Comprehensive guidance for selecting a point-of-sale platform that aligns with your budget, size, and mission — backed by industry insights and best practices.
Why Your POS Choice Matters
A point‑of‑sale (POS) system has become the central hub where sales, inventory, guest data, and event functions converge. The right platform not only processes transactions efficiently but can also drive revenue, enhance the guest experience, support memberships, and inform strategic decisions.
1. Understand Your Institution’s Unique Needs
Small Gift Shops or Kiosks
✅Low cost, tablet/mobile POS, basic inventory
Mid-Sized Venues
✅Inventory forecasting, loyalty programs, CRM
Large institutions & Multi-Location
✅Enterprise integration (ticketing, membership, concessions), multi-location sync
The larger and more complex your operations, the more robust — and the more expensive — your POS solution will need to be
Inventory Management
Real-time inventory tracking with low-stock alerts and reorder tools is essential. Systems like KORONA POS offer cloud-based inventory and auto‑PO suggestions
Multi-Channel & Mobility
Look for solutions that allow transactions at the admissions desk, gift shop, café, mobile kiosks, or even outdoor events
Membership & CRM Integration
Especially useful for engaging donors and members. Systems like Veevart and Altru (Blackbaud) provide built-in CRM tools
Ticketing & Admissions
Platforms such as KORONA, Tessitura, and Accesso streamline ticketing and POS into one unified experience
Reporting & Analytics
Advanced dashboards provide data on guest behavior, peak periods, margin analysis, and inventory—supporting smarter decisions.
Offline Capability
Helps during events or low-connectivity situations
Training & Support
Reliable onboarding and ongoing support are key — KORONA offers 24/7 US‑based support, which users rate highly.
Pricing Model
Upfront vs. recurring costs — and transaction fees
3. Top POS Systems by Venue Size
🟩 Small-Scale, Budget-Friendly
Square – Free to start, intuitive mobile UI, basic inventory, suggested for micro-operations.
Clover – Hardware-rich, includes payroll tools and loyalty options.
Shopify POS – Offers nonprofit pricing, strong for blended in-store and online retail.
🟨 Mid‑Tier, Retail-Focused
KORONA POS – Cloud-based, ticketing + gift shop + café support, inventory automation, flat monthly pricing (starting ~$59/mo).
GiftLogic – Ideal for small cultural retail with reorder alerts and customer management features.
Lightspeed Retail – Great for advanced reporting, loyalty, multi-store locations.
🟥 Enterprise, All-in-One Systems
Tessitura – Powerful for nonprofits, integrates ticketing, eCommerce, CRM, but may require IT support.
Veevart – Salesforce-based, includes donor and collections management, best for membership-heavy institutions.
Accesso / Blackbaud Altru / KMIT / Doubleknot / Gateway Galaxy / ACME – Feature-rich POS with ticketing, timed entry, concessions, group sales, and eCommerce integration.
4. Budget & Total Cost of Ownership
Cost Types & Considerations
Subscription fees—Flat rate or per-ticket models vary widely ($0 to $500+/mo)
Hardware—Tablets, scanners, receipt printers, kiosks
Implementation & Training—Author setup time and potential IT costs
Support & Logistics—24/7 services may cost more, but saves in downtime
Account for all costs, even for "affordable" systems — extras can add up fast.
5. Avoid Common Pitfalls
⛔ Overbuying features you may never use
⛔ Neglecting inventory — leads to surplus/stockouts
⛔ Skipping staff training & tech support
⛔ Ignoring the ability to scale as your institution grows
Final Takeaway: Align with Your Mission & Scale
✅ Start small, plan for growth — begin with scalable, modular systems
✅ Prioritize the features you need now, but keep your future in view
✅ Test before committing — most platforms offer demos or trials
✅ Choose a partner, not just software — strong vendor support adds long-term value
Ready to Get Started?
We can help you evaluate platforms, plan migrations, and train your team to make the most of your investment.