A POS app lets businesses accept payments, track sales, manage products, and run basic checkout operations from a phone or tablet. The best POS apps work without bulky hardware, support Tap to Pay or mobile card readers, and include the tools businesses need to sell in-store, online, at events, or on the go.
For this guide, I evaluated POS apps available on the App Store and Google Play, focusing on features, scalability, cost-effectiveness, security, and support. Shopify is best for businesses selling online and in person, Square is best for businesses that want a free all-in-one POS app, Clover is best for customizable setups, Helcim is best for interchange-plus pricing, and PayPal Point of Sale is best for simple mobile payments.
| Best for | Starting monthly software fee | |
| Shopify | Online and in-person sellers | $5 |
| Square | Free all-in-one POS app | $0 |
| Clover | Customizable POS setups | $14.95 |
| Helcim | Interchange-plus pricing and volume discounts | $0 |
| PayPal Point of Sale | Simple mobile payments | $0 |
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Best POS apps compared
| POS app | My score | In-person processing rate | Works on | Tap to Pay | Offline mode | Key limitation |
| Shopify | 4.59 | 2.4%-2.6% + 10 cents | iOS and Android | iPhone and Android | Limited | Best value requires Shopify ecommerce tools |
| Square | 4.55 | 2.6% + 15 cents | iOS and Android | iPhone and Android | Yes | Account holds are a common user complaint |
| Clover | 4.41 | 2.3%-2.6% + 10 cents | iOS and Clover hardware | iPhone | Yes | Hardware and software costs can add up |
| Helcim | 4.24 | Interchange-plus | iOS, Android, and browser | iPhone | Limited | Not as simple as flat-rate POS apps |
| PayPal Point of Sale | 4.20 | 2.29% + 9 cents | iOS and Android | iPhone and Android | Limited | Basic POS features compared with full POS systems |
To identify the best POS apps, I evaluated mobile-first POS providers based on how well they support checkout, payment processing, device compatibility, hardware connections, inventory tracking, reporting, offline mode, integrations, pricing, and customer support. I also reviewed App Store and Google Play availability, provider pricing pages, hardware options, security features, support resources, and user feedback.
Each POS app was scored using six weighted criteria:
- Mobile checkout and POS features (25%): I evaluated each app’s core checkout tools, including product catalogs, inventory tracking, discounts, tax settings, receipts, customer profiles, employee permissions, reporting, and payment acceptance. Apps with stronger mobile checkout workflows, Tap to Pay support, barcode scanning, invoicing, and industry-specific tools earned higher scores.
- Pricing and payment processing (20%): I compared monthly software costs, in-person processing rates, keyed-in rates, online payment fees, hardware costs, add-on fees, contract terms, and overall value. Apps with free or low-cost plans, transparent pricing, affordable hardware, and predictable processing costs scored higher.
- Device and hardware compatibility (15%): I reviewed whether each POS app works on iPhone, iPad, Android devices, desktop browsers, proprietary hardware, or a mix of devices. I also considered compatibility with card readers, handheld terminals, receipt printers, cash drawers, barcode scanners, and Tap to Pay.
- Ease of use and app performance (15%): I looked at setup process, interface design, checkout speed, offline mode, dashboard usability, and how easily businesses can train staff to use the app. Apps with intuitive workflows, reliable mobile performance, and strong accessibility across devices earned higher scores.
- Integrations and scalability (15%): I evaluated how well each POS app can support business growth through ecommerce integrations, accounting connections, CRM tools, loyalty programs, marketing features, multi-location management, advanced reporting, APIs, and app marketplaces.
- Customer support and user reviews (10%): I reviewed support availability, training resources, help centers, customer service channels, and recent user feedback from app stores and third-party review sites. Apps with responsive support, strong documentation, and consistent user satisfaction scored higher.
The five highest-scoring POS apps are featured in this guide, with recommendations based on best fit for different business needs, including online and in-person selling, free POS tools, customization, low-cost processing, and simple mobile payments.
I have more than seven years of experience evaluating point-of-sale systems, payment processors, and retail software. My background includes hands-on testing of POS apps, payment terminals, mobile card readers, Tap to Pay tools, online checkout flows, and retail and food service workflows.
I’ve written extensively about POS, ecommerce, and payment platforms for small businesses, mid-market teams, and growing retail brands. For this guide, I reviewed POS apps based on mobile checkout features, device compatibility, hardware options, pricing, payment processing, security, integrations, support, and real-world user feedback.
I regularly test or demo POS systems, speak with product teams, review app store feedback, and check user-reported issues to understand how each platform performs beyond its marketing claims.
Shopify: Best for online and in-person sales
Overall Reviewer Score
4.59/5
POS features
5/5
Scalability & integration
4.69/5
Ease of use & accessibility
4.06/5
Pricing & cost-effectiveness
4.06/5
Security & compliance
5/5
Customer support & training
3.95/5
Pros
- Seamless integration of in-person, online, and social media sales channels
- Scalable tools designed for business growth
- 24/7 customer support
- Highly reviewed
Cons
- Limited offline features
- Customizations may require coding knowledge
Why I chose Shopify POS
I chose Shopify because it offers a seamless way to manage both online and in-person sales, which is essential for businesses with multiple sales channels. The platform is highly scalable, meaning it can easily grow with your business as your needs evolve.
With powerful features like customizable storefronts, detailed reporting, and an extensive app marketplace, Shopify allows you to tailor the system to fit your business perfectly. Compared to Square, Shopify excels in ecommerce-specific tools, making it a better fit for businesses with a heavy online focus or complex online store requirements.
The user-friendly interface makes it easy to manage daily operations. While there are costs for hardware, Shopify has a Tap to Pay feature that allows you to accept payments with compatible iPhones or Android mobile phones, eliminating the need to purchase card readers. Shopify’s flexibility and robust tools make it an excellent choice for businesses aiming to streamline operations and scale efficiently.
- POS monthly software fees: $5-$89 per location
- In-person transactions: 2.4% + 10 cents to 2.6% + 10 cents
- Online transactions: 2.5% to 2.9% + 30 cents
- Omnichannel selling
- Inventory management
- Customer profiles
- Customizable checkout
- Employee management
- Sales analytics and reporting
- App integrations
- Loyalty programs and discounts
- Offline mode
- Multi-location support
- Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android
Play Store
App Store
Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
What users like
- Easy to set up and use
- Real-time inventory update
- Works well at pop-ups, trade shows, events
- Contactless payment doesn’t work at times
- Easy to process payments
- Easy to use
What users don’t like
- App keeps disconnecting hardware
- App can be slow and buggy at times
- Other features are only available for US users
- Contactless payment doesn’t work at times
- Disconnects from the reader
- Lacks some essential features
Square: Best free, all-in-one POS app
Overall Reviewer Score
4.55/5
POS features
4.58/5
Scalability & integration
4.38/5
Ease of use & accessibility
4.69/5
Pricing & cost-effectiveness
4.69/5
Security & compliance
4.58/5
Customer support & training
4.28/5
Pros
- Free baseline POS software
- Zero upfront costs
- Highly-rate POS app
Cons
- Advanced features require add-on fees
- Limited customer support hours
Why I chose Square
I chose Square because of its simplicity and accessibility, which also helped it make our list of the best Android POS systems and the best mobile POS systems. It is highly suitable for businesses looking for a cost-effective, highly functional POS app. Its baseline POS software includes essential tools for managing sales, inventory, and customer engagement all in one place. Its seamless integration between online and in-person sales ensures you can handle multiple channels without missing a beat.
Compared to competitors like Shopify, Square stands out for offering a free baseline POS system that doesn’t require monthly subscription fees, making it ideal for budget-conscious businesses. The intuitive interface minimizes training time, while features like Square’s loyalty programs and marketing add-ons allow you to enhance customer relationships.
Plus, Square’s no-contract, flat-rate pricing provides transparency and allows new businesses to use a POS system with no upfront costs. For businesses that prioritize affordability without sacrificing essential features, Square offers an edge over many other providers.
- Monthly fee: $0
- Payment processing fees:
- In-person: 2.6% + 15 cents
- Online: 2.9% + 30 cents
- Keyed-in: 3.5% + 15 cents
- Custom rates available for businesses processing over $250,000 annually.
- Streamlined sales and checkout
- Inventory management
- Customer directory
- Omnichannel selling
- Ecommerce integration
- Tap to Pay on iPhone
- Sales reporting
- Employee management
- Marketing tools
- Loyalty programs
- App marketplace
- Customizable interface
- Offline mode
Play Store
App Store
Rating
3.9 out of 5
4.8 out of 5
What users like
- Can take payments anywhere even with just mobile phones
- Lots of good tools are included in the free baseline POS
- Easy to use
- Keeps transactions organized
- Customers can see the price details
- Always able to accept a payment
What users don’t like
- Readers get disconnected at times
- Constantly asks user to log in
- Can be buggy on some devices
- Account freezes
- Payment transfers take time
Clover: Best for customizations
Overall Reviewer Score
4.41/5
POS features
3.75/5
Scalability & integration
4.69/5
Ease of use & accessibility
4.69/5
Pricing & cost-effectiveness
4.69/5
Security & compliance
5/5
Customer support & training
4.08/5
Pros
- Extensive app marketplace
- Simple and easy set up
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Higher-priced hardware
- Add-on fees for more advanced features
Why I chose Clover
I think Clover’s highly customizable POS application makes it a suitable solution for a variety of business needs. Its extensive app marketplace allows you to expand functionality beyond basic POS operations, allowing it to fit unique workflows. Clover’s robust hardware options also make it ideal for businesses needing flexible setups.
Compared to other providers, Clover’s app marketplace and hardware options provide more room for scalability. While pricing can be higher, the combination of flexibility, reliability, and features makes Clover an excellent choice for growing businesses seeking a versatile POS solution.
Payments plan
Essentials plan
Retail/Services Growth
Monthly fee
$0
$14.95
$84.95
Card present rate
2.6% + $0.10
2.6% + $0.10
2.5% + $0.10
Keyed-in rate
3.5% + $0.10
3.5% + $0.10
3.5% + $0.10
- Sales management
- Inventory management
- Customer management
- Employee management
- Reporting and analytics
- App marketplace integration
- Scalable software
- Offline mode
- Customizable payment options
Play Store
App Store
Rating
4.7 out of 5
4.8 out of 5
What users like
- Quick and easy to set up
- Works great for multi-location
- Different hardware options
- Real-time sales view
- Sales view on Apple Watch
- Hardware is good
What users don’t like
- Pricing can be expensive
- Slow and unresponsive at times
- Interface is not very visually appealing
- Quirky and can be unreliable
- Glitchy inventory tools
- Some features disappear with updates
Helcim: Best for interchange pricing and automatic volume discounts
Overall Reviewer Score
4.24/5
POS features
4.17/5
Scalability & integration
4.38/5
Ease of use & accessibility
3.75/5
Pricing & cost-effectiveness
5/5
Security & compliance
4.58/5
Customer support & training
3.83/5
Pros
- Interchange-plus pricing
- Automatic volume discounts
- Simple POS with basic inventory tools
Cons
- No built-in customer loyalty program
- Limited hardware options
Why I chose Helcim
Businesses with increasing or high-volume transactions and wanting to save on processing costs will find Helcim the most suitable option. Its transparent interchange-plus pricing ensures competitive rates without hidden fees, making it easy to predict and manage expenses. Compared to other POS apps on this list, Helcim is the only one that offers interchange-plus pricing and automatic volume discounts. This also makes Helcim the best credit card payment app for growing businesses.
Helcim also stands out for its free features, including invoicing, recurring billing, and an integrated virtual terminal, which cater to both in-person and online sales. The platform’s scalability and flexibility allow it to grow with your business, while its intuitive interface ensures a smooth onboarding process for employees. With no long-term contracts and exceptional customer support, Helcim is an excellent choice for businesses that value cost savings, transparency, and operational efficiency.
- Monthly fee: $0
- Payment processing fees:
Processing volume
Card present rate
Card not present rate
$0 to $50k
Interchange + 0.40% + $0.08
Interchange + 0.50% + $0.25
$50k to $100k
Interchange + 0.35% + $0.07
Interchange + 0.45% + $0.20
$100k to $500k
Interchange + 0.25% + $0.07
Interchange + 0.35% + $0.20
$500k to $1M
Interchange + 0.20% + $0.06
Interchange + 0.25% + $0.15
$1M+
Interchange + 0.15% + $0.06
Interchange + 0.15% + $0.15
- Interchange-plus pricing
- Automatic volume discount
- Omnichannel selling
- Inventory management
- Customer management
- Multi-location support
- Tap to Pay on iPhone
- Gross payouts
Play Store
App Store
Rating
3.1 out of 5
3.3 out of 5
What users like
- Great rates
- Clean interface and easy-to-use
- Responsive and works well for payment processing
- Card reader works smoothly with the app
- Easy to send invoices via the app
- Easy to use
What users don’t like
- Constantly needs to be updated
- Lags occasionally and is glitchy
- Disconnects from the card reader
- Unusable
- Crashes at times
- Buggy
PayPal Point of Sale: Best simple mobile-friendly POS app
Overall Reviewer Score
4.20/5
POS features
4.38/5
Scalability & integration
3.75/5
Ease of use & accessibility
4.06/5
Pricing & cost-effectiveness
4.69/5
Security & compliance
4.58/5
Customer support & training
4.28/5
Pros
- Seamless PayPal integration
- Wide payment options
- Global reach
Cons
- Limited POS feattures
- Limited customizations
- Inconsistent customer support
Why I chose PayPal Point of Sale
I chose PayPal Point of Sale because it’s a straightforward and affordable solution for small businesses or those just starting with in-person payments. Its seamless integration with PayPal allows businesses to manage online and in-person transactions effortlessly, making it an excellent option for those who already rely on PayPal for ecommerce.
The system is easy to set up and use, with mobile-friendly hardware that works well for businesses on the go. While it doesn’t offer advanced POS features like some competitors, its simplicity and flexibility make it ideal for businesses with basic needs or occasional in-person sales. PayPal Point of Sale’s global reach and ability to accept various payment methods provide additional versatility for small-scale and international transactions.
- Monthly fee: $0
- Payment processing fees:
- Card present: 2.29% + $0.09
- Keyed in: 3.49% + $0.09
- Wide payment options
- Inventory management
- Sales reporting with real-time analytics
- Employee management
- Multi-currency support
- Customer relationship management
- Straightforward set up
Play Store
App Store
Rating
3.8 out of 5
3.2 out of 5
What users like
- Syncs with Shopify inventory
- Wide payment options
- Easy to use
- Coupon and discount feature
- Easy to use
- Responsive
What users don’t like
- Disconnects from the reader
- Difficult to sign in
- Buggy and stops working at times
- Glitchy in some devices
- Disconnects from devices
- Account holds
How to choose the best POS app for your business
The best POS app should fit how and where you sell, work reliably on your devices, and support the features you need to manage payments, products, staff, and customers. Before choosing a provider, compare device compatibility, payment features, offline mode, integrations, hardware connections, security, and scalability.
Step 1: Start with where and how you sell
First, identify your main sales setup. A retail store, food truck, restaurant, pop-up shop, ecommerce brand, and service business will not need the same POS app.
For example:
- Retail stores need inventory tracking, barcode scanning, customer profiles, and returns.
- Restaurants and food service businesses need modifiers, tipping, kitchen printers, menu management, and tableside payments.
- Mobile sellers and pop-ups need Tap to Pay, card readers, offline mode, and fast checkout.
- Ecommerce businesses need online store integrations, synced inventory, and omnichannel customer data.
- Service businesses may need invoicing, appointments, customer records, and mobile payments.
Once you know your main sales channel, you can rule out POS apps that are too basic or too specialized for your workflow.
Step 2: Check device compatibility
Choose a POS app that works on the devices your team already uses or plans to buy. Some POS apps work on iPhones, iPads, Android phones, Android tablets, and desktop browsers, while others perform best on proprietary hardware.
Look for:
- iOS and Android compatibility
- Support for phones and tablets
- Tap to Pay availability
- Browser or back-office access
- Regular app updates for current operating systems
Device compatibility matters because a low-cost POS app can become expensive if it requires new tablets, terminals, or hardware bundles.
Step 3: Compare payment options and processing costs
A POS app should support the ways your customers prefer to pay, including tap, chip, swipe, mobile wallet, keyed-in, invoice, and online payments. Review both the payment features and the processing fees.
Compare:
- In-person transaction rates
- Keyed-in payment rates
- Online payment rates
- Tap to Pay support
- Chargeback fees
- Deposit speed
- Contract terms
- Whether you can use your own processor
For small businesses, flat-rate pricing can be easier to predict. For higher-volume businesses, interchange-plus pricing may lower costs.
Step 4: Confirm offline mode and app reliability
Offline mode is critical if you sell at events, markets, food trucks, temporary locations, or areas with spotty internet. The best POS apps let you keep taking payments or recording sales when the connection drops, then sync data when service returns.
Also check app performance. Look for signs that the app can handle peak hours without freezing, lagging, or losing transactions. Recent App Store and Google Play reviews can be useful here because they often reveal issues with updates, crashes, syncing, and device compatibility.
Step 5: Review hardware and peripheral connections
Your POS app should connect reliably with the hardware you need to run sales. This may include a mobile card reader for simple checkout or a full setup with scanners, printers, terminals, cash drawers, and kitchen devices.
Check compatibility with:
- Card readers
- Receipt printers
- Barcode scanners
- Cash drawers
- Kitchen printers
- Customer-facing displays
- Digital scales
- Handheld terminals
Also confirm whether connections use Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, or proprietary hardware. Reliable device connectivity is especially important for busy retail and restaurant environments.
Step 6: Match the app’s features to daily operations
Look beyond basic checkout. The right POS app should make routine work easier, not just process payments.
Core features to compare include:
- Product catalog and inventory tracking
- Employee permissions and time tracking
- Customer profiles and CRM tools
- Discounts, taxes, and tipping
- Refunds, exchanges, and returns
- Sales reports and analytics
- Custom layouts, menus, or quick-access buttons
- Multi-location tools
- Real-time data syncing
A customizable interface can save time by letting staff access common items, categories, modifiers, or actions quickly.
Related: Key POS Features You Need
Step 7: Check integrations and data syncing
Your POS app should connect with the systems you already use. For many businesses, this includes ecommerce platforms, accounting software, payroll tools, marketing apps, loyalty programs, and inventory systems.
Prioritize real-time syncing if you sell through multiple channels. This helps keep inventory, sales, and customer records accurate across stores, online orders, mobile checkouts, and back-office reports.
Step 8: Review security and access controls
POS apps handle sensitive payment and customer data, so security should be part of your buying decision. At minimum, look for PCI compliance, data encryption, secure payment processing, and user-level permissions.
For teams, access controls are especially useful. They let you decide which employees can issue refunds, apply discounts, view reports, change settings, or access customer data.
Step 9: Test ease of use before committing
A good POS app should be easy for staff to learn and fast enough for daily checkout. Before choosing, test the demo, free plan, or trial if available.
During testing, check how easy it is to:
- Add products
- Process a sale
- Apply discounts
- Issue refunds
- Connect a card reader
- View reports
- Update inventory
- Add staff permissions
A POS app that looks affordable can still cost you time if setup is confusing or staff need extensive training.
Step 10: Choose based on fit, not just price
The cheapest POS app is not always the best option. A free app may work well for a small mobile seller, but a growing retailer or restaurant may need stronger inventory tools, better reporting, offline mode, or hardware support.
Choose the POS app that fits your business type, device setup, payment volume, staff workflow, and growth plans. For most small businesses, the best option is the one that balances cost, reliability, ease of use, and the ability to scale without forcing a full system change later.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Shopify POS is better for businesses that sell online and in person, while Helcim is a strong option for businesses that want interchange-plus pricing. Square is recommended for most small businesses because it offers a free plan, built-in payment processing, Tap to Pay, inventory tools, customer profiles, and reporting.
The best mobile POS system depends on how you sell. Square is best for most small businesses that need a free mobile POS app, Shopify POS is best for ecommerce sellers, Clover is best for customizable hardware setups, and PayPal Point of Sale is best for simple mobile payments.
A POS app is the software used on a phone, tablet, or mobile device to process sales and manage checkout tasks. A POS system includes the app plus payment processing, hardware, reporting, inventory tools, employee controls, and integrations.
Yes, many POS apps let you use a phone as a POS system. Depending on the provider, you can accept payments with Tap to Pay, a mobile card reader, or keyed-in payment entry.
Square is one of the best free POS apps because its basic POS plan has no monthly software fee and includes payment processing, item management, customer profiles, reporting, and Tap to Pay. PayPal Point of Sale and Helcim also offer $0 monthly software options, but Square has a stronger all-in-one feature set for most small businesses.
Some POS apps work offline, but offline features vary by provider. Many apps let you record sales or accept limited payments without an internet connection, then sync transactions when the connection returns. Businesses that sell at markets, events, food trucks, or temporary locations should confirm offline payment rules before choosing a POS app.
A POS app can cost $0 to more than $100 per month, depending on the provider and feature set. Most businesses also pay payment processing fees, and some need hardware such as card readers, receipt printers, barcode scanners, or handheld terminals. Compare monthly fees, processing rates, hardware costs, add-ons, and contract terms before choosing a POS application.
