obile POS systems are all the rage right now, and their adoption will only increase as we move into 2022. The pandemic has exposed problems with traditional checkout processes, and companies are looking for more efficient and hygienic ways to pay.
Mobile POS systems are nothing new, but they have grown quite popular over the past few years. Square is widely considered by many to be the best mobile POS system available today.
However, other players have entered the market and business owners are spoiled. A mobile POS system is one of the best investments you can make for your business this year.
Customers put the experience first when they visit a brick-and-mortar store. With the mPOS system, you can make their checkout experience smoother and more efficient. Upgrading to a mobile point-of-sale system has several advantages.
First of all, you should know that it greatly reduces checkout time. All mobile POS systems require a mobile device and app to work. The best mobile POS systems also integrate seamlessly with existing POS software.
Average transaction value per user continues to rise, highlighting the importance of upgrading to a mobile POS system, especially for small business owners. A simplified checkout experience, such as accepting contactless payments via credit card or using Apple Pay to collect money from customers, can improve profitability.
In this article, we'll discuss the 6 best mPOS systems you can use, compare their main features, pros and cons, and choose a winner, runner-up, and our budget pick!
Our choice
Shopify POS Materials
Shopify POS logo
Features
10 / 10
Ease of use
10 / 10
Pricing
9 / 10
hardware
9 / 10
Try Shopify POS Materials Shopify POS Reviews
Shopify POS is closely followed by Square's mPOS solution. Shopify is one of the biggest names in e-commerce and one of the best mPOS providers in the world right now. After all, having over a million businesses using your device is no mean feat.
Featuring Shopify Payments, the platform allows businesses to manage transactions and finances with relative ease.
Popular choice
Square POS
Square POS logo
Features
10 / 10
easy to use
10 / 10
Pricing
9 / 10
hardware
10 / 10
Try Square POS Square POS Reviews
Square is the best mobile POS solution for businesses. Square has a range of features that simplify business management, including inventory tracking, comprehensive reporting, and a well-designed workforce management solution.
Combine it with Square's online platform, and you can start selling on the web right away, too. This is an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes and in different industries.
go to top
Illustration of a cat climbing a ladder
The 6 Best Mobile POS Systems Into 2022
With so many options to choose from, we know things can get a little confusing. Here's our comprehensive comparison of the 6 best mobile POS systems you should consider.
Best Mobile POS System: Square POS
Square has been at the forefront of mobile POS technology for over a decade. The company in 2009 provided businesses with an innovative payment solution that allowed rank-and-file employees to connect to their mobile devices via a 3.5mm headphone jack by plugging in a Square reader.
Plug-in card readers were an instant hit, replacing clunky cash registers, allowing businesses to efficiently accept payments via Square's app. Fast forward to today, and Square POS offers a plethora of hardware devices, including barcode scanners, NFC readers, and more.
Over 20,000 businesses use Square's mPOS solution around the world, making it the best mobile POS system. It's available for iOS and Android devices, and you can also link it with your e-commerce store.
Features
Payment Management – Supports all EMV compliant cards and fast payment processing for Apple Pay, Google Pay and Cash App. Integration of gift cards, refunds, loyalty programs. Square is PCI compliant and offers fraud protection and monitoring.
Operations Management - Get interesting insights into business performance with Square Analytics. Manage inventory with built-in integrations for Stitch Labs, SKU IQ, Shopventory, and more. Square also provides low inventory alerts and reports for tracking employee performance.
Ecommerce Integration – Connect with Square Online to sell your items online and sync sales and inventory in a single dashboard. Sending customers a checkout link or offering a digital gift card lets you sell through another channel entirely.
Extensive Customization – There are many add-ons available, including CRM tools for email marketing, payroll processing Square payroll, team management and access control Square team management, and the ability to create custom loyalty programs.
hardware
Square offers a full range of POS hardware, including:
POS Terminal ($27/month for $299 or $12/month)
Reader ($49)
POS register ($39/month for $799 or $24/month)
Booth ($16 or $12/month for 169 months)
Reader (Magstripe) (the first reader is free)
They also offer fully integrated iPad-compatible email list kits for restaurants, retail stores, and other businesses, priced from $526.
Pricing
Square offers free POS software - you only pay for the hardware and transaction processing. The company charges 1.75 percent for processing chip or contactless payments. Invoices and customer orders are subject to a 2.5% fee. For enterprise businesses, custom pricing is also available.
Pros👍
Unmatched Support – Due to its widespread adoption, Square provides excellent support to customers around the world.
Extraordinary Dashboards – View reports and gain insight into business performance and key growth areas.
POS Hardware Range – Make payments with maximum flexibility with the company's range of POS hardware.
Disadvantage 👎
Limited printer options - You will need to purchase a separate receipt printer to start printing receipts.
Price hikes – The system is not modular, so in order to customize it to your business needs, you will have to spend extra. Proper fit can cost quite a bit extra.
Who is it best for?
Square's mPOS solution is designed for small business owners. If you're a retail store owner or restaurant owner, Square's POS app and accompanying hardware will make things easier for you.
Further reading 📚
Square Review (Oct 2022): Key Features of Square, Pros and Cons
Square POS Review: Everything You Need to Know (Oct 2022)
Square Pricing and Fees: The Ultimate Guide to 2022
go to top
Illustration of a cat climbing a ladder
Best Runner Up: Shopify POS Materials
Shopify POS materials is a close second on this list, and it's an excellent choice for businesses that want a convenient mPOS solution without breaking the bank. Shopify offers one of the best mobile POS solutions for businesses in many parts of the world.
It is one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world, with over 10,000 businesses using its mobile POS solutions. If you've already built an ecommerce store with Shopify, adopting Shopify POS is a logical choice; it will help you unify your sales from multiple channels in a seamless way.
You have two options: Shopify POS Lite and Shopify POS Pro. In addition to offering simple POS solutions, Shopify also offers personalized marketing solutions to increase your sales and get more repeat customers.