A point of sale system can be hosted by a provider or installed on equipment at your business. The right setup depends on how you work, the devices you have, your connectivity, and the support you need.
Compare the details that affect your business
| Question | Cloud POS | On-premise POS |
|---|---|---|
| Where do staff use it? | Often through a browser or app on supported devices | Usually on equipment where the software is installed |
| What happens when internet is unavailable? | Depends on the product's offline support | Local functions may continue; connected services may still need internet |
| How are updates and backups handled? | Check the provider's terms and settings | Check the software and your own backup process |
| What does it cost? | Compare subscription, payment, and device costs | Compare licence, maintenance, support, and device costs |
Ask each provider how data is stored, exported, backed up, and recovered. Confirm which devices are supported and what happens if a device is lost or stops working. Compare the full cost over the period you expect to use the system, including payment processing and support.
Check offline behavior before you rely on it
Offline support varies. Ask which actions work without a connection and how transactions sync later. SokoWise POS supports offline transaction logging and syncs records when the connection returns. Connected payment and communication services may need internet access.
Try the workflow on the devices your staff will use. Confirm how to check that offline transactions have synced and how to resolve a duplicate or failed transaction.
Choose a system based on the way your business operates and the terms the provider offers. Read about SokoWise Point of Sale and review the features available to your account.