5 Best Garden Center POS Systems In 2023

Lightspeed Retail Features

Lightspeed has one of the more in-depth features offerings around. It's an all-in-one system loaded with integrations and outstanding POS inventory management.

Here are some of its key features:

• Gift cards
• Holds and layaways
• Customizable templates
• Wish lists
• Multistore management
• Purchase order management
• Advanced reporting

Lightspeed Retail Pricing

Lightspeed has three plans ranging from $89/month to $269/month ($69/month to $199/month with annual billing).

If you want to add extra POS register licenses to your subscription, you'll pay an additional $59/register/month.

Hardware Cost

Lightspeed offers tablet and desktop bundles and also sells individual equipment, such as printers and scales on its site, but you will need to call a Lightspeed representative for a quote.

Note: Lightspeed Retail now requires all new and existing qualified merchants using Lightspeed Retail in the US and Canada to sign up for Lightspeed Payments, Lightspeed's payment processor. If you currently use a card reader from a third-party payment processor, you can't use it anymore. Since you can't use any existing payment terminals (card readers) with Lightspeed Payments, Lightspeed is currently running a free terminal replacement promotion for eligible merchants that includes two free Lightspeed POS terminals (card readers) per qualified merchant.

Eligible merchants include business owners that process a minimum of $100/day in credit card payments, as measured by a monthly average. Apple products are not included in this promotion, so you'll still need to source an iPad to take sales.

Payment Processing

Lightspeed offers its own payment processing service, Lightspeed Payments. It has upfront fees of 2.6% + $0.10 per card-present transaction and 2.9% + $0.30 per online transaction.

Note: Lightspeed will buy out payment processing contracts, paying off merchants' early cancellation fees if you process a minimum of $25,000 in card sales and then submit documentation of your previous payment processing contract that states your early termination fee within six months of meeting this minimum processing amount.

It's important to note that the "paying off" comes in the form of discounted payment processing fees, not a chunk of cash that goes towards your termination fees when you decide to switch to Lightspeed Payments.

If you are a current Lightspeed user and don't apply for Lightspeed Payments within 30 days of receiving a notification email, you'll be charged a fee between $200 and $1,120 per month until you do sign up for Lightspeed Payments.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

You can sign up for Lightspeed Retail on a month-to-month or annual basis. You'll get the best rates if you sign up for an annual plan.

Lightspeed charges an early termination fee if you decide to cancel your plan early, so consider getting a monthly plan until you're sure Lightspeed is the right POS system for you.

If you purchase hardware from Lightspeed, you must confirm that you have received it within five business days. Otherwise, your hardware will not be covered under Lightspeed's hardware warranty (14 days for Apple products and 30 days for non-Apple products).

Where Lightspeed Retail Really Shines

In a nutshell, Lightspeed does it all. It offers an easy-to-use POS system with everything you need to run your small or large garden business. We also recommend Lightspeed's advanced features for other niche industries, too, such as a golf pos system.

The inventory management features are outstanding, and it also features stellar customer service. While very small businesses may find the price point a bit high, its rates are competitive for most industries.

Revel Features

Revel is ideal for larger businesses or businesses that need an advanced feature set. Here are a few of Revel's best features:

• Real-time inventory
• Purchase order management
• Intelligent reporting
• Till management
• Advanced marketing tools
• Permissions
• Kiosk mode

Revel Pricing

Revel starts at $99/month with a two-user minimum, but also offers custom rates tailored to your specific business. You are advised to call a sales rep before purchasing.

Hardware Cost

Revel offers bundles through its website that comes with everything you need to get set up. It also offers individual items for purchase but you will need to call for a quote.

Payment Processing

Revel also has its own payment processing service. Its rates are upfront and will set you back 2.49% + $0.15 for standard transactions. It also integrates with a handful of third-party processors if you want to search for a rate that might better suit your business.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

You can sign up on a month-to-month basis but, in order to receive Revel's best pricing, you'll need to sign a three-year contract.

Where Revel Really Shines

Revel is a powerhouse of a POS system and is one of the best POS systems for your small business. If you have complicated inventory or POS reporting needs, chances are very good that Revel has you completely covered. It's also an ideal system if you're managing inventory across multiple stores, despite the somewhat hefty price tag.

Square Features

Square is a highly scalable product, but its free app offers a generous feature set in its own right. Here are some of its top features:

• Multistore support
• Multichannel selling
• Marketing tools
• Employee management
• Multiple payment options
• Text messaging
• Multiple reports

Square Pricing

Square starts at $0/month for its free app and has more advanced products like Square for Retail that range from $0 to $60/month.

Hardware Cost

Square offers multiple unique hardware options. Your first magstripe card reader is free and its contactless chip reader is $49. It also features a handheld processor called Square Terminal for $299 and its full-fledged system, Square Register for $799.

Payment Processing

Square is known for its simple and upfront processing services. Its rates are 2.6% + $0.10 for card-present transactions and 3.5% + $0.15 for card on file payments.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Square requires no long-term contracts, allowing you to pay on a monthly basis and cancel at any time.

Where Square Really Shines

The beauty of Square is in its simplicity, and it is one of the best free POS options available. The most novice business owner can be up and ready to sell in minutes with virtually no learning curve. The product is that easy to use. It's also great for businesses that are looking to expand as it features multiple options to unlock more advanced features.

Clover Features

Clover has a robust feature set and is also exceptionally easy to set up and operate. Here are some of Clover's key offerings:

• Virtual terminal
• Detailed customer management
• Discounts
• Item exchanges
• App marketplace
• Sales reports
• Advanced inventory

Clover Pricing

Clover's plans start at $14.95/month. Lease options are available if you don't want to purchase your equipment outright, with plans for hardware and software starting at $50/month.

Hardware Cost

Like Square, Clover has a wide variety of hardware options that might be useful to your garden center. The Clover Go card processor costs $49, while the Clover Flex handheld POS system runs for $499. And for more traditional systems, the Clover Mini runs for $799 and Clover Station starts at $1,349 through Clover's website.

Payment Processing

With Clover, you are locked into Fiserv for your processing needs, which has been a longstanding issue with the company given Fiserv's reputation. However, the rates are competitive, ranging from 2.3% - 2.6% + $0.10 for standard transactions depending on your plan.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

With Clover, you are allowed to use their service on a month-to-month basis. Just make sure that you've done your research on Fiserv to make sure their processing is right for you.

Where Clover Really Shines

Clover offers the type of system that you can set up and not have to think about. It has an incredibly simple and visually-appealing interface and an excellent array of features and plans to choose from to make sure that you're not overpaying for unnecessary services. It also has outstanding customer management and loyalty capabilities.

Shopify Features

Shopify is constantly updating its POS product and adding new features to improve. Here are some of Shopify's best features:

• Contactless payments
• Multi-channel selling
• Advanced reporting
• Marketing tools
• Custom payment options
• Portable registers
• Accounting and POS eCommerce integrations
• Customer profiles

Shopify Pricing

Shopify has a variety of pricing tiers starting at $5/month and ranging up to $299/month for advanced features. It also has plans for larger businesses at custom rates.

Hardware Cost

Shopify has hardware bundles that you can purchase through its website. Call a sales rep for a quote on hardware or to purchase individual items as well.

Payment Processing

Like many other POS companies, Shopify has gotten into the processing game as well with its own built-in payments option. Its rates range from 2.4% and 2.7% depending on your plan. If you subscribe to the Basic plan, you can also choose between a variety of third-party options.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Shopify makes it easy, allowing you to purchase its product month-to-month with no early termination fees.

Where Shopify Really Shines

Not surprisingly, Shopify is a great POS option if eCommerce is a big part of your business plan. Its eCommerce platform is second to none, and it integrates seamlessly with Shopify point of sale. If you're already using Shopify for online selling, Shopify POS is definitely a product to try and keep on your shortlist.