A point-of-sale (POS) system not only accepts payments, but also manages the day-to-day operations of any retail, restaurant, or service business. Ideally, it needs to efficiently adapt to increasing sales activity and process more transactions every day. With iPad POS systems, users have a lightweight and cloud-based system that can synchronize multiple devices, and manage business tasks on the go.
The best iPad POS systems for small businesses are:
- Square: Best overall free iPad POS software for small businesses
- Lightspeed: Best iPad POS for inventory management
- Shopify: Best iPad POS for omnichannel and online retail
- Loyverse: Best free iPad POS with built-in customer rewards
- Upserve: Best iPad POS for full-service restaurants
How We Evaluated iPad POS Systems
We narrowed our list of 36 POS systems down to nine providers that offer an iPad POS solution. We then compared those nine POS systems based on price and features we think are most important to businesses wanting an iPad solution. These features include offline transaction processing, the ability to add unlimited iPad registers, and access to mobile card readers. We also considered general POS features such as payment types, inventory, business management tools, and access to team management, payroll, and marketing features. Finally, we considered our retail experts’ opinions based on their personal knowledge of each software.
Based on our evaluation criteria, Square comes out on top as the best iPad POS for small businesses, receiving the highest overall score from our grading system for iPad POS software (4.55 out of 5). Our scoring system ranked our top nine choices according to what we would personally recommend based on our experience testing different software and working with small businesses that use POS systems every day.
Click through the tabs below for a more detailed breakdown of our evaluation criteria.
30% of Overall Score
We evaluated each software’s pricing plans and looked for options that offer under $75 monthly subscription. This rate should include any installment plan for purchased hardware. We also wanted a system that allows for unlimited inventory listing and transaction processing. Finally, we awarded high marks for POS systems that provide users with the most flexible payment processing options.
20% of Overall Score
In general, business owners want an efficient, personalized POS system so we wanted to include solutions that offer a variety of customizable features including accepting many different types of payments. We also evaluated each system’s ability to efficiently manage inventory, sell or accept orders online, and view detailed reports from anywhere.
20% of Overall Score
This criterion highlights the efficiency of using an iPad POS, so the emphasis is given on remote functions and mobility. We evaluated each system’s policy in connecting multiple iPad POS devices as this is a key advantage in iPad POS systems. We also evaluated iPad-compatible card readers, and points were given for systems that can issue digital receipts and process offline transactions in the event of limited access to the internet or WiFi.
10% of Overall Score
Efficiency in handling multiple transactions is another key advantage of iPad POS systems. We made sure that we highlight cloud-based solutions so your data can be synchronized and accessed from every connected device. We also gave extra points for systems that provide round-the-clock support.
20% of Overall Score
Finally, we evaluate each system’s overall performance from a professional standpoint so readers know how highly we would recommend the software, and for what type of business it fits best. We took a detailed look at the quality of both general and industry-specific features, noting standout, as well as any missing functions. We also weighed the software and hardware options against their cost to determine which system offers a good overall value for its price. I also awarded points based on my personal experience interacting with the software and the company’s customer support.
Square
PROS
- Extensive retail and restaurant POS features completely free
- Free ecommerce and online ordering
- Comes with a free mobile card reader
- Unlimited iPad registers and users
CONS
- Can’t connect to outside payment gateways
- Limited customer support
- Some add-ons can be pricey
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 4.5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| iPad POS Specific Features | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 5 | OUT OF | 5 |
Square POS is the most convenient choice for small and new business owners. It offers a strong set of restaurant and retail features for a completely free, cloud-based POS system while providing additional premium tools for growing retail, restaurants, salons, and ecommerce. Square’s in-house card processing solution comes with every Square account, including a free magstripe card reader to turn any iPad device into a payment terminal. iPad POS users will also like that Square is free to connect with as many iPad devices as required for their growing business.
Based on our evaluation, Square leads our list of iPad POS systems, earning a total score of 4.55 out of 5, with top marks for pricing, iPad POS-specific features, and expert score. However, the lack of additional payment processing options and limited customer support for free users prevented the software from gaining a perfect score.
We also named Square as the best overall POS system for small businesses.
Square POS Pricing
- POS Software: $0 for standard POS and base-level Restaurant, Retail, and Appointment POS. Premium plans start at $60 per month.
- Custom Pricing: Available to businesses with more than $250,000 in card sales per year and has an average ticket size of over $15.
- Mobile Card Reader: Each Square account comes with a free magstripe reader. Contactless readers for EMV and chip cards are sold at $49.
- Additional terminal: Unlimited for all POS, Retail, and Restaurant subscription plans except for Restaurant plus, which cost $40 per month, per device.
Square Credit Card Processing
Square makes money through its premium add-ons and through its credit card processing, which enables it to offer one of the best touch-screen POS for free. And while users have no other payment processing options, rates are generally competitive. In-person card transaction fees cost 2.6% + 10 cents per tap, dip or swipe, while keyed-in card transaction fee is at 3.5% + 15 cents. Online card payments are charged 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction. Retail Plus users get a discounted rate of 2.5% + 10 cents for swipes.
Square POS Features
Start your business with Square’s free POS and magstripe reader on your iPad.
- iPad features: Connect unlimited registers, recognize customers by payment method or contact information, send email or text receipts that include customer satisfaction surveys.
- Inventory Management: Square’s free plan lets users import items via spreadsheet, add photos or item descriptions, and track item quantities. Retail plus adds advanced features such as bar code printing, bulk inventory uploading, multi-location inventory tracking, as well as purchase order and vendor management.
- Restaurant Features: Square for Restaurants includes a built-in table, menu, and team management features, while Restaurant Plus adds a kitchen display system, advanced POS, and team management tools. It also includes a free online ordering platform and integrates with third-party delivery apps like DoorDash and Grubhub.
- Marketing and Loyalty: Square offers a range of email and SMS marketing add-on tools (from $15/month), as well as a loyalty rewards program (starting at $45/month). After signing up, customers earn points automatically for both in-store and ecommerce sales. Once they’ve reached a reward, the option to redeem it will automatically pop up at checkout.
- Ecommerce: Square’s free POS software includes access to a free online store. Set up a basic ecommerce store to sell products online, sync sales and inventory data, offer pickup, delivery, shipping, and integrate with Instagram. Square also integrates with Wix, BigCommerce, WordPress, Magento, and more.
- Reports: Square includes about a dozen standard reports, including sales by category, refunds by time period, service charge reporting, and real-time hourly, weekly, and monthly sales charts. Square Plus plans add industry-specific reports such as vendor sales and menu reports, as well as team reports like sales by employee, and revenue per labor hour.
- Customer Service: Users of paid subscription plans have 24/7 access to Square’s customer support. However, phone, chat, and email support for free plan users is only available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time. For paying users, it’s available 24/7.
Lightspeed
PROS
- Create purchase orders, returns, and receive inventory through iPad
- Includes a free payment terminal
- Strong core inventory management features
CONS
- Expensive monthly subscription cost
- Extra cost to add more registers
- Accounting and loyalty features require subscription to higher-tier plans
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 5 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 4.5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| iPad POS Specific Features | 2.38 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 4.69 | OUT OF | 5 |
Lightspeed Retail leads the pack in terms of inventory management. It’s equipped to handle thousands of unique SKUs, plus features that make inventory management a breeze, such as the ability to view supplier catalogs straight from Lightspeed, and automatically draft new purchase orders. And while it does not offer a free mobile card reader, iPad POS users will like Lightspeed’s free payment terminal that goes with every subscription.
Based on our evaluation, Lightspeed earned a score of 4.31 out of 5, with high marks for pricing, ease of use, and general features, particularly for its top-of-the-line inventory and analytic tools. Lightspeed could improve by offering more options and more affordable mobile card readers. Also, Lightspeed accounting integrations and customizable reporting are available only with more expensive plans.
Overall, Lightspeed remains, by far, as our top choice for inventory management and also ranks high up on our list of iPad restaurant POS recommendations.
Lightspeed Retail Pricing
- Lightspeed Retail Basic: With Lightspeed Payments, costs $69/month, billed annually, or $79/month, billed monthly. Includes retail and payment features, plus a free payment terminal.
- Lightspeed Retail Starter: Costs $99/month, billed annually, or $119/month, billed monthly with Lightspeed Payments, and comes with a free payment terminal. Adds ecommerce features on top of functions available in the basic plan.
- Lightspeed Retail Standard: Subscription costs $119/month, billed annually, or $139/month, billed monthly when bundled with Lightspeed Payments, and comes with a free payment terminal. Adds accounting integration on top of features found in basic and starter plans.
- Lightspeed Retail Advanced: Costs $169/month, billed annually, or $189/month, billed monthly. Price includes Lightspeed Payments with a free payment terminal. Adds loyalty features with functionalities found in basic, starter, and standard plans.
- Lightspeed Retail Pro: With Lightspeed Payments, costs $229/month, billed annually, or $259/month, billed monthly, plus a free payment terminal. Adds premium analytic tools on features provided by lower-tier plans.
- Custom pricing: Volume discount pricing for businesses that process over $250,000 a month
- Mobile Card Reader: Available for US-based users and requires a separate purchase. Contact Lightspeed support for a quote.
- Additional terminal: Available for all subscription plans at $29/month, per device for retail, and $34/month per device for restaurant POS.
Lightspeed Credit Card Processing
Lightspeed’s built-in payment processing fees are 2.6% + $0.10 per tap, dip, or swipe for in-person card purchases, and 2.6% + $0.30 for keyed-in transactions. Users outside the United States and Canada can use Lightspeed’s other integrated payment solutions such as WorldPay and TSYS.
Lightspeed Retail Features
Lightspeed offers an iPad hardware kit for a full wireless POS system.
- iPad POS Features: Lightspeed is a cloud-based system so every POS device automatically syncs business information. However, additional registers are available at an additional cost, and mobile card readers are sold separately.
- Inventory Management: Lightspeed’s inventory management includes the ability to manage multiple variations and customize matrices, set up automatic reorder rules for low stocks, access to built-in purchase orders and supplier catalogs straight from the app.
- Restaurant Features: Includes features such as presetting menu modifiers, build menus, configure floor plans, and add a kitchen display system. It also gives users access to delivery integrations such as UberEats, DoorDash, or Grubhub for an additional fee (starting at $39/month).
- Marketing and Loyalty: Design a customized point-based loyalty program with a branded customer-facing app where customers can check loyalty points and view rewards. Users can also send custom one-time deals for VIP customers and set up automated campaigns for rewards or special promotions via email, SMS, or push notification.
- Ecommerce: Lightspeed’s ecommerce system offers mobile-responsive and customizable website templates from their theme store. Import stock, automatically update quantity-on-hand, and display items in HD. Users can also offer shipping options and manage related tasks with Lightspeed’s ecommerce back office.
- Reports: Lightspeed Analytics provides over 50 built-in standard reports covering sales, customer demographics and behavior, employee performance, and inventory. Advanced features that come with the “pro” package for $229 a month adds custom reporting features, visualization tools, and data interpretation guides.
- Customer Service: Phone, live chat, and email support are available 24/7.
Shopify
PROS
- Access to strong omnichannel tools
- Integrate your online store with thousands of Shopify apps
- Easy-to-use, highly-rated POS software
CONS
- Inventory requires $89/month add-on
- Lacks offline payment processing function
- Ecommerce subscription required to use POS
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.38 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 4.5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| iPad POS Specific Features | 2.5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 5 | OUT OF | 5 |
It should come as no surprise that we recommend Shopify as the best iPad POS system for retailers looking to sell online. In addition to having the top ecommerce platform for small businesses, Shopify also has an affordable, user-friendly POS.
Each Shopify ecommerce account comes with a free POS app plan so users can also sell their online items seamlessly on their iPad POS. However, while a free plan is available, users who love the advantage of iPad POS systems will have to note that most of the desirable POS features require an upgrade to the paid plan. Be sure to consider the cost before signing up.
Shopify earned an overall score of 4.21 out of 5 and outstanding marks for pricing and ease of use. Its excellent ecommerce features also make Shopify a strong contender for our best mobile POS recommendations. However, the added cost of a detailed inventory and omnichannel features, and lack of offline payment processing prevented Shopify from earning a higher score.
Shopify POS Pricing
- Shopify Ecommerce Plans: $29 – $299 monthly. An ecommerce plan is required to use Shopify POS.
- Shopify POS Lite: Free POS plan that comes with every Shopify ecommerce account. Its features include product detail QR codes, full payment features, product variants, and multi-location inventory. It also gives full access to Shopify’s customer management and customer support.
- Shopify POS Pro: ($89 per month/location) This is the paid version of Shopify’s POS plan. On top of the basic features, this subscription also provides users with smart inventory management features, advanced omnichannel selling, and staff management tools, to name a few.
- Optional Add-Ons: Shopify’s app store includes thousands of apps from accounting to shipping add-on options. It also provides access to API tools where users can develop an app customized for their requirements.
- Mobile Card Reader: Signing up for Shopify Payments includes a free card reader. Additional Shopify Tap and Chip card reader will set users back $49.
- Additional terminal: Requires purchase of Shopify POS Pro subscription ($89 per month/location) on top of the user’s ecommerce plan.
Shopify Credit Card Processing
Shopify offers its own credit card processing service. Users get discounted rates when subscribed to higher paid plans. Card transaction fees for in-person sales range from 2.4% – 2.7% depending on the plan. Online transactions range from 2.4% + 30 cents – 2.9% + 30 cents depending on your plan.
Shopify POS Features
Shopify’s iPad POS is cloud-based so you can seamlessly run your shop remotely from any iOS device.
- iPad POS Features: Use of unlimited registers and generating digital receipts are available in Shopify’s paid POS plan. Offline transaction processing is not supported by the system.
- Inventory Management: The basic Shopify POS plan lets users add products manually and use different categories and product variants. Smart collections automatically sort products based on vendor, price, and inventory level. Track inventory status, adjust stocks, and manage inventory across multiple locations. The paid plan adds the use of bar code scanners to upload and organize the inventory.
- Restaurant Features: Although not designed for restaurants, users can still design their website to accept online food orders and arrange for delivery. The iPad device can work as a remote payment terminal with a connected mobile card reader.
- Marketing and Loyalty: Shopify’s marketing features include email marketing, social media integration, product review management, and the creation of Google Ads campaigns. It also has third-party loyalty apps that users can add to create a loyalty program.
- Ecommerce: Shopify’s website builder is easy to use, and able to support just about any niche feature or integration your store might require. Shopify also supports multichannel selling on Amazon, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and more.
- Reports: Shopify includes a built-in report and analytics dashboard that generate key performance reports such as retail sales, cashflow, finance, discounts, and cash tracking reports. Shopify Plus plan adds extensive reporting into daily sales, products, and staff performance.
- Customer Service: Phone, live chat, and email support are available 24/7.
Loyverse
PROS
- Forever-free POS software
- Includes built-in loyalty features
- Inexpensive add-ons
CONS
- Lacks a built-in payment processor
- Limited inventory features with the free plan
- Lacks customer support for free plan
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 3.88 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| iPad POS Specific Features | 4.38 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
Loyverse is built for small businesses looking for a convenient POS system that combines simple transaction processing, customer engagement, and business data analysis in one free bundle. Loyalty features are where Loyverse (Loyalty Universe) ultimately shines, with a loyalty rewards program that automatically tallies points and prints the balance on the customer receipt. iPad POS users will love how Loyverse can connect to any number of iPhone or iPad as a POS device without additional cost.
In our evaluation, Loyverse scored a 4.05 out of 5 in our iPad POS scoring system. It earned high marks for pricing and iPad POS-specific features, while lack of built-in payment processing and deals for obtaining a mobile card reader prevented Loyverse from gaining more points.
Loyverse POS Pricing
- Loyverse POS Software: (Free) This version of Loyverse includes all the main POS features, analytics, a kitchen display system, and customer display.
- Employee Management: ($5/month per employee) Add-on that allows users to track hours and run reports on employee sales.
- Advanced Inventory: ($25/month) This add-on lets users print bar codes, create purchase orders, and run more advanced inventory reports.
- Mobile Card Reader: Loyverse payment processing is from third-party integrations and does not provide its own mobile card reader.
- Additional Terminal: Connecting additional terminals to Loyverse’s iPad POS system is free, no extra cost.
Loyverse Credit Card Processing
Loyverse does not offer its own credit card processing service, but it does integrate with CardConnect, Worldpay (formerly Vantiv), SumUp, and iZettle. These providers will determine the user’s card processing fees and mobile card readers, while some may require their own monthly subscription fee.
Loyverse POS Features
Loyverse allows users to connect multiple iPad POS devices for free.
- iPad POS Features: Loyverse is cloud-based and syncs business information automatically to every connected iPad POS device. It works even offline to process transactions and save data locally until the internet becomes available. Mobile credit card readers are purchased separately.
- Inventory Management: Loyverse’s basic inventory management features lets users import items and keep track of inventory. The optional inventory add-on includes the ability to print bar codes, create purchase orders, run inventory counts and inventory valuation reports.
- Restaurant Features: Loyverse also offers basic restaurant POS features. Create purchase orders and manage ingredients as well as menu items with modifiers. It also allows users to set up a kitchen display system to display items, quantities, modifiers, and ticket comments. Online ordering and table mapping is not supported.
- Marketing and Loyalty: The built-in loyalty program allows users to sign up their customers upon checkout. Customers can then earn points on every purchase and can be redeemed in the form of a discount or physical reward.
- Ecommerce: Loyverse does not provide any ecommerce features or integrations.
- Reports: Loyverse reports include inventory valuation such as cost reporting, sales by item or category and profit projections. Sales by employee reporting will also be available for users who purchase the Employee Management add-on.
- Customer Service: Live chat support is available 24/7 for paying customers, but not offered to free users.
Upserve
PROS
- Calculate menu profitability off real-time ingredient prices
- Workforce management in basic plan
- Built-in marketing and reputation management tools
CONS
- Key inventory management features are only available in their mid-range plan
- Undisclosed fees for add-on features
- Undisclosed card transaction fees
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 3.5 | OUT OF | 5 |
| General Features | 4 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| iPad POS Specific Features | 3 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 4.69 | OUT OF | 5 |
Upserve is our recommended full-featured restaurant POS system for iPad users. While we considered other top-notch iPad restaurant POS systems in our list, Upserve stood out with specialized features including tableside ordering, online ordering, and server performance. Standard features include inventory management, CRM, and payment processing. It’s intuitive and easy to set up, with on-call support available to help.
Based on our criteria, Upserve earned an overall score of 3.76 out of 5, with outstanding marks for its mobility and customer service. However, aside from expensive hardware that’s not unusual for this type of POS system, Upserve scored low for its undisclosed add-on features and payment processing fees.
Upserve POS Pricing
- Upserve Core: ($59 per month) Accept Cash, chip, and contactless payments, accept on-screen signature and tips, process refunds, tax, and discounts. Manage employee permissions, shifts, and training. Guest management, sales product and labor reporting and offline mode.
- Upserve Pro: ($199 per month) Adds menu management, server performance reporting, loyalty and rewards program, as well as key inventory features such as recipe costing, low stock alerts, vendor management, and one-click stock reordering.
- Upserve Pro Plus: Adds access to API and dedicated account management to the features from the lower tier subscription plans.
- Optional Add-ons: Upserve offers add-ons for inventory management, online ordering, custom reporting, and gift cards. Contact Upserve for pricing information.
- Mobile Card Reader: Undisclosed pricing. Upserve’s iOS compatible mobile card reader accepts chip and contactless payments.
- Additional Terminal: For Core subscription plan holders, each additional terminal cost $60 per month, $50 per month for Pro subscription users, and $40 per month, per terminal for Pro Plus subscribers.
Upserve Credit Card Processing
Every Upserve subscription includes Upserve’s built-in payment processor, however, it doesn’t specify the fees on its website, except that they use a flat-rate system. We did reach out for a quote, however and were quoted at 2.4% + 15 cents for swiped transactions, and 2.99% + 15 cents for manual entry.
Upserve POS Features
Upserve is a cloud-based restaurant POS system that comes equipped with built-in EMV card processing.
- iPad POS Features: Upserve is cloud-based and and can access business information automatically from any connected remote device with internet connection. It has an offline mode to store transaction and credit card data for uninterrupted business operation. Mobile credit card readers are purchased separately.
- Inventory Management: Upserve’s inventory automatically updates which comes in handy as recipes are automatically synced with the POS. It also integrates with many major food suppliers so re-ordering ingredients low in stock is just one-click away. Another benefit is that prices remain up-to-date, so you can always keep an eye on your menu’s profitability and make changes if need be.
- Restaurant Features: Upserve offers menu management with both forced and optional modifiers. It also allows users to create a detailed floor plan, and install a kitchen display system with a bump bar. Users also have the option to set up their own online ordering system, or just integrate Grubhub, UberEats, DoorDash, etc.
- Marketing and Loyalty: Upserve prides itself on a hassle-free loyalty program, where the customer’s credit card also serves as their loyalty card. This removes the need for punch cards or apps. Upserve’s Guest Book feature allows users to build detailed customer profiles and launch timely marketing campaigns and keep records of its performance.
- Ecommerce: As a restaurant-specific platform, Upserve does not have ecommerce features or integrations, although users can create their own online ordering system. It also supports reputation management tools to gather, read, and respond to all online reviews in one place.
- Reports: Upserve offers detailed reports on sales by category, tender type, and comp/void activity. Employee labor reports include data on employees’ hours, sales, tips, and earnings for a specific date or date range. Upserve also covers inventory analytics such as supplier expenditure, food costing, profitability, and wastage reports, among others.
- Customer Service: Phone, live chat, and email support are available 24/7.
Bottom Line
Users who prefer iPad POS systems look for solutions that can seamlessly process a wide variety of payment types, while making sure that the back office is running smoothly and is well organized. Our list emphasizes options that provide the most convenience, ease of use, and the best value-for-money for all business types.
Square is wholly unique in that it offers inventory, ecommerce, restaurant management and employee timecard features completely free. Before you commit to spending anything on another system, it’s worth taking a close look at what Square offers first.
