Garden Center POS Reviews
We started with a list of 18 POS platforms frequently used by garden centers and nurseries and evaluated them based on five key capabilities: credit card payments, barcode scanning, inventory management, loyalty programs, and employee and multi-store management. We also considered ease of use, hardware compatibility, multi-location support, and how well each system helps garden center staff manage day-to-day operations, from checkout to stock tracking and customer engagement.
Epicor Propello – Best for Advanced Inventory Management
Epicor Propello is specifically designed for garden centers with complex inventory management needs. Its robust inventory system can track plants, bulk products, and seasonal items, making it ideal for larger operations.
- Excellent inventory tracking for complex product types
- Cloud-based reporting and analytics
- Supports employee management and permissions
- Higher price point than some competitors
- Learning curve for advanced features
Epicor Propello point-of-sale capabilities. Source: Epicor.com
Chat with Sales Visit Epicor Propello’s website
Epicor Propello features
- Credit Card Payments: Accepts all major cards and digital wallets
- Barcode Scanning: Supports item scanning for fast checkout
- Inventory Management: Tracks plants, pots, bulk items, and stock levels
- Loyalty Programs: Customer rewards and classifications available
- Employee Management: Role-based permissions and scheduling
How Epicor Propello pricing works
Epicor Propello pricing is quote-based and depends on the size of your operation, number of terminals, and required integrations. It typically includes software licensing, cloud access, and support, with optional add-ons for advanced inventory or reporting features.
What markets does Epicor Propello serve?
Epicor Propello is ideal for large or multi-location garden centers that need advanced inventory management and detailed reporting. It’s perfect for in-store management for a wide range of plant varieties, bulk items, and seasonal stock, offering insights to optimize sales and staffing.
Read our full Epicor Propello review
KORONA POS – Best for User-Friendly Operations
KORONA POS offers a straightforward, intuitive interface for garden centers seeking a reliable POS solution without added complexity. It is cloud-based and works across multiple devices.
- Easy-to-use interface
- Multi-device compatibility
- Flexible pricing plans
- Some advanced integrations require add-ons
- Limited online functionality
KORONA POS checkout process. Source: KORONAPOS.com
Schedule a Demo Visit KORONA POS’s website
KORONA POS features
- Credit Card Payments: Accepts major credit cards and mobile wallets
- Barcode Scanning: Streamlines checkout with barcode scanning
- Inventory Management: Real-time stock tracking and alerts
- Loyalty Programs: Built-in loyalty program options
- Employee Management: Track hours, sales, and permissions
How KORONA POS pricing works
KORONA POS offers tiered pricing based on features and number of terminals with optional additional module packages. They also offer an unlimited amount of time for a free trial with no hidden fees.
- KORONA POS Core: Starting at $59/month
- KORONA POS Retail: Starting at $69/month
What markets does KORONA POS serve?
KORONA POS works well for small to mid-sized garden centers looking for an intuitive system with multi-device access. It’s especially useful for operators who want cloud-based management and easy onboarding for staff.
Read our full KORONA POS review
Lightspeed – Best for Growing Garden Centers
Lightspeed POS is great for garden centers looking to scale. Its features include detailed inventory tracking, advanced reporting, and integrated customer loyalty tools.
- Comprehensive inventory and sales reporting
- Cloud-based with multi-location support
- Flexible customer loyalty options
- Can be expensive for small business
- Hardware costs are separate
Lightspeed garden center POS system. Source: LightspeedHQ.com
Get Started Visit Lightspeed’s website
Lightspeed features
- Credit Card Payments: Accepts credit, debit, and digital payment options
- Barcode Scanning: Quickly process product checkouts
- Inventory Management: Advanced stock management and reporting
- Loyalty Programs: Rewards, points, and promotions
- Employee Management: Staff tracking and access control
How Lightspeed pricing works
Lightspeed offers monthly subscriptions with higher tiers for multi-location access, advanced reporting, and eCommerce integration. Hardware and payment processing may be additional, with a 14-day free trial to test out the system.
For 1 location and 1 register:
- Basic: Starting at $109/month
- Core: Starting at $179/month
- Plus: Starting at $339/month
What markets does Lightspeed serve?
Lightspeed is ideal for growing garden centers and nurseries that need robust inventory tracking and customer engagement tools. It supports stores expanding across multiple locations or adding online sales, helping managers optimize operations and loyalty programs.
Square POS – Best for Versatile and Affordable Options
For garden centers of all sizes, Square POS is a versatile option. It integrates inventory management, payment processing, and loyalty programs into an all-in-one user-friendly platform.
- Affordable entry-level options
- Works online and offline
- Integrates with many third-party apps
- Transaction fees can add up for high-volume sales
- Some advanced features require paid plans
Square POS’s Square for Plant & Garden. Source: Squareup.com
Get Started Visit Square POS’s website
Square POS features
- Credit Card Payments: Supports all major cards, contactless, and mobile wallets
- Barcode Scanning: Scans items for fast checkout
- Inventory Management: Track inventory levels and receive low-stock alerts
- Loyalty Programs: Built-in points and rewards system
- Employee Management: Permissions, time tracking, and role management
How Square POS pricing works
Square offers a free entry-level plan with standard processing fees and a 30-day free trial.
- Square Free: Starting at $0/month/location
- Square Plus: Starting at $49/month/location
- Square Premium: Starting at $149/month/location
- Square Pro: Available by quote
What markets does Square POS serve?
Square is ideal for small to mid-sized garden centers that want an affordable, versatile POS. Its ease of use and integration options make it suitable for operators looking to scale their business without switching platforms.
Read our full Square review
POS Nation – Best for Customizable Hardware Solutions
POS Nation offers customizable hardware and software solutions for garden centers that require a tailored system. It’s robust for multi-location operations and integrates well with peripherals.
- Highly customizable POS hardware
- Strong multi-location support
- Comprehensive support options
- Setup can be complex
- Monthly fees for full functionality
POS Nation cloud-based POS system. Source: POSnation.com
Compare Quotes Visit Expert Market’s website.POS Nation features
- Credit Card Payments: Accepts credit cards and mobile payments
- Barcode Scanning: Supports scanning for fast checkout
- Inventory Management: Tracks products, kits, and seasonal items
- Loyalty Programs: Rewards programs and customer segmentation
- Employee Management: Role permissions, scheduling, and time tracking
How POS Nation pricing works
POS Nation pricing is modular, with monthly software plans.
- Starter: Starting at $69/month
- Growth: Available by quote
- Premium: Available by quote
What markets does POS Nation serve?
POS Nation is ideal for garden centers needing customizable garden center software and hardware solutions. Multi-location stores, specialty nurseries, and retailers that require tailored POS setups benefit most from its flexibility and peripheral integration options.
Rapid Garden POS – Best for Garden Center Specialization
Rapid Garden POS is specifically built for garden centers, offering plant-specific inventory tracking, barcode labeling for plants, and customer loyalty programs tailored for nurseries and garden supply stores.
- Designed specifically for garden centers
- Plant and bulk inventory control
- Easy-to-use interface for employees
- Limited outside integrations
- Higher learning curve for advanced reporting
Rapid Garden POS gardening business software. Source: Rapidgardenpos.com
Compare Quotes Visit Expert Market’s website.Rapid Garden POS features
- Credit Card Payments: Accepts all major cards and digital wallets
- Barcode Scanning: Supports scanning for plants and bulk items
- Inventory Management: Plant, pot, and bulk product management
- Loyalty Programs: Customer rewards and classification programs
- Employee Management: Staff tracking, roles, and permissions
How Rapid Garden POS pricing works
Rapid Garden POS pricing is quote-based, depending on store size, number of terminals, and hardware options. Plans typically include software, cloud access, training, and support, with optional add-ons for advanced reporting.
What markets does Rapid Garden POS serve?
Rapid Garden POS is perfect for nurseries, garden centers, and plant retail stores that need plant-specific inventory and barcode labeling. It’s ideal for stores that want a POS built around their unique products and customer base, providing streamlined day-to-day management.
Compare the Best Garden Center POS Systems Side-By-Side
| Software name | Why we picked it | Starting price for cheapest plan | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epicor Propello | Best for Advanced Inventory Management | Available by quote | Advanced inventory tracking and plant management |
| KORONA POS | Best for User-Friendly Operations | $59/month | User-friendly setup and intuitive interface |
| Lightspeed | Best for Growing Garden Centers | $109/month | Comprehensive reporting and multi-location support |
| Square POS | Best for Versatile and Affordable Options | $0/month | Affordable pricing with flexible integrations |
| POS Nation | Best for Customizable Hardware Solutions | $69/month | Customizable hardware and scalable solutions |
| Rapid Garden POS | Best for Garden Center Specialization | Available by quote | Built specifically for garden centers and nurseries |
What is a Garden Center POS System?
A garden center POS system is a point-of-sale solution designed specifically for the business needs of nurseries, landscaping suppliers, and garden retailers. Unlike generic retail POS software, it can handle plant-specific inventory, seasonal products, and bulk materials sold by weight or quantity. These systems help streamline checkout, track plant varieties and stock levels, manage employees, and build customer loyalty programs, all while simplifying day-to-day operations for garden center staff.
What is the Best POS System for Small Retailers?
The “best” POS system for small retailers depends on your specific size, inventory complexity, and growth plans. If we had to highlight three excellent choices today, they would be:
- Square POS: A top choice for many smaller retailers because of its intuitive interface, transparent pricing, and a free starter plan that includes payment processing, inventory tracking, and loyalty tools, making setup fast and budget-friendly.
- Lightspeed Retail: A strong option for growing retailers who need more advanced inventory management, multi-location support, and detailed reporting—ideal if you expect your business to expand and your product catalog to become more complex.
- Epicor Propello: Particularly well-suited for niche or specialty retail (including garden centers) thanks to its key features, mobile POS support, and loyalty program integration. While it may come at a higher cost, it offers deeper capabilities.
For simplicity, Square POS may be your best fit; if you anticipate growth, Lightspeed offers a strong step up; and if your retail operation has specialized inventory or niche demands (like a garden center or multi-variant product catalog), Epicor Propello may deliver the best long-term value.
What Is the Best POS System for Garden Centers and Nurseries?
The best POS system for garden centers and nurseries depends on each business’s size, product range, and sales volume, but several platforms stand out for their specialized features. Rapid Garden POS is designed specifically for the green industry, offering tools tailored to plant and bulk inventory, barcode labeling, and seasonal stock management. Epicor Propello provides advanced inventory tracking, loyalty management, and mobile functionality that suit both independent nurseries and larger retail operations.
KORONA POS is another reliable choice, known for its ease of use, scalability, and detailed reporting—ideal for garden centers looking to streamline checkout and track sales performance. Lightspeed Retail also performs well in this space, combining powerful inventory and analytics tools with strong multi-location support. Each of these systems can help garden centers simplify daily operations, manage complex inventory, and improve the overall customer experience.
How Much Does a Garden Center POS System Cost?
The cost of a garden center POS system can vary widely depending on the provider, number of terminals, and features included. On average, cloud-based POS systems for garden centers range from $60 to $150 per month per terminal, with additional fees for payment processing, hardware, or premium features such as loyalty programs or advanced reporting. Industry-specific solutions, like Rapid Garden POS or Epicor Propello, often fall on the higher end of the range because they include specialized tools for plant inventory management and garden retail operations. Hardware—such as barcode scanners, receipt printers, and touch-screen terminals—can add $500 to $2,000 upfront, depending on configuration. Some systems also charge setup or data migration fees, so it’s important for garden centers to consider both monthly software costs and one-time expenses when budgeting for a POS system.
| Vendor | Monthly Fee | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|
| KORONA POS | $59 | Unlimited |
| Lightspeed | $109 | 14 days |
| Square POS | $0 | 30 days |
Garden Center POS Systems FAQs
Can a garden center POS system work for a landscaping company?
Yes, many garden center POS systems can work for landscaping businesses, especially those that sell plants or supplies and offer on-site services. Features like inventory tracking, mobile checkout, and customer management make it easy to handle both product sales and service billing. Systems like Rapid Garden POS and POS Nation even support on-site transactions, making them well-suited for landscaping services.
What features should I look for in a POS system for my garden center?
Prioritize these features when choosing a point-of-sale system for your garden center:
- Advanced Inventory Management: Verify that the system can manage a variety of inventory kinds, such as seasonal goods, garden tools, and live plants. Look for features such as bulk unit handling, growth-stage pricing, and real-time inventory tracking.
- Detailed Reporting and Analytics: Select a point-of-sale system that provides comprehensive sales and inventory reports to help you manage seasonal stock, spot trends, and make wise purchases.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): By implementing loyalty programs and tracking customer preferences and purchase order history, a strong CRM can improve customer satisfaction and retention.
- Mobile and Offline Capabilities: Select a system with both offline and mobile checkout capabilities to ensure smooth operations during busy times of the year or in places with spotty internet service.
- User-Friendly Interface: The POS system should be simple to use and intuitive so that seasonal employees can be trained quickly and daily operations run smoothly.
By choosing a point-of-sale system that has these features, you can increase customer satisfaction, optimize operations, and foster the expansion of your garden center.
How can garden centers manage customer loyalty?
POS systems that integrate loyalty and rewards programs can be utilized by garden centers to effectively manage client loyalty. These systems enable you to send customized promotions or seasonal offers, track customer purchases, and reward repeat business with points or discounts. Additionally, integrating customer data with marketing tools promotes long-term retention and strengthens relationships.
How We Chose the Best Garden Center POS Systems
We compiled a list of 18 POS systems used in the retail and garden supply industries and identified six that stood out for their strong features, reputation, and ease of use. From there, we selected Epicor Propello, KORONA POS, Lightspeed, Square POS, POS Nation, and Rapid Garden POS as the top systems for garden centers and nurseries.
We collect and verify information from multiple sources, including:
- Customer reviews and testimonials
- Vendor and parent company websites
- Product demos and feature documentation
We scored each garden center POS system on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) across the following key areas, each worth 25% of the total score:
- Variety of features: We evaluated systems based on their ability to support garden-specific needs like barcode scanning, inventory management, loyalty programs, employee management, and integrated credit card processing. POS systems offering advanced retail and horticultural features scored highest.
- Pricing and transparency: We compared the cost of entry, plan flexibility, and clarity of pricing information. Vendors with published pricing and affordable, scalable plans earned higher marks for accessibility.
- Onboarding and support: We reviewed the onboarding process, training resources, and available support channels such as live chat, email, and phone. POS systems with straightforward setup and responsive support scored better.
- Brand reputation: We considered user satisfaction ratings and consistency of positive reviews from verified customers. Vendors with strong reputations for reliability, uptime, and customer satisfaction ranked highest.