8 Best POS Apps & Mobile POS Systems
I tested more than a dozen mobile POS apps to find the best options for small businesses that need to accept payments, manage inventory, and track sales from anywhere. A mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) app turns your phone or tablet into a register, so you can run sales in-store, on the go, or at events.
Based on pricing, mobile-specific features, ease of use, and real-world performance, here are my top picks for the best mobile POS apps for 2026.
Best POS apps compared
All of the POS apps on this list allow for multiple payment types (swipe, EMV chip, contactless, online, etc), include barcode scanning functions, and work on both iOS and Android devices.
How I evaluated the best POS apps
To build this list of the best mobile POS apps, I focused on tools designed for small businesses that need to accept payments, manage inventory, and run sales from anywhere. I evaluated more than a dozen platforms, prioritizing those with dedicated mobile apps and strong real-world performance across retail, restaurant, and on-the-go selling environments.
I based my analysis on hands-on experience using POS systems in retail settings, combined with direct testing through demos, free plans, and product walkthroughs where available. I also validated my findings against user feedback from trusted third-party review sites and Fit Small Business’ internal research on POS and ecommerce software.
Each product was scored using consistent criteria that reflect how businesses actually compare POS systems:
25% of Overall Score
I compared monthly software fees, payment processing rates, hardware costs, and contract requirements to evaluate total cost and long-term value. I also looked at whether providers require in-house payment processing or allow flexibility.
20% of Overall Score
I evaluated essential functionality, including payment processing, inventory tracking, customer management, reporting, and integrations. I also gave extra weight to tools with built-in loyalty programs and advanced retail or restaurant features.
20% of Overall Score
I focused on mobile-specific capabilities, including app performance on iOS and Android, offline mode, digital receipts, and the ability to sync across devices. All tools had to support transactions from a smartphone or tablet.
15% of Overall Score
I assessed onboarding, interface design, and day-to-day usability based on both hands-on testing and consistent feedback from real users. I also considered the availability of support, especially 24/7 assistance.
20% of Overall Score
I applied my own evaluation based on overall value, feature depth, scalability, and how well each system fits real small business use cases.
*Percentages of overall score
When possible, I tested platforms directly using free trials, demos, or guided walkthroughs to evaluate usability and feature depth in real scenarios.
Why you can trust Fit Small Business
I have over three years of experience evaluating point-of-sale systems and more than a decade working with small businesses, particularly ecommerce merchants. For this guide, I tested as many systems as I could and pulled from my firsthand experience working in small businesses. We also regularly demo many of these systems with the company product teams to stay abreast of new features.
You can learn more about our evaluation in the methodology section below.
Retail Software Expert at Fit Small Business
Square: Best overall and free mobile POS system
Pros
- Free base plans with affordable in-house tools and advanced plans to support you as you grow
- Specific POS systems and apps for restaurant, retail, and service-based businesses
- Robust features: Inventory, sales tracking, customer management, even in the free plan
Cons
- Limited or inconsistent support hours (M-F 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Pacific time)
- Locked into Square Payments
- Limited advanced tools; some features like team management require paid add-ons
Why I chose Square
Square is a cloud-based POS system built for mobile and in-person selling, with a free POS app, built-in payment processing, and core tools like inventory tracking and customer management.
When I evaluated mobile POS systems, Square consistently performed well across pricing, ease of use, and mobile functionality. It offers a free plan with no monthly software fees, and I was able to set up and start processing payments quickly using only a smartphone and card reader. Its interface is straightforward, which reduces onboarding time for new users.
Square also stood out for its flexibility. It provides industry-specific POS solutions for retail, restaurants, and appointment-based businesses, all built on the same system. During testing, its mobile app handled transactions, inventory updates, and reporting without requiring additional software.
Compared to Shopify, which is better suited for ecommerce-first businesses, Square is a stronger fit for in-person and mobile sales. It delivers essential tools, including inventory tracking, reporting, and a basic online store, without requiring a monthly subscription.
Square earned the top spot because it combines a free entry point, integrated payments, and reliable mobile performance in a system that small businesses can deploy and use immediately.
Who should use it:
- Small brick-and-mortar businesses that need a flexible, all-in-one solution: Square is our top pick for mobile and in-person sales thanks to its free plan, free mobile card reader, and offline capabilities.
- Pop-up shops, market vendors, and mobile service providers: Square’s mobile-first design, offline mode, and compact hardware make it one of the most reliable options for businesses selling on the go.
- New businesses or side hustles with low startup budgets: Square offers the most generous free plan on our list, with built-in sales tools, inventory tracking, and even a basic online store, all without a monthly fee.
Software:
- Square Free: $0 per month
- Square Plus: $49 per month per location
- Square Premium: $149 per month per location
- Custom pricing available for businesses that process over $250,000 sales a year
- 30-day free trial for paid plans
Hardware:
- Free magstripe reader with every account ($10 for additional readers)
- Chip and tap readers: From $59
- Terminals: From $299 (financing available)
- Tap to Pay on iPhone: Free via the Square app
Payment processing rates:
- In-person transaction: 2.6% + 15 cents per transaction
- Online: 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction
- Keyed-in and card-on-file transactions: 3.5% + 15 cents per transaction
- Chargeback fee: Waived up to $250 per month
- Square POS app: Available for iOS and Android. Includes sales, inventory, and customer tools with no monthly cost.
- Offline mode: Accept payments even with no internet connection — great for pop-up events or outdoor markets.
- Mobile hardware: Use with a simple magstripe reader (free on signup), or upgrade to a contactless and chip reader for tap payments.
- In-app invoicing and estimates: Send quotes and invoices straight from the app.
- Customer directory and notes: Track preferences, purchase history, and contact info.
- Digital receipts and tipping: Let customers tip and get receipts via text or email.
- Square AI: Square’s conversational AI assistant. It is built directly into the Square Dashboard, letting sellers ask natural-language questions about sales, staff, customers, and transactions to get instant insights without running reports. It is currently available for sellers in the US.
- “Easy to use and understand. Clients like it. All you have to do is swipe your card and you are on your way.’ — Capterra reviewer
- “This is a great way to start taking card payments without the monthly charges of a smaller business. The ease of use means its quick and easy to set up and starting taking payments across all card types.” — Capterra reviewer
- “I like how Square Point of Sale is so easy to use, even for someone who’s never used a point of sale system before. It was one of the first systems I used, and it really made learning to understand, register, and sell products to customers very simple with minimal experience. The usability is great; it’s visually appealing, so I don’t dread having to use it at work. Plus, the simplicity makes it so much easier to use. I also really appreciate the option for discounts and how easy it is to put them through and edit them. The ability to refund someone easily when a mistake is made is another feature I really like.” — G2 reviewer
Learn more about Square:
Shopify: Best for ecommerce and multichannel sellers
Pros
- Seamless ecommerce integration
- Multichannel sales tools (sell on your website, social media, and in person from one system)
- Full inventory tools
Cons
- No offline payment processing
- Limited restaurant and service business features
- POS Pro plan required for key features like staff permissions and smart inventory tracking
Why I chose Shopify POS
Shopify POS is built to connect in-person and online sales through a single system, with real-time syncing of inventory, orders, and customer data across all channels.
When I tested various mobile POS systems, Shopify stood out for its multichannel capabilities. In testing and product walkthroughs, its POS app synced seamlessly with the Shopify ecommerce backend, allowing me to manage inventory, customer profiles, and order fulfillment from one dashboard. This makes it especially effective for retailers that sell both online and in person.
Compared to Square, which is better suited for in-person-first businesses, Shopify provides more advanced ecommerce functionality out of the box. It also offers stronger support for multichannel selling, including integrations for social commerce, local delivery, and buy online, pick up in store. In my evaluation, it handled cross-channel inventory and order management more consistently than systems like Clover.
That said, Shopify POS is more dependent on its ecosystem. Businesses need to use Shopify’s ecommerce platform to get the most value, and some advanced features, such as detailed inventory management and staff permissions, require a POS Pro subscription. It also does not support offline payments, which can be a limitation for mobile sellers.
Shopify earned its place on this list because it delivers the most reliable multichannel POS experience, making it the best fit for businesses that prioritize ecommerce and want to unify online and in-person sales.
Who should use it:
- Retail businesses that primarily sell online: Shopify is our pick for best ecommerce platform, and basic Shopify POS comes free with any of its ecommerce subscription plans.
- Multichannel retailers: Shopify also tops our list of leading multichannel POS systems. It lets you sync online and in-person sales, process curbside and pickup orders, and start sales in-store and finish them online.
- Businesses that already use a Shopify ecommerce store: Every Shopify ecommerce account comes with Shopify’s basic POS already integrated
Software:
- POS system:
- POS Lite: $5 (free with Shopify ecommerce plan)
- POS Pro: $89 per month, per location
- Ecommerce plan:
- Monthly pricing: $5-$399/month
- Annual pricing: $29-$299/month (Billed once per year)
- Plus plan (available on a 1-year or 3-year term): $2,300+/month
- 3-day free trial
Read more: Shopify Pricing Plans (2025): Comparison, Fees & Calculator
Hardware:
- Card reader: $49 (free shipping, 30-day free returns)
- Tap to Pay on iPhone: First 100 transactions per month free with Shopify plan; $0.25 per transaction thereafter
- Shopify Terminal: $349 (Financing available)
Read more: Shopify Hardware: Ultimate Guide for Small Businesses
Payment processing rates:
- In-person transaction: 2.4%-2.7%
- Online: 2.4%-2.9% + 30 cents
- Shopify POS app: Works on iOS and Android with a customizable home screen and access to online order history, customer profiles, and product catalog. A recent update includes a customizable smart grid, quicker access to key tools, and improved navigation for faster checkouts, designed to support smoother workflows for busy retail teams.
- Unified inventory and orders: Automatically syncs stock across online and retail channels, including returns and exchanges.
- Omnichannel tools: Supports in-store pickup, local delivery, social media selling, and buy-online-pick-up-in-store (BOPIS).
- Smart staff and customer management: Add custom roles, permissions, and detailed customer profiles with tags and notes (POS Pro required).
- Integrated payments and hardware: Includes Tap to Pay on iPhone and Shopify card readers; terminals and stands sold separately.
- “Shopify POS is a nicely packaged POS option that works great if you already have a Shopify store. It uses the Shopify catalog for your ecommerce site which basically means zero setup. Buy a tablet and card reader and you’re running!” — Capterra reviewer
- “My overall experience with Shopify POS has been great. It’s user-friendly, efficient, and perfect for in-person sales, pop-ups, and events. It helps my business run smoothly and keeps everything synced in one system.” — Capterra reviewer
- “Shopify POS is a smooth, reliable point-of-sale system that works especially well for businesses already running on Shopify. Its biggest advantage is how seamlessly it connects in-store and online sales: inventory, orders, customer profiles, and product data stay synced in real time. The interface is clean and intuitive, so staff can learn it quickly, and checkout stays fast with multiple payment options. It’s also flexible when it comes to hardware support, staff permissions, discounts, and reporting, which makes it a strong fit for retail teams that want a unified commerce experience without a complicated setup.” — G2 reviewer
Learn how to set up the Shopify POS in 12 easy steps. Or check out our setup tutorial and see Shopify POS in action.
Clover: Best for choosing your own payment processor
Pros
- Choice of payment processor
- Offline payment processing
- Extensive hardware lineup
Cons
- Inconsistent pricing; monthly fees and features vary depending on your provider
- Locked hardware — once purchased, Clover devices are tied to the processor they came from
- Limited vendor tools like built-in purchase ordering or advanced supply chain management
Why I chose Clover
Clover is a flexible POS system that supports in-person and mobile selling across various business types. It offers proprietary hardware, a feature-rich mobile app, and the unique ability to work with multiple merchant service providers, giving sellers more control over payment processing rates and contracts.
Clover offers mobile POS features such as barcode scanning, staff management, and time tracking. It also offers offline payment processing, which not every POS system can provide. The software also features strong customer and loyalty tools, as well as various integrations. It offers fairly affordable monthly plans for multiple industries, and you get hardware included in each subscription.
While you can use nearly any merchant account, unless otherwise specified, Clover will default and automatically enroll its new members into Fiserv upon sign-up if you purchase directly through the Clover website.
Just a few things to take note of: Clover terminals can’t be reprogrammed for different payment processors once you have opted in, so you’ll have to stick with the processor you purchased it from. Also, Clover’s pricing structure is complicated; businesses operating in different industries will pay different monthly prices.
Who should use it:
- High-volume or high-risk businesses: Clover’s support for third-party merchant accounts makes it ideal for businesses that want more flexibility with payment providers or need better control over processing fees.
- Retailers that want full control over hardware and payment terms: Clover gives you the option to choose your own processor and access different hardware configurations to fit your setup.
- Established businesses with stable operations: Clover works best when you’ve already got systems in place and need a reliable POS that can adapt to your preferred payment setup and industry tools.
Clover has a payments-only plan that is $0 per month, but it is only for payment processing, not a full POS system.
Software*:
- Retail POS: $16-$240/month
- Restaurant POS: $179-$354/month for full-service restaurants; $135-$245 for quick-service restaurants
- Service POS: $16-$180/month
*Prices may vary based on provider. Prices reflected are from the Clover website.
Hardware*:
- CloverGo Card Reader: $49
- Terminal and other hardware: $599-$1,799
- Tap to Pay on iPhone: Free with the Clover Go app
*Prices may vary based on provider. Prices reflected are from the Clover website.
- Clover Go mobile app: Accept card and mobile wallet payments on the go with a compact reader and iOS/Android support.
- Customer engagement: Clover includes both loyalty programs and customer engagement features. You can create real-time promotions via email, text, or social media; start a rewards program; and create profiles that automatically update credit card sales and contact info.
- Customizable hardware: Clover has proprietary hardware that you can purchase from Clover directly or from authorized resellers. Portable devices and countertop registers are paid via monthly financing, billed with your software subscription. Or, you can get a Clover Go card reader for only $49, which you can pair with your smartphone.
- Customization options: Clover prides itself on being a highly customizable POS option. Not only can you use the merchant account of your choosing to process transactions, but Clover also has a massive suite of app integrations for any tools or features you need to run your business at no cost.
- Robust reporting: Clover lets you generate and view reports for sales performance across locations, overall and hourly revenue, refunds, tips, and credit card transactions. You can sync these reports with software like QuickBooks for more efficient accounting, and you can view reports from your computer or mobile device.
- “I like Clover for its ease of use, making it simple to navigate. I appreciate being able to process payments effortlessly while out in the field, which is crucial for my needs. I also value the ability to process tap-to-pay and pay-by-telephone, which are handy features of Clover. The initial setup was very, very easy, which was a nice surprise. These features make it an essential tool for my work.” — G2 reviewer
- “There are so many things that I love about Clover, from the ease of use, the simple and quick payment processing with card payments, the instant and ready to help customer support and just overall financial management.” — Capterra reviewer
- “Overall I like Clover better than other payment processors for value, ease of use, and ability to maintain mobile payments – but know that if you’re using them across many stations, you will need early controls!” — Capterra reviewer
Loyverse: Best for free customer loyalty program
Pros
- Choice of merchant processors
- Free loyalty program with every account
- Offline mode for both transactions and inventory/sales syncing
Cons
- Monthly integration fee if using third-party service
- Limited payment integrations; only integrates with Zettle by PayPal and SumUp for North American users
- Limited inventory management and reporting tools in free plan
Why I chose Loyverse
Loyverse is a free mobile POS app built for small retail and food businesses. It includes built-in sales, inventory, and loyalty tools, and works with a wide range of third-party hardware. Its offline mode and built-in customer rewards program make it especially appealing for lean business operations.
I like that Loyverse gives small businesses access to tools that typically require a paid plan, especially its free, built-in loyalty program. You don’t have to upgrade or subscribe just to track repeat customers or offer rewards, which sets it apart from competitors like Square or Shopify, where those features come with extra fees.
Loyverse is also one of the few POS apps that work completely offline — including sales, inventory, and syncing — something even Square can’t do fully. And while you’ll need to pay for more advanced tools, such as inventory counting or staff analytics, the free version goes surprisingly far for basic retail and quick-service needs.
That said, Loyverse isn’t as strong when it comes to ecommerce or North American payment integrations. But if your focus is on in-person sales and customer relationships, it’s a flexible, low-cost POS option that delivers more value than what it’s worth.
Who should use it:
- Retail shops and cafes on a budget: Loyverse offers core POS and loyalty features for free, making it ideal for small retailers or food businesses with tight margins.
- International sellers or mobile operators: With broad hardware compatibility and flexible processor support, it’s a strong choice for businesses outside the US or those with mobile setups.
- Businesses focused on customer retention: The free loyalty program stands out from competitors like Square or Clover, which charge extra for similar tools.
Software:
- POS account and dashboard: Free
- POS customer display (CDS): Free
- POS kitchen display (KDS): Free
Hardware:
- No in-house Loyverse hardware
- Operate the free Loyverse POS app from your Android or iOS device + a compatible card reader (starting at $50)
Add-ons:
- Employee Management: $5 per month, per employee
- Advanced Inventory: $25 per month
- Integrations: From $9 per month
- 14-day free trial for add-ons
- Annual pricing available with two months free
- Loyalty: This is where Loyverse gets its name (an abbreviation of Loyalty Universe) and where it stands out. Its customer relationship and loyalty program has a database for storing information such as contact details, purchase history, customer notes, and points tracking. The built-in program also offers scannable loyalty cards where customers can keep their rewards.
- POS: Loyverse lets you use your phone’s camera as a barcode scanner. Plus, it has extra features, including open tickets and weight barcodes. You can also set up options for takeout or delivery. Finally, you can process sales and work with staff management features even offline (though you can’t update the customer database or process refunds).
- Inventory management: Loyverse boasts a strong inventory management system with item variants and modifiers, bulk upload, low-stock alerts, and inventory tracking. However, if you want purchase orders, the ability to transfer items between stores, inventory counting, and ingredient tracking, you need the advanced inventory program, which carries an additional monthly fee.
- Employee features: Loyverse has a free time clock for employees to clock in and out. If you purchase the employee management system, you also get time cards, access restriction capabilities, and employee analytics.
- Payment processing: Like with Clover, you can choose your payment provider, although choices for Loyverse are more limited. It works with SumUp, Zettle, Tyro, Smartpay, Yoco, STORES Payment, PAYGATE, SB payments, KICC, and NICE. Many of these are only available for iOS, and some are limited to specific countries. However, note that if you integrate a third-party service, you will have to pay an additional monthly integration fee.
- Analytics: Loyverse’s reporting tools (some of which you’ll need to pay extra to unlock) include tracking of sales patterns by day, week, and month; tax obligation reports to make your accounting easier; receipts history that monitors sales, discounts, and refunds; and popular items analytics that show you your best-selling products.
Loyverse’s POS app has lots of visuals to make it easy to use, plus compatibility with a variety of devices. (Source: Loyverse)
You can create a list of favorite items to quickly access popular items on the sale screen when using Loyverse POS on phones. (Source: Loyverse)
- “It was easy to set up and navigate… good app.” — Capterra reviewer
- “What I like the most about Loyverse is the Inventory Management System. It makes handling the stores’ inventory clearer and easier.” — Capterra reviewer
- “What I like most about the software is that I can manage my products and catalog them easily, also the interface to make the sale is very friendly and attractive, allows you to add images and colors depending on the product category, which is very useful when making sales. Another very useful function is to be able to manage the point of sale remotely, and to be able to see in real time from another device the sale of products.” — Capterra reviewer
Toast: Best for full-service restaurants
Pros
- Industry-specific POS features for restaurants (kitchen routing, tipping, and table management)
- Durable, purpose-built devices for hospitality settings
- Offers starter kit for $0 upfront cost
Cons
- Starter POS software is only ideal for single-location restaurants
- Must use Toast’s built-in payment processor
- Standard 2-year long-term contract
Why I chose Toast
Toast POS is a restaurant-specific point-of-sale system with proprietary hardware and software tailored to the food service industry. It offers flexible setups, including a free starter kit with handheld mobile hardware, and provides built-in tools for tableside ordering, tipping, kitchen workflows, and payment processing.
Toast is the leading mobile POS system for restaurants, hands down. I like that its handheld terminal isn’t just a companion device; it can run independently with full POS functionality, so it’s great for food trucks, catering events, or any high-volume mobile setup. Compared to Square, which is more general-purpose, Toast’s restaurant tools go deeper — think tableside ordering, kitchen routing, and tip tracking.
What really stands out, though, is the $0 upfront starter kit. You get both software and hardware with no investment, which is rare for restaurant-grade POS systems. Just know that you’ll need to use Toast’s built-in payment processor and agree to a two-year contract, which makes it less flexible than competitors like Loyverse or Square.
But if you’re running a full-service restaurant and want a reliable mobile solution with pro-level tools, Toast is the strongest pick on the list.
Who should use it:
- Full-service restaurants and cafes: Toast is purpose-built for food service businesses, with strong tools for table service, tipping, and kitchen display systems.
- Mobile catering or food trucks with high volume: Toast’s handheld POS terminal can operate independently, making it ideal for events, festivals, or fast-paced outdoor service.
- Restaurants wanting an all-in-one setup with no upfront hardware cost: Toast’s starter kit comes bundled with essential mobile hardware and basic software, perfect for new operators on a budget.
Software:
- Monthly fee: $0-$69
- Cancellation fee: $0 but remaining balance of monthly fees of the contract term should be settled
Hardware:
- From $0 to $627 + $69 per month for a handheld startup kit
- Setup and installation fee: From $0, optional, custom quoted
Payment processing rates:
- In-person transaction fee: From 2.49% + 15 cents to 2.99% + 15 cents
- Chargeback fee: $15
- Toast Go 2 handheld terminal: A fully functional POS device with payment processing, tipping, and order routing — all in one compact mobile unit.
- Tableside ordering and payment: Speeds up service and improves customer experience in dine-in settings.
- Kitchen display system (KDS): Syncs orders with back-of-house for faster, more accurate prep.
- Restaurant-grade hardware: Built to withstand heat, spills, and the pace of a busy restaurant floor.
- Free starter kit plan: Includes hardware and software for basic mobile POS use with no upfront cost (contract required).
Related read: 10 New Toast Products & Features
- “I find it very easy to retain new staff on Toast. It’s great for solving slow payment issues since customers can pay at the table using their card or phone. I really like the offline mode because even if the network goes down, Toast keeps working, allowing us to still take orders or payments. This gives us peace of mind when taking payments offline. The initial setup was easy too, as it was simple to connect to the printer and tablet.” — G2 reviewer
- “As a customer, the toast app has saved me so much time and I can pay my bill right away so my waiter doesn’t have to stop what they are doing.” — Capterra reviewer
- “The aspects I enjoy about Toast POS is the security, card payment options, mobile access, and restaurant management options. I enjoy that the system will lock out after a period of time of not using it; prevents theft and guest information being leaked. I really enjoy that you can have tap-to-pay as an option; this really helps with efficiency. We also use the mobile options for bartenders so they can input the order in real-time while taking the order. Plus, the management options for Toast are very easy to learn and the layout is nicely organized.” — Capterra reviewer
Watch our in-depth review of the Toast POS system:
Helcim: Best for growing businesses and B2B sales
Pros
- No monthly fees
- Transparent interchange-plus pricing
- All-in-one tools for B2B and services
Cons
- Limited offline functionality
- Hardware requires a separate purchase
- Limited customer support hours
Why I chose Helcim
Helcim is a Canadian credit card processing and merchant services provider that offers a free, all-in-one POS system designed for small and growing businesses. It includes payment tools for both in-person and remote sales, plus integrations with ecommerce, invoicing, and accounting systems. It comes with no monthly fees and transparent interchange-plus pricing.
I like that Helcim doesn’t charge a monthly fee or offer flat-rate fees — it’s actually the only provider in this list that offers interchange pricing. That’s rare for a POS system, and it makes a big difference for high-volume sellers and B2B companies who want to save on transaction costs. This is why Helcim is also our top pick for cheapest credit card companies and B2B payment solutions.
Compared to Loyverse, Helcim does not have a native loyalty program, and you won’t find advanced inventory or ecommerce features like Shopify and Lightspeed. But for invoicing, subscription billing, and service-based payments, it’s one of the most cost-effective and flexible POS apps you can use.
If your business is more client-driven than checkout-driven, Helcim is a solid alternative to traditional POS systems.
Who should use it:
- B2Bs, service-based businesses and consultants: Helcim includes invoicing, recurring billing, and a virtual terminal — ideal for managing client payments across multiple channels.
- Growing businesses: Helcim’s interchange-plus pricing beats flat-rate models over time, making it ideal for growing businesses and those processing high-volume sales.
- Businesses processing both remote (online) and in-person sales: Helcim’s POS, online checkout, and invoicing tools work together under one account.
Software fees: $0
Payment processing fees:
- In-person transaction fees: Interchange plus 0.15% + 6 cents to 0.4% + 8 cents
- Online transaction fees: Interchange plus 0.15% + 15 cents to 0.50% + 25 cents
- QR codes: Interchange plus 0.15% + 15 cents to 0.50% + 25 cents
- Tap to pay (iPhone): Plus 10 cents fee per successful transaction
Hardware:
- Card reader: $99
- Smart Terminal: $329 (financing available; $32 per month for a year)
- No separate fee for mobile access: The mobile POS is included in Helcim’s free software suite, no add-ons or tier upgrades needed.
- Interchange-plus processing: Transparent pricing with no monthly software fees.
- Virtual terminal: Accept payments from your computer without extra hardware.
- Custom-branded checkout links: Send payment requests via email or SMS with your logo and company info.
- Integrated product and inventory management: Add, edit, and organize products from the mobile app, with syncing across desktop and device.
- In-app invoicing and payment links: Create and send invoices or checkout links straight from your mobile device for remote or on-the-spot payments.
- Customer profiles and saved cards: Look up customer history, store card info securely, and manage repeat billing directly from your mobile dashboard.
- Cloud-based syncing: All transactions, product updates, and customer activity sync in real time across devices (mobile, tablet, and desktop). Offline mode is possible, but syncing happens once online access is restored.
- “I feel like Helcim is very small business friendly. They make the payment process easy for me and my customers.” — Capterra reviewer
- “Helcim allows me to do business the way I need to and all of the options for taking payments from customers make it user-friendly for my clients as well.” — G2 reviewer
- “We’ve had an excellent experience with Helcim. The platform is intuitive, easy to use, and onboarding has been smooth from start to finish. Their North American–based support team has been incredibly helpful, and we especially appreciate the attention to compliance and security from the risk and safety team — Phillip and Josh have been thorough but always fair. We just completed the setup of our second processing account for our newest business, and we’re excited to continue working with Helcim. Highly recommended.” — G2 reviewer
Lightspeed Retail: Best for inventory management
Pros
- Extensive inventory processing functions (granular and custom reports, matrices, supplier network)
- Advanced and custom reports (in higher plans)
- In-house ecommerce store
Cons
- Hardware is custom-quoted; can be expensive
- Plans can be expensive for small businesses
- Must use Lightspeed Payments for lowest monthly rates
Why I chose Lightspeed Retail
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based POS system built for complex inventory operations. It includes powerful stock management tools, detailed reporting, and a built-in supplier catalog, making it ideal for multi-location retailers, specialty shops, and wholesalers with large or fast-moving inventories.
If your business heavily depends on inventory accuracy, Lightspeed Retail is the most capable POS on this list. I like how it handles even the most granular stock setups — think bundles, serial numbers, purchase ordering, and vendor catalogs — without requiring additional software. In fact, it is our top pick for POS inventory management systems (you’ll find Square and Shopify on this list, too).
Compared to Square or Shopify, which are better suited for simpler setups, Lightspeed Retail gives you more control and reporting depth. Its built-in supplier network and ability to place orders right from the POS dashboard are features most systems just don’t have.
It’s not the cheapest option, and there’s a learning curve, especially for smaller retailers. But if you’re managing large inventories or growing across multiple stores, Lightspeed Retail gives you the precision and power to keep operations running smoothly.
Who should use it:
- Retailers with complex or multi-location inventory: Lightspeed’s advanced stock tools make it ideal for stores with multiple SKUs, supplier networks, or inventory that needs tracking across categories, bundles, or variants.
- Businesses that rely on data to make decisions: With built-in sales forecasting, custom reports, and detailed analytics, Lightspeed helps businesses run smarter at scale.
- Stores that want inventory and ecommerce in one system: Lightspeed Retail includes its own online store and syncs inventory across channels, no third-party plugins needed.
Software:
- Retail POS: $109-$339 per month (Annual pricing $89-$289 per month)
- 14-day free trial for all accounts
Hardware:
- Quote-based
- Full countertop kits, mobile payments devices, and accessories available
- Tap to Pay on iPhone/iPad via Lightspeed Mobile Tap: From $69
- Inventory: Lightspeed offers multiple item variants, sophisticated analytics, a supplier network, and smart pricing. It also syncs with its online store, Lightspeed eCom. Shopify comes close to Lightspeed for inventory features, but Lightspeed has more granular details and customization options.
- Age verification: Lightspeed has age verification features in the register app. This makes it a great choice for stores that sell age-restricted items.
- Payment processing: Every Lightspeed account holder is automatically enrolled in Lightspeed Payments for processing transactions through your POS. Lightspeed Payments offers competitive processing rates and is conveniently pre-integrated into your account. The biggest drawback here is that if you do want to use a third-party processor, your monthly POS fees will increase, unlike with Clover, which lets you choose your own processor for free.
- Lightspeed Insights: Lightspeed offers over 40 reports, including products sold, profits, total sales over a specific time frame, and employee performance. You can also create detailed custom reports. Lastly, you can ask the software to forecast future sales based on historical data and suggest order quantities based on this.
- “Lightspeed is a quick server that has various features to help operations for many different industries. The customer support is top tier to help the efficiency and use of the service.” — G2 reviewer
- “The reporting mobile app could be improved. The app sometimes glitches and is slow to update.” — Capterra reviewer
- “Lightspeed is easy to learn and very capable for our bike shop business. It allows us to track inventory and is a good point of sale.” — Capterra reviewer
PayPal Point of Sale: Best for occasional sales
Pros
- Free POS, affordable card reader; low rates
- International payment processing
- Ecommerce and accounting integrations
Cons
- No custom reports
- No offline mode
- Must use PayPal payment processing
Why I chose PayPal Point of Sale
PayPal Point of Sale is a free mobile POS system designed for small businesses that want to accept payments in person and online with minimal setup. It offers basic inventory and reporting tools, integrates with PayPal’s global payments network, and supports international sales, making it a solid entry-level option for occasional sellers or those operating across borders.
Who should use it:
- Low-volume or part-time sellers: If you only process a few in-person transactions each week or month, PayPal Point of Sale keeps costs low with no subscription fees.
- Businesses that already use PayPal for online sales: PayPal Point of Sale ties directly into your PayPal account, making it easy to manage funds and sync sales.
- International sellers: PayPal supports payments in over 100 currencies, and PayPal Point of Sale app is available in many markets outside the US.
Why I like it:
I like that PayPal Point of Sale gives sellers a no-fuss way to start accepting payments, especially if they already use PayPal online. You don’t need a separate merchant account or complicated setup — just order the card reader, download the app, and you’re ready to go.
Compared to Square, which has more robust free features and offline mode, PayPal Point of Sale is more basic. But where it stands out is global accessibility. If you’re selling across borders or traveling for business, PayPal Point of Sale’s international reach and PayPal integration are hard to beat.
That said, PayPal Point of Sale lacks the advanced tools that growing businesses may need, like offline processing, loyalty programs, or detailed inventory features. However, for casual sellers or side hustlers already in the PayPal ecosystem, it’s a simple and affordable way to go mobile.
Software:
Hardware:
- Card reader: $79 ($29 for the first one)
- Terminal: From $199 (paid accessories available)
- Tap to Pay on iPhone: Free via the Zettle POS app
Payment Processing:
- Card-present: 2.29% + 9 cents
- Manually keyed-in: 3.49% + 9 cents
- Invoices: From 2.99% + 49 cents
- Free POS app: Available on iOS and Android, with product tracking, discount tools, and multi-user login.
- Low-cost card reader: Accept chip and tap payments for $29 (first reader); terminal available starting at $199.
- PayPal integration: Payments land directly in your PayPal account, and you can connect to PayPal’s online checkout, invoicing, and payout tools.
- Sales and tax reporting: Basic insights into transaction history, top-selling products, and taxable sales.
- Ecommerce and platform integrations: Connects with Shopify, BigCommerce, QuickBooks, and other platforms through PayPal.
- “Ease of use. Love the features with QR codes and making it a quick scan for customers to purchase and buy.” — Capterra reviewer
- “Fast and convenient—I really liked how smoothly it worked with my smartphone, and how it made everything easy to access from anywhere.” — G2 reviewer
- “Easy to use. It doesn’t take long to pay. Zettle has many options to use, so I can pay in the way that works best for me.” — G2 reviewer
How to choose the best POS apps for your small business
Choosing the right POS app is more than comparing features and pricing; it’s about finding a solution that fits how and where your business operates. Whether you’re selling in-store, online, or on the go, a mobile POS app should support your sales flow, staff needs, and customer experience.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you choose the best POS app or mobile POS system for your business:
Step 1: Identify your business type and sales environment
Start by asking where and how you sell:
- Do you sell mostly in person, online, or both?
- Do you operate from a physical location, a mobile setup (like a food truck or craft fair), or a combination?
- Do you need specialized tools, like age verification, ingredient tracking, or appointment scheduling?
Some POS apps are better suited for niche needs. For example:
- Square is a top choice for mobile-first businesses and startups with low overhead.
- Shopify excels at syncing ecommerce with in-person sales.
- Lightspeed is ideal if you manage complex or high-volume inventories.
Choosing a POS built for your business type will save you time on setup and minimize friction down the line.
Step 2: Match features to your operational needs
Once you’ve identified your business model, focus on what tools you’ll actually use day-to-day. Look for:
- Checkout tools: Tap-to-pay, offline mode, split payments, tipping.
- Inventory management: Stock levels, modifiers, bulk imports, low-stock alerts.
- Customer relationship tools: Profiles, purchase history, loyalty programs.
- Sales reporting: Revenue by location, employee tracking, profit margins.
- Add-ons: Marketing, payroll, scheduling, or accounting integrations.
POS apps vary widely in what they offer for free versus what’s paywalled. If you need restaurant-specific features, for example, not every mobile POS will support that. Compare providers carefully to avoid surprise fees.
Step 3: Weigh mobility, hardware compatibility, and cost
If you’re planning to use a mobile POS app, confirm that the provider supports your preferred device (iOS, Android, or both). Some providers, like Clover, require proprietary hardware, while others let you use a tablet or phone with a compatible card reader.
Also factor in:
- Software pricing: Free plan or subscription?
- Payment processing fees: Flat-rate vs. variable rates, and what’s included.
- Hardware costs: Is a card reader included? Can you add more later?
- Scalability: Can you add registers, locations, or team members as you grow?
Finally, watch for hidden costs, like paid loyalty tools or support tiers, especially if you’re comparing “free” POS apps. Square, for example, offers one of the most complete free plans, while others require upgrades for features like staff management.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Click through the sections below to learn more about POS apps.
A mobile POS system (or mPOS) lets you accept payments and manage sales directly from a smartphone or tablet. It often includes features like inventory management, digital receipts, and offline payment processing—ideal for on-the-go businesses.
Yes. Many POS providers make their systems available as apps for your mobile device. You can use these mobile POS apps to manage inventory, view reports, sell items, and perform other vital business functions.
The best overall free mobile POS app that we recommend is Square. It has a forever-free subscription option, high versatility, a good feature set even in the free plan, an offline mode, and it is easy to set up and use.
Square is our top choice for small businesses because of its free plan, strong feature set, and ease of use. It supports mobile payments, offline mode, and basic business tools without any monthly fees. But it will also greatly depend on your highest priority. If you have a complex inventory, try Lightspeed. Loyverse is great for loyalty programs. Clover is highly flexible, Shopify shines in omnichannel selling, and PayPal Zettle is great for selling internationally.
A POS app is the software that runs on mobile devices, while a full POS system includes hardware like terminals, card readers, and receipt printers, plus software features for managing your business.
Yes, some point-of-sale apps like Square and Clover offer offline mode, allowing you to accept payments and store transaction data even when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Bottom line
The best mobile POS apps let you run your business from anywhere, whether you’re checking out customers tableside, managing sales at a market stall, or ringing up purchases on your retail floor. With the right POS app, you’re not tied to a bulky register or counter. You get the flexibility to sell on the go, track inventory, manage customers, and sync everything with your main system in real time.
After testing over a dozen options, Square stands out as the best mobile POS system overall. It offers the most complete feature set in a free plan, competitive flat-rate payment processing, and tools that scale as your business grows. Whether you’re just getting started or expanding into multiple sales channels, Square makes it easy to hit the ground running, no extra hardware or upfront cost required.
Go to Square and download the POS today.
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