Few retail businesses are as profitable — or as hands-on — as a smoke shop. With potential earnings over $240,000 a year, you get to run a high-revenue operation and supply loyal customers with the tobacco products that fuel their lifestyle.
However, these shops are also some of the most regulated in retail. Age restrictions, detailed inventory tracking, and compliance rules mean you need more than a basic system to stay on track and handle the day to day.
Opening a store or upgrading your smoke shop software? Here are the must-have features to look for, tips on finding a provider, and three systems to compare before you decide.
What To Look For in a Smoke Shop Software System
Smoke shops don’t run on off-the-shelf point of sale (POS) systems. Between compliance checks, inventory tracking, and high-risk payment processing, you need a setup built for the realities of your business.
Industry-specific POS solutions should let you:
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Verify IDs automatically: Scan driver’s licenses at checkout and block underage sales to comply with federal and state 21+ laws.
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Accept high-risk payments: Work with processors who support tobacco, vape, CBD, and other restricted products to avoid account freezes or service interruptions.
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Generate compliance reports: Track sales of age-restricted items, organize tax data by category, and simplify record-keeping, like license and permit records, for audits and inspections.
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Manage and label inventory: Print barcodes and shelf labels, track cartons to the pack or unit, and keep stock levels accurate across your store.
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Control product limits and staff permissions: Set quantity limits for regulated items, apply pricing rules by category, and restrict who can override discounts or tax settings at the register.
These features cover your basic daily workflow — but to grow your shop, you need a provider with a good reputation and dependable support.
Tips for Finding a Reliable POS Provider
Not every point of sale provider will meet your shop’s needs — even with the right system functionality. Some promise features but fail to deliver on real-world support or usability.
To find a system you can trust, select a provider that:
- Offers 24/7 customer support — no bots or delayed ticket systems
- Delivers detailed analytics on top sellers, shrinkage, and repeat-purchase trends to support inventory decisions and buying strategy
- Lets you build and price around your shop’s size and needs, with a flat monthly rate and no hidden fees
- Integrates software and hardware so everything works in one system without patching tools together
- Assists with setup and training so your staff can get started quickly without confusion
Choosing a smoke shop POS provider with these capabilities gives you the support and control you need from day one.
Top 3 Best Smoke Shop Software Solutions
Trying to find the right POS system for your smoke shop? These three providers lead the pack — here’s what makes each one worth a look.
1. Cigars POS
Cigars POS is built for tobacco retailers, with tools that cover inventory, payments, compliance, and real-time support. It’s a solid pick for smoke shops, vape stores, and cigar lounges that want a full-featured system designed for age-restricted sales.
Best features:
- Tracks inventory by case, pack, or single item, and builds custom bundles to move more product
- Verifies customer age at checkout by scanning IDs directly through the system
- Accepts payments through built-in high-risk processing — no need for third-party accounts
- Provides 24/7 live phone support whenever you need help
Pricing: Monthly plans come in three tiers and can be customized based on your store setup. Use the online quote builder to get pricing based on your features and hardware.
Testimonial:
“One of my favorite aspects of working with Cigars POS is customer service. They’ve been very helpful and supportive in helping us get better with our software.” — Craig Cass
2. KORONA POS
KORONA POS is a cloud-based system that works well for smoke shops and vape stores that want detailed inventory tracking, role-based staff controls, and flexible tools for managing high-risk products.
Best features:
- Automates tobacco reorders with low-stock alerts and vendor-based auto-purchasing
- Controls staff access by assigning roles for actions like voids, discounts, and reports
- Lets you sell products by the box or single unit, with stock levels adjusting automatically
Pricing: KORONA POS offers two main plans with optional modules. Contact the sales team to discuss your setup and get a detailed quote.
Testimonial:
“I can easily update pricing, enter stock receipts, and view all my sales data from the website. All the POS features are customizable based on your business, and the reporting is pretty endless.” — Kristen L.
3. Clover
Clover is a flexible, easily customizable POS software solution for retail and service businesses, including tobacco shops. It lets you build around your shop’s needs, with hardware options and add-on apps that cover everything from inventory to loyalty.
Best features:
- Installs only the tools you need through the Clover App Market
- Processes payments, scans items, and prints receipts using mobile Clover Flex devices
- Supports dual screen checkouts for faster transactions and fewer errors
Pricing: Varies based on your hardware and software choices. Visit Clover’s site to explore available plans and setup options.
Testimonial:
“One of the standout features of the Clover POS system is its versatility. The Clover system offers a range of hardware options and a customizable software platform that can be tailored to fit the specific needs of various types of businesses.” — Nida I.
Discover the Best Smoke Shop Software for Your Business
Using the right smoke shop software can help you run a successful tobacco store that serves returning customers, stays compliant, and turns a consistent profit. The best system is designed for this industry — supporting age-restricted sales, complex inventory, and high-risk transactions.
Purpose-built for smoke shops, Cigars POS gives you total control — from tracking inventory by the unit to staying compliant and spotting sales trends at a glance. Schedule a demo to see why Cigars POS is the go-to choice for tobacco retailers.
