Best Restaurant POS Systems of 2024

Best variety of restaurant add-on features

With one of the most competitive payment processing rates we’ve seen among POS providers and a variety of add-ons — including online ordering, labor management, reservations and loyalty programs — SpotOn’s restaurant POS solution stands out for its customizability. SpotOn’s options let restaurants tailor the right solution for their needs, and the company consults with its restaurant advisory board — a group of restaurant-industry veterans — for feedback to continue improving its products.

$99 for Counter-service plan, plus $3 per employee.
$135 for Full-service plan, plus $3 per employee.
Custom pricing available as well.

$750 for the Station POS.
$850 for the Counter POS.
Other hardware devices, like the handheld option, are custom.

1.99% plus 25 cents for most cards in the Counter-service, Full-service and Customizable plans.
2.89% plus 25 cents for Quick Start plan subscribers (this processing rate includes hardware and software costs).
2.99% plus 25 cents for reward, international, corporate and keyed-in cards.

Pros

Restaurants can customize plans by adding loyalty programs, reservation capabilities, online ordering or employee scheduling software.

No long-term contract or termination fees.

Cons

Offline mode includes the hidden cost of a router.

Best for restaurants doing dine-in and online business

Monthly Fee

Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan.

Toast offers a wealth of restaurant-specific tools and features, including in-house delivery, online ordering and takeout services. Each of these is included in Toast’s mid-tier monthly plan or available as an add-on with other plans. Toast Delivery Services charges a flat fee for each order with no additional monthly cost. It offers a Pay-as-you-Go pricing option with any of its starter kits, which charges higher processing fees but no monthly software fee and no hardware payment — but you still own the hardware from the start. This can be a great and affordable option for restaurants with a lower volume of transactions. Toast runs on an Android operating system and sells proprietary hardware (at undisclosed prices) that’s been built to withstand the kitchen environment. Read our full Toast POS review.

$799.20 for Handheld Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
$1,024.20 for Countertop Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
$1,339.20 for Guest Self-Service Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).

3.09-3.69% plus 15 cents per transaction, if you choose a pay-as-you-go plan.
2.49% plus 15 cents for card-present transactions, if you pay for hardware upfront.
3.50% plus 15 cents for card-not-present transactions, if you pay for hardware upfront.

Pros

Free plan available for restaurants with up to two POS terminals.

24/7 support via web messaging.

Offers helpful related services, like payroll and team management software, that integrate closely with its POS system.

Built specifically for restaurants with in-house delivery platform available, among other industry-specific features.

Cons

Requires a two-year contract and charges early termination fees.

Online payment processing rates are more expensive than competitors.

Charges setup fee, and offline mode includes hidden cost of backup router.

Online ordering is considered an add-on for all plans.

Square

Square Restaurant POS

Monthly Fee

Free plan; $60 Plus plan; $192 and up for Essentials bundle.

In addition to a free plan, Square offers quick, commitment-free sign-up; flexibility to scale with any number of its add-on tools; the ability to trial the Plus plan free for 30 days and to cancel any of its plans without fees; and the option to pay for hardware in installments — making it an exceptional option for newer and smaller food-service establishments. These benefits in addition to competitive payment processing rates and full pricing transparency have earned Square a 5-star rating from NerdWallet. The tablet accessories offered by Square are mostly compatible with iPads, though they can operate on some Android tablets. Read our full Square for Restaurants review.

$0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
$29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
$60 for Square Restaurant Plus plan.
$69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
$89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
Custom pricing for Square Retail and Square Restaurant Premium plans.

$0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
$49 and up for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
$149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included; monthly financing available).
$299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer (monthly financing available).
$799 for Square Register two-screen system (monthly financing available).

2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.

Pros

Free plan available; all plans include free online ordering page.

App and card readers are compatible with iOS and Android devices.

Can pay for hardware in installments.

No long-term contracts or installation fees.

Cons

Free plan doesn’t include 24/7 support.

Best for quick-service restaurants

Clover

Clover Restaurant POS

Monthly Fee

$60

and up.

Bustling quick-service restaurants that draw big crowds can likely justify the heavy investment in Clover’s pricey but sturdy hardware. Those that are looking to help shorten long lines may especially appreciate the Clover Flex, a mobile POS terminal that enables employees to take orders, collect payments and print receipts on the go. Clover systems, like many competitive POS providers these days, can accept payments while the internet is down or you don’t have Wi-Fi. The Full-Service Restaurant plans also include online ordering that some competitors treat as add-ons. The company now offers its own kitchen display hardware and software, albeit at a steeper price than many of its competitors. Clover’s POS software runs on an Android operating system and operates only on its proprietary hardware, although it does provide a list of supported third-party accessories. Read our full Clover POS review.

$0 for Clover Go Payments plan.
$14.95 for Clover Go Essentials, Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter, Professional Services Starter and Standard and Home & Field Services plans.
$49.95 for Retail Standard, Personal Services Standard and Advanced and Professional Services Advanced plans.
$59.95 for Quick-Service Dining Starter and Standard plans.
$69.90 for Retail Advanced plan.
$79.90 for Quick-Service Dining Advanced plan.
$89.95 for Full-Service Dining Starter plan.
$109.90 for Full-Service Dining Standard plan.
$129.85 for Full-Service Dining Advanced plan.

$49 for chip, swipe and contactless Clover Go card reader.
$599 for Clover Flex mobile POS with printer.
$799 for Clover Mini POS.
$799-$899 + $25 per month for kitchen display system.
$1,699 for Clover Station Solo.
$1,799 for Clover Station Duo.
$2,499 + $34.95 per month for self-ordering kiosk.

2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions for most plans, though rates may also vary by hardware type.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter and Professional Services Standard plans, as well as Home & Field Services Standard and Advanced plans.
3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.

Pros

Includes online ordering capabilities.

Hardware and software features designed for various dining services.

Cons

Must use Clover’s proprietary hardware.

Monthly software fee and hardware costs may be prohibitively high for some businesses.

Best for established restaurants with multiple locations

Lightspeed

Lightspeed Restaurant POS

Monthly Fee

$69

Starter plan; $189 Essential plan; $399 Premium plan.

As a powerful POS system that runs on the higher end of the pricing spectrum for monthly software fees, Lightspeed Restaurant POS is a good fit for restaurants that are firmly established, perhaps with multiple locations to take advantage of the features Lightspeed offers for multi-location management. Given the annual contract requirement and higher priced monthly plans, Lightspeed makes better sense for businesses that have had time to establish a reliable customer base. And if you process more than $50,000 a month, you may be eligible for lower payment processing fees. Lightspeed is compatible with a variety of iPads and iPhones and is optimized for use with iOS systems. Its supported hardware page doesn’t list any Android tablets. Read our full Lightspeed Restaurant POS review.

Pricing for Lightspeed’s iPad and desktop hardware kits is quote-based. Individual hardware products are listed in Lightspeed’s online store:

$79 for Mobile Tap V2 card reader.
$199 for iPad stand or swivel stand.
$299 for WisePOS E countertop reader.
$429 for Lightspeed Lite Server for data backup and offline mode functionality.

2.6% plus 10 cents per in-person transaction.
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.

Pros

Offers advanced inventory management and recipe costing tools.

All plans include CRM and loyalty programs.

Essential and Premium plans include one-on-one support.

Cons

Syncing with accounting software costs extra.

Some plans may require long-term contracts.

Best for features focused on profitability

Monthly Fee

$69

and up.

From a table management feature that shows total spend and time seated per table to a new (admittedly pricey) profit management tool with advanced inventory, reporting and vendor management capabilities, TouchBistro’s POS software features place a particular emphasis on helping restaurants assess, manage and increase profitability. It’s a hybrid POS system (meaning data is stored both locally and in the cloud, which enhances offline functionality) that has solutions for all types of restaurants, including food trucks, catering companies and bakeries. TouchBistro is an iPad POS system. It’s compatible with most iPad models but not Android devices. Read our full TouchBistro review.

$25 for gift cards feature.
$50 for online ordering feature.
$99 for loyalty features or marketing features.
$229 for reservations feature.

Not disclosed. An iPad is necessary to run TouchBistro software. IPads, cash drawers, routers, printers, mini servers, keyboards and other accessories are available by quote only. You may also have the option to use your existing equipment.

Quote-based if you use TouchBistro Payments; can also choose from third-party payment processors.

Pros

24/7 phone, chat and email support.

Includes restaurant-specific features, like table and menu management.

Optional profit management system provides tools for improving margins.

As a hybrid POS system, TouchBistro can operate without the cloud. Offline capabilities include accepting payments, taking orders, editing menus and managing staff.

Cons

Payment processing rates are quote-based, making them difficult to compare to the competition.

Contracts are automatically renewed and can’t be terminated early.

No free plan options and charges setup fee.

Ability to accept online orders costs extra.

Best for cash discount program

Monthly Fee

$99

and up.

On top of offering a cash discount program, all of Lavu’s POS software plans include team management features, inventory management tools and bluetooth scale plug-ins. You can also add gift card capabilities, as well as specific integrations for third-party products like QuickBooks Online, Xero, UberEats and DoorDash. Read our full Lavu review.

$99 for Starter plan with Dual Pay.
$149 for Growth plan with Dual Pay.
$279 for Optimize plan with Dual Pay.

Lavu’s POS terminals use iPads, which can be bought through Lavu or elsewhere. Vault Pro iPad enclosures start at $190. Stands, rotation bases, receipt printers and cash drawers are sold separately.

Pros

24/7 phone and chat support.

Highly customizable POS platform for those with programming skills.

Restaurants can set up timed menu changes, start customers’ tabs on one register and cash them out at another.

Dual pricing program can help decrease payment processing fees.

Cons

Cannot cancel subscription before term is up.

Does not list payment processing fees.

No virtual terminal for accepting transactions remotely.

Best for building a customer base

Monthly Fee

for card readers only; $99 for Connect Lite plan; $199 for Connect Plus plan; $289 for Connect Pro plan.

SumUp’s POS system can help new and existing restaurants build and expand their customer base with automated marketing tools for sending targeted promotions to customers through text and email. While it’s true that restaurant-specific competitors generally offer some type of marketing tool, SumUp POS stands out for incorporating AI-powered text and email promotions in its highest-tier plan. The company also maintains its own customer network that businesses can tap in to. Other features include online ordering, a customer directory, QuickBooks integration and ingredient management tools. Read our full SumUp review.

$0 if using card readers only.
$99 for Connect Lite POS plan.
$199 for Connect Plus POS plan.
$289 for Connect Pro POS plan.

$54 for SumUp Plus card reader.
$64 for SumUp Plus cradle bundle.
$99 for SumUp Solo touchscreen.
$169 for SumUp Solo Printer Bundle.
SumUp POS bundle is quote-based.

2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
2.90% plus 15 cents for online invoice transactions.
3.5% plus 15 cents for card-not-present transactions.

Pros

Free POS plans for card readers.

Automated marketing tools for sending customers targeted promotions.

Available in more than 30 countries.

Cons

Online transaction rate is more expensive than some competitors.

Money-back guarantee requires a 12-month subscription.

What is a restaurant POS system?

A restaurant POS system has features designed specifically for food-service businesses. These can include helping employees:

Accept various forms of payment.
Keep track of inventory.
Take orders and send them to the kitchen.

Restaurant POS system providers commonly offer hardware (usually a terminal, card reader, cash drawer and receipt printer), software and payment processing services under the same umbrella, making them a one-stop shop. However, some providers, like Clover, let you use third-party payment processors. Working with a separate payment processor isn’t the most convenient option, but it could help you save on credit card processing fees. Many restaurant POS systems are also compatible with third-party hardware accessories, like receipt printers and barcode scanners.

Most POS systems, whether they’re built for restaurants or retail stores, share certain core features, like reporting and the ability to complete sales.

How much does a restaurant POS system cost?

When you’re estimating the cost of a restaurant POS system, factor in hardware, software and payment processing. Here are more details about each.

Expect to pay around $800 to $1,700 upfront for a countertop register setup that includes a POS terminal, card reader, receipt printer and cash drawer. Other restaurant hardware accessories could include a kitchen display system or handheld terminal for taking orders tableside. Taxes, delivery and potential setup and training fees can get pricey too, so make sure you understand what additional costs are associated with a product before you sign a contract.

Some software plans are free while others cost around $60 or $70 per month on the lower end. Most companies charge extra fees per additional terminal, too.

Consider whether you’ll need integrations such as advanced inventory management, vendor management or online ordering. These will further increase your monthly cost. And don’t forget to factor in the cost of add-ons, like delivery services and online ordering. Some providers include these services in their plans, but others charge extra for them.

Payment processing fees vary, but try to avoid monthly PCI compliance fees and high chargeback fees (those over $25 per dispute). In general, the flat-rate processing services that come with POS systems from companies like Square and Toast will be the most convenient options, but not necessarily the most cost-efficient.

Interchange-plus processors, on the other hand, pass savings to the merchants when customers use cards with low interchange fees, and their markups may be more negotiable. However, you’ll need to select a restaurant POS system that allows you to work with outside processors to access that option.

Restaurant POS system features

Making a list of must-have features can help you narrow down your list of potential restaurant POS systems. Here are some main capabilities to consider.

Reporting: Strong reporting features are a must. Look for actual versus theoretical cost reports on food and labor to find opportunities for improving margins. Ideally you should be able to run reports on your restaurant’s different sales channels to see how each channel is performing. This can tell you which dishes are selling best in house versus takeout, for example.
Menu and inventory management: A restaurant POS system should allow you to customize the menu, track inventory and note modifications, special offers and sold-out items.
Recipe costing: To appropriately price your menu items, it’s important to calculate how much each recipe costs to make.
Employee management and access: A good system allows you to set up employee access and permissions, schedule shifts, let employees clock in and out and split tips.
Customer loyalty programs: These programs help you collect customers’ contact information and award them points and/or discounts to motivate them to return. This is especially common for cafes and coffee shops. Some loyalty programs automatically send out targeted promotions, too.
Online ordering: Instead of calling in an order for pickup, some customers prefer to order online, pay in advance and schedule a pickup time. Most restaurant POS systems include online ordering capabilities in higher-tier plans or offer them as an add-on.
Delivery services: If you’d like to offer delivery as an option for customers, your restaurant POS system should offer its own in-house services (typically as an add-on) or integrate with third-party services, like DoorDash.

How to choose a restaurant POS system

Take into account the following factors to choose the best restaurant POS system for your business:

Before purchasing restaurant POS hardware and subscribing to a software plan, make sure to test out the system’s user interface by requesting a demo or searching for videos online. Above all, the system should be easy for your employees to navigate — they should be able to alter menu items and prices as needed, clock in and out and add special notes to orders for the kitchen. Scrolling through user reviews of a particular restaurant POS system can also help you identify potential pain points ahead of time.

Hardware costs and setup fees are typically paid upfront, but some restaurant POS system providers allow you to pay off your purchase in monthly installments. On top of hardware pricing, estimate your monthly software subscription costs and payment processing fees to make sure they’ll fit within your budget in the short and long term.

Front-of-house management features

The best restaurant POS system will allow you to streamline your front-of-house operations with features like tableside ordering, floor plan management, employee management and the ability to split tables’ tabs.

Back-of-house management features

Common back-of-house features include in-depth reporting, ingredient tracking, inventory management and recipe costing. Since restaurants carry perishable inventory, it’s important to take food waste into account and make sure your menu prioritizes recipes that have high margins.

Many restaurant POS systems allow you to connect to additional internal or third-party tools, such as online ordering apps, email marketing software and payroll services. Accounting integrations are especially important, so that you don’t have to manually enter sales data into your restaurant accounting software and risk making an error.

Consider the type of support offered, as well as the days and times it’s available. Some restaurant POS system providers have phone, chat and email support, in addition to implementation and training services. If your restaurant is open late at night, go with a product that offers 24/7 live support.

NerdWallet’s point-of-sale systems provider ratings reward companies whose products and services are priced well and work in a variety of payment scenarios, among other criteria. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including cost, system capabilities, contract requirements, customer service, and integrations and add-ons. Learn more about how we rate point-of-sale (POS) systems providers.

These ratings are a guide, but services, hardware and pricing can vary widely from business to business and provider to provider. We encourage you to shop around and compare several providers.

Originally Appeared Here