Introduction
A new fine dining restaurant was all set to open in the heart of Mumbai. Everything was going fine, from decor to menu to tasting the dishes. Yet, there was still confusion. They were unable to decide whether the menu would be digital or physical. Secondly, they were not clear on customer database management. Also, there were other minor issues regarding the management and the working of the processes that still needed to be resolved.
It was then David found out about the POS software. But he was so confused regarding which one to choose and what should be the basis for selecting it.
So, for all the people like David who own a business in the food and beverage industry or the retail sector, this blog will help you find a solution.
What is a POS software?
Before deciding which POS to choose, let us first understand what is a POS. As the name suggests, Point-of-Sale is a system that contributes to the entire sales process and brings it to a close. POS software is a component of the POS system. Businesses and restaurants use POS software to streamline the sales process. In other words, it refers to the digital solution that manages the business processes. It often requires some hardware to run, such as a card swipe machine, barcode scanner, receipt printer, etc.
Modern-day POS software is entirely digital. That means you can do the entire process online with just a few clicks and an internet connection. However, it does not mean you can not own a card swipe machine or other peripherals. It depends on your use case. Suppose you own a cloud kitchen, so you don’t need any hardware because each step of your sales process is online. However, if you own a retail outlet, you need a receipt printer, a card machine and other equipment. So, POS software supports both scenarios.
Who needs a POS?
If you are working in the food and beverage industry, in the retail sector or providing professional services, you need a POS. POS software can massively help you in giving your business the much-needed glow-up. Plus, it will also help you streamline all your business processes.
Top 10 POS software of 2024
So here’s a list of the top 10 POS software that you can choose from:
Waakif
Waakif is a cloud-based Best POS Software in India. It has been designed for the F&B industry and retail businesses. Its features include AI-powered analytics, marketing campaigns, and Loyalty programs among others.
Waakif supports multi-location setups. Plus, it also supports online and offline store operations. Also, its pricing is affordable so it can be a good option for a lot of business owners.
PetPooja
PetPooja is a very popular POS. Its popularity stems from its excellent customer support and versatile features. Order management, inventory control, CRM, and third-party integrations are among some of its highly appreciated features.
PetPooja is known for its easy-to-use interface and customization. Secondly, its pricing is also affordable.
Restroworks (formerly Posist)
Restroworks which was earlier known as POSist is a comprehensive
restaurant management system. It is a cloud-based POS solution designed for fine dining, QSRs, and cafes. Some of its features include kitchen management, advanced reporting, inventory management, etc. Restroworks also offers third-party integrations with applications for delivery and payment.
Shopify POS
Shopify POS is specifically designed for retailers and e-commerce store owners. It integrates seamlessly with its e-commerce platform. Everything from managing inventory to processing payments, tracking customer data to providing billing solutions, can be done through Shopify POS. It provides its users with a unified solution for omnichannel operations.
GoFrugal
GoFrugal offers a comprehensive suite of features for both the retail sector and the F&B industry. Some of its key features are inventory management, CRM, multi-location support, and accounting integration. GoFrugal is considered to be one of the most flexible POS software. Thus, making it suitable for businesses of various sizes.
Lightspeed POS
Lightspeed POS is a cloud-based POS system. It is an ideal choice for both retail and restaurant businesses. It is recognised for its great user interface. Also, its third-party integrations with various business tools are a game changer for many of its users. It provides features like inventory management, multi-store capabilities, customer relationship tools, and robust analytics.
Zakya POS
Zakya POS is a restaurant-focused POS. It takes into consideration every tiny detail of the restaurant management business. Its features include table management, order tracking, and kitchen display system integrations. Zakya also provides integration support with various third-party apps.
Touchbistro
TouchBistro POS is another restaurant-specific POS. It is a popular choice among restaurants because of its various key features. Some of them are kitchen display systems, table management, staff scheduling, menu management, and detailed sales reporting. It also offers integrations with various payment providers.
Lavu
Lavu is a restaurant-specific POS system. Lavu offers some amazing features to its users like mobile order-taking. Other features include table management and customizable menus. It also integration support with accounting and third-party software.
Ciferon
Ciferon POS is a simple-to-use and affordable POS. It focuses primarily on the small and medium-sized food and beverage businesses. Its features include order management, billing, and inventory control with cloud-based access.
Comparison Table
| POS | Key Features | Industry Focus | Cost | Who is it for? |
| Waakif | Loyalty program AI-powered marketing campaigns Real-time data and insights Order management Multi-location support | RestaurantRetail | Free Plan Pro Plan: ₹6,999/- yearly Enterprise Solution | F&B industry, Small to medium-sized retail businesses seeking affordability with great features. |
| PetPooja | Order Management Order ticketing Inventory Management Third-party Integrations | Restaurant | Core Plan: ₹10,000/- yearly Growth Plan: ₹20,000/- yearly Scale Plan: ₹30,000/- yearly | Restauranteers looking for a cost-effective solution. |
| Restroworks | Analytics Loyalty Programs Order Management Inventory Tracking | Restaurant | Custom Pricing | Mid-level or large restaurant chains looking for centralization. |
| Shopify POS | Inventory tracking Mobile Payments Multi-channel sales support | RetailE-commerce | Basic: ₹1,994/- Monthly Shopify: ₹7,447/- Monthly Advanced: ₹30,164/- Monthly | Retailers with a strong online presence. |
| GoFrugal | Multi-location support Integrations with accounting systems Customer Relationship Management | Restaurant Retail | Various Pricing plans starting from ₹7,000 yearly | Retailers and restaurants looking for customization. |
| Lightspeed | Multi-Store Support Floor Plan Management Third-party Integrations Advanced Analytics Customer Relationship Tools | Restaurant Retail | Lean Plan: $69/- monthly Standard Plan: $119/- monthly Advanced Plan: $199/- monthly | Medium and large-sized businesses looking for a platform that supports customization and advanced analytics. |
| Zakya POS | Table Management Kitchen Order Printing Customer Data Management | Restaurant | Forever Free Plan Standard Plan: ₹649/- Monthly | Small and medium-sized restaurants. |
| TouchBistro | Table Management Staff scheduling Menu Management Third-party Integrations | Restaurant | Pricing starts at $69/- monthly | Restaurants of all sizes that need a restaurant-specific POS. |
| Lavu | Mobile Order taking Table Management Kitchen display systems Detailed Analytics Third-party Integrations | Restaurant | Starter: $99/- monthly Growth: $149/- monthly Optimise: $279/- monthly | Restaurants seeking mobile POS solutions. |
| Ciferon | Inventory Management Mobile Accessibility Order Taking Billing Detailed reporting | Restaurant | Essential: ₹5,000/- yearly Pro: ₹10,000/- yearly Advance: ₹16,000/- yearly | Small cafes and restaurants who need a low-cost solution. |
Conclusion
The choice of POS should depend upon your use case. You have to consider several things, primarily the features and cost. Whichever POS you choose can also affect your business processes. Additionally, it can impact your sales as well. Many options are available in the market, and some might even look enticing. However, if you analyze the pros and cons of each of them before finalizing which one you would go further with, you’ll end up with a great POS.
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