Choosing the best POS system for smoke shop takes a lot of time and effort since the niche is special and not every system is suitable. As a result, a specialized system is required to meet the unique requirements of smoke stores.
This blog has everything you need to know about the POS system for smoke shop. In this POS system for smoke shop review, we will walk you through the key features of a POS system for a smoke shop, a list of the best systems for a smoke shop, and some additional tips on how to pick out the most suitable one for your business.
Contents
- 1. Best POS system for smoke shop: A quick look
- 2. Best POS system for smoke shop: Our top picks
- 2.1. Clover POS: best for a wide range of personalization choices
- 2.2. KORONA POS: best for smoke shops with basic feature needs
- 2.3. Lightspeed POS: best for smoke shops of all sizes
- 2.4. Shopify POS: best for smoke shops operating on multiple channels at the same time
- 2.5. Square POS: best for smoke shops with a tight budget or startups looking for a free option to try out
- 3. How to choose a suitable POS system for your smoke shop?
- 4. Conclusion:
1. Best POS system for smoke shop: A quick look
A POS system is crucial to effectively running a smoke shop. It will help streamline the process, enhance the quality of your shop’s service, and generate insightful reports and analytics for your operation strategy.
In particular, the best POS system for smoke shop offers essential features like efficient check-out that will speed up the process with multiple payment methods, real-time inventory management, strong customer relationship management features, and age verification to prevent legal issues.
2. Best POS system for smoke shop: Our top picks
Choosing the right POS system for your smoke shop can streamline operations and boost sales – here are our top picks to help you find the best fit, each offering unique features to enhance your business:
- Clover POS: Best for smoke shops look for various options for store customization
- KORONA POS: Best for smoke shops with basic feature needs
- Lightspeed POS: Best for the majority of smoke shops
- Shopify POS: Best for selling on omni-channels, online and offline
- Square POS: Best for smoke shops who want to streamline their budget
Let’s dive into the in-depth features and benefits of each to help you choose the perfect fit for your smoke shop right now!
2.1. Clover POS: best for a wide range of personalization choices
Rating | 3.8/5⭐ |
Pricing | Not disclosed |
Key features | ✔ Simple to operate and navigate ✔ Manage stock levels and product variants |
Clover is the best POS for smoke shop that is seeking a wide range of personalization choices
2.1.1. Pricing
Clover offers three different pricing tiers, each with varying hardware, costs, and features. You must speak with sales to find out the precise amount you must pay.
Starter | Standard | Advanced |
$0+ $14.95/mo | $125/mo for 36 months or $649+ $84.95/mo | $160/mo for 36 months or $1,699+ $84.95/mo |
Accept payments and manage your business through a web browser | Accept payments anywhere with a portable, handheld POS system | Accept payments at your counter |
2.1.2. Features
Besides, Clover offers some specific key features that you may want to know and how they assist your current business. The features include:
- Advanced inventory management features to keep tabs on your stock and prevent losses including real-time tracking of the stock levels, managing different product variations, and tracking expiration date.
- Implemented loyalty programs where you can assign point for every products and use them reward your customers and encourage repeat customers, as well as target marketing campaigns and promotions.
- Age verification through ID scanning and multiple payment methods acceptation.
- Generates sales reports, inventory reports, and customer reports for more accurate planning and strategy.
2.1.3. Hardware
You can choose from four different hardware options offered by Clover: a card drawer, a station solo, a handheld point-of-sale system, and a receipt printer.
💡 Looking for an affordable POS system for your store? This blog on POS systems for small businesses can definitely help you choose the most suitable one. Click on.
2.1.4. Payment method
The system accepts credit card payments, debit card payments, cash or check payments, and keyed-in payments. Other types of payments, however, will require you to change the system’s processing level.
2.1.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
Clover POS is suitable for:
- A user-friendly interface and extensive features are essential for small to medium-sized smoke shops.
- Smoke shops seek a strong inventory management system to handle their diverse product offerings, including tobacco, vaping, etc.
- Smoke shops want to build long-term relationships with customers through loyalty programs and encourage repeat business
Clover POS is not suitable for:
- Larger-scale smoke shops or complex operations frequently need more specialized point-of-sale systems.
- Smoke shops with particular requirements, such as intricate production procedures
2.1.6. Pros and cons
2.2. KORONA POS: best for smoke shops with basic feature needs
Rating | 4.7/5⭐ |
Pricing | Starting at $59/month |
Key features | ✔ Robust inventory tracking ✔ Integrated ID scanning ✔ Seamless integration with third-party app |
All in all, KORONA is the best POS system for smoke shop with basic feature needs who want to streamline their store process and enhance customer experience.
2.2.1. Pricing
At this time, KORONA offers 2 plans for you to choose from, starting at $59/month. For businesses in some special niche or some more specific features, your cost will add up so you’ll need to contact their salesperson for a particular price. The plans include:
- KORONA POS Core: $59/month
- KORONA POS Retail: $69/month
2.2.2. Features
KORONA offers many powerful and helpful features that will help manage and run your smoke shop smoothly:
- Generate suitable sales, inventory reports, and customer reports suitable for smoke shops, based on data for better planning and strategies
- Age verification for in-store and online checkout to comply with regulations
- Manage employees in terms of time and attendance and prevent unauthorized access
- Excellent inventory control, including tracking stock levels, product variations, expiration dates, and automated reorders for stock variations such as tobacco, cigarettes, and vapes.
2.2.3. Hardware
When talking about hardware, KORONA offers many necessary pieces of hardware to help manage your smoke shop effectively; some of them include a POS terminal, barcode scanner, cash drawer, receipt printer, customer display, etc.
2.2.4. Payment method
KORONA offers many different payment methods that will help leverage your customers’ experience, the methods include cash, credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
2.2.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
KORONA POS is suitable for:
- Medium- to large-sized smoke shops looking for robust features and stability for their future expansion.
- Smoke shops with diverse product offerings from tobacco, and vaping, to accessories.
- Smoke shops looking for robust inventory management features like tracking stock levels, setting reordering points, and managing expiration dates.
KORONA POS is not suitable for:
- Very small companies in need of a less sophisticated and more economical point-of-sale system.
- Certain industries require a more customized point-of-sale system.
2.2.6. Pros and cons
2.3. Lightspeed POS: best for smoke shops of all sizes
Rating | 3.9/5⭐ |
Pricing | Not disclosed |
Key features | ✔ Insightful reports and analytics ✔ Intuitive interface |
Lightspeed Retail – the best POS for retail smoke shop, provides excellent tools for smoke shop businesses, ranging from tea sheets to promotional features such as SMS marketing and promotional engines.
2.3.1. Pricing
You will need to speak with their expert to get a customized solution for your store and to find out the pricing, as the system regrettably does not display its pricing on the website.
2.3.2. Features
Additionally, the Lightspeed POS system is the best POS for vape shop because it has a lot of important features that make running your smoke shop easier. The features include:
- Powerful inventory management features needed for smoke shop including real-time tracking, product categorization, expiration date tracking, and automated reordering product variations like tobacco, vape, etc.
- Customized selling restrictions features that impose restrictions on the sale of high-risk goods, enabling users to stop large purchases by establishing quantity caps and using ID-scanning technology to verify the age of the buyer
- Retail Access Control Standards (RACS) compliance, ID scanning to verify age. This guarantees that you do not sell too many restricted products to any one customer or sell restricted products to customers who are too young.
- Different payment methods like credit cards, debit cards, cash, mobile payments, etc.
2.3.3. Hardware
Besides software, Lightspeed offers hardware that will help elevate your store management and keep you updated on the latest technology. Along with printers like receipt and label printers, a scanner, a drawer, and other accessories, the hardware consists of Apple products like iPads, Mac Minis, and iPad stands.
2.3.4. Payment method
Credit and debit cards, digital wallets like PayPal and Samsung Wallet, gift cards, and contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay are just a few of the payment methods that the system accepts.
2.3.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
Lightspeed POS is suitable for:
- Smoke shops want to have an online presence and manage both their online and physical stores.
- Smoke shops seeking detailed analytics and reports into sales trends, customer behavior, and product performance.
- Medium- to large-sized smoke shops looking for POS system with strong features to run their business effectively.
Lightspeed POS is not suitable for:
- Very small companies in need of a less sophisticated and more economical point-of-sale system.
- Certain industries require a more customized point-of-sale system.
2.3.6. Pros and cons
2.4. Shopify POS: best for smoke shops operating on multiple channels at the same time
Rating | 4.6/5⭐ |
Pricing | Not disclosed |
Key features | ✔ Sell through multiple channels ✔ Support various payment methods |
All things considered, the Shopify POS is the best POS system for smoke shops wishing to increase their visibility through a variety of platforms, including online and offline.
2.4.1. Pricing
Shopify POS currently has four plans to choose from, all of which are paid monthly, with the exception of the Plus, which is only available for a 1-3-year term.
- Basic (for solo entrepreneurs): $39/month
- Shopify (for small teams): $105/month
- Advanced: $399/month
- Plus (for more complex business): $2,300/month
2.4.2. Features
The Shopify POS for vape shop has a lot of key features that your smoke shop business can benefit from, some of which include:
- Robust inventory management that provides barcode scanning for efficient inventory tracking on products like cigar, tobacco, vapes, and so on
- Offering age-verification tools, but you have to pay an add-ons, and this feature is just suitable for online sales, with prices beginning at around $5 per month.
- Quick setup and easy-to-train-and-use system
- Seamless integration with Shopify’s e-commerce platforms, easy to manage both online and in-store sales
- Customer management by tracking their profiles, purchase history, and loyalty programs for more personalized promotional programs at your smoke store
2.4.3. Hardware
The Shopify POS system includes a variety of interesting hardware options from which to choose and customize your POS system. Barcode scanners, receipt printers, cash drawers, and shop tablet stands are all pieces of hardware.
🔍 Are you looking for an ideal POS system to kick-start your business? Don’t look over this helpful blog on everything you need to know about POS systems and their reviews.
2.4.4. Payment method
The system also accepts a variety of payment methods, making it convenient for your customers to pay with cash or credit cards. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and others) are accepted, as are debit cards and contactless payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
2.4.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
Shopify POS is suitable for:
- Small- to medium-sized smoke shops that need user-friendly interface and comprehensive features.
- Smoke shop looking to build strong online presence.
- Smoke shops need robust inventory management features to handle on-tobacco items
Shopify POS is not suitable for:
- Companies with very specific requirements
- Big companies that require more robust features run their stores
2.4.6. Pros and cons
2.5. Square POS: best for smoke shops with a tight budget or startups looking for a free option to try out
Rating | 4.6/5⭐ |
Pricing | Starting at $0/month |
Key features | ✔ Ideal for start-ups or small businesses ✔ Simplify order taking and processing |
In general, Square is the best POS system for smoke shop, particularly for keeping your business budget under control, but you should still look for a system with comprehensive features.
2.5.1. Pricing
With monthly costs starting at $0 per location, Square currently provides three options. The plans are:
- Free: $0 per location/month
- Plus: $69 per location/month
- Premium: $165 per location/month
2.5.2. Features
Additionally, the system has a number of robust and extensive key features, such as:
- Simple interface with a centralized board that makes it simple to interact with customers, send out invoices, and manage staff and inventory on a single platform
- Customer Directory is a tool for managing customer relationships that allows you to view customer data such as contact information and how they normally transact with the business. In exchange, customers can leave feedback on their digital receipts and initiate a private conversation with your smoke shop
- Track inventory levels, set low-stock alerts, and manage product variations in terms of flavors and nicotine strengths, and provide barcode to manage inventory efficiently
- Affordable pricing with no monthly fee and a small percentage of transaction fees
- Square’s free Risk Manager utilizes machine learning and analytics to detect fraud trends, allowing you to block suspicious cards, emails, and IP addresses, and set custom payment rules and alerts.
2.5.3. Hardware
Store stands, card readers, registers, and terminals are just a few of the many hardware options that Square provides. To determine which is best suited for your golf course, visit their business website.
2.5.4. Payment method
Square accepts a variety of payment methods, including credit, debit, and contactless card payments, as well as cash, gift cards, invoices, app pay, check-out, and other payment methods.
2.5.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
Square POS is suitable for:
- Small- to medium-sized smoke shops looking for a user-friendly interface and affordable prices for their business.
- Smoke shops that have simple inventory needs.
- Smoke shops that prioritize in-person sales.
Square POS is not suitable for:
- Large-scale smoke shop chains that require robust and complicated inventory tracking features.
- Smoke shops with e-commerce operations.
2.5.6. Pros and cons
3. How to choose a suitable POS system for your smoke shop?
In case you are still unable to choose the best POS system for smoke shop or vape shop for your business, we have compiled a list of the most important tips to help you choose the best one on your own.
✨ Key Features:
- Inventory Management: Monitor stock levels, manage product variations (flavors, nicotine strengths), and establish reorder points.
- Age Verification: Ensure that product sales are restricted to people of a certain age and everything complies with the regulations and RACS
- Payment Processing: Credit cards, debit cards, and cash are all acceptable payment methods.
- Customer management includes creating customer profiles, tracking purchase history, and implementing loyalty programs.
- Reporting and analytics: Create reliable and in-depth sale, inventory reports, and customer reports specifically for smoke shops
✨ Further Considerations:
- Customization: Adjust the system to meet your specific requirements and preferences, for instance to restrict underage customers
- Integration: entails compatibility with other business tools, such as accounting software and e-commerce platforms
- Age restriction features on your website: ID verification and pop-up age restriction for your online webstore to avoid selling to underage customers
- Scalability: The system should be able to expand alongside your business
4. Conclusion:
We hope our blog today has covered everything you need to know about the best POS system for smoke shop. If you find it useful, please remember to share it with others who are interested in the same topic.
Also, stay in touch with us by following our page eComstart.io for more informative blog posts on e-commerce-related topics, including a list of the best POS systems for various store niches.
