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8 Best Restaurant POS Systems of May 2024

The best restaurant point-of-sale systems have table and menu management features, inventory and employee management tools, and strong reporting capabilities.
By Hillary Crawford, Lisa A. Anthony, Karrin Sehmbi
Last updated on May 15, 2024
Edited byRyan Lane
Fact checked and reviewed

⏰ Estimated read time: 15 minutes

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The best restaurant point-of-sale (POS) systems are reliable, easy to use and packed with features that make day-to-day restaurant operations flow. These POS systems do much more than accept payments — they also facilitate communication between the front and back of house and have table or menu management capabilities. Other features to look out for include 24/7 customer support, inventory tracking and employee management tools.
Here are our top picks for the best restaurant POS systems.

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Square
Square

Square Restaurant POS

NerdWallet Rating 
5.0

Best Restaurant POS Systems From Our Partners

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Estimates assume an average interchange fee of 1.81% + $0.10, based on our latest available data. Estimates provided reflect online and in-person transactions, but exclude any keyed transactions. Estimates are based on the lowest monthly plan and processing fees for each provider.

Product
Cost Estimate
Payment processing fees
Cost Estimate
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Square Restaurant POS

Learn more

on Square Restaurant POS's secure website

Get an estimated monthly cost for your business.
5.0/5

Best for Cafes and bars

In-person: 2.6% + $0.10

Online: 2.9% + $0.30

$0.00

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

Get an estimated monthly cost for your business.
Learn more

on Square Restaurant POS's secure website

Toast POS

Learn more

on Toast POS's secure website

4.0/5

Best for Restaurants doing dine-in and online business

2.49% + $0.15

if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option.

$0.00

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

Learn more

on Toast POS's secure website

Clover Restaurant POS

Learn more

on Clover Restaurant POS's secure website

4.0/5

Best for Quick-service restaurants

In-person: 2.3% + $0.10

Online: 3.5% + $0.10

$59.95

and up.

Learn more

on Clover Restaurant POS's secure website

SpotOn Restaurant

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on SpotOn Restaurant's secure website

4.0/5

Best for Variety of restaurant add-on features

1.99% + $0.25

For most cards in paid plans.

$0.00

and up.

Learn more

on SpotOn Restaurant's secure website

TouchBistro

Learn more

on TouchBistro's secure website

3.5/5

Best for Features focused on profitability

N/A

Quote-based.

$69.00

and up.

Learn more

on TouchBistro's secure website

Lightspeed Restaurant POS

Learn more

on Lightspeed Restaurant POS's secure website

3.5/5

Best for Established restaurants with multiple locations

In-person: 2.6% + $0.10

Online: 2.9% + $0.30

$69.00

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

Learn more

on Lightspeed Restaurant POS's secure website

Lavu

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on Lavu's secure website

3.5/5

Best for Cash discount program

N/A

Quote-based.

$99.00

and up.

Learn more

on Lavu's secure website

SumUp POS

Learn more

on SumUp POS's secure website

4.0/5

Best for Building a customer base

In-person: 2.6% + $0.10

Online: 3.5% + $0.15

$0.00

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

Learn more

on SumUp POS's secure website

Our pick for

Cafes and bars

Square Restaurant POS

Learn more

on Square Restaurant POS's secure website

Monthly fee
$0.00

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

Our pick for

Restaurants doing dine-in and online business

Toast POS

Learn more

on Toast POS's secure website

Payment processing fees
2.49% + $0.15

if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option.

Monthly fee
$0.00

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

Our pick for

Quick-service restaurants

Clover Restaurant POS

Learn more

on Clover Restaurant POS's secure website

Monthly fee
$59.95

and up.

Our pick for

Variety of restaurant add-on features

SpotOn Restaurant

4.0
NerdWallet rating 
Learn more

on SpotOn Restaurant's secure website

Payment processing fees
1.99% + $0.25

For most cards in paid plans.

Monthly fee
$0.00

and up.

Our pick for

Features focused on profitability

TouchBistro

Learn more

on TouchBistro's secure website

Payment processing fees
N/A

Quote-based.

Monthly fee
$69.00

and up.

Our pick for

Established restaurants with multiple locations

Lightspeed Restaurant POS

Learn more

on Lightspeed Restaurant POS's secure website

Monthly fee
$69.00

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

Our pick for

Cash discount program

Learn more

on Lavu's secure website

Payment processing fees
N/A

Quote-based.

Monthly fee
$99.00

and up.

Our pick for

Building a customer base

SumUp POS

Learn more

on SumUp POS's secure website

Monthly fee
$0.00

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

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Our picks for best restaurant POS systems

SpotOn Restaurant POS: Best variety of restaurant add-on features

Why we like it: 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.

Toast: Best for restaurants doing dine-in and online business

Why we like it: 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.

Square for Restaurants: Best for cafes and bars

Why we like it: 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.

Clover Restaurant POS: Best for quick-service restaurants

Why we like it: 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.

Lightspeed Restaurant POS: Best for established restaurants with multiple locations

Why we like it: 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.

TouchBistro: Best for features focused on profitability

Why we like it: 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.

Lavu: Best for cash discount program

Why we like it: 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. 

SumUp POS: Best for building a customer base

Why we like it: 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.

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. 
  • Clock in and out. 
  • Manage table layouts. 
  • Maintain menus.   
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.

What is a POS system?

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.

Hardware costs

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.

Software costs

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 costs

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:

Ease of use

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.

Cost

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.

Integrations

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.

Support

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.
Last updated on May 15, 2024

Methodology

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.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
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