Evaluating the Top 5 Cannabis POS Platforms: Performance, Compliance, and Innovation

Managing a cannabis dispensary means dealing with complicated compliance, inventory tracking, age verification, retail workflows, and payment processing. We’ve evaluated dozens of platforms and identified the Top 5 cannabis POS systems that stand separate themselves from the rest.

BLAZE

Website: blaze.me
Why it stands out: Blaze consistently ranks as the “Best All‑in‑One” cannabis POS. It boasts seamless e‑commerce, kiosk, and mobile integration, plus comprehensive compliance tools and reports. Customer feedback highlights its native inventory, payment, CRM, and reporting stack.
Unique selling point: Totally integrated ecosystem on iOS and Android with seed‑to‑sale traceability.

Cova

Website: covasoftware.com
Why it stands out: Frequently lauded for reliability and compliance, Cova is praised for surviving high‑volume days (e.g. 4/20) with zero downtime. It’s known for exceptional training, support, and intuitive UX.
Unique selling point: “Zero‑downtime” performance with strong onboarding and support.

Dutchie POS (formerly Greenbits)

Website: dutchie.com
Why it stands out: Rated as the best all‑round POS for growing retailers, Dutchie offers a polished UI, integrated e‑commerce builder, built‑in payments, and seed‑to‑sale tracking.
Industry note: Some reports mention occasional glitches and slower support.
Unique selling point: Holistic platform combining POS, payments, and online ordering effectively.

Flowhub

Website: flowhub.com
Why it stands out: Ideal for multi‑state operations, Flowhub features Greet mobile check‑in, nug mobile inventory auditing (Stash), and robust Metrc integrations. It’s especially effective for operators looking to scale across multiple retail locations.
Unique selling point: Custom check‑in/ID workflows and scalable inventory auditing tools.

IndicaOnline

Website: indicaonline.com
Why it stands out: With high user satisfaction and robust medical‑sector features, IndicaOnline excels at clinical setups with delivery, analytics, and patient management.
Unique selling point: Great for medical operators needing prescription controls, delivery, and vetting.

Hardware Recommendations

Here are some proven hardware options to run a cannabis POS effectively:

  • Square Register – All‑in‑one touchscreen register with integrated card reader, ideal for boutique dispensaries and quick setup.
  • Volcora 15.6″ POS Terminal Pro – Rugged full‑size terminal with large screen and peripheral support, perfect for high throughput environments.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right cannabis POS requires a clear vision of your operational needs: do you manage multiple locations, need integrated e‑commerce, or serve medical patients?

  • Blaze is ideal for full-stack integration.
  • Cova ensures rock‑solid uptime and reliability.
  • Dutchie brings strong online ordering tools.
  • Flowhub supports scalable, multi-state expansion.
  • IndicaOnline fits medical/delivery-specific workflows.

Conduct side‑by‑side demos, factor in your state’s compliance needs, and don’t hesitate to ask providers about customer service and uptime records. A good cannabis POS isn’t just tech—it’s the backbone of your dispensary’s success.