# Best Cannabis POS Systems - Page 3 *By [Neya Kumaresan](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/neya-kumaresan)* Cannabis POS systems provide dispensaries and other cannabis retailers with the means to sell their products and remain compliant with federal and state regulations. These products contain many of the same features as [retail POS software](https://www.g2.com/categories/retail-pos), but with added functionality designed specifically for the cannabis industry. Using cannabis retail POS software systems, dispensaries can collect payment, track inventory, and maintain accurate tax records. These software tools are typically used by employees, managers, and owners to complete each transaction and to perform back-office tasks. Cannabis retail POS software solutions may be used in conjunction with a [retail management system](https://www.g2.com/categories/retail-management-system) or [accounting software](https://www.g2.com/categories/accounting) to help manage the entire retail business. To qualify for inclusion in the Cannabis POS Systems category, a product must: - Provide POS features in line with retail POS platforms - Cater to the cannabis industry and the state and federal regulations placed upon it - Track products from seed to sale where required ## Category Overview **Total Products under this Category:** 39 ## Trust & Credibility Stats **Why You Can Trust G2's Software Rankings:** - 30 Analysts and Data Experts - 200+ Authentic Reviews - 39+ Products - Unbiased Rankings G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category. ## Best Cannabis POS Systems At A Glance - **Leader:** [Dutchie](https://www.g2.com/products/dutchie/reviews) - **Highest Performer:** [Meadow](https://www.g2.com/products/meadow-meadow/reviews) - **Easiest to Use:** [Meadow](https://www.g2.com/products/meadow-meadow/reviews) - **Top Trending:** [Meadow](https://www.g2.com/products/meadow-meadow/reviews) - **Best Free Software:** [GrowFlow](https://www.g2.com/products/growflow/reviews) --- **Sponsored** ### Cova POS Cova is an award-winning cannabis retail platform recognized for its ease of use, reliability, and best-in-class support—including Retail Software of the Year at the 2024 Emjays. Purpose-built for the cannabis and hemp/CBD industry, Cova’s comprehensive suite of solutions—POS, eCommerce, Payments, Inventory, and Analytics—helps retailers simplify compliance, operate efficiently, deliver exceptional customer experiences, and scale their business with confidence. Why Customers love Cova Technology that Evolves with the Industry In an industry where regulations change quickly and complexity is the norm, retailers need a platform that adapts. Cova continually evolves to simplify compliance and make complex operations effortless, ensuring retailers stay compliant and competitive. Reliability You Can Trust Reliability isn’t optional—it’s essential. Cova is the only POS platform with a proven 8-year record of 100% uptime on 4/20, the busiest day in cannabis retail. When it matters most, Cova performs. Support Customers Love Unlike others who rely on chatbots, Cova’s live support team—based in North America—answers calls in an average of just 30 seconds, ensuring you get real help, fast. Key Features Built-In Compliance Integrated ID scanning, age-restricted sales controls, purchase limit gauges, and deep integrations with Metrc and BioTrack traceability systems mandated by the Office of Cannabis Management in most states. Full-Featured POS that Enhances the Customer Experience Deliver fast, seamless service with an intuitive interface built for speed, mobility, and simplicity. Cova’s mobile POS adapts to any workflow, empowering budtenders with real-time product details and inventory information right on the sales floor. With integrated payments, loyalty programs, and queue management tools, Cova helps you create a smooth, efficient, and engaging in-store experience that keeps customers coming back. Robust Reporting and Analytics Beautiful, easy-to-read dashboards and reports that help you make data-driven decisions and grow. Reports can be exported or scheduled effortlessly—and accessed on mobile anytime. Multi-Location and Franchise Support Perfect for multi-store operators or franchise brands, Cova provides enterprise-level visibility, advanced reporting, and granular role-based permissions to maintain control while expanding rapidly. Seamless Integrations with Leading Cannabis Tech Tools Cova integrates with 100+ industry-leading partners, including Springbig, Alpine IQ, Carrot, Rank Really High, Mosaic, Breadstack, Shopify (for hemp/CBD stores), KayaPush, Solink, Weedmaps, and Leafly—creating a connected ecosystem that keeps your marketing, sales, compliance, and operations running seamlessly as your business scales. [Visit website](https://www.g2.com/external_clickthroughs/record?secure%5Bad_program%5D=ppc&secure%5Bad_slot%5D=category_product_list&secure%5Bcategory_id%5D=1788&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_id%5D=1788&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bmedium%5D=sponsored&secure%5Bplacement_reason%5D=page_category&secure%5Bplacement_resource_ids%5D%5B%5D=1788&secure%5Bprioritized%5D=false&secure%5Bproduct_id%5D=79841&secure%5Bresource_id%5D=1788&secure%5Bresource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bsource_type%5D=category_page&secure%5Bsource_url%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fcategories%2Fcannabis-pos-systems%3Fpage%3D2&secure%5Btoken%5D=b8e5b63e0c69b449d02c56300636b7fcaf07139e039780027753b14bc24c1e09&secure%5Burl%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.covasoftware.com%2F&secure%5Burl_type%5D=custom_url&secure%5Bvisitor_segment%5D=180) --- ## Parent Category [Cannabis Industry Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cannabis-industry) --- ## Buyer Guide ### What You Should Know About Cannabis Retail POS Systems ### What are Cannabis Retail POS Systems? Every business needs a way to exchange money for goods and services, and the rapidly growing cannabis industry is no different. Given all the unique requirements surrounding the sale of cannabis, a dispensary cannot use a standard POS solution. Cannabis retail POS systems have the capabilities of a standard [retail POS solution](https://www.g2.com/categories/retail-pos), but with additional features that aid dispensaries and other cannabis retailers in running their business. This includes securely managing customer records and assisting individual businesses with shifting local and federal compliance laws. Similar to a standard POS system, cannabis-specific POS systems can integrate with routine hardware like barcode scanners, receipt printers, card readers, and more. This allows businesses to use real-time [inventory management software](https://www.g2.com/categories/inventory-management) to track products. Cannabis retail POS systems come with basic accounting and back-office features that help run small businesses. **Key Benefits of Cannabis Retail POS Systems** - Retail POS systems that cater to the unique needs of cannabis business owners - Real-time inventory management with easy hardware integration - Assures compliance with evolving local and federal cannabis laws - Ability to create an expansive and detailed client database that can be accessed in multiple locations ### Why Use Cannabis Retail POS Systems? Cannabis POS systems are used by owners of marijuana dispensaries or other cannabis retailers and their employees to streamline daily business operations. Just like a retailer in another market would use a retail POS software, a cannabis business owner needs a solution that automates important parts of the business. Many features can be found in other, individual software. The advantage of a retail POS system is that these features are bundled into one package. This software system mirrors what other retail point of sale software does, including real-time inventory management, card processing, and easy integration with hardware. However, this software commonly includes additional features that allow businesses to track compliance with local and federal cannabis laws. As more jurisdictions legalize cannabis, the market for legal cannabis will continue to rapidly expand. As a result, rules, regulations and business practices must evolve as well. The ability to generate reports, both for compliance and analytics, can be invaluable to business owners, especially in the developing cannabis industry. Cannabis retail POS system solutions let employees connect with customers via hardware that plugs directly into tablets or mobile phones. This gives employees the ability to process payments and pull up useful product information. This flexibility allows businesses to travel and make card sales remotely without disrupting the capturing of important data. ### Who Uses Cannabis Retail POS Systems? **Cannabis business owners —** Businesses in the cannabis industry, will likely benefit from the use of the entire span of cannabis retail POS features. Back-office features such as basic accounting, report generation, inventory management, and employee management help organize and streamline logistics for a business. Features like payment processing, prescription management, and the ability to integrate with hardware ensure that customer and sales information are synced on one platform. **Cannabis business employees —** Employees often use POS systems to execute sales and keep track of inventory. Many cannabis retail POS systems can process payment plugged into a tablet or phone, letting employees aid customers in decision-making. Features such as code scanning allow employees to quickly pull up valuable product information on the screen in front of them to share with the customer. ### Cannabis Retail POS System Features **Hardware integration —** Seamless hardware integration is imperative for cannabis retail POS systems. The ability to use handheld scanners to track production and growing limits the amount of data management needed and maximizes a business’s efficiency. **Inventory management —** It’s important for any business with physical goods to have some sort of [inventory control system](https://www.g2.com/categories/inventory-control). Inventory management features in cannabis retail POS system software allow users to track sales made in real time, instantly updating stock after each transaction. This lets owners and managers quickly see what needs to be restocked, and track what may not be selling well. **Client database —** To assure compliance with cannabis regulations, many client data collecting features include things such as prescription management and ID verification. A comprehensive client database can safely store documents and keep medical profiles and communication logs with customers. **Accounting —** Like standard retail POS software, cannabis retail POS includes features dedicated to helping smaller businesses stay organized. Users can create budgets and forecast growth based on real-time data the POS system gathers from inventory data. Keeping accurate records is imperative, especially for those in the cannabis industry, and a good POS software pays off. **Payment processing —** Similar to standard retail POS software, cannabis POS systems include features that process payments. Some stick to card-only processing, eliminating cash as an option, while others allow the option for cash transactions. **Compliance reporting and analytics—** The ability to generate specific reports for compliance in a particular jurisdiction is the one thing that separates cannabis retail POS systems from traditional retail POS software. Features that aid in quality assurance controls, report generation, and the ability to adapt to constantly changing cannabis regulations make a cannabis retail POS essential for any cannabis business. ### Software and Services Related to Cannabis Retail POS Systems [**Retail POS software**](https://www.g2.com/categories/retail-pos) **—** As previously mentioned, cannabis retail POS is a type of retail POS software designed specifically for businesses in the cannabis industry. The two share many features, but cannabis retail POS gives users more functionality to comply with local and federal regulations regarding the sale of cannabis. [**Seed to sale software**](https://www.g2.com/categories/cannabis-seed-to-sale) **—** Since cannabis has been legalized in many regions, federal governments often require strict tracking of cannabis products in each stage of the supply chain, from seed to sale. There is some debate on whether a POS software or a seed to sale software is the best option for cannabis retailers, but it all depends on the individual needs of a particular business. If a business grows and sells cannabis, a seed to sale software may be a better choice.