PHP POS vs Hike POS

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Our analysts compared PHP POS vs Hike POS based on data from our 400+ point analysis of POS Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

PHP POS is an open-source point-of-sale system designed for small businesses and individual entrepreneurs. It offers essential POS features like product management, inventory tracking, sales recording, and basic reporting. Users praise its customizability and low cost, often opting for self-hosted installations to keep expenses minimal. However, setup and maintenance require technical expertise, making it less suitable for beginners or businesses needing extensive support. Compared to paid competitors, PHP POS lacks advanced features like multi-store management, employee permissions, and integrations with popular apps. While users appreciate its flexibility and cost-effectiveness, they also acknowledge the trade-off in terms of user-friendliness and functionality. Pricing varies depending on hosting and customization needs, but self-hosted installations start around $50, with additional fees for premium themes and plugins.

Pros
  • Free & open-source
  • Highly customizable
  • Low cost to self-host
  • Simple & intuitive interface
  • Basic features for most needs
Cons
  • Requires technical expertise
  • Limited advanced features
  • No multi-store support
  • Minimal customer support
  • Potential security risks
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Hike POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale software designed for adventure and leisure businesses like ski shops, bike rentals, and escape rooms. It streamlines operations with inventory management, online bookings, and rental tracking. Its mobile-first interface makes it easy to manage sales and customer interactions on the go. Hike POS boasts features like membership programs, loyalty rewards, and automated marketing tools, fostering customer engagement and repeat business. Users praise its intuitive interface, robust reporting, and seamless integrations with popular payment gateways and accounting platforms. Compared to other POS systems, Hike POS stands out for its industry-specific features, flexible pricing plans based on user count, and exceptional customer support. While it may lack some advanced functionalities of enterprise-level solutions, Hike POS shines for its affordability and ease of use, making it a strong contender for small and medium-sized businesses in the adventure and leisure industry.

Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Mobile-first interface
  • Industry-specific features
  • Robust reporting
  • Great customer support
Cons
  • Limited advanced features
  • Occasional glitches
  • Pricier than some options
  • Click-intensive tasks
  • Mobile app can be clunky
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$8/Month, Freemium
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Tailored to your specific needs
$19 Monthly, Freemium
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
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Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Unleash Your Inner Tweak Master: PHP POS's open-source nature lets you customize it to your exact needs. Craft bespoke workflows, tailor reports, and even build custom plugins - the possibilities are endless.
  • Cost-Conscious Champion: Ditch the hefty price tags of closed-source POS systems. PHP POS is free to download and use, with minimal hosting costs and optional add-ons for advanced needs. Save your resources for what truly matters - growing your business.
  • Data Detective: Gain valuable insights into your operations with built-in reporting tools. Track sales trends, analyze inventory levels, and identify customer buying patterns to make informed decisions and optimize your business strategy.
  • Tech-Savvy Simplicity: Don't be intimidated by complex interfaces. PHP POS boasts a user-friendly design that makes it easy for anyone, from seasoned cashiers to tech newbies, to navigate and master the system quickly.
  • Community Connection: You're not alone in your POS journey. PHP POS has a vibrant community of developers and users offering support, sharing tips, and contributing to the ongoing development of the platform.
  • Future-Proof Flexibility: As your business evolves, so can your POS. PHP POS's modular design allows you to add new features and integrations as your needs change, ensuring your system stays relevant and adaptable.
  • Security in Your Own Hands: Take control of your data security. Self-hosted installations give you complete ownership and oversight, allowing you to implement your preferred security measures and customize access permissions.
  • Investment in Openness: By choosing PHP POS, you're not just investing in a POS system, you're investing in an open-source philosophy. Contribute to the development community, share your knowledge, and help shape the future of POS technology.
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  • Boost Efficiency, Save Time: Shorten checkout lines, automate repetitive tasks, and manage inventory seamlessly, freeing up your time to focus on what matters most - your customers and growing your business.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: Gain valuable insights from comprehensive sales reports and real-time inventory tracking. Make informed decisions about purchasing, promotions, and staffing based on accurate data.
  • Happy Customers, Repeat Business: Offer a smooth and personalized shopping experience with omnichannel capabilities, flexible payment options, and loyalty programs. Keep customers coming back for more.
  • Scalability for the Future: Easily adapt Hike POS to your evolving needs, whether you're a small startup or an expanding enterprise. Add new stores, manage multiple locations, and integrate with other business tools effortlessly.
  • Peace of Mind with Security: Enjoy secure cloud-based storage with industry-standard encryption and data protection. Rest assured knowing your business information is safe and accessible from anywhere.
  • Effortless Setup and Use: Get started quickly with a user-friendly interface and intuitive design. Hike POS is easy to learn and navigate, even for non-technical users. No need for expensive IT support.
  • Affordable and Transparent Pricing: Choose a plan that fits your budget and needs. Hike POS offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees, so you know exactly what you're paying for.
  • Always Connected, Always Supported: Access your POS system and get help anytime, anywhere with 24/7 customer support. Hike's dedicated team is always available to answer your questions and assist you.
  • Join a Thriving Community: Benefit from a network of successful Hike POS users who share best practices, tips, and insights. Learn from others and contribute to the community's growth.
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  • Inventory Management: Count items, edit quantities, assign serial numbers, generate summaries, scan products, refill goods, view updates and more. Track inventory movement and avoid out of stocks with real-time updates. View reports and gain insightful access to sales data. 
  • Employee Management: Add new employees, grant permissions, create user-profiles and more with employee management tools. Record employee work hours using an integrated time clock. Access summarized information about recorded time in the form of reports. 
  • Offline: Skip internet connection hassles and work smoothly while offline. Log in and check the Offline Mode box to enable the functionality. Works only with a valid SSL certificate. Keep the browser open and log in to allow automatic sales screen sync. 
  • Reports: Use graphical, summary and detailed reports to provide insights into total sales, profit and loss, item totals, sum transactions, commissions, payments, customers and more. Generate custom reports to view stats for a specific category. 
  • Delivery: Accept orders, add customers, schedule delivery, manage shipping zones, process payments, send receipts, view status information, update details and control the complete delivery lifecycle using a flexible management system. 
  • Marketing: Create deals and promotions like "buy one get one free" and "flat 20% off" to strengthen customer loyalty and improve sales. Keep guests coming back for more using coupons, personalized rewards, gift cards and attractive offers. 
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  • Inventory Management: Categorize products, add descriptions, update status, use barcodes, count merchandise, set reminders, transfer stocks and more. Create purchase orders and record supplier information for automated assignment of orders. Customize tax rates, apply price margins and schedule inventory counts on an easy-to-use system. 
  • Reporting: Leverage powerful analytics and real-time reporting capabilities to evaluate business performance. Keep track of payments, gift cards, transactions, account sales and returns. Analyze employee activity, customer profiles, product performance and create custom reports to understand the business better. 
  • Faster Checkouts: Record payments, park orders, apply discounts, process returns, add taxes, set credit limits and more for a seamless customer service experience. 
  • Integrations: Integrate with eCommerce platforms like Shopify, QuickBooks, BigCommerce and WooCommerce to streamline all business operations with smooth data syncs and a consolidated dashboard. 
  • Store Management: Generate daily totals reports, set individual staff pins, view order history, process returns and perform calculations on a cloud-based platform.
  • Customer Marketing: Create individual customer profiles to organize crucial information in one place. Analyze directories to offer gift cards, build loyalty programs, send personalized emails, identify current trends and boost customer retention. 
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Product Ranking

#175

among all
POS Software

#240

among all
POS Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

71
77
33
42
78
100
100
100
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Employee Management
Integration and Extensibility
Inventory Management
Items and Service Management
Customer and Loyalty Management
Employee Management
Reporting and Insights
Inventory Management
Types of POS

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

PHP POS
Hike POS
+ Add Product + Add Product
Compliance And Security Customer And Loyalty Management Employee Management Inventory Management Items And Service Management Payment Transactions And Cash Management POS Hardware Reporting And Insights Sales And Marketing Management Store Management Types Of POS 33 78 100 98 90 78 46 75 60 56 54 42 100 100 87 75 83 41 88 76 61 87 0 25 50 75 100
33%
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67%
33%
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67%
80%
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20%
100%
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100%
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89%
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11%
86%
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14%
71%
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29%
78%
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22%
67%
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33%
10%
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90%
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100%
75%
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25%
88%
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12%
50%
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70%
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30%
44%
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56%
56%
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44%
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88%
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12%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

100%
0%
0%
80%
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20%

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 304 reviews
Great User Sentiment 41 reviews
94%
of users recommend this product

PHP POS has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 94% when considering 304 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites.

81%
of users recommend this product

Hike POS has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 81% when considering 41 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

n/a
4.2 (6)
n/a
4.0 (35)
4.7 (304)
n/a

Awards

PHP POS stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Hike POS and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Customer and Loyalty Management.

Customer and Loyalty Management Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Simple and intuitive interface: Reduces training time and improves staff efficiency, especially for small businesses with limited tech experience. Many users praised the clean layout and logical workflow, allowing staff to focus on customer service rather than struggling with the POS system.
Streamlined inventory control: Real-time stock tracking, low-stock alerts, and barcode scanning minimize errors and prevent stockouts. Users reported significant reductions in inventory discrepancies and improved stock management, leading to fewer out-of-stocks and happier customers.
Adaptable to diverse needs: Wide range of features and integrations cater to specific industry requirements and business growth. From restaurant orders to appointment booking, many users highlighted the ability to customize the POS for their unique needs, eliminating the need for multiple software solutions.
Actionable sales reports: Gain valuable customer and performance insights to optimize marketing, staffing, and product offerings. Users appreciated the detailed reports and data analysis tools, enabling them to make data-driven decisions about promotions, staffing levels, and inventory.
Cost-effectiveness: Open-source option available: Free or affordable plans cater to various budgets and business sizes. Many users found PHP POS to be a budget-friendly alternative to proprietary POS systems, with options to scale as their business grows.
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Streamlined Checkout & Efficiency: Users praise Hike POS for speeding up transactions with features like self-checkout kiosks, mobile checkout, and express lanes, reducing wait times and queues. One bakery owner shared how Hike POS cut their average checkout time in half.
Inventory Management Made Easy: Real-time stock tracking, automated purchase orders, and low-stock alerts are lauded for keeping inventory levels optimal and preventing stockouts. A clothing boutique owner appreciates how Hike POS helps them avoid losing sales due to overselling.
Actionable Data & Insights: Users value the comprehensive sales reports, customer behavior analytics, and customizable dashboards that provide data-driven insights. A restaurant owner credits Hike POS with helping them identify peak sales hours and optimize staffing.
Seamless Omnichannel Experience: Users love the omnichannel capabilities that integrate online stores, mobile apps, and physical locations. A bookstore owner highlights how Hike POS simplifies online orders and in-store pickup, creating a smooth experience for customers.
Exceptional Customer Support: Users rave about the 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and live chat. A cafe owner appreciates the prompt and helpful assistance they receive whenever they need it.
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Limited customization options: May require technical expertise for advanced configurations or integrations, potentially hindering user experience for non-technical users. Some reviews mentioned challenges customizing receipts or reports without coding knowledge.
Reliance on community support: Open-source nature may require users to seek help from online communities or forums for troubleshooting or feature requests, potentially leading to delays or dependence on external resources. Users reported waiting for solutions or workarounds from the community, impacting workflow.
Compatibility concerns: Integration with specific hardware or software might require additional effort or custom development, potentially increasing costs or implementation time. Some users encountered difficulties connecting older hardware or niche software, requiring extra workarounds.
Scalability limitations: Free or basic plans may have limitations on features, data storage, or user accounts, potentially restricting growth for larger businesses. Some reviews mentioned outgrowing the features or data storage capacity of free plans, requiring paid upgrades.
Security considerations: Open-source nature may require additional vigilance and proactive security measures compared to closed-source solutions, potentially increasing IT workload. Some users expressed concerns about managing server security or keeping the software updated, especially for businesses with limited IT resources.
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Unreliable iPad App: Users reported frequent crashes, freezes, and connection issues with the iPad app, requiring daily reinstallation for basic functionality. Data inaccuracies and random currency changes were also mentioned.
Limited Reporting: Hike was criticized for its lack of in-depth reports, making it difficult to generate custom reports and gain insights into sales and inventory. Data syncing issues with customer details and sales were also reported.
Click-intensive Interface: Users found the interface repetitive and click-intensive, requiring multiple actions for tasks like purchase orders. Limited "apply to all" functionality and occasional browser compatibility issues (mainly with Chrome recommended) were additional pain points.
Customer Support Concerns: The lack of phone support and reliance solely on live chat was a concern for some users. Repetitive troubleshooting suggestions and unresolved issues despite contacting support were also reported.
Other Potential Drawbacks: While generally praised for ease of use, Hike might not be ideal for businesses with complex product variations. Occasional lag and performance issues, as well as a less intuitive interface for some users, were also mentioned as potential drawbacks.
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The buzz around PHP POS is mixed, painting a picture of a POS system with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Users laud its intuitive interface, streamlined inventory management, and adaptability, often praising it as a time-saver compared to clunkier alternatives. This simplicity makes it a hit with small businesses and those new to POS systems, allowing staff to focus on customers rather than software struggles. However, PHP POS stumbles in its lack of extensive customization options. Power users and those with unique needs may find themselves hitting walls, yearning for the deep integrations and bespoke configurations offered by its pricier competitors. Additionally, the open-source nature presents a double-edged sword: while it keeps costs down, it also throws users into the arms of online communities for troubleshooting and feature requests, potentially leading to frustrating delays. Ultimately, PHP POS shines for its user-friendliness, affordability, and solid core features. But for businesses demanding extensive customization, robust integrations, and hand-holding support, its limitations might outweigh its charms. Remember, choosing the right POS is a balancing act – weigh PHP POS's strengths against your specific needs to see if it strikes the perfect chord for your business.

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Hike POS garners mixed reviews from users, often contrasting its user-friendly interface and 24/7 chat support with limitations in reporting, reliability, and certain functionalities. While praised for its ease of use compared to competitors like Square and Shopify POS (especially for non-tech-savvy users), Hike struggles with stability issues on its iPad app, leading to crashes, data inaccuracies, and even daily reinstallation needs. This unreliability can be a dealbreaker for businesses requiring consistent performance. Reporting capabilities are another point of contention. Users find Hike's reports basic and lack customization options compared to Square's robust analytics or Vend's detailed inventory insights. This makes it difficult to gain in-depth business intelligence, a crucial aspect for informed decision-making. While Hike boasts 24/7 chat support, some users report repetitive troubleshooting suggestions and unresolved issues, raising concerns about the effectiveness of their support structure. However, Hike shines in its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing. Users appreciate its intuitive layout and straightforward functionalities, making it a good option for small businesses with basic POS needs. Additionally, its 24/7 chat support, though lacking phone options, caters to those seeking readily available assistance. Ultimately, Hike's value proposition hinges on prioritizing ease of use and affordability over advanced features and robust reporting. Businesses requiring in-depth data analysis or seamless app stability might need to consider alternatives like Square or Vend.

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