Feeling torn between National Retail Solutions and POS Nation? We can help. Both companies offer low-cost, easy-to-use software designed for small business owners, but there are a few key differences that you should know about. Keep reading to explore each provider’s features, pricing, and reviews.
Let’s take a look at what makes POS Nation the top choice for small businesses like yours.
Hardware Cost
A well-equipped checkout counter usually includes a touchscreen PC, receipt printer, handheld barcode scanner, cash drawer, and payment device.
NRS’ basic hardware bundle costs $999 and includes a customer display. They do offer discounts when you sign up for their in-house payment processing service.
POS Nation’s standard hardware bundle costs $999, but you can save $500 by using their integrated payment processing.
Software Cost
POS software providers generally use a tiered pricing structure with basic features included in the lowest cost option and more advanced features included in the higher cost option.
NRS offers three pricing options, ranging from $24.95 to $69.95 per month. It’s also important to note that NRS offers additional features on an a la carte basis, which can make pricing comparisons confusing. For example, if you need features like advanced reporting or customer purchase history, you could end up paying over $100 per month — or more.
POS Nation offers three straightforward pricing tiers, each with an included list of features. Their most affordable option costs $69 per month, and their premium tier costs $149 per month.
Payment Processing Rates
Credit card processing fees can be a major line item in your business’ expenses, so choosing a plan that fits your budget is crucial.
NRS offers one standard option for payment processing — which is a 2.49% plus a flat 10-cent fee per transaction. For merchants with an average sale of $20 to 40, this is an effective rate of approximately 2.75 to 3.0%.
POS Nation offers a variety of payment processing options to fit your budget. While they do offer a flat rate for customers seeking simplicity, their best offer is an interchange plus pricing model of .10% and $.05 cent per transaction, which usually equals an overall effective rate of less than 2%. They also offer a dual pricing option that allows the merchant to effectively pay no processing fees by passing on a 3.5% price increase to the customer for non-cash transactions.
Easy Setup and Onboarding
A stress-free setup and onboarding process is essential for getting your new POS up and running with minimal snags.
NRS’ system can be set up in minutes, and afterward, you’ll have access to a member of NRS’ team who can answer your questions about the software and walk you through the features.
POS Nation’s setup and onboarding process is quick and easy. After taking a few minutes to set up your system, you’ll have a live training session with an expert who can show you the software’s features and answer any of your questions.
Free Inventory Input and Setup
One of the hardest parts of migrating to a new POS system is importing all of your inventory records.
NRS will import your inventory records into their software, but only for a fee of $249.95.
POS Nation includes free inventory import as part of their onboarding process, which is why we recommend them if you’re looking for a speedy, smooth transition.
Helpful Support Team
A trustworthy team of experts can help you make the most of your POS system.
NRS employs knowledgeable support professionals and offers minimal wait times.
POS Nation has an industry-leading support team that’s easy to contact and is available 24/7.
24/7 Customer Support
When you have an issue with your POS system, you want help as soon as you can get it.
NRS’ support team is available from 7 a.m. to midnight EST. This limited availability is why we’ve given POS Nation the win in this category.
POS Nation’s support team is available 24/7.
Customer Satisfaction Based on Reviews
Checking reviews is a great way to see how happy current users are with their POS system.
As of August 2024, NRS has earned a Trustpilot rating of 4.6, with 71% of reviewers giving it 5 stars and 21% giving it 1 star as of August 2024. These frequent 1-star reviews are why we didn’t name NRS the winner in this category.
As of August 2024, POS Nation’s customers report higher satisfaction. They’ve earned a Trustpilot rating of 4.7, with 91% of reviewers giving it 5 stars and only 3% giving it 1 star.
Cloud-Based System
Cloud-based software lets you access your store from anywhere, at any time.
NRS offers an app that lets you keep an eye on your store even when you’re on the go.
You can access POS Nation’s software from any device with an internet connection.
Purchase Orders and Vendor Management
Choosing a POS system with built-in purchase order creation and vendor management makes it a breeze to keep your store well-stocked.
NRS’ software does not have a purchase order generation feature, which can make it more time-consuming and labor-intensive to keep your store well-stocked. Since this is a critical inventory management feature, we can’t give NRS a point in this category.
POS Nation’s software detects when a product drops below a certain inventory threshold, and automatically generates a purchase order for that item — making the restocking process effortless. It can also handle vendor management, helping you with everything from storing vendors’ contact information to streamlining the receiving process.
Customer Loyalty and Promotions
Built-in customer loyalty and promotion features can help you attract and retain valuable shoppers.
NRS’ offers an innovative feature called the BOSS Club Coupon Program, which consolidates customers’ profiles across all NRS merchants and sends coupons that can be used at any NRS-affiliated store. This unique marketing opportunity is why we’ve chosen NRS as the winner in this category.
POS Nation’s software also includes a built-in loyalty program, which you can customize to meet your customers’ preferences and shopping habits. Through your loyalty program, they can earn rewards points, unlock exclusive discounts, and find new reasons to shop with you.
Advanced Reporting
Choosing a POS system with built-in purchase order creation and vendor management makes it a breeze to keep your store well-stocked.
NRS offers minimal reporting features with the option to pay for more data. Most notably, you can’t see your gross profit or sales by item — both of which are critical for maximizing your store’s financial performance — without paying for an advanced subscription. Since sales reports are crucial for informed decision-making, we couldn’t give NRS a point in this category.
POS Nation offers more than 55 in-depth reports to help you understand every aspect of your store’s performance, from your overall sales to the profit margins of every product you sell. These comprehensive reports are included in every POS Nation pricing tier, which is why we’ve chosen them as the winner when it comes to reporting capabilities.
Free of Customer-Facing POS Ads
Your POS system’s customer-facing display is a great way to let shoppers know about your upcoming promotions, latest arrivals, and exciting announcements.
NRS’ customer-facing display includes large, dynamic NRS ads. These ads are distracting and take away from your customers’ checkout experience, but worst of all, you have to pay a monthly fee of $44.95 to turn them off — even if you’ve signed up for NRS’ most expensive software subscription.
POS Nation offers the flexibility to configure your customer display to your preferences, giving you the opportunity to highlight your best deals, Google Business reviews, and more. These customizable options are why we’ve chosen POS Nation as the winner in this category.
E-Commerce
E-commerce has the power to expand your customer base and boost your sales, but to sell online, you need a POS system with e-commerce integration.
NRS’ software can integrate seamlessly with an online store.
POS Nation’s software also features e-commerce integration, allowing you to track your online and in-store sales and inventory effortlessly.
eWIC Integration
If you own a grocery store, accepting eWIC can expand your customer base and make it convenient for eWIC recipients to shop with you.
NRS’ eWIC integration gives them the point in this category.
As of right now, POS Nation’s payment processing solution does not integrate with eWIC.
Hardware Cost
A well-equipped checkout counter usually includes a touchscreen PC, receipt printer, handheld barcode scanner, cash drawer, and payment device.
NRS’ basic hardware bundle costs $999 and includes a customer display. They do offer discounts when you sign up for their in-house payment processing service.
POS Nation’s standard hardware bundle costs $999, but you can save $500 by using their integrated payment processing.
Software Cost
POS software providers generally use a tiered pricing structure with basic features included in the lowest cost option and more advanced features included in the higher cost option.
NRS offers three pricing options, ranging from $24.95 to $69.95 per month. It’s also important to note that NRS offers additional features on an a la carte basis, which can make pricing comparisons confusing. For example, if you need features like advanced reporting or customer purchase history, you could end up paying over $100 per month — or more.
POS Nation offers three straightforward pricing tiers, each with an included list of features. Their most affordable option costs $69 per month, and their premium tier costs $149 per month.
Payment Processing Rates
Credit card processing fees can be a major line item in your business’ expenses, so choosing a plan that fits your budget is crucial.
NRS offers one standard option for payment processing — which is a 2.49% plus a flat 10-cent fee per transaction. For merchants with an average sale of $20 to 40, this is an effective rate of approximately 2.75 to 3.0%.
POS Nation offers a variety of payment processing options to fit your budget. While they do offer a flat rate for customers seeking simplicity, their best offer is an interchange plus pricing model of .10% and $.05 cent per transaction, which usually equals an overall effective rate of less than 2%. They also offer a dual pricing option that allows the merchant to effectively pay no processing fees by passing on a 3.5% price increase to the customer for non-cash transactions.
Easy Setup and Onboarding
A stress-free setup and onboarding process is essential for getting your new POS up and running with minimal snags.
NRS’ system can be set up in minutes, and afterward, you’ll have access to a member of NRS’ team who can answer your questions about the software and walk you through the features.
POS Nation’s setup and onboarding process is quick and easy. After taking a few minutes to set up your system, you’ll have a live training session with an expert who can show you the software’s features and answer any of your questions.
Free Inventory Input and Setup
One of the hardest parts of migrating to a new POS system is importing all of your inventory records.
NRS will import your inventory records into their software, but only for a fee of $249.95.
POS Nation includes free inventory import as part of their onboarding process, which is why we recommend them if you’re looking for a speedy, smooth transition.
Helpful Support Team
A trustworthy team of experts can help you make the most of your POS system.
NRS employs knowledgeable support professionals and offers minimal wait times.
POS Nation has an industry-leading support team that’s easy to contact and is available 24/7.
24/7 Customer Support
When you have an issue with your POS system, you want help as soon as you can get it.
NRS’ support team is available from 7 a.m. to midnight EST. This limited availability is why we’ve given POS Nation the win in this category.
POS Nation’s support team is available 24/7.
Customer Satisfaction Based on Reviews
Checking reviews is a great way to see how happy current users are with their POS system.
As of August 2024, NRS has earned a Trustpilot rating of 4.6, with 71% of reviewers giving it 5 stars and 21% giving it 1 star as of August 2024. These frequent 1-star reviews are why we didn’t name NRS the winner in this category.
As of August 2024, POS Nation’s customers report higher satisfaction. They’ve earned a Trustpilot rating of 4.7, with 91% of reviewers giving it 5 stars and only 3% giving it 1 star.
Cloud-Based System
Cloud-based software lets you access your store from anywhere, at any time.
NRS offers an app that lets you keep an eye on your store even when you’re on the go.
You can access POS Nation’s software from any device with an internet connection.
Purchase Orders and Vendor Management
Choosing a POS system with built-in purchase order creation and vendor management makes it a breeze to keep your store well-stocked.
NRS’ software does not have a purchase order generation feature, which can make it more time-consuming and labor-intensive to keep your store well-stocked. Since this is a critical inventory management feature, we can’t give NRS a point in this category.
POS Nation’s software detects when a product drops below a certain inventory threshold, and automatically generates a purchase order for that item — making the restocking process effortless. It can also handle vendor management, helping you with everything from storing vendors’ contact information to streamlining the receiving process.
Customer Loyalty and Promotions
Built-in customer loyalty and promotion features can help you attract and retain valuable shoppers.
NRS’ offers an innovative feature called the BOSS Club Coupon Program, which consolidates customers’ profiles across all NRS merchants and sends coupons that can be used at any NRS-affiliated store. This unique marketing opportunity is why we’ve chosen NRS as the winner in this category.
POS Nation’s software also includes a built-in loyalty program, which you can customize to meet your customers’ preferences and shopping habits. Through your loyalty program, they can earn rewards points, unlock exclusive discounts, and find new reasons to shop with you.
Advanced Reporting
Choosing a POS system with built-in purchase order creation and vendor management makes it a breeze to keep your store well-stocked.
NRS offers minimal reporting features with the option to pay for more data. Most notably, you can’t see your gross profit or sales by item — both of which are critical for maximizing your store’s financial performance — without paying for an advanced subscription. Since sales reports are crucial for informed decision-making, we couldn’t give NRS a point in this category.
POS Nation offers more than 55 in-depth reports to help you understand every aspect of your store’s performance, from your overall sales to the profit margins of every product you sell. These comprehensive reports are included in every POS Nation pricing tier, which is why we’ve chosen them as the winner when it comes to reporting capabilities.
Free of Customer-Facing POS Ads
Your POS system’s customer-facing display is a great way to let shoppers know about your upcoming promotions, latest arrivals, and exciting announcements.
NRS’ customer-facing display includes large, dynamic NRS ads. These ads are distracting and take away from your customers’ checkout experience, but worst of all, you have to pay a monthly fee of $44.95 to turn them off — even if you’ve signed up for NRS’ most expensive software subscription.
POS Nation offers the flexibility to configure your customer display to your preferences, giving you the opportunity to highlight your best deals, Google Business reviews, and more. These customizable options are why we’ve chosen POS Nation as the winner in this category.
E-Commerce
E-commerce has the power to expand your customer base and boost your sales, but to sell online, you need a POS system with e-commerce integration.
NRS’ software can integrate seamlessly with an online store.
POS Nation’s software also features e-commerce integration, allowing you to track your online and in-store sales and inventory effortlessly.
eWIC Integration
If you own a grocery store, accepting eWIC can expand your customer base and make it convenient for eWIC recipients to shop with you.
NRS’ eWIC integration gives them the point in this category.
As of right now, POS Nation’s payment processing solution does not integrate with eWIC.
Hardware Cost
A well-equipped checkout counter usually includes a touchscreen PC, receipt printer, handheld barcode scanner, cash drawer, and payment device.
POS Nation’s standard hardware bundle costs $999, but you can save $500 by using their integrated payment processing.
Software Cost
POS software providers generally use a tiered pricing structure with basic features included in the lowest cost option and more advanced features included in the higher cost option.
POS Nation offers three straightforward pricing tiers, each with an included list of features. Their most affordable option costs $69 per month, and their premium tier costs $149 per month.
Payment Processing Rates
Credit card processing fees can be a major line item in your business’ expenses, so choosing a plan that fits your budget is crucial.
POS Nation offers a variety of payment processing options to fit your budget. While they do offer a flat rate for customers seeking simplicity, their best offer is an interchange plus pricing model of .10% and $.05 cent per transaction, which usually equals an overall effective rate of less than 2%. They also offer a dual pricing option that allows the merchant to effectively pay no processing fees by passing on a 3.5% price increase to the customer for non-cash transactions.
Easy Setup and Onboarding
A stress-free setup and onboarding process is essential for getting your new POS up and running with minimal snags.
POS Nation’s setup and onboarding process is quick and easy. After taking a few minutes to set up your system, you’ll have a live training session with an expert who can show you the software’s features and answer any of your questions.
Free Inventory Input and Setup
One of the hardest parts of migrating to a new POS system is importing all of your inventory records.
POS Nation includes free inventory import as part of their onboarding process, which is why we recommend them if you’re looking for a speedy, smooth transition.
Helpful Support Team
A trustworthy team of experts can help you make the most of your POS system.
POS Nation has an industry-leading support team that’s easy to contact and is available 24/7.
24/7 Customer Support
When you have an issue with your POS system, you want help as soon as you can get it.
POS Nation’s support team is available 24/7.
Customer Satisfaction Based on Reviews
Checking reviews is a great way to see how happy current users are with their POS system.
As of August 2024, POS Nation’s customers report higher satisfaction. They’ve earned a Trustpilot rating of 4.7, with 91% of reviewers giving it 5 stars and only 3% giving it 1 star.
Cloud-Based System
Cloud-based software lets you access your store from anywhere, at any time.
You can access POS Nation’s software from any device with an internet connection.
Purchase Orders and Vendor Management
Choosing a POS system with built-in purchase order creation and vendor management makes it a breeze to keep your store well-stocked.
POS Nation’s software detects when a product drops below a certain inventory threshold, and automatically generates a purchase order for that item — making the restocking process effortless. It can also handle vendor management, helping you with everything from storing vendors’ contact information to streamlining the receiving process.
Customer Loyalty and Promotions
Built-in customer loyalty and promotion features can help you attract and retain valuable shoppers.
POS Nation’s software also includes a built-in loyalty program, which you can customize to meet your customers’ preferences and shopping habits. Through your loyalty program, they can earn rewards points, unlock exclusive discounts, and find new reasons to shop with you.
Advanced Reporting
Choosing a POS system with built-in purchase order creation and vendor management makes it a breeze to keep your store well-stocked.
POS Nation offers more than 55 in-depth reports to help you understand every aspect of your store’s performance, from your overall sales to the profit margins of every product you sell. These comprehensive reports are included in every POS Nation pricing tier, which is why we’ve chosen them as the winner when it comes to reporting capabilities.
Free of Customer-Facing POS Ads
Your POS system’s customer-facing display is a great way to let shoppers know about your upcoming promotions, latest arrivals, and exciting announcements.
POS Nation offers the flexibility to configure your customer display to your preferences, giving you the opportunity to highlight your best deals, Google Business reviews, and more. These customizable options are why we’ve chosen POS Nation as the winner in this category.
E-Commerce
E-commerce has the power to expand your customer base and boost your sales, but to sell online, you need a POS system with e-commerce integration.
POS Nation’s software also features e-commerce integration, allowing you to track your online and in-store sales and inventory effortlessly.
eWIC Integration
If you own a grocery store, accepting eWIC can expand your customer base and make it convenient for eWIC recipients to shop with you.
As of right now, POS Nation’s payment processing solution does not integrate with eWIC.
Wondering what it’s really like to be an NRS or POS Nation customer? There’s no better way to find out than to hear from a real small business owner who tried both solutions. Head to our blog for the inside scoop on how POS Nation stacks up against NRS’ prices, features, and customer service.
POS Nation includes everything you need to set your small business up for success.
Here at POS Nation, one of our goals is to help small business owners tackle retail challenges like inventory management. That’s why our software lets you generate purchase orders, analyze your profit margin on each item, and identify changes in your inventory turnover.
NRS charges extra for inventory management features like these, making it even more difficult to keep your store perfectly stocked.
NRS’ customer-facing display includes large, distracting NRS ads that you’ll have to pay a monthly fee of $44.95 to remove. Plus, there’s no option to use your own hardware, and you’ll have to pay an upfront or monthly fee to purchase hardware from NRS.
POS Nation lets you use your own hardware as long as it’s compatible with our software. If you do choose our hardware, you can customize it to your preferences.
With POS Nation, you’ll have access to a powerful reporting suite that includes 55 pre-built reports. You can learn about nearly every aspect of your business’ performance, including your overall sales trends, your customers’ shopping habits, and your inventory turnover.
NRS only includes reports like these in their advanced software subscription, meaning you have to pay extra to unlock your business’ data.
National Retail Solutions is a solid provider if you're looking for something simple and reliable.
But if you're hoping to streamline your operations, dig into your sales reports, and take your business to the next level, then POS Nation is the clear choice.