It takes more than simply distinctive items and clever displays to stay ahead of the competition in the fast-paced world of arts and crafts retail. Using the best POS system for craft shows may greatly improve customer satisfaction, streamline operations, and increase revenue.
Because there are so many craft show POS systems available, choosing the best one can be challenging. Fortunately, we’ve put together a list based on extensive research to assist you in beginning the process of assessing systems to choose the ideal one for your craft store.
Contents
1. Best POS System For Craft Shows: At A Glance
A POS system for craft shows is designed to streamline inventory tracking, payment processing, and sales management. In addition, it is usually portable because craft events are outdoors and mobile, unlike traditional establishments with fixed installations.
2. Best POS For Craft Shows Review: Our Top Picks
The best POS systems for craft shows for 2025 are:
- Shopify POS: Best for omnichannel selling
- Square POS: Best for a cloud-based system
- ConnectPOS: Best for device compatibility
- Artisan POS: Best for local and physical business operation
- MaxxPay POS: Best for high-risk payment processing.
Now, let’s dig deeper into each POS for craft shows review and see what they offer or how they will benefit your business.
2.1. Shopify POS: Best for Omnichannel Selling
Our rating | 4.2/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | $5 – $89+ |
Hardware cost | $49 – $500 |
Feature Highlights | ✔️ Online Store Integration ✔️ Omnichannel Support |
For craft show vendors, Shopify POS is a great choice. Syncing inventory and sales data is made simple by this system’s smooth integration with Shopify’s online store. Its extensive toolkit facilitates performance monitoring, efficient inventory control, and support for several payment options.
2.1.1. Pricing
Shopify POS Lite, which is a part of your initial Shopify subscription costs, starts at $5/month or Shopify POS Pro at $89/month/location. See their POS Lite vs POS Pro comparison here.
Transaction costs vary based on your subscription plans, starting from 2.4% to 2.7% + $0 per transaction.
2.1.2. Features
- Online Store Integration: To sell handcrafted goods, you can set up online channels in addition to your physical storefronts. You can also add a “Buy Button” to your business’s website and social media pages, which enable buyers to place online orders and pick up their purchases at the craft show.
- Omnichannel Support: For effective eCommerce integration, this POS system comes with smooth data flow management across several channels. This allows you to deliver a consistent experience regardless of where customers interact with your business.
- Plug-and-play Setup: To meet the special requirements of fast setup since craft shows operate under strict time constraints. This system offers you simple plug-and-play setup, minimal hardware requirements, and easy software installation to get things up quickly.
2.1.3. Hardware
Here’s a summary of Shopify POS hardware prices below:
- Shopify Card Reader: $49 – $349
- POS Terminal Countertop Kits: $459 – $999
- Shopify POS Terminal: $89 – $999
- Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader: $40 – $219
- Tablet Stands: $149 – $185
- POS Barcode Scanners: $49 – $289
- Barcode Label Printers and Labels: $19 – $499
2.1.4. Payment method
- Shopify Payments
- Cash
- Credit/debit cards
- Mobile wallets
- Loyalty points
- Gift cards
2.1.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for craft businesses that want to build a smooth omnichannel selling experience.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for craft businesses that want advanced offline functionalities.
2.1.6. Pros & Cons
2.2. Square POS: Best for Cloud-Based System
Our rating | 4.8/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | From $0 |
Hardware cost | $59 – $365+ |
Feature Highlights | ✔️ Cloud-based system ✔️ Offline mode |
One of the best options for POS systems for small businesses in outdoor craft markets and fairs is Square POS. Through an intuitive user interface, Square provides capabilities including sales tracking, inventory management, and customizable receipts.
2.2.1. Pricing
💲Initial software/installation fees: $0
💲Monthly software fees:
- Free: $0
- Plus: $60 per location (includes advanced inventory and advanced team management)
- Premium: Custom quote (for over $250,000 a year in payment processing)
💲Processing fees:
- In-person: 2.6% + 10 cents (2.5% + 10 cents for Plus Plan)
- Online: 2.9% + 30 cents
- Keyed-in: 3.5% + 15 cents
2.2.2. Features
- Cloud-based system: Craft shows don’t take place in just one place. In response to this issue, this POS system’s cross-platform functionality facilitates mobile transactions with its small card reader, which connects to smartphones and tablets with ease.
- Offline mode: A POS system with offline capability choices is essential since craft shows may be situated in places with inconsistent internet connection. This POS guarantees your sales can go on without interruption and that data can be synchronized as soon as a reliable connection is restored.
- Comprehensive Analytics: You don’t need to take notes of everything at the craft shows since the POS system helps you track and provides continuous live centralized reporting for event sales and performance.
2.2.3. Hardware
Here’s a summary of Square POS hardware prices below:
- Payment Terminals: $329 to $415
- Cash Registers: $165.46 to $1,099
- Receipt Printers: $279 to $365
- Barcode Scanner: $59
2.2.4. Payment method
- Cash/ checks
- Credit cards
- Contactless methods such as text-to-pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
2.2.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for small craft businesses or start-ups looking for a cloud-based solution.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for craft businesses with high sales volumes.
2.2.6. Pros & Cons
2.3. ConnectPOS: Best for Device Compatibility
Our rating | 4.6/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | $49 – $99+ |
Hardware cost | N/A |
Key features | ✔️ PWA Consumer App ✔️ Built-in loyalty program |
With a portfolio of features designed to meet the flexible and changing needs of temporary retail setups, ConnectPOS is one of the best options for pop-up shop point-of-sale systems. It positions itself as an essential tool for streamlining transactions in every popup scenario with an exceptional experience for both buyers and sellers.
2.3.1. Pricing
ConnectPOS offers you 3 plans, including:
- Standard: $49/Month
- Advanced: $79/Month
- Premium: $99/Month
No additional fee is needed for offline transactions! You only pay the direct fee to the payment providers.
2.3.2. Features
- PWA Consumer App: It gives customers the ability to easily complete self-checkout at the craft shows so they don’t have to wait in a long line. Besides, it helps accept a variety of payment options and safely save their information for use in future transactions.
- Built-in loyalty program: There is a loyalty program that enables you to rapidly register buyers so they will earn points for making purchases. By allocating a certain percentage of each transaction to a customer’s points pool, you can gradually incentivize recurring business and give loyal consumers access to special events, deals, or content.
- Digital receipt: You can enhance convenience for your customers with digital receipts, reducing paper waste and providing easy access to purchase history for returns and exchanges.
2.3.3. Hardware
Currently, this best POS for craft shows does not supply hardware. Yet, their software supports various brands, you can check the curated list of hardware seamlessly integrated with the ConnectPOS system.
2.3.4. Payment method
- Cash
- Credit cards
- Gift cards
- Split tenders
- Layaway
- Integration payment via gateways
2.3.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for craft businesses operating their business on different devices.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for craft businesses that don’t want to purchase hardware from other providers.
2.3.6. Pros & Cons
2.4. Artisan POS: Best for Local and Physical Business Operation
Our rating | 4.7/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | N/A |
Hardware cost | N/A |
Feature Highlights | ✔️ Product Variants Management ✔️ Label Printing |
Designed for the fine craft sector, Artisan has provided services to hundreds of galleries and upscale gift shops throughout the United States. This all-in-one POS system manages almost every aspect of the fine and DIY crafts industry, including accounting capabilities, consignment tools, payment processing, and loyalty programs.
2.4.1. Pricing
This best craft shows point of sale system’s pricing is only available upon request. However, according to their website, you can buy software and use it forever. Or, choose from three pricing modules: Basic, Standard, and Premium, with custom plans available.
2.4.2. Features
- Product Variants Management: You can effectively handle a variety of craft supply sizes, colors, and varieties while maintaining precise stock levels for each variation. Thus, you can make sure that popular items are consistently available for sale.
- Label Printing: Print labels in a variety of sizes, from jewelry string tags to decorations with options including logos, price, and other details. This adds uniqueness to your crafted items, enhancing branding overall.
- Special Orders: You can create special and custom orders for customers, such as personalized goods or items that you don’t stock and must ship from the artist.
2.4.3. Hardware
Prices for this best POS for craft shows’ hardware are not displayed. They offer a POS system bundle, including PCs, software, cash drawers, receipt printers, and more. Or, you can buy any hardware component individually from their store.
2.4.4. Payment method
- Cash/ checks
- Credit cards
- Contactless methods such as text-to-pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
- Modern Payments Processing via the Square Terminal hardware
2.4.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for small and midsize craft businesses operating locally and physically.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for craft businesses that want mobile access since the POS needs to be installed locally and connected directly to a server.
2.4.6. Pros & Cons
2.5. MaxxPay POS: Best for High-risk Payment Processing.
Our rating | 4.7/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | Depends on whether you choose to buy, rent or lease it |
Hardware cost | N/A |
Feature Highlights | ✔️ EMSmobile ✔️ Gift Cards |
MaxxPay is a cloud-based point of sale solution created to easily link a whole handmade goods store with its clientele. It provides lifelong data storage, free software updates, unwavering quality, and much more.
2.5.1. Pricing
This best POS for craft shows offers three standalone products:
Maxx Pay Mini | Maxx Pay Pro | Maxx Pay Premier | |
|---|---|---|---|
For Rent | $70/month | $100/month | $125/month |
For Lease | $60-$110/month (3 yr) | $70-130/month (3 yr) | $90-150/month (3 yr) |
For Buy | $569.00 + $34.95/month | $1,399.00 + $59.95/month | $1,895.00 + $59.95/month |
2.5.2. Features
- EMSmobile: You can quickly turn your tablet or smartphone into a portable payment processing station with EMSmobile. You won’t lose potential clients to the next craft table because it can accommodate several consumers at once and process payments quickly and effectively.
- Gift Cards: Selling need not be restricted to people who attend craft shows. With gift cards, you may convert a one-time show buyer into a devoted patron. The gift cards are tailored to the appearance and style of your creative enterprise.
- Custom Email Invoicing: You can send an invoice via email after customers make a payment online. It eliminates the need for papers and customers can use it as evidence in case they want to return items.
2.5.3. Hardware
No prices are disclosed for the MaxxPay POS hardware but below is a look at what you’ll get:
- Touchscreen Display
- Credit Card Terminals
- Mobile handheld terminal
- High-Speed Printer
- Cash Drawer
2.5.4. Payment method
- Cash
- Credit cards
- Magstripe
- Smart Card EMV Chip
- Contactless payments
2.5.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for craft businesses that have more trouble finding payment processing options, lenders, and business insurance since this POS provider accepts high-risk merchants in some business categories.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for small craft businesses with tight budgets due to high and various fees.
2.5.6. Pros & Cons
3. How Do I Choose The Best Pos System For Craft Shows That Fit My Specific Needs?
For your business, choosing and putting into place the best POS system for craft shows is essential to improving customer satisfaction, expediting operations, and spurring expansion.
The following actions will assist you in making an informed choice and putting the system into place successfully:
3.1. Identify Your Needs
Think about your craft business name, size and type. Do you manage several vendors, or are you a lone vendor with a modest stand? You can reduce your alternatives by being aware of your unique needs.
You might not need all the bells and whistles if you’re just getting started. However, you’ll want something that can manage the tasks if you’re managing a busy booth with a team.
3.2. Research Vendors
It’s time to evaluate several craft show POS systems, taking features and costs into account. Spend some time comparing the many POS systems available because they are not all made equal.
In addition, research reviews and ask about before relying solely on the company’s word! Speak with other craft market merchants to find out what they use and what aspects of their systems they enjoy or dislike. You’ll get practical knowledge that will enable you to make a better choice.
3.3. Request Demos/Trials and Plan the Implementation
To make sure the POS registers for craft shows on your shortlist are user-friendly and match your needs, you could test them out with free trials and demos. Make sure the POS system can easily interface with the applications you now use, including accounting programs and online shopping carts.
Once you’ve selected your favorite, try creating a thorough implementation plan that includes a schedule, employee training, data migration, and system testing to reduce business interruptions.
After that, you may run a pilot test, track the system’s performance, get input from employees and clients, and make any necessary adjustments to maximize functionality.
4. Final Verdicts
Each best POS system for craft shows in this list has its own strengths and weaknesses. That makes them a more suitable option in certain cases than the others.
Here is our verdict to help you find the right one:
- Shopify POS: If you want to develop different sales channels to earn more, it is a good choice thanks to its omnichannel building tools.
- Square POS: It is one of the best cloud-based POS systems, which is perfect for mobile transactions, cross-platform management and data synchronization.
- ConnectPOS: With its high compatibility, it is ideal for use on any device including PC, Android or iOS.
- Artisan POS: It is a great option for you if you only focus on local and physical sales due to not being a cloud-based system.
- MaxxPay POS: The provider allows high-risk merchants to use their product, so businesses with trouble finding payment processing options can opt for it.
5. Conclusion
Using a strong POS system that is customized for your craft show business can revolutionize operations, boost client happiness, and spur expansion. By choosing the best POS system for craft shows, you would already take a long step toward big success.
You now have a basic understanding of POS systems for craft fairs and what features business owners should consider. With the eComStart experts’ picks above, you should be able to easily evaluate your options further.
Instead of buying a system in a rush and then discovering it was the wrong one, take your time and choose the ideal one.
6. FAQs
