A Point-of-Sale (POS) system integrated with Xero can revolutionize your business operations. By syncing sales data, inventory levels, and customer information between your POS and your Xero accounting software, you can save time, reduce errors, and gain valuable insights into your business.
That’s why I’ve thoroughly researched and tested POS systems to find the top contenders for Xero integration. By analyzing features, user reviews, and real-world performance, I’ve curated a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision. So, if you’re searching for the best POS system for Xero, this article will provide the necessary insights and 10 top picks.
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Techopedia’s Top POS System for Xero
Square Square — Best Overall POS System for Xero Integration Square — Best Overall POS System for Xero Integration
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Best POS Systems for Xero Tested by Our Experts
- Square — Best Overall POS System for Xero Integration
- Lightspeed — Best POS for Retail Businesses with Xero Integration
- Lavu — Best POS for iOS Users with Xero Integration
- TouchBistro — Best POS for Restaurants and Bars with Xero Integration
- CakePOS — Best Beginner-Friendly POS with Xero Integration
- Toast — Best Xero Pos for Online Ordering and Delivery
- Shopify POS — Best POS for Retail Businesses with Xero Integration
- SpotOn — Best Cloud-Based POS for Xero Integration
- Clover — Best POS for Advanced Xero Integration and Reporting
- Zettle — Best Budget-Friendly POS with Xero Integration
Best POS Systems for Xero Integration 2024 Compared
Together with the in-house research team, we’ve thoroughly tested and compared the top POS systems to bring you the best options for seamless Xero integration in 2024. Check out how the best picks stand against each other.
Software | Square | Lightspeed | Lavu | TouchBistro | CakePOS | Toast | Shopify | SpotOn | Clover | Zettle |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best For | Budget and Features | Retail Businesses | iOS Users | Restaurants and Bars | Beginners | Online Ordering and Deliveries | Omnichannel Retailers | Cloud Users | Advanced Reporting | Affordability |
Integration | Sales, Inventory, Customers | Sales, Inventory, Finance | Sales, Inventory, Finance | Sales, Inventory, Finance | Sales, Inventory, Customers | Sales, Inventory, Online Ordering | Sales, Inventory, Customers | Sales, Inventory, Customers | Sales, Inventory, Finance | Sales, Inventory, Finance |
Transaction Fees | 2.6% + 10 cents | 2.6% + 10 cents | 2.6% + 10 cents | Custom | 2.5% + 15 cents | Custom | 2.4% | 1.99% + 25 cents | 2.3% + 10 cents | 2.29% + 9 cents |
Starting Price | $0/month | $89/month | $99/month | $69/month | $69/month | $69/month | $5/month | $25/month | $14.95/month | $0/month |
Free Trial | Free plan | 14-day free trial | Free demo | Free demo | Free demo | Free plan | 3-day free trial | Free demo | No | Free to use |
How Do POS Systems that Integrate with Xero Work?
A POS system linked to Xero can make your business run smoother. It does this by automatically sending sales information, inventory levels, and customer details between the two systems. Here are some more details:
- Real-Time Data Sync – Sales, inventory, and customer information is automatically transferred between the two systems.
- Automated Tasks – Invoices are generated, and inventory is updated in real-time.
- Improved Financial Insights – Get deeper insights into your business with pinpointed and up-to-date data.
By linking your POS system to Xero, you make your business life a lot easier. It’s like having a robot do all the paperwork for you – no more double-entry or human error. Plus, you get a clear picture of your business’s health, so you can make better decisions.
Key Features for POS Software
In my experience, I find that the best Xero POS integrations offer a range of features to automate your business operations. These features include:
- Inventory Management – Keep tabs on your stock levels, set up low-stock alerts, and automate reordering. This integration with Xero guarantees your accounting records are always accurate.
- Customer Management – Build customer profiles, track their purchase history, and implement loyalty programs. This data can be synced with Xero to provide valuable customer insights.
- Sales Reporting – Generate detailed reports on sales performance, popular products, and customer trends. These insights, when integrated with Xero, can help you make well-informed business decisions.
- Payment Processing – One of the most important features is related to payments. This feature will let you accept various payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments. This integration with Xero makes sure that all transactions are recorded accurately and timely.
Best POS Systems for Xero Reviewed
I base my testing on key factors, including usability, value for money, and security. When I test POS systems for Xero, I also evaluate the integration process itself, what benefits each POS brings, and syncing accuracy.
Here’s a deeper dive into the top-rated POS systems that integrate with Xero.
1. Square — Best Overall POS System for Xero Integration
Transaction Fees | Starting from 2.6% + 10 cents |
---|---|
Starting Price | $0/month |
Free Trial | Free plan |
Why I Picked Square
Square is the best POS system for Xero on my list. And that’s not for nothing. Square is known to have revolutionized payment processing by introducing a pocket-sized credit card system that every business can incorporate.
It’s no secret that Square is also known as one of the best mobile payment systems, and that’s why it’s so convenient for both customers and businesses selling products or services.
What I especially like is that apps that integrate Square with Xero automatically apply the correct tax rates to your transactions based on regions and regulations, so staying compliant is effortless. So, by combining Square’s smart features with Xero’s powerful accounting capabilities, you can automate your business operations and save money and time.
Pros
- Generous free plan and budget-friendly priced plans
- Simple Square and Xero syncing
- Intuitive mobile app
- Checkout customizations
- Multi-location support
Cons
- Processing fees are on the higher side
2. Lightspeed — Best for Retail Businesses
Transaction Fees | Starting from 2.6% + 10 cents |
---|---|
Starting Price | $89/month |
Free Trial | 14-day free trial |
Why I Picked Lightspeed
Lightspeed is the best retail POS system since it really focuses on inventory management features, which is what every retail business owner needs. When you integrate it with Xero, it becomes a powerful tool for managing inventory, sales, and finances.
You can automate data entry by syncing daily reconciliation, invoices, and customer and supplier details between Xero and Lightspeed POS.
In my testing, I found it especially easy to track stock levels, set up low-stock alerts, and automate reordering processes. This also guarantees that you always have the right products on hand.
Pros
- Strong integration with Xero
- 14-day free trial
- Advanced reporting
- Comprehensive inventory tools
Cons
- Higher transaction fees than most competitors
3. Lavu — Best for iOS Users
Transaction Fees | Starting from 2.6% + 10 cents |
---|---|
Starting Price | $99/month |
Free Trial | Free demo |
Why I Picked Lavu
Lavu is one of the best restaurant POS systems and a popular choice for restaurant and bar owners, particularly those who prefer iOS devices. Its intuitive interface and seamless integration with Xero make it an excellent tool for managing your business.
One of Lavu’s key strengths I found is its ability to handle complex restaurant operations. It offers features like table management, order taking, and kitchen display systems, all of which can be integrated with Xero for pristine financial reporting.
Additionally, Lavu’s mobile app allows you to manage your business on the go, making it a flexible and convenient solution for busy restaurant owners who prefer seeing all the data on hand.
Pros
- Excellent Xero integration
- Many restaurant-focused integrations
- Strong mobile apps
- Scalable POS system
Cons
- High starting price
- No free plan (demo only)
4. TouchBistro — Best for Restaurants and Bars
Transaction Fees | Custom |
---|---|
Starting Price | $69/month |
Free Trial | Free demo |
Why I Picked TouchBistro
TouchBistro is a powerful POS system. Its integration with Xero makes it a valuable tool for managing finances and operations. Besides that, TouchBistro is a state-of-the-art POS option for busy bars and restaurants.
What I especially like is that TouchBistro integrates with Xero via MarginEdge, so that you can monitor your business performance, remove manual bookkeeping, save time, and reduce data entry errors.
Additionally, TouchBistro has advanced reporting capabilities, enabling you to analyze sales data, labor costs, and other key metrics to make informed business decisions. Plus, it can collect payments offline and has custom transaction fees, which, I noticed, not a lot of POS systems have.
Pros
- Powerful inventory management
- Xero integration via Margin Edge
- Custom transaction fees
- Offline payments available
Cons
- No free trial or plan
- Compatible only with iPads
5. CakePOS — Best for Beginners
Transaction Fees | Starting from 2.5% + 15 cents |
---|---|
Starting Price | $69/month |
Free Trial | Free demo |
Why I Picked CakePOS
CakePOS is a great choice for businesses just starting out. I like its user-friendly interface and straightforward setup, which is perfect for beginners, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more advanced POS systems like Lightspeed, CakePOS offers must-have features like inventory management, customer management, and sales reporting. Its integration with Xero ensures that your financial records are always up-to-date.
Speaking of, CakePOS’ automated Xero integration helps you manage invoicing, bank reconciliation, bookkeeping and provides more comprehensive features.
While CakePOS has an overall higher rating than Square, I’ve positioned it lower on this list because it doesn’t natively integrate with Xero (meaning you have to use a third-party app), and it doesn’t offer a free trial or a free plan like Square does.
Pros
- Xero integration via Shogo
- Ideal for beginners
- Real-time reporting
- Affordable and transparent plans
Cons
- No free trial or plan (demo only)
- Not as scalable as other POS systems
6. Toast — Best for Online Orders and Deliveries
Transaction Fees | Custom |
---|---|
Starting Price | $69/month |
Free Trial | Free plan |
Why I Picked Toast
Toast is a great POS system for restaurants, especially those that rely on online orders and deliveries. It can handle everything from taking orders to managing your inventory.
Of course, it also works smoothly with Xero, so you can keep track of your finances easily and accurately and sync everything in one place.
While Toast is a bit more expensive than Square and Shopify, it’s on par with TouchBistro and CakePOS. The system takes some time to learn, but its powerful features make it definitely worth it for many restaurants.
Plus, if you want to test Toast with Xero, you can set up a free Toast plan and a free Xero trial and connect your data together.
Pros
- Xero integration via Shogo
- Free plan available
- Offline mode available
Cons
- Lack of transaction fee transparency
- Suitable for the food industry only
7. ShopifyPOS — Best for Omnichannel Retailers
Transaction Fees | Starting from 2.5% |
---|---|
Starting Price | $5/month |
Free Trial | 3-day free trial |
Why I Picked ShopifyPOS
Xero’s Shopify integration is a great choice for omnichannel retailers as it automatically syncs your daily Shopify sales transactions with Xero. You’ll get a daily summary of Shopify sales orders for each payment gateway, making reconciliation a breeze.
After testing Shopify POS with Xero extensively, I found it made managing my sales and finances much easier. The integration automatically syncs all in-store and online transactions, so I didn’t have to worry about manually entering data. It was great to see real-time updates for my sales, whether they came from the shop or online, giving me a clear view of my cash flow.
Overall, I think that using Shopify POS with Xero lets you focus more on running the business and less on the hassle of accounting tasks.
Pros
- Highly scalable POS tool
- Daily summary with Xero
- 3-day free trial
Cons
- Advanced features are expensive
- Occasional syncing delays between Shopify and Xero
- Learning curve for new users
8. SpotOn — Best for Cloud Users
Transaction Fees | Starting from 1.99% + 25 cents |
---|---|
Starting Price | $25/month |
Free Trial | Free demo |
Why I Picked SpotOn
If you prefer using cloud-based tools, SpotOn is a great option with Xero. SpotOn works really well with Xero, making it super easy to manage your business finances.
When I tested it, I noticed how smoothly everything synced — sales, payments, and customer information all went directly into Xero without any manual input, which saves time and avoids mistakes.
What I liked most was how simple it made tracking payments. SpotOn breaks down sales by payment type, so it’s easy to match them up in Xero for fast reconciliation. Plus, it keeps everything updated in real-time, so you always know exactly how your cash flow looks.
SpotOn doesn’t offer a free plan or a trial like other providers. While it wasn’t the main deciding factor for me, it did push it down my list.
Pros
- Automatic data syncing with Xero
- Excellent integration capabilities
- Cloud-based flexibility
Cons
- No free plan
- Higher pricing for advanced features
- During testing, I experienced some syncing delays
9. Clover — Best for Advanced Reporting
Transaction Fees | Starting from 2.3% + 10 cents |
---|---|
Starting Price | $14.95/month |
Free Trial | No |
Why I Picked Clover
I found Clover to be one of the best POS systems for Xero integration because of its powerful advanced reporting features. Clover’s integration with Xero goes beyond simple transaction syncing — it offers detailed insights into sales, payments, and inventory that can help you make informed business decisions. When I tested it, I found that Clover automatically sends in-depth sales data to Xero and allows easier reconciliation and a better understanding of your cash flow.
What also really stood out to me was how Clover’s advanced reporting tools break down everything from daily sales trends to employee performance, and it integrates that data into Xero. This is great for businesses that need more than just basic accounting, as it helps track growth and spot opportunities to improve efficiency.
Overall, Clover’s advanced reporting features, combined with its smooth Xero integration, make it a great choice if you’re looking to get more insights from the financial data. Plus, its staring plan is one of the most affordable ones on this list.
Pros
- Transactions from Clover automatically sync with Xero
- Detailed insights into sales, inventory, and customer behavior
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- No free trial or plan
- Limited offline functionality
- I found it more complex to set up than competitors
10. Zettle — Best for Affordability
Transaction Fees | Starting from 2.29% + 9 cents |
---|---|
Starting Price | $0/month |
Free Trial | Free to use |
Why I Picked Zettle
During my testing, I found that Zettle provides a comprehensive range of features at a competitive price, making it a standout choice for small—to medium-sized businesses. It offers exceptional affordability without sacrificing quality.
The integration with Xero automatically syncs sales data and transactions, which significantly simplifies accounting tasks.
What impressed me most was how Zettle allows you to manage the finances effectively without breaking the bank. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to track sales, inventory, and customer information, all while keeping costs low (you will mainly face transaction fees). Additionally, the integration guarantees you have up-to-date financial data in Xero, helping you stay on top of cash flow and budgeting.
In a nutshell, Zettle’s affordability, together with its smooth integration with Xero, makes it a fantastic option for those wanting a reliable POS system without high upfront costs.
Pros
- Free to use
- Up-do-date financial data sync in Xero
- Basic inventory management
Cons
- Limited advanced features
- Possible syncing issues
- It requires a WiFi connection to work
How We Review And Test POS Products
To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular POS products on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:
- Scalability: We look at how many users can be added to a platform and how easy it is to do so to ensure companies can easily add more employees to their payroll as they scale their operations.
- Integrations: We evaluate each piece of software’s integrations to determine how well it fits in with other key pieces in a business’s software stack and whether its functionality can be expanded.
- Total Cost: We look at the features, integrations, customer service, and extras to determine if the price of the software matches the value it provides. We score a product higher if it offers customers a free trial.
- User Experience: We get hands-on with each product to put ourselves in the shoes of a new user, testing each platform to gain an understanding if the platform is easy to use or requires onboarding.
- Features: We examine the features offered by each POS software, how useful those features are, and how they compare to others on the market.
- Security: We delve into the security protocols of each company, assessing the measures in place to safeguard user data.
- Customer Reviews: We consider customer reviews from reputable third-party websites as a crucial aspect of our evaluation process.
How to Link Your POS to Xero
You know why you want to integrate your POS system with Xero. Now the question is, how? To help explain step-by-step, I've used Square as an example (as it natively integrates with Xero). However, the process is similar for all of my top choices.
Step 1: Access Your Square Dashboard
Log into your Square account and access your Dashboard. The Square Dashboard is your control center, where you can manage various tools and settings. Make sure that you’re logged in with the account you want to link with Xero to keep your data consistent.Step 2: Locate Integrations
Within the Dashboard, go to the “Apps” or “Integrations” section. This section lists compatible software, like Xero, which will allow your POS to link with Xero’s accounting tools for smoother data flow. This is your main starting point for setting up the connection.Step 3: Find Xero Integration
Use the search bar to look up “Xero” and select it from the list. This step takes you to the setup process specific to Xero, where you’ll start connecting both systems by following the on-screen prompts.Step 4: Authorize Xero Access
Sign into your Xero account and allow Square to access your data by granting permissions. This authorization allows Square to send data securely to Xero, enabling the systems to work together seamlessly.Step 5: Map Data Fields
Align key fields, such as product codes, customer names, and transaction details, to ensure information flows correctly. Field mapping is essential to ensure that data from Square matches corresponding fields in Xero, reducing manual data entry and errors.Step 6: Test and Activate Sync
Run a test transaction to verify that the integration is working as expected. This final check lets you confirm that sales, payments, and customer data are syncing accurately. Once confirmed, activate the integration to begin real-time data sync between Square and Xero.”
How to Choose POS Software for Xero
Choosing the right POS system can sometimes be tricky. Here are some tips to find one that works well with Xero:
Evaluate your budget and choose a plan that offers the features you need without breaking the bank. Look for value-for-money options that provide basic functionality.
A user-friendly interface can save you time and frustration. Opt for a POS system with intuitive navigation and minimal to no training requirements. It also should be easy to connect it to Xero.
Make sure your chosen POS system integrates smoothly with Xero. Consider mobile app compatibility for on-the-go operations.
Identify the essential features you need, such as inventory management, customer management, and sales reporting. Your chosen plan should offer these features.
As your business grows, your POS system (together with Xero) should be able to scale with you. Consider future needs and choose a system that can accommodate your expanding business.
Reliable customer support is crucial. Look for a provider with responsive support channels, such as phone, email, and live chat.
Conclusion
By integrating your POS system with Xero, you can ease your business operations, reduce errors, and gain insights. While the best POS system for you will depend on your business model, Square offers a great balance of affordability and features, making it a best-in-class choice for many small businesses. Lavu is a strong choice for restaurants and bars, while Lightspeed excels in retail environments.
When selecting a POS system, factors like budget, ease of use, essential features, scalability, and customer support can make a significant difference. Pairing the right POS system for Xero integration allows you to streamline operations, minimize errors, and access valuable financial insights tailored to your business needs.
FAQs
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References
- How Square Revolutionized Payment Processing (UAB Online Degrees)