Best POS System for Liquor Stores in 2025

KORONA leads my list of best liquor POS systems for its strong, comprehensive real-time inventory management system. It will automatically alert you when your stock levels are low, and the system continuously updates as sales occur, which is particularly important in a liquor store where managing various products, including case breaks and multi-packs, is critical. 

I like KORONA’s essential tools like real-time inventory tracking and case breaking at a more budget-friendly price point. It comes with built-in age-verification tools so you don’t have to pay for additional integrations. Best of all, KORONA is processor agnostic. You can shop around for the best processing rates and reduce operational costs.

However, KORONA POS does have some drawbacks. It lacks the built-in marketing automation tools found in Lightspeed’s higher tier plans. And while KORONA offers basic eCommerce features, these are less extensive than those available through Lightspeed, which offers more third-party integrations.

Also read: Best Cloud POS Systems

Free trial available

Core Plan: $59 per month, per terminal

• This plan includes essential features for operating a retail store, such as inventory management, employee management, and sales reporting.

Retail Plan: $69 per month, per terminal

• This plan includes all the features of the Core plan plus additional retail-specific tools like advanced inventory management and customer loyalty programs.

Plus Plan: $79 per month, per terminal

• This plan offers all the features of the Retail plan and includes enhanced reporting, API access, and integrations with third-party services.

Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing

• Tailored for large businesses needing more advanced features and custom solutions. Pricing is based on specific business needs and includes all advanced features and add-ons.

Add-Ons:

KORONA Food: $10 per month, per terminal

• Features tailored for food service businesses, including table management and order tracking.

Invoicing Module: $10 per month, per terminal

• Allows for detailed invoicing capabilities, including the ability to consolidate multiple transactions into a single invoice.

E-commerce Integration: $20 per month, per terminal

• Connects your POS with your online store to manage inventory, sales, and customer data across both platforms seamlessly.

Self-Checkout Kiosks: Custom pricing

• Real-time inventory management: Tracks inventory levels in real-time, including case breaks and multi-pack items.
• Age verification: Includes built-in prompts for age verification, which can be enforced through manual entry or by using ID scanners.
• Advanced sales reporting: Offers detailed sales reports that help track product performance, identify trends, and manage profit margins effectively.
• Flexible payment processing: KORONA is processor-agnostic, allowing liquor store owners to choose from various payment processors and shop for the best rates without being locked into a specific provider.

POS Nation strikes a great balance between cost and functionality, making it a top choice for those looking to effectively manage inventory while minimizing expenses. With its acquisition of Bottle POS in 2022, POS Nation’s inventory management tools now allow for more liquor-specific features, giving your store a competitive edge.

In addition to its case breaking feature, I particularly like POS Nation’s discounting capabilities that lets you mix-and-match promotions. It’s perfect for bundling together six packs, wine bottles, or liquor and mixers to drive sales. There’s also POS Nation’s dual pricing feature that allows you to set different prices for cash and card transactions. 

Overall, POS Nation is a more feature-rich option than KORONA POS. Its approach to pricing flexibility is a game-changer for liquor store owners looking to offset the ever-increasing costs of credit card processing fees. However, some features can be complex on the interface compared to KORONA’s more streamlined interface. 

If you’re in need of a more straightforward, out-of-the-box solution with transparent pricing, KORONA might be the way to go.

Also read: Best POS Systems for Bars

• Starter Plan: From $49/month 

Includes POS with payment processing, unlimited users, real-time reporting, dual-pricing, age verification, mobile back office, and purchase ordering. 

• Growth Plan: From $79/month

Starter plan features plus employee management, customer loyalty, SMS reports, mix-and-match discounts, intelligent ordering, and auto-ranking. 

• Premium Plan: From $99/month 

Starter and Growth plan features plus customer reviews at POS, a task module, webcam integration, and multi-location support. 

Add-Ons:

• Additional registers: Prices vary depending on the specific hardware required.
• Cloud backup: An additional cost for secure cloud backup and access to virtual back-office features.
• Advanced reporting: Extra fees for more detailed and customizable reporting tools.
• Marketing tools: Optional add-ons for loyalty programs and promotional tools.

Hardware costs:

• Touch PCs: $999 to $1,499
• Barcode Scanners: $149 to $569
• Receipt Printers: $269 to $749
• Card Readers: $79 to $109
• Customer Displays: $159 to $339

• Dual pricing: Allows setting different prices for cash and card transactions, reducing credit card processing fees.
• Case break management: Enables breaking down cases into individual units for accurate inventory tracking.
• Auto-invoicing: Automatically generates purchase orders when stock is low, keeping popular items in stock.
• Age verification: Integrated tools prompt cashiers to verify customer ages, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.Flexible promotions: Customizable promotions, including mix-and-match offers, boost sales and customer loyalty.

Like POS Nation, IT Retail offers comprehensive inventory management tools tailored specifically to the needs of liquor stores. The system’s ability to break down sales data in such a detailed manner allows store owners to make informed decisions about product stocking, pricing strategies, and targeted promotions.

But what makes IT Retail stand out from competitors is its superior sales reporting and analytics, which offer liquor store owners deep, actionable insights into sales trends, customer preferences, and profitability across various product categories. In terms of user experience, IT Retail beats much of the competition by offering a system that is both powerful and user-friendly.  

I also like IT Retail’s seamless integration with suppliers. The system automates the reordering process by triggering purchase orders when inventory reaches predefined levels. That said, IT Retail will require you to spend significantly upfront for hardware and setup. If you need a more budget-friendly alternative, consider Square.

14-day free trial period available

Basic Plan: Approximately $79 per month per terminal.

Features:

• Basic inventory management: Includes real-time tracking, lot number management, and expiration date tracking.
• Sales reporting: Standard sales reporting tools plus customer insights such as shopping trends and promotion preferences.
• Customer management: Full-featured customer relationship management platform that includes detailed customer profiles, and transaction history.
• Employee management: Includes time tracking feature and multiple employee login with access levels that depend on assigned roles. 

Pro Plan: Starts at around $129 per month per terminal.

Features:

• Advanced inventory management: Includes support for multiple locations, detailed stock tracking, and low-stock alerts.
• Detailed analytics: In-depth sales reports and analytics, including product performance, customer behavior, and trend analysis.
• Customer loyalty programs: Basic setup for customer loyalty rewards and tracking.
• Enhanced employee management: Advanced tracking features, including performance metrics and shift management.

Enterprise plan: Custom pricing, contact IT Retail for a quote.

Features:

• Full customization: Custom integrations with other software and advanced inventory features.
• Comprehensive reporting: Customizable reports and dashboards with deep insights into every aspect of your business.
• Multi-location management: Inventory, customer, reporting, insights, and employee tracking from a single dashboard.
• Dedicated account manager: Personalized support with a dedicated IT Retail representative.

Add-Ons:

• Age verification tools: $10 per month per terminal. Automatically prompts cashiers to verify the age of customers purchasing restricted items, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
• Supplier integration for automated reordering: $20 per month per supplier. Enables automated reordering of products when inventory levels reach a predefined threshold, integrating directly with suppliers to streamline restocking processes.

• Smart stock management: Provides low-stock alerts and allows the setting of custom reorder points.
• Direct supplier integration: Create and send purchase orders directly to suppliers from within the POS system.
• Automated tax and compliance updates: Automatically updates tax rates and other compliance-related settings, ensuring that your store stays up-to-date with local regulations.
• Restricted access controls: Includes features that allow store owners to restrict access to high-risk products, such as expensive spirits or rare vintages.

Thanks to its sophisticated feature set, seamless omnichannel capabilities, and comprehensive inventory management tools, Lightspeed tops the list for upscale liquor retailers.

The system supports real-time inventory tracking, automated reordering, and detailed stock alerts — of course, these features come standard for a comprehensive system like Lightspeed. Other vendors on the list, like KORONA POS, also offer strong inventory tools, but Lightspeed’s ability to manage multiple locations and its advanced reporting features make it more suitable for stores with a broader and more complex inventory. 

One of Lightspeed’s most significant advantages is its omnichannel capabilities, which seamlessly integrate online and in-store sales. This is particularly beneficial for high-end liquor stores looking to offer their customers a unified shopping experience across all channels. Lightspeed’s ability to sync inventory, manage customer profiles, and process transactions across multiple platforms without manual intervention sets it apart from its rivals.

That said, even the most comprehensive of systems have their downfalls. While Lightspeed offers a wealth of features when connected online, its reliance on internet connectivity can be a drawback for stores located in areas with unstable connections. In contrast, KORONA offers more reliable offline capabilities, which can be a deciding factor for stores in such regions.

Also read: Best Grocery Store POS Systems

Basic Plan: $109 per month

• Features: Includes core POS functionalities, basic inventory management, integrated payments, and reporting tools.

Core Plan: $179 per month

• Features: Adds advanced inventory management, enhanced reporting tools, and basic CRM features.

Plus Plan: $289 per month

• Features: Includes all Core Plan features plus premium reporting, advanced CRM tools, and omnichannel capabilities for managing both in-store and online sales seamlessly.

Add-Ons:

Lightspeed Payments: Typically around 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction.

eCommerce: Additional $59 per month (for basic eCommerce features).

• Features: Includes online store setup, inventory sync with POS, and basic online payment processing.

Advanced Reporting: Typically included in the higher-tier plans (Plus Plan), but can be added to lower plans for an additional fee.

Extra Registers: Approximately $50 per month per additional register.

Third-Party Integrations: Varies depending on the specific integration, such as QuickBooks or Mailchimp, which may have their own subscription fees.

Customer-Facing Display: Custom pricing, typically involves a one-time hardware purchase with possible ongoing software fees.

Additional Locations: Custom pricing depending on the number of locations, usually requiring a consultation to determine the best pricing structure.

• Smart stock management: Offers low-stock alerts and custom reorder points for automatic restocking​.
• Integrated purchase orders: Allows direct creation and sending of purchase orders to suppliers from the POS​.
• Item matrix: Manages product variations like bottle sizes or vintages under a single listing​.
• Granular employee permissions: Controls access to functions like discounts and reports​
• Customizable customer display: Tailors the display with branding and promotional offers.
• Automated age verification: Integrates ID checks at checkout for compliance with alcohol regulations​.

When it comes to liquor store operations, Square for Retail POS stands out for its simplicity. Its intuitive, user-friendly interface allows store owners and employees to navigate the system with ease, minimizing training time.

Unlike Lightspeed or KORONA which offer advanced features but require a steeper learning curve, Square for Retail prioritizes ease of use. The system also integrates seamlessly with Square Online, enabling stores to manage in-store and online sales from a single platform. This eliminates the hassle of juggling multiple software solutions and ensures inventory updates are automatic and accurate.

Square for Retail’s simplicity extends to its pricing. With no monthly fees for the basic plan and transparent transaction rates, liquor store owners can manage costs confidently — an appealing advantage for small or new businesses where budgets are tight. While systems like POS Nation and Lightspeed may offer more features, they come at a higher price point, making Square for Retail a cost-effective option.

For liquor store owners seeking a hassle-free, all-in-one solution, Square for Retail delivers essential tools with an optimal balance of functionality and simplicity.

1. Free plan available
   • Features: Basic inventory management, customer directory, employee management, and unlimited products. Ideal for small liquor stores or new businesses.
   • Transaction Fees: 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction, 2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction.​
2. Plus Plan: $60 per month per location
   • Features: Includes everything in the Free plan, plus advanced inventory management (including low-stock alerts and automatic stock adjustments), multi-location management, and custom reporting.
   • Transaction Fees: 2.5% + 10¢ per in-person transaction, 2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction​.
3. Premium Plan: Custom pricing (contact sales for a quote)
   • Features: Includes all Plus plan features with additional benefits like custom processing rates, one-on-one onboarding support, and discounts on Square’s other services such as Square Loyalty and Square Marketing.
   • Transaction Fees: Custom rates, typically lower than standard.

Add-Ons:

• Square Loyalty: $45 per month for the first location, additional $10 per month for each additional location.
• Square Marketing: $15 to $35 per month depending on the size of the email list.
• Square Payroll: $35 per month plus $5 per employee per month.

• Smart stock forecasting: Real-time inventory tracking with reorder recommendations​.
• Barcode label printing: Directly generate and print labels from the POS system.
• Custom permissions: Set specific access levels for different employee roles.
• In-app purchase orders: Create and send purchase orders directly from the app.
• Integrated online and in-store sales: Manage both online and physical sales from one platform​.
• Multi-location stock management: Track and transfer inventory across multiple store locations​.

MPower Beverage is laser-focused on the beverage retail industry. This industry-specific focus is what sets MPower apart from competitors like Square for Retail and Lightspeed Retail, which, while certainly versatile, simply can’t match the depth and breadth of features that MPower offers for liquor stores.

One area where MPower Beverage really shines is its advanced inventory management capabilities. When compared to systems like POS Nation, it’s clear that MPower’s inventory tools are in a league of their own. The system is specifically designed to handle the unique challenges that come with managing a liquor store inventory. It allows for detailed tracking of inventory at both the unit and case levels, ensuring that your stock levels are always accurate and reordering is seamless. 

Of course, when it comes to choosing a POS system, price is always a factor to consider. While MPower Beverage may not be the cheapest option on the market, especially when compared to more general solutions like Square for Retail, the value it provides is unmatched. 

The specialized features and industry-specific design of MPower make it a worthwhile investment for liquor stores and beverage distributors that require a system capable of handling complex inventory and sales processes. When you consider the significant improvements in operational efficiency and accuracy that MPower offers, the return on investment becomes crystal clear.

No free trial 

For a single-register setup: $1,000 upfront + $120 per month.

For a three-register setup: $1,000 + $500 upfront + $360 per month.

• Advanced reporting: Over 70 standard reports are available, such as detailed sales history, customer behavior, need to order, end of day daily sales reports with tender tax, and inventory reports.
• Remote access: Manage your store’s operations from anywhere with remote access to the back-office system. This includes creating purchase orders, running reports, and managing customer data
• Credit card integration: The system supports EMV and contactless payments, making it easier for stores to handle various payment methods securely. It is also PA-DSS compliant, ensuring that credit card transactions are processed safely