and customer needs.

Pricing

Lightspeed offers different plan levels tailored to retailers, from single-location boutiques to multistore operations. Optional add‑ons for reporting or loyalty are also available. Visit the pricing page to compare packages.

Customer Reviews

“I'm pleased I went with Lightspeed. It took a little while to get the hang of everything. Very good help when I need it.” — Marg Braggins

“It's a good product. Pricey, but it definitely gets the job done, and it's better than any other software out there.” — Courtney

3. Shopify POS: Best for Hybrid Online + In-Person Sales

Retailers who sell both online and in store need a POS that brings everything together in one system. Shopify POS connects your e-commerce site with your storefront, giving customers a consistent experience while you manage a single product catalog.

With Shopify POS, you can:

• Sync products instantly: Keep inventory counts accurate across your website, pop-ups, and physical store without duplicate entry.

• Offer flexible checkout: Let customers purchase online and pick up in store, or buy in person and have items shipped to their home.

• Follow customer activity across channels: Track buying history, whether the purchase came from your website, Instagram shop, or cash register.

• Run unified promotions: Apply discounts, loyalty rewards, or seasonal campaigns across online and in-person sales with one setup.

Shopify POS is the best POS system for small businesses with active online stores or retailers who sell at both markets and brick-and-mortar locations. It consolidates every transaction into one system.

Pricing

Shopify POS pricing is tied to its e-commerce plans, with Lite covering basics and Pro adding advanced in-store tools. Contact their sales team to discuss which tier is best for your shop.

Customer Reviews

“The point of sale app helps me keep my brick & mortar and website up to date. Makes inventory so much easier.” — The Trout Spot

“Very glad I made the switch to Shopify. It's a little more expensive, but the functionality is amazing if you want to grow. App add-on costs can build, but it's worth it for the right apps.” — Miss Farmer

4. Square POS: Best for Budget-Friendly Simplicity

Square POS is built for small businesses that need a dependable checkout system at an affordable entry point. It handles basic transactions smoothly, is quick to set up, and can grow with add-ons as your shop expands.

With Square, you can:

• Accept multiple payment types: Process credit, debit, mobile wallets, and cash through the same app with no extra hardware requirements.

• Train staff quickly: Give employees an intuitive interface that’s simple to learn and operate from day one.

• Add features as you grow: Integrate payroll, gift cards, loyalty programs, or marketing tools when your shop is ready.

• Choose flexible hardware: Equip your business with a mobile card reader, an iPad stand for counters, or a full terminal for higher-volume shops.

Square gives small retailers a straightforward way to manage sales without high upfront costs or complicated setup.

Pricing

Square includes a free core POS app and charges only per transaction, with optional paid upgrades for tools like payroll or marketing. Visit Square to see which extras could support your business.

Customer Reviews

“Square has truly made running my business so much smoother! The app is incredibly user-friendly, and I love how simple it is to set up and manage appointments. My clients can book in just a few clicks, and I get instant notifications that keep me organized and on track.” — Sista Sistah Beauty Bar LLC

“Ease of use for in-store payments makes checking out clients a breeze. Its mobile compatibility is fabulous for when we have our booths and the craft fairs in town.” — Ashley

5. Clover: Best for Service-Oriented Retailers

Service-based retailers — like salons, repair shops, and quick-service restaurants (QSRs) — need a POS that can cover appointments and sales in one place. Clover offers simple hardware and easy-to-use apps that handle both sides of the business.

With Clover, you can:

• Set up employee accounts: Assign logins, track hours, and measure staff sales in the POS.

• Accept recurring payments: Bill customers for memberships, subscriptions, or ongoing service plans.

• Customize with apps: Add scheduling, marketing, or loyalty integrations from Clover’s extensive app store.

• Integrate payroll and time tracking: Manage schedules, time clocks, and payments without the hassle of separate systems.

For service-heavy shops that also sell retail products, Clover creates a flexible environment where you can manage staff and sales under one platform.

Pricing

Clover’s pricing depends on the hardware and software plan you choose. Plans range from basic setups to packages with extras like scheduling or loyalty. Speak to a representative to see options for your shop.

Customer Reviews

“Our salesperson was very knowledgeable about the technical details, making it easy to evaluate the product prior to purchase. Installation and setup was a breeze. Our volunteers love the system and learned it quickly. Most importantly, it has reduced our manual errors to almost none.” — Adam Lawson Center

“Great product for going to trade shows and selling products there remotely, and when they don't buy from the website. It is quick to make an amount they need to pay.” — Josh

Choose the Best POS System for Your Small Business

Finding the best pos system for a small business means choosing one that covers the details other platforms overlook. Specialty retailers need a system that manages sales, customers, and events without extra workarounds.

Rain POS brings those tools together in one place. It rings up fabric and trim by the yard, organizes class sign-ups and payments, saves customer style preferences for easier upselling, and syncs your in-store and online sales so inventory always lines up. For craft stores, boutiques, and outdoor retailers, it delivers what generic systems miss.

Book a demo today to see how Rain POS helps specialty retailers simplify workflows and grow their business.