Point of Sale for Membership Organizations
Not a generic retail POS. A membership-linked cashier system where every transaction ties to a member account.
- Member discounts applied automatically at checkout
- Accept Interac debit, credit, tap, Apple & Google Pay
- Sell memberships, drop-ins, merchandise at front desk
- Full transaction history tied to each member account
Square and retail POS tools weren't built for memberships
- • No member accounts—every sale is anonymous
- • Manual discount codes for member pricing
- • Separate system for memberships, another for payments
- • No transaction history tied to member records
Communal POS is built for membership organizations
- • Every sale linked to a member or guest account
- • Member pricing applies automatically at checkout
- • Memberships, programs, invoices—one integrated system
- • Full purchase history on every member profile
Every transaction tied to a member account
Unlike retail POS systems, Communal links every sale to a member or guest account. Look up members by name, email, or membership number. Their pricing tier, account balance, and purchase history are instantly available. No more anonymous transactions or manual record-keeping.
- Quick member lookup by name, email, or card scan
- Member pricing and discounts apply automatically
- Complete transaction history on member profiles
- Integrated with membership management
Sell memberships, accept donations, process event tickets
Nonprofits need more than a cash register. Accept in-person donations with automatic tax receipts, sell event tickets, process membership renewals, and handle merchandise—all from one system that tracks everything for reporting and reconciliation.
- Accept donations with automatic tax receipts
- Sell event tickets and program registrations
- Process membership sales and renewals on the spot
- Integrated with donor management
Drop-ins, day passes, concessions, pro shop sales
Recreation centers and community facilities need a POS that handles more than merchandise. Process drop-in visits, sell day passes, register walk-ins for programs, and run your concession stand or pro shop—all while tracking which members get discounted rates.
- Process drop-in visits with member vs public pricing
- Sell day passes, punch cards, and equipment rentals
- Run concession stand and pro shop from same system
- Integrated with program registration
Accept Interac debit, credit, tap, and digital wallets
Canadian organizations rely on Interac debit. Communal's POS accepts Interac, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Tap, chip, or swipe—your members choose how to pay. Works with Stripe Terminal readers that connect via USB or Bluetooth.
- Interac debit and tap payments (Canada)
- Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Stripe Terminal readers (no proprietary hardware)
- Works on any computer or tablet with a browser
Daily close-outs and clean exports for bookkeeping
End-of-day reconciliation shouldn't take hours. Communal tracks every transaction with payment method, staff member, and member account. Run daily close-out reports, export to CSV for your accountant, and see revenue breakdowns by category, date, or staff member.
- Daily close-out reports by payment method
- CSV exports for accounting software
- Revenue breakdown by category, date, or staff
- Member-level transaction history for disputes
Role-based access with complete audit trail
Control who can process refunds, apply discounts, or void transactions. Every action is logged with staff member, timestamp, and details. Set up cashier roles with limited permissions while managers retain full access. Investigate discrepancies with complete transaction audit trails.
- Role-based permissions (cashier, manager, admin)
- Control refund and void permissions
- Complete audit trail for every transaction
- Staff-level sales reporting
Communal POS vs Square and Generic POS Tools
Square is great for retail. But membership organizations need account-based transactions.
| Feature | Square / Generic POS | Communal |
|---|---|---|
| Member account lookup | No | Yes |
| Automatic member pricing | Manual discount codes | Automatic |
| Transaction history on member profile | No | Yes |
| Sell memberships at front desk | No | Yes |
| Process drop-ins with member rates | No | Yes |
| Collect invoice payments in person | Separate system | Integrated |
| Interac debit (Canada) | Yes | Yes |
When Square makes sense
If you're running a simple retail operation where customers are anonymous and pricing is the same for everyone, Square or a generic POS works fine.
When Communal is the better fit
If you have members who expect discounted pricing, need to track purchases by account, sell memberships and registrations at the front desk, or want one system instead of three—Communal eliminates the manual work of stitching together separate tools.
Streamline Front Desk Operations
Stop juggling multiple systems and manual workarounds.
No More Manual Receipts
Eliminate handwritten receipts and manual record keeping. Everything is tracked and emailed automatically.
All Payment Types
Accept credit, debit, Interac, tap, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Give members the payment options they expect.
Merchandise & Concessions
Sell merchandise, equipment, food, and beverages alongside memberships and registrations.
One Integrated System
Memberships, programs, invoices, and POS in one platform. No data silos or manual syncing.
Powering 500+ community organizations
We love hearing from our customers and are proud to have helped 500+ organizations drive more impact and grow their communities.
We are finally able to communicate with our members, run booking software and a program payment platform all in one application. The cost to our Community is very reasonable and the team is fantastic to work with.
My experience with the software and the team has been overwhelmingly positive. We switched from another provider and the difference was night-and-day!
Revenue from membership sales and renewals increased, and we save a significant amount of staff time and paperwork. The customer service is outstanding and the team at Communal continues to add helpful features.
Frequently Asked Questions About Membership POS Systems
A membership POS system links every transaction to a member or guest account, unlike retail POS tools where sales are anonymous. This allows automatic member pricing, purchase history tracking, and integration with membership management. Communal's POS is built specifically for clubs, recreation centers, and nonprofits that need account-based transactions.
Yes. When you look up a member at checkout, their pricing tier is automatically applied. Members see their discounted rates without staff needing to enter codes or calculate discounts manually. Non-members pay standard pricing. This works for drop-ins, merchandise, concessions, and any other items you sell.
Absolutely. Process new membership sales, renewals, and upgrades directly at the front desk. For drop-in visits, the POS automatically applies member vs non-member pricing. Digital membership cards are issued instantly when memberships are sold, and the member database updates in real-time.
Yes. Create a product catalog for merchandise, equipment, food, beverages, or any items you sell. Ring up sales at the front desk, apply member discounts, and track inventory. Products can also be bundled with program registrations or facility bookings.
Yes. Communal's POS accepts Interac debit, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Tap, chip, or swipe—members choose how to pay. The system uses Stripe Terminal card readers that connect via USB or Bluetooth to any computer or tablet.
Process refunds with appropriate staff permissions, and all refunds are logged with reason codes and staff attribution. Daily close-out reports show totals by payment method for easy cash drawer reconciliation. Export transaction data to CSV for your accounting software, and view complete audit trails for any transaction.
The POS runs on any computer or tablet with a web browser—no proprietary hardware required. For card payments, you'll need a Stripe Terminal reader (we can help you order one). Optional accessories include receipt printers, barcode scanners, and cash drawers, but these aren't required.
Yes. Look up any outstanding invoice in the system and collect payment in person. The invoice is automatically marked as paid, a receipt is generated and emailed, and the member's account is updated instantly. This is useful for facility rental deposits, program balances, or any invoiced amounts.
Ready for a POS Built for Memberships?
Stop using retail tools for membership operations. See how Communal's integrated POS streamlines front desk workflows.
Explore Related Features
Membership Management
Automated renewals, digital cards, and member portal for your organization.
Program Registration
Online registration for classes, camps, and programs with member pricing.
Facility Rentals
Online booking with member-exclusive pricing and automated invoicing.
Donor Management
Accept donations with automatic tax receipts and donor tracking.