Thrift Store POS System
Custom tracking, receipt emailing, and barcode labeling are among the features that can help your thrift store operate more efficiently.
Whether you run a for-profit used clothing store or a nonprofit store, it's important to find the POS system that has exactly what you need. But with such a wide range of options available, finding the perfect fit takes research.
Luckily, we've done all the hard work for you.
We'll explore the 5 best best thrift store point of sale systems out there, allowing you to make a well-informed purchase decision.
Price | Payment Processor Fees | Top Features | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$69 per month starting | 2.6% + $0.10 for in-person payments | Employee management, unlimited barcode generation, multi-product bundling | Stores that need a robust inventory management system | |
Free | 2.6% + $0.10 for in-person payments | Collects donor information, track, stock, bulk inventory intake (upgrade) | Stores on a budget | |
$14.95 per month starting | 2.3-2.7% + $0.10 for in-person payments | Built-in customer engagement and loyalty tracking, multiple processor integration, sell by weight | Stores that require high-end hardware | |
$29 per month starting | 2.4-2.7% + $0.10 for in-person payments | Resale and consignment app integration, accepts custom payments, high-end inventory management | Nonprofit stores | |
$49 per month starting | N/A | Customizable dashboard, theft prevention features, points-based loyalty program | Stores that have their own payment processor |
Lightspeed Retail has one of the top inventory management systems for thrift stores, which is why it is the best pos system for this industry.
The pricing starts at $69 per month per register when you pay annually.
You will also likely use Lightspeed Payments for your payment processing, which will cost you an additional $89 per month.
Beyond that, the payment processing has an in-person rate of 2.6% + $0.10.
Note that you will pay a higher price for the POS system if you choose to pay monthly and a higher price if you go with a different payment processor.
The beauty of Lightspeed is how versatile their hardware is.
You can buy a bundle from Lightspeed if you need POS-specific equipment, though you can also opt to run it on your own Mac desktop or iPad.
One of the reasons Lightspeed is a great choice for thrift store POS systems is that it has an extensive inventory management system and specialized retail features. For example, Lightspeed gives you the ability to remove items from inventory as promotional giveaways or inventory, hold items in layaway, import bulk inventory, set up bulk pricing, or create multi-item bundles.
If your store sells a combination of new products and vintage items, you'll love the versatility of vendor management and purchase orders.
Lightspeed also has a high-end barcode system that can save you time at the register and in the back office. Not only does it provide you with the benefits of automated inventory management, but it also helps prevent theft, as customers won't be able to switch labels on your products.
Visit Lightspeed Retail POS Software Reviews for more specific information.
Pros
Cons
With the bundle of Square POS and Square for Retail business, you get all of the best features for thrift stores you could need to drive your business forward.
While all of this is free, you can update to the Square for Retail Plus system for $60 per month per location, which gives you advanced team management and inventory features.
You can start using Square on just about any smartphone, iPad, or tablet, making it a great choice for easy countertop use. However, Square also sells a wide variety of hardware, including a receipt printer, cash drawer, and iPad stand for a more professional setup. In terms of payment processing, Square has a 2.6% + $0.10 in-person processing rate. Unfortunately, Square does not offer reduced processing fees for nonprofits.
One of the main reasons we love Square as a thrift store POS is that you can start using it without paying a dime, making it a great value for low-volume operations. With an easy-to-use interface, customer management features, and receipts, you can turn your thrift store into a fully functioning business.
Square also has some notable features for nonprofits, including the ability for your store to accept online donations and a system that captures donor information.
The inventory features on the free plan are pretty basic, though most thrift stores don't have complex inventories anyway, so it might not be a big deal. However, if you truly need to update and get access to higher-end inventory features, the cost isn't overwhelming.
Pros
Cons
Clover has some of the best POS hardware options on the market today.
There are a few options you can choose from, including the following:
The difference between the Solo and Duo is that the Duo has a customer-facing display. Clover also allows you to mix and match its hardware depending on your need.
Beyond the hardware, you will also pay for the standard point of sale plan, which costs anywhere between $0 and $44.95, depending on your needs. The payment processor rate is 2.3% + $0.10 if you are on the high-tier plan, though it increases to 2.6% + $0.10 if you go with one of the low-tier plans.
Note that Clover provides discounts for nonprofits - something certainly worth looking into. The company uses National Processing and Dharma Merchant Processing.
While there are many things to love about Clover as a thrift store POS, the main thing we appreciate is that the point-of-sale hardware is easy to set up and intuitive to use. Using this kind of hardware instead of your standard consumer tablet gives your business a bit more legitimacy. Plus, proper hardware can help your business run faster.
The point-of-sale software has plenty of quality modern features, including the ability to accept payments in the form of everything from mobile wallets to QR codes. If you run an old-school operation where you need to sell products by weight or accept checks, Clover can do that too!
One thing to note about Clover is that the system can be purchased through several different providers, some of which can be a bit dodgy. It's imperative to do your research on the distributor you wish to purchase your Clover software from. Make sure that they are reputable and can offer you support down the line.
Pros
Cons
If you run a nonprofit operation, we highly recommend checking out Shopify.
The pricing starts out at $9 monthly if you go with the Lite Plan.
This comes with a mobile system and a basic social media plan.
However, if you want to upgrade to sell at a brick-and-mortar store, you'll pay $29 per month starting.
There are higher-tier plans and hardware that you can purchase to integrate with your system as well, which can change your processing fees.
For example, the in-person processing fees are 2.4% for lower-tier plans and 2.6% for higher-tier plans. They end up being even higher if you use a third-party payment processor.
Now, as for the reasons we love Shopify as a thrift store POS, it has excellent retail business features and multi-channel selling capabilities. For example, charity thrift stores can take advantage of discounted processing fees from Shopify, as well as unique features like real-time carrier shipping and unlimited staff accounts.
Users can even accept donations using the Shopify Payment system.
On the other hand, if you run a for-profit thrift store, don't fret. Shopify is an excellent option for the modern thrift store that primarily conducts online business. Many thrift stores sell online these days or at popups and events. With the ability to integrate with third-party apps, you can enhance the overall functionality of your system.
For example, some of these apps can manage donations and consignments or create resale programs.
Pros
Cons
If you've been working in the thrift store industry for a while, you've probably heard of the Korona point of sale system.
This unique thrift store POS has plans ranging from $49 to $79 monthly, though the company offers a free month if you choose to go with one of its annual plans.
The Korona POS system is very versatile in that it runs on all types of point-of-sale system hardware, including iPads and Android tablets.
Note that the company does not provide in-house processing, though they provide plenty of options for you to choose from.
Plus, Korona doesn't have a long-term commitment plan. While the overall thrift store POS system is quite basic in terms of its feature set, it is great for thrift stores on a budget.
Plus, since most thrift store operations don't require built-in eCommerce or advanced inventory management systems, you'll do just fine with Korona. If you really need an upgrade, you integrate with one of the many available third-party apps for retail businesses.
Korona is a great choice for small business owners, as you can choose to use any payment processor you want. If you already work with a payment processor and don't want to lock yourself into another option, we highly recommend integrating Korona's thrift store POS software into your business.
Pros
Cons
FAQ: What Should I Be Looking For in a POS System For My Thrift Store?
Intuitive Thrift Store POS Software
High-quality POS software is there to make your job as a thrift store owner or manager less stressful. Having an intuitive interface that is easy to use and train employees on is an absolute must. In doing so, you'll be able to reap the many advantages of your thrift store POS without having to jump through too many hoops
Thrift Store-Specific Features
The best thrift store POS options are those that are made for thrift store needs specifically. You want a thrift store POS system with a decent inventory management system, one that supports multiple pricing schemes, and one that can manage high volumes.
Speaking of...
High-Volume Business Needs
As you probably know, the ideal thrift store is one that can compensate for lower-margin business.
Your thrift store sells items for less, meaning you need a POS system that can manage high volumes to meet your revenue needs.
It's also crucial that your thrift store POS system has the ability to move items through the store as quickly as possible, making room for seasonal wear and new donations whenever possible.
The Bottom Line - Which of These Thrift Store POS Systems is Right for Me?
Each thrift store POS system option has its own pros and cons. However, if we had to pick one of these point-of-sale systems for thrift stores above the rest, we'd go with the Lightspeed Retail point of sale system.
Lightspeed's point of sale features are thrift store specific, and they offer one of the most robust inventory management systems around.
On the other hand, if you run a nonprofit, Shopify would be the better option. Shopify has some of the best processing options for nonprofits on the market, perfect for those seeking a budget-friendly option.
We hope that you've found these reviews helpful in narrowing down your decision.
Now, it's all about finding the right provider to purchase your POS solution through.
We understand that getting quotes from different providers can be incredibly time-consuming. This is why we provide free quotes from numerous providers based on your needs and budget.
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Tyler Connaghan
Contributing Author