--- title: "Best Retail Management Systems Software - 2026 Reviews & Pricing" description: "Find the best Retail Management Software for your organization. Compare top Retail Management Software systems with customer reviews, pricing, and free demos." source_url: "https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/retail-management-comparison/" page_type: "subcategory" language: "en" --- [Home](https://www.softwareadvice.com/) / Retail Management Systems Software Software Advice offers objective insights based on verified user reviews and independent product and market research. When our advisors match you to a software provider, we may earn a referral fee. # Best Retail Management Systems Software of 2026 Updated November 3, 2026 ## Retail Management Systems FAQs Software Advice advisors had 37 conversations with buyers about Retail Management Systems software between January 2025 and July 2026. These are the questions that came up most. - How do I choose the right Retail Management Systems software for my business? Choosing the right retail management systems software starts with confirming it covers core needs like point of sale (POS), inventory tracking, payment processing, billing, and order management. Advisor-call conversations show that buyers frequently stress the importance of integrated financial reporting and invoicing to avoid manual work or juggling spreadsheets. Many teams also test the software's ease of use before deciding, as a slow or confusing interface is a common source of frustration. Cloud-based deployment and setup costs are additional considerations buyers weigh for fit and budget. - What is the best Retail Management Systems software for a small to mid-size business? There is no single retail management system that fits every small to midsize business, but in advisor calls, buyers most often look for software that combines easy-to-use point of sale (POS), inventory management, billing and invoicing, accounting, and order management. Many buyers want to move away from manual or spreadsheet-based processes and avoid systems with cumbersome user experiences or gaps in payment processing. A common priority is finding a system that supports financial reporting and compliance needs without requiring extra tools. Answer based on 23 advisor calls - What should businesses watch out for when choosing Retail Management Systems software? Buyers our advisors talk to often caution against choosing retail management systems software that lacks core point of sale (POS), payment processing, or inventory tracking features, as this can force teams back into manual or spreadsheet-based work. Businesses in the Automotive industry and most small businesses especially note the importance of checking for built-in financial reporting and invoicing functions before committing. Many buyers also highlight the need to test how easy the system is to use day-to-day, since a cumbersome interface can slow down staff and create frustration. Cloud or software-as-a-service (SaaS) deployment is the most common setup buyers ask about, so businesses should weigh whether this matches their technical needs and resources. Answer based on 30 advisor calls - What are common complaints about Retail Management Systems software? Many buyers mention frustration with manual workarounds or having to use spreadsheets because their retail management tool misses key features. A common theme in these conversations is missing core point of sale (POS) and payment processing capabilities, which often leads teams to juggle multiple systems. Other recurring friction points include financial reporting or invoicing gaps, limited compliance support, and a user experience that feels slow or inefficient. Inventory tracking and loyalty program features are also frequently noted as incomplete or missing, creating extra steps for staff. Answer based on 22 advisor calls - What should I look for when comparing Retail Management Systems software options? When comparing retail management systems software, buyers we've talked to focus on whether each system covers key needs like inventory management, point of sale (POS), accounting, billing and invoicing, order management, parts tracking, and payment processing. A common sticking point is the desire to move away from manual or spreadsheet-based tasks, especially for inventory tracking and payments. Buyers frequently mention challenges with missing POS features, limited financial reporting, invoicing issues, and gaps in compliance support. Many users also weigh how easy the system is to navigate, since a cumbersome experience has been a source of frustration. Answer based on 30 advisor calls - How does Retail Management Systems software handle its core workflows and key processes? Retail management systems software combines inventory management, point of sale (POS), accounting, billing, and order tracking into a single platform, based on advisor calls. Buyers often seek these tools to avoid manual or spreadsheet-based processes and to fill gaps in payment processing and financial reporting. Many buyers also look for features to manage customer orders, track parts or products, and handle invoicing, with some calling out missing loyalty program support as a pain point. Answer based on 30 advisor calls - How much does Retail Management Systems software cost? Buyers frequently tell our advisors that retail management tools are most often priced with a flat monthly fee, with the median at $150 and most quotes falling between $100 and $500. Some vendors use per-user monthly pricing, which buyers say typically ranges from $72 to $150, with a median of $115. Teams also commonly face a one-time setup fee, usually landing near $3,150 but sometimes ranging from $1,000 to $12,500. Setup costs are a recurring consideration for buyers weighing total budget. Answer based on 19 advisor calls - What features should Retail Management Systems software include? The features most buyers look for in retail management systems are inventory management, point of sale (POS), and order management, according to our advisors, buyers consistently ask for ways to track stock, process sales, and manage orders in one place. Accounting tools, billing and invoicing, and payment processing also come up often as priorities for handling financial tasks inside the same system. For stores that handle parts or small components, parts management is a frequent request as well. Answer based on 25 advisor calls - What is Retail Management Systems software and what does it do? Retail management systems software helps retail businesses manage daily operations by bringing point of sale (POS), inventory tracking, accounting, and customer relationship management (CRM) into one system. When speaking with our advisors, buyers describe using this software to process sales, manage inventory levels, handle billing and invoicing, track orders, and record payments. The software is used by store staff and managers to keep inventory updated, generate sales reports, and support accounting tasks. Many buyers mention the need for integrated tools that connect sales, finance, and inventory data to support accurate reporting and better decision making. Answer based on 25 advisor calls On this page 1. FrontRunners 2. Popular Comparisons 3. Buyers Guide 4. Frequently Asked Questions 5. Related Software Filter products 414 results ### Compare Products Showing 1 - 25 of 414 products #### Company Size - Self-Employed - 2-10 - 11-50 - 51-200 - 201-500 - 501-1000 - 1000+ #### Pricing Options - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ ### Compare Products Sort by **Recommendations**: Sorts listings by the number of recommendations our advisors have made over the past 30 days. Our advisors assess buyers’ needs for free and only recommend products that meet buyers’ needs. Vendors pay Software Advice for these referrals. **Reviews**: Sorts listings by the number of user reviews we have published, greatest to least. **Average Rating**: Sorts listings by overall star rating based on user reviews, highest to lowest. **Alphabetically (A-Z)**: Sorts listings by product name from A to Z. ### [Rain POS](/retail/rainpos-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.1/5 - Reviews: 134 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Rain is an all-in-one point-of-sale, website, and marketing system for small to midsized retailers. Music, dive, sporting goods, paddle, craft, sewing, quilting, and clothing [Read more](/retail/rainpos-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Promotions Management: 5/5 - Retail Inventory Management: 5/5 - Product Identification: 5/5 - Multi-Channel Marketing: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Multi-Location: 1/5 [See all features](/retail/rainpos-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Clover](/retail/clover-profile/) - Overall rating: 3.8/5 - Reviews: 587 - Best for: Popular - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Clover is a POS system designed to help small businesses streamline their operations. The system offers a range of features, including payment processing, inventory management, [Read more](/retail/clover-profile/) ##### What users love - Versatile payment acceptance options - Customizable and modern interface - Simple learning and daily operation ##### To take in mind - Slow and unhelpful support experiences - Expensive hardware and add-ons - Sales tracking and limitations issues #### Features ##### Best rated features - API: 5/5 - Access Controls/Permissions: 5/5 - Sales Tax Management: 5/5 - Real-Time Reporting: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Retail POS: 1/5 - Retail Management: 1.2/5 - Returns Tracking: 1.3/5 - For Salons and Spas: 1.5/5 [See all features](/retail/clover-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request [See full pricing details](/retail/clover-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Epicor Propello](/retail/epicor-retail-cloud-profile/) - Overall rating: 4/5 - Reviews: 5 - Starting price: $349.00 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Epicor retail POS and business management solutions are designed to help independent retailers work smarter, not harder. With more than 50 years of experience built-in, Epicor [Read more](/retail/epicor-retail-cloud-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Reporting/Analytics: 5/5 - Mobile Access: 4.5/5 [See all features](/retail/epicor-retail-cloud-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Toast POS](/retail/toast-pos-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.1/5 - Reviews: 555 - Starting price: $69.00/month - Best for: Ease of use - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Toast POS is a cloud-based restaurant point of sale system built specifically for the food service industry. It serves restaurants of every service model — quick service, fast [Read more](/retail/toast-pos-profile/) ##### What users love - Highly customizable user experience - Quick learning and onboarding - Streamlined staff operations ##### To take in mind - Inconsistent and slow support response - Limitations for restaurant workflows - Connectivity and outage problems #### Features ##### Best rated features - Real-Time Reporting: 5/5 - Access Controls/Permissions: 5/5 - SMS Messaging: 5/5 - Real-Time Analytics: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Delivery Management: 1.7/5 - Reservations Management: 2/5 - Wait List Management: 2/5 [See all features](/retail/toast-pos-profile/#key-features) --- ### [POS Nation for Retail](/retail/pos-nation-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 134 - Starting price: $59.00/month - Best for: Customer support - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview POS Nation is built to support retailers, including specialty businesses such as convenience stores, liquor, wine and beer stores, tobacco and vape shops, lawn and garden centers, [Read more](/retail/pos-nation-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Item Management: 5/5 - Electronic Signature: 5/5 - Supplier Management: 5/5 - Ordering Automation: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Customizable Reports: 3/5 - Retail Inventory Management: 3.5/5 - eCommerce Management: 3.7/5 [See all features](/retail/pos-nation-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Bravo Store Systems](/pawn-shop/bravo-store-systems-pos-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 38 - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Bravo Store Systems empowers small businesses innovative point of sale solutions. Bravo is the leading provider of an all in one Point of Sale (POS) solutions tailored for a [Read more](/pawn-shop/bravo-store-systems-pos-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Sales Reports: 5/5 - Discount Management: 5/5 - For Retail: 3/5 - Barcode/Ticket Scanning: 3/5 ##### Worst rated features - Search/Filter: 1/5 - Point of Sale (POS): 1/5 - Barcode/Ticket Scanning: 3/5 - For Retail: 3/5 [See all features](/pawn-shop/bravo-store-systems-pos-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request [See full pricing details](/pawn-shop/bravo-store-systems-pos-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Epos Now](/retail/epos-now-profile/) - Overall rating: 3.8/5 - Reviews: 733 - Starting price: $349.00one time - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Epos Now POS systems are an effective business management, sales, and payment solution for single-site, multi-site, and online businesses. Popular with retailers and hospitality [Read more](/retail/epos-now-profile/) ##### What users love - Intuitive interface for all users - Streamlined staff operations - Accessible training and onboarding ##### To take in mind - Slow and unresponsive service - Long waits and inconsistent help - Unexpected and recurring charges #### Features ##### Best rated features - User Management: 5/5 - Customer History: 5/5 - Sales History: 5/5 - Time Clock: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - PCI Compliance: 1/5 - Point of Sale (POS) Integration: 1/5 - Ordering Automation: 1/5 - In-Person Payments: 1/5 [See all features](/retail/epos-now-profile/#key-features) --- ### [AmberPOS](/retail/pacific-amber-technologies-amberpos-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.1/5 - Reviews: 51 - Starting price: CA$995.00one time - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Pacific Amber’s AmberPOS offers a point of sale software solutions to a variety of retail specialties, ranging from small to midsized, in the United States and Canada. In [Read more](/retail/pacific-amber-technologies-amberpos-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Reporting/Analytics: 4/5 - Sales Reports: 4/5 - Customer Accounts: 4/5 - Point of Sale (POS): 4/5 ##### Worst rated features - Order Management: 3/5 - Inventory Management: 3/5 - Point of Sale (POS): 4/5 - Customer Accounts: 4/5 [See all features](/retail/pacific-amber-technologies-amberpos-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Furniture Wizard](/retail/furniture-wizard-profile/) - Overall rating: 5/5 - Reviews: 1 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Furniture Wizard Software is a retail management software that provides inventory management and a point-of-sale solution for retail stores in the furniture and mattress industry. [Read more](/retail/furniture-wizard-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Sales Reports: 5/5 - Inventory Tracking: 5/5 - Inventory Management: 5/5 - Purchase Order Management: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Returns Management: 4/5 [See all features](/retail/furniture-wizard-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Ordorite](/retail/ordorite-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.2/5 - Reviews: 5 - Starting price: $250.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Ordorite offers a fully end-to-end management software solution for furniture, bedding and related retailers. The system can manage every aspect of your business from point of [Read more](/retail/ordorite-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - For Retail: 5/5 - Data Import/Export: 5/5 - Supplier Management: 5/5 - Barcoding/RFID: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Pricing Management: 1/5 - Purchase Order Management: 1/5 - Merchandise Management: 1/5 - Inventory Management: 3.7/5 [See all features](/retail/ordorite-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $250.00/month [See full pricing details](/retail/ordorite-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [MyPOS Connect](/retail/mypos-connect-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.5/5 - Reviews: 41 - Starting price: $99.95/month - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Designed for independent and enterprise retailers, MyPOS Connect is a SOC2 compliant, cloud-hybrid POS solution that allows businesses to create a POS experience for any retail [Read more](/retail/mypos-connect-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Retail Management: 5/5 - Discount Management: 5/5 - Touch Screen: 5/5 - For Retail: 4.7/5 ##### Worst rated features - Returns Tracking: 4/5 - Customer Accounts: 4/5 [See all features](/retail/mypos-connect-profile/#key-features) --- ### [LS Retail](/hotel-management/ls-central-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.3/5 - Reviews: 125 - Best for: Features - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Running a retail or hospitality business today means balancing endless moving parts: changing customer expectations, new sales channels, growing product ranges, and pressure to [Read more](/hotel-management/ls-central-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Payment Processing: 5/5 - Gift Card Management: 5/5 - Discount Management: 5/5 - Retail Management: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Commission Management: 3/5 - Pricing Management: 3.5/5 - Sales Reports: 3.7/5 - Purchase Order Management: 4/5 [See all features](/hotel-management/ls-central-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Rapid POS](/product/285338-Rapid-POS/) - Overall rating: 4.5/5 - Reviews: 11 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Rapid POS is a certified NCR Counterpoint point-of-sale reseller and systems integrator providing software, hardware, installation, training, and support for retail stores in North [Read more](/product/285338-Rapid-POS/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Data Import/Export: 5/5 - Gift Card Management: 5/5 - eCommerce Management: 5/5 - Loyalty Program: 5/5 [See all features](/product/285338-Rapid-POS/#key-features) --- ### [Star-Plus](/retail/star-plus-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.5/5 - Reviews: 8 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Auto-Star’s point of sale solutions are trusted by thousands of grocery, pharmacy and natural health retailers all over North America. Our industry-leading POS solutions keep our [Read more](/retail/star-plus-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Payment Processing: 4.4/5 - Inventory Management: 4.2/5 - Sales Reports: 4/5 [See all features](/retail/star-plus-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Salesforce for Retail](/retail/salesforce-retail-crm-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.5/5 - Reviews: 12 - Starting price: $25.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Salesforce Retail CRM is a retail management system designed to help eCommerce businesses identify customers’ requirements and deliver personalized experiences. Administrators can [Read more](/retail/salesforce-retail-crm-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Forecasting: 5/5 - Lead Management: 5/5 - API: 4.8/5 - Reporting/Analytics: 4.6/5 ##### Worst rated features - Real-Time Analytics: 4/5 - Email Marketing: 4/5 - Loyalty Program: 4/5 - eCommerce Management: 4/5 [See all features](/retail/salesforce-retail-crm-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $25.00/month [See full pricing details](/retail/salesforce-retail-crm-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [COMCASH Retail ERP](/retail/comcash-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.4/5 - Reviews: 27 - Starting price: $125.00 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview COMCASH ERP is a cloud-based retail management solution that caters to multi-channel and multi-location retailers. The point of sale module utilizes multi-touch capabilities [Read more](/retail/comcash-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Email Marketing: 4.5/5 [See all features](/retail/comcash-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Visual Retail Plus](/retail/visual-retail-plus-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.3/5 - Reviews: 141 - Starting price: $1,750.00one time - Best for: Ease of use - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Visual Retail Plus is an integrated system that gives retailers a single centralized location to manage Point of Sale, Inventory Management and more, all tailored to each [Read more](/retail/visual-retail-plus-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Inventory Management: 5/5 - Purchase Order Management: 5/5 - Returns Management: 5/5 - Commission Management: 5/5 [See all features](/retail/visual-retail-plus-profile/#key-features) --- ### [NetSuite](/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.2/5 - Reviews: 2,086 - Best for: Enterprise businesses - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview NetSuite is an AI-powered cloud-based business management suite that incorporates ERP, financial management, CRM and eCommerce functionalities into a unified platform, helping [Read more](/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/) ##### What users love - Deep system tailoring options - Comprehensive and scalable functionality - Centralized financial operations platform ##### To take in mind - Steep learning curve and complexity - Complex and rigid reporting tools - Slow and inconsistent support experience #### Features ##### Best rated features - Aging Tracking: 5/5 - "What If" Scenarios: 5/5 - Knowledge Base Management: 5/5 - Vendor Master Data Management: 5/5 [See all features](/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Runit RealTime](/retail/runit-realtime-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 19 - Starting price: $274.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview RunIt RealTime is a cloud-based point of sale (POS) and inventory management solution that caters to businesses in industries like multi-store apparel, footwear, sports and gift [Read more](/retail/runit-realtime-profile/) #### Pricing ##### Real-Time Cloud POS - Price: $274.00/month - $137/station per month (minimum of 2 stations). Volume discounts available. Low upfront costs. No [See full pricing details](/retail/runit-realtime-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Cin7 Omni](/retail/cin7-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.3/5 - Reviews: 602 - Starting price: $349.00/month - Best for: Small businesses - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Cin7 Omni is a highly configurable inventory management and order management solution with built-in EDI and integrations to all the popular eCommerce platforms, marketplaces, and [Read more](/retail/cin7-profile/) ##### What users love - Robust inventory control features - User-friendly and intuitive design - Guided onboarding and support ##### To take in mind - Inconsistent customer service quality - Frequent and steep price increases - Slow and limited email assistance #### Features ##### Best rated features - Status Tracking: 5/5 - Alerts/Notifications: 5/5 - Recurring Orders: 5/5 - Catalog Management: 5/5 [See all features](/retail/cin7-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Standard - Price: $349.00/month - Up to 5 Users ##### Pro - Price: $599.00/month - Up to 10 Users ##### Advanced - Price: $999.00/month - Up to 15 Users [See full pricing details](/retail/cin7-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Island Pacific SmartSuite](/product/466120-Island-Pacific-SmartRetail/) - Overall rating: 4/5 - Reviews: 1 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Island Pacific SmartSuite is a merchandising and retail operations platform for fashion, apparel, footwear and specialty retailers. It covers merchandise management, merchandise [Read more](/product/466120-Island-Pacific-SmartRetail/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Supplier Management: 5/5 - Warehouse Management: 5/5 - Inventory Management: 4/5 - Order Fulfillment: 4/5 [See all features](/product/466120-Island-Pacific-SmartRetail/#key-features) --- ### [SimpleConsign](/retail/simpleconsign-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 355 - Starting price: $99.00/month - Best for: Small businesses - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview SimpleConsign’s point of sale (POS) and inventory management software is the system of choice for consignment stores and vendor malls. Whether you're starting a new store or [Read more](/retail/simpleconsign-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Real-Time Reporting: 5/5 - Real-Time Data: 5/5 - Customer Accounts: 5/5 - Retail Inventory Management: 5/5 [See all features](/retail/simpleconsign-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Store Launch Program - Price: $99.00/month - New SimpleConsign customers can enjoy SimpleConsign's Professional Plan for $99/month - an over 70% ##### Basic - Price: $159.00/month - This plan offers a Shopify plugin at $75/month. ##### Standard - Price: $259.00/month - This plan includes all Basic features PLUS additional (seen under 'features'). The plan offers a [See full pricing details](/retail/simpleconsign-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- 1 [2](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/retail-management-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=2)[3](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/retail-management-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=3)[4](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/retail-management-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=4)[5](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/retail-management-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=5) ... [17](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/retail-management-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=17) ## Popular Comparisons [ NetSuite vs PayPal Payments ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/vs/paypal/)[ Cin7 Core vs Fishbowl ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/scm/dear-systems-profile/vs/fishbowl-inventory-manufacturing/)[ Epos Now vs Lightspeed Retail ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/compare/1932-Lightspeed-Retail/vs/21000-epos-now/)[ Toast POS vs Clover ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/clover-profile/vs/toast-pos/)[ Shopify POS vs PHP Point of Sale ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/php-point-of-sale-profile/vs/shopify-pos/)[ Cin7 Omni vs Descartes Finale ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/cin7-profile/vs/finale-inventory/) ## Your Guide to Top Retail Management Systems Software, July 2024 Software Advice uses reviews from real software users to highlight the top-rated Retail Management Systems products in North America. [Learn how products are chosen](https://www.softwareadvice.com/legal-page/frontrunners-methodology/) #### Explore FrontRunners - [RetailEdge](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/retailedge-profile/) - [PayPal](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/paypal-profile/) - [Shopify POS](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/shopify-pos-profile/) - [AIM](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/aimsi-profile/) - [eposbuddy](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/eposbuddy-profile/) - [POS Nation for Retail](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/pos-nation-profile/) - [Square for Retail](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/square-for-retail-profile/) - [BigCommerce](https://www.softwareadvice.com/ecommerce/bigcommerce-profile/) - [Cin7 Core](https://www.softwareadvice.com/scm/dear-systems-profile/) - [FieldStack](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/fieldstack-profile/) - [Gofrugal](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/gofrugal-pos-profile/) - [Clover](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/clover-profile/) “Usability” includes user ratings for Functionality and Ease of Use. “Customer Satisfaction” includes user ratings for Customer Support, Likelihood to Recommend and Value for Money. Reviews analysis period: The reviews analysis period spans two years and ends the 15th of the month prior to publication. ## Send me a copy of this list to my inbox ### Get a copy of this list with pricing info sent to your inbox so you can pick up where you left off when convenient to you. From a technology perspective, it’s a glorious time to be a retailer. Even the most basic retail point of sale (POS) systems on the market today have evolved into full-fledged retail management systems. In fact, "retail management system" is probably a better name for today’s POS systems, given the many features they offer. Here’s what we'll cover: [What is Retail Management Software?](#WhatisRetailManagementSoftware) [What Are the Common Features of Retail Software?](#WhatAretheCommonFeaturesofRetailSoftware) [What Are the Benefits of Adopting Retail Software?](#WhatAretheBenefitsofAdoptingRetailSoftware) [Essential Hardware for In-Store Retail Management Systems](#EssentialHardwareforInStoreRetailManagementSystems) [Retail Management Software Tips for New Buyers](#RetailManagementSoftwareTipsforNewBuyers) ## What is Retail Management Software? Retail management software is technology that helps business owners drive more sales with applications that include point of sale features, inventory management, retail customer relationship management and more. These solutions often include hardware for payment terminals and can support mobile devices. ## Common Features of Retail Software There are some core features that all retail management systems offer. The complexity and breadth of these features varies between systems, but in some capacity, a retail management system should offer the following five features: ### Core Retail Management Software Features | Feature | Description | | --- | --- | | POS/Transaction automation | Automates the assignment of prices to items at checkout and processes payments. Mitigates some human error from cashiers. Adjusts inventory levels accordingly. | | Inventory management | Tracks inventory levels and makes real-time adjustments as products are purchased. Alerts retailers when stock amounts drop to defined level. Allows for more efficient and detailed organization of inventory. Offers reports on inventory movement to spot trends. | | Reporting and analytics | Records and analyzes sales data and business performance and turns it into easily understood reports and dashboards. Incorporates inventory figures as well as other expenses to provide accurate snapshot of revenue leaks or opportunities. | | Retail customer relationship management (CRM) | Stores customer information and purchase history. Enables retailers to track contact information, key dates such as birthdays and anniversaries and preferred items to market to customers. | | Employee management | Completes tasks such as shift scheduling. Often provides ability to clock in and out. Keeps track of employees’ hours for payroll. Can also assign sales commissions. | --- For single-store retailers, a retail management system offering these core features is likely more than enough power to get you going. For retailers with an online store or more than one brick-and-mortar location, there are some extra features you might want to consider folding into your retail management system. These additional feature could include: ### Advanced Retail Management Features | Feature | Description | | --- | --- | | Merchandise management | Enables in-depth structure and organization of inventory management, often broken into assigned stock keeping units (SKUs). Provides analytics for pinpointing purchasing trends. Interacts between multiple stores to create one master merchandise repository. | | Warehouse management | Automates the tracking, locating and management of inventory within a warehouse. Commonly includes capabilities such as positioning/locating system for products, order receiving and invoice management. | | Business intelligence | Similar to the retail reporting and analytics capabilities of a POS system, but with increased detail to accommodate larger businesses, e.g., multi-store data integration and analysis. | --- ## Benefits of Adopting Retail Software A properly implemented retail management system should help business owners drive more sales, better manage inventory, efficiently direct employees and get back more time in the day due to process automations. More specifically, the benefits of using a retail management solution include: **Increased efficiency at checkout.** Perhaps the most important benefit of retail software is the improvement at the point of transaction for both employees and customers. Retail systems integrate with credit card processors, cash drawers, digital displays, receipt printers and barcode scanners to minimize transaction completion times. **Improved inventory and merchandise management.** As you and your retailer peers know, maintaining proper inventory levels is a delicate dance. This is especially difficult with little or no software support for tracking and controlling inventory. Insights gained from inventory and merchandise management features provide unparalleled transparency for managing stock levels. For example, [bakery software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/bakery-comparison/) helps manage inventory for ingredients and products used at a bakery. **Actionable customer management insights.** Retail CRM applications enable you to learn about and track customers, so you can offer more personalized interactions. Customer databases that house purchase histories, contact information and even loyalty program profiles allow for targeted emails and other marketing promotions. Developing a strong repeat customer base is often dependent upon the effectiveness of your CRM. **Overall increased efficiency and transparency into business.** Retail management software eliminates much of the grueling time spent completing tedious manual processes. This gives you time back to spend deepening relationships with customers, monitoring and training employees and optimizing inventory and business performance. ## Essential Hardware for In-Store Retail Management Systems In our breakdown of [what exactly a POS system is](https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/what-is-a-point-of-sale-system/), we outline some key hardware features that should not be overlooked. These same must-have tools apply to new retail management software as well. Don’t let consideration for the following retail hardware slip through the cracks: ### Crucial POS Hardware Components If you’re looking to upgrade from a POS to a system with more retail management features, you likely already have most of this hardware. If so, you’ll want to **make sure any existing hardware is compatible with a new retail management solution**. If this is your first system, you need to get all of these pieces in place. ## Retail Management Software Tips for New Buyers When it comes to reviewing and choosing your new retail management system, the many considerations and options can make it a daunting task. Our survey of software buyers (from a variety of industries) uncovered some effective, commonly-used tactics that work best for building a case and making a decision between systems. The most recommended methods from the survey include: - **Research what’s available in the market.** Begin by building a baseline understanding of what the market looks like in terms of common features, additional applications, prices, deployment models etc. Keep an eye out for industry terms or jargon that you’ll need to understand when working with vendors. Software provider websites are a good resource for this initial research. - **Define and prioritize your business needs.** Make a detailed list of what you want your new system to accomplish. Begin by gathering common pain points of current software or processes. Task managers with reaching out to employees to learn what would make their roles easier. Create a formal needs document you can share with vendors to keep the scope of conversation focused on your specific requirements. - **Evaluate solutions based on demos and user reviews.** Consulting retail software reviews is a fantastic way to start evaluating and eliminating specific systems from the running. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to a list of three to five systems, you can start participating in software demos to get a snapshot of the different solutions in action and assess the usability and functionality firsthand. ### Related Retail Management Systems Software - [Payment Processing Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/online-payment/) - [Point of Sale Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/web-based-point-of-sale-software-comparison/) - [Pricing Optimization Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/pricing-optimization/) - [Retail Execution Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/category/4846-retail-execution/) - [Retail POS System Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/) - [Store Locator Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/store-locator/)