8 Best POS Systems For A Convenience Store In 2023

Square For Retail Convenience Store POS Features

The following features are either free or low-cost for Square merchants:

• EBT capabilities via third-party app
• CBD program with reasonable payment processing fees
• ID verification (but no automated sale denial for under-21s)
• Customizable inventory management system
• Inventory management across several locations
• Automated purchase ordering, low-stock alerts, and vendor management
• Advanced reporting, such as cost of goods sold and projected profit reports
• Customer loyalty program
• Custom gift card printing
• Time-sensitive discounts and coupons
• Employee permissions, clock-in/clock-out, and payroll reporting
• Sell items by weight
• Barcode label printing
• Free website builder (choose a template and quickly edit for your own branded website)
• Free Square online checkout links, so customers can order items online or use self-serve ordering to order food/drinks

Square For Retail Pricing

• Free: $0/month
• Plus: $60/month per location (not per register)
• Premium: Custom pricing

Hardware Cost

C-store POS systems range from $49 (Square Contactless + Chip Reader) to $1,329 (Square Register kit.) You will need a Square-compatible barcode scanner, which will cost between $100 and $200 if you buy it new.

Before you buy equipment from Square or a third-party seller, read our guide to Square POS hardware.

Payment Processing

On the Free plan, Square charges a payment processing fee of 2.6% plus $0.10 per card-present transaction. That processing fee reduces to 2.5% plus $0.10 on the Plus plan.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Square charges merchants on paid plans monthly. It’s free and easy to cancel if you decide to switch from Square to another POS provider.

Square also has a limited-time hardware warranty, during which Square will send you new equipment in exchange for damaged hardware, even if you didn’t purchase directly from Square. You must file a warranty claim and send the old pieces back to Square within 14 days of receiving your new hardware, or your account will be charged.

Where Square For Retail Really Shines For A Convenience Store

Square has made it very inexpensive and easy for small business owners to start selling in a physical location, which is why it’s one of the best retail POS systems providers out there.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money upfront, C-store owners only need to sign up for a free account, and purchase a Square card reader and an iPad/tablet to start selling. The software is free for multiple registers in one location, which is not something that all POS providers offer.

Clover Convenience Store POS Features

Clover is a highly customizable POS system for a variety of small and midsize businesses. Convenience store owners will appreciate the following features:

• EBT transaction functionality
• Age verification, including automated sale denial with invalid ID/date of birth
• Lottery sales reporting app (paid add-on)
• Customer loyalty program
• Kitchen menu/order management
• Schedule and shift management
• Tobacco discount program (paid add-on)
• Self-service kiosks
• Automated sales, promotions, and discounts
• Customizable inventory management
• Multilocation management

Clover Pricing

• Clover Essentials: $14.95/month for one device
• Clover Register:  Starts at $44.95/month for one device
• Counter Service: Starts at $44.95/month for one device
• Table Service: Starts at $74.95/month for one device

Note: Additional devices are $9.95/month/device.

The pricing listed above is for users that purchase their hardware outright. Lease options are available that include Clover hardware and software, with pricing starting at $50/month.

Hardware Cost

You can buy hardware from Clover or from a number of Clover resellers. Devices sold through Clover range from $49 to $1,799.

Payment Processing

If you purchase a device directly from Clover, you can only use Clover’s merchant services, which include payment processing by Fiserv. You can expect to pay a processing fee of 2.3% or 2.6%, plus a $0.10 flat fee per transaction, depending on your Clover software plan.

When you purchase Clover hardware from a reseller, you are subject to that reseller’s payment processing fees. For high-volume sellers, an alternative Clover hardware provider could offer better rates.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Hardware purchased directly from Clover can be returned up to 60 days after the purchase date. Clover software subscriptions can be canceled at any time without any extra fees.

If you purchase Clover hardware from a reseller, your contract requirements will depend on them, so read your contract thoroughly before signing off on any long-term commitments with cancellation fees.

Where Clover Really Shines For A Convenience Store

Clover designed their product line as a simple all-in-one solution that requires no extra installation, hardware, or software integrations. Clover accounts, complete with hardware and payment processing, are ready to go as soon as you sign up.

In addition, Clover’s app marketplace offers several add-on functions. The entire POS system is as simple to use as a smartphone. All you have to do is add an app, and it’s already configured into your software and hardware environment.

POS Nation Convenience Store POS Features

POS Nation is equipped for convenience stores large and small that sell groceries, tobacco, CBD, and alcohol, which is why the company’s POS system has the following features:

• Age verification via ID scanner or manual entry
• Offline mode to complete transactions without WiFi
• Tobacco inventory tracking by individual pack, cartons, and case-breaks
• Alcohol inventory tracking by case, bottle, and case-break
• Lottery purchases, payouts, and reports
• Mix-and-match deals for food, alcohol, etc.
• Cigar label printing and vape kit building
• Perishable inventory tracking
• Employee shift and break clock-in/clock-out
• Payroll reports to be entered into your business’s accounting system
• Customizable interface
• Self-checkout option
• EBT transactions
• Discounts, bulk pricing, and time-sensitive sales
• Employee permissions
• Blind and forced cash till counts
• Customizable automated purchase ordering and vendor management

POS Nation Pricing

• Flex Monthly: $99/month, charged monthly
• Freedom: $999 one-time fee for software license and hardware

Hardware Cost

If you’re paying monthly, the cost of the hardware is included in the monthly fee. If you pay a one-time fee, you own the hardware forever.

Upon signup, you will receive a convenience store POS bundle, which includes a touch PC, receipt printer, scanner, cash drawer, and chip card reader.

Additional POS bundles cost $999. You can also purchase other hardware such as scanners separately.

Payment Processing

POS Nation offers its own in-house payment processing system via its merchant services program. The company has partnered with payment processors such as Mercury Payment Systems, Upserve (previously known as Swipely), Worldpay, Heartland, and Sterling Payment Technologies to meet your payment processing needs.

POS Nation advertises a payment processing fee between 2% and 2.5%, depending on transaction volumes. You have to contact a representative to get a quote.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

There are no returns or refunds on one-time POS hardware/software purchases. Payment in full is due at the time of purchase.

There are no early termination fees and no refunds on monthly subscriptions. You may cancel your monthly plan at any time with a 30-day notice.

Translation: try out the software for a month before committing to a lifetime purchase.

Where POS Nation Really Shines For A Convenience Store

With built-in age verification software, EBT transaction capabilities, tobacco/alcohol inventory management, and foodservice features such as perishable inventory tracking, POS Nation has all the functionalities you need to run a convenience store without using any additional software or hardware.

Merchants are not charged separately for hardware and, if you really like this POS system, you can purchase both the hardware and software for a one-time fee of $999, rather than paying for any subscriptions or rentals.

Verifone Convenience Store POS Features

The following features are either built into Verifone or can be easily integrated through one of Verifone’s many partners:

• Offline mode, so you can take orders without WiFi
• 64 pump management via site controller
• Self-service food kiosks
• Unattended checkouts
• Loyalty program
• Money order purchases/payouts
• Car wash management
• Coupon and discount offerings

Verifone Pricing

Verifone POS software pricing is quote-based. You will need to contact a Verifone representative, tell them about your business size, and they will give you an estimate.

Hardware Cost

Verifone has several POS systems, along with payment devices and fuel site controllers. While you must contact Verifone for an estimate, a quick Google search for Verifone systems lists credit card terminals anywhere from $150 to $500. Full-scale POS systems with fuel site controllers are priced for thousands of dollars.

Payment Processing

Verifone partners with First Data, Heartland, National Bankcard Services, and Worldpay to meet your c-store POS payment processing needs.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

If you choose to purchase a Verifone POS or credit card terminal from a third-party seller, Verifone is not responsible for repairing or replacing any damaged devices.

If you purchased a device from an authorized Verifone seller, it is covered under a warranty for either 13 months or 36 months, depending on the device.

Where Verifone Really Shines For A Convenience Store

Verifone shines in the POS hardware department. With its line of dedicated site controllers, self-serve kiosks, and a variety of payment terminals available, Verifone has all the hardware a full-service convenience store needs. The company has also made it easy to scale up your POS solution whenever you decide to expand to more locations.

Franpos Convenience Store POS Features

Franpos is one of the best POS systems to sell vape products legally, as well as several other c-store items, thanks to the following standout features:

• Delivery management via Postmates or your own self-delivery option
• Multilocation inventory management
• Purchase order and vendor management
• Automated low-stock alerts
• ID scanning
• Employee scheduling and punch-in/punch-out monitoring
• Set user permissions
• Self-ordering kiosk system (extra $25/month)
• Hold transactions
• Loyalty programs
• Royalties management (for franchises)
• Growth marketing (paid add-on)

Franpos Pricing

• Single Location: $199/month for single terminal
• Franchise: $249/month for single terminal

You can operate an unlimited number of terminals for an extra $99/month.

Hardware Cost

Franpos does not list hardware pricing on its website. You must call and get a quote. The software will work on iPads and tablets.

Payment Processing

Franpos partners with Square, Fiserv, TSYS, Heartland, North American Bancard, Elavon, Global East (Global Payments), Vantiv, EVO, WorldPay, and Chase to provide payment processing services to merchants.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

You may cancel your monthly contract at any time.

Where Franpos Really Shines For A Convenience Store

There has been a rise in online ordering from delivery apps like Gopuff, namely for quick-serve orders, snacks, alcohol, health, and tobacco products, especially late at night. Franpos helps you take some of those sales back by offering your own delivery services.

Franpos is also geared towards franchises and multilocation enterprises but can be useful for single locations, too.

If your store is open later than your typical grocery or liquor store, or you’re thinking about franchising, Franpos can be an incredibly worthwhile investment.

KORONA Convenience Store POS Features

The following KORONA features are particularly useful for convenience store owners:

• Mix-and-match pricing for alcohol, food, etc.
• ID verification and age restrictions
• EBT sales
• Lottery ticket scanning
• Multilocation management
• Price rules, promotions, coupons, discounts
• Customer loyalty program
• Loss prevention features such as force drawer closing, price change restrictions, and blind balancing
• Customizable tax settings
• Automated product reordering
• Purchase order and vendor management
• Low, overstock, and slow-moving stock notifications
• Local search marketing via Google Maps integration

KORONA Pricing

• Core: $49/month/terminal
• Advanced: $59/month/terminal
• Plus: $79/month/terminal

If you pay annually, you get one month free.

Hardware Cost

KORONA hardware integrates with most POS hardware. If you’re not sure what to pick, read our post on the best credit card machines and terminals.

Payment Processing

TSYS, First Data, Heartland, Cayan, Clearant, Elavon, EVO, Merchant Warehouse, Merchant Payment Systems, Global Payments, Cost Plus Processing, and Eagle Processing can all be used to process payments on transactions made through KORONA POS.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

KORONA POS offers a free trial, which you may use for as long as you like before buying. However, the free trial does have limitations.

You may cancel a monthly KORONA account at any time.

Where KORONA Really Shines For A Convenience Store

KORONA has developed POS features specifically for convenience stores selling regulated items, especially alcohol, at a great price, so you won’t need to combine several add-ons to create a holistic c-store POS system.

The provider has also taken into account the high employee turnover rates and theft that can plague a convenience store, and has built features into its POS to mitigate these issues.

CStore Essentials Convenience Store POS Features

CStore Essentials was made by and for convenience store owners, which is why the following standout features are included in the provider’s POS ecosystem:

• Automated tobacco sale rebates (under specific rebate programs)
• Tobacco loyalty program setup
• Fuel management, such as fuel delivery receiving and tank reports
• Lottery sales and balancing reports
• Check cashing and bill pay functions
• Full payroll system
• Employee roles, permissions, and task management
• Product promotions and discounts
• Automated invoicing
• Price book creation via mobile app

CStore Essentials Pricing

• Store Operations Standard: $69/month, or $59/month when billed annually
• Tobacco Loyalty Plus: $89/month

CStore Essentials also has a basic plan for $19/month, but that is only for tobacco rebates, not any POS functions.

Hardware Cost

You must purchase either Verifone or Gilbarco Passport hardware to take sales at your convenience store. CStore Essentials office management software is cloud-based, so it can be used on a computer or your phone.

Payment Processing

Since you do not actually take payments with CStore Essentials, there is no payment processing involved. Your hardware provider will probably also serve as your payment processor.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

You may sign up for CStore Essentials on a monthly or yearly basis and must cancel your account before the next billing period to avoid another billing charge if you decide against this back-office software.

There are no refunds, so tread lightly and decide whether this software will really help you streamline organizational tasks before committing long-term.

Where CStore Essentials Really Shines For A Convenience Store

CStore Essentials is not, in itself, a complete POS system, but rather an excellent inventory and employee management software that will help you run your store from behind the scenes. The company also provides excellent tobacco sales features, such as tobacco rebates and tobacco loyalty programs for your customers.

LS Retail Convenience Store POS Features

LS retail for gas stations and c-stores features:

• Automated and manual pump control
• Pre-pay, post-pay, and pay-at-pump POS options
• Fuel pricing variations
• Fuel tank monitoring
• Automated fuel tank refilling based on sales history and current stock levels
• Staff scheduling
• Menu planning
• Discounts, promotions, menu specials, and meal deals
• Loyalty program
• Perishable and nonperishable inventory management
• Franchise management

LS Retail Pricing

LS Retail pricing is quote-based. You will need to contact LS Retail or an LS Retail authorized partner for pricing.

Hardware Cost

LS Retail software runs on devices that support Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

You may purchase hardware from an LS Retail partner such as Verifone.

Payment Processing

LS Retail has partnered with several payment service providers around the globe. US-facing businesses will most likely use Worldpay, Verifone, or PayEx for their payment processing.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Your LS Retail subscription will renew automatically unless you contact LS Retail to cancel it within 10 days of your subscription renewal date.

Where LS Retail Really Shines For A Convenience Store

With multiple fuel management functions such as manual and automatic pump control, refills, and reporting, LS Retail has cornered the market on gas station-oriented convenience store POS systems.

Add in the POS provider’s quick food service devices and management, and you have an (almost) complete POS solution.