In this article, we will determine if the QuickBooks Point of Sale system is the best choice for your business.
QuickBooks POS is a feature-packed Point of Sale system created by Intuit. The brand has emerged as a leading player in the accounting application market with its flagship products Turbo Tax and QuickBooks.
It was established in 1983 and is currently regarded as one of the most successful tech organizations globally. Their QuickBooks accounting software possesses the highest number of customers at approximately 12 million as far back as 2019.
Intuit primarily caters to small and medium-sized enterprises and so is the case with their QuickBooks POS product.
However, a few questions arise: does the QuickBooks system provide the real deal? Is it the right choice for your business? And what are the features or highlights of this Point of Sale system?
So in this QuickBooks POS review, we'll have an in-depth look at this POS system's pros and cons, features, ease-of-use and lot’s more.
Let's get started.
Intuit QuickBooks POS Review: An Overview
QuickBooks POS is a versatile solution that companies can use for sale and inventory management, bill management, credit card payment processing, employee and time tracking, loyalty program management, contactless payments, and a lot more.
Organizations that use this POS solution can cater to a massive number of inventories. The system is capable of handling more than 15,000 items. Plus, the software integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks accounting software and is very easy to use.
The QuickBooks Point of Sale is locally installed with so many features and because of this, it is considered more of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution rather than just a cash register. The product allows businesses to handle every aspect of a retail business. QuickBooks is most suitable for the majority of your inventory management and sales management tasks.
The system supports the following operating systems:
- Windows 8.1
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows Server 2012 R2
- Windows 10 all versions
- Microsoft Surface Pro
- Microsoft Galaxy Tab Pro
- Microsoft Surface Go
The QuickBooks POS solution also features a simple architecture and makes it seamless even for non-tech users to use the product without prior training. The primary target of this POS solution is small and medium-sized businesses.
Intuit QuickBooks POS Review: In-depth Features
The QuickBooks system offers so many features that make it an all-in-one solution for retail businesses in-store or online. It also has an easy-to-understand and simple interface that allows you to effortlessly enter the necessary information without any complex steps.
That said, the QuickBooks system is available in three packages: Basic, Pro, and Multi-store. With the basic version, you'll be able to track clients, manage and track inventory, monitor sales and move data to QuickBooks accounting solution. On the other hand, the Multi-store and Pro Version of the solution come with advanced features such as including pictures of inventory items, employees sales and commission management, and auto-generation of purchase orders.
Let’s have a look at the major features.
Credit Card Payment Processing
You can use QuickBooks Point of Sale for credit and debit card payments and managing cash. The solution supports all major credit cards including American Express, Visa, Discovery, and Mastercard. The system for payment processing is completely integrated with the desktop system. Intuit states that they possess the highest security protection for credit and debit card payments. And with the clear fact that over a million customers trust and use QuickBooks POS, the claim has a huge degree of validity.
The system also supports other secure payment technologies and allows for contactless payments as well.
It's also important to note that you don't have to pay for every transaction with this credit card payment processing software. If you run a large firm you know if this can get costly quite fast. There is a zero fee for the pay-as-you-go option or a fixed 25 cents price.
Integration with Intuit QuickBooks Desktop
A great feature with the QuickBooks POS is that all information can be effortlessly transferred to the QuickBooks desktop. The two solutions work hand-in-hand. All your transactions can be integrated with the accounting software, which saves you the time of inputting sales-related accounting data manually.
This also erases the errors that may otherwise occur when you manually input your sales data in QuickBooks.
Sales Transaction Management
The QuickBooks Point of Sale allows you to include sales data in various ways. You can either use the QuickBooks barcode scanner to include items or you can add data manually. It even allows you to offer discounts and include customer data directly at the Point of Sale. This saves you time in accounting for various expenses and discounts.
Inventory Management
Regardless of the QuickBooks POS versions you opt for, you will have access to the managing inventory items feature. The system updates your inventory automatically after every sales transaction.
So at every point, you will know exactly the inventory that you have at hand. This also helps you to know what inventory items have the most demand and those that aren't in demand. With such invaluable information at your fingertips, you can readjust your product offering to better serve your customers and boost your profitability along the way.
Loyalty Programs and Customer Management
QuickBooks POS makes managing your customers an easy experience. This product will provide full details about all credit customers including the available credit limit, the amount due, and other vital information.
It also allows you to manage your reward programs via the POS system. With QuickBooks POS you'll be able to create and manage reward programs to give gifts to your loyal customers. You can print limited-time deals and discount coupons on receipts to pull back customers. And through the dashboard, you can track promotions that you offer to customers as well as manage them.
Employee Management
The employee management feature is only available in the POS Pro and Multi-store versions. You can track commissions and set permissions for your employees. There's even a time clock that enables you to track hours, so you can ensure that you're only paying employees for the time worked.
Intuit QuickBooks POS System Mobile and Ecommerce
Quickbook POS provides integrations with numerous online marketplaces such as Etsy and Amazon. The e-commerce integration is an add-on that syncs your online shop with QuickBooks POS desktop to enable you to manage customer information sales and inventory from either source. This integration feature works with numerous popular shopping cart programs and marketplaces from WooCommerce to Amazon. The e-commerce integration runs at a starting price of $39 monthly.
QuickBooks POS System Automatic Program Updates
Even though QuickBooks POS is a standalone software you don't have to bother about it becoming outdated. Intuit provides updates that you can either manually download or have inputted automatically the moment they are available.
Intuit QuickBooks POS Review: Ease-of-Use
QuickBooks interface is generally intuitive and administrative functions are easy to use and general support consists of chat and an online forum, how-to guides, and webinars. For access to phone support, it costs extra. Also, data can be imported in bulk.
QuickBooks is effortless to set up but you have to do it yourself. There is a user guide online that will provide a step-by-step process from how to add items to access customers and lots more. You can import your data from QuickBooks desktop or a text file or Excel spreadsheet.
It's important to know that unless you purchase the Pro or Multi-store version QuickBooks POS does not offer a photo menu of inventory products. So you will have to use a barcode scanner or input a product description into the search bar. Sadly, this makes the interface of the solution less intuitive and more dated than a lot of the POS systems available currently. However, processing payments is very easy and everything integrates seamlessly with your QuickBooks accounting program.
You can access everything easily from the top tabs of the software. It shows purchase orders for low-stock products, damaged items, and back-ordered items. You also get reports that show profit margins, sales and lots more. Plus, an end-of-day function that reminds staff to backup data, reconcile their registers and sync with QuickBooks accounting.
The administrative section of the software uses workflow and icons to make finding the desired function easy. QuickBooks POS offers users a huge range of support options. On the web, you can visit the support portal to discover how-to articles, attend webinars, ask questions on the forum, and view QuickBooks accounting instructional videos.
Though there is a different page for QuickBooks POS, searching or clicking on the QuickBooks website nonetheless will show you articles that apply to other products. However, most users find it easier to use Google and then follow the results to navigate to the QuickBooks help page. That said, there are also complaints about links to additional information leading to Page Not Found error..
QuickBooks POS Review: Phone and Chat Support
QuickBooks POS offers so many support options as we've already sent in the course of this QuickBooks POS review. But if you want a support plan that includes expert help over the phone then you have to purchase it.
You can reach chat support from Monday to Friday starting at 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time. The support plans tag along with online backup for your data. So you may want to consider that when deciding if additional phone support is worth the price.
That said, expert assistance is only available from Monday to Friday starting at 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. And on Saturday and Sunday, it starts from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific time.
QuickBooks POS Review: Intuit QuickBooks Software
Unlike a lot of QuickBooks POS competitors, its POS software is offered and structured as a one-time purchase and not an initial cost then a monthly subscription fee. The moment your brand invests in QuickBooks POS software, it's completely yours. However, the initial investment will probably be a lot more than it would be if you were to go for QuickBooks Point of Sale competitors who require a recurring monthly subscription fee.
Here are all the 3 structures for QuickBooks Point of Sale software:
Basic QuickBooks POS
The most simple of the QuickBooks POS software options is rightly named “Basic”. With this version of QuickBooks Point of Sale software, your brand will get access to all the fundamentals minus the additional cost of the advanced versions.
In comparison to the other packages by Intuit QuickBooks POS, the Basic software has a small list of functions:
- Take payments.
- Ecommerce integration.
- Ring sales.
- Carry out basic sales reporting.
- Track customer data.
- QuickBooks desktop integration.
Pro QuickBooks POS
The next version for the QuickBooks POS software is Pro. The Pro version grants users access to a larger list of functionalities but this also comes with a higher price.
The Pro version comes with the following functionalities including those that are in the Basic plan:
- Offer layaway.
- Perform advanced reporting.
- Manage payroll.
- Offer gift cards.
- Manage employees.
- Coordinate rewards and loyalty programs.
Of all available QuickBooks POS software options, the Pro version offers the happiest meeting point between power and affordability.
Multi-store QuickBooks POS
This QuickBooks Point of Sale software option with the most powerful and vast range of features is the Multi-store version. It is also the most costly option for QuickBooks POS software.
This version allows you to access the following capabilities for your point of sales inclusive of those that the Pro and Basic plan offer:
- Manage and transfer inventory
- Managing multiple channels and stores
- Advanced inventory and sales reporting between stores.
QuickBooks POS Review: QuickBooks Hardware
The QuickBooks hardware comes with a couple of devices. And we'll be looking at them in this QuickBooks POS review.
Europay, MasterCard, and Visa (EMV) Ready Pin Pad – $389
The EMV Ready Pin Pad enables users to process most of the debit and credit cards of their customers. EMV is a secured credit card payment standard in the United States. By using an EMV ready card reader retailers are not liable for counterfeit or stolen card transactions. And the card reader confirms to resend PCI and PEC security standards that cut down the risk of losses because of credit card-related frauds.
Receipt Printer – $219
The QuickBooks POS receipt printer prints out a receipt automatically after a transaction is done. An excellent feature about this receipt printer is that it prints credit card slips and gift receipts as well.
The printer also comes with a built-in auto-cutter for cutting out the receipt as well as a seamless dropping paper loader and enables you to put printing papers in easily.
Barcode Scanner – $199
This barcode scanner can scan both low and high-density codes. The scanner is used for varying transactions such as sales orders, invoices, item receipts, inventory transfers, and refunds and credits. It also features an 18-inch maximum scan range.
The scanner is excellent for light industrial applications. But a few customers have put in complaints about it creating errors when they try to scan a huge number of inventory products quickly.
Cash Drawer – $109
Intuit cash drawer is a vital accessory for running a brick-and-mortar retail brand. The drawer features sturdy metal construction. And is lockable which allows it to be used as a safe. When a sales transaction is complete the drawer automatically opens. You can link up the receipt printer to the drawer for a seamless printing experience.
Pole Display – $209
This QuickBooks POS hardware is an optional accessory that displays prices when a sales transaction is recorded. The hardware features a green fluorescent display with aesthetic appeal. And users can program custom messages to show on the pole screen.
Tag Printer – $329
The tag printer allows you to print tags for your inventory products. You can link the printer with your barcode scanner for quick and accurate recording of products. What's great about this hardware is its compact size which enables it to fit in very small places. This printer also supports USB connections.
Wireless Barcode Scanner – $409
You can opt to purchase a wireless barcode scanner, which offers a wider range of movement instead of the wire scanner. This makes scanning products very easy to do.
QuickBooks POS Review: Pros and Cons
Regardless of how good or unlikeable a product is, it will have its pros and cons. So let's have a look at some of them for QuickBooks POS.
Pros
Zero Monthly Fees
A feature that is certainly worth talking about is how QuickBooks POS pricing is set up. Once your brand invests in QuickBooks Point of Sale, it's yours. So you don't have to expect monthly setup or access fees. Plus, the way QuickBooks POS is packaged, allows your company to get a clearer picture of exactly how much you are investing in the solution.
Automatic Transaction Recording
QuickBooks POS solution automatically records transactions to the QuickBooks accounting software you set it so. This eliminates the errors that come with manual input and also allows your employees to focus on other tasks.
Other Pro Highlights
- 30-day free trial.
- Ample payment plan options.
- Integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks ecosystem.
Cons
Payment Processing isn't Included
In addition to the initial QuickBooks POS cost to access credit card processing, you must pay for Intuit Merchant Services. So even though you had to pay just once for your QuickBooks POS solution, the QuickBooks credit card processing function is a whole other bridge to cross. And it'll cost you a particular percentage of all transactions that your brand runs through it. So when you calculate your QuickBooks POS cost ensure that the Intuit payment processing transaction cost is considered.
Pricey Lump-Sum Cost
Regardless of how you look at it, QuickBooks POS is one of the most expensive of such solutions in the market. Even if you choose the Basic plan for the QuickBooks Point of Sale system they will still cost your brand a considerable sum as that is minus the hardware.
Since this sum has to be paid at a go your company will have to give over a lump-Sum of capital at once. This is a huge deal-breaker for small businesses.
QuickBooks Desktop Only Integration
Lastly, a major disadvantage to purchasing the QuickBooks POS system is that it is entirely desktop-based. There is no QuickBooks POS online. This means that you are only able to access QuickBooks desktop POS software. And the QuickBooks POS solution is only able to integrate with the QuickBooks desktop accounting software.
Other Con Highlights
- You cannot create email campaigns
- No mobile options
- Zero customer-facing user interface
QuickBooks POS Review: Pricing
As already mentioned in this QuickBooks POS review. This solution offers 3 POS software options and it is priced accordingly minus hardware costs.
POS Basic
This plan costs $1200 normally but is currently at a discount of $960 for a one-time purchase. And offers the functions listed in the QuickBooks software section above.
POS Pro
This plan costs $1700 normally but it is currently at a discount of $1360 for a one-time purchase. And offers the functions listed in the QuickBooks software section above.
POS Multi-store
This plan costs $1900 normally but is currently at a discount of $1520 for a one-time purchase. And offers the functions listed in the QuickBooks section above.
Credit Card Payment Processing
As you may have already noticed, payment processing isn't included as a feature of the above QuickBooks software versions. This is because it's a separate functionality and is purchased differently.
The payment plan for payment processing is as follows:
- Pay as you go
- Monthly Payment
Pay-as-you-go
The pay-as-you-go plan cost $0 monthly and charges you based on percentages as listed below:
- Swipe/Dip 2.7%
- Swipe/Dip with PIN 1%
- Transaction fee: N/A
- Monthly fee: $0
- Keyed: 3.5%
Monthly Payment
The monthly payment options cost $20 per month with the following factors:
- Keyed 3.2%
- Swipe/Dip 2.3%
- The monthly fee is $19.95
- Swipe/Dip with PIN 1%
- Transaction fee 25 cents each
QuickBooks POS Review: Popular QuickBooks POS Integrations
The QuickBooks Point of Sale integrates with the following applications and systems:
- WooCommerce
- Shopify
- Etsy
- Amazon
- BigCommerce
- Bindo POS
- Vend POS
- QuickBooks accounting
- QuickBooks Online
- AccuPOS
- Revel
- Magneto
QuickBooks POS Review: Who is It Recommended For
A great POS system has to do more than ring up sales. It should keep track of inventory and offer certain customer resource tools even if this is simply storing data and helping users analyze sales. The best POS systems have mobile and online components.
QuickBooks POS satisfies the inventory and powerful customer relationship management tools aspect. Its more expensive versions Pro and Multi-store also feature employee management features. But you have to pay extra fees for e-commerce integration.
Considering the above QuickBooks is great for:
- Quickbook Customers: QuickBooks POS naturally integrates with the QuickBooks ecosystem, which makes accounting and managing comprehensive financial reports a seamless process.
- Brick-and-mortar or Physical Retail Stores: QuickBooks POS is a standalone system and functions on a computer instead of cloud-based software, which makes it best for shops or small retailers that have one cash register.
- Businesses on a Fixed Budget: Since QuickBooks isn't a subscription service users just have to pay for the solution once. The price is about 2 years' worth of most cloud-based POS systems. However, you get a lifetime of free updates and upgrades.
QuickBooks POS Review: Who QuickBooks POS is Not For
Businesses Searching for an Online POS Program: The QuickBooks POS is a standalone desktop program. So, if you're searching for or prefer software-as-a-service (SaaS) you may want to check the top cloud-based POS systems.
Merchants with Primarily Online Stores: The QuickBooks POS solution offers an e-commerce integration but this comes with an additional cost monthly. So it will be cheaper to pick a POS system that includes e-commerce.
iPad Users: The QuickBooks POS service is a desktop run software. So if your preferred choice is the iPad you may want to check out POS systems that function with the device.
Organizations with Age-restricted Products: Because QuickBooks POS lacks the necessary tools to permit cashiers to check for customer ID or customer age, it isn't the recommended option for wineries, gas stations, liquor stores, convenience stores, or similar businesses.
QuickBooks POS Review: QuickBooks POS Alternatives
If you aren't convinced by the QuickBooks Point of Sale, there are some alternatives you can consider:
Square POS
Square POS is a great choice if you don't want to spend big on your POS. Their POS software is free and credit card processing fees are a flat 2.75% for each transaction. You'll also get access to a ton of POS features such as employee and customer relationship management, add-ons for payroll processing, analytics, loyalty program, and inventory. Payment processing is integrated into squares POS solution as well. However, you still have to pay additional cash to purchase hardware from Square.
Clover POS
If you're searching for a powerful POS hardware/software bundle then Clover POS should be an excellent choice. Using Clover you can buy your POS software in-built to your POS hardware for a one-time fee from $59 to $1,199 based on your current needs.
However, you will have to pay a monthly fee for the software but it caps out at $29 monthly. Your credit card processing fees oscillate between 2.7%+ $0.10 and 2.3%+ $0.10. And these are dependent on the package that you opt for. Irrespective of the package that you pick, you have access to great features such as text and email features, offline functionality, liability protection, and employee management.
QuickBooks POS Review: Conclusion
If you've been a part of the QuickBooks ecosystem then this would be a great option because the POS solution is connected to the ecosystem, which can make things a lot more seamless for you. However, Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale lacks a lot of features that their competitors offer such as a better method for mobile sales, modern customer-facing interface, more than a desktop-only integration, and it's quite pricey as well.
The Verdict: QuickBooks POS is the right choice for people who already use QuickBooks solutions such as its accounting software. This is also a great standalone POS choice if you're ready for the costs and integration limitations associated with it.
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