Knowing what you want in a tobacco point of sale (POS) system isn’t the same as knowing what your store needs.
Generic systems handle basic transactions but often miss features built for smoke shops and vape stores. How will your POS support inventory, compliance, and customer tracking months or even years down the line?
This article highlights the essential features every tobacco POS system should have and reviews the top providers in 2025:
Use this as a starting point to find a solution that fits your store now — and keeps up as your business grows.
Your POS system affects every part of your business. Besides processing payments, it manages inventory, tracks customer purchase history, and helps you stay compliant with tobacco retail regulations.
Consider which of these features matter most for your store:
Before talking with vendors, have a clear picture of your store’s priorities. Think about what products you sell, how you manage inventory , and which operations take the most time.
Related Read: How To Keep Track of Smoke Shop Inventory: 8 Tools & Tips
For example, if your store carries non-tobacco items like snacks, drinks, or accessories, your POS should be able to handle multiple product types and track inventory for each category separately.
Having this level of clarity upfront makes vendor conversations more productive and prevents you from paying for features your store doesn’t need — or missing out on features you actually do.
Now that you know which features to prioritize, it’s time to look at providers that deliver them. The list below gives you a starting point to compare what’s available and match it to your store’s specific requirements.
Built by tobacco store owners for tobacco store owners, Cigars POS includes all the essential features a smoke shop or vape store needs. It handles age verification, inventory tracking, loyalty programs, compliance, multi-store management, and more — all from one intuitive system.
Noteworthy features include:
Pricing: Plans start at $69/month, with more specialized Growth and Premium plans also available. Use the free Build and Price tool to design your ideal tobacco POS system and only pay for what you need.
According to one customer:
“I was able to see, not just my daily sales, but I could find what cigars were trending. I could find what times of the day my cigars were trending. That enabled me to promote and push additional sales.” — James Thompson, Huntington Humidor
Lightspeed is a good fit for stores that carry many product variations and want a POS that can manage in-store and online sales simultaneously. Its catalog tools, e-commerce site builder, and detailed reporting help you keep products organized and track what’s selling.
Noteworthy features include:
Pricing: Plans start at $89/month for Basic, $149/month for Core, and $289/month for Plus.
According to one customer:
“I absolutely love the basic reporting Lightspeed offers. Lightspeed POS is pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. Allows discounts and customer loyalty accounts to be easily integrated. Support chat is always top notch.” — Lightspeed user
KORONA POS works well for retailers who need clear staff permissions and reliable inventory tracking. Its cloud access and low-stock alerts make it easier to stay on top of ordering, even when managing multiple shops.
Noteworthy features include:
Pricing: Plans start at $59/month for Core and $69/month for Retail, with optional add-ons at $10/month per terminal.
According to one customer:
“What I like about KORONA is the fact that we call customer support and we get answered immediately… it’s been very simple to train my employees with this POS system.” — Roger, The Cove
FTx POS stands out for its automated scan data reporting and rewards tools that tie directly into daily sales. With bundled hardware, built-in payments, and real-time inventory tracking, it helps smoke shops better handle promotions, stock, and repeat customers.
Noteworthy features include:
Pricing: Plans start at $0/month for single-location Core, Pro, or Enterprise plans. Optional add-ons include loyalty programs, e-commerce, and advanced inventory tools.
According to one customer:
“Inventory, loyalty, compliance—it’s all built into the POS System. With FasTrax, we’re not just keeping up, we’re staying ahead." — Linda LaRue, Smokes, Vapes & Market Shifts
Related Read: Why and How To Start a Tobacco Loyalty Program
NRS helps smoke shops manage tobacco and vape products with built-in age verification, multilocation inventory, and automatic manufacturer promotions. It also integrates loyalty programs and assists with compliance and security.
Noteworthy features include:
Pricing: Plans start at $19.95/month for Basic, $34.95/month for Pro, and $49.95/month for Advanced, with add-ons for hardware, e-commerce, loyalty, and ID scanning.
According to one customer:
“2 months already with NRS and so far I’m happy with their services. Customer service is great too. I recommend them very much.” — NRS merchant
Finding the right POS system is about matching your store’s needs to the features and support each provider offers. Use this guide to compare age verification, inventory management, compliance tools, and loyalty programs before making a decision.
For a deeper look at tobacco POS options, download our Tobacco POS Buyers’ Guide, a free resource to help independent retailers pick a system that grows with their store.