The Best Hardware Store POS for 2024: 5 Top Options

Apr 04, 2024 • 6 min read

Are you tired of struggling with outdated cash registers or point of sale (POS) systems that can't keep up with your hardware store's needs? You're not alone.

In the modern retail environment, you need more than a simple cash register. You need a reliable and efficient POS system that streamlines inventory management, simplifies sales, and provides valuable business insights. With the right POS in place, you can spend less time fiddling with inefficient systems and more time serving your customers and growing your business.

In this post, we’ll cover the key features every hardware store needs from their POS. Then, we’ll cover the top hardware store POS solutions on the market today.

Hardware Store POS Solutions: Key Features

You need a reliable, efficient POS system to run a successful hardware store (or any successful retail store). A traditional, standalone cash register may be tempting due to its low price point, but the fact is that it does not provide the features modern businesses need to succeed.

A complete POS solution offers a wide range of benefits, helping you streamline operations, improve customer service, and boost your bottom line. However, not all POS systems are equal, and every business is unique. So, how can you choose the right POS for your hardware store?

Some of the critical features hardware store owners need from their point of sale systems include:

Inventory Management:
Real-time inventory tracking is essential for maintaining accurate stock levels, ensuring you always have the right products to meet customer demand. You will also want a POS with barcode scanning capabilities to enable quick and efficient product lookup and sales processing, saving time and reducing errors.
Customer Management:
A robust customer database allows you to store contact information, purchase history, and preferences, enabling personalized service and targeted marketing efforts. You may also want a POS with loyalty program integration, which can help you reward frequent customers and encourage repeat business.

Reporting and Analytics:
You need a POS with detailed sales reports by product, category, employee, or time period to provide valuable insights into your business performance. Inventory reports also help identify top-selling items, slow-moving stock, and potential shrinkage, allowing you to make informed purchasing decisions. Customer analytics reveal purchase patterns, preferences, and lifetime value, enabling you to tailor your offerings and marketing strategies. A robust POS will offer all these reporting options.
Hardware and Software Flexibility:
Your POS system should be compatible with various hardware components, such as barcode scanners, cash drawers, and receipt printers. You will also want to explore a cloud-based solution allowing real-time data access and automatic updates.

By prioritizing these key features, you can select a hardware store POS system that empowers your business to operate more efficiently. With this in mind, let's examine some top options for hardware store POS systems you might consider for your business.

1. Comcash

Best for: Independent hardware retailers

Comcash is a top-tier POS solution that caters specifically to the needs of independent hardware retailers. We have over 25 years of experience working with retailers like you, making us a leader in cloud-based POS solutions for independent retailers.

Key features that make Comcash an ideal fit for hardware stores include:

Advanced inventory management: Comcash's mobile inventory feature allows you to manage your stock in real time across multiple locations. We also offer automated inventory, low stock notifications, and transfers between store locations or warehouses.
Flexible pricing and promotions: Our system supports variable pricing options, such as bulk discounts and promotional offers.
Customer loyalty and marketing: Comcash's integrated customer management and marketing features help you attract new customers, keep them engaged, and build your brand.
Seamless omnichannel experience: Comcash’s e-commerce platform integrates seamlessly with your POS system, ensuring that stock levels and sales are constantly updated across channels.
Robust reporting and analytics: Comcash provides detailed sales reports, inventory analytics, and customer insights, empowering you to make data-driven decisions for your business.

In addition to these features, Comcash offers a user-friendly interface, premium-quality hardware, and advanced back office administrative capabilities accessible from anywhere.

Pricing: Get a custom price for your perfect solution using our transparent pricing tool.

2. Lightspeed

Best for: Enterprise hardware

Lightspeed is a comprehensive POS and payments platform designed for enterprise-level retailers. They also serve industries like restaurants, quick-service businesses, and golf courses.

Some of the key features that make Lightspeed an excellent choice for enterprise retailers include:

Multi-location management: Lightspeed enables you to integrate and manage inventory, sales, and customer data across all your sales channels and stores from a single platform.
Advanced inventory management: Lightspeed’s system helps you track shrink and discrepancies, quickly order and receive stock, and manage online orders efficiently.

Omnichannel capabilities: Lightspeed's e-commerce features allow you to meet your customers where they shop. The platform enables you to provide a seamless, unified commerce experience through all touchpoints.
Integrated payments: With Lightspeed Payments, you can speed up checkout, streamline reconciliation, and accept various payment methods, including cards and digital payments.

Pricing: Lightspeed’s Standard package starts at $119 per month.

3. POS Nation

Best for: Small to mid-sized retailers

POS Nation is a comprehensive point of sale solution for small to mid-sized retailers. This provider services multiple business types, including lawn and garden centers, convenience stores, and hardware stores.

Key features that make POS Nation an ideal choice for small to mid-sized stores include:

Robust inventory management: POS Nation's software supports unlimited SKUs, automatic case break counts, and custom barcode labeling and tag printing, ensuring that your unique inventory is always organized and up to date.
Simplified transactions: POS Nation offers fast checkout options, including barcode scanning and touchscreen functionality. The system supports multiple payment options, including contactless payments, and offers features like discounts, sale pricing, and coupon acceptance to enhance the customer experience.
Customer loyalty tools: POS Nation's built-in customer tracking feature allows you to use purchasing data to provide better customer service and create targeted loyalty programs.
A/R tracking and purchase orders: POS Nation's built-in customer account management feature allows you to easily track B2B sales and on-account charges, while the purchase order functionality enables you to manage vendors, set reorder thresholds, and streamline communication with distributors.

Pricing: Get a custom quote using POS Nation’s pricing tool.

4. eHopper POS

Best for: E-commerce hardware stores

eHopper POS is an all-in-one point of sale solution designed for e-commerce retailers, including hardware stores. With a focus on boosting sales, streamlining operations, and enhancing customer experiences, eHopper POS provides a comprehensive set of tools to help small retail businesses.

Key features of eHopper POS include:

Online ordering integration: eHopper POS connects with your online store, allowing you to sync orders and manage your e-commerce business from a single platform.
Comprehensive customer management: eHopper POS lets you collect and store customer information in real time as you process transactions. This data can be used to personalize the shopping experience and create targeted marketing campaigns.
Multi-platform compatibility: eHopper POS is designed to work seamlessly across various devices, including PCs, tablets, and smart terminals like Poynt.
Robust reporting and analytics: eHopper POS generates real-time reports covering vital information and transactions, empowering you to make data-driven decisions.

Pricing: eHopper has a free POS option, but if you want their omnichannel solution, it starts at $35.99 per month.

5. CashierPRO

Best for: Hardware and farm supply outlets

CashierPRO is a powerful and affordable point of sale and inventory management solution designed specifically for hardware and farm supply outlets. CashierPRO serves businesses in Canada and the United States looking to help companies to modernize their operations and improve their bottom line.

Some key features of CashierPRO include:

Interface with major buying groups: CashierPRO provides seamless EDI communications with numerous buying groups throughout North America, streamlining hardware and farm supply retailers' ordering and inventory management processes.
Integrated estimating systems: CashierPRO interfaces with popular estimating systems like Seljax and Luxwood (20/20), allowing hardware and building materials dealers to generate accurate quotes and manage complex projects.
Comprehensive financial management: CashierPRO integrates with popular accounting software such as QuickBooks and Sage50. The solution also includes accounts receivable and accounts payable modules.
Mobile and electronic signature capture: CashierPRO supports multiple Windows-based handheld unit solutions, including Windows 8.1 tablets. The system also features an electronic signature capture interface, streamlining the checkout process and reducing paperwork.

Pricing: Pricing for CashierPRO is available only by contacting sales.

The Best Hardware Store POS for Your Store

The five hardware store POS solutions discussed in this post offer a range of features and benefits that can help streamline your operations, enhance customer service, and drive business growth. However, it's important to recognize that no single solution fits every business.

If you run an independent hardware store, you need a POS system that offers advanced inventory management capabilities, flexible pricing plans, customer loyalty programs, and a built-in CRM. Comcash delivers all these essential features and more, making it an ideal choice for independent hardware shops like yours.

Schedule a demo today to see how Comcash can transform your hardware store's operations and take your business to the next level.

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