Written by Zara Chechi Reviewed by Ruairi Shirlow Updated on 11 January 2023 On this page The Best POS Systems for Convenience Stores Jolt Clover GoFrugal Epos Now Verdict How We Test POS Systems FAQs Expand Our top picks are Jolt and Clover, which both provide efficient, easy-to-use POS systems as well as tools and features suited to convenience stores.POS systems are vital to running convenience stores, and choosing the right system for your business is key. Below, we’ll break down our top choices for convenience stores and dive into their features, pros and cons, and pricing.If you're short on time, you can use our free quote tool to be matched up with the best POS systems for your requirements. Compare quotes and save on your next POS system. Swipe right to see more 0 out of 0 backward forward Jolt Clover GoFrugal Epos Now 4.0 3.9 3.0 3.8 Price Bespoke Price Payments – $0/monthEssentials – $14.95/monthRegister $49.95/month Price Bespoke Price Hardware averages $750 (one-off payment)Software starts from $23 (monthly fee) Key Features Custom labelling tool Key Features Intuitive back officeOffline modeTake payments & refunds over phone, email or mail Key Features CRM functionality Key Features Accounting software integrationsStreamlined ordering systemConnect to major delivery apps Jolt Jolt Quick overview Along with a tablet-based POS software, Jolt provides an affordable custom labelling tool that makes it extra suitable for convenience stores. Jolt also offers tools for budgeting, employee management, quality control, and risk management, along with a self service portal. All of these features make it easy for you to manage and operate your convenience store. Read more + Read less - Strengths Custom labelling tool Easy to use Centralized standard of operations Weaknesses No free trial/version No transparent pricing If you have multiple stores or a franchise, Jolt is able to replicate quality and customer service across multiple locations. Its centralized data library can be customized to any of your requirements, and rolled out to different locations and roles to ensure your employees and stores are all on the same page.The simple, easy-to-use interface also makes it easy for your employees to stay on top of their responsibilities and ensure operations are smooth and efficient.Jolt’s pricing:Jolt doesn’t share its price plans publicly, so you’ll have to contact the company to find out how much it will cost for your business. Clover Clover Quick overview Clover integrates a POS system, cash register and card payment terminal to give you a comprehensive convenience store system. It also includes accessories such as receipt printers and a customer interface screen. Read more + Read less - Strengths Easy to use Intuitive back office management portal Integrates with third-party payment processors Order and pay at table function Weaknesses Limited reporting No cohesion between systems at different stores Clover provides several different functions in one system including payment, finance, and inventory tools so you don't have to rely on third-party providers for these services. Third-party providers can sometimes struggle to integrate well and if there are any issues, you'll need to deal with the provider directly. You have access to these core services on the system however Clover does lack some features that can only be accessed via third-party apps, which can cause integration and customer service issues.Clover’s payment processing rates are lower than that of some other POS systems. Plus, users have reported that Clover’s customer service is helpful. Unfortunately, the system cannot communicate between multiple locations, which is a drawback if you want all your locations to develop cohesive practices.Clover’s pricing:Here are the costs of Clover’s two most popular hardware packages:Clover StationClover Mini14” touch screen displayReceipt printer with customer displayCash drawerConnectivity hubHigh resolution 7” touch screenReceipt printer built inCamera and bar scanner built inPrice: $1,199 ($1,499 with Clover Mini)Price: $599The following items are available as separate add-ons:Barcode scannerCash drawerKitchen printerWeight scaleClover Flex GoFrugal GoFrugal Quick overview As the name might suggest, this POS system is affordable – and it also comes with features that make it a great choice for convenience stores. The system is easy to implement and use, so there’s minimal time lost training current or new employees. Read more + Read less - GoFrugal’s customer service is also decent, which helps when you run into any snags. And its mobile app lets you keep a close eye on things from anywhere in the world.The system provides reports that help reduce manual work as well as offline billing, so you don’t have to lose out on sales if anything happens to your connection.This POS system also comes with a CRM, so you can store customer details, create a loyalty programme and develop further ways to engage with customers and build marketing campaigns.GoFrugal’s pricing:GoFrugal doesn’t share its pricing, so you’ll need to contact the provider directly to find out how much it’ll cost for your business. Epos Now Quick overview Epos Now is a customizable POS system, which offers accounting software integrations, an easy-to-use touchscreen display, customer loyalty programs, and sales reporting. Read more + Read less - Strengths 24/7 support Insightful reporting User-friendly Weaknesses Can be glitchy Different tax rates across provinces cannot be used The system automatically deals with inventory management too, making it easy to reduce wastage and theft. Epos Now also has a built-in CRM system so you can launch special offers and loyalty programs. The system's sales reporting includes employee reports and end-of-day summaries so you can keep an eye on everything happening across your business. Epos Now also includes third-party integrations to ensure you have a comprehensive system. Plus, the company’s customer service is said to be exceptional, which is important for a system so central to your business’ operations. Unfortunately, Epos Now cannot use different tax rates in different provinces in Canada. If you have multiple convenience stores across different provinces, this can be a big drawback. Epos Now’s pricing:Core hardware and/or software starts from $1,145Monthly fee of $39 (Standard) or $54 (Premium) Verdict Choosing the right POS system gives your convenience store the opportunity to develop standard operating practices, offer great customer service, run stock and inventory management efficiently, and much more.There are different options available for your specific needs, such as multi-stores, self-service kiosks or loyalty programs. Whatever your needs, you can find the right POS system to increase profit, productivity and customer satisfaction.You can use our free comparison tool if you want to receive tailored quotes from trusted suppliers. Using just a few details, we’ll match you up with the right providers for your needs. This way you can compare, save and find the perfect POS system. How We Test POS Systems for BusinessesWe tested 16 market-leading POS systems to evaluate them in terms of functionality, usability, price, features, and more so we can make the most useful recommendations to Canadian businesses.Our rigorous testing process means these products have been scored and rated in eight main categories of investigation and 45 subcategories – in fact, we covered 61 areas of investigation in total. We then gave each category score a ‘relevance weighting' to ensure the product's final score perfectly reflects the needs and requirements of Expert Market readers – and that's our product testing algorithm in a nutshell!Our main testing categories for POS systems are:Till: the core functionality of the POS system, which includes the processing of sales transactions. It involves features such as item scanning, item look-up, and price calculation.Business Management: the features and tools provided by the POS system to support various aspects of running a business, such as employee management, shift scheduling, and customer management.Stock Management: the POS system's capabilities to manage inventory and track stock levels, including inventory tracking, stock alerts and transfers, and purchase order management.Business Development: the features and tools provided by the POS system to help businesses grow and improve their operations, e.g. customer relationship management, marketing integrations, and sales forecasting.Usability: how easily and intuitively the POS system can be used by the staff, including the user interface design, navigation, ease of training, and overall user experience during setup.Price: the cost associated with acquiring and using the POS system, such as the initial purchase cost, licensing fees, subscription plans, and any additional charges or ongoing costs.Help and Support: the assistance and resources available to users when they encounter issues or need guidance while using the POS system including documentation, tutorials, or knowledge bases.Features: the functionalities and capabilities provided by the POS product. This can include dedicated restaurant and retail functionality including KDS, loyalty management, and multi employee login. FAQs What integrations should I have in my convenience store POS system? You may want to integrate with third-party payment processors – this way you’ll have unlimited options for taking payments from customers. With the world moving towards cashless payments, the more options your customer has, the easier they’ll find it to shop. What features should I look for in a convenience store POS system? There are several features you’ll want, including efficient stock and inventory management. An automated management system will help reduce manual work and make it easier for you to prevent items from going out of stock. Employee management tools also make it easier for you to manage shifts, overtime, and pay calculations.An easy-to-use, sleek interface also helps to ensure your employees are comfortable using the system, and increases customers’ satisfaction as they’ll receive a more efficient and smoother service. It’s also important to choose a POS supplier that offers great customer service, so you can troubleshoot issues as soon as they come up. Written by: Zara Chechi Business Services Expert Zara is a Payments Expert, specialising in writing about Point of Sale systems. With a Law Degree from City University of London, she has used her legally-honed research and analytical skills to develop expertise in the Business Services world. Featured in FinTech Magazine, she quickly became an expert in payroll, POS systems, and merchant accounts. Reviewed by: Ruairi Shirlow Business Services Researcher Ruairi uses his 3+ years of research experience to uncover insights which can help Expert Market provide the best business solutions for their users. He has done this by meeting with business owners to find out what is important to them and what challenges they face on a daily basis. Ruairi specialises in tools that can be used to grow your business and has done research for a wide range of categories on Expert Market, such as EPOS, Website Builders, and Merchant Accounts.