Android is shaking up the retail point-of-sale (POS) market by becoming the go-to operating system for modern payment terminals. But here’s the twist: while Android powers the hardware, the real game-changers are the cloud-based software platforms (SaaS) that run on top of it. These platforms are the ones driving innovation, flexibility, and new features for retailers—not just the OS itself.

Editor’s Note: Retailers are increasingly ditching clunky, proprietary POS systems for sleek, Android-powered devices that can run all sorts of apps. But the bigger story is how SaaS platforms—think Square, Shopify, or Toast—are using Android’s openness to offer smarter, more customizable tools for businesses. This shift isn’t just about better tech; it’s about giving small shops and big chains alike the agility to adapt in a fast-changing market. If you’ve noticed checkout getting faster or more feature-packed lately, this is why.