Mobile point of sale (POS) systems empower small businesses to accept payments anywhere and on the go, while also enhancing customer experience through their convenience and ease of use.
If you’re a small business owner looking to maximize your efficiency and profitability, choosing the right mobile POS system is essential. This article aims to serve as your comprehensive guide for choosing the top mobile POS systems in 2024.
We have researched the most popular systems on the market and will present our top 5 recommendations, based on features such as ease of use, reliability and pricing.
Interested in what we’re saying?
Mobile Point of Sale (mPOS) systems are revolutionising the way businesses handle transactions, offering flexibility and convenience by turning smartphones and tablets into fully functional sales terminals. This technology is useful to anyone who regularly accepts or processes payments, so read along if that sounds like you. But first, what does a POS system do?
Put simply, POS stands for Point of Sale. A POS system is the hardware and software that allows businesses to manage sales transactions and accept various payment methods. It has a credit card reader to accept payments so both businesses and customers can go through the checkout process efficiently when making purchases in store. POS systems come in all shapes and sizes, so in this blog we'll explain all there is to know about mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) systems to help you streamline your payment process.
What are the best Mobile POS systems for small businesses in 2024?
Here are our picks for the 3 best mobile POS systems for small businesses, plus our recommendation of what each of them is particularly well suited for:
- Pebl (best all-around option)
- Shopify (best option for online selling)
- Lightspeed Retail (best advanced in store option)
Now let’s dive into the details and take a closer look at each of these mobile POS systems.
As an all-rounder solution, Pebl is a cost-effective option ideal for many businesses due to its pay-per-transaction pricing.
Pebl POS
The Pebl mobile POS system stands out in this space as the best all-around solution for many different business types.
From trades and services, takeaway restaurants to cafes to retailers and mobile service businesses, Pebl ticks all the boxes in the realm of mobility and familiarityFurthermore, its highly user-friendly and intuitive nature distinguishes it as one of the most easy to use and unique mobile POS systems on the market.
Pebl enables businesses to sell their products or services anywhere through a free mobile iOS or Android app, thereby broadening the access to customers with smartphones anywhere. This feature positions Pebl as an ideal POS for businesses that require mobility, such as food vans or home delivery services.
One aspect of Pebl’s competitive edge is its pricing structure, which doesn’t require any up-front investments or monthly plans. The fees consist of a small percentage deducted from or surcharged to all transactions which makes it ideal for many businesses-start up or otherwise- that want to set up payment acceptance and processing without having to invest anything upfront.
The Pebl POS system works on both Android and iOS devices, further cementing its place as the best all-around inclusive mobile POS system. The blend of its simplicity with the creation of product lists, versatility with the setting up of unlimited team members, and competitive pricing makes Pebl POS an ideal tool for not only startup businesses needing to launch on a small budget but any businesses including those holding fundraising and charity events where every cent raised counts.
In conclusion, the Pebl POS system provides a comprehensive package that serves as an excellent all-round mobile POS solution. Its wide-ranging functionality makes it a highly viable option presenting value for money for businesses aiming to streamline their operations.
Shopify POS
When it comes to effectively bridging physical and online selling, Shopify POS emerges as the top choice. Initially established as an eCommerce software provider, Shopify has added a POS system to their service offerings, making it the go-to solution for online stores that have built their websites and shopping carts using Shopify.
With its ability to scale seamlessly as your business grows, Shopify is a particularly versatile tool. Whether you're operating your shop using a mobile device or a laptop, Shopify provides a smooth and intuitive experience. Further, it offers a variety of pricing plans, allowing Shopify businesses of different sizes and budgets to find a suitable fit.
As an eCommerce platform, Shopify truly excels. Its built-in online selling features make it remarkably easy to venture into digital sales or expand an existing online customer base. The advantage of having these features integrated into your POS system means more streamlined selling, and potentially significant time savings.
Aside from its powerful online selling capabilities, Shopify stands out with its compact, mobile POS. This pocket-sized tool enables Shopify businesses to accept payments on your smartphone, making it ideal for pop-up shops, craft fairs, farmers’ markets, and other on-the-go sales scenarios who are part of the Shopify ecosystem.
It's essential to note, however, that Shopify POS may not be suitable as a standalone POS for full-time, larger businesses due to its specific functionality.Larger businesses too create custom websites so therefore may not utilise the Shopify ecosystem.
To sum up, Shopify POS offers an impressive mix of robust eCommerce functionality and convenience for on-the-go sales. Its easy-to-use interface, scalability, and built-in online selling features make it a compelling choice for Shopify businesses looking to streamline their operations and enhance their online selling capabilities.
What are the Advantages of a Mobile POS System?
Here’s some key advantages of a mobile POS system. For more points, read our article on the 7 key benefits of mPOS devices.
- Mobility and Flexibility: Unlike traditional countertop POS systems, an mPOS system is portable, allowing businesses to move the terminal to wherever the customer is, enhancing the customer experience by reducing wait times and enabling more personalised interactions.
- Ideal for Businesses without Permanent Locations: The portability of mobile POS systems makes them perfect for pop-up shops, food trucks, and vendors at fairs or markets. Even service-based businesses like home repair or cleaning services can process transactions on-site without the need for complex setups
- Supports Multiple Payment Methods: Mobile POS devices can handle various payment options, such as contactless credit or debit cards, mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and even QR code payments, providing customers with better service and convenience.
- Industry-Specific Features: Some mPOS solutions are tailored to the needs of the food and beverage industry, allowing orders to be sent directly from servers to kitchens or enabling customers to place their own orders at the table.
- Lower Investment Costs: Compared to full-size POS terminals, mPOS systems require a lower initial investment, making them an affordable option for small businesses with limited budgets looking to quickly start taking payments.
- Enhanced Security: Mobile POS systems are designed with secure payment processing in mind. They handle the entire transaction within the mPOS terminal, ensuring no sensitive data is stored elsewhere, which enhances security and reduces risks for small businesses.
Lightspeed Retail POS
When it comes to advanced features and robust functionality, Lightspeed Retail POS stands as a powerful option. Over the years, this system has successfully carved its mark in the POS sphere, continuously enhancing its product to cater to evolving business needs. Offered in both Retail and Restaurant versions, Lightspeed's products are highly customizable and scalable, serving a broad market from small businesses to larger enterprises and franchises.
Boasting one of the most comprehensive feature sets available, Lightspeed's main advantage lies in its depth. Even smaller businesses can tap into a plethora of functionalities at a moderately affordable price. Should there be a need to scale up to more advanced services, Lightspeed makes the transition seamless and hassle-free.
Lightspeed’s products have virtually no gaps in their functionality, meaning businesses can use the system knowing they're covered for virtually any retail scenario. This includes access to built-in payment processing and eCommerce capabilities.
While the monthly software costs can get a bit expensive when using some of the advanced features, it's justified by the system's depth of functionalities. There's an added fee to use a non-Lightspeed payment processor, so it’s usually better to use Lightspeed's own solution.
Despite Lightspeed's steep learning curve, especially for businesses new to POS systems, it offers a wealth of training materials and excellent customer support. This, in combination with its vast functionality, makes it a great choice for businesses requiring advanced POS features.
In conclusion, while Lightspeed Retail POS may not be the easiest POS system to use, it provides an impressively robust feature set. It is an investment that can yield considerable returns for businesses requiring a versatile and comprehensive solution, making the higher price well worth it.
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