Quick Overview
- 1#1: Toast - All-in-one cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform handling orders, payments, inventory, payroll, and analytics.
- 2#2: Restaurant365 - Integrated accounting, operations, inventory, and scheduling software for multi-location food businesses.
- 3#3: Lightspeed Restaurant - POS system with inventory management, online ordering, staff scheduling, and reporting for restaurants.
- 4#4: TouchBistro - iPad-based POS designed for full-service restaurants with menu management, tableside ordering, and analytics.
- 5#5: Revel Systems - Cloud POS platform for restaurants offering inventory tracking, loyalty programs, and kitchen display systems.
- 6#6: Square for Restaurants - Affordable POS with team management, online ordering, payroll, and reporting tailored for food services.
- 7#7: 7shifts - Employee scheduling, time tracking, and labor cost management software built for restaurants.
- 8#8: MarketMan - Inventory management and supplier ordering platform optimizing costs for foodservice operations.
- 9#9: MarginEdge - Automated invoice processing, inventory, and real-time food cost control for restaurants.
- 10#10: Fourth - Comprehensive workforce management including scheduling, compliance, and operations for hospitality businesses.
Ranked by depth of essential features, user-friendliness, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they address the diverse needs of food businesses—from small outlets to large-scale operations.
Comparison Table
Food entrepreneurs and operators rely on robust software to streamline workflows—from point-of-sale transactions to inventory management—and choosing the right tool is key. This comparison table examines leading options like Toast, Restaurant365, Lightspeed Restaurant, TouchBistro, and Revel Systems, outlining features, pricing structures, and user usability to help readers identify the best fit for their business.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toast All-in-one cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform handling orders, payments, inventory, payroll, and analytics. | enterprise | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 2 | Restaurant365 Integrated accounting, operations, inventory, and scheduling software for multi-location food businesses. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Lightspeed Restaurant POS system with inventory management, online ordering, staff scheduling, and reporting for restaurants. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | TouchBistro iPad-based POS designed for full-service restaurants with menu management, tableside ordering, and analytics. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | Revel Systems Cloud POS platform for restaurants offering inventory tracking, loyalty programs, and kitchen display systems. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Square for Restaurants Affordable POS with team management, online ordering, payroll, and reporting tailored for food services. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 7 | 7shifts Employee scheduling, time tracking, and labor cost management software built for restaurants. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 8 | MarketMan Inventory management and supplier ordering platform optimizing costs for foodservice operations. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | MarginEdge Automated invoice processing, inventory, and real-time food cost control for restaurants. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 10 | Fourth Comprehensive workforce management including scheduling, compliance, and operations for hospitality businesses. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
All-in-one cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform handling orders, payments, inventory, payroll, and analytics.
Integrated accounting, operations, inventory, and scheduling software for multi-location food businesses.
POS system with inventory management, online ordering, staff scheduling, and reporting for restaurants.
iPad-based POS designed for full-service restaurants with menu management, tableside ordering, and analytics.
Cloud POS platform for restaurants offering inventory tracking, loyalty programs, and kitchen display systems.
Affordable POS with team management, online ordering, payroll, and reporting tailored for food services.
Employee scheduling, time tracking, and labor cost management software built for restaurants.
Inventory management and supplier ordering platform optimizing costs for foodservice operations.
Automated invoice processing, inventory, and real-time food cost control for restaurants.
Comprehensive workforce management including scheduling, compliance, and operations for hospitality businesses.
Toast
enterpriseAll-in-one cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform handling orders, payments, inventory, payroll, and analytics.
Integrated Toast Payments with transparent pricing, next-day deposits, and no long-term contracts
Toast is a cloud-based, all-in-one restaurant management platform tailored for food businesses, offering point-of-sale (POS) systems, payment processing, inventory management, online ordering, payroll, and advanced analytics. It integrates seamlessly across front-of-house, back-of-house, and guest-facing operations to streamline workflows and drive revenue growth. Designed specifically for restaurants, cafes, and bars, Toast provides hardware like terminals and kitchen displays alongside robust software for scalability from single locations to enterprise chains.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one platform eliminates need for multiple vendors
- Powerful analytics and reporting for data-driven decisions
- Reliable offline mode ensures uninterrupted service
Cons
- Higher upfront hardware costs and subscription fees
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
- Limited flexibility for non-restaurant food businesses
Best For
Ideal for full-service restaurants, bars, and multi-location chains needing scalable POS and management tools.
Pricing
Starts at $69-$165 per terminal/month for software (billed annually), plus one-time hardware bundles from $1,000+; custom enterprise pricing available.
Restaurant365
enterpriseIntegrated accounting, operations, inventory, and scheduling software for multi-location food businesses.
Real-time prime cost management dashboard that unifies labor, inventory, and sales data for instant profitability insights
Restaurant365 is a cloud-based, all-in-one restaurant management platform tailored for food businesses, integrating accounting, operations, inventory, scheduling, and payroll into a single system. It excels in providing real-time visibility into prime costs, profitability, and performance metrics across multiple locations, with seamless integrations to popular POS systems like Toast and Square. The software automates labor forecasting, recipe costing, and AP/AR processes to streamline daily operations and financial reporting for growing restaurant chains.
Pros
- Comprehensive integration of accounting, ops, and inventory for multi-location efficiency
- Real-time prime cost tracking and advanced analytics dashboards
- Robust POS and third-party integrations for seamless data flow
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to feature depth
- High pricing may not suit single-location or small operations
- Implementation can take several weeks with data migration
Best For
Multi-unit restaurant chains and growing food service groups needing unified back-office and operations management.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $400-$600 per location/month (billed annually), with add-ons for advanced modules.
Lightspeed Restaurant
enterprisePOS system with inventory management, online ordering, staff scheduling, and reporting for restaurants.
Unified online ordering and eCommerce platform that synchronizes in-store and digital sales in real-time
Lightspeed Restaurant is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, bars, and food service businesses, providing tools for order processing, table management, inventory control, and employee scheduling. It offers advanced features like kitchen display systems, online ordering integration, and detailed analytics to optimize operations across single or multi-location setups. The platform emphasizes scalability and integrations with third-party services such as delivery apps and payment gateways, making it suitable for growing food businesses.
Pros
- Comprehensive inventory and multi-location management
- Robust reporting and analytics for data-driven decisions
- Seamless integrations with delivery services and payment processors
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can add up for small operations
- Occasional reports of slower customer support response times
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization
Best For
Full-service restaurants and multi-location chains seeking scalable POS with strong analytics and integrations.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location (Basic plan), with Essential ($109), Premium ($149), and custom Enterprise pricing; additional fees for hardware and add-ons.
TouchBistro
specializediPad-based POS designed for full-service restaurants with menu management, tableside ordering, and analytics.
Visual floor plan and table management for intuitive dine-in service optimization
TouchBistro is a comprehensive, iPad-based POS system built specifically for restaurants, bars, and foodservice businesses. It handles everything from order entry and payment processing to inventory tracking, staff management, and real-time reporting via its cloud dashboard. Key strengths include customizable floor plans for table management and seamless kitchen display system integrations, making it ideal for streamlining full-service operations.
Pros
- Tailored restaurant-specific tools like floor plans and menu modifiers
- Robust offline mode and cloud syncing for reliability
- Excellent 24/7 customer support with dedicated restaurant expertise
Cons
- Higher cost structure with long-term contracts
- Limited to iOS devices, no Android support
- Some advanced integrations require additional fees
Best For
Independent full-service restaurants and bars needing a dedicated, all-in-one POS with strong operational controls.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per terminal (billed annually), plus one-time hardware costs (~$500-$1,000) and add-ons like payroll (~$50/month).
Revel Systems
specializedCloud POS platform for restaurants offering inventory tracking, loyalty programs, and kitchen display systems.
Fully cloud-synced iPad POS with reliable offline mode for uninterrupted service during internet outages
Revel Systems is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) platform designed specifically for restaurants and food businesses, providing tools for order management, inventory tracking, and sales reporting. It supports quick-service, full-service, and multi-location operations with features like kitchen display systems, online ordering integrations, and customer loyalty programs. The iPad-centric hardware setup enables mobility and real-time data syncing across devices.
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set including real-time inventory and multi-location support
- Strong integrations with delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats
- Robust reporting and analytics for data-driven decisions
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be costly for small businesses
- Primarily iOS-dependent, limiting hardware flexibility
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants and chains needing scalable POS with advanced analytics and multi-location management.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per terminal for Core plan, up to $299/month for Enterprise; plus hardware costs (~$1,000+ per setup) and 2.3-2.6% processing fees.
Square for Restaurants
specializedAffordable POS with team management, online ordering, payroll, and reporting tailored for food services.
Dynamic floor plan and table management with real-time seat status and course firing to streamline service flow
Square for Restaurants is a cloud-based POS system tailored for quick-service, full-service, and counter-service restaurants, offering tools for order taking, payment processing, inventory management, and staff scheduling. It integrates front-of-house operations like table management and kitchen display systems (KDS) with back-of-house functions such as reporting and online ordering. The platform emphasizes simplicity and scalability, supporting single locations up to multi-site operations without requiring long-term contracts.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and minimal training required
- No monthly software fees, only pay-per-use processing
- Strong integrations for online ordering, delivery apps, and hardware like KDS
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢ for in-person) can accumulate for high-volume businesses
- Reporting and analytics lack depth for enterprise-level needs
- Customer support primarily email/chat, with limited phone options
Best For
Small to medium-sized restaurants seeking an affordable, user-friendly POS without upfront software costs or contracts.
Pricing
Free core POS software; processing fees start at 2.6% + 10¢ (contactless/in-person), 2.9% + 30¢ (keyed/swiped); Plus plan $60/location/month for advanced features; hardware sold separately or financed.
7shifts
specializedEmployee scheduling, time tracking, and labor cost management software built for restaurants.
AI-driven labor forecasting that predicts staffing needs based on historical sales data
7shifts is a restaurant-specific workforce management platform that excels in employee scheduling, time tracking, and labor cost control. It offers tools for shift management, team communication, tips tracking, and integrations with popular POS systems like Toast and Square. The software provides actionable insights through reporting and forecasting to optimize operations for food businesses.
Pros
- Robust scheduling with auto-fill and forecasting capabilities
- Seamless mobile app for clock-ins and communication
- Strong POS integrations for real-time labor insights
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly for multi-location businesses
- Limited built-in payroll processing
- Steep learning curve for advanced forecasting tools
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants and chains focused on efficient scheduling and labor cost management.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99 per location/month (Core plan); Pro at $49.99; Elite at $130+ with custom enterprise options.
MarketMan
specializedInventory management and supplier ordering platform optimizing costs for foodservice operations.
One-click ordering from a vast integrated supplier network
MarketMan is a cloud-based inventory management platform tailored for restaurants, bars, and foodservice operations. It automates purchasing from suppliers, provides real-time inventory tracking, recipe costing, and waste analysis to minimize costs and streamline operations. The software integrates with POS systems and offers mobile access for on-the-go management.
Pros
- Automated purchase orders and supplier integration
- Real-time inventory and variance reporting
- Recipe costing and menu profitability analysis
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Pricing can be high for single-location businesses
- Limited advanced reporting customization
Best For
Multi-location restaurants and foodservice chains seeking robust procurement and inventory optimization.
Pricing
Starts at $149/month per location for basic plans; scales to $300+/month for advanced features with custom enterprise quotes.
MarginEdge
specializedAutomated invoice processing, inventory, and real-time food cost control for restaurants.
EdgeOS AI for instant invoice digitization and categorization
MarginEdge is a comprehensive restaurant management platform specializing in cost control, inventory management, and profitability optimization for food businesses. It leverages AI-powered invoice processing to automate accounts payable, tracks food and labor costs in real-time, and offers menu engineering tools to maximize margins. Ideal for restaurants aiming to streamline back-of-house operations without extensive manual input.
Pros
- AI-driven invoice automation eliminates manual data entry
- Real-time food cost tracking and forecasting
- Seamless POS integrations for multi-location scalability
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for single-location independents
- Initial setup and training require time investment
- Limited advanced HR or scheduling modules
Best For
Multi-unit restaurant operators and chains focused on precision cost management and profitability.
Pricing
Quote-based starting at ~$250-$400 per location/month, with tiers based on volume and features.
Fourth
enterpriseComprehensive workforce management including scheduling, compliance, and operations for hospitality businesses.
AI-powered demand forecasting that predicts staffing needs based on historical sales and external factors
Fourth is a comprehensive workforce management platform tailored for foodservice and hospitality businesses, focusing on optimizing labor costs through scheduling, time & attendance, payroll, and compliance tools. It integrates with POS systems to provide demand forecasting and real-time insights for multi-location operations. The software emphasizes data-driven decisions to reduce overtime and improve efficiency in high-volume restaurant environments.
Pros
- Robust AI-driven labor forecasting and scheduling
- Strong compliance and regulatory tools for labor laws
- Seamless POS integrations for real-time data
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-enterprise users
- High pricing unsuitable for small operations
- Limited flexibility for custom reporting
Best For
Ideal for large multi-location restaurant chains and hospitality groups seeking enterprise-grade labor optimization.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically $50-150 per location/month plus implementation fees, based on scale.
Conclusion
Toast leads as the top choice, offering an all-in-one cloud-based platform that seamlessly integrates POS, inventory, payroll, and analytics for diverse food businesses. Restaurant365 and Lightspeed Restaurant follow, with the former excelling in multi-location integrated solutions and the latter impressing with strong POS and online ordering capabilities, each tailoring to distinct operational needs.
Start with Toast to streamline your operations—its comprehensive tools can elevate your food business, whether managing daily orders, tracking inventory, or scaling efficiently.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison