LAST UPDATED DECEMBER 5, 2025
Cova is an award-winning cannabis retail platform known for its ease of use, reliability, and best-in-class support—including Retail Software of the Year at the 2024 Emjays. Purpose-built for the cannabis and hemp/CBD industry, our comprehensive suite of solutions—POS, eCommerce, Payments, Inventory Management, and Custom Reporting & Analytics—helps retailers simplify compliance, run stores efficiently, deliver exceptional customer experiences, and scale their business rapidly.
On day one, most dispensaries need a cannabis-compliant POS system, robust inventory management, integrated payments, and either full eCommerce or a simple online ordering page.
As your business grows, you’ll typically add workforce management software for scheduling, time tracking, and payroll, along with more advanced CRM tools as your customer database expands.
Cova brings all the essential day-one tools together in one platform, including automated compliance, inventory control, real-time reporting and analytics, eCommerce, and integrated payments. As you grow, you can easily plug in more specialized tools—such as CRM systems, custom websites and eCommerce platforms, HR software, and marketing tools—all of which already integrate seamlessly with Cova.
Yes. Cova supports CBD, hemp-derived THC, and licensed cannabis sales in a single platform. You can run both sides of your business—CBD retail today, cannabis retail tomorrow—without switching systems or retraining staff.
Cova is consistently rated one of the best POS systems for first-time dispensary owners due to its ease of use, built-in compliance, and award-winning support.
New operators choose Cova because the system is intuitive, staff-friendly, and backed by real humans who guide you through onboarding, launch, and daily operations.
Absolutely. Many retailers start as CBD or hemp stores—or even by selling accessories while waiting for their license—and later transition into cannabis. Cova is built to support hybrid retail models, allowing you to add THC products, update workflows, and sync with Metrc or other regulatory systems without replacing your POS.
New dispensaries need a POS that is easy to learn, compliant, reliable, and ready for high-volume days.
Cova leads the industry in uptime, ease of use, and launch support—making it a top choice for new operators who want to open smoothly and avoid costly mistakes.
Yes. Cova’s interface is extremely intuitive, with simple workflows that make training fast—even for staff with limited tech experience. Most budtenders learn the POS in minutes, not hours, reducing onboarding time and improving customer experience.
When choosing your cannabis POS, look for:
Cova checks all of these boxes and is trusted by thousands of retailers—especially first-time operators who want a stress-free launch.
Generic POS systems like Square aren’t designed for cannabis. They don’t include mandatory features such as automated compliance, purchase-limit enforcement, Metrc/OCM reporting, or ID verification.
Using a non-compliant POS puts your dispensary at risk of fines, inventory discrepancies, shutdowns, or even license suspension.
Cova is purpose-built for cannabis retail and backed by nearly two decades of proven retail technology. Our enterprise-grade infrastructure powers 20,000+ retail locations across North America with virtually zero downtime, even on Black Friday and 4/20.
We’ve guided thousands of dispensaries from their first store opening through multi-state expansion, helping operators save time and avoid compliance errors through fully automated traceability reporting.
Cova is not just another cannabis tech startup
Cova is backed by a mature retail technology company with nearly 20 years of innovation. You get:
This gives retailers fast innovation with the confidence that Cova is here for the long run.
Cova is more than just a POS
Cova is a full cannabis retail technology platform. In addition to our award-winning POS, we provide:
Cova is a one-stop shop for cannabis retail technology—purpose-built for compliance, reliability, and scalable growth.
For budtenders:
Cova is designed for speed, accuracy, and smooth customer interactions. Features like ID scanning for quick check-ins, smart search auto-complete, and auto-applied taxes and discounts based on membership tiers make transactions fast and error-free. And with Offline Mode, your lines keep moving—even if your Wi-Fi doesn’t.
For owners and managers:
Cova is built for compliance and operational control. Our POS integrates seamlessly with state traceability systems like Metrc and Biotrack, automating your reporting to save time and reduce human error.
In Canada, Cova generates one-click compliance reports for provincial regulators including AGCO, AGLC, SLGA, and BCLDB.
You also get customizable, detailed reporting that helps you make smarter decisions. Reports can be exported, scheduled, and viewed across multiple locations, products, and categories.
Our visual dashboards give you a clear, real-time snapshot of store and employee performance—accessible on any mobile device, wherever you are.
Cova’s granular permission settings help reduce shrinkage and protect your bottom line, while our open APIs allow you to connect with your existing tech stack or any tools your business grows into.
Cova’s dispensary POS currently runs on Android. We chose Android because it keeps hardware costs lower, allows faster app updates through the Google Play Store, and leverages built-in tablet features like cameras for scanning—so you can check out customers anywhere in the store without extra devices.
You can repurpose your iPad to run Cova’s Self-Serve Menu, allowing customers to browse your menu, add items to their cart, and send an express checkout order—right from a kiosk or tablet.
It’s optimized for mobile and tablet use, supports fast in-store checkout, and enhances the shopping experience without requiring new hardware.
If hardware replacement is a concern, let our team know and we’ll help you find the best solution.
Yes. Cova includes a built-in Offline Mode, so you can continue processing sales even if your Wi-Fi is spotty or the signal drops. All transactions are stored locally and automatically sync as soon as your connection is restored.
Cova’s monthly subscription includes a full retail toolkit: POS, inventory management, a basic self-serve menu, and advanced reporting and analytics. You also get free plug-and-play integrations with leading partners like Carrot, KayaPush, Springbig, and Alpine IQ—no integration fees required.
If you choose Cova Payments, your monthly price is even lower. Additional modules, such as eCommerce ($149/month), can be added as bundled upgrades.
Cova POS requires a Wi-Fi network with internet connectivity for the tablet.
All back-office functions are web-based and can be accessed through any modern browser on a PC or Mac with an internet connection.
Cova’s cloud-based platform is designed to scale automatically during high-traffic periods. Powered by Microsoft Azure, the system detects spikes in demand—such as 4/20 or major promotions—and automatically allocates additional servers and computing resources to keep your store running smoothly.
This is why Cova is the only cannabis POS with a proven 100% uptime record on 4/20 for eight years in a row. While other providers slow down or crash under pressure, Cova keeps your lines moving and your sales uninterrupted during the busiest days of the year.
Yes. Cova is built for retailers who operate multiple locations or franchises. You can manage inventory across all stores from one centralized dashboard, including the ability to:
It’s a scalable system designed to grow with your business.
Absolutely. While Cova is trusted by many new dispensaries, our platform is engineered for multi-location, high-growth, and enterprise retailers.
Key features built for multi-location cannabis operators:
Cova provides the scalability, reliability, and compliance support required by fast-growing cannabis retailers.
Cova POS starts at $349/month for small and medium-size dispensaries. High-volume stores that require more workstations and process a larger number of transactions start at $549/month, with unlimited workstations included.
Both plans include:
Promotional pricing is available for social equity applicants and select markets.
Cova is committed to delivering the highest value in cannabis retail technology.
Our shared enterprise infrastructure—built alongside our parent company—allows us to offer the same level of performance, reliability, and security as large enterprise systems, but at a much lower cost than comparable cannabis POS competitors.
This efficiency lets us reinvest in product innovation while keeping subscription prices accessible.
Cannabis-compliant POS systems typically range from $199 to $1,200 per month, depending on the size of the dispensary, the market you operate in, and the capabilities included.
A robust, full-featured POS generally costs $450–$600 per month.
When comparing systems, watch for hidden fees and add-ons that can significantly increase your total monthly cost.
For detailed budgeting guidance, see our full guide:
A complete POS station for a new dispensary typically costs $1,000–$2,000, including a tablet, payment terminal, receipt printer, stand, cash drawer, and scanner.
If you already own printers, scales, scanners, stands, or cash drawers, we’ll happily check compatibility—we never make you buy hardware you don’t need.
If you’re purchasing a new tablet, a Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5” is a popular option and costs around $330 USD.
Most dispensaries are fully onboarded in 2–4 weeks, depending on hardware availability and ordering timelines. In most cases, hardware ordering is the longest part of the process.
Cova provides a guided, hands-on onboarding experience led by a dedicated Project Coordinator. Our launch team sets up your system, reviews your workflows, and trains your staff to ensure a smooth transition to your new cannabis POS.
3-Step Onboarding Overview
1. Planning: We establish your rollout plan, provide content templates, outline workflows, and submit your hardware order.
2. System Setup: Your company settings, product data, pricing, permissions, and employee profiles are configured and reviewed.
3. Training: Your team completes POS training, inventory & compliance training, and gains free access to our online Cova Education learning platform and help center.
Most migrations take 1–2 weeks. If your current hardware is compatible, the transition can be even faster. As soon as you sign with Cova, we begin extracting your data. Sensitive data—like customer profiles, loyalty info, inventory, and product details—is imported the night before go-live for maximum accuracy.
Cova offers both remote-assisted and on-site launch options. Regardless of which you choose, our implementation specialists help set up your system, train your team, and ensure you go live with confidence.
After your store opens, Cova provides six weeks of dedicated post-launch support, including regular check-ins, additional training sessions, and help via phone, email, or Teams. You also get ongoing product updates, webinars, a dedicated Account Manager, and after-hours emergency support for critical issues.
Cova offers full-service support through phone, email, and live chat, plus a toll-free number where you can talk to a real in-house expert. You’ll also have a dedicated Account Manager for strategic guidance and support.
Support Contact:
📞 1-844-667-2682
📧 support@covasoftware.com
Support is one of the biggest reasons customers stay with Cova. Unlike providers who charge for support or replace humans with bots, we offer real, expert help whenever you need it. Our support team averages over five years of experience, has deep cannabis compliance knowledge, and resolves 80% of issues on the first call—with wait times under 30 seconds.
To stay METRC-compliant, dispensaries need clear SOPs for:
Cova automates many of these processes with built-in METRC integration and provides a free SOP template to help retailers set up compliant workflows:
All Cova data is backed up securely through Microsoft Azure. This ensures reliable, contractually supported backups and fast assistance for any data restoration requests.
Cova operates with two datacenters and active failover, ensuring the system remains available even if the primary center experiences a catastrophic failure. Our architecture allows many components to continue functioning independently, and Offline Mode ensures core operations—like processing sales—remain available even during a full system or network outage.
Cova delivers industry-leading uptime. Over the last 30 days, our measured service availability was 100% across all major services, with the exception of one reporting service at 99.98%.
Cova is delivered as a platform-as-a-service, with backend services updated daily and the POS application updated approximately once per month. Customers are notified of upcoming releases, and while you aren’t forced to update immediately, support is provided only for the latest version to ensure stability and best practices.
Cova’s parent company, iQmetrix, is SSAE18 (SOC 1) compliant, meaning all updates follow strict, audited change-management processes to protect your business. If an update ever causes an issue, our support team will assist immediately to resolve it or provide guidance on rollback options when applicable.
Cova’s systems are built with strong redundancy, so scheduled maintenance rarely affects customer operations. In the rare case maintenance could cause an interruption, it is performed during off-hours and coordinated with enterprise customers to ensure minimal disruption.
By default, users sign in through Cova’s management portal (Hub). Cova also supports integration with external identity systems—including ADFS and certain custom SSO solutions—providing additional flexibility for enterprise retailers.
Cova can provide a PCI-DSS Attestation of Compliance, as well as SSAE 18 documentation, upon request.
Client data is retained for as long as the customer remains with Cova. If an account is closed, data can be securely purged upon request.
Yes. Clients retain full ownership of their data in Cova. Upon request, your data can be exported and provided in a portable format to support migration or backup needs.
Cova uses the enterprise-grade data protection infrastructure of our parent company, iQmetrix, a longtime leader in secure retail management systems. All U.S. data is hosted in Microsoft Azure (US-West), providing highly secure, encrypted, and compliant storage backed by proven, enterprise-class safeguards.
All data in motion is encrypted using SSL. Sensitive data at rest—including backups—is encrypted at the database layer using Microsoft’s built-in security tools. For example, SQL Azure uses Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) to automatically encrypt table data and protect it from unauthorized access.
Cova follows a robust, enterprise-grade security architecture supported by regular third-party audits. These audits verify compliance with PCI-DSS, SSAE 18 standards, and best-practice change-management processes.
Customers can request the PCI-DSS Attestation of Compliance and SSAE 18 documentation at any time.
Yes. Cova integrates with a wide range of eCommerce platforms and marketplaces, and our open APIs support custom integrations. This ensures your pricing, inventory, and product catalog sync to your online menus in real time.
Yes. Cova offers seamless integrations with both Leafly and Weedmaps to keep your menus updated in real time.
Metrc is a cannabis track and trace reporting system that allows state governments to monitor commercial cannabis activity. Metrc, which stands for Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance, was originally developed by software manufacturer Franwell for the state of Colorado; it is now used by the majority of states with adult-use cannabis markets.
It’s important to note that Metrc is simply a reporting tool. It is not a robust inventory management platform or Point of Sale (POS) system. As a dispensary owner, it’s in your best interest to find an inventory management and POS system that integrates with Metrc to make your life easier.
Yes. Cova integrates with a wide range of leading retail technologies, including CRM, security, loyalty, payments, and analytics solutions. Our partners include industry leaders like Solink, Alpine iQ, Springbig, Kaya Push, Carrots, Rank Rally High, Mosaic and Breadstack.
Cova is also built on an open platform, so our team can assess and support additional custom integrations if you need to connect existing systems. For the full list, visit our Partners page.
Cova is fully integrated with Metrc and BioTrack, and our development team has deep expertise in state traceability workflows. We understand the reporting rules, data flows, and compliance requirements across regulated markets, and our 2-way Metrc integration automates the majority of your tracking and reporting tasks.
Cova is certified by and integrated with Metrc in the following states:
New York, Minnesota, California, Colorado, Alaska, Nevada, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, and Oklahoma.
Cova focuses exclusively on cannabis retail, where we have deep expertise and industry-leading technology. While we do not provide full seed-to-sale cultivation software, our open APIs and integrations team can explore connecting Cova with your preferred seed-tracking solution if needed.
Many vertically integrated operators choose to run separate, specialized systems for cultivation and retail. For more insight, see our blog on why a dedicated retail POS is often more effective than all-in-one seed-to-sale platforms.
Yes. Cova supports both integrated and non-integrated payment options. Our POS can be configured for the payment types you choose to accept, including credit cards where permitted by state regulations.
Cova maintains a star-schema data warehouse for all sales and transactional data. We are actively developing an API strategy that will allow customers to pull this data directly into any analytics platform of their choice.
Cova’s integration strategy is based on an open API platform, making it easy for third-party systems to connect. Our own software uses the same APIs we provide to customers and partners.
Cova has completed 1000+ integrations in the past year, including connections to eCommerce, Payments, ERP, CRM, financial, and other core business systems.
If we haven’t integrated with your system before, our team can evaluate it and determine the best approach using our existing API framework.
Cova currently operates in the following U.S. states: Colorado, Washington, California, Oklahoma, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Illinois, Alaska, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Minnesota, and Mississippi.
In Canada, we serve retailers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, New Brunswick, and Ontario.
Yes. Cova is purpose-built for cannabis retail in both Canada and the United States. With headquarters in both countries—and the majority of our team, including all developers and support staff, based in North America—we bring deep industry experience and firsthand knowledge of regulatory requirements in every market we serve.
Cova’s POS, inventory management, and compliance workflows are fully optimized for North American cannabis regulations. We actively track rule changes across U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and we work directly with government agencies to integrate with their reporting systems, making compliance easier for retailers.
Today, Cova is recognized as one of the top three cannabis tech platforms, known for its robust features, unmatched reliability, and best-in-class support.
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