Cafes are a unique niche within the larger hospitality industry. As such, they have unique needs when it comes to point-of-sale (POS) system functionality, and the best cafe POS system should have sticky label printing, dual cash drawer tills, and drive-thru management. Unlike bars or restaurants, cafes tend to not need floorplans or sections, and they have far simpler food and drink menus and therefore less complicated inventories.
Based on our evaluations, the best cafe POS systems are:
- Lightspeed: Best overall
- Toast: Best for growth
- Revel: Best for high-volume cafes with a drive-thru
- Square: Best for switching from a cash register
- Cake: Best for ease of use
Top Cafe POS Compared
 |  |  |  |  | |
Minimum Monthly Fee | $59 | $0 | $99 | $0 | $69 |
Hardware Cost | Custom-quoted* | $0–$799 | Custom-quoted | $49–$1,668* | Custom-quoted |
Available Hardware peripherals | Custom-quoted*Barcode scanner, customer facing display, self-service kiosk, label printers | Barcode scanner, customer facing display, self-service kiosk, label printers, handheld order and payment devices | Barcode scanner, customer facing display, self-service kiosk, label printers | Barcode scanner, customer facing display, self-service kiosk (via integration), label printers | Barcode scanner, customer facing display, self-service kiosk, label printers |
Built-in Online Ordering | Yes, as an add-on | Yes, as an add-on | Yes, as an add-on | Yes, included free | Yes, as an add-on |
Payment Processing | Built-in and supports multiple processors | Built-in only; 2.49%–2.99% + 15 cents per in-person transaction | Supports multiple processors | Built-in only; 2.6% + 10 cents per in-person transaction | Built-in only; custom-quoted |
*Users can bring their own compatible hardware
How We Evaluated the Best Cafe POS Systems
We evaluated the leading cafe POS systems with a scoring system that highlighted cafe-specific functionalities—like sticky label printing, dual cash drawer tills, and drive-thru management. We considered basic POS functions like inventory management, online orderings, gift cards, and customized reporting. We also looked at the durability of the hardware to make sure it can withstand coffee spills and espresso steam. And, as always, we looked at pricing, user reviews, overall functionality, and customer support.
Based on the above criteria, Lightspeed is the best cafe POS. The software received the highest overall score according to our grading system (4.45 out of 5). Based on our personal experience testing different POS software and working in and with small businesses that use POS systems every day, Lightspeed is also one of the top software that we would personally recommend.
10% of Overall Score
Because small cafes are usually on a budget, we looked at whether or not each software offers a free plan and a plan option under $75 monthly. Then, we made sure those plans include unlimited user logins, product listings, and transactions. Finally, we gave points to systems with integrated payment processing because we find it’s more user-friendly and bonus points to systems that support more than one integrated processor so you can shop for the best rates.
30% of Overall Score
Every small business needs to track inventory, sell and accept gift card payments, and easily access reporting tools, like daily sales totals, from anywhere. Because of how businesses are currently operating—and the innate on-the-go style of cafes—we also prioritized contactless payments options, online ordering, and order-ahead features.
30% of Overall Score
We evaluated features particularly important to cafes including cash tracking and management, which is crucial for high-volume businesses. Busy cafes also benefit from templatized reporting dashboards for easy viewing, barcode scanning for ringing up pre-packaged goods and merchandise, and low-stock alerts so you never run out of ingredients. We also required each system to have tip tracking tools.
10% of Overall Score
Cafes typically open early in the morning and operate on weekends, so we prioritized solutions that offer 24/7 customer support. We also awarded points to POS systems with hybrid installation or an offline mode so they are operational if your internet goes out. We also considered the available training materials and installation support.
20% of Overall Score
Finally, we considered any standout features of each individual system and whether or not the software and hardware options offer a good overall value for the price. We also judged each system’s popularity with small cafe businesses and noted each system’s customer review scores. Lastly, we considered our retail and restaurant expert’s experience interacting with each system and support team.
Lightspeed Restaurant: Best Overall Cafe POS
Lightspeed Restaurant
What We Like
- Easy to self-install
- Supports more than one payment processor
- Built-in “Order Ahead” tool good for curbside pickup
- 14-day free trial
What's Missing
- No built-in drive-thru management tools
- Hardware is not industry-grade
- Training resources less robust than competitors
Lightspeed Pricing
- Software subscription fee: $59 for a single terminal (when paid annually; $69 per month when paid monthly; additional terminals $34 each)
- Hardware costs: You can bring your own compatible hardware; prices from Lightspeed are custom-quoted
- One-time Installation fees: $0
- Processing fees: Varies based on your processor, choose from Cayan, Worldpay, Bridgepay, or Lightspeed Payments.
Lightspeed is a browser-based cloud POS that operates on iPads. It is the Goldilocks of cafe POS systems, striking just the right balance by providing the features you need without overwhelming you with features you don’t. It is easy to self-install and has built-in features like order ahead (which is great for curbside pickup), multiple payment processors, and dual cash drawer capability. It also regularly appears on our list of best POS for restaurants.
Lightspeed Restaurant earned a 4.45 out of 5 on our cafe POS scoring system. With all these features, Lightspeed ticked nearly every box we asked a cafe POS to check. It falls short when it comes to drive-thru management tools (it offers none at this time; if you need drive-thru management, see Toast, Revel, or Cake). And while the iPad POS is cost-effective, it is not the most durable in a high-volume setting (if you need spill-proof hardware, check out Toast or Cake).
Lightspeed's condensed quick service screen keeps ordering and payment buttons at your fingertips. (Image from Lightspeed)
Lightspeed supports contactless payments like tapped chip cards and mobile wallet payments. (Image from Lightspeed)
Integrated email marketing tools let Lightspeed users send promotions and deals to loyalty customers. (Image from Lightspeed)
Lightspeed's Order Ahead module accepts online orders for curbside or in-store pickup. (Image from Lightspeed)
Lightspeed Standout Features
Our evaluation put a strong emphasis on cafe-specific features and functionality—and that is exactly where Lightspeed shines. It offers online and advanced ordering, customer-facing kiosks, label printing, and more.
It allows for easy and efficient in-person service, curbside service, to-go, and online ordering. It also allows for tills with two cash drawers, which helps optimize staff breaks, shift changes, and cash count accuracy.
Lightspeed’s standout features include:
- Easy Self-installation: Lightspeed is quick to set up and easy to install yourself. You can purchase iPads from Lightspeed or bring your own and use Lightspeed cases and stands. You can download the POS software directly from the Apple App Store and get started taking orders in a single afternoon.
- Order Ahead: With COVID-19 in the air, contactless service will likely still be popular with customers. Lightspeed’s built-in Order Ahead feature is perfect for curbside pickup. While this is notably not the same as a drive-thru feature, it still allows for on-the-go customers to place orders and pay without going indoors.
- Supports Multiple Payment Processors: Lightspeed allows owners to shop around for the best payment processors for their needs while still offering built-in payment functionality. Other cafe POSes (Square and Toast) do not allow for this level of optimization.
- Has Dual Cash Drawers: Only real hospitality industry insiders know the headache of having to keep a till balanced among multiple people, across several breaks, and between multiple shifts. It is nearly impossible. The dual cash drawer feature allows both managers and staff to keep track of individual cash drawers easily regardless of breaks and shifts. In a fast-paced cafe, this is vital.
Want to learn more? Read our full Lightspeed Restaurant review.
Toast: Best for Growth
Toast
What We Like
- Baseline subscription is free
- Industry-rated hardware built to withstand cafe environment
- Supports drive-thru management tools
- Robust features and functionality perfect for growing beyond a cafe
What's Missing
- Locked into Toast payment processor
- Must use Toast hardware
- Two-year service contract
Toast Pricing
- Software subscription fee:
- Starter: $0
- Essentials: $165
- Growth: $272
- Hardware costs: Pay-as-you-go terminal kits (including touch-screen terminal, card reader, and router) from $0; Up-front terminal price is $799
- One-time Installation fees: From $0 to $299+, depending on your configuration and whether you self-install or request in-person installation
- Processing fees: 2.49% + 15 cents for in-person transactions for standard customers; 2.99% + 15 cents per in-person transaction for pay-as-you-go customers. Volume processing discounts are available.
Toast is a hybrid POS designed specifically for restaurants. With three subscription levels—including a free Starter subscription—it has a package for cafes of all sizes. As you grow your cafe into, say, a citywide powerhouse with multiple locations, Toast will grow with you. With its free entry-level service and starter-kit terminal, it makes opening a cafe straightforward and easy. It also regularly appears on our rankings of best POS systems for small businesses.
In the explosion of cloud-based POSes, many rely on consumer-grade hardware that can’t withstand the rigors of this industry. Toast’s proprietary hardware, on the other hand, is built to take the beating that hospitality will undoubtedly give it. The durability of Toast’s hardware in our analysis is matched only by Cake’s. Toast is also one of the few POSes that offers drive-thru management, which is vital to so many large, suburban and urban, high-traffic cafes.
Toast earned a 4.31 out of 5 on our cafe POS scoring system. It earned strong scores for its free Starter POS with pay-as-you-go hardware options. It also scored well for its general POS functions and niche tools like drive-thru management and dual cash drawer tills. But Toast’s durable proprietary hardware comes with a catch: You can’t simply run to an electronics store to grab an additional tablet. Granted, it is so durable that it will likely break far less frequently than, say, Lightspeed’s iPad-based terminals. Toast also locks you into its payment processor and requires a two-year service contract.
If you prefer to shop for the best processing rates, check out Lightspeed or Revel. If you need a short-term month-to-month contract, try Square. Be aware that all of those systems operate on iPads, though, so you will be losing some durability.
Toast's hardware suite includes POS terminals, handheld order and payment tablets, and kitchen display system (KDS) screens. (Image from Toast)
Toast's order screens are clean and easy to navigate. (Image from Toast)
Optional customer facing displays reduce order errors. (Image from Toast)
Toast Standout Features
Toast is one of only two options on this list that offer a free entry-level subscription (Square for Restaurants is the other). Toast is an industry-leading POS system that comes with durable hardware (nearly as durable as Cake’s) and excellent drive-thru capability (rivaled only by Revel in our rankings). It offers some of the best training and customer service in the businesses (right there with Cake). Its popularity within the industry means you are likely to learn many tips and tricks for optimization by simply asking your neighboring eateries.
Its standout features include:
- Free Starter Subscription: Toast offers a baseline subscription for free. Couple this low barrier to entry with its near bottomless features and functionality and Toast is a POS to be reckoned with, regardless of the size of your operation.
- Industry-rated Hardware: In a field filled with consumer-grade tablets, Toast’s industry-rated hardware offers a level of durability that is nearly unavailable elsewhere. With hot liquids, steam, and the hectic environment of a morning commute coffee rush, cafes need equipment up to the task.
- Drive-thru Management: Contactless service is vital in a pandemic, and drive-thrus can offer a level of comfort and security that few other service options can provide. Toast’s POS comes with drive-thru management capabilities that will allow a cafe to maximize its service options. Drive-thru sales, which have their own workflow through your order screens and kitchen display system (KDS) if you use one, are categorized separately from other sales for reporting purposes, so you can see where your sales and costs for your drive-thru alone.
- Robust Features Built for Growth: Toast has every tool that a restaurant could need, from ingredient-level inventory with vendor management to online ordering and team management tools. For those looking to grow their cafe beyond coffee and pastries, Toast is a perfect choice.
Hungry to learn more about Toast? Read our full Toast review.
Revel: Best for High-volume Cafes With a Drive-thru
Revel
What We Like
- Excellent drive-thru management tools
- Robust inventory tools
- Supports multiple payment processors
- Supports dual cash drawer tills
What's Missing
- Three-year contract
- Lack of durable hardware
- Pricey
PricingRevel Pricing
- Software subscription fee: $99/month for a single terminal
- Hardware costs: Custom-quoted
- One-time Installation fees: Starting at $674
- Processing fees: Varies by processor. Users can choose from TriPOS, FreedomPay, First Data, Heartland, TSYS, Worldpay, Chase Paymentech, Elavon, or Revel Advantage
Revel Systems was the first iPad POS designed specifically for restaurants. Some might be put off by the price tag ($99 per month, plus an installation fee of at least $674), but Revel offers industry-leading drive-thru management along with equally unrivaled inventory tools. It is unique in that it doesn’t lock you into a proprietary payment system. This can be a lifesaver for high-volume cafes wanting to get the best processing rates. While Toast might grow with you, Revel is waiting and ready for those who have already grown up.
On our scoring criteria, Revel earned a 4.23 out of 5. It received high marks for its drive-thru management, dual cash drawer tills, and inventory tools. These three functions are not necessary for all cafes, but for those that need them, they are indispensable. Smaller cafe operations will likely lack drive- thrus and might not need dual cash drawers or inventory tracking —and they should look to Lightspeed or Square. Where Revel lost points is in lack of durable hardware and its high price. All the other options on this list are lower priced than Revel, making it a tougher sell for some.
Revel operates on iPads and Revel designed stands and peripherals. (Image from Revel)
You can also use iPads as self-ordering kiosks if your cafe is low on cashiers. (Image from Revel Systems)
For a custom-quoted fee, you can add Revel's integrated online ordering tools to support curbside pickup or delivery operations. (Image from Revel Systems)
Revel Standout Features
With better inventory tracking and drive-thru tools than the others on this list, Revel stands out where it counts. These leading features also come with other functions that support a busy cafe, like dual cash drawers and flexible payment processing. This makes Revel a truly unique option. Perhaps too much for smaller operations, it is perfect for a very particular type of cafe: high-volume operations with drive-thrus.
Its standout features include:
- Robust Drive-thru Functions: Revel’s software allows you to track drive-thru orders and vital drive-thru statistics. Your team can note what type of vehicle is associated with each drive-thru order to avoid order mix-ups. The onscreen drive-thru order queue lets cashiers review orders and accept payments without navigating to a separate screen, which keeps your drive-thru line moving swiftly.
- Leading Inventory Tools: Revel’s ingredient-level inventory tracking tools include purchase order management. Your system will alert you when you are low on ingredients, and you can compose new orders directly in the management dashboard. From there, orders are emailed to your vendors. You can receive deliveries and process invoices with minimal data entry, saving administrative time.
- Supports Multiple Payment Processors: Like Lightspeed Restaurant, Revel integrates with several payment processors, though Revel supports 10 processors to Lightspeed’s four. Payment processing fees vary widely and wildly. Owners looking to save money on these fees will love that Revel allows them to shop around for the best rates.
- Supports Dual Cash Drawer Tills: Busy cafes will likely need multiple cash drawers for their large staff. Dual cash drawer tills will allow you to assign tills to staff without the headache of closing tills and reassigning banks at every break and shift change. Or worse, having multiple staff members operate from the same till, which can lead to untraceable cash and a breeding ground for employee theft.
Read more about the platform’s features in our full Revel review.
Square: Best for Switching From a Cash Register
Square
What We Like
- Free baseline subscriptions
- Supports third-party hardware
- No long-term contracts
- Safe introduction to POS systems
What's Missing
- Locked into Square’s payment processor
- Does not support drive-thru functionality dual cash drawers, or ingredient-level inventory tracking
- Some hardware lacks durability
Square Pricing
- Software subscription fee:
- Free: $0 per month for unlimited terminals
- Plus: $60 per month for unlimited terminals
- Premium: Custom quoted
- Hardware costs: From $49 for a card reader (though Square will send your first card reader for free) to $1,668 for a complete Square POS kit with an iPad, stand, cash drawer, card reader, receipt printer and kitchen printer
- One-time Installation fees: None
- Processing fees: 2.6% + 10 cents per in-person tapped, dipped, or swiped transaction; 2.9% + 30 cents for online transactions; 3.5% + 15 cents for manually keyed transactions
Square for Restaurants is a cloud-based POS that operates within the ever-expanding Square software ecosystem. For our 2022 cafe POS evaluation, we looked at Square’s current functionality and found it to be the best option for cafes switching from a cash register as it offers a practical, inexpensive, and commitment-free option to transition from cash only to accepting digital payments. Like Toast, Square’s baseline POS subscription is free—though unlike Toast, which requires a two-year contract, Square has no long-term contracts.
You can operate the POS on iPads that you already own; all you need is a Square card reader (which Square will send you for free) and a Square account. The built-in processing also takes no time to set up, so you can start accepting debit, credit, and mobile payments in an afternoon.
Square for Restaurants earned a 3.89 out of 5 on our scoring system. It scored well for its free baseline software price and for supporting software for an unlimited number of POS devices. The free, integrated online store also earned high marks. It lost some points for its lack of niche features like ingredient-level inventory, drive-thru management, and dual cash drawer tills. If your cafe needs these, you’ll be better served by Toast, Revel, or Cake. But if your operation is small and does not need drive-thru support, Square should have everything you need.
Square for restaurants operates on iPads with Square cases and stands. (Image from Square)
Alternatively, you can opt for a Square Register with built-in customer-facing display and integrated card reader. (Image from Square)
Square's optional marketing tools help you create dynamic email marketing campaigns directly from your management dashboard. (Image from Square)
Building your free Square Online Store is easy with Square's setup wizard guiding you. (Image from Square)
Square Standout Features
Square is perfectly suited for the charming cafe that needs to replace its decades-old cash registers with a cloud-based POS system. It is easy to opt in and just as easy to opt out. Square allows you to bring your own hardware or purchase hardware from Square. It is great for those whose primary concern is taking payments from customers. It might lack some of the higher-end, higher-volume functionality of other systems, but for small cafes, Square is a perfect fit.
Its standout features include:
- Free Baseline Subscription: Square’s baseline POS subscription is completely free and does not include table or course management, but that shouldn’t be a limiting factor for cafes that mostly serve coffees and grab-and-go food. If you need additional features, the Plus package includes table and course management and additional reporting for $60 per month.
- Flexible Hardware: It is not necessary to purchase any new equipment to run Square. This POS will run on any iPad. You can bulk up your existing hardware with iPad stands, various types of card readers, cash drawers, barcode scanners, and KDS screens as needed. This makes Square one of the most versatile POSes on our list.
- No Long-term Contracts: Square is not only easy to join but easy to leave. There are no long-term contracts with Square. This makes Square one of the most flexible POSes on our list.
- Compatible With Square Small Business Tools: In addition to free POS software, Square offers many other free tools that all work together, including Square Online store and Online Checkout for pickup and delivery orders, customer feedback tools, and reporting dashboards.
- Modular Add-ons: Square offers plenty of paid add-ons in addition to the ecosystem of free tools, including payroll and team management, loyalty programs, marketing, gift cards, and customer management tools. Businesses can add and remove any of these features at any time.
Did you know? Square offers a full suite of business management tools. Read about everything Square has to offer, or learn more about its POS in our Square for Restaurants review.
Cake: Best for Ease of Use & Durable Hardware
Cake
What We Like
- Exceptionally durable hardware
- Excellent online training resources
- Supports drive-thru operations and dual cash drawer tills
- Curbside pickup tools include in-POS two-way SMS text messaging
What's Missing
- Requires proprietary hardware
- Inventory does not sync with online ordering module
- Two-year contract
Cake Pricing
- Software subscription fee: $69 per month for a single terminal; $49 per each additional terminal
- Hardware costs: Custom-quoted
- One-time installation fees: You can self-install this system using the detailed online tutorials. In-person installation is optional an and custom quoted
- Processing fees: Custom-quoted
Cake is a cloud POS originally designed by mainline distributor Sysco. In August 2020, retail software company Mad Mobile purchased Cake and pretty much immediately improved the curbside ordering functions. Cake’s POS is designed to outlast even the most caffeinated customers and the clumsiest employees. Cafes sell hot liquid to tired clientele at a time of day where few possess maximal dexterity. If you drop a coffee on your Cake POS, then Cake will likely be fine; this system is designed to spill proof.
The system receives raves from its customers for its excellent technical support. Cake also maintains a detailed and easy-to-navigate online knowledgebase—Cake University—that includes detailed text and video tutorials for everything from installing your system to managing curbside pickups.
The platform earned a 3.83 out of 5 on our cafe POS scoring system. It received solid scores for general POS functions and from our experts and leads the way in customer reviews, earning ratings of 4.6 to 4.8 on popular customer sites. Cake also comes with robust inventory tools, a drive-thru capability, and leading hardware durability. It lost points because that hardware is proprietary and its amazing customer support and training tools come with a two-year contract. If you want to save little on hardware and avoid long-term contracts, you’ll prefer Square for Restaurants.
A strange quirk of Cake, too, is that its inventory software doesn’t sync with its online ordering platform. So, when a cafe’s internal inventory shows that they are, say, out of French Roast beans, this information does not automatically populate the Cafe’s online product order. You will have to manually adjust it on the online order module. If you want inventory that updates across ordering channels, look at Toast or Revel.
Cake's POS terminals with built-in customer-facing displays are available in white or charcoal colorways. (Image from Cake)
Cake's hardware is designed to be spill proof to withstand high-volume restaurant environments. (Image from Cake)
With the optional Guest Manager modules, Cake allows you to receive customer text messages and send responses directly from the POS to manage curbside pickups. (Image from Cake)
Cake Standout Features
Cake comes with excellent customer support and great functionality. Its curbside order management tools are some of the best available in a cloud POS.
Its standout features include:
- Durable Hardware: Cake’s hardware is built to thrive in the fast-paced and knock-around world of cafes. Its terminals can withstand sustained, direct liquid spillage and high heat and steam.
- Robust Curbside Order Management: Cake includes curbside order management tools as part of its Guest Management module. This tool can be a little pricey, with a $199 setup fee and ongoing software fees of $79 per month. But it comes with a 30-day free trial, so you can check if it is a fit before committing. With this feature, you can see an organized order queue of your upcoming curbside pickups, receive customer text messages in the queue, and respond directly to messages via the POS. No constantly ringing phones or sharing your personal cell number to keep curbside running.
- Comprehensive Online Training and Customer Support: Cake support is available 24/7 year-round. It also has one of the most robust and user-friendly online training courses available. The training resources are both text- and video-based, so you can scan a written tutorial for the information you need rather than sitting through an entire video when troubleshooting the middle of a busy service.
- Drive-thru Management: Cafes that have drive-thrus need this feature, and many POSes don’t provide it. Cake offers drive-thru customization, tracking, and functionality. When it comes to drive- thrus, you can have your Cake and eat it too.
Bottom Line
There are a handful of good POSes that offer the functionality cafes require. Lightspeed carries the day as our overall winner for the best cafe POS system. It offers dual cash drawer capability, payment processor flexibility, and—to top it all off—easy self-installation. You can expand your system with order ahead tools to support curbside pickup and operate the system on compatible hardware you already own. To see if this system is right for your cafe, contact Lightspeed for a demo.
