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Best POS System for Restaurants for November 2024

Updated November 15, 2024

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Restaurateurs use point-of-sale (POS) systems to track inventory, process payments, and analyze sales. Moreover, with robust software, restaurant owners can efficiently manage employees, accept online orders, and otherwise try to squeeze every bit of profit from each operating dollar.

To uncover the best of the best, we researched more than two dozen top POS systems for restaurants. To narrow down our decision, we compared plans, features, and hardware options. Plus, we looked for solutions with extra services and plenty of customer support.

TouchBistro is our best overall pick for POS systems for restaurants because it offers users a customizable experience with many options. Keep reading to learn more about it and our other top picks.

Best POS System for Restaurants for November 2024

Best Free Option: Square
Best for Carry-Out: Lightspeed
Best for Bars: Revel

Best Overall : TouchBistro

Key Specs

Plans: Start at $69/month
Fees: Additional fees for payment processing, add-ons for services like reservations
Device required: iPad, option to get additional hardware at a cost
Key services: Menu/table and inventory management, payment processing, cloud-based reporting and analytics

Why We Chose It

As an industry leader, TouchBistro provides customizable options with tons of capability.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Only need an iPad to start
Software includes inventory management
Comprehensive customer support center

Cons

Credit card processing fees aren’t listed on site
Online ordering is an extra fee

Overview

Founded in 2010, TouchBistro supports unlimited users and provides free 24/7 support. It's created specifically for restaurants and is our top choice as the best overall POS software for restaurants.

POS software licenses start at $69 a month and include:

Menu and table management
Integrated payment processing
Cloud-based reporting and analytics
Restaurant inventory management
Unlimited logins and users for restaurant management and staff

To get started, you'll only need an iPad. But, you can choose from all types of hardware to fully equip your restaurant. TouchBistro uses POS hardware partners to supply add-ons such as:

Self-serve kiosks
Kitchen display systems
Customer-facing displays
Digital menu boards

You'll pay extra fees for payment processing, but you can choose from many companies that partner with TouchBistro to find the best rates for your restaurant. You can also select add-on features like reservations, online ordering, and gift cards.

TouchBistro integrates with many popular programs, including QuickBooks, Sage, and 7Shifts. The company offers a comprehensive customer service lineup, from videos and self-diagnostic tools to 24/7 phone support.

Best Free Option : Square

Key Specs

Plans: Free option, $29/month, or premium plan (call for price)
Fees: In-person transactions cost 2.6% plus $0.10 and 2.9% plus $0.10 for each online transaction
Device required: Smartphone or tablet, magstripe reader (free)
Key services: Payment processing, additional features for paid plans

Why We Chose It

A free solution (only pay payment processing) to oversee your eatery and make ordering easy.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Free for unlimited devices and users - Only pay for payment processing.
Payment processing included with POS
Easy to get started

Cons

Free plan doesn’t offer 24/7 support
Limited sales analytics

Overview

Since 2009, Square has provided free and paid POS options to merchants of all stripes. Its free POS system offers integrated payment processing and can be used on unlimited devices, making it a clear winner for the best free POS software.

The free plan provides table and menu management, an order manager, and an auto gratuity feature, though you won't get tools like live reporting with the free version. To get advanced services, you can sign up for the $29/month plan or even the premium plan which does not disclose its price. Some add-on services like payroll and loyalty are an extra charge no matter your tier. Square services integrate with many programs, including:

7Shifts
QuickBooks
Xero
Chowly

To get started, you'll need your own smartphone or tablet plus the free magstripe reader. You can buy a Square terminal or a contactless and chip reader too. The company offers financing options to make paying for equipment easier. The Square Hardware shop shows the prices and various configurations of dozens of devices and other hardware like:

Restaurant stations
Printers
Printer-driven cash drawers
Terminals
WiFi systems

Square doubles as a credit card processor, so you'll pay 2.6% plus $0.10 per in-person transaction and 2.9% plus $0.10 per online transaction. With the free plan, you'll get access to customer service via live phone support.

Best for Dine-In Restaurants : Upserve

Key Specs

Plans: $59/month, $199/month, and $359/month
Fees: Terminal fees per plan ($60, $50, and $40), additional payment processing fees not disclosed
Device required: Not disclosed
Key services: Training mode, credit card processing, analytics, marketing, reputation management

Why We Chose It

Optimize your dine-in menu, oversee your marketing, and train employees all from one POS system.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Live mobile app
Built-in marketing program
Tons of reporting features

Cons

Expensive when adding terminals

Overview

Upserve got its start in 2009 and stands out as a flexible, restaurant-ready POS software with feature-rich options, including a training mode. Upserve places first in our best for dine-in restaurants category.

The company offers three plans that come with various features. All programs offer tools such as:

Training mode
Built-in credit card processing
Sales, labor, and product analytics
Upserve marketing program
Reputation management
Live mobile app

Upserve categorizes its plans as the starter version called the Core plan, the most popular Pro plan, and the Pro Plus enterprise program. All include integrated credit card processing through Upserve Payments. Although the processing fees vary, you will be told upfront what your fee per transaction will be. The costs per plan are:

Core plan: $59 per month subscription plus $60 per terminal. Includes all features listed above
Pro plan: $199 per month plus $50 per terminal. Adds tons of features like menu optimization, server performance, and a loyalty program
Pro Plus plan: $359 per month plus $40 per terminal. Adds features such as enterprise management and API data for custom integrations

Upserve offers financing options for its systems and equipment. You can choose from hardware such as:

Tableside units
POS terminals
EMV readers
Printers
Kitchen display systems
Wireless networking

Along with offering extra services for loyalty, inventory, and advanced reporting features, this POS software integrates with many programs such as:

Chowly
Hot Schedules
Resy
OpenTable
Grubhub

You'll get access to 24/7 customer support and a dedicated support channel.

Best for Carry-Out : Lightspeed

Key Specs

Cost: $69/month for standard features
Fees: $34/month to register; transactions cost 2.6% plus $0.10 and 2.6% plus $0.30 for manual card entries
Device required: iPad (receipt printer, cash drawer, payment terminal, kitchen printer, and Lightspeed server also required)
Key services: Delivery and take-out management, customer orders, mobile ordering, pay-at-order workflows

Why We Chose It

Lightspeed offers order flexibility and low-priced add-ons for delivery and loyalty programs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Robust 24/7 customer support
Quick Service Mode
Good for carryout

Cons

Payment processing is a separate service
Extra fees for delivery integration

Overview

Founded in 2005, Lightspeed is the oldest POS system on the list and provides versatile carry-out features, which is why it tops our list for best POS systems for carry-out.

You'll pay $69 per month to get all the standard features, with an extra register costing $34 per month. The highlights for carry-out orders include:

Manage your own delivery and carry out orders to avoid third party fees.
Seamlessly send orders to your POS.
Let customers order ahead.
Allow mobile ordering.
Quick Service Mode suits a pay-at-order workflow.
And much more.

The necessary hardware you'll need is a receipt printer, cash drawer, payment terminal, kitchen printer, Lightspeed server, iPad, and stand. However, you'll have tons of options for hardware, from Lightspeed's iPad hardware kit to software and hardware add-ons that start at $12 per month like:

Customer-facing displays
Kitchen display systems
Advanced reporting features
Self-order table menus
A restaurant website

Lightspeed provides plenty of integrations for software commonly used by restaurant owners such as:

7Shift
BevSpot
Chowly
RapidBar
Zenchef

You can choose your own credit card processing service or add on Lightspeed Payments. For tapped, inserted, or swiped cards you’ll pay 2.6% plus $0.10. If you manually key-in a card you’ll pay 2.6% plus $0.30.

Its robust support options give restaurateurs the support they need with a full lineup of customer service including 24/7 phone or email support, webinars, demos, and videos.

Best for Food Trucks : Clover

Key Specs

Plans: $9.95/month and $39.95/month
Fees: Vary by plan and transaction type
Device required: Clover Flex all-in-one system ($599)
Key services: Employee/payroll management, sales/tax/payroll reports, and credit card processing

Why We Chose It

Clover delivers space-saving POS equipment perfect for restaurants on the go.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Hand-held POS system
Low monthly price
Built-in credit card processing

Cons

Integrations must go through the Clover app market
Not all hardware works with Clover Flex

Overview

Since 2010, Clover has provided standalone payment and POS systems while partnering with many outlets, including Sam's Club, to sell hardware. Clover's Flex system puts a POS in the palm of your hand, making it the best choice for food trucks.

With the Clover Flex all-in-one system, you'll pay $599 for the hardware. With the flex, you can accept all payment types including tracking payments, all your data is stored in the cloud, you can run a loyalty program, and much, much more. It comes with an all-day battery, and Clover offers a convenient monthly payment plan if you cannot afford to pay the $599 all at once.

You'll have two options to choose from for the Clover software and payment processing:

Register Lite: $9.95 per month plus credit card processing of 2.7% plus $0.10 for in-person transactions and 3.5% plus $0.10 for keyed-in transactions
Register: $39.95 per month plus credit card processing of 2.3% plus $0.10 for in-person transactions and 3.5% plus $0.10 for keyed-in transactions

Both the Register Lite and Register monthly plans include features like:

Employee and payroll management
Sales, tax, and payroll reports
Remote monitoring of activity, sales, and refunds
Credit card processing
Item-level analytics

If you decide to open a full-service restaurant or need additional equipment, Clover offers a full line of hardware and equipment options, from printers to full-size POS systems. However, not all devices integrate with the Flex system. The company also provides a Clover App Market, where you can find more than 200 apps and integrations.

To get help with your Clover products, the company offers 24/7 phone support.

Best for Bars : Revel

Key Specs

Plans: $99/month per terminal (billed annually)
Fees: Not disclosed
Device required: Various options
Key services: Inventory/employee management, reporting, and analytics

Why We Chose It

An intuitive POS system that integrates with popular bar software.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Integrates with bar and management software
Offers an age prompt feature
24/7 customer support

Cons

Credit card processing is an extra service
Three-year contract required for best price

Overview

Revel's been a top choice for restaurant and bar owners since 2010. The software provides bar-specific features, making Revel the best POS system for bars.

You'll pay $99 per month per terminal when billed annually with a three-year Revel Advantage contract. You'll get great tools for bars like age prompts and pre-authorized payments. Other POS features include:

Inventory management
Employee management
Customer relationship management
Reporting and analytics

The cloud-based POS system offers tons of equipment options on their website like:

iPads and stands
Self-service kiosks
Payment devices
Printers
Barcode scanners
Internet networking equipment
Cash drawers

You can add integrated payment processing for a fee per transaction, using Revel Advantage. The fees are not posted online. You must request a quote.

With Revel, you'll also benefit from bar-based and business integrations such as:

Digital Pour
Vines OS
Gratuity Solutions
7Shifts
Hot Schedules

And with 24/7 phone and online support, including help with setup, you can quickly add a Revel POS system to your bar.

Best for Loyalty Features : Toast

Key Specs

Cost: Free, $165/month, or $340/month
Fees: Not disclosed
Device required: Various options
Key services: Payment processing, reporting, analytics, order/table/menu management, guest feedback (additional services for higher-priced plans)

Why We Chose It

A capable POS system with an available feature-rich loyalty program.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Guest feedback management program
Built-in credit card processing
Intuitive, easy-to-use, loyalty program

Cons

No fees listed for optional services
Only Growth plan comes standard with its loyalty program

Overview

Founded in 2011, Toast is a well-known name in the industry. Along with POS services, Toast offers a robust loyalty program, making it the best POS software for loyalty features.

Select the Growth plan (from $340 a month) to get the loyalty program as part of your package. If you opt for the Starter plan (from $0 a month) or Essentials plan (from $165 a month), you’ll pay an extra fee per month to add the loyalty program. All three programs provide:

Order, table, and menu management
Reporting and analytics
Guest feedback
Payment processing services

The Essential plan adds online delivery and ordering and a Toast takeout app. You'll get gift card, marketing, and loyalty programs integrated into the Growth plan. The customizable, point-based loyalty program offers easy check-out opt-in, and accounts are linked to restaurant guests' credit cards.

When it comes to payment processing, Toast doesn't post pricing online. They will work with your business to find a rate that works for your situation. Toast promises clear pricing with no hidden fees.

For hardware, Toast has a variety of products and bundles to fit your needs. One starter bundle comes with a Toast Flex system, POS and credit processing software, Toast Tap, and a router. They ask that you schedule a demo before seeing the price. You can also buy extra equipment like:

Guest-facing displays
Toast Go handheld
Toast Flex for kitchens
Kiosks
Printers
Cash drawers
EMV card readers
Barcode scanners

Toast also integrates with most restaurant software, including 7Shifts, Chowly, and BevSpot. And for service, you can reach out for help via phone, email, chat, or submit a ticket on their site.

The Bottom Line

A POS system for your restaurant can be a game changer, making it easier for you to manage your payments, inventory, and reservations. It can also manage orders and help keep your staff schedule in check.

If you're looking for a full-service system that offers you different options, consider signing up with industry leader TouchBistro. Square gives you a free option while Upserve is a great option for dine-in restaurants. If you deal with carry-out orders,

LightSpeed may be the better choice. For restaurants with small spaces, Clover helps keep your clutter to a minimum with space-saving equipment. Revel is tailored to bars while Toast can establish a loyalty program for you and your guests.

According to Toast's Restaurant Industry report, 33% of restaurant owners cite increased food and labor costs as challenges to their bottom line.

Compare Restaurant POS System Providers

Company	Why We Chose It	Plans	Fees	Devices Required	Key Services
TouchBistro	Best Overall	Start at $69/month	Additional payment processing fees, add-ons for additional services	iPad, additional options available for a cost	Menu/table and inventory management, payment processing, cloud-based reporting and analytics
Square	Best Free Option	Free, $29/month, or premium plan (call for price)	2.6% plus $0.10 (in-person transactions); 2.9% plus $0.10 (online transactions)	Smartphone or tablet, magstripe reader (free)	Payment processing, additional features for paid plans
Upserve	Best for Dine-In Restaurants	$59/month, $199/month, and $359/month	Terminal fees per plan ($60, $50, and $40), additional processing fees (not disclosed)	Not disclosed	Training mode, credit card processing, analytics, marketing, reputation management
Lightspeed	Best for Carry-Out	$69/month for standard features	$34/month to register; transactions cost 2.6% plus $0.10 and 2.6% plus $0.30 for manual card entries	iPad (receipt printer, cash drawer, payment terminal, kitchen printer, and Lightspeed server also required)	Delivery and take-out management, customer orders, mobile ordering, pay-at-order workflows
Clover	Best for Food Trucks	$9.95/month and $39.95/month	Vary by plan and transaction type	Clover Flex all-in-one system ($599)	Employee/payroll management, sales/tax/payroll reports, and credit card processing
Revel	Best for Bars	$99/month per terminal (billed annually)	Not disclosed	Various options	Inventory/employee management, reporting, and analytics
Toast	Best for Loyalty Features	Free, $165/month, or $340/month	Not disclosed	Various options	Payment processing, reporting, analytics, order/table/menu management, guest feedback (additional services for higher-priced plans)

Guide to Choosing POS Systems for Restaurants

How do POS Systems for Restaurants Work?

On the most basic level, a POS system captures transaction data to maintain inventory and revenue numbers in real-time. But, excellent POS systems deliver this information to your smartphone or home devices, so you can track action even if you're not at work.

You can use your POS to simplify restaurant processes, from order entry to payment, while reducing errors. And with impressive reporting features, restaurant owners use the data to make informed decisions about staffing, inventory, and menu changes.

Pros and Cons of POS Systems for Restaurants

Pros

Save time: POS systems track everything automatically and in real-time, which saves you a lot of time for other things
Eliminate human error: Automatic tracking helps avoid human or manual errors
Speed of service: Improve sales numbers through speedy execution
Better customer service: Speed and ease of checkouts provides customers with a better experience
Track inventory and staff schedules: You can keep tabs on inventory and scheduling so there are no supply or staff shortfalls
Track performance: Automatically track what products and services do well

Cons

Cost: Fees and charges associated with setting up POS systems can be high
Additional charges for updates: May need to pay for upgrades to outdated equipment
May be bulky: Some (affordable) systems may come with clunky, burdensome equipment
Downtimes: Equipment failure and loss of (WiFi/internet) connections may lead to service interruptions
Security risks: Potential for hacking and data breaches

Why You Should Trust Us

Investopedia is dedicated to providing consumers with unbiased, comprehensive reviews of the best POS systems for restaurants. After looking over more than two dozen POS systems, these seven made our list as the best POS systems for restaurants.

We reviewed individual plans, features, and hardware to assess overall costs and figured in various add-on services and integrations specific to certain categories such as loyalty or bar features. Of course, customer support is vital for restaurant owners, so we ensured that each of our top picks provided top-notch support.

We used this data to provide unbiased, comprehensive reviews to ensure our readers make the right decision for their needs. Investopedia launched in 1999 and has been helping readers find the best POS systems for restaurants since 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's Included in a POS System?

You can turn an iPad into a POS with cloud software. However, most restaurants use a complete system that connects your POS to one or more kitchen and bar printers. Along with the software, you'll want a device for your office, like a desktop, printers at each server station or cash register, and printer units in the kitchen. For credit card processing, you'll add an EMV card reader near registers, as well.
What Types of POS Systems Exist?

Your POS software works on many devices, making it easy to customize your hardware to what your store needs. For example, food trucks appreciate handheld options, while quick-service restaurants may want self-service kiosks.
However, for the majority of POS systems, you can simply hook up your iPad and create a POS anywhere. A typical restaurant may use a POS with a register for carry-out and delivery orders while providing servers with a standalone POS system or iPad-connected system for inputting orders.
What Are the Expected Costs of a POS System for Restaurants?
Whether you're using an iPad or a POS terminal, the initial equipment costs can get pricey. Since most restaurants need multiple printers for the back- and front-of-house services, you'll need to figure in the prices for these as well. Fortunately, most POS providers offer financing or payment plans to manage your initial costs. Monthly costs and fee ranges include:
- Monthly POS software costs: Free to $359+ per month
- Credit card processing expenses: 2.49% to 3.89% plus $0 to $0.15 per transaction
- Extra services: $12 and up per extra service, like payment processing or payroll, per month

Article Sources

Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.

Square. "Pricing."
Toast. "The Restaurant Industry Outlook Report, 2023 Edition." Page 6.