Square for Retail vs Thrive by Shopventory

Square Point of Sale

Epos Now

PayPal Point of Sale

Square Point of Sale is a POS solution for Android and iOS devices which includes tools for managing payments, digital receipts, inventory, reports, and more.

Epos Now is a leading global cloud-based point-of-sale and payment system that specializes in helping US retail and hospitality businesses trade efficiently.

Thanks to a selection of tools, and an extensive app store, users can create bespoke systems that make running a business simple.

The PayPal Here app is a mobile point of sale (POS) software designed to help businesses securely process debit or credit card payments and generate invoices. The application enables retailers and manufacturers to create and organize product lists and add details including photos and descriptions.

Buyer

It was also very easy for customers to use and understand!

Manager

It is dependable and i feel peace of mind knowing it is safe for my customers' info.

Square for Retail is a point of sale (POS) system for retail businesses, with integrated inventory management, customer profiles, employee timecards, and more

Access Controls/Permissions

Accounting

Accounting Integration

ACH Payment Processing

Activity Tracking

Alerts/Notifications

Appointment Management

Backorder Management

Barcode Recognition

Barcode/Ticket Scanning

Barcoding/RFID

Billing & Invoicing

Catalog Management

Clock In/Out

Commission Management

Cost Tracking

Credit Card Processing

Customer Accounts

Customer Database

Customer History

Customization

Delivery Management

Discount Management

eCommerce Management

Electronic Payments

Electronic Signature

Email Marketing

Employee Management

For iPad Devices

For Liquor Stores

For Retail

Gift Card Management

Historical Reporting

Inventory Management

Inventory Optimization

Inventory Replenishment

Inventory Tracking

Invoice Management

Item Management

Label Templates

Loyalty Program

Mail Order

Merchandise Management

Mobile Access

Multi-Channel Management

Multi-Location

Order Entry

Order Fulfillment

Order Management

Order Processing

Payment Processing

Point of Sale (POS)

Pricing Management

Product Identification

Purchase Order Management

Purchasing & Receiving

QuickBooks Integration

Real-Time Data

Real Time Order Entry

Real-Time Updates

Receipt Management

Remote Order Entry

Reorder Management

Reporting/Analytics

Retail Inventory Management

Retail Management

Retail POS

Returns Management

Returns Tracking

Sales Order Management

Sales Reports

Sales Tax Management

Sales Trend Analysis

Search/Filter

Shipping Labels

Shipping Management

SKU/UPC Codes

Stock Management

Supplier Management

Touch Screen

Transaction History

Reviewers indicate that Square for Retail offers good value for money for small businesses, and they appreciate transparent fees and accessible pricing. However, some users report that equipment add-ons and premium plans can be pricey, and fees may add up quickly.

Value for money

By industry, Square for Retail reviewers are most commonly professionals in retail (20%). The most frequent use case for Square for Retail cited by reviewers is point of sale (64% of reviewers).

Square for Retail

Web-based

iPad

Clover

Toast POS

Lightspeed Retail

eHopper

Shopify POS

SkuVault Core

Bindo POS

Square Free

Square Plus

Square Premium

Frequent bugs and glitches

Dance Instructor

When glitches do arise sometimes it is hard to find a quick solution.

51% of reviewers feel negative about bugs and issues, reporting regular glitches, app crashes, and slow performance. Some users say they experience freezing, intermittent errors, and complications that disrupt daily operations. Reviewers indicate they often need to restart the app or update software to resolve problems. Some reviewers find it difficult to get quick solutions when issues arise, leading to frustration. Users think the electronic system can be unreliable at times, and they feel troubleshooting can be time-consuming and confusing, especially during high-volume periods.

Difficult customer support access

36% of reviewers feel negative about customer support, describing it as slow, unresponsive, and hard to reach. Some users say they struggle to connect with live representatives, especially during urgent situations. Reviewers indicate they are dissatisfied with the time it takes to resolve issues and the lack of availability on weekends. Some reviewers find the support team unhelpful or rude, leading to frustration when problems arise. Users think the overall support experience is subpar compared to other industry offerings and feel it impacts their confidence in the product.

Unreliable card reader performance

President

Sometimes I have a hard time for the reader to read a swipe.

36% of reviewers feel negative about the card reader, reporting frequent malfunctions and connectivity issues. Some users say they are forced to buy multiple readers due to failures, and manual card entry becomes necessary, which is time-consuming and incurs higher fees. Reviewers indicate the reader sometimes fails to pair with devices or read cards consistently, causing delays and customer concern. Some reviewers find the hardware lacks portability and struggles with older cards. Users think the card reader’s reliability is problematic, impacting their payment processing efficiency.

High fees and pricing concerns

Owner

Absolutely ridiculous when other companies offer funds transfer and payment options for a fraction of the service fee.

38% of reviewers feel negative about pricing, citing transaction fees, service charges, and equipment costs as major drawbacks. Some users say fees quickly add up and impact their profits, especially for small businesses. Reviewers indicate they dislike hidden costs and find it challenging to locate fee information. Some reviewers find the price point and subscription costs higher than competitors, and they feel the optional add-on devices are expensive. Users think the fees per transaction are cumbersome and wish for more transparency and lower costs.

Efficient staff training process

96% of reviewers feel positive about staff training, highlighting the ease and speed of onboarding new employees. Some users say they can train staff in minutes, even those with little technical experience. Reviewers indicate the user interface is simple enough for young or seasonal employees to learn quickly. Some reviewers find the system easy to manage and customize for different roles. Users think the analytics and scheduling features support staff performance. They appreciate that training is straightforward, allowing teams to adapt rapidly and focus on their core tasks.

Versatile retail store solution

97% of reviewers feel positive about Square’s retail store capabilities, describing it as user-friendly and adaptable for both brick-and-mortar and pop-up shops. Some users say the system is fast to learn and reliable for day-to-day retail operations. Reviewers indicate they benefit from secure payment processing and easy management of retail accounts. Some reviewers find it helpful for starting new retail businesses while keeping costs low. Users think the software supports a wide range of retail needs, from boutiques to larger stores, and they appreciate its straightforward setup and visual clarity.

Highly customizable user interface

98% of reviewers feel positive about the user interface, noting its simplicity, modern design, and ease of customization. Some users say the interface is straightforward and quick to learn, making daily operations efficient. Reviewers indicate they appreciate the ability to personalize layouts and integrate with platforms like Etsy. Users think the interface is friendly for both staff and customers, and they feel safe and confident using it. Some reviewers find the implementation process smooth and reliable, emphasizing the interface’s convenience and portability for various business environments.

Ideal for small businesses

Co-Owner

It is a highly customizable app that can be tailored to the specific needs of your small business.

Data & Finance Mgr

Square is designed for small business and is scalable for us to grow.

94% of reviewers feel positive about Square’s suitability for small businesses, emphasizing its affordability, ease of setup, and flexibility. Some users say the software is highly customizable to their business needs and helps them reach new customers. Reviewers indicate it adds professionalism and supports business growth, especially for mobile and local operations. Some reviewers find it practical for managing sales and accounting, and they appreciate the accessibility for entrepreneurs and startups. Users think Square is a valuable tool for small business owners, helping them streamline operations and expand opportunities.

Streamlined ease of use

lot manager

Use this product for just 6 weeks, was very very easy to learn and had people using it that were generally not good at computers.

93% of reviewers feel positive about Square’s ease of use, noting its intuitive setup and seamless operation for both tech-savvy and inexperienced users. Some users say they can quickly configure products, discounts, and storefronts, making checkout and sales efficient. Reviewers indicate the platform is accessible across devices and simplifies managing transactions and customer information. Some reviewers find it convenient for fast-paced environments and appreciate the minimal learning curve. Users think the software’s organization and quick setup save time, allowing them to focus on business growth and customer satisfaction.

Immediately after this transaction, Square closed my account and informed me that I would have to wait 90 days to receive the funds — with no way to expedite or reroute payment despite the urgent cash-flow implications for my business. Because these funds are tied up until February, my business is facing serious difficulty covering payroll and operating expenses.

Web Developer

Even with those limitations, Square for Retail delivers a clean, efficient, and dependable experience for managing in‑store sales.

Managing the back end, running real‑time sales, and processing payments all feel smooth and intuitive.

It’s excellent for small to mid‑sized operations, but businesses with more complex needs may find themselves wanting more flexibility and deeper features.

Point of Sale Inventory Control manager

User friendly for many types of businesses, tracks inventory, supports online sales, competitive pricing for plans vs. other products.

It can feel limited for businesses that need more advanced retail features.

The search function could use some refining in order to make it easier to find items that don’t have SKU’s and scannable barcodes

The inventory piece of it is consistent and accurate and also very easy to navigate.

Now, it transfers all my data and spreadsheets straight to the accountant.

It's perfect for rerai furniture and store. Once you've tried it you won't forget it!, its the perfect all in one app

VALUE FOR MONEY - good, with square swipe adapter being free

It’s very hard to get in touch with someone, and when you do, they weren’t much help in my opinion.

Order Management III

You can have unlimited items in your inventory which makes this convenient for the user and the customer, especially when you can do next day transfers as well!

I processed a transaction for $13,800 through Square.

MANAGER

PRODUCT COUNT WAS GREAT WITH SQUARE FOR RETAIL.

I was using two other paid apps along with Square.

Owner operator

It is the most readily available and streamlined inventory tool

The incorporation of cash/check customers check out ability allows me to maintain inventory without the need to separately or manually change stock after the fact.

We specifically use Square for Restaurants POS system for our taproom system, which also ties into our mobile payments, but we do use Square for Retail as the basis for our online ordering page through Wix, as it works best for hosting that site for orders.

I like that square terminal is super easy to use and works every time.

The program also offers SKU and GTIN codes to be scanned successfully.

This is by far the best inventory tool I’ve found for the price.

First Impressions Director

The inventory tracking helps us know what we need and don't need, saving us money and allowing us to know what's in demand.

Overall, this is a good program to use when you need convenience. When using square, in this day and age, fast, easy and quick are what is needed in today's society, and this program comes to the rescue.

NutriStore Supervisor

Additionally, the processing fees went up drastically for us when we began offering one CBD product (THC free) out of several hundred products in our store.

Director

Would highly recommend this to all businesses in the retail sector

Real Estate Investor

It's so easy for me as a customer to make a quick purchase from small businesses, which I prefer to support.   If they did not have this option, I would not be able to make a purchase when I choose not to carry cash, which is nearly 100% of the time.  

Fees of course, and deposit timing is sometimes delayed.

Director of Development 

For what we use it for (event ticketing, retail shop charges and so on), we do not currently have any problems.

We were not informed that all other user accounts would be closed and that the only way to access old records would be through the owner email account.  

WARRANTY CLERK

Square is a perfect solution, I can check my inventory, make multiple sales and email customer's receipt all within the Square App on my phone.

Architectural Consultant 

i really like that i can have a POS from wherever I am, I am able to use it in my retail storefront and I'm able to provide my services and products in a whole new way taking my POS mobile.

From loading up all our merchandise to swiping the guest's card/taking cash, all have come together nicely.

Entrepreneur 

Square for Retail has helped to ease my business flow by accepting payments, managing inventory and creating daily reports to track sales.

Co-Owner/Manager

with an attractive design and easy to use interface  Square made payment processing very easy and allowed me the time to handle other hurtles that pop up on a daily basis.

The mobility of Square is the most fantastic aspect of the Square service. If we don't end up using the fully-fledged POS system, we have the option to use a simple phone-attached card payment device.

Freelancer

For instance, little black dialogue boxes telling what kind of info to put in each field hover over the space you actually need to type in when you do your account set-up. When you hit the "X" in the corner of the dialogue box that is blocking your view of the typing area, a full-screen pop-up asks "Are you sure you want to leave setup?"

Square integrates with QuickBooks online, so it's been seamless to link all my Square sales to my accounting books and makes my tax filings much more accurate

IT Manager

This is more for small business use and not for tracking and reporting on analytics.

Sales and hires 

Running a hire company, receiving payments on delivery is required on a daily, the square system is amazing can keep in your pocket and works every time.

Engineer

It also is convenient for when phone or internet goes out, and customers are in the main store, since it supplies a simple backup for payment processing.  

Advocate

Square for Retail was a little more convoluted in my opinion, the traditional Square POS app was more my style, straight to the point!

Technical Support Specialist

While keeping operation and inventory counts synced seems difficult, Square for Retail delivers a great experience

Square for Retail vs Thrive by Shopventory Comparison (2026)

Square for Retail

Thrive by Shopventory

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives