Running a business? Well, did you know your iPhone could help make your sales process easier? With the right app, you can turn your iPhone into a powerful Point of Sale (POS) system. These apps offer a convenient and secure way to process payments on the go, while being user-friendly for your staff.
iPhone POS apps are incredibly safe. Apple’s system protects against common threats, keeping your transactions secure. Plus, the mobility of these apps allows you to accept payments anywhere, enhancing your customers’ experience.
However, with so many POS apps out there, finding the right fit for your business can be challenging. That’s why we’ve done the research for you. In this guide, we’ll break down the top five iPhone POS apps on the market, examining their unique features, pros, and cons.
Best iPhone POS apps for modern businesses
Best for | Pros | Cons | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jovvie | Overall | Works on all devices. WooCommerce support. Affordable. | Lacks features specific for niches (like splitting payment). | 30-day free trial, $19 per month for self-hosting, $29 per month for cloud hosting. |
Shopify | Online-first | Omnichannel support. Analytics to support omnichannel sales. | Requires hardware purchase when scaling up. Expensive, even in the basic plan. | 3-day free trial, starts from $5 for in-person and $32 for in-person and online stores per month. |
Square | New stores | Free version available. Offers buy now, pay later. | Transaction fees can pile up fast in the free plan. | Free version available, $89 per location per month. |
Lightspeed | Retail | Advanced CRM features. Customizable inventory filters. | No free trial. Expensive plans. | No free trial, $89 per month, with a 12-month contract. |
TouchBistro | Restaurants | Niche-specific system. Advanced reporting features for restaurants. | Doesn’t offer real-time inventory updates. Only works on iOS. | No free trial, $69 per month. |
1. Jovvie: Best overall
Jovvie by BizSwoop is a versatile POS solution that works on many devices, including iPhones, Android phones, tablets, and laptops. This cross-platform compatibility means you can use your existing devices, saving money on extra POS hardware.
However, as your business grows, you might need bigger screens or more powerful devices. Jovvie’s flexibility allows you to easily switch from iPhones to other devices without changing your entire POS system. This adaptability makes Jovvie a great choice for businesses of all sizes, whether you’re just starting out or expanding. Its other features include:
- Inventory management: Jovvie ensures you always have an accurate picture of your stock levels by syncing your in-person and online sales in real time. You can even use your mobile device as a barcode scanner to quickly search for products, helping you streamline your checkout process.
- Payment support: As an official Stripe partner, Jovvie supports all the major credit and debit cards, as well as mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can even accept PayPal, gift cards, and bank transfers, giving your customers plenty of flexible payment options.
- Integration with WooCommerce: If you’re already using WooCommerce for your online store, Jovvie integrates directly. You can take advantage of all the WooCommerce plugins you know and love, from BizPrint’s automated receipt printing to advanced product customization with the Product Add-ons Manager. Plus, Jovvie makes it easy to set up an online shop if you don’t have one already.
- All-in-one platform: If you don’t use WooCommerce, Jovvie provides an all-in-one solution with the Jovvie One plan. You can get set up in as little as two days with high-touch onboarding and support.
- Advanced analytics and reporting: Get real-time insights into your sales, profits, and expenses, helping you identify your business’s strengths, trends, and areas for improvement.
Pricing
Jovvie offers a 30-day free trial, so you can try it out risk-free. After that, it’s only $19 per month for self-hosting or $29 per month for cloud hosting. And if you need something more tailored, Jovvie One offers bespoke pricing to fit your unique business needs.
2. Shopify: Best for online-first stores
Like Jovvie, Shopify POS works with Android and iOS phones and tablets, providing flexibility for store owners.
However, Shopify POS’ strength lies in its suitability for online-first businesses. It offers omnichannel selling, allowing you to sell across multiple platforms, including your online store and social media channels. When customers make a purchase, they are directed to your website to complete the transaction, ensuring a consistent and branded experience.
Some of its other features include:
- Custom email and SMS receipts: You can send email or SMS receipts with Shopify POS to collect customer contact information and build your mailing list. The receipts can be fully customized in terms of content and appearance.
- Automatic discounts: If you sell online and in-store, Shopify POS automatically syncs discounts and promotions from your eCommerce store and applies them to applicable orders at checkout.
- Unified customer profiles: Shopify POS automatically syncs customer data across your online and in-person sales channels. This gives you a complete view of your customers’ purchase history, preferences, and contact information, allowing you to provide a more personalized and engaging shopping experience.
Pricing
Shopify offers a three-day free trial, after which prices start at $5 per month for in-person sales or $32 per month for in-person and online sales.
3. Square: Best for new stores
Like the other POS systems we’ve covered, Square is compatible with Android and iOS phones and tablets, providing flexibility for store owners. However, Square is the ideal solution for new stores because it offers a free version, which can be a significant advantage for beginners with very low traffic. Here are some of its other features:
- Customizable experience: You can customize your experience based on your business type, whether it’s restaurant, retail, beauty, or services like fitness, transportation, and catering.
- Manage cash flow: With Square’s checking account, you can access your money when you make it, automatically set aside funds for taxes or a rainy day, and receive loan offers based on your card sales.
- Build custom commerce experiences: Square offers APIs, integrations, apps, and the ability to hire a Square specialist to customize how Square works for your business.
Pricing
Square doesn’t offer a free trial, but it does offer a free version with limited features. The full access plan costs $89 per location per month. However, Square charges a transaction fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per online transaction. These fees add up quickly, so new businesses should consider their sales volume and potential costs before committing to Square.
4. Lightspeed: Best for retail
Lightspeed is well-suited for retail businesses thanks to its customizable filtering options for inventory, which lets you sort and filter your inventory based on various criteria, such as category, vendor, or price range. This allows for a more focused and efficient management of the store’s products. Its other features include:
- Loyalty program: Reward your best customers with personalized offers and discounts, helping drive repeat business.
- Supplier catalog: The Lightspeed B2B Catalog feature gives you access to real-time inventory data from your suppliers, streamlining product management and ordering.
- Advanced marketing suite: Lightspeed offers an integrated omnichannel marketing suite that allows you to manage your marketing efforts directly from the POS and eCommerce platform. This helps ensure your marketing is effectively driving sales.
Pricing
Lightspeed does not offer a free trial, and prices start from $89 per month with a 12-month contract.
5. TouchBistro: Best for restaurants
Unlike the other POS apps we’ve covered, TouchBistro is designed exclusively for iOS devices. While this may limit its compatibility with certain hardware, it allows the app to be tailored specifically to restaurant needs.
TouchBistro offers a range of niche-specific features, including advanced menu management and specialized reporting tools that provide deep insights into your restaurant’s performance. Here are some of its other features:
- Customizable floor plans and table management: TouchBistro allows restaurants to easily customize and edit their floor plans on the go, considering critical factors like distance between tables, time seated, and spend per table.
- Advanced menu management: Restaurants can create and manage multiple menus and menu categories, add ingredients and descriptions, include cooking instructions and images, and easily update menus from anywhere. This makes it simple to upsell, manage on- and off-premise orders, and keep menus up-to-date.
- Offline functionality: TouchBistro’s POS system maintains functionality even without an internet connection, ensuring uninterrupted payment processing and order management.
Pricing
TouchBistro does not offer a free trial, and its prices start at $69 per month.
Maximize your business potential with Jovvie iPhone POS
iPhone POS systems offer convenience and security for mobile payments, but a truly effective solution should provide comprehensive features, device compatibility, and scalability. Jovvie delivers on all of these needs, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking to streamline operations and boost sales.
Jovvie’s cross-platform compatibility allows usage on various devices, from iPhones to desktop computers. Its direct WooCommerce integration simplifies online store setup, while Jovvie One offers an all-in-one POS system for any business setup.
Beyond compatibility, Jovvie’s dynamic live inventory management prevents oversells and maintains accurate stock levels. And with no additional fees for using compatible payment processors, you can save money while offering your customers a wide range of payment options.
Ready to maximize your business potential? Get started with Jovvie today to experience its benefits for yourself!