Thrift stores are engines of positive change in communities.
By reducing waste, creating local jobs, and funding programs that give back, they turn unwanted items into vital resources for those in need. With over 28,722 stores nationwide, thrift stores make a huge impact every day.
But running a successful thrift store takes more than just the generosity of donors and the dedication of volunteers. It requires the right tools, including a point of sale (POS) system to manage donations, organize inventory, and process sales.
Choosing the perfect thrift store software can feel overwhelming. To help, we’ve highlighted three popular thrift store POS systems, complete with their features and customer reviews, so that you can find the best fit for your shop.
1. ThriftCart
ThriftCart is an all-in-one POS for thrift stores. Founded in 2012, this thrift store software supports owners, employees, and volunteers by simplifying tasks like collecting donations, processing customer sales, and managing inventory. Tailored for nonprofit thrift stores, it automates routine operations so stores can focus on their mission.
Features
ThriftCart offers a range of features to simplify thrift store management. Here’s an in-depth look at what this top-rated platform has to offer.
- Donation pick-up scheduling: ThriftCart allows donors to schedule drop-off and pick-up, automatically adding their location to the driver’s route for a convenient donation experience.
- Inventory organization: The software automatically tags, barcodes, and categorizes donated items, making it easy for staff to price, track, and organize products on the sales floor.
- Integrated payments: ThriftCart lets customers make payments with credit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay, completing transactions in seconds with a simple tap or swipe.
- Tax receipt generation: Once a donation is recorded, ThriftCart emails the donor a tax-deductible receipt, simplifying tax reporting for both the donor and the store.
- Custom pricing: ThriftCart makes it easy to apply discounts or adjust prices for events like weekend promotions or seasonal sales with just a few clicks.
Pros and Cons
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Pros |
Cons |
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Easy to learn for new staff and volunteers, helping them feel confident and supported. |
Requires a stable internet connection for full functionality. |
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Offers specialized inventory management features, like barcode scanning and colored price tags, to help staff organize and price inventory. |
Standard pricing may be high for smaller thrift stores, but shops can get a customized quote based on their size and needs. |
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Supports multiple locations, keeping everything synced across sites. |
It has comprehensive reporting capabilities; however, it lacks a built-in print feature. To analyze sales data, you may need to screenshot or view it in real time. |
Customer Reviews
“ThriftCart yields us very specific data that we can use to improve our shopper experience. The daily reports paint a clear picture of what track we need to be on to meet budgetary requirements. The user-friendly mainframe makes POS training easy so management can spend their time more effectively elsewhere.”
- Matt, Habitat for Humanity, Henderson, Kentucky
“I have thoroughly enjoyed using ThriftCart and working with their team! Whenever I’ve had a question, Mike and Corbin get back to me swiftly … If I had to select a “favorite” feature, it would undoubtedly be Route Optimization! It’s so efficient and helps make the pickups a bit easier for my guys. As long as we’re operational, ThriftCart will be our go-to.”
- Shaundra, ATL Community Thrift, Georgia
2. Celerant
Do you need a POS system you can access from anywhere? Celerant Retail Commerce Software has developed a cloud-based thrift store software program that syncs with wireless hardware. It is ideal for larger consignment, buy/trade, and secondhand retail stores operating online and in-store.
Features
Celerant’s POS system offers multiple capabilities to help thrift and consignment stores manage day-to-day tasks. Top features of this thrift store software include:
- Product tracking: Celerant makes it simple to add items into the system, recording details like condition, category, or fabric type, so inventory stays organized and easy to find.
- Consignment management: The system handles everything from tracking sales to calculating consignor payouts, helping your staff manage the consignment process.
- Flexible pricing tools: With Celebrant, you can intake products without pricing them right away, allowing staff to sort and value items later based on condition or demand.
- Buy/trade transactions: Celebrant lets you make buy/trade deals with built-in negotiation tools, offer trade cards instead of cash, and track payouts for better revenue management.
- Online store integration: Sync in-store inventory with an online storefront with Celebrant so your store can easily list and sell items on platforms like eBay or Amazon.
Pros and Cons
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Pros |
Cons |
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Combining features like rentals, repairs, buy-trade, and consignment into one system makes it easier to handle different services in one place. |
Smaller shops or those that don’t need extra functions like consignment features may find the system difficult to navigate. |
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The platform grows with your business, offering small and larger organizations pricing options. |
Some users report slowdowns with the software’s inventory and payment processing, impacting daily operations. |
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Makes it simple to manage customer details, reservations, waivers, and payments, improving in-store and online experiences. |
Made to support retailers in various industries, but may lack thrift store-specific tools like donor tracking or donation scheduling. |
Customer Reviews
“Celerant (specifically Quinn) has been amazing during our transition to their system. Unlike other POS systems, their customer service and support is spectacular.”
- Island Tactical LLC
“I am absolutely overjoyed that I came across Celerant Technology. They are the solution that I have been looking for. For the last four years I have used various Point of Sale systems and none of them have been as comprehensive and versatile as Cumulus POS.”
- Celestial Water Anguilla
3. AccuPOS
Consider AccuPOS for a simple thrift store software system that is easy for staff and volunteers to learn. Its user-friendly dashboard makes it easy to manage sales, track inventory, and receive data reports on your retail store’s performance. This makes it perfect for managing donated items and unique inventory.
Features
Running a thrift store comes with its challenges, from managing unique inventory to keeping checkout lines moving during busy donation days. AccuPOS simplifies daily operations, regardless of your store’s size. Here are some of its most popular features:
- Speed up sales: Keep lines moving even on your busiest days. The straightforward interface helps staff process sales quickly, so customers spend less time waiting and more time shopping.
- Reduce the risk of mistakes: The system’s intuitive design allows new employees to learn quickly, reducing training sessions and checkout errors. Less time spent training means more time serving customers.
- Personalize receipts: Thrift stores can email receipts featuring their logo and contact information, projecting a more professional image while reducing paper usage.
- Sync with QuickBooks or Sage: Connect with accounting software to automatically upload sales data. Get real-time financial reports that help you make smart decisions for your store.
- Scales with growth: Whether you operate a single store or plan on a growing chain, AccuPOS adapts quickly to changing inventory volumes. You can also sync multiple locations for faster, simpler expansion.
Pros and Cons
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Pros |
Cons |
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AccuPOS supports a wide range of hardware options, including Windows PCs and Android devices |
Customer service technicians are only available by phone, not online, and the customer support helpline is closed on weekends. |
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This POS solution is EMV compliant, offering advanced security measures to protect customer data and reduce the risk of fraud. |
Customers have reported glitches with the platform that cause it to freeze after updates and load slowly at the beginning of the day. |
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You get detailed reports and analytics, offering insights into sales performance, inventory levels, and customer behavior. |
There is no quick import function for new products; you must manually delete old products. |
Customer Reviews
“Always helpful! Excellent customer service and quick to fix something we messed up!”
- Liberty, Hardwood Products, Texas
“AccuPOS is an incredibly powerful tool for accounting, especially when synced with Sage or QuickBooks. Having all the financial data synced and ready to go is a huge time saver for myself and my clients come tax time.”
- Ron Ward, Bay Area San Francisco, CA
Support Your Nonprofit’s Mission With ThriftCart
To fulfill your mission of supporting the community, you need specialized thrift store software to empower your team. ThriftCart offers a superior solution for encouraging donations, managing inventory, and creating an enjoyable shopping experience for your customers.
The system can help improve your organization’s bottom line and donor relations so you can continue serving those in need. Schedule a demo today and see how ThriftCart can help you make an even bigger impact in your community.
