RetailPOS

RetailPOS is a free, open-source point-of-sale system for shops that need checkout and online-store operations to stay in step. It is best suited to independent retailers and multi-register stores prepared to self-host or arrange deployment support. Offline checkout is its clearest advantage; version upkeep and regional PCI obligations deserve attention before rollout.

Overview

RetailPOS connects physical sales with e-commerce by synchronizing orders, inventory and customer data across supported platforms including Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento, Sylius, Wix, PrestaShop, Squarespace and Commercefull. That makes it a stronger fit for retailers managing both a shop floor and online sales than for businesses looking only for a standalone till.

When connectivity drops, the system continues operating with data stored in SQLite and queues orders for automatic synchronization after service returns. That resilience can protect checkout continuity, though stores should consider how a self-hosted system will be deployed and maintained.

Key features

Checkout and payments

Barcode scanning, receipt printing, cash drawers and terminal payments cover core retail checkout needs. Hardware can connect via USB, Bluetooth, camera or network, but support is third-party, so retailers should verify compatibility with their equipment. Card payment options include Stripe Terminal, Stripe NFC tap-to-pay, Square and Worldpay. RetailPOS says payment terminal SDKs handle card data and that it does not touch raw card data; retailers still need to review PCI requirements for their region before launch.

Inventory and store operations

Inventory synchronization includes product variants, low-stock alerts, manual adjustments and an audit trail. These tools can help staff keep online and in-store stock aligned and review changes. Reports provide daily, weekly and monthly sales summaries, payment breakdowns, cashier rankings and CSV export, giving managers several useful views of store activity.

Six login methods and role-based access for Admin, Manager and Cashier support differentiated staff access. In server-and-client mode, registers on a local network can synchronize orders, inventory and settings, making the system relevant to multi-register shops rather than just single-counter businesses.

Support and maintenance

Bug reports, feature requests and questions go through GitHub. N17 offers integration, deployment and custom development support for retailers who need help beyond that community channel. The security policy supports version 2.0.x for security updates and does not support versions below 2.0, so keeping deployments on the supported branch is important.

Pricing

RetailPOS has one Free and open source plan at free, with no monthly fees. It is self-hosted under Apache 2.0 and includes barcode scanning, e-commerce synchronization, third-party hardware support and staff management. There is no free trial because the software is free. The lack of a recurring license charge is attractive to cost-conscious shops, but self-hosting and any integration or deployment help remain operational considerations.

Platforms

RetailPOS supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, web and self-hosted deployments. This range can accommodate different retail setups, while hardware compatibility still depends on third-party support.

Who it's for

Independent retailers with an e-commerce store, multi-register shops, developers or agencies, and businesses that need checkout to continue offline are the clearest audience. Retailers seeking a managed system with a broader published version-support window should weigh the maintenance responsibility carefully.

Pros and cons

Pros: Free, open-source licensing avoids monthly software fees.

Pros: Offline operation and queued order synchronization help preserve checkout during network outages.

Pros: E-commerce synchronization and inventory controls connect online and in-store operations.

Cons: Self-hosting means deployment and upkeep are part of the retailer's responsibility.

Cons: Security updates cover version 2.0.x, not versions below 2.0, so older installations fall outside support.

Cons: Hardware support is third-party, and regional PCI requirements still need review.

Alternatives

Loyverse is worth considering for retailers who prefer a freemium POS across Android, iOS and web: its free POS plan has 31 days of sales history, while unlimited sales history costs $5 a month billed $5/month per store or $50/year.

uniCenta oPOS is another free-plan option across desktop and web platforms, with a BASE subscription at £72 a year billed per month charged yearly (£72).

Erply is a paid alternative with a Growth Plan at $1,000 a month for three stores, 100,000 queries per month, unlimited users and 2,000 AI actions per month.

Posnic POS offers a free community edition and publishes its desktop source under AGPL-3.0-only.

GoFrugal Retail is a paid option with a free trial and plans including Starter, Standard and Professional.

Oracle Retail Xstore Point-of-Service is a paid alternative for retailers who want to request a demo.

Cegid Retail is a paid option for retailers who prefer to request a demo.

NCR Voyix POS is a paid alternative for grocery, convenience and fuel, department and specialty retail.

Browse more options in Retail POS Software or Point-of-Sale Software.

Verdict

RetailPOS is a strong choice for independent and multi-register retailers who want free, self-hosted checkout tied to e-commerce and able to keep working offline. Choose another system if self-hosting, the narrow supported security-version range or third-party hardware support does not fit your operations.