The Best POS Software Options For Your Boutique Or Clothing Store

Lightspeed Retail Pricing

Monthly plans range from $69 to $199/month for a single register (billed annually, with Lightspeed Payments as the processor). Additional registers are $29/month each, regardless of the plan.

Hardware Cost

Lightspeed runs on iPads or with a desktop computer setup. Lightspeed hardware is quote-based, so you'll need to reach out for a quote. You can also opt to source your own POS equipment.

Payment Processing

Lightspeed offers in-house processing with Lightspeed Payments at a flat rate of 2.6% + $0.10 for all in-person transactions. You can also opt to integrate an outside payment provider, such as Vantiv or TSYS, but you will be charged a higher monthly software fee.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Lightspeed is available month-to-month, but you'll get the best deal if you commit for a full year and agree to use Lightspeed Payments as your processor. If you decide you don't want to use Lightspeed anymore, you need to notify the company within 30 days of your next billing cycle to avoid being charged for the next term.

Where Lightspeed Retail Really Shines For Boutiques

You can run this hybrid system on an iPad via a dedicated app or a desktop PC in a web browser. This system offers myriad features, including multitender options, store credit, advanced inventory management, purchase orders, employee management, eCommerce, CRM, multistore functionality, and 24/7 support.

Lightspeed features some unique inventory features, such as customizable tags, an inventory matrix, and the ability to manage bulk items sold individually. You can create purchase orders, complete them across multiple vendors, and keep your online and offline inventories synced with built-in eCommerce. Lightspeed also comes with fairly advanced omnichannel loyalty functionality, allowing you to store information on customers and offer specialized discounts.

Lightspeed is a truly robust cloud POS system for clothing stores and is offered at a very affordable starting price. With that said, some features, such as eCommerce, analytics, accounting software integration, and loyalty, are only offered at higher plan levels.

Vend By Lightspeed Pricing

Monthly plans range from $69 to $199/month for a single register (billed annually, with Lightspeed Payments as the processor). As you may have noticed, these are the same fees charged by Lightspeed Retail.

Hardware Cost

You can run Vend from the dedicated iPad POS or any device with a web browser. Through a partnership with POS Portal, Vend sells hardware for iOS and desktop PCs, with options including all-in-one devices (e.g., Star Micronics mPOP), individual components (such as barcode scanners), and bundles. For example, you can buy an all-in-one mPOP kit for the iPad for $499. You can also reuse any compatible hardware components you already own.

Payment Processing

Vend offers integrated processing with Lightspeed Payments at a flat rate of 2.6% + $0.10 for all in-person transactions. You can also opt to integrate an outside payment provider, such as Chase or Elavon, but you will be charged a higher monthly software fee.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Vend is available month-to-month, but you'll get the best deal if you commit for a full year and agree to use Lightspeed Payments as your processor (though the POS can also integrate with a few other processors).

Where Vend By Lightspeed Really Shines For Boutiques

Vend is a popular apparel POS that you can operate from a web browser or an iPad app. Lightspeed acquired Vend in 2021, and while the two retail systems share many similarities, they also have some differences, including the interface and feature sets.

The first thing you'll notice about Vend is that it has an intuitive interface and is exceptionally easy to set up and start using. Vend also offers 24/7 support on all plans if you run into any issues.

Vend is scalable for businesses ranging from very small boutiques to multistore outlets, though it's primarily aimed at small businesses. Some features that boutiques enjoy include:

• Super easy to add, edit, and remove products
• Retail-centric register features, such as store credit, layaway, gift cards, and discounts
• The product catalog includes images, prices, and variations (by color, size, etc.)
• Free smartphone barcode scanner app for taking inventory
• Real-time inventory and sales reports
• Superb customer management
• Easy built-in loyalty program
• Sell on social media channels with Ecwid (including Tik Tok)

Vend does not have in-house eCommerce; however, the POS partners with Ecwid for customers that want to put their Vend store online. The system can also integrate with WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or Shopify.

If you're not sure whether to choose Vend by Lightspeed as your boutique POS, it's a good idea to do a free trial of each system and see which you like better.

Clover Pricing

While Clover has several software subscription plans, boutique shop owners will benefit most from the Clover Register plan, which costs $44.95/month-$54.90/month if you purchase your Clover hardware upfront.

If you decide to pay for your hardware over time through Clover, you'll be charged one monthly fee for your hardware/software bundle, which ranges from $130/month to $175/month.

Hardware Cost

Clover hardware ranges from $49 for a simple mobile card reader that connects to your phone via Bluetooth (Clover Go) to $1,799 for a Clover Station Duo. Clover also offers a $499 smart terminal called Clover Flex, a pint-size countertop POS called Clover Mini ($799), and a standard $1,349 Clover Station POS. These prices are from Clover.com; pricing from other providers can vary.

Note that you cannot reuse your Clover hardware with a different POS system if you decide you don't like it.

Additional POS software subscriptions cost $9.95/device/month if your hardware is all in one physical location. If, for example, you have two devices in two locations, you'll pay the full software fee for each device, even though they're both under one Clover account.

Payment Processing

Clover.com offers the following flat-rate payment processing rates:

• Card-Present Transactions: 2.3% + $0.10 per transaction (Clover Register plan); 2.6% + $0.10 (Clover Essentials plan)
• Card-Not-Present Transactions: 3.5% + $0.10 per transaction (all Clover plans)

Card-not-present transactions include online and phone orders, invoice payments, third-party ordering platform payments, manually keyed-in card payments, and any other payment type besides swipe/chip/tap card payments, cash, or check.

If you purchase your Clover POS from another provider, your account may have a different processing model.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Clover offers 36-month and 48-month contracts with early termination fees. Also, you can't repurpose your Clover hardware if you stop using Clover POS software.

You can get a better merchant contract with one of these best Clover resellers, but before you sign any agreements, make sure Clover is the right POS system for your boutique.

Where Clover Really Shines For Boutiques

Clover is an all-in-one cloud POS system that combines hardware and software in one sleek package by Fiserv (formerly First Data). This plug-and-play POS system comes preprogrammed with your chosen processing and software package, so it includes everything you need to start selling right out of the box.

Also, Clover is a customizable system that any industry can use, including fashion boutiques, thanks to the plethora of retail apps and software integrations available from the Clover marketplace.

Some specific features retail boutiques like about Clover include its advanced inventory management, mobile gift card functionality, loyalty program, and discount options. Clover offers several stylish-looking hardware options that you can mix and match for your perfect setup. You can also sell on the go at events using the Clover Go app and card reader.

Clover's "Register" plan for retailers includes the following bundled apps: Orders, Register, Promos, Rewards, Employees, and Reporting. Keep in mind that adding additional apps can drive up the monthly price.

Square For Retail Pricing

Square for Retail offers a free, limited plan and an expanded "Plus" plan that charges $60/month per location. Square can also offer custom pricing for very large businesses.

Hardware Cost

All you absolutely need to run Square for Retail is an iPad and a free Square Reader. But for a more professional countertop display, I would recommend either a Square Stand for Contactless & Chip ($169 without iPad) or a proprietary Square Register ($799), which comes with a customer-facing screen and a built-in card reader and receipt printer. Optionally, you can add a handheld Square Terminal ($299) for taking sales on the floor and various peripheral equipment, such as barcode scanners and cash registers.

Payment Processing

All Square POS systems come with Square's flat-fee payment processing. With Square for Retail Free, you'll be charged 2.6% + $0.10 on all in-person payments. With Square for Retail Plus, you'll be charged 2.5% + $0.10 on all in-person payments. Custom pricing is available if you process more than $250K/year.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Square is completely free, with no commitment, and month-to-month. However, Square is a payment service provider (PSP), which means they have an aggregated merchant account model, so you don't get your own dedicated merchant account.

Aggregated merchant accounts have a lower tolerance for risk, which can lead to your account being flagged, suspended, or even terminated unfairly. The larger your business is, the better you would be served by having your own dedicated merchant account.

Where Square For Retail Really Shines For Boutiques

Because Square for Retail has a free plan and is simple to set up and start using, this retail POS is a great choice for newer boutiques that don't have a merchant account or a large budget and want to get up and selling. Though it isn't the most advanced retail POS, Square for Retail includes more advanced inventory features than the regular free version of Square (Square POS), even on the free version of Square for Retail. The free version of the app also includes a free online store. The paid version of Square for Retail -- which is still quite affordable -- adds more in-depth retail features, such as automatic purchase ordering, COGS tracking, and advanced team management.

Fashion retailers on the paid plan will also appreciate features such as real-time inventory tracking, unlimited SKUs, bulk importing, and PO management. It's just as simple and easy to use as any other Square product and could be a smart upgrade from the standard Square POS if you need more inventory features for your boutique.

As mentioned, Square accounts aren't as stable as traditional merchant accounts. Large, established businesses would probably be better served by a POS that issues (or integrates with) a dedicated merchant account.

Shopify POS Pricing

Shopify has a wide range of plans, starting at $5/month for Shopify Starter -- mobile and social media selling only -- and ranging up to $299/month for the Advanced plan. You can also add Shopify POS Pro to any plan for an additional $89/month to add features such as staff permissions and advanced inventory tools.

Hardware Cost

Shopify POS can run on pretty much any Apple or Android mobile device; the only other device you need is a Shopify payment reader ($49). Shopify also sells hardware bundles and POS components on its website, including a Star® mPOP™ Basic combined receipt printer and cash drawer for $499 and an Eddy tablet stand for $149. 

Starting in the spring of 2022, Shopify POS started taking advantage of the iPhone and iPad's new capability to accept payments via its internal NFC chip, negating the need for a separate card reader.

Payment Processing

In-house payment processing is built into all Shopify accounts, though you have the option to integrate another payment gateway for an added fee. Your payment processing fee will depend on your plan level. Shopify Payments in-person card rates currently range from 2.4% to 2.7%.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Shopify plans are month-to-month, though you can receive a discount by prepaying for a year. Another thing to know is that Shopify Payments uses Stripe, a PSP, as their payment processor. That means, similar to Square, you do not receive your own dedicated merchant account with Shopify Payments. But at least with Shopify, you can use your own integrated merchant account (for an added fee) instead of its in-house processor.

Where Shopify POS Really Shines For Boutiques

In addition to hosting your online storefront, the flexible, retail-centric Shopify POS can power your brick-and-mortar store sales. Shopify also has features that seamlessly combine both eCommerce and in-person sales -- such as the ability for customers to buy online and pick up in-store (BOPIS) or return in-person items they bought at your online boutique.

The typical Shopify POS setup uses an iPad, Android tablet, or PC with a web browser. You can also take your boutique on the go — to farmer's markets, pop-up shops, etc. — selling and accepting payments from your Android or iPhone. Some features of Shopify POS that make it great for boutiques include robust inventory management with online and offline inventory syncing, customer sales profiles, accounting software integration (QuickBooks and Xero), and detailed reporting.

Shopify is also quite affordable, and all plans are billed monthly, so you don't need to make a long-term commitment to try out Shopify. One downside of Shopify is its limited offline functionality -- you can't process credit card transactions without the internet, though you can still perform cash transactions.