Is Flowhub the Right E-Commerce POS Platform for Your Dispensary?

Flowhub, founded in 2015, is a cannabis-specific retail management platform used by over 1,000 dispensaries to process more than $3 billion annually. It offers compliant point of sale, inventory control, staff management, loyalty and mobile analytics.

Recently, Flowhub launched its POS‑native e‑commerce solution—marking a crucial shift into built‑in shopping experiences that reportedly boost conversion by up to 27 percent.

Ideal for new or mid‑sized dispensaries focused on compliance, staff ease‑of‑use, and reducing reliance on third‑party e‑commerce platforms.

Strengths

Clean, Intuitive Interface

Flowhub earns praise for a simple, user‑friendly POS interface that’s quick to train new employees on. Budtenders and retail staff consistently report a low learning curve.

Built‑in Compliance & Reporting

Flowhub was one of the first to integrate with Metrc, helping automate daily compliance reporting and purchase‑limit enforcement.

Handheld Inventory & Check‑In Tools

The Nug handheld scanner allows mobile ID verification and inventory counting throughout the shop floor, reducing desk time and improving speed.

POS‑Native E‑Commerce

Flowhub’s new e‑commerce solution is now native to the POS—eliminating third‑party providers. This integration simplifies inventory sync and checkout workflows while boosting online sales.

Extensive partner network includes Dutchie, Jane, Dispense, Springbig, Alpine IQ and more. Users can choose best‑of‑breed tools while Flowhub remains the operational core.

Limitations

A Legacy of Fragmented E‑Commerce Tools

Until recently, Flowhub did not include built‑in online ordering. Many users depended on third‑party platforms like Jane or Dutchie for e‑commerce—which added cost and complexity.

Manual Reporting & Inventory Tasks

While reporting exists, users frequently describe it as laborious—especially for exporting data or reconciling Metrc exports. Some cite reliance on Excel to fill gaps.

Mixed Reviews on Support & Reliability

Earlier versions like Flowhub Maui received criticism on reliability—especially on critical retail days—and several users noted unsatisfactory customer service. Though others report smoother experience post‑upgrade.

Pricing Transparency

Flowhub hides pricing behind quotes. Some reports suggest starting cost in the $400–600+/month range—not including onboarding or third‑party service fees.

Real‑World Sentiment

From cannabis industry forums like r/weedbiz, users are divided:

“Flowhub is best in class from a POS perspective, but it doesn’t have what I need from an online ordering perspective built in.”
“They have used Flowhub and their support has gone to shit… the new Flowhub Maui seems more confusing to use.”

Industry analysts generally position Flowhub as best suited for delivery‑focused operations—especially when integrated with reliable e‑commerce tools.

Pros & Cons Summary

ProsCons
Intuitive POS and inventory interfaceHistorically lacked in‑house e‑commerce
Built‑in Metrc compliance featuresManual reporting requires Excel or exports
Mobile scanner (Nug) simplifies operationsCustomer service and reliability reports vary
New POS‑native e‑commerce streamlines checkoutPricing requires quotes and can be high for small shops
Extensive partner ecosystemLess suited for multi‑state operators needing deep customization