Have you ever watched a customer try to pick out the perfect piece of produce? They probably spent several minutes in front of your cooler, evaluating each option based on its color, texture, or even smell.
This thorough process is exactly how you should choose point of sale (POS) software for your grocery store. You need to make a list of all your options, then narrow them down by looking at their features, pricing and reviews.
To make your search easier, we’ve made a list of the six most popular grocery software solutions, including:
Keep reading for a thorough overview of each option.
What Do You Need From Your Grocery Software?
Let’s start with the number one question you should ask during your search for grocery software: what do you need it to do?
To get you started, here are four of the most important roles your grocery software will play in your store:
- Payment processing: Your grocery software makes the checkout process possible by processing sales transactions.
- Inventory management: You can use your grocery software to reduce waste and keep your shelves and coolers perfectly stocked. Look for features like real-time stock tracking and deli scale integration to help you navigate common grocery inventory challenges.
- Reporting: Your grocery software houses a goldmine of information. You can use it to learn about your store’s performance, sales trends, and customer habits.
- Integrations: You can make the most of your grocery software investment by integrating it with additional tools, including everything from accounting software to e-commerce platforms.
Along with these core functions, your grocery software should fit into your budget. Look for a provider that offers flexible pricing options, and don’t forget to ask about payment processing fees.
The last requirement is that your grocery software should be well-reviewed by other small business owners — especially those in the grocery industry. Check popular software review sites to learn whether users are happy with the software’s price, features, and customer service before taking the leap and investing in it.
6 Grocery Software Providers To Check Out
You’re on the hunt for grocery software that offers the right features at the right price, but with so many options available, it might seem like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you and compiled a list of the six best grocery software providers. For each option, we’ll explore their standout features, reviews, and prices — plus how to know whether each solution is right for you.
1. Markt POS: Best for Specialty Grocers
If you own a butcher shop, organic food store, or specialty market, Markt POS should be at the top of your list. This grocery software is designed to meet the needs of specialty food retailers, helping them connect with their communities while offering niche, high-quality products.
Let’s take a closer look at what Markt POS has to offer:
- Most unique feature: Markt POS offers self-checkout hardware and software options to help you give customers a personal but efficient shopping experience.
- Pricing options: Markt POS offers three pricing tiers to match your store’s size and sales volume.
- Reviews: Markt POS has earned five out of five stars on Google, with most reviewers expressing their satisfaction with the quality of their customer support and service.
If you own a specialty grocery store and are looking for industry-leading support, Markt POS is a great option for you.
2. NRS: For Grocers Who Need Just the Basics
If you’re looking for grocery software that simply gets the job done, National Retail Solutions (NRS) might be right for you. NRS offers a simple, straightforward solution to help you process sales transactions and handle basic inventory management.
Here’s a little more information about NRS’ software:
- Most unique feature: NRS’ BOSS Club Coupon Program can help you attract more customers effortlessly. It consolidates customers’ profiles across all NRS merchants and sends them coupons that can be used at any NRS-affiliated store.
- Pricing options: NRS offers three tiers of pricing, starting at $19.95 per month. However, it’s important to note that you’ll have to pay hefty fees to unlock features like profit margin reporting or customer purchase history.
- Reviews: NRS has a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot, with several reviews mentioning the ease of the setup and onboarding processes.
If you’re in the market for a user-friendly option without the bells and whistles, NRS might be a good fit.
3. POS Nation: For Grocers Who Want All the Features
Looking for grocery software that can do it all? POS Nation has you covered. This provider caters to retailers in all industries, and they offer a feature-rich yet user-friendly system to help you accomplish your goals.
Let’s explore POS Nation’s offerings:
- Most unique feature: POS Nation offers powerful sales reporting, including over 55 pre-built reports that give insights into your store’s overall performance, your bestselling products, and your customers’ shopping habits.
- Pricing options: POS Nation offers custom pricing solutions to meet your small business’ needs. Head to their website to get an instant quote.
- Reviews: POS Nation’s customers have given the software a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot, with most reviews raving about this provider’s accessible technical support team.
POS Nation might be a solid option if you’re searching for a feature-rich yet user-friendly solution to help your grocery store grow.
4. eHopper POS: For Grocers on a Budget
Searching for grocery software that won’t break the bank? Check out eHopper POS. eHopper offers free and low-cost options for retailers needing a basic POS solution.
Here’s what you can expect from eHopper POS:
- Most unique feature: eHopper offers free software and payment processing options that allow you to use the hardware you already own — which is a great option for grocers new to the small business world or on tight budgets.
- Pricing options: To process more transactions or unlock more features, you can opt for one of eHopper’s paid plans, which range from $10 to $35.99 per month.
- Reviews: eHopper POS has a 4.2-star rating on Software Advice, and most customers seem happy with the software’s affordability.
If you’re a beginner grocer looking for a POS system to get you started, eHopper POS might be a good choice for you.
5. Lightspeed: For Grocers With E-Commerce Goals
Hoping to take advantage of the online grocery boom? Lightspeed can help. Lightspeed lets retailers manage their in-store and online operations all through one powerful software.
Let’s take a deeper dive into Lightspeed’s features, pricing, and reviews:
- Most unique feature: Lightspeed offers seamless brick-and-mortar and e-commerce integration to help you maintain accurate, comprehensive sales and inventory reports.
- Pricing options: Lightspeed is one of the most expensive options on our list with prices from $109 to $339 monthly
- Reviews: Lightspeed has earned a 4.2-star rating on Trustpilot, and many reviewers mention how convenient it is to have an all-in-one solution for their in-store and online sales.
If you’re hoping to take advantage of the online grocery trend, Lightspeed might be your best bet.
6. IT Retail: For Grocers Who Want the Best
If you’re on the hunt for the best all-around grocery software solution, look no further than IT Retail. IT Retail is the only option on our list designed by and for grocers — which means it’s tailored to meet the toughest challenges you’ll face in the industry.
Here’s what makes IT Retail special:
- Most unique feature: IT Retail’s robust inventory management system includes grocery-specific features like deli scale integration, shrinkage monitoring, and low stock notifications to make stocking your store a breeze.
- Pricing options: We offer flexible options to fit your needs and budget. Check out our pricing page to get started with a custom quote.
- Reviews: IT Retail has a 4.6-star rating on Capterra, with several users expressing their satisfaction with our software’s comprehensive feature list and 24/7 customer support.
If you need a POS system with the right features at the right price, you can’t go wrong with IT Retail.
Switch to the Best Grocery Software: IT Retail
If you’re looking for grocery software to save you time, simplify your inventory management process, speed up your checkout lines, and boost your profits, you can’t go wrong with IT Retail.
Our all-in-one POS system includes all the features you need, like real-time stock tracking, a built-in customer loyalty program, advanced reporting, and online grocery integration options.
If you’re ready to get started with the best grocery software on the market, schedule your personalized IT Retail demo today!
