Just like you can’t light a cigar without a flame, you can’t run a successful tobacco store without the right tools.
Most importantly, you need a point of sale (POS) system designed specifically for the unique requirements of the tobacco industry.
In this blog, we’ll explore the top four tobacco store POS systems on the market and share our top tips to help you find the right solution for your small business.
Want to jump right to our recommendations? Here’s the scoop on our favorite providers:
What Is a Tobacco Store POS System?
Before we dive into our list of providers, let’s cover the basics. A tobacco store POS system is an all-in-one tool designed to handle the day-to-day tasks of running your business. Along with shaping the checkout process, a POS system can track stock levels, monitor sales trends, and help you manage promotions and discounts.
POS systems have three main components: hardware, software, and payment processing. However, not all POS systems will include the features you need. Let’s look at some requirements to keep in mind as you evaluate solutions for your tobacco store.
Software
POS software is what powers your business. This powerful tool monitors everything happening in your store, tracking each cigar and logging the details of each sale.
Here are some key software features to look for in a tobacco store POS system:
- Inventory management: Your POS software should track your shop’s stock levels in real time, giving you an overview of your inventory broken down by carton and pack.
- Age verification: Your software should prompt cashiers to ask for customers’ IDs during the checkout process to prevent underage tobacco sales.
- Sales reporting: Your POS system should record and analyze your store’s sales data, providing valuable insights about your customers’ product preferences and shopping habits.
- Marketing tools: Your software should help you attract and retain customers through discounts and a customer loyalty program.
Not all POS software includes industry-specific features like carton-pack inventory tracking and age verification, so look for a solution designed with smoke shops in mind.
Hardware
Almost all POS systems include must-have hardware components like a touchscreen PC, barcode scanner, cash drawer, and receipt printer. These tools allow you to interact with your software and provide smooth service at the checkout counter.
Along with the essentials, you need two specialized POS hardware tools:
- An ID verification scanner is faster and more reliable than manually checking IDs. It safeguards your tobacco license by preventing underage sales.
- A barcode label printer allows you to label small, unique items like cigars, pipes, or other smoking accessories. Barcode labeling these items ensures easy browsing, simplified inventory counts, and more accurate checkouts.
An experienced tobacco POS provider should include these items in their basic hardware bundle.
Payment Processing
The final thing to look for in a tobacco POS system is integrated payment processing. This feature makes checkout faster, more accurate, and more secure.
Instead of ringing up a customer’s items and manually inputting their total into the credit card terminal, your POS system does the hard work for you, preventing errors and building your customers’ trust.
Nearly every POS provider offers integrated payment processing, but not all offer high-risk payment processing. This specialized service allows you to sell items like tobacco, CBD, delta-8, and kratom hassle-free and be the first in the neighborhood to carry hot new products.
4 Tobacco Store POS Systems To Check Out
Now that you’re a POS system pro, you’re ready to start evaluating providers! While tobacco-specific features should be your top priority, we know that all small businesses have unique needs and budgets.
That’s why we’ve curated this list of options at different price points with different perks.
4. National Retail Solutions (NRS)
First on our list is National Retail Solutions (NRS), a POS provider offering simple, user-friendly POS software and hardware to retailers in all industries. We’ve included them because they offer an unintimidating introduction to the world of POS systems.
Pros
The main appeal of NRS is simplicity. NRS offers an all-in-one hardware and software solution that gives you access to essential features like checkout and basic inventory tracking for an affordable price. Their system is easy to set up, learn, and use.
Cons
While NRS’ simplicity might be attractive to new small business owners, your tobacco shop might quickly outgrow the system’s baked-in features. You’ll have to pay extra for access to tools like age verification and advanced inventory and sales reporting.
Pricing
NRS’ offers a tiered pricing system, which means you can pay a lower fee for limited functionality or pay more for an advanced feature package. These tiers range from $19.95 to $49.95/month, but keep in mind that you’ll have to pay extra for additional features like customer loyalty and in-depth sales reporting.
Reviews
As of May 2025, NRS has a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot with over 300 reviews.
3. FTx POS
Next is FTx POS, a provider specializing in supporting smoke shops, liquor stores, and convenience stores. They promise a streamlined, all-in-one system that includes every feature you need to run your business.
Pros
The main appeal of FTx POS is that it’s designed for retailers who carry age-restricted items like alcohol and tobacco. That means you’ll have access to features like age verification, high-risk payment processing, and tobacco scan data reporting.
Cons
The downside to FTx POS is that their support team is only available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. These hours might not be sufficient for stores on the West Coast or smoke shops that are open late.
Pricing
You can use FTx’s software on any Windows device, or you can build a hardware package on their website. Their POS software pricing ranges from $79 to $129/month, with discounts if you use their payment processing service.
Reviews
FTx has few public reviews, but they have a 4.5-star rating on Google.
2. KORONA POS
KORONA POS is another provider with a special focus on niche businesses like tobacco stores, liquor stores, and dispensaries.
Pros
KORONA POS includes standard tobacco store POS system features like age verification and inventory management, but the most impressive thing about it is its marketing capabilities. You can keep detailed records of your customers, their product preferences, and their purchase histories, then use this data to offer tailored recommendations and promotions.
Cons
This system’s in-depth feature offerings might make it more difficult to learn at first, adding time to the onboarding process and requiring more thorough training.
Pricing
KORONA POS offers custom hardware bundles, but their software pricing plans range from $59 to $79/month. We recommend upgrading to their Plus plan for access to features like advanced inventory management and sales reporting.
Reviews
KORONA POS has a 4.7-star rating on Capterra with nearly 80 reviews.
1. Cigars POS
Our final (and favorite) tobacco store POS system recommendation is Cigars POS. Our all-in-one solution is designed specifically for smoke shops, so it includes a curated selection of features you’ll actually use.
Pros
Our software is designed with the needs of tobacco store owners like you in mind, which means you’ll have access to powerful, industry-specific features like built-in age verification, carton-pack inventory tracking, tobacco scan data reporting, high-risk payment processing, and a sales-boosting customer loyalty program.
Plus, our team of tobacco store experts is available 24/7 at no additional costs to help you make the most of your new POS system.
Cons
Our solution might seem more expensive than other options on the market, but it’s worth the investment if you’re hoping to save time, boost customer satisfaction, and increase your tobacco store’s profits.
Pricing
We offer custom pricing options to work with every smoke shop’s budget. Use our build and price tool to get an instant quote for your business.
Reviews
Check out our testimonials to hear from real Cigars POS customers and see our software in action.
Experience the Best Tobacco Store POS System
Ready to see how a modern POS system designed for the tobacco industry can transform your store and boost your bottom line?
The next step is to experience Cigars POS in action. During your live, personalized demo, you’ll have the chance to ask questions and explore features like tobacco-specific inventory management, customer loyalty, in-depth sales reporting, and more.
Schedule yours with one of our tobacco industry experts today!
