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The 5 Best POS Systems in Australia 2023
Point of sale (POS) systems enable your business to process transactions first and foremost. These days, though, they can do so much more. They combine software and hardware that’s managed from a single platform, helping you manage stock levels, take tableside orders, and even send marketing emails to encourage repeat customers, to name a few features.
Australia’s inflation rate has been easing since March 2023, which means the timing for you to start or scale up your venture is ideal. In that scenario, if you run (or plan on running) a physical business, a POS system is an absolute must.
POS systems help you take payments, control stock, and analyse sales – and Square is the best POS system on the market according to our independent research. It got the top spot due to its intuitive hardware and insightful reporting, suitable to both retail and hospitality.
That said, POS systems aren’t one-size-fits-all solutions and you must choose one tailored to your needs. The quickest way to do that is using our free comparison tool, through which we’ll match you up with trusted providers, who’ll then contact you with no-obligation quotes.
However, if you’d like know more about the findings of our research, just head to our ranking below, in which we cover Square as well as other four strong contenders in the POS systems field.
1. Square: Best overall
Square scored a 4.8/5 in our research – largely aided by perfect results in all but two of the seven areas we looked into – and that makes it one of the best POS systems in our research. Square offers a free POS system and includes features such as a website builder, checkout tools, and sales reports.
Its Square for Retail variation, like the name implies, is suited to businesses who want more advanced and the best retail POS features. This service offers vendor sales reports, an inventory counting tool, and smart stock forecasts – and is best if you’re a retail business that is scaling or looking to scale. If you’re not looking to pay a monthly fee for a POS system, you can start out with the free POS app, and then as your business needs change, you can switch to the Plus version.
Like Lightspeed, it has a version specifically tailored to the hospitality industry (Square for Restaurants), which does have relevant features for this field, such as timecard reports, integrated payments, and eGift Cards.
2. Vend: Best for scalability
Vend scored a 4.4 in our research, scoring highly in the usability and help and support departments. The software is easy to use as is the setting up process. Vend works on iPads, Macs, and PCs, so even if you’re already using a POS system but want to switch to Vend, the software will most likely be compatible.
Vend is cloud-based so you can access reports, inventory and other features from your phone, tablet or laptop even if you aren’t physically present. If you travel often or want the security that you can keep an eye on your business even whilst you’re away, cloud-based POS systems such as Vend are a good option.
Vend integrates with various third-party apps such as Xero, Mailchimp, and Shopify. Although some users have found that the Shopify integration is often broken and does not work as seamlessly as it should. On the other hand, its 24/7 global support was highly praised by the platform’s clientele.
3. Lightspeed: Best for bars
Lightspeed offers solutions for retail and hospitality businesses, with specific features for each, and it scored 4.3/5 in our research. Lightspeed Retail has in-depth inventory management tools, such as being able to track items across multiple locations and setting up notifications to re-order an item when it’s low in stock. These advanced tools make it suitable for larger businesses or those with multiple locations.
It also has an integrated CRM (customer relationship management) system so you can foster better relationships with your customers. You can store customer details, and build their profiles for tailored marketing and loyalty programs. However, Vend’s CRM system is more organised and streamlined and puts it ahead of Lightspeed. Furthermore, Vend’s pricing structure is identical to Lightspeed Retail’s, so you’re likely to be better served by the former if you’re a retailer.
Lightspeed really shines in its Hospitality incarnation. It allows for guest and table management, edits on product availability, which enhance customer experience, and integration with popular delivery platforms such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats. Its restock reminders and live recipe margin calculator make it one of the best takeaway POS systems in the market. Plus, its offline mode keeps the show running even if during internet hiccups – a trait it shares with hospitality-focused service, TouchBistro. Multi-location reports can also be run so you can easily keep an eye on all your locations.
4. Shopify POS: Best for retail
Shopify is best known for its ecommerce platform designed to run online shops but it also offers a POS system so you can easily integrate the two to create a seamless way to track and manage your inventory and orders. Overall it scored a 4.1/5 in our research, with stock management and usability scoring a 5/5.
Even if you’re a pop-up store, you can still benefit from using a POS system to organise and manage all the moving parts of a retail business. Your mobile device can be turned into a POS system at your fingertips by downloading the Shopify POS app onto an Android or iOS smartphone or tablet. The system is customisable so you can personalise it to suit the way you want to use it for your business. For example, you can keep your most popular discounts or products on the front page to make it easier to access.
Shopify POS is best suited to those who want to take their business online or who already have an online store with Shopify, especially because its Lite plan already comes with three of four Shopify’s paid plans – namely Basic ($45/month), Shopify ($123/month) and Advanced ($464/month). Shopify POS’ top tier, named Pro, costs $138/month per location on top of your chosen Shopify plan.
5. TouchBistro: Best for restaurants
Designed with the hospitality industry in mind, TouchBistro has relevant features to suit this industry and is one of the best equipped to serve it in Australia. This restaurant POS system – which scored 4/5 in our research – comes with a CRM (customer relationship management) system so you can store customer data accurately. A CRM system means you can connect to your customers better through targeted marketing and tailored loyalty programs.
Like Lightspeed Hospitality, TouchBistro has an offline mode, and provides you with the ability to offer mobile and pay-at-table solutions, so customers can have a more convenient, and efficient way to pay.
TouchBistro doesn’t offer a free trial, making it more difficult to make an informed decision. Once you’ve signed up, it can be difficult to get out of the contract as you’ll need to send TouchBistro 30 day’s written notice before the end of your contract. Failure to do this means your contract is automatically renewed. Other providers such as Square don’t require you to sign a long-term contract, so you have more flexibility.
Use our free comparison tool by filling in your details, and we’ll match you up with the POS suppliers that best suit your business. They’ll then be in touch with free, no-obligation quotes for you to compare. This also gives you the opportunity to speak with suppliers yourself, and ask the questions most important to you before you spend a single dollar.
Since 2009, Expert Market has helped over 300,000 professionals make business decisions with confidence each year. If you’re looking for expert help in choosing the best supplies, software, and services for your business, you’ve come to the right place.
