1. Start with how you actually sell
Before comparing products, write down how a normal day works: who serves customers, whether you sell on credit, how stock arrives, how you close the day, and where you trade (counter, delivery, market stall). A POS should fit this flow. If you have to change your business to suit the software, keep looking.
2. The must-have features
For most small businesses the essentials are the same:
- Fast billing with printed, PDF or WhatsApp receipts.
- Stock tracking that updates with every sale and delivery.
- Customer ledgers if you sell on credit: who owes what, with limits and statements.
- Supplier records so you know what you owe.
- Daily cash close that tells you whether the till adds up.
- Reports on sales and profit, not just totals.
3. Check that it works offline
If your internet drops, can you still sell? Offline-first systems store sales on the device and sync later. For shops, market stalls and delivery vans, this is often the difference between a tool you trust and one you resent.
4. Think about hardware early
Confirm it works with the devices you already have or can easily buy: Android phones or tablets, Bluetooth thermal printers (58 mm or 80 mm), barcode scanners and a cash drawer if you use one. Ask what happens if you change your phone.
5. Understand the real price
Compare more than the headline number:
- Monthly or annual subscription, and what each plan includes.
- Per-user, per-device or per-location charges.
- Transaction fees and hardware lock-in.
- Setup, training and data migration costs.
A free or low-cost tier you can really use for a few weeks is a good way to test before paying.
6. Own your data
Ask whether you can export customers, products and sales (for example to Excel or CSV) and take a backup. If you can never leave without losing your history, you are locked in.
7. Language, support and updates
Staff should be able to use the system in a language they are comfortable with, and printed receipts should show customer names correctly. Check that there is a person to contact, written documentation and regular updates.
8. Ready-made or custom?
A ready-made POS is quickest and cheapest when your business is common and your needs are standard. Consider custom when your workflow is unusual, you need specific reports or integrations (accounting, WhatsApp, payment providers), or you outgrow what packaged tools allow. A good consultant will tell you honestly which applies, even if the answer is to buy something off the shelf.
9. Pilot before you commit
Run the candidate for a week or two alongside your current method. Enter real sales, close a real day and see whether the numbers match. Involve the people who will use it every day.
A quick scorecard
- Does it fit our daily flow without workarounds?
- Can we sell with no internet?
- Does it handle credit, stock and suppliers?
- Does it work with our printer and phones?
- Do we know the full cost over a year?
- Can we export our data?
- Is support available and documentation clear?
If you run an LPG shop, LPG POS was built for exactly this; for other kinds of business see our point of sale solutions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important feature in POS software?
It depends on your business, but for most small businesses it is reliable billing plus accurate stock and customer credit records, working even when the internet is down.
Should a small business choose a free POS?
A free tier is a good way to test, as long as it covers what you need and you can export your data. Check what the paid plans add before you rely on it.
When is a custom POS worth it?
When your workflow is unusual, you need specific reports or integrations, or packaged tools force costly workarounds. Otherwise a ready-made POS is usually faster and cheaper.
Want help applying this to your business?
Tell us what you are working on. A first conversation is free and we will give you an honest view.
Talk to us