The 3 Types of Software Plaguing BD Retailers
We analyzed dozens of POS tools marketed to Bangladeshi shop owners. While they all promise "easy management," they severely restrict how a modern local shop operates once installed. Let's break down the three primary traps business owners fall into.
1. The "Foreign SaaS" (The USD Billing Nightmare)
Many well-marketed, foreign-built POS systems look sleek but are completely disconnected from local retail realities. They are built for Western markets and force you to pay Western prices.
- ✗Brutal Pricing & Invoice Limits: Base plans often start at $43 to $49 per month (৳5,000+). Worse, they limit you to just 500 invoices a month. If your busy shop processes 30 bills a day, you will be forced to upgrade to a $99/month (৳11,500) plan instantly.
- ✗No Local Couriers: Try generating a Pathao, Steadfast, or REDX delivery automatically. You can't. You have to manually copy-paste addresses between two systems.
- ✗Add-on Extortion: Want to connect your POS to an online store? That requires an API add-on which often costs an extra $8 to $20 a month.
2. The "Local ERP" (The Per-User Pricing Trap)
Several legacy software providers in Bangladesh sell "Business Management ERPs." These are heavy, outdated systems that take weeks to learn and use a punishing, hidden pricing model.
- ✗High Base Cost: They usually advertise basic plans around ৳1,000 to ৳1,500/month (or ৳15,000 per year upfront).
- ✗The "Per User" Penalty: This is the biggest catch. Their base plans only allow 1 or 2 users. If you hire a new cashier or manager, they charge you an extra ৳500 to ৳1,000 per month, per employee.
- ✗Clunky Interface: Your cashier doesn't need a full "HR & Payroll" module just to scan a barcode and print a receipt. These systems are slow and require formal training to operate.
3. The "Free eCommerce App" (The 2.5% Hidden Tax)
Lately, several local "eCommerce builders" have popped up offering a POS system for "Free." But if you aren't paying for the software, your business is the product.
- ✗Commission Fees: They let you use the software for ৳0, but their Terms & Conditions secretly deduct 2.5% to 5% from every single transaction. If your shop does ৳500,000 in monthly sales, you just paid them ৳12,500 — making their "free" app the most expensive option on the market.
- ✗MFS Headaches: Many force you into a "Self MFS" model where you are entirely on your own for managing disputes, refunds, and direct payments without proper dashboard integration.
The Real Data: Feature & Price Comparison
| Feature | Foreign SaaS | Local ERPs | Free Builders | Selkro Cloud POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Price | $43–$49/mo (৳5,000+) | ৳1,000 - ৳2,000/mo | ৳0/mo | From ৳499/mo |
| Transaction Fees | 0% | 0% | 2.5% to 5% Per Sale | 0% (Keep 100%) |
| Staff Cost Limits | Limits to 2-3 users | Extra ৳500-৳1,000 per user | Usually 1 user | Included in plan |
| Invoice Limits | Max 500/month | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited on Pro |
| BD Courier APIs | No | Rarely | Sometimes | Deeply Integrated |
Why Selkro is the Smarter Alternative
We built Selkro because retail margins in Bangladesh are already thin. You shouldn't have to give up a percentage of your sales, pay foreign currency conversions, or get penalized for hiring an extra cashier.
1. True Flat Pricing
Our basic plan is ৳499/month. Period. No per-transaction commissions, no invoice limits, and no hidden per-user penalties.
2. Local Logistics
Manage your walk-in customers and your online deliveries from the same dashboard with built-in Pathao, Steadfast, and REDX integrations.
3. Unified Inventory
Every Selkro account comes with a branded online storefront. When you sell an item in your physical shop, it instantly updates the stock on your website.
4. Easy to Learn
No complex "ERP" training required. If your staff knows how to use a smartphone, they can master the Selkro checkout screen in 5 minutes.