Best Food Truck POS Systems 2023
Meaghan has provided content and guidance for indie retailers as the editor for a number of retail publications and a speaker at trade shows. She is Fit Small Business’s authority on retail and ecommerce.
With more than a decade of hospitality experience, Mary has worked in some of the most celebrated restaurants in the world. Her expertise is featured across Fit Small Business in restaurant, retail, and starting a business content.
This article is part of a larger series on POS Systems.
The best point of sale (POS) for your food truck will depend on how you make your money. You can operate a single food truck or a fleet, sell all your food to order, or make your money on private events. Food truck POS systems range in price from $0 to over $100 per month. We evaluated dozens of popular food truck POS systems based on our experience working on food trucks.
According to our evaluations, the best food truck POS systems are:
- Square: Best Overall
- SpotOn: Best for high-volume food trucks
- Toast: Best for events and fleets
- TouchBistro: Best for ease of use
- Lightspeed Retail (S-Series): Best for payment processing
This guide features the expertise of our restaurant and POS experts, who have used these POS systems on trucks or performed in-depth product demos.
Top Food Truck POS Systems Compared
Minimum Monthly Software Fees | Processing Fees | Marketing and Loyalty | Inventory Management | Online Ordering | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $0 | From 2.6% + 10 cents | Excellent (Pay as you go) | Good | Strong (and free) |
 | Custom-quoted | From 1.99% + 20 cents | Strong | Good | Good |
 | $0 | From 2.49% + 15 cents | Excellent | Requires integration | Good |
 | $69 | Custom-quoted | Good | Good | Good |
 | $69 | From 2.6% + 10 cents | Good | Good | Good |
Countertop Terminal | Card Reader | Handheld Terminal | |
|---|---|---|---|
|  $659 |  $49 |  $299 |
|  POS Terminal Custom-quoted |  Bluetooth Card Reader Custom-quoted |  SideKick Custom-quoted |
|  $0–$799 |  Toast Tap Card Reader Custom-quoted |  $0–$609 |
|  Countertop POS Custom-quoted |  Verifone P400 Custom-quoted |  Handheld Terminal Custom-quoted |
|  Proper Stand Custom-quoted |  Mobile Tap Card Reader Custom-quoted |  WisePOS E Mobile Terminal Custom-quoted *Payments only |
Which Food Truck POS Is Right for You?
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Square for Restaurants: Best Overall Food Truck POS
Overall Score:
4.63 / 5
Pros
- Baseline POS is free to use
- No long-term contracts
- Can use hardware you already own
- Supports handheld payment terminal
Cons
- Square is the only payment processor
- Ingredient-level inventory requires a third-party integration
- Free POS only supports one set of user permissions
Square Deciding Factors
- Three subscription tiers:
- Free – $0 per month
- Premium – $60 per month
- Enterprise – Custom-quoted
- Hardware costs: From $49 for a contactless card reader to $1,339 for a full restaurant POS station Kit with iPad stand, cash drawer, card reader, Square Terminal, receipt printer, and kitchen printer
- One-time Installation fees: $0; Square is self-installed, but you can request on-site installation assistance for $600.
- Processing fees: 2.6% + 10 cents for in-person transactions, 2.9% + 30 cents for online or invoice transactions.
Square’s POS has been popular with food trucks for years. More than half of the food truck operators I know personally use either the basic Square POS or the free version of Square for Restaurants. For more detailed food tracking information, Square for Restaurants is a little better for food businesses like food trucks. It comes with built-in processing, is highly mobile, can operate on hardware you already own, and supports great handheld terminals, KDS screens, and invoicing and marketing tools to expand your food truck operation.
Square earned a 4.63 out of 5.00 on our food truck POS scoring criteria. The free software subscriptions and lack of a long-term contract make this user-friendly POS a natural fit for food trucks, some of which only operate sporadically.
Take a deeper dive into this system by reading our full Square for Restaurants POS review and watching a video walkthrough of the Square for Restaurants POS.
SpotOn: Best for High-volume Trucks
Overall Score:
4.28 / 5
Pros
- No long-term contracts
- Cellular-enabled handhelds accept orders and process payments anywhere with a cellular signal
- Highly customizable software can be set up however you like
Cons
- Full pricing requires a custom quote
- Must purchase hardware directly through SpotOn
- Initial menu must be set up by the SpotOn team
SpotOn Deciding Factors
- Software subscription fee: Not publicly listed. We were quoted $35 per month for each Sidekick Terminal; volume discounts are available.
- Hardware costs: Custom-quoted
- One-time Installation fees: Custom-quoted
- Processing fees: 1.99% + 20 cents for most credit and debit cards; 2.99% + 20 cents for AMEX, corporate, international cards and manually keyed payments. Also compatible with undisclosed third-party processors; inquire with SpotOn for compatibility.
SpotOn is a cloud-based POS that operates on Windows-based touch-screen tablets and SpotOn’s proprietary Sidekick handhelds. This customizable system requires a bit of lead time to set up because every screen is customized to your needs. This level of customization requires the SpotOn team to arrange your initial menu screens and POS configuration. This level of support is incredibly welcome if you lack the bandwidth for a DIY job and would rather have someone else set up your POS.
SpotOn also allows you to set different prices for each item when it is paid by cash or credit card. So you can recoup credit card fees by building them into your baseline prices and offering a discount for cash payments. This combination of cash discounting, customization, robust hardware, and the user-friendliness of the SideKick handheld make SpotOn ideal for high-volume, solitary trucks.
SpotOn earned a 4.28 out of 5 on our food truck ranking. The system earned high marks for its mobility and payments processing; the cellular-enabled SideKick device definitely scored some points. This system is also incredibly well-reviewed by its users. SpotOn lost some points for its less robust inventory tools (if you need built-in ingredient level inventory, try TouchBistro) and because full pricing, including hardware and installation, requires a custom quote.
See even more POS alternatives by reading our ranking of the best restaurant POS systems.
Toast: Best for Events & Food Truck Fleets
Overall Score:
4.15 / 5
Pros
- Pay-as-You-Go subscription has no software fees
- Pay-as-You-Go options supply up to two Toast terminals for no upfront cost
- Pay-as-You-Go users can add marketing and loyalty for a higher processing rates
- Industry-grade hardware stands up to high-volume use
Cons
- Locked into Toast Payments
- May be more tools than small trucks need
- Requires two-year contract
Toast Deciding Factors
- Monthly Software subscription fee:
- Pay-as-You-Go – $0
- Essentials – $165 (includes online ordering)
- Growth – Custom quoted (includes gift cards, loyalty, and marketing)
- Hardware costs: $0 for the Pay-as-You-Go Starter kit (one Toast terminal, card reader, and router); $799 when paid upfront.
- One-time Installation fees: $0 for self-installation; $250 for guided installation
- Processing fees:
- Standard – 2.49% + 15 cents per in-person transaction
- Pay-as-You-Go – 2.99% + 15 cents per in-person transaction
- Pay-as-You-Go with Marketing tools – 3.39% + 15 cents per in-person transaction
Toast is a hybrid POS system built exclusively for restaurants. Like SpotOn, Toast operates on industry-grade touch-screen tablets and handheld devices. Toast’s hardware is IP-rated to withstand drops, heat, and water penetration. This is ideal for busy trucks where your hardware can take a beating. Toast is also a great option for single, high-volume trucks, but Toast offers so much more than just robust hardware.
It includes built-in invoicing tools to allow event-heavy trucks to bill customers accurately. And its employee management tools are the best in class. If your truck grows to a multi-truck fleet, Toast also has you covered. The system includes built-in team management that makes it a breeze to schedule crews for various trucks. Deep reporting and analytics identify top-performing (and low-performing) menu items so you can adjust in real time and keep growing your bottom line.
Toast earned a 4.15 out of 5 on our food truck POS scoring system. It earned a perfect score for niche food truck functions like a kitchen display system (KDS) options and robust marketing tools. It lost some points for requiring a two-year contract and only supporting a single payment processor—Toast Payments—but it is the built-in processing that supports Toast’s Pay-as-You-Go options. If you need a robust POS for low to no upfront costs, you can opt to pay higher processing rates to get the necessary tools.
Explore more Toast features by reading our full Toast POS review.
TouchBistro: Best for Ease of Use
Overall Score:
4.08 / 5
Pros
- iOS-based interface is as easy to use as a smartphone
- Operates on iPads for terminals, KDS screens, self-ordering kiosks, and handheld devices
- Self-installable
- Supports three different payment processors so you can shop for the best rates
Cons
- Ingredient-level inventory requires administrative time to update
- Higher baseline price than others on the list
- Hardware pricing requires a custom quote
TouchBistro Deciding Factors
- Software subscription fee: $69 per terminal monthly
- Hardware costs: Custom-quoted
- One-time Installation fees: $0; this system is self-installed
- Processing fees: Varies by the processor; choose from TouchBistro Payments, TSYS, or Square
TouchBistro is a cloud-based iPad restaurant POS. TouchBistro’s user interface is built on the iOS operating system and operates with the same expandable menu format as an iPhone. So anyone who has used an iPhone can learn TouchBistro quickly. Several reviews specifically mention that new employees learned to use this POS in a single afternoon.
This incredibly user-friendly system also offers several options for payment processing. Users can choose to rely on the built-in TouchBistro Payments, TSYS, or Square. You set up TouchBistro yourself, following one of TouchBistro’s detailed tutorials. The system has several options for mobile configurations using LTE-enabled routers.
TouchBistro scored a 4.08 out of 5 on our food truck POS criteria. It earned a perfect score on mobility and payments (like competitor SpotOn). TouchBistro lost some points for a slightly clunky ingredient-level inventory system (if you want world-class inventory tools, you’ll need an integration) and its upfront price. At $69 per terminal monthly, TouchBistro doesn’t break the bank, but it’s hard to compete with systems like Toast and Square that offer free baseline subscriptions.
See what else we love about this system by reading our full TouchBistro POS review and watching our video walkthrough of the TouchBistro POS.
Lightspeed Retail (S-Series): Best for Payment Processing
Overall Score:
4.05 / 5
Pros
- Can operate via Wi-Fi hotspot or completely offline
- Operates on iPads or Clover hardware
- Integrates with multiple payment processors
- POS terminals can operate offline and sync reporting to the cloud next online
Cons
- Modifiers and combo-building are not advanced
- Best pricing requires Lightspeed Payments enrollment
Lightpspeed Deciding Factors
- Subscription plans*:
- Lean – $69 to $139
- Standard – $119 to $199
- Advanced – $199 to $319
- Enterprise – Custom quoted
*Prices are lower for users who pay fees annually and enroll in Lightspeed Payments
- Hardware costs: Custom-quoted, or bring your own hardware
- One-time Installation fees: None
- Payment processing: Choose from Lightspeed Payments, Vantiv, Cayan, iZettle. Lightspeed Payments starts at 2.6% + 10 cents for in-person payments
Lightspeed is a rapidly expanding cloud POS with specialized options for everything from retail shops to golf courses. You’ll find the best food truck functions in the Lightspeed Retail S-Series POS. This mobile-friendly POS operates on iPads and Clover Mini devices so you can choose your hardware.
The system also gives you the option to use the built-in Lightspeed Payments or work with integrated processors. TouchBistro also offers this feature, but Lightspeed publishes its Lightspeed Payments rates publicly, so you know if you are getting the best deal. TouchBistro Payments rates are custom-quoted. So, we awarded the best for payments title to Lightspeed.
Lightspeed earned a 4.05 out of 5.00 on our food truck ranking criteria. It earned points for its 14-day free trial and flexible payments and hardware configurations. It could have scored higher if it included some food truck-specific integrations (like truck mapping tools) and could operate via a cellular network. But all in all, this flexible system is a great fit if you want to shop for the lowest processing rates.
The Lightspeed Retail S-Series was formerly the ShopKeep POS, so you will see some references to ShopKeep in the user interface. And while we love the Lightspeed Restaurant POS for brick-and-mortar food businesses, the mobile configuration of the Retail S-Series is stronger for food trucks.
Learn more about Lightspeed’s POS offerings by reading our Lightspeed Retail review.
How we Evaluated Food Truck POS Systems
We scored dozens of the most popular mobile POS systems based on food truck priorities. We included cost, ease of use, and food truck specific functions like robust handheld hardware and invoicing tools. We also considered our restaurant and POS experts’ personal experiences using each system.
30%
Pricing
20%
Mobility and Payment Processing
30%
Niche Food Truck tools
20%
Expert Score
30% of Overall Score
First, we looked at whether or not each software offers a free plan, free trial, and a plan option under $75 monthly. Food truck menus tend to be priced to sell, which means tight operating margins. We considered whether the system operates on readily available hardware like iPads or requires purchasing proprietary tablets.
20% of Overall Score
30% of Overall Score
Successful food trucks are all about marketing. So we looked for systems that include built-in customer management, email marketing, and social media integration tools. We considered available order streams from in-person to online and contactless ordering, and looked for integrated kitchen display systems that can save printer paper.
20% of Overall Score
*Percentages of overall score
Meet our Experts
This guide includes the expertise of our food service and POS experts. Learn more about their specific experience below:
 | Mary King has worked in every type of food service business from coffee shops and food trucks to full-service fine dining restaurants. With over 14 years of industry experience, she has used many POS systems in real-world food service businesses. |
 | Meaghan Brophy has 10-plus years of retail experience, during which she has operated a variety of cash registers and POS systems in different settings and applications. Since working in retail, Meaghan has 7-plus years of experience writing for retailers and 4-plus years of experience evaluating POS systems. |
Best Food Truck POS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a POS for a food truck?
A POS in a food truck is the point of sale, or a combination of hardware and software that manages sales for the truck.
What does a POS system for a food truck do?
A POS can help a food truck process digital payments and keep track of sales, inventory, and employee hours. Many POS systems also include tools for employee scheduling, tip pool management, invoicing, and online ordering.
How much does a food truck POS system cost?
You can find food truck POS systems for as little as $0 per month up to more than $100 per month. Your costs will depend entirely on the tools you need and the system you choose. If you need online ordering or invoicing, for example, you may need to pay an additional monthly fee. Most food trucks can expect to get all the tools they need in a baseline cloud POS subscription, which ballparks for $0 to $60 per month.
Do I need a POS for a food truck?
We recommend POS systems for food trucks for a lot of reasons. The most important reason is that a POS allows you to easily accept the card and digital wallet payments that customers prefer. A POS also helps you keep track of sales and inventory, which saves you administrative time and can help you identify theft. Trucks operate with tight margins, so it is tempting to avoid the cost of a POS system, but in our experience a POS for a food truck will save you time and money while helping you increase sales.
Bottom Line
Square for Restaurants received the highest score across our food truck POS grading system for its affordability, flexibility, and mobility features. With invoicing, text and email marketing, and a variety of hardware, you can configure this POS to fit any food truck style. Square can also grow with your business as it expands or your needs change. The lack of a long-term contract makes Square for Restaurants a low-risk option for new or seasonal food trucks. To see if Square is a fit for your food truck, visit Square to get started taking orders and payments for free.
