Cloud Point of Sale (POS) system permits private ventures to acknowledge face to face payments. Exchanges occur face to face while the processing of payment occurs in the cloud. For example, convenience store pos systems use cloud frameworks that oversee other business tasks like customer loyalty programs, employee schedules, and inventory management.

Cloud POS systems are inconceivably popular since they are less expensive upfront than locally installed POS systems, which require an on-site server. Cloud POS frameworks additionally give entrepreneurs greater flexibility to analyze and update their activities from anyplace with an internet connection. Therefore, this article discusses the three best clouds hosting for POS Systems.

Lightspeed

Lightspeed is a cloud hosting POS framework that works concerning iPads or as a browser-based POS. Lightspeed offers devices for a wide range of retail businesses, including a 14-day free trial of its software. It includes in-built tools for online purchase and in-store and possesses its platform of e-commerce that permits businesses to make an online store effectively. The pricing of Lightspeed is competitive and begins at $69 every month per terminal.

Pricing

• Software: Lightspeed offers five diverse subscription levels. They are Pro, Advanced, Standard, Starter, and Basic. The Basic membership begins at $69 every month for a single terminal, while the Pro subscription starts at $229 every month.
• Hardware: Lightspeed works on iPads or iMac PCs. You can buy these via Lightspeed or bring your own. It sells some other peripheral hardware like cash drawers, bar code scanners, card readers, and receipt printers at custom quoted costs.
• Installation: Lightspeed does not charge an extra fee for installment.
• Payment Processing: It is a built-in payment processor. In-person exchanges are processed at a 2.6% + 10 cents rate for every exchange while manually typed in are 2.6% + 30 cents each. Also, it coordinates with TSYS and Vantiv if you choose to bring in your processor.
• Add-on modules: Lightspeed has additional items for accounting, e-commerce, analytics, and loyalty. Any of these can be tried freely for 14 days, after which the prices vary.
• Integrations: Beyond the numerous functions of Lightspeed, it also works with more than 80 third-party integrations. These integrations are accessible for appointment booking, chatbots, equipment rental tracking, employee scheduling, payroll, and third-party delivery platforms.

Features

• Inventory management: The inventory management of Lightspeed POS features lets you add items in bulk or independently. You can track stock levels across numerous locations and set alerts for low stock. Advanced inventory features incorporate integrated product indexes and purchase orders, aging product reports, multiple item variants, layaway, work orders, and detailed product labeling and organization.
• Customer management: Lightspeed offers extra tools in LightSpeed Loyalty, permitting businesses to organize a rewards program, send coupons and special offers, assemble SMS and email marketing campaigns, automatically segment customers for targeted messaging, detailed customer analytics, and create customer credit accounts.
• Online sales and e-commerce: Lightspeed offers a robust e-commerce solution platform that allows businesses to create custom sites with Lightspeed’s layouts. From that point, you can sell locally or to a global customer base. Extra features permit you to sell your items via social media channels like Facebook and Instagram.
• Reporting and Analytics: Your cloud POS information can be gotten to from any connected gadget to get a constant look at what is happening in your business. You can view the number of clients visiting your store, which products experience the most stock-outs, and which hours your employees are working. Exporting your information into the reports module gives a more detailed view.

Pros

• Offers free trial
• Available for various business types
• Strong e-commerce features

Cons

• The functionality offline is limited
• Lightspeed payment enrollment is required for the best pricing

Square

According to Wisesmallbusiness.Com, Square offers cloud hosting POS solutions for a huge range of businesses. It is an across the board cloud POS and credit card payment processor that is easy to set up and utilize, without monthly charges or contracts. Actual stores or restaurants will discover industry-specific capacities by opting for the Square for Retail or Square for Restaurants. This POS software requires utilizing Square as your payment processor. However, if your average transaction is $20 or less, Square offers the most minimal payment processing rates accessible. Square’s flexibility and low-value focus make it one of the best POS frameworks for private ventures.

Pricing

• Software: With Square POS, you get your first magstripe card reader at no after you must have downloaded the app. Retail or restaurant organizations that need extra POS capacities like redesigned stock or table-mapping will need to investigateSquare for Retail or Square for Restaurants. These two focused POS frameworks have a free standard subscription; however, higher-level capacities are accessible by upgrading to a monthly charge of $60 every month.
• Hardware: Square POS works on iPads or Android tablets. Square sends your first magstripe card reader at no cost; however, if you need a chip or contactless readers, you will be required to buy them from Square’s site. It likewise sells POS bundles, with individual tablet stands, bar code scanners, cash drawers, and handheld Square Terminals. However, currently, Square POS stands are only compatible with iPads.
• Installation: Establishing your Square POS is an altogether do-it-yourself undertaking. The only cost required is the time it takes to tweak to your preferences.
• Payment processing: Square records rates of payment processing publicly on its site. As of now, they are 2.6% + 10 cents for every in-person swiped, plunged, or tapped exchange. Card-not-present, manually keyed, or card-on-record, payments are 3.5% + 15 cent charge.
• Add-on modules: Square’s POS incorporates with the full set-up of Square software solutions. Service businesses can associate with Square Appointments and Square Invoices. Actual shops and restaurants will love Team Management, Loyalty, Marketing add-ons, and Payroll. Restaurants and retail stores can get extra functions by upgrading to Square for Retail or Square for Restaurants.
• Integrations: Square coordinates with many external solutions for everything from kitchen display screens to third-party delivery. The best part is that Square incorporates with QuickBooks for simple accounting capacities.

Features

• Inventory management: Square POS incorporates standard stock administration features like the capacity to see, oversee, sort, and track individual products across all areas progressively. It has regular stock alert emails, including low-stock cautions, to avoid stock-outs.
• Customer Management: Square POS makes basic client profiles that incorporate purchase history. And a customer feedback tool for gathering continuous criticism.
• Online sales and e-commerce: Square POS has bunches of help for organizations that need to sell on the web. The built-in Square Online Store synchronizes m in-person and online sales information to a centralized area and is set up. Square POS additionally coordinates with other e-commerce solutions, including WooCommerce, and Wix.
• Reporting and Analytics: Square POS detailing shows standard information like sales trends and total overall sales. You can view how much clients spend, how regularly they return a product, and which items they often purchase.

Pros

• The POS baseline is free
• No long time contract required
• Has an amazing online store function

Cons

• Square payment processing is a must use
• CRM and Loyalty are add-ons

ShopKeep

The cloud hosting POS system of ShopKeep works on iPads or Android tablets. It was built for small scale to medium-sized retailers. ShopKeep centers around easy to understand stock administration and flexible payment choices. This system is incredible for boutiques, forte shops, or restaurant-retail businesses that sell packaged foods including dishes that are made-to-order. Different highlights incorporate significant level detailing, e-commerce websites, and staff management.

Pricing

• Software: ShopKeep has three pricing levels: Basic, Essential, and Advanced. The Basic package on a yearly payment (different payment for month-to-month plans) begins at $49 every month for a single terminal while the essential and advanced are respectively $79 and $179.
• Hardware: Shopkeep works on Android tablets or iPads. You can purchase supported devices through Shopkeep’s site, either independently or as a segment of a bundle. The Basic hardware kit for retail includes a card reader, cash drawer, iPad enclosure, and receipt printer.
• Installation: Shopkeep does not list the fee for installation on its site.
• Payment processing: ShopKeep offers worked in payment processing, referred to as Shopkeep Payments. Offering a flat rate payment at 2.5% +10 cents rate for every in-person exchange. Shopkeep Payment underpins in-person swiped, dipped, contactless, tapped, and mobile wallet payments.
• Add-on modules: ShopKeep is made to be an across the board POS tool, so there aren’t many features that are offered independently. However, a few like e-commerce and loyalty are only included in the more significant membership levels.

Features

• Inventory management: Shopkeep’s stock module is exceptionally easy to use and incorporates standard features like mass transfer and item variations. Stock reports show stock worth, sales patterns, and income driving items. You can likewise make sales projections and delegate received orders to a particular employee.
• Customer Management: ShopKeep’s Loyalty module is accessible to Advanced clients and supports a standard client profile with point-based rewards and reports toward identifying top clients.
• Online sales and e-commerce: Shopkeep’s online business capacities are incorporated at higher membership levels and fueled by Ecwid. Shopkeep clients can build an online business webpage utilizing Shopkeep layouts. These websites sync with your main inventory, so you may never have to sell things you don’t have available.
• Reporting and analytics: Shopkeep’s BackOffice dashboard reveals both significant level views and bare essential details. It highlights a few reporting alternatives that outline staff efficiency. You can rapidly recognize top-selling workers and move down more with hourly work and move specific sales reports.

Pros

• Possesses various payment options
• Works on iPads and Android tablets
• The payment permits flat rates or interchange including processing rates

Cons

• Some functions are only made available at higher price levels
• Does not support the pre-authorization of credit cards on bar tabs
• Does not support dual card drawer tills

Conclusion

Selecting the right Cloud Hosting POS system is critical to the success of your business. These advanced solutions accomplish such a great deal beyond processing payments.

Small businesses’ needs are changing quicker than they have previously, and the flexibility, speed, and versatility of a cloud-based POS can assist them with exploring an always moving consumer landscape. Your business has its differences, which will determine the type of cloud hosting POS system you would choose.