Rather than listing every tool on the market, here are three concrete, buildable stacks — one per store archetype. Each is a real-world configuration using tools we review in depth in the comparison articles linked at the end of this guide. Costs are list prices; add your payment-processing markup on top of card volume.
3.1 Stack A — Single Store (Brick & Mortar)
Best for: one location, foot traffic, local customer base.
| Layer | Recommended pick | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| POS & inventory | KORONA POS (vape-ready) or Lightspeed Retail | $79–119/mo |
| Payments | High-risk processor paired with your POS (e.g., WAAVE, PayKings, EMB) | ~1.0–1.8% total |
| Age verification | POS-integrated ID scanner (built into KORONA; third-party hardware for Lightspeed) | $0–30/mo |
| Ecommerce | Optional: simple storefront or skip until volume justifies it | $0–29/mo |
| Compliance | State sales-tax automation (Avalara or similar) if not bundled | $0–50/mo |
| Shipping | N/A for in-store; carrier account if you ship locally | — |
Estimated total: $95–230/month + processing fees (typically 1.0–1.8% of card volume)
3.2 Stack B — Multi-Location Chain
Best for: 2–20+ locations, central buying, uniform compliance.
| Layer | Recommended pick | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| POS & inventory | Lightspeed Retail (multi-store) or KORONA multi-location | $119–299/mo |
| Payments | Single high-risk processor with consolidated reporting across locations | ~1.0–1.8% total |
| Age verification | Chain-wide ID scan + centralized audit log | $30–60/mo |
| Ecommerce | Unified POS-ecommerce sync (one catalog, both channels) | $50–200/mo |
| Compliance | Chain-level PACT Act + multi-state tax automation; license renewals calendar | $100–300/mo |
| Shipping | PACT-compliant carrier contract + adult-signature workflow | per-package |
Estimated total: $300–860/month + processing fees · chains usually negotiate POS and processor pricing at volume
3.3 Stack C — Online-Only (Ecommerce)
Best for: no storefront, direct-to-consumer shipping. Highest compliance load per order.
| Layer | Recommended pick | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ecommerce platform | Shopify/WooCommerce + vape-capable setup, or a vape-native ecommerce platform | $29–99/mo |
| Payments | High-risk gateway (not Shopify Payments / Stripe) | ~1.2–2.0% total |
| Age verification | Checkout age check (BlueCheck, Veriff, Yoti, Token of Trust) + delivery ID | $50–150/mo |
| Compliance | PACT Act reporting + multi-state excise & sales tax automation | $100–250/mo |
| Shipping | PACT-compliant carrier (USPS banned) with adult signature at delivery | $8–20/package |
| POS | None (skip hardware) | — |
Estimated total: $180–500/month + processing fees + per-package shipping · online-only has the lowest software floor but the highest per-order compliance cost
Two rules that apply to every stack ① Payment processing must be high-risk capable — this is the single most common fatal mistake. ② Age verification is not a feature you can turn off to "save money"; it is the difference between a fine and a license revocation in most states.
