Quick Overview
- 1#1: Toast - Comprehensive cloud-based POS platform for restaurants and bars with payments, inventory, payroll, and analytics.
- 2#2: TouchBistro - iPad-centric POS system designed for full-service restaurants and bars featuring floor plans, menus, and reporting.
- 3#3: Lightspeed Restaurant - Cloud POS with robust inventory management, CRM, multi-location support, and kitchen display systems.
- 4#4: Square for Restaurants - Affordable, easy-to-use POS integrated with payments, team management, and online ordering for small to mid-size venues.
- 5#5: Revel Systems - Scalable cloud POS offering customizable menus, loyalty programs, delivery integrations, and real-time reporting.
- 6#6: Clover - Flexible POS hardware and software with apps marketplace for payments, inventory, and customer engagement.
- 7#7: Lavu - Mobile-first POS for independent bars and restaurants with offline mode, tableside ordering, and analytics.
- 8#8: SpotOn - POS platform emphasizing contactless payments, marketing automation, and revenue management tools.
- 9#9: Restaurant365 - Integrated accounting, operations, and inventory software connecting POS data for full back-office control.
- 10#10: 7shifts - Labor management platform for scheduling, time tracking, communication, and tip pooling in restaurants.
Tools were selected based on key factors: robust feature sets (such as inventory tracking, CRM, and multi-location support), user-friendly interface, proven reliability, and value for money, ensuring they deliver tangible benefits to bars and restaurants of all scales.
Comparison Table
Explore the key features, pricing, and functionalities of leading bar and restaurant software with our comparison table, showcasing tools like Toast, TouchBistro, Lightspeed Restaurant, Square for Restaurants, and Revel Systems. This guide helps you identify the right solution by highlighting how each platform handles order management, inventory tracking, and customer engagement, tailored to diverse business needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toast Comprehensive cloud-based POS platform for restaurants and bars with payments, inventory, payroll, and analytics. | enterprise | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 2 | TouchBistro iPad-centric POS system designed for full-service restaurants and bars featuring floor plans, menus, and reporting. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Lightspeed Restaurant Cloud POS with robust inventory management, CRM, multi-location support, and kitchen display systems. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Square for Restaurants Affordable, easy-to-use POS integrated with payments, team management, and online ordering for small to mid-size venues. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 5 | Revel Systems Scalable cloud POS offering customizable menus, loyalty programs, delivery integrations, and real-time reporting. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Clover Flexible POS hardware and software with apps marketplace for payments, inventory, and customer engagement. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | Lavu Mobile-first POS for independent bars and restaurants with offline mode, tableside ordering, and analytics. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 8 | SpotOn POS platform emphasizing contactless payments, marketing automation, and revenue management tools. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Restaurant365 Integrated accounting, operations, and inventory software connecting POS data for full back-office control. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | 7shifts Labor management platform for scheduling, time tracking, communication, and tip pooling in restaurants. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
Comprehensive cloud-based POS platform for restaurants and bars with payments, inventory, payroll, and analytics.
iPad-centric POS system designed for full-service restaurants and bars featuring floor plans, menus, and reporting.
Cloud POS with robust inventory management, CRM, multi-location support, and kitchen display systems.
Affordable, easy-to-use POS integrated with payments, team management, and online ordering for small to mid-size venues.
Scalable cloud POS offering customizable menus, loyalty programs, delivery integrations, and real-time reporting.
Flexible POS hardware and software with apps marketplace for payments, inventory, and customer engagement.
Mobile-first POS for independent bars and restaurants with offline mode, tableside ordering, and analytics.
POS platform emphasizing contactless payments, marketing automation, and revenue management tools.
Integrated accounting, operations, and inventory software connecting POS data for full back-office control.
Labor management platform for scheduling, time tracking, communication, and tip pooling in restaurants.
Toast
enterpriseComprehensive cloud-based POS platform for restaurants and bars with payments, inventory, payroll, and analytics.
Toast Handhelds for wireless tableside ordering, payments, and upsell recommendations directly at the customer's table
Toast is a cloud-based all-in-one POS system designed specifically for restaurants and bars, handling point-of-sale transactions, inventory management, online ordering, payroll, and customer loyalty programs. It integrates seamlessly with purpose-built hardware like handheld devices for tableside ordering and kitchen display systems, optimizing front- and back-of-house operations. With robust analytics and reporting, Toast provides real-time insights to drive business decisions in fast-paced bar and restaurant environments.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one platform with seamless POS, payments, and operations integration
- Excellent real-time reporting and analytics for inventory and sales tracking
- Strong support for online ordering, delivery integrations, and tableside service
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs and custom pricing can be steep for small operations
- Occasional reports of software glitches during peak hours
- Customer support response times can vary, especially for non-enterprise users
Best For
Full-service bars and restaurants with moderate to high volume needing a scalable, integrated POS ecosystem.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at $69/month per location for core POS software, plus hardware bundles ($500+), payment processing (2.49% + $0.15 per transaction), and add-ons for advanced features.
TouchBistro
enterpriseiPad-centric POS system designed for full-service restaurants and bars featuring floor plans, menus, and reporting.
Advanced bar tab and bottle pour tracking for precise liquor inventory control
TouchBistro is a comprehensive cloud-based POS system designed specifically for restaurants and bars, offering seamless order management, table service, and inventory tracking on iPad hardware. It includes features like real-time reporting, staff scheduling, loyalty programs, and integrations for online ordering and payments, making it ideal for high-volume bar and restaurant environments. The platform emphasizes speed and reliability with offline mode to handle busy shifts without interruptions.
Pros
- Robust inventory and tab management tailored for bars
- Offline functionality ensures uninterrupted service
- Strong integrations with delivery and payment processors
Cons
- iOS-only, limiting hardware flexibility
- Pricing can be steep for smaller venues
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
Best For
Busy bars and full-service restaurants needing a reliable, all-in-one POS with strong table and inventory management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting at $69/month per terminal for basic plans, plus hardware costs and processing fees.
Lightspeed Restaurant
enterpriseCloud POS with robust inventory management, CRM, multi-location support, and kitchen display systems.
Advanced inventory with automated recipe costing, pour tracking, and variance alerts tailored for bar stock management
Lightspeed Restaurant is a cloud-based POS system tailored for full-service restaurants and bars, handling everything from table reservations and bar tabs to inventory tracking and online ordering. It excels in high-volume environments with features like bill splitting, kitchen display systems (KDS), and real-time reporting for sales and stock levels. The platform supports multi-location operations and integrates seamlessly with delivery apps, accounting tools, and payment processors.
Pros
- Robust inventory management with recipe costing and lot tracking for bars handling liquor and kegs
- Strong multi-location support and real-time syncing across devices
- Extensive integrations with 100+ apps including delivery services and accounting software
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be costly for small independent bars
- Initial setup and customization require time and training
- Occasional reports of sync delays during peak hours
Best For
Mid-sized bars and restaurants with multiple locations needing scalable inventory control and analytics.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location (Starter), $109 (Essential), $149 (Premium); Enterprise custom; hardware and payment processing extra.
Square for Restaurants
enterpriseAffordable, easy-to-use POS integrated with payments, team management, and online ordering for small to mid-size venues.
Customizable digital floor plans and table management for efficient bar/restaurant service flow
Square for Restaurants is a cloud-based POS system tailored for bars and restaurants, providing tools for order taking, table management, inventory tracking, and payment processing. It features customizable floor plans, kitchen display systems (KDS), online ordering integration, and team management with scheduling and payroll. Ideal for streamlining front-of-house and back-of-house operations, it supports both counter-service bars and full-service dining with real-time reporting and loyalty programs.
Pros
- Highly intuitive interface with minimal setup time
- No monthly software fees for core POS functionality
- Seamless integration of payments, hardware, and restaurant-specific tools like floor maps and KDS
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢) can accumulate for high-volume sales
- Reporting and analytics are solid but less advanced than enterprise competitors
- Customer support primarily email/chat, with limited phone options for basic plans
Best For
Small to mid-sized bars and restaurants seeking an affordable, user-friendly POS without long-term contracts.
Pricing
Free POS software; processing fees 2.6% + 10¢ (card-present), 2.9% + 30¢ (card-not-present); Plus plan $60/mo/location; hardware bundles from $0-$2,000+.
Revel Systems
enterpriseScalable cloud POS offering customizable menus, loyalty programs, delivery integrations, and real-time reporting.
Advanced bar tab management with open order splitting and real-time liquor inventory tracking
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad POS system tailored for bars, restaurants, and quick-service venues, offering real-time sales tracking, inventory management, and order processing. It includes features like tab management for bars, employee scheduling, and detailed reporting for liquor cost control. The platform supports offline mode and integrates with delivery apps, loyalty programs, and accounting software for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Robust inventory and recipe costing ideal for bar stock management
- Reliable offline functionality during peak hours
- Extensive integrations with delivery and payment processors
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs tied to iPads
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Customer support can be slow during issues
Best For
Mid-sized bars and restaurants seeking scalable POS with strong inventory and reporting tools.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per location (Core plan) plus hardware ($500-$2000) and 2.3%+ processing fees; higher tiers up to Enterprise custom pricing.
Clover
enterpriseFlexible POS hardware and software with apps marketplace for payments, inventory, and customer engagement.
Clover App Market for thousands of third-party integrations tailored to bar and restaurant needs
Clover is a comprehensive point-of-sale (POS) system designed for small to medium-sized businesses, including bars and restaurants, providing integrated payment processing, inventory management, and order fulfillment capabilities. It features a modular app marketplace for adding restaurant-specific tools like table management, kitchen display systems, and bar tab tracking. The platform supports contactless payments, employee management, and reporting, making it suitable for streamlining front-of-house and back-of-house operations in hospitality settings.
Pros
- Seamless integrated payment processing with competitive rates
- Highly customizable via the extensive Clover App Market
- User-friendly interface with reliable touchscreen hardware options
Cons
- Many advanced features require additional app subscriptions
- Upfront hardware costs can be high for smaller venues
- Reporting and analytics are basic without paid add-ons
Best For
Small to mid-sized bars and restaurants seeking a flexible, payment-focused POS that can grow with add-on apps.
Pricing
Hardware from $499+; software plans $14.95-$99.85/month per location; transaction fees ~2.3-3.5% + $0.10.
Lavu
enterpriseMobile-first POS for independent bars and restaurants with offline mode, tableside ordering, and analytics.
Advanced bar tab management with quick split, transfer, and open tab tracking for high-volume bar environments
Lavu is a cloud-based POS system designed specifically for bars, restaurants, and food trucks, offering mobile order-taking via iPads and handheld devices. It includes inventory management, table mapping, online ordering, loyalty programs, and detailed reporting to streamline bar and restaurant operations. The platform emphasizes speed and mobility, with offline capabilities for uninterrupted service during connectivity issues.
Pros
- Highly intuitive iPad and mobile interface for fast-paced bar service
- Robust inventory and recipe costing tailored for bars with liquor tracking
- Affordable pricing with flexible plans and offline mode reliability
Cons
- Heavy reliance on Apple hardware limits hardware flexibility
- Fewer third-party integrations than top competitors like Toast
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
Best For
Independent bars and quick-service restaurants needing a mobile, cost-effective POS with strong tab and inventory management.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per terminal (annual billing); Pro plan at $99/month, Enterprise custom; plus hardware (~$500/iPad) and 2.5-3% payment processing fees.
SpotOn
enterprisePOS platform emphasizing contactless payments, marketing automation, and revenue management tools.
SpotOn Pay: Transparent, low-cost payment processing fully integrated with the POS for faster transactions and cost savings.
SpotOn is a full-service POS system tailored for bars and restaurants, providing tools for order taking, tab management, inventory tracking, and payment processing. It features mobile ordering, kitchen display systems, employee management, and customer loyalty programs to streamline operations and enhance guest experiences. The platform also integrates with third-party delivery services and offers robust reporting for sales and labor insights.
Pros
- Comprehensive inventory management ideal for bars with liquor tracking
- Seamless payment processing with competitive rates
- Strong customization for tabs and quick-service workflows
Cons
- Pricing can be opaque without custom quotes
- Occasional glitches in mobile app reported by users
- Limited free trial options
Best For
Mid-sized bars and restaurants seeking an all-in-one POS with integrated payments and inventory control.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at $99-$200 per month per terminal, plus hardware bundles ($1,000+) and 2.3%-2.9% processing fees.
Restaurant365
enterpriseIntegrated accounting, operations, and inventory software connecting POS data for full back-office control.
Unified accounting platform with automated AP workflows and real-time operations dashboard
Restaurant365 is a comprehensive cloud-based restaurant management platform that integrates accounting, operations, inventory, and scheduling specifically for bars and restaurants. It syncs with major POS systems like Toast and Square to deliver real-time financial insights, labor management, and inventory tracking with recipe costing. This all-in-one solution excels in back-office automation, helping streamline AP/AR, payroll, and reporting for multi-location operations.
Pros
- Seamless POS integrations for real-time data syncing
- Powerful inventory management with variance tracking and recipe costing ideal for bars
- Robust accounting and multi-location reporting tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- High cost may not suit small independent bars
- Limited front-of-house POS functionality; focuses more on back-office
Best For
Multi-location bar and restaurant groups needing integrated financials and operations management.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically $300-$600+ per location/month depending on features, users, and locations.
7shifts
specializedLabor management platform for scheduling, time tracking, communication, and tip pooling in restaurants.
Labor Forecast that uses historical sales data to predict optimal staffing levels
7shifts is a workforce management platform tailored for restaurants and bars, focusing on employee scheduling, time tracking, and labor optimization. It offers tools for shift creation, real-time communication via chat and announcements, and insights into labor costs through forecasting and reporting. The software integrates with popular POS systems like Toast and Square to streamline operations in shift-based hospitality environments.
Pros
- Drag-and-drop scheduling with auto-fill and forecasting
- Built-in communication hub for team coordination
- Strong POS integrations and mobile time clock
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for multi-location businesses
- Advanced reporting locked behind higher tiers
- Occasional sync issues with integrations
Best For
Mid-sized bars and restaurants with hourly shift workers needing efficient scheduling and labor control.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99 per location/month for Essentials (billed annually), up to $59.99 for Enterprise, with add-ons for tips and payroll.
Conclusion
After evaluating the top 10 bar restaurant software solutions, it’s evident each offers distinct value, yet Toast emerges as the leading choice, providing a holistic set of tools to streamline operations. Close contenders include TouchBistro, which shines with its user-friendly design, and Lightspeed Restaurant, renowned for robust inventory and multi-location support—both excellent alternatives depending on specific business needs. Ultimately, the right tool hinges on priorities, but these options deliver significant efficiency and growth potential.
Don’t let inefficiencies hold your business back. Start with Toast, the top-ranked software, to simplify payments, track inventory, and boost customer experiences. Your venue’s success starts here—explore Toast today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison