Craft retail is custom, creative, and constantly changing.
You’re tracking one-of-a-kind inventory, hosting classes, bundling kits, and fulfilling online orders — often all on the same day.
Without the right system supporting you, that complexity turns into stockouts, manual workarounds, and wasted time. A craft store point of sale (POS) system built for creative retail brings it all together in one platform.
In this blog, we’ll cover the most important features to look for in a craft store POS and the top five providers worth considering.
A craft store POS should handle the full complexity of your business — not just transactions. Look for these key features as you research and compare platforms.
Have you ever had a customer ask for that bestselling paint brush set — only to realize you’re out of stock? In a craft store, even minor inventory gaps can lead to lost sales and frustrated customers.
You need tools that track every spool, bead, and sheet of craft paper, so you always know what’s on your shelves.
Look for a POS system with inventory features that help you do the following:
Smarter inventory tools mean smoother checkouts, fewer gaps, and a clear picture of what’s actually in stock — out front and in the backroom.
If you want to grow your craft business, your intuition will only get you so far. You need reliable information about what’s selling, when, and who’s buying it.
A POS system with built-in analytics and reporting gives you a clear view of your shop’s performance. This allows you to make data-backed decisions instead of acting on hunches.
With detailed sales reports, you can:
Your POS helps you spot trends, respond faster, and invest in the products and marketing strategies that keep your business moving forward.
With online orders and walk-ins, managing both can get chaotic — especially if your systems aren’t talking to each other. Overlapping inventory, outdated prices, and mismatched listings can frustrate shoppers and cost you sales.
Cloud-based POS systems sync your website and physical store in real time, so your inventory stays accurate and up to date. Whether a customer buys a starter beading kit online, picks it up in store, or browses your new arrivals from home, the experience should feel consistent and familiar.
That kind of connected setup makes it easier for you to stay organized — and for customers to shop when (and how) they want.
Losing a sale because you don’t accept someone’s preferred payment method is an avoidable problem. From teens picking up DIY kits to a crochet group stocking up on yarn, your customers have different payment styles — and your checkout needs to be ready for all of them.
Your craft store’s POS software should accept credit cards, debit cards, mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and gift cards. The more payment options you offer, the fewer reasons shoppers have to hesitate — especially at pop-up shops or for those tempting impulse buys near the register.
And don’t forget about security — today’s shoppers expect it. Using a modern POS with built-in fraud prevention protects your customers’ data and your store’s reputation.
Classes, workshops, and events are one of the strongest revenue streams a craft retailer can tap into. But if you’re still managing sign-ups with a clipboard or a messy email chain, you’re setting yourself up for no-shows and lost revenue.
The right POS system handles the logistics for you. Look for one that lets you post events, accept online registrations, and track attendance from one place — no more manual juggling or chasing down RSVPs.
Your POS can also automatically send confirmation emails and text reminders, helping reduce missed classes, last-minute chaos, and empty seats. Fewer gaps in your roster means more consistent revenue and workshops that run the way you planned.
Some POS platforms are built for specific retail categories, while others bring strong general capabilities that can work across industries. Here’s a closer look at five providers, what they offer, and who they’re best suited for.
Rain POS is designed specifically for craft stores with features built for the unique inventory you sell.
Key features:
Rain POS offers a comprehensive solution to manage inventory, increase sales, and boost customer engagement — all tailored to the unique needs of creative businesses.
Pros: Rain POS is built for craft shops and offers industry-specific tools.
Cons: Expect a short learning curve before you’re running at full speed.
Pricing: Contact for custom pricing.
Best for: Craft stores looking for industry-specific capabilities
RetailEdge is a versatile system serving a wide range of retail businesses, including gift shops, grocery stores, bookstores, and craft stores.
Key features:
With this platform, you can add users, locations, and registers as your store expands without switching to a new system.
Pros: The platform can adapt to fit different kinds of businesses.
Cons: RetailEdge isn’t cloud-based by default, which limits its capabilities if you don’t pay for add-ons.
Pricing: RetailEdge charges a one-time payment of $495. Cloud-based services require an additional charge, as does product support.
Best for: Stores looking for an on-premise software solution
Retail Management Hero (RMH) is a general POS system designed to serve many types of retail businesses, including shoe stores, beauty supply stores, sporting goods stores, and craft stores.
Key features:
RMH covers retail fundamentals well, making it a capable option for retailers who don’t need industry-specific tools.
Pros: RMH offers many integrations that extend its feature offering, including eMobilePOS and Retail Realm.
Cons: This solution isn’t designed specifically for craft stores.
Pricing: Contact for custom pricing.
Best for: Retail businesses looking for general features
KORONA POS is a multifunctional platform that works across a broad range of businesses, including convenience stores, furniture stores, and craft stores.
Key features:
Its intuitive design and suite of features make it a reliable, scalable POS system for those who want a system that grows with their business.
Pros: KORONA POS charges an affordable monthly rate.
Cons: This system lacks craft-specific features.
Pricing:
Core plan: $59 per month
Retail plan: $79 per month
Plus plan: $99 per month
Best for: Businesses looking for a general solution with an affordable cost
Square is a general POS designed to serve retail, restaurant, and service businesses.
Key features:
Square’s broad appeal and beginner-friendly design make it a practical starting point for retailers who want to get up and running quickly.
Pros: Square is known for its easy setup and intuitive interface.
Cons: This platform is not specialized for any one industry.
Pricing:
Free: $0 per month
Plus: $49 per month
Premium: $149 per month
Best for: Shops looking for a system they can learn and start using quickly
If you’re running on a generic POS, you’re missing industry-specific capabilities designed to make your job easier. With features like SKU-level variant tracking for supplies, kit and bundling management, and event scheduling, you can save time and money.
Rain POS is built specifically for craft retail. Instead of creating workarounds to use your software, each tool is designed to work for you.
That craft store focus extends to your vendor relationships, too. Rain’s integration with Notions Marketing connects you to a catalog with thousands of craft-related products, so you can find and order the best items for your shelves directly from your system.
Use our Build and Price tool to find the pricing tier that fits your shop.