Choosing the right POS system is like picking the best partner. The right system will complement your restaurant’s operations, help you deliver fast and accurate service, and boost your bottom line. On the other hand, the wrong choice could leave you stuck with a clunky system that frustrates your staff and makes your customers unhappy. Exploring various POS systems for restaurants can help you identify features tailored to your needs, like seamless order management and real-time inventory tracking. You're not alone if you’re looking for a restaurant POS to help alleviate your unique pain points.

Many restaurateurs are turning to POS systems for help, and comparing your options will ensure you find the best fit for your business. But, how to choose  point of sale system? This guide will help you make a confident decision. Our restaurant POS comparison will uncover what different systems offer so you can find the perfect match.  

The POS Exchange's solution, POS systems, is a valuable tool to help readers achieve their objectives, such as selecting the best POS system that streamlines their operations confidently, improves service speed, and boosts overall efficiency. By comparing their options, you can uncover the unique features of each system and how they can benefit your business. 

What Is the Best POS for a Restaurant?

A restaurant POS system includes the hardware and software needed to manage front-of-the-house and back-of-house operations. For example, the best restaurant POS system will provide robust payment processing solutions and credit card machines and help you manage staff and scheduling to reduce labor costs. The frontend software enables cashiers or servers to manage orders and transactions, split checks, apply discounts, and process payments. 

Orders are sent to the kitchen smoothly, allowing faster meal prep and eliminating written tickets. The backend management system stores menus, recipes, and inventory levels. A POS system should also integrate with cash drawers, receipt printers, barcode scanners, and display devices like touchscreens and tablets. With everything in one comprehensive platform, you get deep operational data to track operations, sales, and ROI.

Key Features To Look for in Restaurant POS Software

The best restaurant POS systems will include various features to help you manage your entire restaurant operations. While your operation may operate slightly differently, here is a checklist of some of the key features you want to consider when evaluating POS systems: 

Table Management

Organizing floor plans and table layouts, tracking table availability, assigning servers, and optimizing table turnover.

Menu Management

Building digital menus that can be updated in real-time, including photos, descriptions, and pricing.

Order Taking

Enabling servers to input orders on tablets or terminals for kitchen preparation quickly.

Kitchen Printers/Screens

Streamlining the process for kitchen staff to process and prepare orders.

Payments

Processing credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, and mobile payments in the POS or tableside.

Inventory Management

Tracking stock levels in real-time, setting par levels, and alerting when shortages are looming. Some systems allow for automatic order replenishments.

Staff Management

Building employee schedules, assigning roles, and tracking hours, tips, and sales performance.

Reporting and Analytics

Providing insights into your top-selling items, profit margins on individual items, labor costs, inventory needs, and other KPIs.

Customer Management 

Tracking order history and customer details can be implemented into marketing personalization and loyalty programs.

Integrations

Connecting with accounting software, online ordering platforms, reservation systems, texting and marketing systems, and more.

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Ultimate Restaurant POS Systems Comparison Matrix

• Toast POS: Does not offer a free trial but includes sales reporting, inventory management, employee management, customer relationship management, online ordering, integration capabilities, mobile access, and offline mode.
• Square for Restaurants: Offers a free trial along with sales reporting, inventory management, employee management, customer relationship management, online ordering, integration capabilities, mobile access, and offline mode.
• Lightspeed Restaurant: Provides a free trial as well as features like sales reporting, inventory management, employee management, customer relationship management, online ordering, integration capabilities, mobile access, and offline mode.
• SpotOn: Does not offer a free trial but includes sales reporting, inventory management, employee management, customer relationship management, online ordering, integration capabilities, mobile access, and offline mode.
• Loyverse: Offers a free trial and includes sales reporting, inventory management, employee management, customer relationship management, online ordering, integration capabilities, mobile access, and offline mode.
• Lavu: Does not provide a free trial but includes sales reporting, inventory management, employee management, customer relationship management, online ordering, integration capabilities, mobile access, and offline mode.
• PosBistro: Offers a free trial and includes sales reporting, inventory management, employee management, customer relationship management, online ordering, integration capabilities, mobile access, and offline mode.
• Clover: Provides a free trial along with sales reporting, inventory management, employee management, customer relationship management, online ordering, integration capabilities, mobile access, and offline mode.
• Aloha POS by NCR: Does not offer a free trial but includes sales reporting, inventory management, employee management, customer relationship management, online ordering, integration capabilities, mobile access, and offline mode.
• Epos Now: Does not provide a free trial but includes sales reporting, inventory management, employee management, customer relationship management, online ordering, integration capabilities, mobile access, and offline mode.

Toast POS: Perfect for Restaurants of All Sizes

Toast POS is an all-in-one restaurant POS and management system designed to streamline operations for restaurants of all sizes. It integrates tools like online ordering, customer engagement, labor management, and sales reporting into a cloud-based platform. 

Toast POS helps restaurants enhance efficiency, grow restaurant revenue, and gain better business insights while aiming to improve the overall guest experience by addressing the unique challenges of the restaurant industry.

Customer Rating 

• 4.2/5

Pricing

Toast POS offers a flexible pricing structure to suit different types of restaurants:

• Starter Kit: Starting at $0/month, it is ideal for single-location restaurants with 1-2 terminals. Includes cloud-based POS, one terminal, and essential add-ons (additional charges for extra devices).
• Point of Sale: Starting at $69/month, this plan offers core functionality, custom hardware, and flat-rate processing with additional add-ons.
• Build Your Own: Custom pricing for restaurants looking to scale, offering features like online ordering, payroll integration, inventory management, and guest marketing. Pricing varies based on selected features and hardware.

Toast POS: Our Insights

After testing Toast POS, we found it to be highly user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that makes order processing and payment handling seamless. The system integrates well with kitchen displays, simplifying communication between the front and back of the house.

Toast’s cloud-based system ensures remote access, allowing restaurant owners to manage operations from anywhere. The flexibility to customize menu settings and manage table configurations makes it an excellent option for restaurants of all sizes.

Square: The Free Plan Makes It Affordable

The restaurant POS system Square is explicitly designed for any restaurant business. This comprehensive restaurant automation tool is designed for food service businesses like full-service restaurants, food trucks, and franchise restaurants. Square provides extensive features to streamline operations, including front and back of the house, to improve efficiency and restaurant customer service. 

The system allows direct order transmission to the kitchen, floor plan customization, and real-time table status monitoring. It also includes team management tools, such as setting roles, tracking labor vs. sales, and managing tips and commissions.

Customer Rating

• 4.7/5

Pricing

There are three plans to choose from: 

• Free: Starting at $0 per location/month, this plan is ideal for small businesses or those just starting. It includes Square Restaurant POS software for one countertop device, Monday to Friday phone support from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT, and essential features for daily operations.
• Plus: Starting at $69 per location/month, this plan is recommended for growing businesses with up to five locations. It includes Square Restaurant POS software for one countertop device, Square KDS software at no additional cost, and 24/7 phone support.
• Premium: Starting at $165 per location/month, this plan is perfect for businesses with more than five locations. It includes Square Restaurant POS software, Square KDS software, Square Mobile POS, Square Kiosk software, and 24/7 phone support, providing all the tools needed for large, expanding restaurants.

Square: Our Insights

Square POS offers an incredibly intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it ideal for restaurant owners who want a straightforward system without a steep learning curve. Its simplicity doesn’t sacrifice functionality, as it seamlessly integrates with payment processing and inventory management. We appreciated how quickly it can be set up and its mobile capabilities, allowing restaurant staff to process orders and payments. 

Lightspeed Restaurant: Highly Customizable

Lightspeed is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed specifically for the food service industry. It has features to handle the unique demands of restaurants, bars, cafes, and other similar businesses.

The POS system lets you design and manage your floor plan to match your restaurant layout, helping with efficient table turn and restaurant seating arrangements. It also offers robust inventory management, features to manage employees’ roles, shifts, permissions, and performance, and integrates with various payment processors, facilitating smooth and secure transactions.

Customer Rating 

• 4.4/5

Pricing

There are two plans to choose from:

• Essential: Starting at USD 189 monthly, this plan is designed for restaurants looking to exceed guest expectations. It includes customizable POS, menu manager, floor plans, offline mode, and 24/7 support, making it a solid choice for restaurants seeking core functionalities.
• Premium: Starting at USD 399 monthly, this plan is perfect for larger or multi-location restaurants. It offers advanced features such as integrated payments (2.6% + 10¢), online ordering, CRM and loyalty tools, multi-location management, advanced inventory management, and contactless ordering. Additional costs apply for the Kitchen Display System (KDS) at $30 per monthly screen.

Lightspeed Restaurant: Our Insights

Lightspeed Restaurant POS stands out for its highly customizable features and ability to adapt to various restaurant types. The sleek interface is easy to navigate, making it intuitive for staff.

We were impressed with its strong inventory management tools and the ability to handle large orders efficiently. Its cloud-based nature allows for remote access, which is ideal for multi-location restaurant management, and its integrations with other software make it a versatile choice for modern restaurants.

SpotOn: Comprehensive Restaurant Management

SpotOn offers an all-in-one restaurant management platform with robust POS solutions to enhance operations and improve customer experiences. The system provides tools for managing orders, payments, inventory, staff, and integrated marketing solutions to drive customer engagement. 

SpotOn also supports online ordering, reservations, and restaurant loyalty programs, making it ideal for restaurants looking to streamline operations and boost revenue.

Customer Rating

• 4.3/5

Pricing

The SpotOn pricing is as follows:

• Quick Start: Free plan for small counter-service restaurants, includes a 15” hardware bundle, cloud-based POS, and a powerful dashboard. Processing fees are 2.89% + 25¢.
• Counter-Service: $99/month, designed for growing counter-service restaurants. Includes employee management, commission-free online ordering, and 10” hardware. Processing fees are 1.99% + 25¢.
• Full-Service: $135/month for full-service restaurants with advanced features like KDS, online ordering, and QR order & pay. Processing fees are 1.99% + 25¢.
• Customize Your Own: Custom pricing for more extensive, complex restaurants. Choose hardware and features like online ordering, employee scheduling, and more. Processing fees are 1.99% + 25¢.

SpotOn: Our Insights

SpotOn POS delivers a highly functional and easy-to-use system emphasizing speed and efficiency. The system offers excellent reporting and analytics tools, which help owners track sales and customer data in real-time.

We found the integration with online ordering systems seamless, which is excellent for restaurants focusing on in-house and delivery services. Its responsive customer service makes it a reliable choice for restaurants seeking powerful features and dependable support.

Loyverse: Great Free Option for Small Restaurants

Loyverse is a free POS software aimed at small and medium businesses. The name “Loyverse” is short for “Loyalty Universe.” The system is mobile-based and is available for both iOS and Android devices. Restaurant owners can track sales growth and manage sales data anytime and anywhere. They can instantly visualize trends and determine their best-selling items or categories.

Customer Rating

• 4.8/5

Pricing

Loyverse offers a free plan with core functionalities like POS software, sales analytics, and customer display. For added features, you can opt for add-ons:

• Unlimited Sales History: $5/month or $50/year per store, allowing you to access and export sales reports for any period.
• Employee Management: $25/month or $250/year per store, helping manage access rights, timecards, and sales by employee.
• Advanced Inventory: $25/month or $250/year per store, enabling features like purchase orders and inventory valuation reports.

Loyverse: Our Insights

• Loyverse POS offers an exceptionally easy-to-use interface, making it a solid option for small restaurants and cafes. Its free version provides core functionality, such as inventory management and customer tracking, while the paid upgrades offer advanced features like employee management.

During testing, we found that Loyverse’s reporting system is detailed and user-friendly, allowing restaurant owners to track performance easily. The mobile compatibility adds flexibility, allowing staff to take orders and payments anywhere in the restaurant.

Lavu: Powerful Mobile POS for Restaurants

Lavu is one of the more powerful mobile POS systems designed specifically for bars and restaurants of all sizes. It operates on the iPad platform, providing an intuitive, touch-screen interface that simplifies order-taking and payment processing.

This mobile POS system for restaurant businesses can not only process payments but also makes restaurant management simple with features like customizable table layouts, easy split-check functionality, color-coded modifiers for special requests, menu customization, and advanced reporting, and it allows users to manage inventory and track levels in real-time.

Customer Rating

• 4.2/5

Pricing

Lavu has three pricing options to choose from:

• Starter: Starting at $59/month, this plan includes Lavu POS with 1 terminal, Lavu Pay, a cash discount program, and Lavu Pilot. It also offers gift cards for a limited time (cards sold separately).
• Growth: Starting at $129/month, this plan is designed to drive off-premise sales and includes Lavu POS with 1 terminal, Lavu Pay, a cash discount program, Lavu Pilot, and gift cards (cards sold separately).
• Optimize: Starting at $279/month, this plan includes Lavu POS with two terminals, Lavu Pay, a cash discount program, Lavu Pilot, and gift cards (cards sold separately), offering more terminals and advanced features for greater efficiency.

Lavu: Our Insights

Lavu POS provides an excellent mix of ease of use and advanced features, making it a strong choice for small and large restaurants. The system is fast and responsive, helping speed up order processing and payment handling.

We particularly liked the robust customization options for menu setups and employee management. Lavu’s cloud-based system allows for remote management, and its reporting tools offer detailed insights into sales, inventory, and performance, making it an excellent choice for business owners seeking flexibility and control.

POSBistro: Advanced Reporting Features

POSBistro is a comprehensive, point-of-sale (POS) software designed for restaurants, food trucks, bars, coffee shops, and other food and beverage businesses. The software helps you keep track of stock levels in real-time, manage your supply chain and staff schedules, track working hours, and review employee performance.

POSbistro also allows you to build customer databases, manage loyalty programs, and handle gift cards and gives you insight into sales trends, product popularity, and other key restaurant metrics, which can support business decision-making.

Customer Rating

• 4.3/5

Pricing

• The starting price for POSBistro is $49.00 per month. For more details, you need to contact them to get a quote.

POSBistro: Our Insights

POSBistro offers a simple and user-friendly interface that makes training staff a breeze. We found its order and payment processing to be smooth and efficient, helping to improve overall service speed.

One of the standout features is its advanced reporting system, which quickly helps restaurant owners analyze sales, labor costs, and inventory. The system is highly customizable, making it suitable for various restaurants, from casual to fine dining.

Clover: Flexible and Customizable

Clover POS is a flexible, cloud-based system for businesses like quick service restaurants, bars, and retail stores. It offers various hardware options, from mobile devices to countertop systems. 

Clover simplifies order management, including dine-in, takeout, and delivery, and enhances table and inventory tracking. It also features restaurant CRM tools to track customer preferences and manage loyalty programs.

Customer Rating

• 3.8/5

Pricing

• The starting price for Clover is $14.95 per month. 
• For more details, you need to contact them to get a quote.

Clover: Our Insights

Clover POS combines a user-friendly design with powerful functionality, making managing both front-of-house and back-end operations easy. The system is highly customizable, with various add-ons allowing you to tailor it to your restaurant’s needs.

Its fast processing speeds and seamless integration with third-party apps impressed us. Additionally, Clover offers excellent mobile capabilities, allowing staff to take orders and payments anywhere in the restaurant, which enhances the overall customer experience.

Aloha POS by NCR: Reliable for High-Volume Operations

Aloha POS by NCR is a widely used point-of-sale (POS) system designed for the restaurant industry. It suits various establishments, from fast food and casual dining to upscale restaurants and bars.

Aloha POS supports tableside ordering, which allows servers to take orders directly at the table using mobile devices, reducing errors and improving service speed, inventory tracking and management features, tools for scheduling, payroll management, and tracking employee performance.

Customer Rating

• 4/5

Pricing

• No pricing is available on their website. 
• You need to contact Aloha POS by NCR to get a quote.

Aloha POS by NCR: Our Insights

Aloha POS by NCR is a robust, enterprise-level system perfect for high-volume restaurants. The system’s interface is intuitive, and we appreciated its powerful tools for order processing, inventory management, and reporting.

We found Aloha POS very reliable during testing, with minimal downtime and fast response times. Its integration with third-party apps and customizable features make it an excellent choice for large-scale restaurants or those with multiple locations needing centralized control.

Epos Now: Solid for Smaller Restaurants

Epos Now is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system that caters to retail and hospitality industries, including restaurants. This versatile system provides POS services, inventory management, and CRM tools, which can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.

The system efficiently facilitates the management of orders, including table-side ordering, split checks, and customer tabs. It also provides users with inventory tracking, scheduling tools, employee performance tracking, and CRM tools that allow businesses to record customer details, track purchasing behavior, and manage loyalty programs.

Customer Rating

• 3.4/5

Pricing

Epos Now offers two pricing plans:

• Software Only: Starting at $39 per month, this plan is ideal for small, single-location food and beverage businesses that don’t need advanced hardware.
• Complete System: Starting at $249 upfront plus $39 per month, this plan is perfect for full-service restaurants needing terminals, card readers, and software.

Epos Now: Our Insights

Epos Now POS impressed us with its ease of use and quick setup process, making it an excellent option for small to medium-sized restaurants. The system features an intuitive interface that’s easy for staff to learn and use, and its inventory management tools are robust.

We particularly liked the flexible reporting features, which allow restaurant owners to analyze sales and operations in real-time. With its cloud-based capabilities and mobile compatibility, Epos Now offers flexibility and control no matter where you are.

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Book a Free Demo with POS Exchange to Learn about Our Customized POS System Solutions Today!

The POS Exchange brings over 20 years of restaurant expertise, serving 200,000+ merchants and processing billions annually. Our tailored POS system solutions help businesses speed up checkouts by 30%, implement dynamic pricing, and manage customer reviews while reducing overhead. 

Perfect for full-service restaurants, pizza shops, coffee houses, and multi-location enterprises. We offer end-to-end service, from brilliant consultation and interactive demos to local installation and 24/7 support. Our mobile iPad POS systems streamline operations with features like order management, bill splitting, and inventory control. With integrations for business management tools and advanced security measures, we ensure your POS system grows with your business. 

Trust our expertise to help you avoid the common pitfall that affects 38% of new business owners who choose the wrong POS system. Whether managing a busy restaurant, a local café, or operating a multi-location business, The POS Exchange delivers customized POS system solutions that tell your unique business story. Book a free demo with POS exchange to learn about our customized POS system solutions today.

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