Top 5 POS Systems for Vape Shops in 2025

Vape retailers in 2025 face unique challenges that standard retail POS systems might not handle well. Strict age restrictions, high-risk payment processing, and complex inventory (with myriad e-liquid flavors, nicotine strengths, and accessories) all demand a specialized point-of-sale solution. A great vape shop POS will help ensure compliance (like verifying customer age for every sale), manage a large catalog of vape products, and integrate with the high-risk payment processors that accept tobacco or CBD product transactions.

In this article, we’ll explore the top 5 POS systems for vape shops in 2025, highlighting why each is well-suited for the vape industry. We’ll cover their key features – from ID scanning for age verification to advanced inventory tracking – along with pricing information and how they keep your shop running smoothly and legally.

Why Vape Shops Need Specialized POS Systems

Compliance and Age Verification: Vape products (e-cigarettes, e-liquids, etc.) are age-restricted by law. A specialized vape shop POS includes tools to verify customers’ ages before completing a sale. This can mean scanning a driver’s license or prompting for the customer’s birth date at checkout.

By automating age checks, the POS helps prevent unlawful sales to minors and keeps a record of verifications for your protection during audits. Some systems even enforce RACS compliance – Retail Access Control Standards, originally developed by JUUL Labs – which automatically requires ID scan approval and can limit quantities of certain products per transaction.

High-Risk Payment Processing: Banks often label vape and tobacco sales as “high-risk,” which means you need a payment processor willing to work with that industry. Not all POS providers support this. The best vape POS systems are compatible with high-risk merchant accounts or have partnerships to ensure you can reliably accept credit cards.

For example, some POS allow integration with specialty processors or have programs for CBD/vape businesses (albeit sometimes with higher fees, as we’ll see with Square).

Inventory Tracking for Vape Products: Unlike a typical retail store, vape shops handle a wide variety of SKUs and variants – e-liquid bottles come in different flavors, nicotine levels, and sizes; devices have various colors or coil resistances; you might even sell perishable items or bundled kits.

A vape-centric POS will support granular inventory management, such as product matrices (e.g. flavor × strength × size), carton/pack tracking (for traditional tobacco products), and alerts for low stock. This level of tracking helps prevent out-of-stock on popular vape juices and ensures you’re aware of any expiring products or upcoming compliance requirements (like labeling changes or ingredient tracking).

Other Important Features: Look for POS systems that also offer loyalty programs (vape customers often appreciate loyalty discounts or points), e-commerce integration (many vape shops sell online for in-store pickup or delivery, which requires age gating online), and reporting tools to analyze sales trends. Marketing integrations (for email/SMS promotions) and customer relationship management (CRM) can help grow a loyal customer base in the competitive vape market.

Below we count down the top five POS solutions for vape shops in 2025, including well-known providers Lightspeed, KORONA, Square, Clover, and POS Nation. We’ll discuss why each is suitable for vape retailers, covering their compliance tools and inventory features. Pricing details and provider links are also provided for comparison. Whether you run a single vape kiosk or a multi-location vape retail chain, these POS systems can help keep your operations efficient and compliant.

1. Lightspeed Retail – Best Overall Vape Shop POS System

Lightspeed Retail is a powerful cloud-based POS platform known for robust inventory features and flexible integrations. It’s our top overall pick for vape shops that need comprehensive inventory management and built-in compliance. Lightspeed excels at handling large product catalogs with many variants, making it perfect for vape stores carrying hundreds of e-liquid flavors and devices.

It also supports omnichannel sales, allowing you to sync in-store and online inventory – useful if you sell vape products on your website (with appropriate age verification tools).

• Granular Inventory Control: Lightspeed offers extremely detailed inventory management. You can create custom attribute matrices (up to 50 attributes) to manage product variations like flavor, nicotine strength, and bottle size. The system supports bulk product imports, purchase order management, and even setting quantity limits on certain items. For example, you might limit bulk purchases of certain vape products to comply with local laws (Lightspeed has been beta-testing features to enforce such limits). These tools help prevent stockouts and curb bulk buying of restricted items.
  
• Age Verification & Compliance: Lightspeed Retail has integrated age verification solutions to keep your sales legal. It’s one of the few POS systems with built-in RACS compliance, meaning the register can require an ID scan for age-restricted sales by default. Lightspeed partners with third-party apps like Hyperspace for ID scanning – you can scan driver’s licenses to automatically verify age and even record the scan for compliance records. This ensures you “card” every customer for tobacco/vape products, avoiding costly fines. Lightspeed’s compliance features also let you set product-specific rules (e.g. the system won’t complete a sale if the ID check isn’t passed for a vape item).
  
• High-Risk Payment Support: With Lightspeed, you aren’t locked into a single processor. It has a built-in payment processing service (Lightspeed Payments) or you can integrate various third-party merchant services. Many vape shops appreciate this flexibility to shop for the best processing rates for a high-risk business. Lightspeed integrates with payment providers known to accept vape/cannabis businesses (examples include Worldpay, PayPal, and others), though using a third-party processor incurs an extra small fee on Lightspeed’s software plan. This flexibility means you can choose a merchant account that is comfortable with vape sales.
  
• E-Commerce and Omnichannel: Lightspeed includes a native eCommerce platform that syncs with the in-store POS. Notably, it supports age verification for online orders as well, through add-ons/partners, to ensure online customers are of age. You can easily set up an online vape shop with age-gating (for example, requiring customers to confirm birthdate or using an ID verify service at checkout). Lightspeed’s omnichannel tools enable “buy online, pick up in-store” workflows and real-time inventory syncing, so a bottle sold online won’t be sold again in-store by mistake.
  
• Advanced Analytics and CRM: With Lightspeed Insights reporting, vape retailers can track sales trends for each flavor or device, identify peak sales times, and monitor employee performance. Such granular data helps in spotting product trends (e.g. which e-liquid flavor is trending this month) and in loss prevention (flagging any stock discrepancies). Lightspeed also has built-in loyalty and customer management features, so you can reward repeat customers and maintain purchase histories (handy for knowing a regular’s preferred flavor).

Pricing: Lightspeed Retail is a premium service with no free plan. As of 2025, the retail POS software starts around $89/month (billed annually) for the Basic plan, up to $239/month (annual) for Plus which includes advanced analytics and multi-store support. Monthly billing is available at higher rates (e.g. $109 month-to-month for Basic).

Lightspeed Payments (if used) charges 2.6% + $0.10 per card-present transaction (typical rate). Keep in mind, if you choose an external processor instead, Lightspeed adds an extra fee (~$30/month) but it might be worth it if you secure lower processing rates for high-risk products. Lightspeed often runs a free trial or demo period so you can test it in your vape shop.

2. KORONA POS – Best for Compliance & Multistore Vape Retailers

KORONA POS is a cloud-based retail POS system designed for specialty shops and franchises. It’s particularly well-suited for vape businesses that operate multiple locations or need strong compliance features at a lower price point. KORONA stands out for its built-in age verification tools and the ability to work with virtually any payment processor – a big plus for high-risk retail. It also offers unlimited trial use, so you can try it free until you’re ready to subscribe.

• Built-In ID Scanning: KORONA has age verification functionality baked in. At checkout, the system can prompt staff to scan a customer’s ID or manually input their date of birth for any age-restricted product. If the buyer doesn’t meet the minimum age, the system automatically blocks the sale or removes the
  
  The age check feature works for in-store sales, and you can configure it for online sales as well if using KORONA’s e-commerce integrations. While KORONA’s age verify isn’t officially “RACS” (Juul’s standard) compliant, it achieves the same goal of preventing underage sales through reliable ID checks.
  
• Flexible Payment Processing: Unlike some POS that lock you into their own processing, KORONA is processor-agnostic. You can choose your own merchant service and connect it to KORONA, which is ideal for finding a provider that will approve vape and high-risk transactions at reasonable rates. KORONA integrates with popular payment terminals (like PAX and Dejavoo devices) to work with nearly any merchant account.
  
  This gives vape shop owners freedom to negotiate better fees or continue using an existing processor. High-risk businesses often benefit from this flexibility, as you might want to switch processors if your rates change or if one bank stops serving vape merchants.
  
• Inventory & Multi-Store Management: KORONA offers strong inventory management, especially at its Retail tier plan and above. You can manage a large product database with ease – the software supports mass edits (updating thousands of items at once), automatic reordering with vendor integrations, and detailed sales reporting to see which vape products sell well vs. which sit on shelves.
  
  If you run multiple vape shop locations, KORONA really shines: its cloud back office lets you see real-time stock levels at each store, transfer inventory between locations, and consolidate reporting across all stores. Permissions and role settings can be managed centrally too, so you maintain control over each register from headquarters. These features make it ideal for a growing vape chain or franchise.
  
• Pricing and Plans: KORONA is relatively affordable. Plans start at $59/month for the Core plan, which includes the basic POS features, eCommerce integration, and reports. Most vape shops will opt for the Retail plan at $69/month to get inventory management and customer accounts/loyalty features included. There’s also a Plus plan (+$20/terminal) that adds advanced reporting and multi-store tools, totaling around $89/month for one terminal.
  
  Notably, KORONA offers an unlimited free trial – you can use the system (with up to 30 transactions/day limit) indefinitely in trial mode to ensure it fits your needs before paying. This is great for new vape shop owners testing the waters. Since you’ll bring your own payment processor, transaction fees depend on your chosen provider (KORONA doesn’t add its own fee).
  
• Additional Highlights: KORONA includes a built-in loyalty program and CRM at higher tiers, letting vape shops run point-based rewards or SMS/email campaigns to retain customers. It also supports e-commerce through WooCommerce or other platforms, syncing online and offline sales.
  
  The system is quite user-friendly with a modern interface; employees can learn it quickly, and it supports various hardware from touchscreen PCs to tablets. KORONA’s support is available 24/7, which is useful if your vape shop keeps late hours. Overall, KORONA POS delivers a lot of vape-specific capabilities (like automatic ID checks and detailed inventory reports) at a moderate price, making it a favorite for compliance-conscious retailers.

3. Square for Retail – Best Budget/Starter POS for Vape Shops

For small or brand-new vape shops, Square for Retail is an attractive option because of its ease of use and free software plan. Square is a cloud-based POS known for its simple setup and affordable hardware. While it’s not built specifically for vape industry, it covers the basics well: inventory management, sales tracking, and a built-in online store.

However, vape sellers must use Square’s special program for regulated products, and there are some limitations (like no built-in ID scanner). Despite that, Square’s low entry cost and user-friendliness make it a great starting POS, with the option to upgrade as you grow.

• Free POS Software: Square for Retail offers a Free plan at $0/month. This includes essential POS functions: selling in-store, tracking inventory counts, basic reports, and even a free eCommerce website integration. For a small vape shop on a tight budget, being able to start without any monthly software fees is a huge benefit. You only pay transaction fees when you make sales. Square also has a paid Retail Plus plan ($89/month) with more advanced features, but many vape shops can initially operate on the free tier.
  
• Integrated Payment Processing: Every Square account uses Square’s built-in payment processing – you cannot use external merchant accounts with Square’s POS. The good news is setup is instant (no separate merchant application), but the fees are flat and slightly higher for vape/CBD products. Square requires vape businesses to register under its “CBD Program,” even if you sell nicotine e-liquid (not just CBD) – this is Square’s way of managing high-risk products. Under this program, in-person card rates are about 3.5% + 10¢ per swipe, and online transactions 3.8% + 30¢.
  
  These rates are higher than standard retail transactions (which are ~2.6%), reflecting the higher risk. There are no monthly gateway fees or statements – just the per-transaction fee. While the fees aren’t the cheapest, the simplicity and quick setup can be worth it for new businesses.
  
• Inventory and POS Features: Despite being free, Square for Retail provides a solid set of tools for managing a vape shop’s stock. You can add unlimited products with variants (for example, you can list an e-juice and have variants for each flavor or nicotine strength). It supports barcode scanning, stock counts, and even integration with Bluetooth scales if you need to sell items by weight (useful if you sell loose rolling tobacco or DIY e-juice by the milliliter).
  
  Square’s interface is very easy to use on a tablet or smartphone, and it has an offline mode for recording sales if your internet drops (though card payments won’t authorize until back online). Another handy feature is the Customer Directory CRM – Square keeps profiles of your customers’ purchase history and allows you to collect emails or phone numbers for marketing (with permission)fitsmallbusiness.com.
  
• Age Verification Approach: Here’s an area where Square is more basic – it does not have built-in ID scanning or hard age lockouts as some other systems do. You can set up a simple “age confirmation” popup reminder that prompts the cashier to check ID, but it relies on the employee to actually verify the customer’s age.
  
  In online sales, you can put an age disclaimer or require clicking “I’m over 21,” but again, no automated ID check is provided by Square. This means Square users must be vigilant with manual ID checks to stay compliant. If you require a more stringent automated age-verification at POS, solutions like KORONA, Clover or POS Nation (which have ID scanners) would be better.
  
• Hardware and Mobility: Square’s hardware is affordable and versatile. You can run the POS app on an iPad, Android device, or use Square’s own all-in-one hardware like the Square Register or Square Terminal. A basic setup could be as cheap as a $49 contactless card reader that connects to your phone or tablet. Square’s hardware also supports mobile selling, so if your vape business goes to trade shows or outdoor events, you can easily accept payments on the go. All devices sync to your Square account, so inventory stays updated across mobile and in-store sales in real time.

In summary, Square for Retail is an excellent low-cost solution to get a vape shop up and running quickly. There’s no upfront software cost, and you get an intuitive POS with decent inventory tools and a free online storefront.

Just be aware of the higher processing fees for vape sales, and the need to manually enforce age checks. As your store grows or if you need more robust compliance features, you might later switch to a more specialized POS. But many small vape shop owners appreciate Square’s simplicity and low barrier to entry.

4. Clover – Best for Vape Shops Wanting All-in-One Hardware

Clover is a popular all-in-one POS system that includes proprietary hardware (like countertop stations and mobile card readers) and a flexible software platform. It’s a great fit for vape shop owners who want a turnkey solution with built-in age verification and the ability to use their own merchant account.

Clover’s systems are known for being reliable and easy to use, and the variety of hardware (from full touchscreen registers to handheld devices) suits different store layouts. One standout is Clover’s RACS-compliant age verification feature, making it very vape-friendly out of the box.

• Built-In RACS Age Verification: Clover has native support for age verification on its POS. In fact, the Clover register software includes a RACS-compliant age check tool, meaning it can automatically prompt for ID scan for restricted items and adhere to JUUL’s Retail Access Control Standards. On a Clover Station or Mini, you can scan driver’s licenses (with an attached scanner or the built-in camera, depending on device) to instantly verify age.
  
  This is a crucial feature for vape shops – it ensures no sale is completed without confirming the customer is adult. (Note: Clover’s age verification applies to in-person sales; for e-commerce, you’d need a third-party solution as Clover doesn’t directly offer online age verification out of the box.) Having this automatic ID check gives peace of mind that your staff won’t accidentally skip an ID – the system enforces it.
  
• Flexible Payment Processing Options: Clover is offered by Fiserv (FirstData) and often through banks or merchant service providers. One big advantage is that you can use Clover with different merchant accounts – you’re not strictly tied to Fiserv if you purchase through an authorized reseller who can program Clover to work with your chosen processor.
  
  For a vape shop, this means you could shop around for a high-risk friendly merchant service. However, note that the payment processor must be set at the time of purchase – once you’ve set up Clover with a processor, you typically cannot reprogram it later without changing hardware. Still, this ability to start with your preferred processor (to get better rates for tobacco/vape sales) is a big plus.
  
• Hardware Variety – Countertop to Mobile: One of Clover’s strengths is its line of POS hardware. Vape shops can choose a setup that fits their size: Clover Station Duo is a full register with dual screens (one for cashier, one customer-facing) great for busy shops, Clover Mini is a compact touchscreen ideal for smaller counters, and Clover Flex is a handheld battery-powered device that can scan cards and barcodes (useful for curbside sales or line-busting).
  
  All Clover devices run the same software and sync to the cloud, so you could even have a combination (e.g. a Station at the main counter and a Flex for roaming or deliveries). The interface is modern and highly customizable – you can set up quick keys for popular products (e.g. single-click buttons for top-selling vape juice flavors) to speed up checkout. Clover also supports peripheral integrations like weight scales (if you sell by weight) and of course receipt printers, cash drawers, etc.
  
• Loyalty and Customer Management: Every Clover account comes with a built-in loyalty program at no extra charge. You can configure point-based rewards (e.g. 1 point per $1 spent, and maybe 100 points = $5 off) and Clover will automatically track points for customers who opt in. Clover also offers promotional tools (Clover Promos) to send out deals via email/text or even through their customer-facing Clover app.
  
  For vape shops, this is a convenient way to encourage repeat business – for example, giving points for each bottle of e-liquid purchased to drive return visits. The system’s built-in CRM keeps customer contact info and purchase history (helpful to see what a regular customer likes to buy).
  
• Pricing: Clover’s pricing can be a bit confusing because it’s often bundled with hardware. Typically, you’ll either pay upfront for the device and a small monthly software fee, or you pay a higher monthly fee that covers the hardware cost over time. For instance, for retail: the “Starter” Clover plan might be $60/month (for 36 months) and include a Clover Mini device, whereas the “Standard” plan is around $135/month (36 months) with a Clover Station Duo.
  
  If buying hardware outright, you might pay $1,000+ for a Station and then ~$50/month software. Also, transaction fees via Fiserv are roughly 2.3% to 2.6% +10¢ for card-present, depending on your plan. Some resellers may offer different pricing structures. The key is to get a clear quote from your Clover provider, and ensure they know you’re a vape business (so they set you up with an appropriate merchant account). There are sometimes contract commitments when hardware is financed (e.g. 3-year terms), so be mindful of that.

Overall, Clover is a scalable and feature-rich POS for vape shops. It combines professional hardware with vape-specific needs like age verification scanning and loyalty programs. It’s especially good if you prefer a one-stop solution – you get the register, software, support, and payments all from one provider. Many small business owners find Clover straightforward to use, thanks to its app-like interface. Just compare offers from different Clover resellers to get the best deal for your vape shop’s processing, and you’ll have a reliable system ready to go.

5. POS Nation – Best for Full-Feature, Locally-Installed Solution

POS Nation is a POS provider known for serving niche retail like convenience, liquor, and tobacco/vape shops. Unlike the others on this list, POS Nation’s solution is a locally-installed software (with optional cloud backup), meaning it runs on a Windows PC in your store. They bundle the software with hardware, so you get a complete register set-up.

POS Nation stands out for its robust age verification and inventory tools tailored to tobacco/vape, such as ID scanner integration and even handling of perishable inventory. It’s a great choice for vape retailers who want a more traditional, one-time purchase system that still supports modern compliance features.

• Industry Focused Features: Because POS Nation has many clients in the tobacco and vape space, it comes with thoughtful features: integrated sales reporting for tobacco scan data (to comply with any manufacturer programs or state reporting if required), built-in customer loyalty programs to reward repeat, and 24/7 customer support from a team that understands your business.
  
  New employees can be trained on it relatively fast, and you can set permissions so that, for example, only a manager can process refunds or see certain data, adding a level of security against internal theft. Many vape shop owners also appreciate that POS Nation’s team will help with initial product setup and data migration during onboarding, making the switch easier.
  
• Automatic ID Scanning: POS Nation includes an ID scanner and software integration to handle age verification seamlessly. When a restricted item (like vape juice, cigarettes, or devices) is added to the sale, the system will prompt the cashier to scan the customer’s driver’s license or ID. The scanner (provided as part of the hardware kit) reads the ID and automatically verifies the age, or staff can manually enter the birthdate if needed.
  
  If the customer isn’t of age, the sale is halted. You can also configure the required age for different products (21 for vape, maybe 18 for other items if laws differ) in the back office settings. This built-in age check greatly reduces human error – every transaction is checked. It’s not reliant on memory or a pop-up alone; the system actually reads the ID, which is the gold standard for compliance. Many POS Nation users cite this fast, secure age verification scanner as a key benefit.
  
• Advanced Inventory Management: POS Nation’s software (which is based on CAP Retail) is very capable with inventory. It supports features like case-break tracking (e.g. if you buy e-liquid by the case but sell individually), mix-and-match pricing (for promotions like “Buy 2, get 1 free” on e-juices), and even perishables management. For instance, if certain vape products have expiration dates or lot numbers (some e-liquids or CBD products might), you can monitor those.
  
  The system also excels at managing tobacco products by pack/carton – if your vape shop also sells traditional cigarettes, you can easily see inventory by packs and cartons and do carton splits. Scale integration is available too, useful if selling any product by weight. All these tools help maintain tight control over stock and profit margins. Moreover, POS Nation’s reporting can provide insights into top sellers, allowing you to stock more of what customers want.
  
• Local Installation with Cloud Backup: One differentiator is that POS Nation is primarily an on-premise software – it runs on a local computer/register in your store. This means if the internet goes down, your system still works (all data is stored locally and can sync later). They do offer cloud backup and syncing, but it’s optional (and an extra fee).
  
  For some vape shop owners, this is reassuring because you’re not 100% dependent on an internet connection for the register to function. You also own the hardware and license, so you’re not renting the POS monthly (aside from support fees). The system can operate offline and then push data to the cloud for remote access or backups when online. It’s a bit of an old-school approach, but very reliable for a single-store operation.
  
• Pricing: POS Nation sells custom hardware/software packages. Generally, they have subscription plans (Starter around $69/month, Growth $99, Premium $149) which include the software license, hardware kit, and support. The key point is hardware is included and there’s no long-term contract required (you can cancel anytime), though you do sign up for their merchant processing (they have an in-house payments service).
  
  If you prefer, POS Nation can integrate with other merchant processors like Worldpay or Heartland, but you still typically get the bundle pricing for the system. Transaction fees will depend on the processor (POS Nation doesn’t publish their rates up front). Essentially, with POS Nation you’re buying a complete POS system bundle for a monthly fee, which can be cost-effective if you need all new hardware. It’s also possible to buy the system outright by paying the equipment cost and a one-time software fee – you’d discuss that quote with them via their “build and price” tool.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.3: Why do vape shops need specialized POS systems?

Answer: Vape shops sell age-restricted products (e-cigarettes, vape juice with nicotine, etc.), so age verification is a critical requirement at the point of sale. A specialized vape shop POS has features to handle this automatically – for example, by scanning IDs or prompting for birth dates and refusing transactions if the customer is underage. Additionally, the vape industry is considered high-risk by banks, so the POS needs to support high-risk payment processing or integrate with processors that allow vape/tobacco sales.

Finally, vape retailers manage a complex inventory (many flavors, nicotine levels, coils, devices), and a good vape POS provides advanced inventory tracking tailored to this (including variant management and even tracking of compliance info like product ingredients or batch numbers). Standard POS systems might not include all these tools or might require a lot of manual work to enforce compliance. A vape-specialized POS streamlines compliance and inventory tasks, letting the shop owner focus more on customers and less on worrying about underage sales or stockouts.

Q.2: How do POS systems verify a customer’s age?

Most vape shop POS systems use one of two methods: scanning an ID or prompting for date of birth entry. Systems like Lightspeed, Clover, KORONA, and POS Nation support electronic ID scanning – you connect a 2D barcode scanner or use the device camera to scan the customer’s driver’s license or ID card. The software reads the birth date from the ID and confirms if the customer is old enough (e.g. 21+ for vaping in the U.S.). This scan usually takes seconds and can be recorded in the system log for compliance records.

If an ID is invalid or underage, the POS will block the sale of those items. In absence of a scanner, the POS might prompt the cashier to manually enter the DOB and will calculate age – not as foolproof, but still a compliance step. Some systems are even RACS-compliant, meaning they meet Juul’s Retail Access Control Standards by requiring an electronic ID scan for certain products and limiting quantities.

It’s important to note that for online sales, POS or e-commerce software use age verification APIs or adult signature on delivery since you can’t physically scan an ID online. But for in-store, a good vape POS will integrate with an ID scanner to automate age checks and take the guesswork out of the clerk’s hands.

Q.3: What is “high-risk” payment processing and why do vape shops need it?

“High-risk” payment processing refers to merchant services for industries that have higher rates of chargebacks, regulatory scrutiny, or legal restrictions. The vape and tobacco industry falls into this category due to age restrictions, changing laws, and historically higher fraud/chargeback rates. Many regular payment processors (like some banks or services like PayPal) either won’t work with vape businesses or will impose stricter terms.

Therefore, vape shops need a POS that can integrate with high-risk friendly processors. These are companies that specialize in or accept businesses selling things like nicotine products, CBD, glassware, etc. For example, Square created a special CBD Program to allow such sales with adjusted fees. High-risk processors typically charge slightly higher transaction fees or may have rolling reserves to protect against chargebacks.

The POS system’s role is to be compatible with these processors (via integrations or openness to third-party gateways). If a POS only works with a processor that prohibits vape sales, that’s a problem. All the top 5 systems we listed accommodate high-risk processing either through their own programs or by being processor-agnostic, so you can reliably accept credit cards in your vape shop without your funds being suddenly frozen due to the industry.

Q.4: What is RACS compliance and do I need to worry about it as a vape shop retailer?

RACS stands for Retail Access Control Standards, a set of point-of-sale requirements introduced by JUUL Labs for retailers selling their products. In practice, a “RACS-compliant” POS system will do a few key things for JUUL (and similar vapor products): electronically verify customer IDs for age, limit the quantity of certain products per transaction (JUUL implemented limits like 1 vapor device and 4 refill pod packs per customer per day), and maintain logs of each sale with verification data. JUUL pushed RACS to curb illegal sales to minors and straw purchasing, and many major chains adopted these standards.

As a vape shop owner in 2025, you should absolutely have age verification in place (that’s mandated by law). Whether you need full “RACS compliance” depends on if you carry products from manufacturers that require it. JUUL, for instance, requires any authorized retailer of their products to use a RACS certified solution.

Some POS systems have obtained RACS certification from JUUL Labs – Lightspeed and Clover are examples that have touted RACS compliance. If you sell JUUL, using one of those or another certified system might be part of your retailer agreement. Even if you don’t sell JUUL, following RACS guidelines is best practice to avoid selling too much to one customer (to prevent reselling to minors) and to ensure every sale is age-checked.

In short, RACS compliance means your POS will automatically require ID scanning for every sale of vapor products and enforce quantity limits. It’s a higher standard of compliance. Not all vape shop POS systems are officially RACS-certified, but many have similar functionality. For example, KORONA and POS Nation do age verification and let you set some limits, though they may not be formally certified by JUUL.

If you want to be on the safe side (or plan to sell products from companies like JUUL that demand RACS), it’s wise to choose a POS that either is RACS compliant or offers equivalent features. That way you’re prepared for any manufacturer requirements and you demonstrate the highest level of due diligence in preventing underage sales.

Conclusion

Choosing the right POS system is a critical decision for any vape shop owner. The top 5 POS systems of 2025 we discussed – Lightspeed Retail, KORONA POS, Square for Retail, Clover, and POS Nation – each offer a unique blend of features suited to the vape industry. To recap briefly:

• Lightspeed Retail is ideal for growing vape businesses that need powerful inventory tools and omnichannel sales, with built-in compliance integrations (though at a higher price point).
• KORONA POS provides affordable, compliance-focused solutions with ID scanning and multi-store support, perfect for high-risk retailers who want flexibility in payment processing.
• Square for Retail offers a cost-effective, user-friendly start for small vape shops, covering all the basics with no monthly fees – just be mindful to manually enforce age checks and the slightly higher processing rates for vape sales.
• Clover gives you an all-in-one hardware and software combo with the convenience of built-in age verification and loyalty, plus the option to work with various merchant accounts – a scalable choice for those who value an integrated approach.
• POS Nation stands out with a complete POS bundle tailored for tobacco/vape retailers, including automatic ID scanning and advanced inventory, great for store owners who prefer a more traditional setup with offline reliability.

When making your decision, consider your shop’s specific needs: compliance requirements, budget, store size, and whether you plan to sell online or expand to multiple locations. Compliance (age verification, purchase limits) should be a top priority – ensure the system you choose can handle it either natively or through integrations.

Inventory management capabilities will save you time and money by keeping your stock optimized (no more missing out on sales because you ran out of a popular coil or flavor unexpectedly). And of course, make sure the payment processing solution can accommodate vape products without exorbitant fees or risk of sudden account holds.

All the systems above are cloud-based or have cloud options (except POS Nation’s primarily local setup), meaning you can usually monitor your vape shop’s performance from anywhere and get updates/security patches automatically. This is increasingly important as the industry evolves and new regulations come into play – your POS should be able to update to remain compliant (for example, if new scanning requirements or tax rules for e-liquids are introduced).

In the fast-changing vape market, a reliable POS system is like your business’s backbone: it keeps transactions smooth, safeguards you legally, and provides insights to help you grow. Whether you prioritize cost, compliance, or advanced features, one of these top 5 POS solutions will fit the bill.

By investing in a vape-focused POS, you’ll be equipped to serve customers efficiently while keeping every sale above board and every product accounted for. Here’s to a thriving and compliant vape retail business in 2025 and beyond!