Do you have an online store or a small physical retail outlet? Tired of manual bookkeeping and want to automate processes? We’ll tell you how to do it and review free programs for retail trade.
Why You Need Programs for Retail Business
Retail trade is a continuous movement: you need to order goods on time, control stock, keep records, work with customers, process orders, and so on. The larger the business grows, the harder it is to keep everything under control. How much time do you spend on routine operations now? Is everything really in order, and do you have resources left for more important tasks?
In fact, entrepreneurs already have many assistants that partially or fully automate processes: from stock control to customer communication. They free up time and allow you to focus on strategic development: scaling and finding new customers.
Challenges of Retail Business
It doesn’t matter what the retailer sells—products, clothes, or gadgets—they often face the following problems:
- Sales Management. It’s difficult to track all orders, control payments and deliveries, and analyze efficiency.
- Communication. It takes up most of the time: you need to answer customer questions, process requests, publish news and messages on social networks and on the website, and create personalized offers.
- Turnover Control. This is the eternal question of business: how to order goods in time to prevent shortages and calculate the volume so that there are no unsold stocks.
These and other challenges can be overcome with modern software. However, many entrepreneurs are concerned about the high cost. The alternative is free programs for retail trade. There are different options:
- Open-source software that is distributed for free or for donations.
- Commercial software with free basic rates: for example, free access for small companies.
We have selected and reviewed interesting options that will ensure the automation of your retail business and help increase efficiency.
Selection of Free and Conditionally Free Programs for Retail Trade
We offer a brief overview of free programs for business. For convenience, we have divided them into thematic categories.
POS Systems – Free Retail Software
In many countries, the law provides for the mandatory use of POS systems in retail trade. POS (Point of Sale) is a combination of software and equipment for managing sales. Such a system helps to keep track of goods, generate receipts, calculate expenses and taxes, and also accept contactless payments.
Let’s look at what free programs for retail trade are available in this category.
HugeProfit
HugeProfit is a powerful and innovative POS system that offers a wide range of features for managing sales and automating business processes. It is ideally suited for small and medium-sized businesses, including online stores and physical retail outlets.
For whom: For small and medium-sized businesses, including online stores, retail stores, cafes, and other establishments.
Cost: HugeProfit offers a free plan with limited features, as well as paid plans with extended capabilities.
Advantages:
- Intuitive interface, making the system easy to use even for beginners.
- Quick setup and access from any device, allowing you to manage your business from anywhere.
- Detailed reports and analytics that help track sales and make informed business decisions.
- Integration with other systems, such as accounting programs and inventory management systems.
- Support for automated discounts and loyalty programs, which helps attract and retain customers.
- Reliable technical support and regular updates, ensuring the stable operation of the system.
Disadvantages:
- The free plan has limited features, and to get the full functionality, you need to switch to a paid plan.
- Some advanced features may require additional settings and integrations, which can be difficult for users without technical skills.
HugeProfit stands out among competitors due to its flexibility, wide functionality, and ease of use. It offers a comprehensive solution for automating business processes, helping entrepreneurs focus on developing their business and attracting new customers.
Mobile applications of the CRM system HugeProfit
Use all the advantages of a mobile device for inventory management:
– mobile barcode scanner
– adding sales in 2 clicks
– creating and tracking TTN
– controlling balances on Prom, Rozetka, OpenCart, Woocommerce, Khoroshop
– Many warehouses and employees
Imonggo
A cloud service for sales management: combines the functions of product accounting, order analytics, and customer management. It can be integrated into an online store. The platform works online: there is no need to install it on a device.
For whom: For small and medium-sized businesses, including retail stores, cafes, and other establishments.
Cost: There is a free plan for one user with one point of sale, up to 30 products, and 300 transactions per month.
Advantages: User-friendly interface, quick setup, access from any device, detailed reports.
Disadvantages: The free plan is noticeably limited. There is no support for automated discounts, loyalty systems, and other complex processes.
Floreant POS
A free application with open code and flexible settings. It works on personal computers and specialized terminals. Supports order management, stock control, cash management, and report generation.
For whom: Cafes, bars, fast food establishments.
Cost: Completely free.
Advantages: Basic functions are available for free. You can hire a developer and adapt the system to specific business needs. The system does not depend on an internet connection and has all the necessary functions for managing processes in establishments: from order distribution to tip support.
Disadvantages: Requires installation and does not work on mobile devices. The settings are complex, and there is no free support.
Odoo Point of Sale
A modular system for managing a point of sale, part of the Odoo ecosystem. It works in a browser, supports local and cloud connections. It can be supplemented with other modules: for warehouse accounting, accounting, customer data storage, etc. POS works with invoices, supports various payment methods, scales to multiple cashiers, creates and manages loyalty programs.
For whom: Suitable for retail stores, catering establishments.
Cost: Completely free.
Advantages: Can be used online or installed on a terminal. Intuitive cash, sales, and returns management. The application can be customized to business needs.
Disadvantages: The POS module is free, but other ecosystem modules are only available for a fee.
CRM
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is a system for managing customer contacts. It records calls, correspondence, orders, and support requests, helping businesses respond faster, offer personalized solutions, and automate sales.
HugeProfit CRM
HugeProfit CRM is a modern solution for managing customer relationships that helps businesses effectively manage customer contacts, automate sales, and improve communication with buyers.
For whom: HugeProfit CRM is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses, including online stores, retail stores, service companies, and other enterprises that seek to improve customer interaction and optimize sales processes.
Cost: HugeProfit offers flexible rate plans, including free options for small companies with basic functions, as well as paid rates with extended functionality.
Pros:
- Intuitive interface: HugeProfit CRM has a convenient and simple interface, making it accessible even to users without technical skills.
- Process automation: The system allows you to automate routine tasks, such as sending email newsletters, managing contacts, and tracking deals, which saves time and reduces the likelihood of errors.
- Integration with other systems: HugeProfit easily integrates with other business systems, such as accounting programs, inventory management systems, and payment systems, allowing you to create a single ecosystem for business management.
- Detailed analytics and reporting: CRM provides tools for data analysis and report generation, which helps evaluate work efficiency and make informed business decisions.
- Customer support: HugeProfit offers reliable technical support, ensuring stable system operation and quick resolution of emerging issues.
- Mobile access: The system is available as a web service and in the form of a mobile application, allowing you to manage business processes from anywhere and at any time.
Cons:
- Limited capabilities of the free plan: The free plan has limited features, and to get the full functionality, you need to switch to a paid plan.
- Need for training: To fully utilize all the system’s capabilities, time may be required for training and adapting employees.
- Dependence on internet connection: The system operates online, which may be a limitation in conditions of unstable internet connection.
HugeProfit CRM is a powerful tool for managing customer relationships that helps businesses improve customer interaction, automate processes, and increase work efficiency. If you are looking for a reliable and convenient CRM management solution, we recommend trying HugeProfit.
SendPulse
CRM is part of the marketing platform ecosystem. It offers a comprehensive solution for sales automation and convenient communication with buyers. CRM provides centralized management of sales, orders, and deals, and communication channels.
For whom: Suitable for representatives of small and medium-sized businesses who sell goods and digital products online through various channels.
Cost: Free for one account owner and four users invited by them. The free plan includes 2 funnels, 2 boards, access to a 1 GB disk, 5 chains, 1 event, 50 elements in Automation 360.
Advantages: A large set of integrations, automation of routine processes, intuitive interface, very simple settings.
Disadvantages: The system only works online.
Flowlu
A cloud CRM system that combines project, team, sales, and transaction management in one interface. It has tools for automating business operations, maintaining a customer base, issuing invoices, setting tasks, and evaluating results.
For whom: Useful for startups, small and medium-sized businesses in the field of sales, service companies, and small enterprises.
Cost: Free plan for two users with 1 GB of memory, an unlimited number of projects, contacts, and tasks. The free plan also includes one project template, one knowledge base, invoicing options, and expense tracking.
Advantages: Intuitive interface, a large set of functions, flexible settings.
Disadvantages: Limited capabilities of the free plan.
KeepinCRM
A Ukrainian CRM system for small and medium-sized businesses. It helps manage sales, tasks, and finances, maintain a customer base, control inventory, and suppliers.
For whom: Suitable for online and offline companies looking for an “all-in-one” solution: from deal control to business process automation. Especially useful for stores that operate online and have physical locations.
Cost: There is a free plan: one user, one funnel, basic inventory management functions, the ability to manage leads, deals, and customers, create a price list, and track statistics.
Advantages: Flexible automation. The system can be customized to the needs of the business. A large set of functions.
Disadvantages: Limited free plan.
Programs for Product and Financial Accounting
Modern software is capable of automating product and inventory accounting, simplifying work with money, and making these processes transparent. This reduces routine and helps better control the business. Such programs are called ERP – short for enterprise resource planning or “enterprise resource planning system.” Let’s look at which of them are available for free.
ERPJS
A free program for trade and warehouse accounting, developed in Ukraine. It manages finances, controls procurement and sales processes, administers the warehouse, and helps with pricing. It accompanies the logistics process at all stages, displays all accounting operations, and integrates with well-known platforms for online trading, delivery services, and messengers.
For whom: Universal – suitable for both a small retail outlet and a supermarket chain.
Cost: There is a free plan with 512 MB of memory in the cloud. It includes full-fledged warehouse accounting, settlements with suppliers and customers, assortment management, and customer profiles.
Advantages: A large set of functions, flexibility, focus on Ukrainian business.
Disadvantages: The free plan is limited: 512 MB of memory is critically low.
Invoice Ninja
A free program for product accounting in a store, as well as a cloud platform for automating financial operations. It helps issue invoices, manage expenses, and sign contracts. You can create invoices, accept online payments, manage customers, and integrate with accounting programs and payment systems.
For whom: Suitable for freelancers, small and medium-sized businesses.
Cost: The free plan includes 4 invoice templates, the option to accept online payments, automatic invoicing, inventory and product catalog management, project creation and management, supplier settings, and much more.
Advantages: Intuitive interface and fast basic operations.
Disadvantages: Limited integration capabilities in Ukraine and many other countries.
Odoo
A free program for trade and warehouse accounting with open code. It has hundreds of modules, so the functionality covers all business processes: warehouse management, procurement, marketing, financial accounting. The system is available both in the cloud version and for installation on your own server.
For whom: Suitable for small and medium-sized businesses in the field of retail trade both offline and online.
Cost: Only one module is free. You have to pay for any additional integrations.
Advantages: Flexible modular system. Active community of developers ensuring constant development and updates.
Disadvantages: To set up and deploy, adapt functions, you need to hire a technical specialist. Technical support is limited to the active community.
How to Choose the Optimal Set of Tools
Obviously, free programs for retail trade need to be selected according to the specific needs of the store. It is unlikely that you will need all the software from this review. Moreover, there are comprehensive services that combine several functions: for example, CRM and ERP. So, we will tell you what to pay attention to when choosing software.
Functions
Now, make a list of tasks that the program should solve: for example, keeping track of orders or customer base, automating mailings, creating analytical reports, and so on.
Is it difficult to understand what your business needs? Carefully analyze the processes and choose those that:
- require a lot of time,
- distract from the main tasks,
- constantly cause problems.
For example, you keep inventory records in an Excel table and periodically forget to update the data. Because of this, confusion arises, and some orders cannot be closed – customers are disappointed. This means that you need an ERP program integrated into the admin panel of your online store. It will automatically synchronize inventory data with sales information.
Limitations
As you have already seen, most free programs for retail stores are limited. Carefully study the nuances of free plans and analyze whether these functions are sufficient for your business needs.
Integration
This is the essence of automating business processes: different programs are combined with each other and set up data exchange. For example, information about sales from the POS system automatically updates the stock balances, and customer contacts go to the CRM. To make this really work, make sure:
- whether the selected software is prepared for integrations,
- which platforms they are compatible with,
- whether this is available within the free plan.
If the applications do not integrate, you will have to transfer data manually. This takes time and increases the risk of errors. So avoid such software.
Network of Small Stores
It is difficult to find a completely free solution for centralized management of the network. Most such systems are paid. But there are compromise options: for example, use free tools at each point of sale, and then manually consolidate the data. However, this takes time, and the risk of errors is high. So it makes sense to consider the available rates of the services you need.
Conclusions
“Free” does not mean “zero cost.” You can spend a lot of time searching for such programs, setting up synchronization, and other processes. Calculate what is more profitable for you at this stage: to work within the free plans or to find an optimal paid solution and develop the business? When considering the pros and cons, rely on the real needs of your store, as well as the tasks that need to be solved here and now. And always be ready for changes in the future: expansion and scaling.
Remember that tools that work in one ecosystem are always more effective. Conflict-free interaction, fast data exchange, simple setup, high efficiency – these are the advantages of the HugeProfit platform services. Integrate convenient modern solutions and implement your business strategy as effectively as possible!