Apps That Turn Any iPad into an Efficient POS

If you’re eager to embrace the iPad POS revolution, but your budget is somewhat of a constraint, this article will help.

Using the right app (or apps), you can easily take your existing iPad to the store and prop it up in a stand to effectively become the store’s POS while you’re in there. No need to invest in new hardware, no actual expenses asides from the app itself. In fact, most of the best apps available are actually free - some even give you a card reader you can attach to your iPad.

The drawback being, of course (as well as their potential for profit), is those apps will deduct a free from every credit card transaction you charge through them. Not necessarily a deal-breaker, but something you need to keep in mind while considering the best option for you. Sometimes the free options can be a worse long-term deal than some apps that actually cost money or imply a monthly subscription, or even a hefty one-time payment.

This of course beckons the question: which are the best iPad apps for running a POS? Read through to learn the best options currently available on the App store.

Square

( free app; charges 2.75 % per transaction or $275/month to skip transaction fees; offers card reader ).

By far and wide, Square is the most popular and widely use payment app on the iPad. As such, it's also one of the most robust and versatile packages available, even though it's neatly designed and extremely intuitive. The price is actually competitive - especially the monthly fee - which once you do the math properly may turn out to be one of the best available deals.

SalesVU POS

(free app; charges 2.7% per transaction; offers 1 free reader per business location)

Currently one of the market leaders; the key strength of SalesVU is everything cloud related. The integration of your local data and on-line records is seamless, and offers a host of networking options you may find useful- such as setting up auto-emailers to warn you when an item is running out of stock, for example.

Ambur

(free trial available; full version costs $999)

this is a popular solution among enterprises looking to upgrade their POS line without breaking the bank. Even though the app itself seems forbiddingly expensive, truth is there are no additinal fees involved - and once you buy the rights to the app you can use it in as many tablets as you need. Additionally, this is not just a comprehensive POS suite, but also includes an integrated inventory management that is incredibly useful.

Cashier POS Register

If you’re just starting to dabble with the idea of going iPad all over your POS system, this is the ideal entry point. Not as robust and powerful as the othermore serious apps on this list, but still adequate enough to get started - and no fees involved (unless you need to accept credit card payments, in which case you can pick from different monthly payment plans, no charge per swipe though). Cashier is a good way to get you acquainted with the versatility of using an iPad POS, and it does offer some ingenious features, like the ability to scan bar codes with the iPad camera to quickly build your inventory.

Also checkout Vend Ipad POS Software which has recently emerged as one of the leading Mobile POS system.

Vaughan is the Founder and CEO of Vend. A moustachioed entrepreneur and technologist, Vaughan's goal is to make retailers' lives easier. When he's not leading the team, Vaughan is running marathons and raising his kids (along with his lovely wife, Mel). Connect with Vaughan on Google+.