The Best Android POS Systems Of 2024

If you’re in search of a top-notch POS system for your business, you don’t have to switch to an iPad. If you’re already using Android devices or prefer them over iOS, there’s good news – there’s a wide array of excellent Android point-of-sale (POS) systems available today. Dive into our detailed guide to explore the finest Android POS systems of 2024. The SiSu Freedom team meticulously evaluated numerous options, considering features, pricing, reputation, and more.

The Best Android POS Systems of 2024

Square: Best Overall Android POS System

Finding an Android POS system that outshines Square is quite a challenge. Square’s software comes at no cost, and upon signing up, you’ll receive a complimentary card reader. Most essential business features are bundled without extra charges. While there are processing fees for each sale, Square simplifies the process by implementing flat fees.

For in-person transactions, it’s 2.6% plus $0.10, online it’s 2.9% plus $0.30, and manually keyed sales incur a charge of 3.5% plus $0.15. If you’re eyeing additional functionalities like marketing or payroll, Square offers add-ons ranging from $5 to $45 monthly. Moreover, there’s a marketplace housing third-party apps, some of which are free, aiding in business management.

Considering its comprehensive offerings, Square proves to be a feasible and economical choice for businesses favoring Android devices. Whether you’re conducting sales in-store, online, or through pop-up shops, its flat-fee structure stands out, especially appealing to budding small businesses.

Pros:

• POS at no cost
• Complimentary card reader
• User-friendly
• Operates both online and in-person
• Incorporates integrated payment processing
• Incorporates inventory management

Cons:

• Moderate inventory control
• Required utilization of Square for processing payments

Who should use Square?

• Entrepreneurs of small retail, restaurant, and service-based ventures seeking economical POS software
• Business proprietors in search of robust yet reasonably priced POS registers, kitchen displays, and handheld POS devices
• Entrepreneurs seeking straightforward payment processing conditions and flexible contracts

Square Android POS System Features

• Square Online: Create a free online store to sell products, take restaurant orders, or book appointments.
• Square Invoices: Generate free invoices to send estimates, collect deposits, and bill stored cards for services like catering, multi-step home projects, or business-to-business transactions.
• Unlimited Devices: Use any number of tablets at your location with the free plan.
• Checkout Links: Accept payments through QR codes, links, emails, texts, social media, or a website’s buy button.
• eGift Cards: Offer free eGift cards, including group options, introduced in Square’s new features in September 2023.
• Square Dashboard: Oversee inventory, reports, online store, appointments, customer profiles, and team management from a single tablet dashboard, accessible from anywhere.

Hardware Cost & Options

Square’s latest addition, Tap to Pay on Android, transforms standard Android smartphones into contactless card readers. This enables businesses to accept tap card and digital wallet payments without requiring a separate card reader. For chip card payments, the $49 Square card reader (or the newly launched $69 second-generation Square card reader) is necessary, which is particularly beneficial for businesses operating on a tight budget, especially those solely based on mobile platforms.

Square’s hardware lineup is primarily Android-oriented, encompassing devices like the $299 Square Terminal, the recently introduced $259 Square Restaurant Mobile POS kit, and the $799 Square Register. Additionally, the company offers hardware peripherals like weight scales and stands to facilitate the creation of self-service kiosks.

In the recent update, Square has made its kitchen display software exclusively available on Android devices. This includes options like the $599 15.6″ Microtouch Android screen and the $699 Microtouch 21.5″ screen, marking a strategic move in catering to businesses leveraging Android-based setups.

Payment Processing Costs

Square is your sole option for handling payments, and they apply these fees for processing various payment methods:

• For in-person transactions: 2.6% + $0.10 under the Free plan; 2.5% + $0.10 on the Plus plan
• Online transactions: 2.9% + $0.30
• Invoiced payments: 3.3% + $0.30
• Manually entered card payments: 3.5% + $0.15

Loyverse: Best for Loyalty Programs

Loyverse stands out as an esteemed Android POS system that provides an array of features within its basic software at no cost. Notably, it incorporates loyalty program functionalities, allowing businesses to grant points to customers, redeemable for future purchase discounts. This feature-rich system is particularly appealing for businesses prioritizing customer retention, as it negates the need for payment towards a separate loyalty program.

Despite the absence of monthly software fees, enhancing your POS’s functionality might necessitate investing in add-ons. Loyverse offers options like an advanced inventory add-on at $25 per month, employee management for the same price, and the capability to integrate with external apps for $9 per month.

Unlike some other systems, Loyverse lacks built-in payment processing. Consequently, businesses using Loyverse need to source their merchant services provider for sales transactions. This aspect may be viewed both positively and negatively, depending on a business’s tenure. Established enterprises often secure better transaction rates through their dedicated merchant accounts than utilizing a POS system linked to a master merchant account.

Pros:

• Complimentary choices for kitchen display and customer display screens
• No-cost management across multiple locations
• Customizable loyalty program at no charge
• Offline mode is available for free

Cons:

• No integrated eCommerce functionality
• Additional charges for advanced inventory management

Who should use Loyverse?

• Small dine-in eateries focused on in-person sales
• Tiny corner shops or delis selling goods by weight
• Emerging ventures seeking a no-cost loyalty program

Loyverse POS Pricing

Loyverse is available for free indefinitely upon download. However, there are paid extras available:

Advanced Inventory Management: Priced at $25 per month, this add-on is beneficial for wholesalers and those with intricate inventory requirements.

Employee Management: Also priced at $25 per month, this feature suits businesses with varied employee levels and diverse user access needs.

Integrations: At $9 per month, this add-on is essential for linking Loyverse to eCommerce websites, accounting applications, and delivery apps.

Loyverse Android POS System Features

• Management of perishable and liquid inventory
• Free kitchen display system with kitchen printer order routing features
• Takeout and delivery sales capabilities
• Selling goods by weight, particularly useful for fresh food in containers and produce

Hardware Cost & Options

You can grab the Loyverse app from the Google Play store. The price of card readers that work with it varies, starting from $20 and going up to $250, contingent upon your credit card processor.

Additionally, Loyverse is compatible with a range of hardware like printers, barcode scanners, and Android terminals available from providers such as iMin and Summi.

Payment Processing Costs

Loyverse links up with various payment processors like PayPal Zettle, SumUp, and Worldpay.

Shopify POS: Best for Scaling

Shopify is often associated with e-commerce, but it’s more versatile than that. It works seamlessly as an Android POS system on your mobile device, whether you’re selling at a farmers market or a physical store. While you’ll need to invest in your hardware, such as card readers, the costs are reasonable.

What’s impressive about Shopify’s POS system is the array of features included in each plan, making it a justifiable investment. You’ll receive a website equipped with an online store where you can showcase an unlimited number of products. The inventory management is robust, ensuring sales sync smoothly between online and offline to prevent overselling.

As your business expands, upgrading your Shopify POS plan might become essential. Growing businesses often require advanced reporting, more staff logins, or multiple inventory locations. Opting for higher-tier plans not only provides these functionalities but also grants substantial discounts on processing fees and shipping rates.

Pros:

• Outstanding online store creator
• Selling via social media and marketplaces
• Cost-effective POS equipment
• Tools for local delivery, domestic shipping, and international shipping

Cons:

• Shopify registers only work with iPads
• Using Shopify Payments is necessary to waive transaction fees
• Accessing advanced inventory management needs a paid Shopify Pro subscription

Who should use Shopify?

• Sell across various platforms: online, on marketplaces such as Amazon and Walmart Marketplace, or on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
• Provide options for in-store pickup, local delivery, and domestic/international shipping.
• Tailor the interface of their POS system and eCommerce store to suit their preferences.

Shopify POS Pricing

Shopify Payments offers a way to handle sales without relying on an external payment processor, but the fees might be steep.

Here’s a breakdown based on different Shopify plans:

• Basic Plan: Online transactions incur a fee of 2.9% plus $0.30, while in-person transactions are at 2.7%.
• Shopify Plan: Online sales involve a charge of 2.6% plus $0.30, and in-person transactions are at 2.5%.
• Advanced Plan: Online transactions cost 2.4% plus $0.30, and in-person sales have the same rate.

Even with the discounts provided in the Advanced plan, if you’re dealing with high-priced items and conducting a high volume of transactions, the fees might still add up, especially when compared to having your own merchant account. Additionally, Shopify’s plans have a relatively high starting price ranging from $39 to $399 monthly.

It’s important to note that even if you opt for a third-party payment processor, you’ll still need to pay Shopify a percentage (between 0.5% to 2%) per transaction. In certain cases, sticking with Shopify Payments might be more cost-effective, particularly if you’re committed to its Android POS system.

Shopify Android POS System Features

• A sophisticated yet user-friendly eCommerce store creator offering in-store pickup, local delivery, and diverse shipping choices.
• Facilitating exchanges and returns for online purchases at any retail location.
• In-app sales via social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, WhatsApp, and others, allow customers to make purchases without exiting their feed.
• Seamless integrations with online marketplaces like Etsy, Walmart, Amazon, and Wish to enhance sales and visibility online.
• Synchronization of inventory across all online and offline sales platforms.

Hardware Cost & Options

Shopify is compatible with any Android tablet or smartphone.

Similar to Square, Shopify provides Tap to Pay on Android. To accept chip card payments, you’ll require the $49 Shopify card reader. However, Shopify’s retail kits are specifically designed for iOS devices, so they’re not compatible with Android tablets.

When the Shopify app is paired with its card reader, it becomes one of the top mobile POS systems for retail establishments.

The $399 Shopify Go, an Android-based all-in-one handheld POS system, resembles devices like the Clover Flex and Square Terminal. But unlike them, Shopify Go has a smartphone-like design, presenting a sleek option for processing swipe, chip, and tap payments.

Payment Processing Costs

Shopify provides its own payment processor, Shopify Payments, available in multiple countries. To bypass transaction fees ranging from 0.5% to 2% per transaction, eligible business owners are required to utilize Shopify Payments.

For in-person sales, Shopify Payments imposes a payment processing fee from 2.4% to 2.7%, while online transactions incur processing fees between 2.4% and 2.9%, alongside a flat fee of $0.30.

The higher the monthly subscription with Shopify, the lower the payment processing fees become. As businesses grow their sales, upgrading to a higher plan can cut down on fees. Eventually, larger businesses might find it beneficial to switch to a third-party payment service provider offering better processing rates, even if it means paying transaction fees.

Vend: Best for Multichannel Sales

Vend primarily serves as a retail POS system, making it a solid choice for Android-based multichannel sales. Although there isn’t a free plan, you can try it out for free initially. The monthly cost ranges between $69 to $199, a pricing structure quite similar to Lightspeed, a POS system that owns Vend and manages its built-in payment processing. However, if you prefer, you can also use your payment processor.

Historically, Vend’s standout feature has been its loyalty program. But since joining the Lightspeed family, access to these loyalty features now requires opting for the $199 Advanced plan. While Vend excels in handling multichannel sales, integrating e-commerce with your retail store will cost you around $119 per month.

Pros:

• Free trial offered
• Integrated payment processing included
• User-friendly interface
• Strong inventory management capabilities
• Impressive loyalty program features

Cons:

• Costly subscriptions
• Not recommended for restaurants

Vend Android POS System Features

• Inventory Management: Vend streamlines stock reordering and categorization.
• Ecommerce Integrations: Vend seamlessly connects with BigCommerce, Shopify, WooCommerce, and Ecwid for effortless online sales.
• Scanner by Vend: Turn your smartphone into a free barcode scanner for inventory tracking on Android or Apple devices.
• Reporting and Insights: Vend offers customizable sales reports, detailed store metrics, and gift card tracking via cloud-synced data.
• Customer Management: Effortlessly manage customer databases, loyalty programs, and offer store credits for enhanced customer retention.
• Security Measures: Vend ensures data security with encryption, compliance with PCI DSS and GDPR, and comprehensive employee training.
• App Integrations: Vend integrates with a wide array of third-party applications across multiple business categories for added functionalities.

Hardware Cost & Options

Vend POS works with various hardware setups, whether you have current equipment or plan to invest in new ones. It seamlessly integrates with Windows, Mac, iPads, and a range of tablets or smartphones. To ensure compatibility with Vend POS, they offer a hardware compatibility page on their website.

However, Vend doesn’t display hardware prices on its site. To get a quote and understand the costs associated with the hardware you need, reaching out to their team is necessary.

Payment Processing Costs

Vend POS provides three plans for its point-of-sale software:

Lite Plan – Priced at $99 per month billed annually or $199 billed monthly.

The Lite plan encompasses fundamental features such as:

• Unlimited products and users
• Integrated payments
• Secure cloud backup
• Reporting and analytics
• Award-winning support
• Inventory management

Pro Plan – Available at $129 per month billed annually or $159 billed monthly.

The Pro plan is better suited for stores with multiple locations, requiring integrations, or aiming for rapid growth. It encompasses all the features of the Lite plan, plus:

• Promotions and gift cards
• Apps & ecommerce channels
• Multi-outlets retail management
• API access
• Unlimited turnover
• Advanced reporting

Enterprise Plan – Quote-based

The Enterprise plan caters to large companies needing extensive customizations. It includes all the aforementioned features, along with a dedicated account manager, premium API access, and personalized onboarding.

Android POS Systems Ratings

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an Android POS system?

An Android POS system refers to point-of-sale software compatible with Android operating systems. Usually, you can acquire the app by downloading it from the Google Play store onto your smartphone or tablet.

What is the best free POS app for Android?

Square stands out as the top free POS app for Android. It provides all the essentials required to kickstart your small business, encompassing inventory management, integrated payment processing, and a few CRM functionalities.

What does a POS system do?

A POS system is the fusion of software and hardware that allows a business to process customer purchases. It enables accepting customer payments, tracking sales, and managing item inventory.

How do I get a POS app on my Android tablet?

Get Poster’s Android tablet POS app from Google Play. If your Android device doesn’t have access to Google Play, reach out to our support team to obtain a verified APK file for manual installation.

Can I use my android phone as a POS?

Certainly, Poster POS is accessible for Android smartphones. This particular version is ideal for waitstaff attending to customers at tables or outdoor areas during the summer. The technical specifications needed align closely with those of Android tablets.

Can I use my phone as a POS?

Utilizing your phone as a POS is possible with suitable software. Square and Loyverse provide free POS software compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems. You can experiment with them to determine the most suitable option for your needs.

Why do I need a POS system?

A POS system comes into play when a customer finishes a purchase at a store or any other business. It simplifies transaction processing, enabling business owners to monitor specific metrics crucial for comprehending and potentially boosting sales and business expansion. Gathering and evaluating data linked to POS transactions can aid in enhancing customer experiences and streamlining business operations. This data encompasses payment methods used by customers, time and location of purchases, live sales reports, and inventory management—all information readily accessible through the POS system.