Quick Overview
- 1#1: Toast - Cloud-based POS platform optimized for quick-service restaurants with drive-thru support, kitchen displays, and real-time analytics.
- 2#2: Revel Systems - iPad-centric POS system for fast casual and fast food with seamless order processing, inventory tracking, and loyalty programs.
- 3#3: Square for Restaurants - Affordable, intuitive POS for small fast food spots featuring contactless payments, quick orders, and team management tools.
- 4#4: Lightspeed Restaurant - Powerful POS for restaurants including fast food with multi-location support, online ordering, and detailed reporting.
- 5#5: Clover - Versatile hardware-integrated POS suitable for fast food counters with customizable apps and payment processing.
- 6#6: TouchBistro - iPad-based POS designed for quick-service dining with floor plans, menu management, and integrated payments.
- 7#7: SpotOn - Restaurant POS with built-in marketing, loyalty, and online ordering tailored for high-volume fast food operations.
- 8#8: Lavu - Cloud POS for restaurants offering fast order entry, kitchen routing, and self-ordering kiosks.
- 9#9: NCR Voyix Aloha - Enterprise POS for large fast food chains with drive-thru optimization, scalability, and third-party integrations.
- 10#10: PAR Brink - Quick-service POS with advanced kitchen display systems, labor management, and franchise reporting capabilities.
These tools were ranked by evaluating key factors including robust feature sets (e.g., drive-thru support, kitchen integration), user-friendly design, reliable performance, and alignment with diverse operational needs—from small counters to large chains.
Comparison Table
Fast food businesses depend on reliable point of sale software to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and customer experience. This comparison table evaluates key tools—including Toast, Revel Systems, Square for Restaurants, Lightspeed Restaurant, Clover, and others—to help readers quickly identify the best solution for their specific operational needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toast Cloud-based POS platform optimized for quick-service restaurants with drive-thru support, kitchen displays, and real-time analytics. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | Revel Systems iPad-centric POS system for fast casual and fast food with seamless order processing, inventory tracking, and loyalty programs. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Square for Restaurants Affordable, intuitive POS for small fast food spots featuring contactless payments, quick orders, and team management tools. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 4 | Lightspeed Restaurant Powerful POS for restaurants including fast food with multi-location support, online ordering, and detailed reporting. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Clover Versatile hardware-integrated POS suitable for fast food counters with customizable apps and payment processing. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | TouchBistro iPad-based POS designed for quick-service dining with floor plans, menu management, and integrated payments. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.9/10 |
| 7 | SpotOn Restaurant POS with built-in marketing, loyalty, and online ordering tailored for high-volume fast food operations. | specialized | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Lavu Cloud POS for restaurants offering fast order entry, kitchen routing, and self-ordering kiosks. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | NCR Voyix Aloha Enterprise POS for large fast food chains with drive-thru optimization, scalability, and third-party integrations. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 10 | PAR Brink Quick-service POS with advanced kitchen display systems, labor management, and franchise reporting capabilities. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
Cloud-based POS platform optimized for quick-service restaurants with drive-thru support, kitchen displays, and real-time analytics.
iPad-centric POS system for fast casual and fast food with seamless order processing, inventory tracking, and loyalty programs.
Affordable, intuitive POS for small fast food spots featuring contactless payments, quick orders, and team management tools.
Powerful POS for restaurants including fast food with multi-location support, online ordering, and detailed reporting.
Versatile hardware-integrated POS suitable for fast food counters with customizable apps and payment processing.
iPad-based POS designed for quick-service dining with floor plans, menu management, and integrated payments.
Restaurant POS with built-in marketing, loyalty, and online ordering tailored for high-volume fast food operations.
Cloud POS for restaurants offering fast order entry, kitchen routing, and self-ordering kiosks.
Enterprise POS for large fast food chains with drive-thru optimization, scalability, and third-party integrations.
Quick-service POS with advanced kitchen display systems, labor management, and franchise reporting capabilities.
Toast
enterpriseCloud-based POS platform optimized for quick-service restaurants with drive-thru support, kitchen displays, and real-time analytics.
Toast Handhelds and Pay handhelds for mobile order-taking in drive-thrus and counters, enabling untethered, lightning-fast service.
Toast is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for restaurants, including fast food and quick-service operations, offering seamless order management, payment processing, and kitchen coordination. It features handheld devices for drive-thru and counter service, kitchen display systems (KDS) for rapid ticket routing, and integrated online ordering with delivery partnerships like DoorDash and Uber Eats. The platform also provides inventory tracking, employee management, and advanced reporting to optimize fast-paced environments.
Pros
- Robust integrations with delivery apps and loyalty programs
- Handheld POS devices and KDS for high-volume fast food speed
- Comprehensive analytics and inventory management
Cons
- Steep initial learning curve for new users
- Higher ongoing costs due to hardware and processing fees
- Limited flexibility for very small operations
Best For
High-volume fast food chains and quick-service restaurants needing scalable, integrated online and in-store ordering.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at $69/month per location for core POS, plus hardware ($500+ upfront), payment processing (2.49%+ per transaction), and add-ons.
Revel Systems
specializediPad-centric POS system for fast casual and fast food with seamless order processing, inventory tracking, and loyalty programs.
Integrated Kitchen Display System (KDS) that optimizes order prep in high-speed fast food environments
Revel Systems is a cloud-based, iPad-centric POS platform designed for restaurants, including fast food and quick-service operations, enabling rapid order processing, payments, and inventory management. It supports high-volume transactions with customizable menus, modifiers for combos and upsells, and a kitchen display system (KDS) for efficient order routing. The system provides real-time analytics, multi-location support, and integrations with delivery apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash, making it ideal for scaling fast food businesses.
Pros
- Robust integrations with delivery services and third-party apps
- Advanced real-time reporting and inventory tracking
- Scalable for multi-location fast food operations with KDS support
Cons
- Requires iPad hardware, limiting flexibility
- Higher subscription costs for full features
- Internet dependency can affect offline performance
Best For
Fast food and quick-service restaurant chains needing scalable, analytics-driven POS with strong delivery integrations.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per terminal (Starter plan), up to $199+ for Pro/Enterprise; plus hardware (~$1,000+ per iPad setup), 2.3%+ processing fees, and custom enterprise quotes.
Square for Restaurants
specializedAffordable, intuitive POS for small fast food spots featuring contactless payments, quick orders, and team management tools.
Integrated Kitchen Display System (KDS) for real-time order routing and fast food prep efficiency
Square for Restaurants is a cloud-based POS system designed for quick-service restaurants like fast food outlets, offering seamless order management, payment processing, and kitchen display integration. It supports high-volume transactions with customizable menus, modifiers, upsells, and loyalty programs to handle rush hours efficiently. The platform also includes online ordering, delivery integrations, and basic inventory tracking, making it suitable for small to medium-sized fast food businesses.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and minimal training required
- No monthly software fees for core features, only transaction-based pricing
- Strong payment processing with support for contactless, mobile, and drive-thru via apps
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢) can accumulate for high-volume fast food sales
- Inventory and reporting tools are basic compared to enterprise competitors
- Limited customization for complex fast food workflows without add-ons
Best For
Small to medium fast food restaurants seeking an affordable, user-friendly POS without upfront software costs.
Pricing
Free core POS software; 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction; Plus plan at $60/month per location for advanced features; hardware starts at $0-$799.
Lightspeed Restaurant
enterprisePowerful POS for restaurants including fast food with multi-location support, online ordering, and detailed reporting.
Advanced Kitchen Display System (KDS) with bump screens and expediter views for seamless high-speed order fulfillment
Lightspeed Restaurant is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, including fast food and quick-service operations, providing tools for rapid order processing, inventory management, and customer engagement. It supports kitchen display systems (KDS), online ordering, and integrations with major delivery platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash to handle high-volume transactions efficiently. The platform also offers multi-location management, employee scheduling, and real-time reporting to optimize fast-paced environments.
Pros
- Extensive integrations with delivery apps and payment processors
- Scalable for multi-location fast food chains
- Robust inventory and KDS for high-volume order management
Cons
- Premium pricing with additional transaction fees
- Steeper learning curve for customization
- Hardware costs can add up for new setups
Best For
Growing fast casual and quick-service restaurant chains with multiple locations seeking integrated online and in-store ordering.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location (Essential plan), up to $149/month (Pro plan); plus 2.6% + $0.10 processing fees and hardware purchases.
Clover
specializedVersatile hardware-integrated POS suitable for fast food counters with customizable apps and payment processing.
App Marketplace enabling thousands of tailored integrations for fast food specifics like loyalty programs and online ordering
Clover is a versatile cloud-based POS system from Fiserv, tailored for quick-service restaurants like fast food outlets with touchscreen hardware, inventory tracking, and order management. It enables fast transactions, kitchen display system (KDS) integration, and drive-thru support to handle high-volume orders efficiently. Real-time reporting and multi-location management help optimize operations in busy environments.
Pros
- Flexible hardware lineup including countertop stations and handheld devices for drive-thru
- Extensive App Marketplace with 500+ integrations for custom fast food workflows
- Reliable payment processing with EMV, NFC, and contactless support
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs can strain small operations
- Full functionality often requires third-party apps, adding complexity
- Mixed reports on customer support response times during peak issues
Best For
Small to mid-sized fast food chains needing scalable, customizable POS hardware with strong payment integration.
Pricing
Hardware from $499 (Mini) to $1,699 (Station); software plans start at $14.95/month per device + 2.3% + $0.10 per transaction.
TouchBistro
specializediPad-based POS designed for quick-service dining with floor plans, menu management, and integrated payments.
Countertop Quick Service mode for rapid, ticketless order fulfillment
TouchBistro is a cloud-based, iPad-centric POS system tailored primarily for restaurants, offering tools for order management, payments, inventory tracking, and real-time reporting. For fast food operations, it supports quick-service modes with customizable menus, kitchen display integration, and loyalty programs to handle high-volume counter orders. While robust for full-service venues, it adapts to fast casual needs but lacks specialized drive-thru optimizations found in dedicated QSR systems.
Pros
- Intuitive iPad interface speeds up order entry for busy counters
- Strong inventory management and customizable reporting for high-turnover items
- Seamless integrations with kitchen printers and delivery apps
Cons
- Table management features are overkill for pure fast food without seating
- Higher pricing compared to entry-level QSR POS options
- Limited native drive-thru support, requiring workarounds
Best For
Fast casual chains or counter-service spots needing scalable restaurant-grade tools without heavy customization.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location (Solo plan) up to $165/month (Custom), plus one-time hardware costs for iPads and peripherals; no long-term contracts.
SpotOn
specializedRestaurant POS with built-in marketing, loyalty, and online ordering tailored for high-volume fast food operations.
Ultra-fast payment processing with built-in fraud protection and next-day funding
SpotOn is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, including fast food and quick-service operations, providing tools for rapid order processing, payment handling, inventory management, and customer loyalty programs. It supports features like drive-thru timers, kitchen display systems, and integrations with delivery apps such as Uber Eats and DoorDash. The platform emphasizes seamless payment processing with competitive rates and real-time reporting to streamline high-volume transactions typical in fast food environments.
Pros
- Integrated payment processing with low rates and no long-term contracts
- Strong support for quick-service features like drive-thru and KDS
- Comprehensive integrations with delivery and online ordering platforms
Cons
- Higher upfront hardware costs
- Customer support can be inconsistent
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
Best For
Fast food and quick-service restaurants needing robust payment integration and high-volume order handling.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per terminal for software, plus payment processing fees (2.6% + $0.10 per transaction) and hardware bundles from $1,000+.
Lavu
specializedCloud POS for restaurants offering fast order entry, kitchen routing, and self-ordering kiosks.
Expedite screen with bump bar functionality for rapid order routing to the kitchen in high-speed environments
Lavu is a cloud-based iPad POS system designed for restaurants, including fast food and quick-service operations, providing fast order entry, menu customization, and kitchen display system integration. It supports inventory management, employee scheduling, loyalty programs, and integrations with third-party delivery services to handle high-volume transactions efficiently. Remote access and detailed reporting tools enable owners to monitor sales and operations from anywhere.
Pros
- Intuitive iPad interface ideal for quick order taking
- Robust inventory and reporting capabilities
- Offline mode ensures uninterrupted service
Cons
- Heavy reliance on Apple hardware limits flexibility
- Additional fees for processing and add-ons increase costs
- Fewer integrations than some enterprise competitors
Best For
Small to mid-sized fast food and quick-service restaurants needing an affordable, mobile-first POS with strong table-side service support.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month (Starter plan) per device, up to $159/month (Ultimate), plus 2.6% + $0.10 processing fees and hardware costs.
NCR Voyix Aloha
enterpriseEnterprise POS for large fast food chains with drive-thru optimization, scalability, and third-party integrations.
Advanced kitchen display system (KDS) with video integration for ultra-fast order routing in drive-thru and counter service.
NCR Voyix Aloha is a veteran point-of-sale system designed primarily for quick-service restaurants and fast food operations, enabling rapid order entry, kitchen integration, and real-time reporting. It supports high-volume transactions with features like touchscreen interfaces, drive-thru management, and customizable menus to handle busy environments efficiently. The platform offers both on-premise and cloud-based deployments, with strong scalability for chains.
Pros
- Highly reliable for high-volume fast food transactions with fast checkout speeds
- Comprehensive integrations with kitchen displays, payments, and loyalty programs
- Robust analytics and multi-location management for chains
Cons
- Steep learning curve and dated interface in some modules
- High upfront and ongoing costs with custom pricing
- Customer support can be inconsistent outside enterprise levels
Best For
Established fast food chains and quick-service restaurants with high transaction volumes seeking scalable, reliable POS hardware-software integration.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at $150-$300/month per terminal plus hardware costs ($2,000+ per station); enterprise plans scale with locations.
PAR Brink
enterpriseQuick-service POS with advanced kitchen display systems, labor management, and franchise reporting capabilities.
Lightning-fast checkout (under 2 seconds per transaction) optimized for the intense pace of fast food service
PAR Brink is a cloud-based POS system from PAR Technology, specifically engineered for quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and fast food operations. It excels in handling high-volume transactions with features like touchscreen interfaces, kitchen display systems (KDS), inventory tracking, and integrated online ordering. Brink also supports loyalty programs, employee management, and extensive third-party integrations for payments, delivery, and more, enabling seamless operations across multiple locations.
Pros
- Ultra-fast transaction speeds ideal for peak-hour rushes
- Robust integrations with delivery apps and payment processors
- Scalable cloud platform with remote management for chains
Cons
- Premium pricing can be steep for smaller outlets
- Full functionality requires reliable high-speed internet
- Hardware bundles add to upfront costs
Best For
High-volume fast food chains and QSRs needing reliable, scalable POS for drive-thru and counter service.
Pricing
Custom quotes; monthly subscriptions typically $150-$300 per terminal plus hardware and setup fees.
Conclusion
After evaluating various tools, Toast emerges as the top choice, excelling in cloud-based optimization, drive-thru support, and real-time analytics for fast food operations. While Toast leads, Revel Systems and Square for Restaurants stand out as strong alternatives—Revel for its seamless order processing and loyalty tools, and Square for its affordability and simplicity, catering to different business needs. These options showcase the diversity of solutions available, ensuring restaurants of all sizes can find a fit to enhance efficiency.
Ready to streamline your fast food operations? Try Toast today and experience its tailored features designed to boost speed and success.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison