RetailPOS

RetailPOS is a free, open-source point-of-sale system for physical retailers that ties store transactions to online commerce. It is best suited to independent shops and multi-register stores prepared to self-host or arrange deployment support. Its standout advantage is offline checkout with queued syncing; version maintenance and regional PCI requirements call for careful planning.

Overview

RetailPOS connects in-store sales with e-commerce inventory, orders and customer records across platforms including Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento, Sylius, Wix, PrestaShop, Squarespace and Commercefull. That makes it a stronger fit for retailers coordinating a physical shop and an online storefront than for businesses that need only a standalone till.

Offline operation is a practical resilience feature: the POS stores data in SQLite, keeps operating without connectivity and queues orders to sync when the connection returns. Retailers still need to manage the self-hosted setup and keep it on a supported release.

Key features

Checkout, payments and hardware

Barcode scanning, receipt printing, cash drawers and terminal payments cover core checkout needs. Hardware connections include USB, Bluetooth, camera and network, while the hardware itself is third-party; shops should confirm their chosen equipment works with their deployment. Card options include Stripe Terminal, Stripe NFC tap-to-pay, Square and Worldpay.

Inventory and store operations

Inventory syncs with the connected e-commerce platform and supports product variants, low-stock alerts, manual adjustments and an audit trail. These controls help shops keep online and in-store stock aligned while retaining a record of changes. Reports cover daily, weekly and monthly sales, payment breakdowns and cashier rankings, with CSV export for further analysis.

Staff and multiple registers

Six login methods and role-based access for Admin, Manager and Cashier give retailers a way to separate staff responsibilities. In server-and-client mode, registers connect over the local network and synchronize orders, inventory and settings, making the system relevant to stores with several tills rather than just a single checkout point.

Security and support

RetailPOS says card data is handled by the payment terminal SDK rather than the POS itself. Retailers remain responsible for reviewing PCI compliance requirements in their region before launch. Bug reports, feature requests and questions go through GitHub; N17 offers integration, deployment and custom-development support.

Pricing

Free and open source: free, billed with no monthly fees. The Apache 2.0 license and self-hosted model make this a no-subscription option for retailers able to handle deployment and upkeep. There is no free trial because the plan is free. Its cost advantage comes with operational responsibilities rather than a hosted service arrangement.

Version discipline matters: security updates support version 2.0.x, while versions below 2.0 are not supported. Stores should include keeping the installation on the supported branch in their maintenance plan.

Platforms

RetailPOS supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, web and self-hosted use. That range accommodates varied device and deployment setups, though hardware support is third-party and should be checked against the devices a shop intends to use.

Who it's for

Independent retailers benefit most when they need one system for physical checkout and e-commerce synchronization, particularly if connectivity interruptions are a concern. Multi-register stores can use local-network synchronization, while developers and agencies may value the open-source, self-hosted approach and the option of custom deployment support. It is less suitable for a retailer seeking a fully managed system without responsibility for hosting, updates or hardware compatibility.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Offline checkout queues orders for later sync, reducing reliance on a live connection at the register.
• Pros: E-commerce synchronization spans multiple named platforms and covers inventory, orders and customers.
• Pros: No monthly fees and an Apache 2.0 license keep licensing costs low for self-hosting retailers.
• Cons: Self-hosting shifts deployment and maintenance work to the retailer or its support partner.
• Cons: Hardware is third-party, so device compatibility needs confirmation before rollout.
• Cons: Security updates cover version 2.0.x only, and PCI compliance must be reviewed for the retailer's region.

Alternatives

For another free-plan option, Loyverse runs on Android, iOS and web and offers a 31-day sales-history plan; choose it if that history limit fits, or its $5 a month per store unlimited-history plan if longer retention matters.

Posnic POS is worth comparing for a free community edition and a desktop application published under AGPL-3.0-only, particularly if that licensing and platform mix better fits the deployment.

uniCenta oPOS offers a BASE subscription at £6 a year, charged yearly at £72; consider it if a subscription-based alternative is preferable.

NCR Voyix POS is another paid POS option. Runit RealTime is a cloud POS with support and upgrades included in its monthly subscription, which may suit a retailer seeking that service model.

Heartland Retail has a starting price of $89 a month and a free plan; it is an option for readers comparing a paid starting tier. NewStore is another paid alternative.

Erply is a paid alternative with a Growth Plan at $1,000 a month; its listed plan includes three stores, 100,000 queries per month, unlimited users and 2,000 AI actions per month.

Browse more options in Retail POS Software and Point-of-Sale Software.

Verdict

RetailPOS is a strong choice for independent retailers and multi-register shops that want open-source checkout linked to online inventory and need registers to keep working through connectivity loss. Its no-monthly-fee license and broad commerce synchronization are compelling, but choose another system if you want hosting and maintenance handled for you, or if your hardware and regional compliance needs do not fit its deployment model.