The recent discontinuation of QuickBooks Desktop POS has sent ripples through the retail industry, leaving many business owners scrambling for alternatives. As of October 31, 2023, Intuit officially ended support for QuickBooks Desktop POS, marking the conclusion of a product that had served retailers faithfully for over two decades. This discontinuation means no more security updates, technical support, or integrated services like payment processing and eCommerce connections. While existing users can still operate their systems, the lack of ongoing support makes this an increasingly risky proposition as time passes. For retailers who relied on QuickBooks POS for daily operations, this change represents both a challenge and an opportunity to upgrade to more modern, feature-rich platforms that offer enhanced capabilities for today’s omnichannel retail environment.
Continuing to use QuickBooks Desktop POS after its discontinuation carries significant risks that grow more severe with time. First and foremost is the security vulnerability – without regular security patches and updates, your system becomes increasingly susceptible to data breaches and cyber attacks. In an era where customer data protection is paramount, operating unsecured point-of-sale software puts both your business and your customers at risk.
Payment processing presents another critical concern. As QuickBooks POS loses support for integrated payment services, businesses face disruptions in their ability to process credit cards and other electronic payment methods. This could force you to adopt workarounds that increase transaction times, create reconciliation headaches, and potentially lead to errors.
Perhaps most concerning is the complete absence of technical support. When technical issues arise, there’s nowhere to turn for assistance, potentially resulting in extended system downtime and lost sales. Furthermore, as newer operating systems and hardware emerge, compatibility issues will inevitably develop, eventually rendering the software unusable.
While traditional POS systems handle in-person transactions, restaurants face a critical challenge that many overlook – managing incoming phone calls effectively. Modern restaurants lose thousands of dollars annually to missed calls, with studies showing that 75% of restaurant phone calls go unanswered during peak hours. This is where AI for restaurants revolutionizes operations, and Loman AI emerges as the specialized solution that transforms phone handling into a revenue-generating machine.
Loman AI operates as a 24/7 AI phone agent specifically designed for restaurants, handling reservations, taking orders, answering frequently asked questions, and seamlessly integrating with existing POS systems like Square, Toast, and Clover. Unlike the general retail systems like Magestore or Shopify POS mentioned in this article, Loman focuses exclusively on restaurant phone operations where every missed call represents lost revenue. The system is trained on restaurant menus, policies, and customer preferences, ensuring accurate order taking and reducing the miscommunication that plagues traditional phone ordering. Built-in analytics and real-time insights help restaurant owners track call patterns, peak times, and conversion rates, providing data that general POS systems simply cannot offer.
For retailers operating on Magento or Shopify platforms, Magestore POS emerges as the premier QuickBooks POS alternative. This specialized solution is designed to integrate seamlessly with these popular eCommerce platforms, providing true omnichannel capabilities. Magestore excels at synchronizing product, order, and customer data across channels in real-time, eliminating the data silos that plague many retail operations.
One of Magestore’s standout features is its rapid checkout process, allowing sales associates to create orders in under one minute. This speed, combined with comprehensive inventory management across multiple locations, makes it particularly valuable for high-volume retailers. The system also accepts diverse payment types and offers an offline mode that enables continued operation during internet outages – essential for ensuring business continuity.
Magestore POS offers flexible deployment options, including a web-based solution that runs on any browser, reducing hardware requirements and implementation costs. Its seamless integration with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero ensures financial data flows accurately between systems. Pricing for Shopify merchants starts at just $15/month for the Lite plan and $50/month per location for the Standard plan, while Magento users can receive custom pricing based on business complexity and needs.
The platform’s advantages include several noteworthy capabilities:
RetailEdge stands out as a robust QuickBooks POS replacement, particularly for businesses requiring extensive retail functionality regardless of product type. This established system offers comprehensive capabilities designed specifically for retail environments, with standout features including multi-location inventory management, real-time data synchronization across stores, and flexible payment processing options. Unlike many competitors that lock retailers into specific payment processors, RetailEdge allows businesses to select their preferred credit card processor, potentially saving significant money on transaction fees.
The system excels at inventory management, providing real-time tracking across multiple locations and offering detailed reporting on product performance. Mobile POS capabilities allow sales associates to serve customers anywhere in the store, while offline functionality ensures business continues even when internet connectivity fails. The system’s integration with QuickBooks simplifies accounting processes by quickly transferring deposit information, reducing manual data entry and reconciliation efforts.
RetailEdge offers a unique pricing model with a one-time cost starting at $495, rather than the subscription-based approach of many competitors. For ongoing support, retailers can choose between three service tiers: a free Bronze plan, a $5/month Silver plan, or a $45/month Gold plan with priority support. This flexible pricing structure makes RetailEdge accessible to retailers of various sizes and budgets.
The system offers three distinct support levels:
Square POS has emerged as one of the most versatile and accessible QuickBooks POS alternatives, especially for small to medium-sized businesses across diverse industries. What sets Square apart is its remarkable flexibility – it serves retail stores just as effectively as restaurants, service providers, and pop-up shops. The system’s intuitive interface requires minimal training, allowing businesses to get up and running quickly.
A key advantage of Square is its approachable entry point – the basic plan is free, with businesses paying only processing fees on transactions. This makes it particularly attractive for small retailers with tight budgets or seasonal operations. Beyond basic point-of-sale functionality, Square offers an extensive ecosystem of integrated add-ons tailored to specific business needs, from appointment scheduling to detailed inventory management.
Square excels at omnichannel sales, automatically synchronizing inventory and sales data across physical locations and online channels. The system can handle swiped card payments even in offline mode, ensuring business continuity during internet outages. Its customer relationship management tools enable businesses to build customer profiles, track purchase history, and implement targeted marketing efforts at no additional cost.
Integration with QuickBooks is straightforward, allowing for automated syncing of sales data and simplified accounting processes. While Square’s processing fees (starting at 2.6% + 10¢ for in-person transactions) may be higher than some dedicated merchant services, many businesses find the all-in-one convenience worth the cost. The primary limitation users report is Square’s lack of advanced inventory features compared to dedicated retail systems.
Square’s strength lies in its comprehensive ecosystem:
Toast POS has established itself as the premier QuickBooks POS alternative for food service businesses, from quick-service establishments to full-service restaurants. Unlike general-purpose systems, Toast is built specifically for the unique challenges of the restaurant industry, with features tailored to streamline operations in fast-paced dining environments. The system excels at order management, allowing staff to easily handle complex orders with modifications, split bills, and manage table assignments.
Toast’s tableside ordering capabilities enable servers to input orders directly from the dining area, increasing accuracy and efficiency while reducing kitchen communication errors. The platform also supports online ordering, pickup, and delivery management, essential features in today’s restaurant landscape where off-premise dining continues to grow. Toast’s real-time inventory tracking helps restaurants minimize waste and control food costs by monitoring ingredient usage across all service channels.
The system provides detailed analytics on menu performance, helping identify profitable items and opportunities for menu optimization. With customizable reporting, restaurant owners gain valuable insights into labor costs, sales performance, and operational efficiency. While Toast offers impressive functionality, it does require businesses to use Toast’s payment processing services, which may not offer the most competitive rates for all establishments.
The platform’s restaurant-specific capabilities include:
TouchBistro emerges as another strong contender for restaurants seeking to replace QuickBooks POS. Like Toast, TouchBistro is designed specifically for food service operations, but it offers some distinct advantages that make it particularly appealing to certain restaurant types. The system provides comprehensive management tools for menus, staff, sales, and customer experiences, all accessible through an intuitive interface that minimizes training time.
A standout feature of TouchBistro is its robust table and reservation management system, which helps restaurants optimize seating arrangements and turn tables more efficiently. The platform excels at menu management, allowing staff to create detailed menus with item availability settings, modifier options, and pricing tiers. These capabilities are especially valuable for establishments with frequently changing offerings or special events.
TouchBistro’s tableside ordering and payment capabilities streamline the dining experience, reducing server travel time and increasing table turnover. The system supports bill splitting, essential for larger parties, and provides detailed real-time reporting to help managers make informed decisions throughout service periods. Staff management features include time tracking, performance monitoring, and permission controls to ensure appropriate system access.
Pricing for TouchBistro starts at $69 per month, with custom quotes available based on specific business needs and configuration requirements. The system integrates seamlessly with accounting software, automatically syncing sales data to simplify financial management. While TouchBistro offers impressive functionality, some users report occasional synchronization delays between devices.
Heartland Retail stands out as a comprehensive QuickBooks POS alternative that serves diverse business types with equal effectiveness. This versatile platform excels at unifying the customer experience across channels, making it particularly valuable for retailers with both physical and online presence. Heartland’s strength lies in its ability to provide real-time data synchronization across all sales channels and locations, giving retailers complete visibility into their operations.
The system offers robust inventory management capabilities, allowing businesses to track stock across multiple locations and automatically adjust levels based on sales and transfers. Built-in customer relationship management features enable retailers to build detailed customer profiles, track purchase history, and deliver personalized shopping experiences. These capabilities help businesses foster customer loyalty and increase repeat purchases.
Heartland Retail accepts diverse payment methods, including gift cards, EMV chip cards, and mobile wallets like Apple Pay, providing customers with flexible checkout options. The platform’s mobile POS solutions allow staff to serve customers anywhere in the store, while its compact hardware options minimize counter space requirements. Detailed reporting capabilities provide actionable insights into sales trends, inventory performance, and customer behavior.
The system’s pricing model includes:
Shopify POS offers a compelling alternative for retailers seeking to replace QuickBooks POS, particularly those already using or considering Shopify’s eCommerce platform. This solution provides seamless integration between online and in-store sales channels, creating a unified experience for both customers and staff. Through a partnership with Intuit, Shopify even offers a dedicated migration path for QuickBooks Desktop POS users, simplifying the transition process.
A key advantage of Shopify POS is its ability to synchronize inventory, customer data, and sales information across all channels in real-time. This unified approach eliminates data silos and provides a complete view of business performance. The system excels at cross-channel functionality, allowing customers to purchase online and return in-store or vice versa, creating a frictionless shopping experience that meets modern consumer expectations.
Shopify POS accepts various payment methods, including contactless options and gift cards, providing flexibility at checkout. The platform offers robust employee management tools, allowing businesses to track performance, assign roles, and control permissions from a central dashboard. Detailed reporting capabilities provide insights into sales trends, inventory performance, and customer behavior across all channels.
Pricing for Shopify POS depends on whether businesses sell exclusively in-person or across multiple channels. Options range from the $5/month Starter plan for a single admin account to more comprehensive plans starting at $25/month plus $89/month for each POS Pro location. While Shopify offers excellent omnichannel capabilities, some users note limitations in complex inventory management compared to dedicated retail systems.
Selecting the right QuickBooks POS alternative requires careful consideration of your business’s specific needs and future growth plans. Begin by thoroughly assessing your current operations – document your essential workflows, identify pain points in your existing system, and clarify what features are non-negotiable versus those that would be nice to have. Consider the volume and complexity of your inventory, your typical transaction patterns, and any industry-specific requirements that your new system must address.
Integration capabilities should be a primary consideration, particularly if you plan to continue using QuickBooks for accounting. Ensure your chosen alternative can seamlessly sync sales, inventory, and customer data with your financial software to maintain accurate records and minimize manual data entry. If you operate an online store, prioritize systems that offer robust eCommerce integration to provide a unified view of inventory and sales across all channels.
Budget considerations extend beyond the initial purchase price or monthly subscription. Factor in implementation costs, hardware compatibility, staff training requirements, and ongoing support fees. Some platforms offer lower upfront costs but charge higher transaction fees, which can significantly impact profitability for high-volume businesses. Most providers offer demonstrations or trial periods – take advantage of these opportunities to test how well each system handles your specific workflows.
When evaluating alternatives, consider these essential factors:
The discontinuation of QuickBooks Desktop POS, while disruptive for many retailers, presents an opportunity to upgrade to more advanced systems that better meet the demands of modern commerce. Each alternative explored offers distinct advantages depending on your business type, size, and specific operational requirements. Magestore excels for Magento and Shopify merchants, RetailEdge provides comprehensive retail functionality, Square offers flexibility for small businesses, Toast and TouchBistro deliver specialized restaurant solutions, Heartland provides versatile multi-channel capabilities, and Shopify POS creates seamless online and in-store integration.
Modern POS solutions offer functionality that QuickBooks POS couldn’t match, including advanced inventory management, robust customer relationship tools, and seamless omnichannel capabilities. These features aren’t just nice-to-have additions; they’re increasingly essential for competing in today’s retail landscape where customer expectations continue to rise. The integration of AI technology has become particularly crucial for restaurants, with 60% of establishments now reporting that customer experience improvements are where they see AI benefiting their business most.
While change always involves some challenges, retailers who approach this transition strategically will find themselves better positioned for future growth. Take time to thoroughly evaluate your options, involve key stakeholders in the decision process, and plan carefully for data migration and staff training. By selecting the right QuickBooks POS alternative and implementing it thoughtfully, your business can emerge from this transition with more efficient operations, better customer insights, and stronger competitive positioning. For restaurants specifically, solutions like Loman AI offer fast setup (live in under a day) and scalable implementations perfect for single locations, chains, or franchises that prioritize efficiency and improved customer experience.
Enter your information in the form to receive a call from Loman and place an order like a customer would!
