Business owners who want to accept credit card payments on an Android device have a convenient option: an Android POS system. POS stands for Point of Sale, the technology used in various retail and service industries for processing customer payments. With an Android POS system, you can quickly and securely accept customer payments using mobile devices like phones or tablets.
An Android POS system brings many advantages over traditional payment processing systems:
- It’s fast and easy to set up and use, so business owners can get started without advanced technical knowledge.
- Users can access real-time sales analytics and reports to understand customer purchasing habits better, allowing them to make data-driven decisions about their business operations.
- With built-in security features such as encryption of credit card information, businesses can feel confident that their customer’s data is safe and secure.
If you’re looking for a reliable way to process payments on an Android device, consider investing in an Android POS system. Your business may need its combination of convenience, speed, affordability, and security!
Part of my job was to design, develop, and test various payment processing features, including point-of-sale software. I used my many years of experience to write this review of POS on Android.
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What Are the Best Android POS Systems?
Here is my ranked and reviewed list of the best Android POS systems.
Toast POS
Toast POS is an Android POS system that provides businesses with the tools to quickly and securely accept customer payments.
It features a user-friendly interface designed to be intuitive, easy to use, and has a range of powerful features. These include real-time analytics, customizable settings, and secure encryption for credit card information.
Toast POS is great for restaurants, whether full-service or quick-service. They have a complete system that includes front-of-house and back-of-house systems. Their kitchen display system is full-featured, so your kitchen staff can quickly fulfill orders. In addition, their inventory management systems will help you maintain stock levels to better manage your restaurant.
The software supports a variety of payment methods, including cash, debit cards, credit cards, and more.
Although the POS hardware is based on the Android operating system, they provide various iOS applications for different POS functions.
With Toast POS, business owners can enjoy fast setup, simple maintenance, and reliable performance across multiple devices. Invest in Toast POS if you’re looking for a convenient, secure, and proven Android POS system.
Top Features
- Easy setup and simple maintenance
- User-friendly interface
- Supports multiple payment methods
- Full offline mode
- Restaurant-grade hardware
- Kitchen display systems (KDS)
- Secure encryption for credit card info
- Customizable plans
- Reliable performance across various devices
Toast POS Pros
Toast POS Cons
Pricing
Customizable Plans:
- For 1-2 POS terminals, a pay-as-you-go system is available, as well as online ordering and delivery services.
- A range of services is offered for business growth, including custom hardware, integrated marketing tools, online ordering, and delivery. This can support businesses with 1-15 locations.
- The Enterprise level service is designed for businesses with 16-1000+ locations, providing a reliable and secure platform with access to over 100 API partners, as well as a unified data platform.
The Starter Kit is ideal for single-location restaurants that require 1-2 terminals and is available at a starting price of $0. The hardware kit comes with no upfront costs and includes:
- Cloud-based POS system
- Hardware configuration
- One terminal
- Additional add-ons are also included
The Point of Sale plan is well-suited for restaurants that seek core functionality and flat-rate processing, starting at $69 per month. It involves a monthly software subscription, and users have the flexibility to select their preferred hardware.
- Cloud-based POS system
- Custom hardware configuration
- Additional add-ons included
Restaurants that want to expand can benefit from The Essentials plan, which offers a bundled package of POS with a digital ordering suite. The plan is available starting at $165 per month and entails a monthly software subscription. Additionally, users have the option to select their preferred hardware.
- Cloud-based POS system
- Custom hardware configuration
- Online ordering, Toast TakeOut, and Toast Delivery Services
- Additional add-ons included
The Custom plan is designed for restaurants that seek to enhance their operations with the complete Toast platform. The plan features custom pricing, a monthly software subscription, and the flexibility to choose preferred hardware.
- Cloud-based POS system
- Custom hardware configuration
- Online ordering, Toast TakeOut, and Toast Delivery Services
- Manage payroll
- Use automation to control operating costs
- Integrate with 100+ restaurant tools
- Additional add-ons included
Bottom Line: Ellen’s Take
To summarize, Toast POS is an excellent choice for business owners needing an efficient and dependable point-of-sale system. Setup and maintenance are easy, and it provides secure encryption for credit card info, real-time analytics, customizable settings, and supports multiple devices. For those reasons, Toast POS is many businesses’ go-to Android POS system.
Aloha Cloud POS
Aloha Cloud POS system is an Android tablet POS system that allows restaurant owners to manage their businesses efficiently. Designed for the Android platform, users can use their Android devices to gain access to all of Aloha’s powerful features.
Some of these features include employee management, inventory control, and ticketing. In addition, it is simple to install and provides various payment options, which makes it ideal for any restaurant.
Aloha helps restaurant owners save time and money by streamlining operations with fast checkout times and reduced expenses.
Top Features
- Robust mobile capabilities
- Flexible hardware and software integrations
- Seamless table management
- Automated integrations with payment processors
- Advanced reporting tools
- Loyalty program
- Cloud-based
- Easy setup & maintenance
- Secure encryption
Aloha Cloud Pros
Aloha Cloud Cons
Pricing
Starter plan from $0/month
- Payment processing 2.25% +$0.15 per trans
- Includes first PX15 hardware terminal subscription
Premium plan from $175/month
- Payment processing 2.99% +$0.15 per trans
- Includes Online ordering
- Includes Analytics and Mobile App
Hardware
Hardware prices are not available without contacting their sales teams
- Table Service hardware bundle: a 15″ POS terminal, cash drawer, receipt printer, and EMV and NFC device
- Fast Casual and Quick Service hardware bundle: a 15″ POS terminal with customer-facing display, cash drawer, receipt printer, and EMV and NFC device
Bottom Line: Ellen’s Take
I recommend the Aloha Cloud POS system for restaurant businesses, especially quick-service restaurants. Aloha Cloud POS is great for quick-service restaurants because it’s fast and efficient. Transactions are processed quickly and securely, so customers don’t have to wait long for their orders. Setup is easy, and customized settings can be adjusted as needed. Real-time analytics provide insight into each transaction, while multi-device support allows businesses to expand without significant disruptions.
These features make Aloha Cloud POS an excellent choice for quick-service restaurants looking to maximize efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Square POS
Square POS is a versatile and user-friendly retail POS system. It is designed to streamline business operations and enhance your customer’s experience. Square’s system enables business owners to quickly process transactions, manage inventory, and track real-time sales data. It also provides advanced reporting features.
It supports various payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments.
With Square, business owners can run their businesses efficiently and effectively while providing top-notch service to their customers.
Square Reader is compatible with most Android devices. You’ll need an Android device running Android 5.0 or higher, location services enabled, and access to your Google Play account. This ensures that most Android devices are compatible with Square Reader, allowing you to get the most out of your payment processing experience.
Top Features
- User-friendly interface
- Real-time sales tracking
- Inventory management
- Reporting tools
- Payment processing
- Mobile payments
- Offline mode
- Loyalty program
- Customer feedback
Square POS Pros
Square POS Cons
Pricing
Square Individual Equipment prices:
- Square Reader for magstripe: first reader FREE
- Square Reader for contactless and chip: $49
- Square Stand Mount: $149
- Square Stand: $149
- Square Terminal: $299
- Square Register: $799
Square Equipment Kit prices:
- Restaurant Mobile POS Kit: $249
- @Rest Stand for iPad mini Kit: starting at $539
- Infinite Peripherals Mobile kit for Square Reader: $625
- Square Stand Kit: starting at $659
- @Rest Stand for iPad mini 2 Kit: starting at $659
- Square Stand Restaurant Kit: starting at $1139
- Square Stand and Terminal Restaurant Kit: starting at $1439
- Square Register Kit: $1479
Bottom Line: Ellen’s Take
I recommend Square POS as an ideal choice for business owners seeking an Android POS system as an omnichannel solution. It offers a user-friendly interface, real-time sales tracking, and advanced inventory management. Square’s system also provides reporting tools, multiple payment options, and an offline mode. Additionally, it supports loyalty programs and customer feedback, making it an all-in-one solution for retail businesses.
Cova
As a cannabis dispensary owner looking for a reliable POS system, look no further than Cova POS. Explicitly designed for cannabis retailers, this Android-based POS system comes packed with various features to enhance your front-of-house operations. These features include a built-in ID scanner and age-verification tool, inventory management, staff onboarding, a customer loyalty program, offline mode, and compliance features to ensure your business stays within legal boundaries.
Cova POS also offers cannabis-specific features such as purchase limit monitoring and product equivalency calculation for edibles and concentrates. Additionally, the system provides one-click monthly compliance reports for Canadian merchants and on-demand product info for customers.
The POS software also automatically applies taxes and discounts based on membership status. Other notable features include customer queue management, secure data backup, and support via email, call, and live chat.
Payment methods include Pin debit, ACH (mobile and e-commerce), and branded digital and physical gift cards. However, credit card payments (Visa and MasterCard) are only available for Canadian merchants.
Tablets running the Cova POS software need Android 7.0 to be compatible.
Top Features
- Built-in ID Scanner & Age Verification
- Customer Loyalty Program
- Customer Queue management
- Inventory Management
- Quick Onboarding of Staff
- Easy-to-Use Interface
- Offline Mode
- Customer support via phone, live chat, and email
Cova POS Pros
Cova POS Cons
Pricing
Cova offers 3 different plan tiers:
- Boutique – perfect for a boutique store
- Powerhouse – excellent for multi-store retailers or established single
- Enterprise – created for franchises or large multi-store retailers
US Pricing
- Boutique – $349/month
- Powerhouse – $549/month
- Custom – custom
- Ecomm:
$349$250/month*$349$250/month*- Included
- *Limited Time Offer
- Bundled:
- $699
- $849
Canadian Prices:
- Boutique – $449/month
- Powerhouse – $599/month
- Custom – custom
- Ecomm:
- $349 $250/month*
- $349 $250/month*
- Included
- *Limited Time Offer
- Bundled:
- $699
- $849
Bottom Line: Ellen’s Take
Cova POS is an easy-to-use Android POS system designed for cannabis retail stores. It offers compliance features, secure data backup, several payment options, and support for US & Canadian merchants. This makes it an ideal choice for retail and e-commerce cannabis business owners looking for a reliable POS system. I recommend it to cannabis business owners looking for an Android POS system.
Clover
Clover POS is the perfect choice for business owners looking for a reliable and user-friendly Android POS system. It offers numerous features and customization capabilities, making it easy to tailor the system according to individual needs.
Additionally, advanced analytics tools help track sales data, while secure data storage provides peace of mind. Furthermore, numerous upgrade options are available to ensure businesses can scale their operations as required.
Get a $450 statement credit when you buy Station, Mini, or Flex.
Top Features
- Comprehensive Dashboard
- Easy & Fast Checkouts
- Robust Security
- Flexible Integration
- Contactless Payments
- Inventory Tracking & Management
- Employee and customer Management
- Backed by Fiserv
Clover Pros
Clover Cons
Pricing
All plans follow a monthly subscription model, with one flat fee for hardware, software, and warranty.
Businesses can choose from three different plans, including hardware and software (but not payment processing fees), the warranty, and easy upgrade options.
Pricing is tailored to fit the needs of each business type.
Retail Stores
- Starter – compact 7″ countertop POS. $60/month
- Standard – duo – 14′ touchscreen terminal and 7″ customer-facing display. $130/month
- Advanced – duo plus Flex handheld device. $175/month
Card processing fees:
- Card-present transactions: 2.6% + $0.10 for starter plan; standard and advanced: 2.3% + $0.10
- Keyed-in transactions: 3.5% + $0.10
Hardware Costs:
- Handheld card reader with the Clover Go $49 + software plan
- Station solo – starting at $120/month – 14″ touchscreen plus peripherals
- Station duo (screens for both sides of the counter)- stars at $130/month
- Flex – a mobile device to take orders and payments from the floor, tableside, or on the go – starts at $35/month
- Mini – compact point of sale – starts at $45/month
- Dashboard – no hardware – take payments, track inventory and sales data, sell in person, on the phone, and online
Bottom Line: Ellen’s Take
Clover POS is an excellent choice for business owners looking for Android POS systems. It offers a wide range of features and customizability, making it easy to customize the system to fit the needs of each business. The system also has secure data storage and advanced analytics tools, making it great for tracking sales and improving customer service. Lastly, it comes with easy upgrade options, so businesses can quickly scale their operations as needed.
What is an Android POS System?
An Android POS System is designed to run on the Android operating system. Android devices, like phones, tablets, and laptops, are powerful tools that can be used to run cash register software. The advantage of using an android device as a POS is that it is lightweight, portable, and has high-quality touchscreens, which makes transactions easier while providing outstanding customer service.
In the realm of POS systems, Android POS systems have carved out a significant niche for themselves. To put it into perspective, the global Android POS market size reached a substantial USD 9,273.8 million in 2021-2022. Furthermore, it’s not just maintaining this momentum, but accelerating, with expectations to grow at a CAGR of 29.4% until 2030. This impressive growth trajectory is set to catapult the global Android POS market to a whopping USD 43,540 million by the end of 2030, underscoring the increasing reliance on and adoption of Android POS systems worldwide.
This type of system provides powerful, enterprise-level features that enable businesses to have quick and efficient payment processing. From creating invoices, tracking sales trends, and viewing analytics, Android POS systems empower businesses to enhance their operations.
With an intuitive user interface and flexible integration capabilities, these systems help reduce human error and simplify processes.
Ultimately, an Android POS helps businesses save time and money while providing maximum functionality for customers and staff.
Advantages of an Android Point-of-Sale System
There are several advantages of an Android POS system over an iOS one, including:
- Cost: Android systems are generally more affordable than iOS ones. Android devices are available at a lower price point than Apple devices.
- Customizability: Android is an open-source platform, which means that developers have greater freedom to customize the software and hardware of Android POS systems. This can allow businesses to create a system tailored to their specific needs.
- Hardware Compatibility: Android POS software is generally compatible with a broader range of hardware options than iOS. This means businesses have more flexibility when selecting hardware components such as tablets, barcode scanners, receipt printers, and cash drawers.
- Integration with other systems: Android POS systems can easily integrate with third-party apps such as inventory management and accounting software. These tools, available on the Google Play store, can make managing your business easier.
- Easy to Use: Android is a very user-friendly platform, which means that even those who are not tech-savvy can easily navigate an Android POS system.
Overall, while Android and iOS POS systems have their strengths, Android POS systems offer greater flexibility and affordability, making them a popular choice for businesses of all sizes.
Conclusion
Android POS systems are ideal for businesses of all sizes who want to take advantage of these devices’ cost savings, customization options, hardware compatibility, and integration capabilities. With a user-friendly interface and powerful features, Android point-of-sale devices can help you save time and money while providing maximum functionality for customers and staff alike.
Whether you’re looking for a system with enterprise-level features or one with more basic functionalities, there’s sure to be an Android Point-of-Sale device that meets your business needs. So start exploring today to find the perfect fit!
