For QuickBooks customers who want a point-of-sale system that integrates with their QuickBooks desktop accounting software, the company's POS desktop software is worth considering. Three plans are available, and it tracks inventory, generates reports and integrates with e-commerce platforms.
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What's included in QuickBooks' desktop software?
QuickBooks POS is designed for retailers and other businesses that accept payments. It integrates with QuickBooks desktop accounting software, supports online and in-store payments – including contactless payments – and comes with inventory management tools and several other features.
"The desktop POS integrates deeply with QuickBooks desktop accounting software," said Susan Irish, product marketing leader for QuickBooks Desktop POS. "The desktop solution is for customers who want to buy the product and pay one time."
For retailers who want a POS system that integrates with QuickBooks Online accounting software and prefer a cloud-based POS system, the company touts its partnership with ShopKeep, which provides the POS software, and QuickBooks Payments, which processes credit card payments for the system.
QuickBooks Desktop POS pricing and terms
With QuickBooks Desktop POS, you purchase the software upfront rather than paying a monthly subscription to access the system in the cloud. QuickBooks has different pricing plans for its desktop POS software depending on the size of your business and the number of users. The POS hardware is sold separately.
POS Basic
The entry-level package currently costs $720 (reduced from $1,200). It integrates with QuickBooks desktop accounting software, and you can perform the following tasks with it:
- Ring up sales
- Accept credit cards, including contactless payments
- Track inventory
- Generate basic reports
- Manage customer data
- Integrate with e-commerce solutions
POS Pro
The professional version of the desktop software currently costs $1,020 (reduced from $1,700). In addition to the features in the basic plan, you can use it to:
- Generate purchase orders
- Run a rewards and loyalty program
- Offer layaway and gift cards
- Manage employees and payroll
- Generate advanced reports
POS Multi-Store
Aimed at business owners who operate several stores, this package currently costs $1,140 (reduced from $1,900). It comes with all the features from the Pro plan as well as support for multiple store locations.
POS hardware pricing
QuickBooks sells compatible POS hardware on its website, offering users the ability to purchase a bundle or stand-alone devices. It may also support your existing POS hardware. Before you purchase this POS system, check out its list of partners and supported third-party hardware. Here's a look at some of the pricing for POS hardware through QuickBooks.
Hardware bundle
The hardware bundle costs $900, comes in white and black, and requires you to have a QuickBooks Point of Sale Payments account. It includes the following items:
- Cash drawer
- Receipt printer
- Wired barcode scanner
- PIN pad
mPOP
This cash drawer and receipt printer combo costs $449, is available in white and black, and works with QuickBooks Point of Sale version 19 and higher.
POS peripherals
These are some other POS accessories sold through QuickBooks:
- PIN pad: $389
- Cash draw: $109
- Receipt printer: $219
- Wired barcode scanner: $199
- Wireless barcode scanner: $409
- Universal table stand: $119
- Pole display: $209
- Tag printer: $329
POS processing fees
Merchants using the QuickBooks POS system must use QuickBooks Point of Sale Payments as their credit card processor. You have the option to pay as you go or pay monthly. The processing fees depend on the plan you choose and how the payment is accepted.
Pay-as-you-go plan
- No monthly fee
- Cards accepted in person using a card reader: 2.7%
- PIN debit transactions: 1%
- Cards manually keyed in to the system: 3.5%
Monthly plan
- Monthly fee: $20
- Cards accepted in person using a card reader: 2.3% + $0.25
- PIN debit transactions: 1% + $0.25
- Cards manually keyed in to the system: 3.2% + $0.25
QuickBooks POS features
From its accounting integration to inventory management and reporting, you get a lot of features and functionality with QuickBooks Desktop POS.
"It's a really integrated offering," said Maura O'Donnell, QuickBooks Online Global Payments' Platform Partnerships leader. "With one POS system you get QuickBooks Payments, you get a reader, automatic reconciliation with accounting, as well as reporting. It's a one-stop shop."
Inventory management
QuickBooks Desktop POS offers a lot of inventory management features to support small businesses. Whether you sell online or in a store, you can get an accurate snapshot of your inventory in real time from one dashboard – even if you have multiple stores. You can also identity your top sellers and peak sales periods, and ensure that your pricing supports the growth of your enterprise. It has low-inventory alerts to remind you when it's time to reorder products, and you can run inventory turnover statistics to see which items you should reorder and which ones you should cycle out.
Reporting
QuickBooks POS has reporting capabilities as well. You can run a sales report on the spot, check the productivity of specific employees, check inventory levels, and see who your best customers are. You can also customize reports to get the information that matters most to your business.
E-commerce support
E-commerce has become extremely important for many merchants during the COVID-19 pandemic, and POS systems that support the digital migration stand out. QuickBooks has partnered with ShopKeep to give its merchants the ability to set up an e-commerce shop, offer online ordering and offline delivery, and access SEO tools.
This desktop POS system also integrates with Amazon, Shopify, and other e-commerce platforms so you can manage your offline and online businesses from one place.
QuickBooks POS drawbacks
QuickBooks POS offers a lot of features and functionality, including integration with QuickBooks accounting software, but there are some drawbacks that business owners should consider. For starters, QuickBooks POS is a desktop product. There is no cloud option other than its services offered through ShopKeep. That can be limiting if you want to access your POS data when you're not in your store.
You'll make a large upfront purchase for the software and the hardware, which may be difficult for small businesses with tight budgets. You're also required to process payments through QuickBooks. Although convenient, it may not be the cheapest payment processing option available.
All in all, QuickBooks Desktop POS is a fine option for business owners who use QuickBooks accounting desktop software, but others may want to look for a more modern option. [In the market for a POS system? Check out our recommendations and reviews.]