POS Companies
Having the right POS system can increase daily efficiency and help you expand your business in ways you may have never thought possible.
But with so many brands to choose from, finding the perfect fit can be tricky.
We're here to help. We've done the hard research to help you narrow down your options.
Continue reading to learn about the features and pricing of the 10 most highly sought after POS system companies on the market today.
Price | Free Trial | Product 3 | Product 3 | Free Trial | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starting at $69 /month | No | 24/7 Support with step-by-step guides | Menu management, tableside ordering, app integrations, offline payments | Payment Processing | |
Starting at $79 /month | Yes | 24/7 Customer Support | Menu management, customer-facing display, detailed analytics | Online Ordering | |
Starting at $39 /month | Yes | 24/7 Customer Support | On-screen tipping, quick-serve mode, customizable floor plan, raw ingredient tracking | Small restaurant establishments | |
Starting at $69 /month | No | 24/7 Customer Support | Advanced employee management,local server to work offline, DoorDash integration at no extra charge | Third-party integrations | |
Starting at $99 /month | No | 24/7 Customer Support | Inventory management, menu management, customer relationship management, reporting and analytics | Multi-location businesses | |
Starting at $39.95 /month | Yes | 24/7 Customer Support | Online ordering, on-screen tipping, menu management, mobile loyalty programs | Best for Ease of Use | |
Starting at $29 /month | Yes | 24/7 Customer Support | Sales analytics, easy inventory tracking, custom website setup. | Best for eCommerce Integration | |
Quote-based | No | 24/7 Customer Support | Customizable reporting options, integration support, modern GUI | Best GUI | |
Starting at $108 /month | No | 24/7 Customer Support | Import menu data and products, employee management, reporting and analytics features | Best for Establishments with complex data needs | |
Quote-based | Yes | 24/7 Customer Support | EMV certification, mobile dashboard, DineBlast QuickPay | Best for bars and nightclubs |
TouchBistro is one of the best point-of-sale system providers for restaurants. The POS system they have designed is perfect for those in the food-service industry, including full-service restaurants and quick-service restaurants, such as breweries, cafes, coffee shops, food trucks, bakeries, catering companies, bars, clubs, wineries, and more!
TouchBistro has many high-end features worth talking about, including its employee management, inventory management, table management, and reporting and analytics software, allowing you to keep your business afloat while thinking about future growth.
The inventory management tools are incredibly robust, allowing you to track ingredients and manage menu items.
Beyond that, the menu management toolset is great at helping you build your menu around sales data and food costs.
you can use this POS system to monitor table value, assign sections to servers, or create floor plans, all thanks to the versatile table management features and tableside ordering. If you need additional features that are restaurant-specific, like online ordering, you can implement them with a slight cost bump.
As of now, this iOS-based point-of-sale POS system starts at $69 per month. While the company gives you the ability to purchase customer-facing displays or digital menu boards to run your business, you can also use your existing iPads.
TouchBistro has its own payment processing system too, which comes with an integrated credit card processing system. However, if you have a third-party processor that you like to use, you can integrate it instead. To get a quote on the payment processing fees, you have to reach out to TouchBistro.
Visit TouchBistro POS Reviews for more details.
Toast
Toast is another one of the best POS companies for restaurant POS software. Whether you run a casual restaurant, a fine-dining establishment, a bar, a nightclub, a bakery, or a cafe, Toast can help your business feel more efficient.
The Starter Plan is a great choice for new business owners, as there are two payment options to choose from. Small business owners that can't afford to pay for upfront costs due to a small budget can opt for the in-house payment processing system from Toast, which is 2.99% + $0.15 per in-house transaction.
With this plan, you'll get access to the hardware in the Starter Kit Essentials package and Toast's POS software without having to pay an additional cost.
The Starter Kit includes helpful hardware to get you up and running, including a router, a Toast Tap card reader, and a POS Flex terminal.
If you choose to go with the plan which is a $69 per month fee, you can pay the lower in-person payment processing rate, which is 2.49% + $0.15. We recommend this plan for any businesses that make larger transactions or have higher sales volumes.
Toast also has high-tier plans, though they are completely quote-based. It is worth noting that restaurants must use Toast's integrated payment processing service and sign a two-year agreement to use the POS system.
Those that do will get to take advantage of Toast's several high-end features, including online order fraud monitoring, inventory management, ingredient tracking, and much more! There are also higher-end plans that include customer loyalty programs and delivery options for online ordering.
Our Toast POS Reviews dives in deeper to the features you'll find in this POS solution.
Lightspeed is one of the most well-known POS software companies on the market today, as it is great for several types of establishments. We recommend it for restaurants and retail stores, among many other operations.
The restaurant POS systems offered by Lightspeed start out at $59 per month, while Lightspeed Retail POS Software starts out at $69 per month.
However, if you have a business that requires more than one register, you will have to pay additional monthly fees that are anywhere from $29 to $34 for each additional register.
The amount you pay depends on your plan.
If you want to try out Lightspeed's POS system, you can use the company's 14-day trial. It's a good idea to take advantage of this trial if you want to see how well Lightspeed gels with the unique needs of your business.
The great thing about Lightspeed's POS systems is that they can run on your existing computers or iPads, though you can purchase additional hardware if necessary.
All Lightspeed plans come with 24.7 customer support and onboarding, which is extremely helpful when setting up your POS system for the very first time.
One very unique Lightspeed detail is that it offers one of the best golf course POS systems. With their specific golf course POS design, you can manage your clubhouse, snack bar, pro shop, and more, all within one single system.
Lavu
Lavu is a private POS system company from New Mexico that makes restaurant POS software and other business management solutions.
The company has been around since 2010 and is known for its effective and intuitive cloud-based iPad POS system that is built specifically for bars and restaurants.
One thing to note about Lavu is that the POS systems it offers are incredibly affordable, and perfect for small business owners. The technology is best-in-class and can make both front-of-house and back-of-house operations far more efficient.
The Lavu interface is very user-friendly with its mobile-first interface and modern design.
Even if you aren't the most tech-savvy business owner in the world, you'll be able to navigate the platform with ease. It can also integrate with a wide range of third-party apps depending on your needs.
The back-office functionality is where Lavu truly shines. You'll find inventory management features, menu management, sales data tools, and restaurant layout customization. It has some of the best employee management features on the market as well.
Overall, Lavu is one of the best restaurant POS systems around.
Revel Systems is great for businesses that are growing or business owners that are thinking about expanding to multiple locations. It's worth noting that it is one of the most expensive POS systems out there at $99 per month per terminal, though it also has the features to back it up.
You should also note that Revel Systems requires business owners to sign a three-year contract with its integrated payment processing system, Revel Advantage.
Along with this three-year contract, business owners have to purchase two terminals, which is why it might not be the best restaurant POS system for those just starting out. However, larger companies love Revel Systems POS systems thanks to its high-end enterprise management features, which are great for making sure information can be shared across multiple locations.
The point-of-sale POS software runs on cloud-based technology and has several helpful features, including customer relationship management tools, staffing tools, inventory management, and more.
We love the ability that you can integrate this POS software with your existing equipment, such as iPad stands, receipt printers, or credit card terminals. If you need anything else that is not offered in the point-of-sale POS software, you can integrate one of the many compatible third-party apps. Revel even went as far as building their own API (application programming interface) for companies to create integrations unique to their businesses.
Revel offers onboarding to businesses that can afford it, at $674. It's clear that Revel Systems is much more expensive than most of its competitors, though if you're running a high-volume business with multiple locations, it is one of the few POS systems that will be able to keep up with your needs.
If you want to learn more, visit Revel POS System Reviews.
Clover
Clover POS system is a great option for numerous types of businesses, though an even b better choice for those who want a wide range of POS hardware to choose from.
Business owners that have minimal hardware needs will often go with the Clover Go card reader, though when business expands and volume picks up, an upgrade to the Clover Station goes a long way.
We love how easy Clover POS hardware is to set up and start using, syncing near seamlessly with Clover's dashboard.
This all-in-one POS system allows users to manage their business from no matter where they are, whether it's accepting payments, getting text receipts, or creating orders.
Having the ability to manage the ongoings of your business from anywhere in the world with a Wi-Fi connection is a major advantage.
There are dozens of third-party apps on the Clover App market, giving you access to any business solution you could possibly need. Whether you need to track inventory, manage customers and employees, or create reports, the many apps allow you to do so with ease.
If there was one disadvantage to Clover, it would be the confusing pricing model that they have. While it's pretty clear to see that the first 30 days of using the POS system are free, any further use or upgrades require you to speak with a representative to get pricing.
Related articles include: Clover POS Reviews, Clover Go Reviews, Clover Station POS, and How Does Clover Work.
Shopify POS is one of the most popular POS systems on the market today. The company has been offering robust eCommerce solutions and retail POS systems since 2004, and has slowly grown into a major player in the eCommerce industry. The platform Shopify built is one of the most intuitive POS systems for retail businesses.
One thing that customers love about Shopify is how easy the POS system is to navigate.
There are several intuitive front-office and back-office features, great for any business or organization that doesn't have a lot of time or resources to train employees. Shopify POS comes with a wide range of compatible credit card processing hardware options.
You can go with one of many third-party payment processors or use Shopify's in-house merchant services processor.
Lastly, the Shopify POS system also happens to be one of the most affordable. If you already have a Shopify account, you can add Shopify POS on as an additional service or use it as a completely standalone solution without having to pay an arm and a leg. The company has many scalable subscriptions based on the needs of businesses.
Visit Shopify POS Lite vs Pro to determine which solution is right for you.
Ruby
Verifone is one of the most well-known technology companies in the world when it comes to POS systems and electronic payment processing. The company revealed the Ruby 2 POS system a few years back, which has slowly become one of the most popular POS systems for retail businesses.
Those familiar with the Ruby Superstation POS will find many similar features in this one. This new system is incredibly easy to transition to, though has tons of new features that make it faster and more efficient for all kinds of transactions, whether in-house or online.
The unique thing about the Ruby 2 POS system is that it was made to apply standardized software to multiple networks, all while engaging with high-end Verifone solutions.
While Verifone's POS systems have long been popular choices in financial, healthcare, and hospitality markets, they have almost landed a monopoly on the gas station POS system market. The POS hardware is ultra-scalable, one of the main reasons it has become so popular for growing businesses.
For more specific details, see Ruby POS reviews.
NCR Silver is one of the best point of sale system options for small businesses, which is almost ironic that it is offered by the multi-billion-dollar NCR corporation.
However, with its range of POS software and unique features, it's a surprisingly versatile choice.
One of the most popular POS systems in the NCR POS system lineup is the NCR Silver Pro Restaurant, which comes with all of the features you need to run a successful restaurant, such as inventory management, employee management, customer loyalty programs, and much more.
For small businesses that can't afford to pay the $178 per month that it costs to own this POS system, there is also an NCR Silver Essentials POS system bundle that has fewer features, yet still suits a wide range of small businesses, such as service providers, restaurants, and retail and hospitality businesses.
Though the parent company might seem overwhelmingly large, the resources they've invested in this POS system have made it a great choice for businesses getting started or those looking to potentially expand in the future.
Our NCR Silver POS article can help you determine if this is the perfect solution for your needs.
SoftTouch
SoftTouch is a Vitabyte subsidiary and one of the top restaurant business POS solutions on the market today.
With so many excellent characteristics injected into the company's POS systems, such as inventory management, easy credit card processing, cloud-based software, and much more, it's an excellent POS system choice for those who are looking to expand their businesses.
This POS provider created forward-thinking POS system solutions and wraps them up in sleek and elegant POS hardware.
There is a reason why people see SoftTouch as an innovative POS provider for fine-dining establishments.
The POS software comes loaded with a wide range of unique table service tools and customer relationship management tools to create a quality, upscale experience for each customer.
There is also an on-premise SoftTouch POS system solution that is great for those who run bars or nightclubs.
Factors To Consider
When looking for the best POS system for your business needs, there are many variables to consider. Let's dive in and take a look at some of the features that make up the best POS system.
Price
One of the first things that you'll likely look at is the price, especially if you're running a small business or startup! Several factors impact POS system costs, including whether or not you have multiple locations, how many registers you need (some POS system providers charge per register), additional features (software integrations, third-party apps, additional features), and transaction fees for your payment processor.
Ease Of Use
POS systems are meant to streamline day-to-day business operations. A difficult to use POS system would defeat the purpose of getting one. You don't want a POS system that will make transactions cumbersome or slow down your business. Beyond price, one of your top concerns should be how easy the system is to use.
When you have an uncomplicated POS system, training new employees will be much faster and trouble-free, ideal for businesses with high employee turnaround rates.
POS Hardware
When setting up your POS system for the very first time, one thing that can eat up a pretty big chunk of your budget is the hardware you choose. There are plenty of different hardware options to choose from to create POS systems. You can use something as simple as a tablet and a receipt printer, or go a bit larger with a cash drawer, customer-facing display, KDS, barcode scanner, and cash register.
It's up to you to determine the needs of your business and then find a POS provider that can deliver.
Features
There are so many features to consider when looking for POS systems, many of which depend on the type of business you run. For example, a restaurant might need POS software with restaurant-specific POS solutions, such as ingredient tracking or tableside ordering.
On the other hand, a retail business might want self-ordering features that can set up orders when stock levels on certain items are low.
From inventory management to employee management to customer engagement features to features that can sync operations between several locations at once, it's important to look at the features offered by different POS systems to find the best POS system for your needs.
Payment Processor
Several POS systems come with their own payment processor options, while others offer the ability to choose from multiple third-party payment processors.
What's important is to look at the fees to process payments, including the monthly fees and the regular payment processor fees.
Just about any POS provider will have different rates for different kinds of transactions, including in-store or in-person transactions, keyed-in transactions, and online ordering.
You'll often find that payment processor rates are expressed with a flat rate, though can also be a percentage rate with the addition of cents (ex. 2.5% + $0.10 per in-person transaction).
Customer Support
Most businesses can't afford to have their POS systems go down for a day. Any time you're unable to process payments, you lose money. We recommend selecting a POS provider that can provide you with high-quality customer support when you need it most.
While some offer email and live chat support, others offer support over the phone. Business that run during later hours, such as a bars or nightclubs should select a POS provider that offers 24/7 support.
The Next Step
Hunting for pricing details can be a time-consuming process. We're here to do the work for you and ensure that you get a good deal.
Don't overpay for your POS solution. We supply the lowest quotes based on your ideal setup.
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Tyler Connaghan
Contributing Author