Can I use Square for my vape shop?
No. Square's Acceptable Use Policy explicitly prohibits the sale of tobacco and vaping products. When Square detects vape transactions, it terminates the account and can hold funds. If you're on Square, migrate to a vape-capable POS with a high-risk processor before the freeze — not after.
What is the best POS system for a vape shop?
For most shops, KORONA POS is the best value: built for age-restricted retail, with ID scanning and its own high-risk processing. Lightspeed Retail is the best overall for growing multi-location operations with deep inventory needs. Cova wins when compliance reporting is your top priority.
Do I need a special POS for high-risk payment processing?
The POS doesn't process payments itself, but it must integrate with a gateway that underwrites vape merchants. KORONA and Cova offer vape-capable processing directly; Lightspeed, POS Nation, and Clover pair with third-party high-risk processors like WAAVE, PayKings, or EMB.
Which POS has built-in age verification for vape shops?
KORONA POS includes ID scanning built in, and Cova supports age-verification workflows for age-restricted products. For Lightspeed, POS Nation, and Clover, you add an ID scanner that integrates at the register — budget roughly $30–60/month or a one-time hardware cost.
How much does a vape shop POS cost?
Software runs $69–300+/month depending on system and features, plus hardware ($0–1,000 one-time or ~$20–80/month financed) and payment processing fees (typically 1.0–1.8% total for high-risk vape merchants). POS Nation and KORONA are the budget-friendly options; Cova is the premium end.
Is Lightspeed good for vape shops?
Yes — with one caveat. Lightspeed's inventory and multi-store features are excellent for vape, but it doesn't underwrite payments itself, so you must pair it with a third-party high-risk processor. With that in place, it's our pick for growing chains.
What POS do smoke shops use?
Common setups among smoke and vape shops: KORONA (age-restricted focus), Lightspeed (growing operations), and POS Nation (budget single stores). Cannabis-adjacent operators often use Cova. Whatever the system, the constant is a high-risk processor and ID scanning at the register.
