Switching to a new point of sale (POS) system is expensive, time-consuming, and stressful, which is why it’s important to get it right the first time.
But this can be even more difficult for tobacco stores that need specialized tools like age verification, carton-pack inventory tracking, and compliance-friendly reports — features that aren’t always available in generic retail POS solutions.
If you’ve narrowed down your search to FasTrax (FtX) POS and Cigars POS, you’re on the right track. Both providers offer specialized POS software to help smoke shops stay organized and profitable, but they do have a few key differences.
In this blog, we’ll explore what FtX POS and Cigars POS have to offer in terms of features, pricing, and reviews to help you decide which one is best for your tobacco shop.
For now, here’s the bottom line:
- Features: FasTrax POS and Cigars POS include the essentials, but Cigars POS includes tobacco-specific features at no additional cost.
- Pricing: Cigars POS has straightforward software pricing and build-your-own hardware options, while FtX POS has scalable software pricing and pricier hardware bundles.
- Reviews: FtX POS is trusted by big-name, national tobacco retailers, while Cigars POS caters to independent smoke shops and cigar lounges.
FtX POS vs. Cigars POS: Features
Both FasTrax POS and Cigars POS include a well-rounded selection of features to help you process sales transactions, manage tobacco inventory, and stay connected to your customers. Let’s start with what they have in common:
- Age verification: With Cigars POS, you can scan IDs or enter customer birthdates to prevent underage sales. FtX offers an AI-powered facial and ID scanning option, but you’ll have to pay an additional monthly fee.
- Cloud-based functionality: Both Cigars POS and FtX POS are cloud-based. This eliminates bulky, expensive on-site servers and allows you to access the software from anywhere.
- Inventory tracking: Both Cigars POS and FtX POS include must-have inventory management features like carton-pack tracking, real-time stock level monitoring, and low-stock alerts.
- Customer loyalty program: Both software solutions include a built-in customer loyalty program to track rewards points and offer custom redemption perks. You can also track customer purchase histories and contact information for email and SMS marketing.
- Tobacco scan data reporting: Cigars POS and FasTrax POS can generate tobacco scan data reports, allowing you to take advantage of manufacturer rebates. However, both charge a small additional fee for this integration.
- Sales reporting and analytics: Both systems include a robust reporting and analytics suite to help you track sales and profits.
- 24/7 support: Both providers offer 24/7 support from technicians experienced in the tobacco retail industry.
In short, both FasTrax POS and Cigars POS include the basic features you need to prevent underage tobacco sales, stock the right products, and monitor your sales. Now, let’s explore what sets these systems apart from each other.
Cigars POS’ Top Features
Cigars POS is purpose-built for tobacco stores, smoke shops, and cigar lounges. Here are a few of our software’s top features:
- AI-powered auto ranking: Our AI reporting tool assigns each of your SKUs an A through D grade and color-codes them, helping you identify your bestsellers and spot which products are costing you money.
- Cigar lounge checkouts: Encourage customers to stay awhile and purchase multiple cigars with mobile transactions or our tab feature, which allows customers to add multiple cigars to their order over time.
- Custom cigar label printing: Add barcodes to individual cigars to make browsing easier and checkouts faster and more accurate.
These features are must-haves if you’re serious about becoming your neighborhood’s number-one tobacco shop or lounge.
Related Read: What “Auto Ranking” Means for Tobacco Inventory (and Why It Matters)
FasTrax POS’ Top Features
FtX POS offers a slightly different selection of features tailored to tobacco shops, as well as liquor and convenience stores. Here are some examples:
- Fuel and lottery integration: FasTrax POS works well for tobacco-focused convenience stores that also have fuel pumps and sell lottery tickets.
- Biometric security: FtX POS includes fingerprint verification for employees, increasing your store’s security and preventing internal theft. (Cigars POS includes employee roles and permissions, too, but without fingerprint scanning.)
- Digital signage: FtX POS offers several add-on digital signage and graphic design tools to help you create attractive in-store promotional materials.
These advanced features are great for general retailers or tobacco shop owners who are concerned about security.
FtX POS vs. Cigars POS: Pricing
Let’s address the question at the top of any liquor store owner’s mind: What’s the price difference between Cigars POS and FasTrax POS?
Here are Cigars POS’ pricing details:
- Hardware: We offer flexible bundles for tobacco shop POS hardware. Customize your hardware setup and get an instant quote using our Build and Price tool.
- Software: Our software pricing starts at $69/month, and all tiers include essential tobacco POS features like age verification and carton-pack inventory tracking.
- Payment processing: We offer competitive payment processing rates — including high-risk payment processing for vape retailers and dual pricing to help you save on processing fees.
Now, let’s look at FtX POS’ pricing:
- Hardware: FtX POS’ base hardware bundle costs $2,765, but you can upgrade to a larger, 15-inch screen for $3,085. These bundles come with a 3-year warranty
- Software: Their pricing plans start at $99/month, with their most popular option costing $179/month. Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay additional monthly fees for age verification, customer loyalty, and tobacco scan data reporting.
- Payment processing: Processing fees are 2.59% + 10¢ per in-store swipe and 3.75% + $35¢ for online transactions.
For tobacco shop owners looking for simple, transparent pricing that includes all the tobacco retail must-haves, Cigars POS might be a better fit.
Related Read: Payment Processing for Smoke Shops: A Quick Guide
FtX POS vs. Cigars POS: Reviews
Finally, let’s look at what real smoke shop owners have to say about each system.
Some of the biggest tobacco retail chains in the country rely on FasTrax POS, but they don’t have any public reviews online from small business owners. Before you invest, talk to your colleagues in the industry to get a firsthand account of what it’s like to be an FtX POS customer.
Want to hear directly from Cigars POS customers? Check out our testimonials to learn what smoke shop, tobacco store, and cigar lounge owners love about our software and support.
For example, here’s how Jason Rudolph, co-owner of Scenic City Cigars, uses Cigars POS to manage his unique selection, keep customers happy, and stay profitable.
Start Your Tobacco Store POS System Journey
Ready to take the next step toward investing in a tailored tobacco store POS solution? It’s time to schedule your demo.
During your live demo, you’ll have the chance to see our software in action, learn the features that matter most, and get answers to all of your questions.
Get in touch with one of our smoke shop industry experts today to schedule yours!
