How to Build a Point of Sale (POS) System with React, Node.js & MySQL

A Point of Sale (POS) system is the backbone of modern retail businesses. It helps manage sales, inventory, billing, and customer transactions efficiently. In this tutorial, we will learn how to build a POS system using React.js, Node.js, Express.js, and MySQL.

This project is a real-world React.js project that demonstrates full-stack web development using REST APIs, database integration, authentication, and modern frontend tools.

Introduction

With the growing demand for web-based business applications, many companies are replacing traditional desktop software with web-based POS point of sale software. A web POS system allows business owners to access their sales data anytime and from anywhere.

In this React POS tutorial, we build a complete Point of Sale application using React.js for the frontend and Node.js with Express.js and MySQL for the backend. This tutorial is suitable for beginners and developers looking for a React JS Node JS MySQL project.

What Problem Does This POS System Solve?

Traditional POS systems are expensive, difficult to customize, and often depend on specific hardware. This POS system using React and Node.js solves many real business problems.

Centralized sales tracking and reporting
Efficient inventory management using MySQL database
Fast and responsive billing system
Secure authentication with JWT
Scalable web-based POS application

This makes the project ideal for retail shops, startups, and developers building a POS React JS Node JS project.

Technologies Used in This POS System

Backend Technologies (Node.js & Express.js)

The backend of this POS system Node.js project is built using Node.js and Express.js. It exposes REST APIs that communicate with a MySQL database.

Node.js – Backend JavaScript runtime
Express.js – API framework
MySQL – Relational database
REST API – Frontend and backend communication

Backend Library Installation Commands

Run the following command inside your backend directory to install required libraries:

npm install express mysql2 dotenv cors body-parser

Additional Node.js Libraries Used

bcryptjs – Password encryption
express-validator – API request validation
jsonwebtoken – JWT authentication
multer – File uploads

Install all backend dependencies using:

npm install bcryptjs express-validator jsonwebtoken multer

Frontend Technologies (React.js)

The frontend of this React Point of Sale system is developed using React.js. It provides a fast, interactive, and responsive user interface.

React.js – Frontend framework
React Router DOM – Navigation and routing
Axios – REST API communication
Bootstrap 5 – Responsive UI framework
jQuery DataTables – Advanced table management
Chart.js – Sales and analytics charts

Frontend Library Installation Commands

Install frontend dependencies using:


npm install axios bootstrap jquery datatables.net datatables.net-bs5
npm install react-router-dom jwt-decode chart.js react-bootstrap

Project Setup Commands

Node.js & Express.js Setup

Create a backend folder and initialize Node.js:


npm init -y
npm install express mysql2 dotenv cors body-parser

Start the Node.js server:

node index.js

The backend server will run on Port 5000.

React.js Setup

Create a new React.js application using:

npx create-react-app .

Start the React development server:

npm start

The React application will run on Port 3000.

React POS System Source Code

Application Architecture

This React JS Node JS Express MySQL project follows a clean client-server architecture:

React Frontend handles UI and user interaction
Node.js API processes business logic
MySQL database stores users, products, and sales data

The frontend communicates with the backend using REST APIs and Axios.

Key Features of the POS System

Product and inventory management
Sales and billing system
JWT-based authentication
CRUD operations with MySQL
Responsive UI using Bootstrap
Sales reports and charts

This makes it a complete POS React JS Node JS MySQL project.

Why This Project Is Perfect for Learning

This project is ideal for developers who want hands-on experience with:

React hooks and components
Node.js REST API development
MySQL database integration
Full-stack web development

It is suitable for programming beginners, students, and developers building React real projects.

Conclusion

Building a Point of Sale (POS) system with React, Node.js, and MySQL is an excellent way to learn modern full stack web development. This project demonstrates how frontend and backend technologies work together to create scalable business applications.

If you want to master React.js, Node.js, Express.js, and MySQL, this POS system is a powerful real-world project to add to your portfolio.