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Food Service Restaurants

Top 10 Best F&B Software of 2026

Explore top 10 best F&B software for restaurants, cafes & more. Compare features & find your perfect fit today.

Alexander Schmidt

Alexander Schmidt

Feb 11, 2026

10 tools comparedExpert reviewed
Independent evaluation · Unbiased commentary · Updated regularly
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For food and beverage businesses, leveraging the right software is critical to streamlining operations, enhancing customer experiences, and driving growth. With a diverse array of solutions—from point-of-sale systems to order management and team tools—choosing the right platform can make a transformative impact on efficiency and success.

Quick Overview

  1. 1#1: Toast - Cloud-based POS system offering comprehensive restaurant management including payments, inventory, and online ordering.
  2. 2#2: Square for Restaurants - Affordable all-in-one POS with integrated payments, menus, and team management for small to medium restaurants.
  3. 3#3: Lightspeed Restaurant - Restaurant POS platform with inventory tracking, table management, and multi-location support.
  4. 4#4: TouchBistro - iPad-based POS designed for full-service restaurants with floor plans, loyalty, and reporting features.
  5. 5#5: Revel Systems - Cloud POS system providing real-time sales data, inventory control, and customer management for F&B businesses.
  6. 6#6: Clover - Flexible POS hardware and software with apps marketplace for payments, inventory, and restaurant operations.
  7. 7#7: Restaurant365 - All-in-one accounting, operations, and back-office management platform integrated with POS for restaurants.
  8. 8#8: 7shifts - Employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication tool tailored for restaurant teams.
  9. 9#9: Homebase - Free scheduling, time clock, and hiring software optimized for hourly restaurant workers.
  10. 10#10: Olo - Digital ordering and delivery platform that integrates with POS for seamless online sales in restaurants.

These tools were selected based on a careful evaluation of features, usability, reliability, and value, ensuring they address the unique needs of modern F&B operations across different scales and models.

Comparison Table

F&B software is a cornerstone of efficient restaurant and cafe operations, aiding in order management, table tracking, and inventory control. This comparison table explores tools like Toast, Square for Restaurants, Lightspeed Restaurant, TouchBistro, and Revel Systems, helping readers compare key features, pricing, and usability to identify the ideal solution for their business.

1Toast logo9.4/10

Cloud-based POS system offering comprehensive restaurant management including payments, inventory, and online ordering.

Features
9.6/10
Ease
8.8/10
Value
8.5/10

Affordable all-in-one POS with integrated payments, menus, and team management for small to medium restaurants.

Features
8.7/10
Ease
9.5/10
Value
9.2/10

Restaurant POS platform with inventory tracking, table management, and multi-location support.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10

iPad-based POS designed for full-service restaurants with floor plans, loyalty, and reporting features.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10

Cloud POS system providing real-time sales data, inventory control, and customer management for F&B businesses.

Features
9.1/10
Ease
8.2/10
Value
7.8/10
6Clover logo8.2/10

Flexible POS hardware and software with apps marketplace for payments, inventory, and restaurant operations.

Features
8.5/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
7.8/10

All-in-one accounting, operations, and back-office management platform integrated with POS for restaurants.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
8.4/10
87shifts logo8.4/10

Employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication tool tailored for restaurant teams.

Features
9.1/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
7.9/10
9Homebase logo8.2/10

Free scheduling, time clock, and hiring software optimized for hourly restaurant workers.

Features
8.0/10
Ease
9.1/10
Value
9.3/10
10Olo logo8.4/10

Digital ordering and delivery platform that integrates with POS for seamless online sales in restaurants.

Features
8.7/10
Ease
8.0/10
Value
7.9/10
1
Toast logo

Toast

enterprise

Cloud-based POS system offering comprehensive restaurant management including payments, inventory, and online ordering.

Overall Rating9.4/10
Features
9.6/10
Ease of Use
8.8/10
Value
8.5/10
Standout Feature

Integrated pay-at-table QR code ordering and payments for contactless, upsell-driven guest experiences

Toast is a leading cloud-based POS system designed specifically for restaurants and food & beverage businesses, providing an all-in-one platform for order management, payment processing, and operations. It integrates seamlessly with hardware like terminals and kitchen displays, while offering tools for inventory tracking, staff scheduling, online ordering, and advanced analytics. Ideal for streamlining front-of-house, back-of-house, and guest-facing operations, Toast helps F&B establishments improve efficiency and drive revenue growth.

Pros

  • Comprehensive feature set tailored for restaurants including POS, payroll, and marketing tools
  • Seamless integrations with delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash
  • Robust analytics and reporting for data-driven decisions

Cons

  • Higher upfront costs for hardware and processing fees
  • Vendor lock-in with proprietary hardware ecosystem
  • Occasional reports of customer support delays during peak times

Best For

Full-service restaurants, bars, and multi-location chains seeking an integrated, scalable F&B management solution.

Pricing

Core plan starts at $69/month per location plus hardware (~$799+), payment processing at 2.49% + $0.15 per transaction, and add-ons for advanced features.

Visit Toasttoasttab.com
2
Square for Restaurants logo

Square for Restaurants

specialized

Affordable all-in-one POS with integrated payments, menus, and team management for small to medium restaurants.

Overall Rating8.9/10
Features
8.7/10
Ease of Use
9.5/10
Value
9.2/10
Standout Feature

Affordable, integrated Kitchen Display System (KDS) that syncs orders across dine-in, takeout, and delivery in real-time.

Square for Restaurants is a cloud-based POS system tailored for food and beverage businesses, offering table management, order routing to kitchen displays, menu customization, and inventory tracking. It integrates payments, online ordering, and delivery partnerships like DoorDash and Uber Eats into a single platform. The solution supports full-service, quick-service, and counter-service operations with real-time reporting and team management tools.

Pros

  • Intuitive setup and user-friendly interface ideal for non-tech-savvy staff
  • No monthly fees for core POS with competitive transaction pricing
  • Strong integrations for online ordering and third-party delivery services

Cons

  • Transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume keyed-in sales
  • Advanced reporting and customization lag behind enterprise competitors
  • Relies heavily on stable internet, with limited offline capabilities

Best For

Small to mid-sized restaurants, cafes, and quick-service spots seeking an affordable, easy-to-deploy POS without contracts.

Pricing

Free core POS software (2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction); Square for Restaurants Plus at $60/month/location for advanced features like team management and open tickets.

Visit Square for Restaurantssquareup.com/us/en/restaurants
3
Lightspeed Restaurant logo

Lightspeed Restaurant

enterprise

Restaurant POS platform with inventory tracking, table management, and multi-location support.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Interactive Floor Plan with drag-and-drop table management and real-time server handoff for efficient front-of-house operations

Lightspeed Restaurant is a cloud-based POS system designed specifically for full-service restaurants, quick-service eateries, bars, and multi-location chains in the F&B industry. It streamlines operations with features like table management, kitchen display systems, inventory tracking, online ordering integration, and real-time reporting. The platform supports offline functionality, customizable floor plans, and seamless integrations with third-party apps for payments, loyalty programs, and accounting.

Pros

  • Robust restaurant-specific tools like interactive floor plans and kitchen display systems
  • Excellent multi-location support and real-time analytics
  • Strong integrations with delivery apps, accounting software, and hardware

Cons

  • Higher pricing compared to basic POS competitors
  • Steep initial learning curve for advanced features
  • Customer support response times can vary

Best For

Mid-sized to enterprise-level restaurants and bars seeking comprehensive table service, inventory, and multi-site management capabilities.

Pricing

Starts at $69/month per location (Restaurant Starter), $109 (Restaurant Pro), $199 (Restaurant Enterprise); additional fees for payment processing (2.6% + $0.30 per transaction) and hardware.

Visit Lightspeed Restaurantlightspeedhq.com/pos/restaurant
4
TouchBistro logo

TouchBistro

specialized

iPad-based POS designed for full-service restaurants with floor plans, loyalty, and reporting features.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Advanced table management with interactive floor plans and real-time seat status updates

TouchBistro is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed specifically for restaurants, bars, and food & beverage venues, providing tools for order management, payment processing, inventory tracking, and staff scheduling. It operates primarily on iPads for mobility, supporting table-side ordering, floor plans, and kitchen display systems to streamline operations in fast-paced environments. Additional features include loyalty programs, online ordering integrations, and robust reporting for business insights.

Pros

  • Comprehensive restaurant-specific tools like table management and menu compositing
  • Reliable offline mode for uninterrupted service
  • Strong integrations with accounting, delivery, and loyalty apps

Cons

  • Requires iPad hardware, adding to upfront costs
  • Pricing can be steep for small or single-location venues
  • Occasional reports of software glitches during peak hours

Best For

Independent full-service restaurants and bars seeking a mobile, all-in-one POS with advanced F&B features.

Pricing

Starts at $69 USD per month per terminal (Countertop plan); higher tiers up to $165/month with enterprise options; hardware not included.

Visit TouchBistrotouchbistro.com
5
Revel Systems logo

Revel Systems

specialized

Cloud POS system providing real-time sales data, inventory control, and customer management for F&B businesses.

Overall Rating8.6/10
Features
9.1/10
Ease of Use
8.2/10
Value
7.8/10
Standout Feature

iPad-native mobility with full offline mode for uninterrupted service during outages

Revel Systems is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) platform designed specifically for food and beverage businesses, including restaurants, bars, and quick-service outlets. It provides comprehensive tools for order processing, inventory management, table service, employee scheduling, and customer loyalty programs. The system supports iPad hardware for mobility, real-time reporting, and extensive integrations with third-party apps like delivery services and accounting software.

Pros

  • Extensive F&B-specific features like kitchen display systems and table management
  • Strong integrations with delivery platforms and accounting tools
  • Robust real-time analytics and reporting capabilities

Cons

  • High pricing that may strain small business budgets
  • Heavy reliance on stable internet connectivity
  • Steep learning curve for advanced customizations

Best For

Mid-sized restaurants and bars needing scalable, feature-rich POS with strong analytics and integrations.

Pricing

Starts at $99/month per terminal for Starter plan; Growth at $149, Enterprise at $299+; hardware and add-ons extra.

Visit Revel Systemsrevelsystems.com
6
Clover logo

Clover

specialized

Flexible POS hardware and software with apps marketplace for payments, inventory, and restaurant operations.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.5/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
7.8/10
Standout Feature

App Marketplace with over 400 third-party apps for tailored F&B functionalities like kitchen display systems and delivery integrations.

Clover is a versatile point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for food and beverage businesses, providing cloud-based software integrated with proprietary hardware like countertop terminals, handheld devices, and kitchen displays. It handles transactions, inventory tracking, employee scheduling, customer loyalty programs, and online ordering with seamless integrations for delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats. The platform's extensive app marketplace enables customization for specific restaurant needs, from table management to reporting.

Pros

  • Extensive app marketplace with 400+ integrations for F&B-specific needs
  • Flexible hardware options suitable for various restaurant sizes
  • Robust reporting and inventory management tools

Cons

  • Transaction fees can add up (2.3%-2.6% + $0.10)
  • Hardware purchases required, increasing upfront costs
  • Customer support can be inconsistent for smaller users

Best For

Small to medium-sized restaurants and cafes seeking a customizable, all-in-one POS with strong hardware integration.

Pricing

Software from $14.95/month (Register) to $114.85/month (Restaurant plans), hardware $49-$1,699 one-time, plus 2.3%-2.6% + $0.10 per transaction.

Visit Cloverclover.com
7
Restaurant365 logo

Restaurant365

enterprise

All-in-one accounting, operations, and back-office management platform integrated with POS for restaurants.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
8.4/10
Standout Feature

Prime Ops dashboard that unifies daily operations, inventory, and financials in real-time for instant profitability insights

Restaurant365 is a comprehensive cloud-based software platform tailored for the restaurant and food & beverage industry, integrating accounting, operations, inventory management, scheduling, and payroll into a single system. It provides real-time financial visibility, automates AP/AR processes, and syncs with major POS systems like Toast and Square for seamless data flow. Designed for multi-unit operators, it helps streamline back-office operations and drive profitability through detailed reporting and analytics.

Pros

  • Robust all-in-one integration of accounting, ops, and inventory for multi-unit restaurants
  • Real-time dashboards and reporting for better decision-making
  • Seamless POS integrations and strong multi-location support

Cons

  • Steep learning curve for non-accounting users
  • Pricing can be high for smaller operations
  • Limited customization options in some modules

Best For

Multi-unit restaurant chains and growing F&B enterprises needing integrated financial and operational management.

Pricing

Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $400-$600 per location per month depending on features and scale.

Visit Restaurant365restaurant365.com
8
7shifts logo

7shifts

specialized

Employee scheduling, time tracking, and communication tool tailored for restaurant teams.

Overall Rating8.4/10
Features
9.1/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
7.9/10
Standout Feature

Predictive scheduling that uses historical sales data and POS integrations to forecast labor needs automatically

7shifts is a workforce management platform tailored for restaurants and food & beverage operations, focusing on employee scheduling, time tracking, and labor cost control. It enables shift creation, trading, and approvals via a mobile app, while integrating with POS systems like Toast and Square for sales-driven forecasting. Additional features include team communication, tip pooling, and compliance tools to streamline daily operations.

Pros

  • Robust scheduling with auto-fill and sales forecasting
  • Strong mobile app for clock-ins and shift trades
  • POS integrations for real-time labor insights

Cons

  • Pricing scales quickly for multi-location users
  • Limited advanced HR/payroll features without add-ons
  • Occasional glitches in reporting reported by users

Best For

Mid-sized restaurant chains or multi-location F&B businesses seeking efficient scheduling and labor optimization.

Pricing

Starts at $29.99 per location/month (billed annually) for core plan; Essentials ($39.99), Pro ($69.99), and Enterprise (custom) with add-ons for tips and forecasting.

Visit 7shifts7shifts.com
9
Homebase logo

Homebase

other

Free scheduling, time clock, and hiring software optimized for hourly restaurant workers.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.0/10
Ease of Use
9.1/10
Value
9.3/10
Standout Feature

OpenShifts, which lets managers post unfilled shifts for employees to claim voluntarily, reducing scheduling headaches.

Homebase is a comprehensive workforce management platform tailored for hourly workers in F&B, retail, and hospitality, offering drag-and-drop scheduling, time tracking, team communication, and hiring tools. It helps restaurant managers create flexible schedules, monitor labor costs in real-time, and ensure compliance with geofenced clock-ins to prevent time theft. The platform also includes shift trading and availability features to streamline operations for shift-based teams.

Pros

  • Generous free plan for single-location businesses
  • Intuitive mobile app for employees and managers
  • Geofenced time clock and labor forecasting for cost control

Cons

  • Advanced analytics and custom reports locked behind premium tiers
  • Limited native payroll processing (integrations extra)
  • Scalability issues for multi-location chains without higher plans

Best For

Small to mid-sized F&B operations like independent restaurants and cafes needing affordable, simple scheduling and time tracking for hourly staff.

Pricing

Free for one location (unlimited employees); paid plans start at $29.99/location/month (Starter), up to $99.99 for Premium.

Visit Homebasejoinhomebase.com
10
Olo logo

Olo

specialized

Digital ordering and delivery platform that integrates with POS for seamless online sales in restaurants.

Overall Rating8.4/10
Features
8.7/10
Ease of Use
8.0/10
Value
7.9/10
Standout Feature

Vision AI platform delivering predictive analytics and hyper-personalized guest marketing

Olo is a cloud-based platform specializing in digital ordering solutions for restaurants, enabling seamless online ordering, delivery integrations, and payment processing. It connects with major POS systems like Toast and NCR, while offering tools for guest marketing, loyalty programs, and AI-driven analytics via its Vision platform. Designed for scalability, Olo powers thousands of locations for chains like Five Guys and Wendy's, focusing on driving revenue through direct online channels.

Pros

  • Extensive POS and third-party delivery integrations
  • Powerful Vision AI for guest insights and personalization
  • Proven scalability for high-volume restaurant chains

Cons

  • High cost structure unfavorable for small independents
  • Setup and customization require technical expertise
  • Limited standalone features without ecosystem integrations

Best For

Mid-to-large restaurant chains and multi-location operators needing enterprise-grade online ordering and analytics.

Pricing

Custom enterprise pricing, typically subscription-based starting at $5,000+/month plus per-order fees based on volume.

Visit Oloolo.com

Conclusion

The reviewed tools highlight the industry's need for versatile solutions, with Toast leading as the top choice due to its all-encompassing cloud-based management, integrating payments, inventory, and online ordering effectively. Square for Restaurants follows closely, offering an affordable, all-in-one POS tailored to small to medium restaurants, while Lightspeed Restaurant stands out with strong inventory tracking and multi-location support. Each tool addresses specific needs, but Toast shines as the best overall.

Toast logo
Our Top Pick
Toast

Try Toast to unlock its comprehensive features and streamline your F&B operations—your business's efficiency and growth will benefit greatly.