PawnSmarts runs in any browser on the Windows PC, Mac, iPad, Android tablet or phone you already own. Add a scanner, printer or cash drawer if you want one — here's what works.
Pawn shop hardware is the equipment that runs alongside pawn software at the counter — a computer or tablet plus optional peripherals such as a 2D barcode and license scanner, a thermal receipt printer, a label printer for price tags and jewelry barbell tags, a cash drawer, a fingerprint reader and a webcam. With browser-based software the only hard requirement is a device that runs a modern browser; the peripherals are added as a shop needs them. PawnSmarts runs in any browser on the Windows PC, Mac, iPad, Android tablet or phone you already own, so there is no proprietary terminal to buy.
Buy peripherals from companies that sell and support POS hardware so you have local help if something fails. Used or refurbished equipment isn't recommended.
A 2D scanner reads both QR codes and barcodes — useful for scanning driver's licenses (most states now use QR codes) and price-label barcodes. Wireless models with an auto-sense stand keep the counter clear. PawnSmarts reads barcodes it prints on its own price labels and hang tags.
An FBI/STQC-certified finger scanner with auto-brightness and touch-to-scan captures fingerprints where your jurisdiction requires them.
A standard USB webcam (such as the Logitech HD C270) photographs customers and inventory items, attaching the images to the transaction record.
A thermal receipt printer prints quiet, jam-free 1-ply receipts. Most ordinary ink or laser printers also work for pawn tickets and reports on plain paper.
A thermal label printer prints price labels and jewelry barbell tags (2" to 4" wide, many sizes). No ink or ribbon, so the per-label cost is lower than sheet labels.
A cash drawer attaches to the receipt printer and pops open when a receipt prints, or connects directly to the device. Lock and key included.
PawnSmarts has no heavy system requirements — it runs in the browser. For a dedicated Windows machine, a reasonable target is a 1 GHz or faster processor (3.0 GHz suggested), 4 GB RAM (8–16 GB for larger stores), and modest free disk space. A clean install without bloatware runs best. But you don't need to buy anything special: if it runs a modern browser, it runs PawnSmarts.
The only hard requirement is a device with a modern browser — a Windows PC, Mac, iPad, Android tablet or phone. PawnSmarts runs in any browser with nothing to install. Optional peripherals that most shops add are a 2D barcode scanner (for scanning driver's licenses and item barcodes), a thermal receipt printer, a label printer for price tags and jewelry barbell tags, and a cash drawer that connects to the receipt printer.
No. Because PawnSmarts is browser-based, there's no proprietary terminal to buy. It works on the Windows PC, Mac, iPad, Android tablet or phone you already own. Widely compatible peripherals such as POS-X scanners and receipt printers and TSC label printers pair well with it, but none of them are required to get started.
You need a 2D scanner, not a standard 1D barcode scanner. Most US driver's licenses now store ID data in a QR code or PDF417 barcode on the back, which requires a 2D scanner to read. A wireless 2D scanner with an auto-sense stand keeps the counter clear and lets you scan both licenses and price-label barcodes with the same device.
No — with browser-based pawn software you buy peripherals from any POS hardware supplier so you have local support, and there is no benefit to buying a computer from the software vendor. PawnSmarts charges only for the software: $89/month for Essential, $129/month for Professional, or $2,995 to own Professional outright, with no contract and no setup fee.
See the full feature set in our pawn shop POS guide, the overview of what pawn shop software does, and our pricing — $89/month Essential, $129/month Professional, or $2,995 to own it, with no contract.
Open the live demo in the browser you already have. If it looks right, sign up and we'll move your data.
Questions? [email protected] · 800-710-6184