Retail checkout software compared
Checkout software for stores falls into a few types. They solve different problems, and most stores use more than one. This page compares the types rather than brands, so you can work out what your store actually needs.
| Type | What it does | Good for | Things to weigh |
|---|---|---|---|
| POS billing software | Runs the billing counter, stock and accounts | Every store, it is the base system | Throughput is limited by counters and cashiers |
| Self checkout kiosks | Shoppers scan and pay at a machine | Stores with space and budget for hardware | Hardware cost, maintenance, kiosk queues |
| Mobile scan and pay | Shoppers scan and pay on their own phone | Busy stores with small baskets of packaged goods | Shoppers need the app, weighed items stay at the counter |
| Camera based cashierless | Cameras and sensors track what shoppers take | Small format stores with a large budget | Heavy hardware and installation, privacy questions |
Questions to ask any checkout vendor
- Does it work with my ERP or POS, and is a database migration needed?
- Where does the payment money go, and who holds it?
- What hardware do I need to buy, and who maintains it?
- How are theft and barcode swaps controlled?
- Do offer prices match my POS exactly?
- Where is shopper data stored, and is it built for the DPDP Act?
- Can I try it in one store first, and what will be measured?
Where QwikExit fits
QwikExit is mobile scan and pay. It sits on top of your existing POS rather than replacing it: it reads your item master, prices and offers from Ginesys, LOGIC ERP, any POS through an API, or Excel. Payments go to your own Razorpay account, there is no hardware to buy, and you can start with a 30 day pilot in one store. It is not the right choice if most of your sales are weighed or loose items. See ERP and POS integration.
Try it in one of your stores. A 30 day pilot runs as an express lane next to your existing counters, and we measure the difference against a similar store.
See how the pilot works or write to hello@qwikexit.com.
Common questions
What types of checkout software do retail stores use?
POS billing software for counters, self checkout kiosks, mobile scan and pay apps where shoppers pay on their phone, and camera based cashierless systems. Many stores combine a POS with one form of self checkout.
Does mobile scan and pay replace POS software?
No. Mobile scan and pay such as QwikExit works on top of the existing POS, reading its item master, prices and offers.