Are you tired of outdated cash registers that can't keep up with modern payment methods? As a small business owner, you need a reliable and efficient solution that can handle both cash and card transactions.
If you’re still struggling with disjointed systems, processing cash and card payments separately, and using manual processes to pull all your sales together, it’s time to find a new, more streamlined solution for your business. But what is the best cash register with card reader for a retailer like yours?
This post covers 6 top options for cash registers with a card reader. We’ll also talk through key features and considerations you need to keep in mind when finding the perfect fit for your business.
Key Features of a Cash Register With Card Reader for Small Businesses
Cash might have once been king, but today’s customers want payment options, whether it's with their credit card, debit card, or even their phone. If you want to keep those transactions flowing smoothly, you've got to have a setup that can handle it all.
You’ll need a solution capable of accepting various payment methods, making checkouts quick and easy, and keeping things simple for your staff to operate.
But here's the thing — a basic cash register doesn’t cut it anymore. Sure, it's handy for ringing up sales, but it's missing some pretty crucial features, like managing your inventory, CRM, sales analytics, team management, and integration with your online sales. Those are the tools you need to really take your business to the next level.
Related Read: 5 Top Retail Software for Small Business
Here's where investing in a cash register offered by a point of sale provider comes into play. It's like upgrading from a flip phone to a smartphone — a game-changer. With all those extra features packed in, you're not just ringing up sales anymore. You're running a well-oiled machine primed for success in today's competitive market.
With this in mind, let’s examine some top options for a cash register with a card reader offered by major point of sale providers in the current market.
1. POS Nation Custom Build Kit
Whether it's barcode scanners, receipt printers, cash registers, or touch PCs, POS Nation has a range of hardware and software options for retailers. It’s used by over 10,000 customers across a wide variety of industries.
Our hardware and software are all custom-built to your exact needs and specifications. Our custom build kit helps you pick just the right combination of tools for your business, ensuring you don’t pay for what you don’t need.
When it comes to features, our solution offers one of the broadest range of warranty-backed commercial-grade hardware options, such as:
- Touch PCs
- Barcode Scanner
- Receipt Printers
- Cash Drawer
- Pinpad (e.g., VX805)
- Barcode Label Printer
- Integrated LCD Rear Display
- Scales and Scanner Scales
- Tablets (e.g., Tablet-Touch-Dynamic)
- Handheld Inventory Devices (e.g., Cipherlab 8200)
- Magnetic Stripe Readers (MSRs)
We offer expert guidance to businesses, helping them navigate the many options available and select the right equipment tailored to their unique needs and budget. You’ll also get access to our top-of-the-line point of sale software, fully integrated with your hardware package of choice.
But how easy is onboarding and use? POS Nation scores 4.5/5 in ease of use on Capterra. We also offer you all the resources you need to succeed, including in-person training, robust customer support, and a library of learning materials you can use to train staff at your own pace.
Finally, how does POS Nation compare in terms of scalability and service? We offer an infrastructure that scales with your business, both on-premises and on the cloud. With a 4.8/5 customer support rating, POS Nations sets the industry standards for customer service. We offer an extensive knowledge base in addition to 24/7 (Live rep) and phone support.
2. Square Register
Square Register is a fully integrated point of sale system designed to start selling right out of the box. They offer solutions designed for businesses ranging from solopreneurs to small businesses with mobile card readers and full point of sale terminals.
Square Register’s hardware is priced at $799 before taxes and fees. You can also explore smaller terminals and card readers that range from $59 to $299, depending on your needs.
Square also offers a fully integrated POS register with a customizable setup and accessories. One of its interesting features is a dual-screen setup, which provides versatility to both businesses and customers. Square Register operates using Square point of sale software.
According to Capterra, Square Register scores high (4.7/5) in ease of use but doesn’t provide in-person training.
How does Square stack up in terms of flexibility and scalability? Square Register is only available on the cloud, not on-premises. While this would work for most retailers, it might be something to consider if you want a self-hosted solution. Additionally, you may struggle to process sales in the event of an internet outage in your store.
Square provides 24/7 phone support only for its premium plans. It scores 4.3/5 for its customer service.
3. Lightspeed Hardware Kit
Lightspeed's desktop hardware kit offers different kinds of equipment to create a clean and modern setup in your store, such as a USB receipt printer, cash drawer, and USB scanner.
Lightspeed Hardware Kit offers flexible pricing options like most solutions on this list. Pricing is available only upon request, but as a solution designed for enterprise-level businesses, their pricing may be prohibitive to some smaller and mid-sized retailers.
This solution also offers custom hardware tailored for iPad-based POS systems. This kit includes essential components such as a LAN receipt printer, cash drawer, Bluetooth scanner, and the Lightspeed iPad stand. It also offers a desktop hardware kit and individual POS equipment.
In terms of ease of use, Lightspeed scores 4.1/5. This solution also doesn’t offer in-person training, according to Capterra. Lightspeed is a great cloud-based tool but doesn’t offer an on-premise version for businesses that need a self-hosted solution. You may struggle with the same challenges as Square in the event of an internet outage.
Finally, Lightspeed scores 4/5 on customer service on Capterra. It has a rich knowledge base and offers 24/7 live support.
4. Clover Station Solo
Clover Station Solo is a comprehensive POS system offering efficient payment processing, order management, and operational tools.
Clover Station’s handheld hardware starts at $599, and the countertop device starts at $799. Their software solution is also on the more affordable side, starting at $60 per month.
The feature set of Clover Station Solo is impressive. The solution is a fully-integrated POS register with features for managing touch-free payments, online sales, contactless pickup, and delivery, providing businesses with a comprehensive solution to streamline their operations.
Clover scores 4.1/5 for ease of use on Capterra. It also does not appear that Clover offers in-person training for retailers. Clover is available on-premises and in the cloud, allowing businesses to choose the best deployment method that suits their needs.
The lowest score for Clover is in customer service, where they score 3.3 on Capterra. Some customers report having trouble getting the support they needed in critical moments.
5. NRS LITE Cash Register
The NRS register is a POS system designed for small businesses, offering advanced features typically found in larger chain stores. It includes a touchscreen display, cash drawer, receipt printer, barcode scanner, and customer-facing display.
NRS Lite’s hardware pricing starts at $599, making it one of the more affordable POS hardware options in the market. The Pro package of their software is also on the more affordable end, starting at $29.95 per month.
NRS POS+ system offers a touchscreen display for easy checkouts, a durable cash drawer for secure money handling, a versatile barcode scanner for faster checkouts, and a customer-facing display for enhanced customer interaction. It also offers exclusive access to the BOSS CLUB loyalty program, enabling small businesses to reward loyal customers and foster repeat business.
Looking at ease of use, NRS LITE scores favorably. They have a 4.6 score on Trustpilot, with positive reviews from small businesses. It is unclear whether they offer in-person training, but the solution seems user-friendly enough to be a strong solution for many businesses.
NRS LITE is primarily a cloud-based POS system. It’s unclear whether it offers an on-premises option for businesses that want a self-hosted option.
Customer support options are decent for NRS LITE, as well. This solution offers support seven days a week, but it doesn’t offer 24/7 live support. It offers multilingual support in English, Spanish, and Hindi.
The Best Cash Register With Card Reader for Your Business
When it comes to picking the right cash register with card reader, it's not just about grabbing the first thing you see. Take a second to consider what your business needs and what fits your budget.
Old school cash registers are not enough in the modern market. You need more than bare-bones functionality: you need a solution that helps you streamline and level up your business.
Modern point of sale systems are like the Swiss Army knife of business tools, handling transactions, tracking inventory, and more — all in one place. Plus, they free up your time so you can focus on what really matters: growing your business and keeping your customers smiling.
Ready to level up your business game? Check out POS Nation’s Build and Price tool to find your perfect match. If you want to dive even deeper into the world of POS systems, our Buyer's Guide has all the info you need.
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