As a business owner, you know a point of sale (POS) system is vital for operations. From managing inventory to running marketing campaigns, it has many benefits.
There are lots of options on the market, but not all point of sale systems are created equal. Some are better suited to restaurants and hospitality, while others may be too generic for the specific needs of a music shop.
So, whether you’re switching providers or just opening a shop and not sure what you need, here’s a rundown of the best music shop POS systems to help you run a successful music store.
Benefits of a Music Shop POS System and What To Look For
Running a music shop involves more than just selling instruments and accessories. The right POS system designed for music stores can streamline your operations and dramatically increase customer satisfaction. Here are key features and benefits to look for:
- Efficient transaction processing: A music shop POS system streamlines the checkout process, reducing wait times and improving customer satisfaction.
- Inventory management: Track stock levels in real time to prevent stockouts and overstocking. Always have popular instruments and accessories available for customers.
- Insightful reporting: Generate detailed reports on sales trends, popular items, and customer buying behavior. Use this data to make informed decisions about inventory, pricing, and promotions.
- Music-specific features: Many music shop POS systems offer specialized features such as instrument rental management, music lesson scheduling, and integration with music suppliers, tailored to the unique needs of your business.
- Customer relationship management (CRM): Maintain strong customer relationships with CRM tools that help you track customer preferences, purchase history, and loyalty programs.
- E-commerce integration: Seamlessly manage online sales alongside in-store transactions, giving customers a cohesive shopping experience across all channels.
Related Article: Point of Sale for Music Retail: 9 Features To Look For
1. Lightspeed
Best for: Large established retailers with many locations
Lightspeed has been around for nearly two decades and has most of the features you’d expect from a POS system. Key features include cloud-based management of multiple locations and omnichannel inventory management.
In addition, it offers some awesome features like being able to manage selling on social media and other e-commerce platforms — all from one location.
Pricing
Lightspeed is known for its comprehensive features, but you can expect to pay additional fees per register and credit card processing fees (2.6%), which can increase with third party processors.
Basic Plan:
Cost: $89 per month (billed annually)
Additional registers: $59 per register per month
Core Plan:
Cost: $149 per month (billed annually)
Additional registers: $59 per register per month
Plus Plan:
Cost: $239 per month
Additional Registers: $59 per per register per month
Enterprise Plan:
Custom pricing is available upon request.
Cons
- Although there is 24/7 customer service, customers have reported frustration with the quality of service.
- It offers all the bells and whistles, which can be costly if you don’t need all of them.
- Software updates are infrequent which can lead to performance issues.
2. Shopify
Best for: Best for Shopify sellers
Known for its mobile-friendly approach, Shopify provides a general POS system with omnichannel sales capabilities and extensive app integrations.
In addition to what you’d expect from a POS, it also offers employee performance tracking. Businesses can further customize their platforms via their mobile-app for a more personalized approach to selling.
Pricing
Shopify’s pricing is straightforward, but add-ons can compound quickly.
Basic Plan:
Cost: $29 per month for basic functionality
PRO Plan:
Cost: $79 per month for more capability, including omnichannel inventory management
Cons
- You must have a Shopify website plan to get preferential pricing.
- Additional features are costly.
- Free trial reduced from 14 days down to just three.
- Your business must meet certain annual revenue goals to receive the option to talk to a dedicated human support team.
3. Music Shop 360
Best for: Best for budding music store owners
It’s in the name! Music Shop 360 is exclusively tailored to music store owners. Whether you’re just starting or expanding, managing your music business will be a breeze. From setting up your e-commerce site to accepting payments, all the benefits are intuitive and easy to set up.
This software offers optimized inventory management, and has integrations with top music manufacturers, rental and class management functionalities, and CRM tools for customer relationship management.
Pricing
The best part about Music Shop 360 is that you can create the plan you want. Pick and choose the features you need so you don’t overpay.
Related Read: Music Store Inventory Management: 5 Best Practices
4. Square
Best for: Best for SMB owners who need versatility
Square is one of the more well-known point of sale systems on this list. Square is a flexible payment processing and POS platform that works well for businesses of all sizes.
It's user-friendly and doesn't charge monthly fees in its basic plan, which is great for startups and small businesses with varying sales. Square also offers a variety of hardware options to choose from, pioneering the small mobile card readers back in 2009.
Pricing
Square is the only free option on this list. Free doesn’t always mean better in the long run, and costs add up in other places.
Basic Plan: $0 per month, but there are add-ons available
Processing fees: 2.9% plus 30 cents per payment
Loyalty: $45+ monthly per location
Marketing: Starts at $15 monthly (up to 500 customers)
Payroll: Charges $5 monthly per contractor and $29 plus $5 monthly per employee
Team Management: Basic plan is free, with the Plus plan costing $35 per location monthly
Cons
- Many customers have noted a lack of human support.
- If your internet connection is poor, transactions may not be processed.
- There have been reported cases of phishing and scams.
5. Korona POS
Best for: Best for retail outlets, restaurants, and specialized industries
KORONA POS is tailored for small to medium-sized businesses aiming to streamline operations and accelerate transaction processes. It's renowned for its extensive customization options, encompassing cloud-based reporting, robust customer management capabilities, and seamless synchronization across multiple locations.
Pricing
Korona’s pricing is standard amongst providers, but if you have more than a couple payment terminals, costs can add up quickly.
Core: $49 per month, additional fee per payment terminal
Advanced: $59 per month, additional fee per payment terminal
Plus: $79 per month, additional fee per payment terminal
Enterprise: Contact for quote.
Cons
- There’s no installation assistance.
- There’s an additional fee per payment terminal.
- Many users have noted frustration with integrating other tools like QuickBooks.
6. AIMsi
Best for: Retail owners who need advanced capabilities
AIMsi is a comprehensive business solution that combines point of sale, inventory management, accounting, and customizable business software functionalities.
Unlike standard off-the-shelf packages, AIMsi goes beyond basic inventory control and sales tracking, offering integrated modules like repair tracking, appointment scheduling, rentals, and contract management.
AIMsi also supports touchscreens with customizable buttons for and traditional screens with a keyboard and mouse.
Pricing
Because of the abundance of features, pricing is available upon contact.
Cons
- The software can be difficult to use due to the amount of features available.
- Customers have noted many software shutdowns with limited support.
7. Clover
Best for: Best for owners who appreciate flat fees
Clover stands out with competitive flat-rate fees starting at 2.3% + 10¢ per transaction, making it economical for higher sales volumes. Clover supports various industries with customizable plans for retail, dining, and professional services — each offering distinct features like integrated online ordering and advanced inventory management.
Pricing
Payment processing fees can vary based on the hardware you choose. Also note that there are fees for hardware that can reach in the thousands of dollars.
Payment Processing:
2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions for most plans
3.5% plus 10 cents for online or manually keyed-in transactions
Cons
- To receive a subscription at a reduced price, customers must agree to long contracts ranging from 2–3 years.
- Customers have noted a lack of support.
- Customers have reported being overcharged.
Don’t Settle for One-Size-Fits-All
With seamless integration with top music manufacturers, optimized inventory management, and robust features like rental and class management tools, Music Shop 360 ensures your business operates at its best.
Unlike other generic POS systems, Music Shop 360 is designed to meet the unique needs of music retailers, offering customizable plans that fit your specific requirements without unnecessary costs.
Ready to revolutionize your music store operations?
Schedule a free demo today and experience firsthand how Music Shop 360 can take your business to the next level.