Best Restaurant POS Systems for 2023 (Reviewed By Experts)
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 right restaurant point-of-sale (POS) system for your business will depend on your budget and hardware and software needs. To help you make the best decision, we compared dozens of popular systems’ pricing, general and advanced features, and ease of use. Our restaurant and POS experts then rated each system based on their personal experience using it. We’ve listed our top picks for each restaurant POS type in detail below.
Based on our research, these are the best POS systems for restaurants in 2023:
- Toast: Best overall restaurant POS for restaurants of all types
- Revel: Best for multilocation restaurants
- Oracle MICROS Simphony: Best for flexible payment processing
- Lightspeed Restaurant: Best for Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs)
- SpotOn: Best for event venues and curbside service
- Lavu: Best for small restaurants switching from a cash register
- Square for Restaurants: Best free restaurant POS
- TouchBistro: Best for small to mid-volume QSRs
What makes our rankings different: Our rankings are based on our restaurant and POS experts’ real-world experience using these systems. Our experts stay up to date with each restaurant POS system’s features, fact-checking functions with sales teams, user manuals, and real-world users.
Best Restaurant POS Systems Compared
Our Rating | Minimum Monthly Fee | One-time Installation Fee | Processing Rates | Hardware Cost | Contract Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 4.31 out of 5 | $0 (for first terminal) | From $300 (optional) | From 2.49% + 15 cents | $0–$799+ | 2 years |
 | 4.24 out of 5 | $99* | From $674 | Varies by processor | Custom-quoted | 3 years |
 | 4.01 out of 5 | $55 | Custom-quoted | Varies by processor | Custom-quoted | 1 year |
 | 3.90 out of 5 | $69* | N/A | Varies by processor | Custom-quoted | 1 year |
 | 3.89 out of 5 | Custom-quoted | Custom-quoted | From 1.99% + 20 cents | Custom-quoted | 1 year |
 | 3.83 out of 5 | $59 * | N/A | Varies by processor | From $329 | 1–3 years** |
 | 3.66 out of 5 | $0 for unlimited terminals | N/A | From 2.6% 10 cents | $49–$1,300+ | Month-to-month |
 | 3.47 out of 5 | $69 | Custom-quoted (optional) | Varies by processor | Custom-quoted | 1 year |
*Enrolling in a lengthier contract lowers your hardware fees
**Requires at least a one-year contract, but you’ll get up to 50% off hardware if you commit to a three-year contract
Payment Processing | Online Ordering | Delivery Management | Employee Management | Inventory** | Reservations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toast Payments | Excellent | Excellent | Best in class | Via integration | Coming soon |
| Revel Advantage or third party | Excellent | Best in class | Basic*** | ✓ | Via integration |
| Oracle Cloud Payments or third party | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Via integration | ✓ |
| Lightspeed Payments or third party* | Good | Third-party only | Basic*** | ✓ | Via integration |
| SpotOn Payments | Best in class | Good | Excellent | Via integration | ✓ |
| Lavu Pay or third party* | Good | Good | Basic*** | ✓ | Via integration |
| Square Payments | Excellent | Excellent | Good*** | Via integration | ✕ |
| TB Payments or third party | Basic*** | Basic | Basic*** | ✓ | ✓ |
*Enrolling in the built-in payment processing significantly lowers your monthly software fees
**Built-in, ingredient-level inventory
***Expandable via third-party integration
Need an answer fast? Take this quiz to get a personalized recommendation from our experts. It is only four questions, does not ask for any personal information, and will give you a result right on this page.
Find the Best POS System for Your Restaurant
Looking for something more specific? Check out our top picks of the best POS systems for food trucks, bars, cafes, pizzerias, bakeries, quick service restaurants (QSRs), and delivery restaurants.
Toast: Best Overall Restaurant POS
Overall Score:
4.31 / 5
Pros
- Operates on industry-grade hardware
- Baseline software subscription is $0 per month
- Robust online ordering and delivery tools
- Tons of hardware peripherals
Cons
- Two-year contracts
- Must purchase Toast-built hardware
- Locked into Toast for payment processing
- Two-year contracts
Toast Deciding Factors
- Software subscription fee:
- Starter Kit: $0
- Essentials: $165
- Custom: Custom pricing
- Hardware costs:
- $799 for a terminal kit (POS monitor, payment reader, and router)
- Option to pay higher processing fees (2.9% + 15 cents per in-person transaction) to get a Starter terminal kit at no upfront cost
- Remote installation/launch support included in Starter POS package; optional in-person support ranges from $300 to $1,000
- Processing fees:
- Pay-as-you-go Starter plans: 2.99% + 15 cents per transaction
- Standard Starter plans: 2.49% + 15 cents for in-person transactions
- Volume processing discounts available at higher subscription tiers
Toast is increasingly popular with restaurants every year. Having used this POS in restaurants ourselves, we can understand why. Toast offers subscription levels and installation configurations for the smallest independent restaurants up to the largest multi-unit chains. With customizable add-ons, you can get self-service kiosks, drive-thru management, and the best workforce management tools available in a restaurant POS.
All this, plus you can get started with Toast for absolutely no upfront cost. Though, you will need to agree to a two-year contract and sign up for Toast Payments. But once you and your team get started with Toast, you’ll likely find those drawbacks are minor.
Did you know?
Toast has one of the best online ordering systems available for small restaurants and is the best delivery POS for restaurants using in-house or third-party tools. It is also developing a waitlist and reservation module that is expected to launch in 2023.
- Contactless Options
Customers can order online through a fully integrated online menu. In-house, you can offer self-ordering kiosks for customers. Alternatively, you can use Toast’s Order & Pay module to generate a quick response (QR) code that customers scan with their smartphones to place orders and pay checks without touching a menu. - Online Ordering and Delivery
Toast offers built-in online ordering as part of the Essentials and Growth packages (Starter Kit and Point of Sale users can add it for $75 per month). This module fully integrates with your loyalty program and the menu syncs with your inventory, so you never sell a dish you’ve 86’d. Delivery tools track driver locations and send status updates to customers. - Marketing and Loyalty
Create email messages to target specific customer types and send them directly from the POS. Toast supports points-based rewards and includes built-in customer feedback tools, so you’ll catch disappointed guests before they complain on Yelp. - Workforce Management
Build staff schedules and block early clock-ins. Onboard new employees entirely digitally, keep their new hire paperwork in a central location, and sync that information immediately with your payroll system. - Tip Pool Management
Toast can manage any tip pooling arrangement with ease. Set your pool configurations in the back office dashboard, and Toast will automatically figure required tip-outs for your team.
If you want handheld tablets for tableside ordering, dynamic kitchen display system (KDS) screens, and self-service kiosks in your POS package, Toast has you covered. Toast’s self-service kiosk and KDS are among our top recommendations for those restaurant tools.
Countertop Terminal Starter Kit | Self-service Kiosk | Handheld Terminal Starter Kit |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
Pay upfront: $799 + $69 per month Or Pay-As-You-Go: $0 and 2.99% + 15 cents per in person transaction | Pay upfront: $999 + $99 per month Or Pay-as-you-Go: $0 and 2.99% + 15 cents per in-person transaction | Pay upfront: $609 + $69 per month Or Pay-as-You-Go: $0 and 2.99% + 15 cents per in-person transaction |
Countertop Terminal, Toast Tap card reader, Router | Touch-screen kiosk with router and card reader | Toast Go 2 order and payment device, Wireless Access Point, Router |
If you want a shorter contract than two years, try Lightspeed or MICROS Simphony—both offer single-year contracts. If you need month to month, Square for Restaurants is your best option. And if you prefer to shop for the lowest available processing rates, check out Revel, Lightspeed, TouchBistro, Lavu, or MICROS Simphony; they all support multiple payment processors.
Read our in-depth Toast review or view our Toast video review for more information.
Revel Systems: Best for Multilocation Restaurants
Overall Score:
4.24 / 5
Pros
- Dynamic menu modifiers handle complex orders
- Comprehensive delivery management includes map-based driver dispatch
- Full-featured inventory includes staff permission levels and vendor management
- Multiple options for integrated payment processing, so users can shop for the best rates
Cons
- Lengthy three-year service contract
- Pricey
- Hardware prices require a custom quote from the Revel sales team
Revel Systems Deciding Factors
- Software subscription fee:
- $99 per terminal monthly
- Hardware costs: Revel runs on iOS-based terminals sold directly through the provider. Terminals and other hardware are custom-quoted:
- Leases and flexible payment plans available
- One-time installation fees start at $674
- Processing fees: Varies based on your chosen processor. Revel offers built-in Revel Advantage payments and integrates with:
- First Data
- Heartland
- TSYS
- Worldpay
- Chase Paymentech
- Elavon
Revel Systems is a feature-rich, hybrid restaurant POS that combines a cloud POS’s flexibility with a local POS network’s stability. It includes a lot of high-volume features like high cash alerts and ingredient-level inventory with physical counting tools in the baseline POS. Revel also outscored the others on this list for general and niche POS functions. Though the relatively high upfront cost ($99 per terminal, with a two terminal minimum) and long term commitment (three years) make this system a better fit for multilocation restaurant groups than for independent mom-and-pops.
I’ve used this POS in a bar and restaurant setting, and I can tell you that the back office dashboard has a bit of a learning curve, but that is only because the system is so customizable. Revel includes 24/7 customer support and a deep online knowledge base to help you. The only downside is the upfront price and the three-year contract. But you might be able to recoup some costs with lower payment transaction fees; Revel integrates with several processors so restaurant groups can shop for the best rates.
Did you know?
Revel is a great system for multilocation restaurants and retailers, it regularly appears on our lists of top-recommended pizzeria POS, food delivery software, and best bar POS systems.
- Strong Offline Functionality
Your Revel Systems terminals are networked together onsite. So, if you lose your internet connection, the system still sends orders to your kitchen and processes payments. - Comprehensive Baseline Features
The baseline Revel Systems POS includes functions for employee scheduling, customer management, and inventory management. As with Toast, you can preauthorize bar tabs, and create custom floorplans and menu screens. - Complex Cash Management
Revel terminals can connect to dual cash drawers so multiple bartenders can use the same register. You can set high till alerts to prompt managers to perform a mid-shift safe drop to keep your cash from walking away. - Built-in Online Ordering and Delivery
Like Toast, Revel Systems has a fully integrated online ordering and delivery module. Revel’s tools are slightly more robust than Toast’s, featuring much more detailed driver management reports alongside the maps-based driver dispatch tools. Online ordering screens are easy for customers to navigate. - Insightful Inventory
Revel’s inventory module allows you to assign permissions to line-level staff like bartenders and cooks, so you can spread physical counting work across your team. You can set the inventory count sheets to show or hide the “expected” count of your inventory items to ensure counts are accurate, not just copied. Your team can count on their own smartphones using the free Revel Stocktake app.
Apple iPad | Apple iPad mini | Revel C-stand | Revel L-Stand |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
10.2-inch to 12.9-inch display for POS, KDS, and self-service kiosk screens | 8.3-inch display, ideal for in-store and tableside orders and payments or customer-facing displays | Low-profile iPad stand for POS terminals or self-service kiosks | iPad terminal stand with customer-facing display |
If you want a POS that is as functional as Revel but is easier to use, try Toast (though you’ll lose flexible payment options). If you want to stick with an iPad POS and retain payment flexibility, look at Lightspeed Restaurant. If that three-year contract gives you pause, try Square for Restaurants (though you’ll lose bar pre-authorizations; if you need those, TouchBistro will be better).
For more information, read our full Revel review or watch our Revel review video.
MICROS Simphony: Best for Flexible Payments
Overall Score:
4.01 / 5
Pros
- Hardware starts at $1 per terminal
- Industry-grade hardware withstands high-volume use
- Centralized reporting makes multi-location management easy
- Oracle Payments has no long-term contract
Cons
- Not a lot of third-party integrations
- Cannot be self-installed
- Hardware, installation, and payment processing rates require custom quote
MICROS Simphony Deciding Factors
- Monthly software fees
- Essentials: $55
- Plus: $75
- Single Tenant: Custom-quoted
- Hardware costs: Starting at $1 per terminal; requires a custom quote
- Payment processing: Varies by processor; choose from Ayden, Elavon, or Oracle Payments
Oracle’s MICROS Simphony is the cloud-based sibling of the locally installed MICROS POS that has been a restaurant industry standard for decades. With Simphony, you gain a system that has been refined over years of restaurant industry use and offers excellent offline functionality. You can choose from multiple processors with Simphony, so you can shop for the lowest rates, which can save high-volume spots loads of cash. If you opt for the built-in Oracle Payments, you won’t be locked into a long-term processing contract; Oracle Payments accounts are month-to-month.
Like Revel Systems, Simphony may be more machine than a small venue needs. It also has a bit of a managerial learning curve. And—based on our experience using this system in multiple restaurants—we can tell you that how well your management team configures your Simphony system has a huge impact on how well the system works. If you don’t have the time to learn to use MICROS Simphony, you’re better off spending your money on a foolproof POS like Toast or TouchBistro.
- Payment Flexibility
Like Revel, Lightspeed, and TouchBistro, MICROS Simphony offers built-in payment processing and integrates with several payment processors. With Simphony, the built-in option is Oracle Payments Cloud Service, which, unlike most competitors, has absolutely no long-term contract. - Workforce Management
Like Toast, Simphony includes detailed team management, including employee scheduling and onboarding. It also manages time-off requests with a self-serve employee app. - Offline Functionality
Simphony’s offline functionality is stronger than any system on this list. Simphony is locally networked and backed up to the cloud. If you lose internet access, your workstations communicate with one another, storing payment and timekeeping information in a central, offline cache. If a workstation disconnects from other workstations, then payment and timekeeping data is stored in the terminal itself until a connection is restored. - Multilocation Management
Manage multiple locations from a central dashboard. Filter reports by location or view together, transfer products from one location to another, and onboard employees at the restaurant or from a central office. - Customized Speed Screens
Simphony is the king of conversational ordering. Customized speed screens for servers, cocktail servers, bartenders, and cashiers list the most relevant modifiers on a single screen, reducing button presses and screen switching.
MICROS Compact Workstation 310 | MICROS Customer-facing display | Mobile 721 Tablet | Express Station 400 |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
Small footprint countertop touch-screen terminal | Customer-facing display | Handheld order and payment device | 24” KDS screen with bump bar navigation |
MICROS Simphony is an extensive system. If you need something a little more streamlined, try Lightspeed Restaurant or TouchBistro. If you need the robust functions Simphony offers and don’t mind being tied to a single option for payment processing, Toast comes the closest.
Did you know?
Oracle’s MICROS Simphony also appears on our ranking of the best ghost kitchen POS systems.
Lightspeed Restaurant: Best for Quick Service Restaurants
Overall Score:
3.90 / 5
Pros
- 14-day free trial
- Supports multiple options for payment processing
- Robust, automated inventory
- Designed for speedy order taking
Cons
- Hardware pricing requires a custom quote
- Does not have driver management tools
- Advanced reporting and inventory cost extra
Lightspeed Restaurant Deciding Factors
- Software subscription fee:
- Essentials: $69
- Plus: $189
- Pro: $399
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
- Hardware costs: Lightspeed operates on Apple devices that run iOS 13 or later:
- Complete hardware kits available
- Remote installation/launch support included in software subscription
- Processing fees: Built-in payment processing via Lightspeed Payments:
- 2.6% + 10 cents for swiped, dipped, and tapped in-person transactions
- 2.6% + 30 cents for manually keyed transactions
- Also integrates with Cayan, BridgePay, and Worldpay
Lightspeed Restaurant is a mobile-first, cloud-based iPad restaurant POS with a streamlined user interface. This user-friendly POS integrates with third-party delivery apps to send orders directly to your POS and supports an integrated online ordering website for customers to place pick up orders. Multiple kiosk settings support easy self-service at countertops or tableside, and Quick Order mode consolidates order and payment buttons to speed service.
Lightspeed expanded its restaurant features by a mile when it folded in the features from Upserve (which it acquired in 2020). You can now get advanced, automated inventory and detailed reporting with Lightspeed Restaurant’s Pro and Enterprise subscriptions. These tiers are the priciest, but consolidating these advanced features in pricier subscriptions ensures that smaller restaurants don’t pay for tools they likely won’t use.
- Free Trial
Lightspeed Restaurant is one of the two systems on this list that offers a free trial (Square is the other). You can try the baseline Lightspeed Restaurant software free for 14 days. - Streamlined Third-party Delivery
Lightspeed Delivery is Lightspeed’s third-party delivery consolidation tool. If you work with several third-party delivery platforms, however, Lightspeed Delivery allows you to update your menu across all platforms from a single dashboard and directs third-party platform orders into your POS order stream. - QSR-ready Kiosks and KDS
Lightspeed Restaurant supports one of our favorite KDS screens. The dynamic color codes and touch-screen interface are easy to read at a glance and navigate with intuitive taps and swipes. Combined with integrated self-ordering kiosks, QSRs can quickly expand their operations without increasing staff. Toggling on Quick-Service mode further streamlines your POS order screens, so your team can ring in orders faster. - Automated Vendor Management
Lightspeed’s built-in Advanced Inventory tracks your inventory at the ingredient level. A smartphone counting app turns any smartphone camera into a barcode scanner to check in deliveries and count inventory quickly. Reports calculate recipe costs and track price fluctuations from your vendors. The “1-click” reordering function analyzes your low stock and organizes a recommended order by the vendor, allowing you to place orders with multiple vendors directly through the inventory dashboard.
iPad Hardware Kit | Customer-Facing Display | KDS |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
iPad stand cash drawer, receipt printer, and kitchen printer (iPad not included) | iPad-based customer-facing display | iPad-based touch-screen KDS |
Currently, Lightspeed does not offer built-in delivery driver management tools. If you need them, check Toast, Revel, and Square for Restaurants. The advanced inventory is great, but if you want vendor and purchase order management in the baseline POS, check out Revel.
Learn more in our full Lightspeed Restaurant review.
SpotOn: Best for Curbside & Mobile Ordering
Overall Score:
3.89 / 5
Pros
- Highly customizable system can be tailored to your needs
- Variety of industry-grade hardware
- Excellent handheld terminals for in-house and curbside mobile orders and payments
- Excellent reservations and booking tools
Cons
- Most pricing is custom-quoted
- Setup and configuration can take a couple of weeks
- Locked into SpotOn Payments
SpotOn Deciding Factors
- Software subscription fee: Not publicly listed. We were quoted $35 per month for a single 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. Custom quotes are available
SpotOn is a cloud-based POS stem that has grown rapidly since its founding in 2017. With a laser focus on the most cutting-edge POS technology, it’s no wonder that SpotOn’s contactless and mobile ordering tools are incredibly strong. The system leverages industry-grade hardware and customer smartphones to create a mobile ordering experience so detailed that your customers can place orders to be dropped off at their exact seat or location in your restaurant.
This POS is highly customizable; the SpotOn team custom builds your menu and order screens for you. This saves your administrative bandwidth but can also add to your installation lead time. A typical SpotOn installation takes a couple of weeks to complete. So, if this system appeals to you, you’ll need to get a custom quote and plan ahead.
- Mobile Ordering
Your customers can place group orders and split the bill multiple ways directly from their smartphones. SpotOn also integrates with Ordr, an app that allows event attendees to order food to be delivered to their seats in arenas and stadiums. An integrated order-ready display screen shows takeout customers and delivery drivers exactly when their order is ready. - Contactless Payments
SpotOn users can accept NFC and mobile wallet payments onsite and online through SpotOn’s integrated mobile ordering system. Processing rates are lower than competitors’ published rates (starting at 1.99% + 20 cents for in-person payments), and custom-rate quotes are available. Handheld terminals operate via Wi-Fi and 4G connections, so you’ll never go offline. - Automated Upsells and Discounts
Your mobile and on-site ordering modules can automatically suggest items that are popular pairings or apply discounts when an order meets the promotional criteria.
- Reservations and Bookings
SpotOn’s built-in reservation module is the most complex of the systems on this list. Beyond simple reservations and waitlists, it includes “experience” bookings for special events like themed parties or add-ons like to-go meals. The system can also accept deposits, so you can easily sell ticket-style events with little administrative hassle.
Stationary Terminal | Handheld Terminal | Self-service Kiosk | KDS |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
Small footprint countertop touch-screen terminal | Handheld order and payment device | Countertop mounted self-service kiosk | Touch-screen kitchen display system |
For more transparent pricing with a similar level of functionality, try Toast. If you want a simpler system with the option to shop for processing rates, look at Lightspeed Restaurant or TouchBistro.
In the News
Like Lightspeed, SpotOn has been on an acquisition streak for the past two years, picking up reservation app Seatninja in 2020, followed by labor management tool Dolce and Appetize POS in 2021.
Lavu: Best for Upgrading From a Cash Register
Overall Score:
3.88 / 5
Pros
- Cost-effective for smaller restaurants
- You can bring your own iOS hardware
- Options for built-in or third-party payment processing
- Robust online ordering features
Cons
- Customization and add-ons can get pricey
- Mobile reporting app can be glitchy
- Poorly reviewed customer support
Lavu Deciding Factors
- Software subscription fee:
- Starter: $59 per month (1 terminal)
- Growth: $129 per month (1 terminal)
- Optimize: $279 per month (2 terminals)
- Hardware costs: Lavu operates on Apple devices that run iOS 11 or later:
- Users can bring their own or purchase iPads from Lavu starting at $329
- Remote installation/launch support included
- Processing fees: Rates vary based on processor; Lavu integrates with Lavu Pay, Worldpay, BridgePay, Heartland, PayPal, Square
Lavu is a popular, mid-priced iPad restaurant POS system. This software is so accessible that you can download it from the Apple App Store and start taking orders in a couple of hours. Lavu’s niche is splitting the difference and offering good POS functions at a reasonable cost. It also supports setting for automated cash-discounting, enabling restaurants that cannot afford card processing fees to accept card payments at no additional cost.
This POS includes ingredient-level inventory in the baseline POS, which is great, but the Lavu module is not as robust as those from competitors like Upserve and Revel Systems. If you don’t plan to use inventory tracking, this won’t be a drawback for you, though.
- Cash Discount Option
Lavu’s Cash Discount feature enables restaurants to charge different prices for customers that pay with cash vs credit cards. This offsets the cost of credit and debit card transaction fees, while handily side-stepping laws in 11 states that prohibit passing processing fees onto customers. - Comprehensive Baseline POS
Lavu’s baseline POS includes all the basic check splitting, payment splitting, and employee permission features that you’d expect in a restaurant POS. Ingredient-level inventory is included in the entry-level POS as are insightful touches like tip pool tracking and built-in employee scheduling tools. - Nutritional Information Display
Lavu prompts you to add nutritional information to your menu items in the POS. This enables the system to display this information seamlessly to customers on the Lavu self-order kiosk, saving time and customer questions. You can also add high-resolution menu images to guide your employees and customers quickly through order screens. - Robust Integrations
If you need a software tool that the Lavu POS lacks, you can likely find an integration for it. Lavu integrates with more than 100 third-party tools, covering everything from accounting to specialized inventory and third-party delivery aggregators.
Windfall iPad stand | Vault iPad Stand | Customer-facing display |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
$189 | $259 | $109 |
Small footprint countertop iPad stand | Handheld order and payment device | Countertop mounted self-service kiosk |
Lavu is a very comprehensive system, but if you need more advanced features, look at Toast or Revel. If you want another similarly priced iPad POS for comparison, Lightspeed Restaurant’s Essential POS would be a close
Read our in-depth Lavu review for more info.
Square for Restaurants: Best Free Restaurant POS
Overall Score:
3.66 / 5
Pros
- Baseline software subscription is free
- No long-term contracts
- 30-day free trial for higher priced subscription tiers
- Free online ordering site included
Cons
- Locked into Square for payment processing
- Cannot preauthorize credit cards on bar tabs
- Reporting has limitations
Square for Restaurants Pricing
- Software subscription fee:
- $0–$60 per month for unlimited terminals
- Enterprise: Custom quoted
- Hardware costs: Square operates on iPads and Square Terminals:
- Users can bring their own
- Complete register kits available from Square for $1,039 (plus iPad)
- Optional in-person installation support starts at $600
- Processing fees:
- In-person: 2.6% + 10 cents
- Keyed-in: 3.5% + 15 cents
- Online: 2.9% + 30 cents
- Restaurants that process $250,000+ annually can request a custom rate quote.
Square for Restaurants is a cloud-based POS that runs on iPads and Square-designed hardware. Don’t let Square’s comparatively lower 3.66 out of 5.00 score deter you from this affordable system. The main thing that kept Square from scoring higher is that most of the customization options come at an extra cost, either in the form of additional Square modules (like Square Teams and Square Payroll), or third-party integrations (like MarketMan for ingredient-level inventory).
These extra costs are understandable, though, as Square for Restaurant’s baseline POS is completely free to use. Best of all, Square is the only system on this list that does not require any long-term contracts. You can self-install this POS on hardware you already own, get started processing orders the same day, and cancel or upgrade your subscription at any time without penalty.
Did you know?
Square offers some of the best software available for new and small businesses. In addition to restaurant POS, Square also has a retail POS system, and appointment-based POS, and an all-purpose mobile POS. In fact, Square tops our list of the best POS systems for small businesses and best credit card readers for small businesses.
- Free Baseline POS
Square for Restaurants’ baseline POS is free to use. It is best suited to counter service operations that don’t need to ring in orders by course or seat number. But these restaurants are frequently overlooked by higher-priced restaurant POS brands, so the free Square for Restaurants POS plan can be a lifesaver. - Transparent Pricing
Square for Restaurants clearly lists subscription prices, transaction fees, and hardware costs on its website. If you have a large-scale restaurant business and think your costs to use Square for Restaurants will be high, reach out to the Square sales team for a custom quote for software and payment processing. - No Long-term Contract
You can start with Square for Restaurants and cancel without penalties if it isn’t a fit for your business. - Integrated Square Ecosystem
You can add integrated online ordering via the free Square Online store and sync your employee time and tip data directly with Square Payroll. If you offer catering or sell foods to businesses that pay monthly, Square Invoices has the tools you need. All of these small business tools working together can save you hours of administrative time; especially if you are an owner-manager.
 |  |  |  |
$149 or $14 per month for 12 months | $299 (or $27/ month for 12 months) | $799 or $39 per month for 24 months | $1,139 |
Countertop POS terminal with built-in tap and dip card reader | Handheld order and payment device | Low-profile iPad stand for POS terminals or self-service kiosks | Square Restaurant POS kit including Square stand, cash drawer, receipt printer, and kitchen printer |
If you need a POS that includes employee scheduling and ingredient-level inventory in the baseline system, try Revel Systems or Lavu. If you prefer an iPad POS, but want the option to shop for processing rates, Lightspeed and MICROS Simphony are also worth a look. If you want a free POS with more included functions, Toast will be your best bet.
Keep in mind, though, that all of these alternatives require a one- to three-year contract.
Take a deeper look at all this system has to offer in our full Square for Restaurants review or watch our Square review video.
TouchBistro: Best for Low to Mid-volume QSRs
Overall Score:
3.47 / 5
Pros
- User-friendly, iOS-based user interface
- Affordable for small restaurants
- Built-in or third-party payment processing
Cons
- Reporting has limitations
- Inventory takes a lot of administrative attention
- Vendor and PO management require third-party integrations
TouchBistro Deciding Factors
- Software subscription fee:
- $69 per month (one terminal)
- Pricing is tiered for additional terminals; contact TouchBistro for a quote
- Hardware costs: TouchBistro operates on Apple devices that run iOS 12 or later:
- Bring your own or purchase iPads from TouchBistro
- Remote installation/launch support included
- In-person installation support available for a custom-quoted fee
- Processing fees: Varies based on your chosen processor. TouchBistro offers built-in TouchBistro Payments and integrates with TSYS and Square
TouchBistro is an incredibly user-friendly cloud POS for small restaurants. The system’s easy installation directly networks your iPad POS terminals to one another, so many TouchBistro users don’t need a separate back office computer. This POS operates on iOS devices and relies heavily on the iOS user interface. So, anyone who has operated an iPhone can operate TouchBistro’s POS and managerial dashboard.
Most teams find that new employees can learn the system in a couple of hours, which is great in a coffee shop or cafe setting where high staff turnover is the norm. You can also perform most managerial tasks directly in the POS terminal, so there may be no need to use a back office computer. This system is great for countertop or table service, though we don’t recommend it for high-volume quick service restaurants, as refunds and other workflows can take a lot of extra button presses.
- Transparent Software Pricing
TouchBistro lists nearly all of its software pricing publicly. So, while it is a good idea to get a custom quote, you won’t have to worry if you are getting a good deal; you can just check the TouchBistro website. Prices range from $25 per month for gift card functions up to $299 per month for built-in reservations. - Streamlined All-in-one POS
You can create custom floor plans and start tabs with a credit card swipe. TouchBistro tracks your employee’s hours and tips for payroll, supports image-based menus, and includes ingredient-level inventory in the baseline system. - Incredible Ease of Use
TouchBistro uses the familiar iOS layout to intuitively guide you and your team—including managers—through all the POS features. - Templatized Reporting
If report analysis is not your strong suit, you’ll love TouchBistro’s easy-to-read, visually dynamic reports. Most reports are formatted to include bar graphs and pie charts that show your restaurant’s performance at a glance, so you always know if your numbers tell you to increase your staff levels or drop a costly dish from your menu.
Small Venue POS Kit | Large Venue POS Kit |
|---|---|
 |  |
iPad, iPad stand, cash drawer, receipt printer, PIN-enabled mobile card reader | iPad, iPad stand, router, tableside tablet, back office computer, cash drawer, receipt printer, PIN-enabled mobile card reader |
If you need a more robust POS system, try Toast, Revel, or Lightspeed Restaurant. If you want detailed reporting and more automated inventory tools, check out Lightspeed’s Pro or Enterprise plans.
Read our TouchBistro review or watch our TouchBistro review video for more details.
How We Evaluated
We compared more than a dozen of the most popular POS systems for restaurants based on essential restaurant functions like inventory management and online ordering, employee management, price, and ease of use. We also considered our retail and restaurant experts’ personal evaluations of each software.
Click through the tabs below for our in-depth evaluation criteria:
10%
Pricing
30%
General Features
30%
Niche POS Features
15%
Ease of Use
15%
Expert Score
10% of Overall Score
Independent restaurants operate with tight budgets. We first considered whether each system offers a free plan, free trial, and entry-level software subscription under $75 per month. To help ensure restaurants can get the lowest possible prices, we gave high marks to POS systems that support multiple payment processing options. Finally, we considered hardware costs and subscription length. Systems that allow restaurants to bring their own hardware or avoid long-term service contracts earned the highest marks.
30% of Overall Score
30% of Overall Score
15% of Overall Score
15% of Overall Score
*Percentages of overall score
Meet Our Experts
This restaurant POS buying guide features the expertise of three restaurant POS experts—Mary King, Katie-Jay Simmons, and Meaghan Brophy. They share a combined experience of over 15 years of restaurant and POS experience.
 | Mary King With more than 14 years of hospitality experience, Mary has used POS systems in coffee shops, food trucks, full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, bars, hotels, coworking spaces, and event spaces. She has several years of experience advising bar and restaurant owners and three-plus years evaluating POS systems. |
 | Katie-Jay Simmons aims to put answers in the hands of small business owners by leveraging more than 10 years of retail and hospitality experience. Informed by a background in gemology, she specializes in jewelry and luxury ecommerce with a focus on global sourcing. Her scope of expertise ranges from traditional brick-and-mortar businesses to innovative, high-volume ecommerce operations. |
 | 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. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the most popular POS system for restaurants?
The POs systems that we see most commonly in restaurants are Toast, MICROS Simphony, and Square for Restaurants. Toast shows up in the widest variety of venues, from food trucks to brick-and-mortar full-service restaurants. MICROS Simphony tends to appear mostly in multi-location spots, and Square for Restaurants is most frequently seen in independent restaurants that only need a few terminals.
We see Square mostly in counter-service operations. Though the system has plenty of tools for full-service restaurants, especially at the higher subscription levels.
How much does a POS system for restaurants cost?
POS systems come in a wide range of price points, and the total cost varies depending on the features and functionality you need.
POS systems costs typically range from $39 to $120 per terminal monthly, and multiple free options are available.
Supporting multiple restaurant locations and/or a large number of terminals can often increase your POS spend significantly, so finding a provider with plans for unlimited terminals, such as Square, can help growing operations.
Are free POS systems any good?
Free POS systems typically offer much of the same functionality as their pricey counterparts. They provide small operations with powerful software on an accessible, pay-as-you-go basis.
While there may be no monthly subscription fee for free POS systems, users pay higher processing rates and still need to invest in hardware. This model allows companies like Toast to offer free plans that deliver the same robust product.
Does my restaurant need a POS system?
A POS system isn’t required to start or run a restaurant. Many microbusinesses manage to run smoothly without one.
But, to accept payments and track sales efficiently as your business scales, using a POS system is the best way to save time and money—and increase sales.
What are the different types of POS systems?
The most common types of POS systems differ in the hardware and networking infrastructure they run on. Different types of POS systems include:
- POS apps
- Mobile POS systems
- Touch-screen POS systems
- Cloud POS systems
- Open-source POS systems
- Multichannel POS systems
- Self-service kiosk POS systems
For more information, read our article about the types of POS systems.
Bottom Line
The best POS for your restaurant will depend on your service style and sales volume. Our evaluation found that Toast is the best fit for the widest variety of restaurants. With a free starter subscription and four distinct subscription tiers, small restaurants can access big business tools without breaking the bank and all restaurants get a POS that can grow with their business. Visit Toast to learn more.
