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Magento PWA POS is an emerging solution in the O2O (Online-To-Offline) approach of sales. With this, brands are finding it easier to manage their physical stores as it is a solution that works across devices and requires only a browser for full functionality. However, not every POS system shares the same features and functionalities, which is why in our article today, we will help you choose the best PWA-powered POS solution for your business by reviewing different emerging POS systems on the market.
What is a Magento PWA POS?
A Magento PWA POS is a web-based Magento 2 POS (Point of Sale) system built with the PWA technology. As a result, a typical PWA POS does not require you to go into app stores to download it, and it works on any device that has a compatible browser. Moreover, with a PWA POS, you get to benefits from all the benefits of PWA which include offline capabilities and speed enhancements.
Image credit: Webkul
Compared to a native POS that is built using languages like React Native, a web-based POS like a PWA POS doesn’t have as much hardware access, but that’s only in theory. In reality, the lack of hardware access of a web-based POS shouldn’t hinder your day-to-day operations, as with a web-based POS you’re still equipped with all the essential hardware integrations like the ability to integrate with printer, cash drawer, barcode scanner, and credit card reader. And what’s more is that you gain much better flexibility when going with a PWA POS, along with other benefits like reduced development & maintenance costs.
List of Magento PWA POS systems
These are the Magento PWA POS systems that are currently available on the market. You might notice that there are not that many of them, but that’s to be expected, considering that PWA—while popular as a frontend technology for Magento storefronts—is underutilized in POS systems. All this is going to change soon.
1. PWA POS by Magestore
Magestore PWA POS system is a web-based, PWA-powered software to help you run your physical store more efficiently. The system works with any device that has a browser and as a result of which, allows you to sell on anywhere.
With Magestore PWA POS, everything from your daily operations is synchronized and managed through a centralized system. Coupled with an enhanced inventory management system, managing your store is made easy and to the point of effortless. Furthermore, Magestore PWA POS also supports in-store pickup as a shipping method, which makes it the go-to POS system for Magento merchants in this unprecedented time.
Features:
- Real-time synchronization across multiple outlets
- PWA Web-based POS
- Self-checkout and in-store pickup
- Real-time inventory visibility
- Offline mode
- Smart shipping algorithm
- Promotion rules
- Custom receipts
- Fully compatible with Magento
- Diverse hardware & payment integrations
Recommended reading: SimiCart Partners With Magestore for a True Omnichannel Experience
2. PWA POS with MSI by Webkul
Ever since it won a spot in Magento Innovation Lab, the MSI-based PWA POS system from Webkul has received a lot more well-deserved attention. The system offers all the essential features to keep your physical store(s) running smoothly such as good inventory management, real-time synchronization between the POS system and the Magento backend, offline mode, etc.
Additionally, PWA POS with MSI system also comes with more features to help you run your store(s) more efficiently, such as bulk product assignment, distribution by product or category, and PIM integration.
Features:
- PWA Web-based POS
- Offline mode
- Multichannel inventory management
- Bulk product assignment using CSV file
- Real-time synchronization across multiple outlets
- PIM integration
- Can be integrated with various platforms
3. Magento 2 PWA POS by MagespaceX
Magento 2 PWA POS by MagespaceX does everything you would expect it to—and more. The system’s interface is intuitive and easy to use, with a separate On-hold Orders tab where orders can be later processed. And when you need it, there’s also a Custom Sales button for you to conveniently create orders with products that have not been updated into the system.
As it is a PWA POS, you can benefit from all the latest capabilities of a web-based, PWA-powered POS system such as the ability to create orders when offline, app-like interface, speedy performance, cost-effective and cheap maintenance cost.
Features:
- PWA Web-based POS
- 100% Open Source
- Stripe Terminal Integration
- Custom Payment option + Quote feature
- Offline mode
- Split & partial payment
- Refund
4. PWA POS by PWAConnect
PWA POS by PWAConnect is a speed-focused POS system with a comprehensive feature pack, with all the necessary features for your day to day operations. The system boasts a processing speed up to 100,000 SKUs & 12,000 orders per hour, along with other features such as a Custom Sales button using which you can create sales that contain products that haven’t been added to the database, or the ability to mix multiple payment methods to complete an order.
And like other reviewed POS systems, PWA POS by PWAConnect also allows you to keep everything managed under one centralized Magento backend. There’s no recurring fee, no hidden fee, and you need only to pay one time and have the system forever.
Features:
- Offline mode
- Fast & stable checkout
- Mixable payment methods
- Real-time data synchronization
- Easily manageable customer base
- Everything is managed from one centralized Magento backend
Comparing Magento PWA POS systems
To help you better keep track of everything, we’ve gathered for you all the necessary information to provide you with a complete comparison table. This comparison table takes into account all the features offered by the aforementioned Magento PWA POS systems, along with other crucial information like compatible devices, shipping methods, and of course, pricing.
| Magestore | Webkul | MagespaceX | PWAConnect | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payment model | One time | Undisclosed | One time | Subscription |
| Price | From $1,299 | Undisclosed | From $999 | From $29/month |
| PWA-powered | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Compatible devices | ||||
| Macs and PCs | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| iPad and Android tablet | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Barcode reader | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Receipt printer | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Credit card reader | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cash drawer | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Payment terminal | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Customer-facing display | – | – | – | – |
| Return & refund | ||||
| Return | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Exchange | – | – | – | – |
| Refund | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refund to cash or credit card | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Refund to store credits | ✔ | – | – | ✔ |
| Refund to reward points | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Refund as coupon | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Interface | ||||
| Customizable interface | – | – | – | ✔ |
| Change languages | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Multiple currencies | – | – | – | – |
| Receipt | ||||
| Customizable receipts | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Print receipts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Email receipts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Modes | ||||
| Offline mode | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Kiosk mode | – | – | – | – |
| Training mode | – | – | – | – |
| Barcode | ||||
| Use barcode scanner | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Use mobile device to scan barcode | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Discount | ||||
| Discount per order | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Discounter per product | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Discount by coupon | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Discount by percent | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Discount by fixed amount | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Discount by cart | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Customer | ||||
| Checkout as guest | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Add new customer account | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Search an existing customer by name/phone/email | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Edit customer info | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| View order history | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Facial recognition | – | – | – | – |
| Shipping methods | ||||
| Save customer shipping address and contact | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Buy at store, home delivery | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Curbside pickup | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Inventory management | ||||
| Real-time inventory sync | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Stocktaking record | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Stock transfer | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Stock adjustment | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Checkout | ||||
| Search products by barcode or attributes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Look up product information | – | – | ✔ | |
| Shortcuts for popular items | – | – | – | – |
| Checkout out of stock items | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Hold orders | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Create custom items | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Real-time sync with inventory | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Look up product quantity across store locations | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Payment methods | ||||
| Partial payments | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Split payments | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cash | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Credit and debit cards | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Custom payment methods | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Pay with store credit | ✔ | – | – | ✔ |
| Pay with reward/loyalty points | ✔ | – | – | ✔ |
| Customer loyalty program | ||||
| Support customer loyalty program | ✔ | – | – | ✔ |
| Customer profile | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Voucher/coupon/digital gift cards | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Store credit | ✔ | – | – | ✔ |
| Reward point | ✔ | – | – | ✔ |
| Magento Commerce Integration | ✔ | – | – | ✔ |
| Permission | ||||
| Configurable access for different roles | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Report | ||||
| X report | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Z report | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Store performance report | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Inventory report | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Staff performance report | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Customer report | – | – | – | – |
| Tax report | – | – | – | ✔ |
| Can export reports to readable formats | ✔ | – | – | ✔ |
Which is the one for you?
Looking through all the options above, we get that it can get to the point of overwhelming for you, which is why below we’ll try to factor in the varying needs of store owners and offer our professional advise on which one should you go for.
For store owners with basic needs or limited budget
To start off, for store owners with limited budget and/or want only the basic features of a POS system, MagespaceX should be your POS system of choice since it has an attractive $999 starting price and a competitive feature package.
Compared to MagespaceX, Webkul‘s PWA POS system should offer a comparable experience; but since we don’t know what their pricing is, this one is a tough call and you might need to contact Webkul for further consultation. However, we think it’s still worth it to reiterate that Webkul is the only PWA POS to have been awarded with a spot in Magento Innovation Lab, so their POS system should still be able to hold a candle to other candidates in this list and you needn’t to worry about unreliability.
For store owners with more advanced needs
And should your needs require more advanced features such as custom payment methods, create custom items, or a customer loyalty program to make customers keep coming back to your store, Magestore or PWAConnect should be the ones for you, as these two both provide features that should be more than sufficient for your business, with Magestore having an upper-hand here thanks to their Store Pickup feature.
Image credit: Magestore
And that’s it for our comparison article. We hope this article has provided you with relevant and helpful information on emerging Magento PWA POS systems. If you feel the article is lacking in some regard, don’t hesitate to shoot us a suggestion in the comment section below!
