Point of Sale Systems
Best POS Systems for Small Business
Compare the best POS solutions available through AGMS. Lower rates, better hardware, and real support.
Choosing the right POS system can make or break your small business. The wrong choice means overpaying on processing fees, getting locked into long contracts, and dealing with support that doesn’t know your name.
We’ve compared the most popular POS options — and broken down exactly where the big names overcharge. Then we’ll show you the AGMS alternatives that give you better hardware, lower rates, and real support.
AGMS POS Solutions
1. Clover POS — Best All-Around (Available Through AGMS)
Best for: Retail, restaurants, service businesses — Starting at: $14.95/month
Clover is one of the most versatile POS systems on the market — and unlike Square or Toast, it works with AGMS processing. That means you get Clover’s full hardware lineup and app ecosystem with AGMS’s competitive rates instead of inflated flat-rate fees.
Hardware: Clover Station (countertop), Clover Mini (compact), Clover Flex (handheld), Clover Go (mobile)
Why through AGMS:
- Custom processing rates — lower than Clover’s standard pricing
- No long-term contracts required
- Free setup, programming, and onboarding
- Dedicated U.S.-based account manager
- Full Clover app marketplace access
2. SwipeSimple — Best for Startups & Mobile ($10/month)
Best for: Startups, food trucks, market vendors, field service — Only $10/month
SwipeSimple is the smartest entry point for new businesses. For just $10/month, you get a full mobile payment solution — app, Bluetooth card reader, virtual terminal, invoicing, and reporting. Compare that to Square’s 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction with no volume discounts.
Hardware: B250 Bluetooth reader (contactless + chip + swipe) included with setup
Why through AGMS:
- Only $10/month — the lowest-cost mobile POS on the market
- Custom processing rates (lower than Square’s flat 2.6%)
- Works with your AGMS merchant account — not locked in
- Virtual terminal for phone/mail orders included
- Dedicated support from a real team
3. Quantic POS — Best for Restaurants (Toast Alternative)
Best for: Full-service restaurants, cafes, bars, quick-service — Custom pricing
Quantic POS is a cloud-based restaurant POS that does everything Toast does — without the $69-$165/month plans, 2-year contracts, or locked-in processing. It’s our recommended restaurant solution because it’s payment-agnostic, meaning it works with AGMS processing for lower rates.
Key features:
- Table management, tableside ordering, kitchen display system (KDS)
- Online ordering and delivery management
- Loyalty programs, gift cards, and CRM
- Real-time analytics and sales reporting
- Waitlist management, reservations, digital menu boards
- Self-ordering kiosks and customer-facing displays
- Works on iOS and Android — use your own tablets
Why through AGMS:
- Payment-agnostic — use AGMS processing for lower rates
- No 2-year contracts like Toast
- No $627+ hardware markup — use your own devices
- Full restaurant feature set at a fraction of Toast’s cost
- AGMS handles merchant account setup and support
4. PAX A80 — Best Countertop Terminal
Best for: Retail, salons, convenience stores — $199-$299
The PAX A80 is a standalone Android credit card terminal — no monthly POS software fees. Accepts chip, tap, swipe, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Built-in printer, barcode scanner, and 4-inch touchscreen. The most cost-effective option for businesses that just need reliable payment processing.
5. Dejavoo QD4 — Best Budget Android Terminal
Best for: Small retail, cafes, quick-service — $199-$350
The Dejavoo QD4 features a larger 5.5-inch screen, built-in barcode scanner, and contactless payments. Great alternative to the PAX A80 if you want a bigger display. No monthly POS software fees.
Why Not Square, Toast, or Shopify?
The big-name POS brands spend millions on marketing — but that doesn’t mean they’re the best deal. Here’s what they don’t tell you in the ads:
Square — Overpriced for Growing Businesses
- 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction — no volume discounts, ever
- 3.5% + 15¢ for keyed-in transactions — brutal for phone orders
- A business processing $10,000/month pays ~$270 in fees vs ~$150-180 through AGMS
- Account holds and sudden freezes — Square can shut you down with no warning
- No dedicated account manager — you’re on your own with support tickets
- Cannot use your own merchant account — you’re locked into Square’s processing
AGMS alternative: SwipeSimple — $10/month, lower rates, real support, same mobile convenience.
Toast — The Most Expensive Restaurant POS
- $69-$165+/month per location on paid plans
- 2.99% + 15¢ processing on the “free” plan, 2.49% + 15¢ on paid plans
- 2-year contracts with early termination fees
- Hardware costs $627-$1,339+ per terminal — massive markup
- Locked into Toast processing — cannot use AGMS or any third-party processor
- The “free” starter plan is a trap — processing fees eat you alive
AGMS alternative: Quantic POS — same restaurant features, no contracts, use your own devices, AGMS processing rates.
Shopify POS — Hidden Costs Stack Up
- $39-$399/month for Shopify plans + $89/month per location for POS Pro features
- 2.4%-2.9% + 30¢ processing fees
- Extra 0.5%-2% surcharge if you use any third-party payment processor
- Essential features locked behind paid apps ($5-$100+/month each)
- Limited POS hardware compared to Clover
AGMS alternative: Clover POS — more hardware options, works with AGMS processing, lower total cost for in-store retail.
Quick Guide: Which POS Is Right for You?
- Just starting out? → SwipeSimple ($10/month — can’t beat it)
- Restaurant, cafe, or bar? → Quantic POS (Toast features without Toast prices)
- Retail store? → Clover POS through AGMS
- Mobile or field service? → SwipeSimple
- Just need a terminal? → PAX A80 ($199) or Dejavoo QD4
- Multi-location? → Clover or Quantic through AGMS
Not sure? Contact AGMS for a free consultation →
The AGMS Difference
- Lower processing rates — custom pricing based on your volume, not flat-rate gouging
- No long-term contracts — month-to-month available on all solutions
- Free setup and programming — we configure everything and get you running
- Next-day funding — get your money faster than Square or Toast
- Dedicated U.S.-based support — your own account manager, not a chatbot
- Your choice of hardware — Clover, PAX, Dejavoo, SwipeSimple, Quantic, and more
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best POS system for a small retail store?
Clover POS through AGMS gives you the best combination of hardware, features, and competitive processing rates. For the simplest option, a PAX A80 terminal ($199) handles all payment types with no monthly POS software fees.
What is the cheapest POS system for a startup?
SwipeSimple through AGMS is only $10/month with custom processing rates — significantly cheaper than Square’s flat 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction. Includes a Bluetooth card reader, mobile app, and virtual terminal.
What is the best POS for restaurants?
Quantic POS through AGMS offers table management, kitchen displays, online ordering, and more — similar to Toast but without the $69-$165/month fees, 2-year contracts, or locked-in processing. Use AGMS for lower rates.
Why is AGMS better than Square?
Square charges a flat 2.6% + 10¢ with no volume discounts. AGMS offers custom rates based on your business — often saving merchants 30-40% on processing fees. Plus you get a dedicated account manager instead of support tickets.
Can I switch from Square or Toast to AGMS?
Yes. AGMS handles the full transition — we set up your new merchant account, configure your hardware, and get you processing. No downtime. Contact us for a free rate comparison.