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Thrift store management is a unique challenge.
You manage one-of-a-kind donations, coordinate volunteers, track donor relationships, and often support a mission beyond sales. Many need specialized nonprofit reporting for boards and grants, plus features like color-tag discounts and roundup donations.
Generic retail point of sale (POS) systems weren't built for this workflow. They can't handle donation tracking, struggle with unique inventory, and miss revenue opportunities like automatic roundup donations that can boost mission funding.
That's why we've researched the top thrift store POS systems designed specifically for operations like yours. In this guide, you'll discover some leading providers, must-have features for thrift stores, and practical advice for choosing the right system.
Let’s get started.
Why You Need a Thrift Store Point of Sale System
Before we dive into our list of top providers, let’s lay our foundation: Why is a point of sale system so crucial for thrift stores? And more importantly, why won’t just any point of sale system do the trick?
Running a thrift store is fundamentally different from operating a traditional retail business. While regular retailers order predictable inventory from suppliers and sell identical items repeatedly, thrift stores manage a constantly changing mix of donations. This unique business model creates challenges that generic POS systems simply weren't designed to handle.
When you’re comparing point of sale systems, you want to consider these unique needs. Here are some of the features you should look for when choosing your solution:
- Donation intake tracking: This feature helps you record what's coming in and from whom, creating a searchable history of charitable donations.
- Quick barcode generation: Selling one-of-a-kind items means you need custom barcodes. This feature allows volunteers to price and tag donations quickly.
- Condition tracking: You categorize items based on quality to price items more easily.
- Color-based markdown systems: Automatically apply discounts based on how long items have been in your store.
- Buy one, get on (BOGO) & mix and match: These promotions drive higher sales volume while helping clear specific departments.
- Roundup donations: Offering this option at checkout can generate significant additional funding — many stores report that 60% of customers round up their purchase when asked!
- Volunteer hour tracking: Tracking features help you measure and report on community engagement for grant applications.
- Advanced reporting: Nonprofit thrift stores need advanced reporting and thrift store data analytics for grant applications and reporting requirements.
Your store may need additional features and functionality to get the most from your POS system, but this baseline list is a great starting point for most thrift stores. With this information in mind, let’s take a look at our list of top POS solutions for thrift stores. 
1. ThriftCart
Best for: Thrift stores, nonprofit thrift stores, religious-backed thrift stores, and enterprise organizations
Key features:
- Roundup donations at checkout
- Color-based discounting system
- Donation pickup scheduling
- Self-service kiosks for donors
- Online receipts and thank-you messages
- Digital tax receipts
- E-commerce integration
- Time-based markdowns
- Barcode printing
Price: Get a custom quote using our transparent pricing tool.
Related Read: How To Start an Online Thrift Store
Why it stands out: ThriftCart was designed for thrift stores by thrift store owners and managers. Our roundup donation feature is critical for our customers — one store raised $200,000 in a year just from this feature alone. ThriftCart’s color-based discounting is another helpful feature that keeps merchandise fresh and helps you draw bargain hunters into your shop.
Unlike most of the other systems on this list, ThriftCart was designed specifically for the unique workflow of thrift operations and was not adapted from standard retail software.
2. Square POS
Best for: Small businesses seeking a simple, easy-to-implement solution
Key features:
- Inventory tracking and sales tracking
- Online payment processing
- Digital receipts
- Barcode scanner
- Discounts and credit card processing
- Gift cards and refunds
- Offline feature with local data storage
- Available for Android and iOS
Price: Their Plus package starts at $29 per month, plus processing fees
Why it stands out: Square POS offers a user-friendly interface that's easy to learn and implement. While not specifically designed for thrift stores, it provides solid general retail features with strong inventory management capabilities that may be enough for small thrift operations. The offline functionality ensures you can continue processing sales even without internet connectivity, which is particularly valuable for pop-up events or locations with unreliable internet.
3. RetailEdge
Best for: Generic retail businesses with e-commerce needs
Key features:
- Multilocation support
- Credit card processing
- Website integration
- Mobile POS
- Gift card management
- EMV and Apple Pay support
- E-commerce platform integration
- 250-character descriptions for unique inventory
- QuickBooks Desktop integration
Price: Their packages start at $495.
Why it stands out: RetailEdge offers a one-time payment model rather than a monthly subscription, which may appeal to stores looking to minimize recurring costs. The system is designed for generic retail, but features like their 250-character descriptions may help to accommodate the unique nature of thrift inventory.
Related Read: Navigating Seasonal Inventory Shifts: 7 Tips for Thrift Stores
4. KORONA POS
Best for: Retailers, ticketing and event operators, quick-service restaurants, and cafes
Key features:
- Detailed reporting and inventory analysis
- Product performance tracking
- Loyalty programs and promotions
- Employee management
- Multistore management
- Online retail and ticketing
- Credit card processing options
- 24/7 customer support
Price: KORONA POS starts at $59.00 per month.
Why it stands out: KORONA POS offers advanced inventory management features with ABC inventory analytics that thrift stores can use to prioritize their most profitable items. KORONA also offers thrift-specific features like donation tracking by category and e-commerce integration.
5. Cumulus Retail
Best for: Small to mid-sized retailers across categories
Key features:
- "Always on" functionality with offline capabilities
- E-commerce integration
- Advanced product management tools
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Real-time sales data tracking
- Vendor catalog imports
- Tag printing
- Three-dimensional matrices
Price: Cumulus Retail starts at $125 per month.
Why it stands out: Cumulus Retail offers a hybrid cloud solution that continues to function even when internet connectivity is lost, which may benefit thrift stores operating in poor internet areas. The system's advanced product management features, including vendor catalog imports and three-dimensional matrices, help manage complex inventory. Though they aren’t designed for thrift stores, these features can be customized to work for stores across many categories.
6. MicroBiz Cloud
Best for: Independent retailers needing a lot of automation
Key features:
- Real-time inventory management
- Auto purchasing and order/delivery management
- CRM
- Desktop, tablet, or Mac compatibility
- QuickBooks integration
- WooCommerce integration
- Service department management
- Special orders and phone orders
Price: MicroBiz’s solutions start at $60.00 per month.
Why it stands out: MicroBiz Cloud is a general point of sale solution with a strong feature set that might appeal to thrift stores. Their integration with QuickBooks Online simplifies financial management, while WooCommerce integration helps make e-commerce easier. The system's service department management capabilities can also benefit thrift stores that offer repair or alteration services.
Related Read: How To Create Your Thrift Store Pricing Strategy: 8 Steps
7. Lightspeed Retail
Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses looking to scale
Key features:
- Inventory, supplier, and team management
- Advanced reporting
- Personalized workflows
- Payment capabilities
- Multilocation management
- Real-time insights
- Customizable reports
- 24/7 support from retail specialists
Price: Lightspeed’s most popular package starts at $89.00 per month.
Why it stands out: Lightspeed Retail offers sophisticated inventory management capabilities designed to keep inventory organized across multiple locations. This feature might be appealing if you operate multiple thrift store locations. While not explicitly designed for thrift stores, Lightspeed's open API allows for customization to meet specific needs.
8. Loyverse POS
Best for: Cafes, retail stores, beauty salons, and small businesses
Key features:
- Free POS and inventory management
- Sales analytics visualization
- Customer loyalty programs
- Multistore management
- Cloud-based analytics
Price: Loyverse is a free software.
Why it stands out: Loyverse POS stands out primarily for its price point — it's completely free for basic use, though its more advanced features are paid add-ons. The “free” nature of the product makes it an attractive option for thrift stores just getting started or operating on tight budgets. The system offers solid inventory management and loyalty program features that can help a new thrift store get up and running until it can afford a more targeted platform.
Related Read: Zero-Budget Marketing: 8 Tips & Free Tools To Market Your Thrift Store
9. SimpleConsign
Best for: Thrift and resale stores wanting remote access capabilities
Key features:
- Bulk inventory management
- Multistore location support
- Staff access controls with permission levels
- Tax-exempt sales reporting
- Performance analysis
- Shopify integration
- Virtual terminal for online/phone sales
Price: SimpleConsign’s basic package starts at $159 per month.
Why it stands out: While primarily designed for consignment stores, SimpleConsign offers features that work well for thrift operations, particularly those with a buy-outright model. The system's cloud-based nature provides flexibility to manage operations from anywhere, and its staff access controls offer security features that might appeal to volunteer-heavy organizations.
10. Shopify POS
Best for: Businesses with both online and physical store presence
Key features:
- Online and offline sales unification
- Purchase order generation
- Stock transfers based on inventory forecasts
- Unified analytics
- Email cart reminders
- Mobile app and card readers
- Smart grid checkout adaptation
Price: Their packages start at $50 per month.
Why it stands out: Coming from the e-commerce giant, Shopify, Shopify POS is a great option for thrift stores and other retailers looking to connect their offline and online sales. If your thrift store is looking to expand its e-commerce presence, Shopify might be an option worth considering. Their mobile app and card readers also allow for flexible selling arrangements, whether at your main location or pop-up events.
11. NRS POS
Best for: Retail store owners wanting comprehensive bundle solutions
Key features:
- Heavy-duty hardware included
- State-of-the-art software
- Boss Revolution® and BR Club™ integrations
- High-definition customer-facing screen
- Inventory tracking capabilities
- Automatic updates with new features
Price: There’s a $699 one-time payment.
Why it stands out: NRS POS offers a complete hardware and software bundle with a one-time payment option. They don’t offer color-tag discounting, but their high-definition customer-facing screen allows for the promotion of specials and discounts at checkout. NRS is also not designed specifically for thrift stores, but they offer loyalty program integration that can help drive repeat business.
12. AntiqueSoft
Best for: Antique malls and similar businesses
Key features:
- Space rental capabilities
- POS functionality
- Microsoft SQL Server technology
- Multiple module integration
- Third-party application interfaces
- Consignor management
- QuickBooks interface
- Web-based inventory management
Price: AntiqueSoft’s pricing is available only through conversation with their sales team.
Related Read: Consignment Shops vs. Thrift Stores: Which Is the Better Business?
Why it stands out: AntiqueSoft combines space rental management with point of sale capabilities, making it suitable for thrift operations that include vendor spaces. The system offers unlimited users, dealers, and consignors, with web-based inventory management that lets vendors update their stock remotely. While primarily focused on antique malls, many of its targeted features might translate well to thrift store environments.
Finding the Best Thrift Store Point of Sale System for Your Store
All the tools we've covered in this post offer features and benefits for thrift stores, but choosing the right one depends on your specific needs:
- For small, independent thrift shops with minimal staff, a simplified system like Square or Loyverse might provide sufficient functionality without overwhelming complexity.
- Stores with significant e-commerce operations might favor Shopify POS or Lightspeed for their stronger online integration.
- Multilocation operations often benefit from KORONA POS or RetailEdge's enterprise features.
- Antique mall/vendor hybrid models should consider AntiqueSoft's unique vendor management capabilities.
However, if you run a dedicated thrift store and want an advanced point of sale system with all the features you need (and none of the confusing bells and whistles you don't), ThriftCart POS is the solution for you.
With features like roundup donations that can literally pay for the system itself, color-based discounting that keeps inventory fresh, and donation scheduling that optimizes your intake process, ThriftCart addresses the unique challenges thrift stores face daily.
The best way to determine if ThriftCart is right for your operation is to see it in action. Schedule a demo today.
