Quick Overview
- 1#1: Square - All-in-one POS system offering mobile payments, inventory management, and online ordering perfect for food trucks.
- 2#2: Toast - Cloud-based restaurant POS with advanced reporting, kitchen display, and online ordering for mobile operations.
- 3#3: Revel Systems - iPad-centric POS with offline mode, inventory tracking, and loyalty programs ideal for food trucks.
- 4#4: Lavu - Affordable iPad POS designed for food trucks with menu management, quick service, and multi-location support.
- 5#5: Lightspeed Restaurant - Comprehensive POS platform with inventory, scheduling, and e-commerce for dynamic food truck businesses.
- 6#6: Clover - Flexible POS hardware and software with payments, apps marketplace, and inventory for mobile vendors.
- 7#7: TouchBistro - iPad POS focused on front-of-house operations, bill splitting, and real-time reporting for food services.
- 8#8: SpotOn - Restaurant management suite with POS, online ordering, and marketing tools optimized for food trucks.
- 9#9: Upserve - Data-driven POS by Lightspeed providing sales analytics, team management, and customer insights.
- 10#10: Epos Now - Cloud POS system with inventory control, CRM, and e-commerce integration for small food businesses.
Tools were chosen based on a blend of robust functionality, user-friendly design, consistent performance, and value, with a keen focus on features like POS integration, inventory tracking, and online ordering tailored to the demands of mobile food businesses.
Comparison Table
Food trucks thrive on streamlined operations, and the right software is key to managing orders, inventory, and sales. This comparison table features top tools like Square, Toast, Revel Systems, Lavu, Lightspeed Restaurant, and more, examining features, pricing, and user experience. Readers will find tailored insights to choose software that fits their business size, workflow, and goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Square All-in-one POS system offering mobile payments, inventory management, and online ordering perfect for food trucks. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 2 | Toast Cloud-based restaurant POS with advanced reporting, kitchen display, and online ordering for mobile operations. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 3 | Revel Systems iPad-centric POS with offline mode, inventory tracking, and loyalty programs ideal for food trucks. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 4 | Lavu Affordable iPad POS designed for food trucks with menu management, quick service, and multi-location support. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | Lightspeed Restaurant Comprehensive POS platform with inventory, scheduling, and e-commerce for dynamic food truck businesses. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | Clover Flexible POS hardware and software with payments, apps marketplace, and inventory for mobile vendors. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | TouchBistro iPad POS focused on front-of-house operations, bill splitting, and real-time reporting for food services. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 6.5/10 |
| 8 | SpotOn Restaurant management suite with POS, online ordering, and marketing tools optimized for food trucks. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 9 | Upserve Data-driven POS by Lightspeed providing sales analytics, team management, and customer insights. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 6.5/10 |
| 10 | Epos Now Cloud POS system with inventory control, CRM, and e-commerce integration for small food businesses. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.0/10 |
All-in-one POS system offering mobile payments, inventory management, and online ordering perfect for food trucks.
Cloud-based restaurant POS with advanced reporting, kitchen display, and online ordering for mobile operations.
iPad-centric POS with offline mode, inventory tracking, and loyalty programs ideal for food trucks.
Affordable iPad POS designed for food trucks with menu management, quick service, and multi-location support.
Comprehensive POS platform with inventory, scheduling, and e-commerce for dynamic food truck businesses.
Flexible POS hardware and software with payments, apps marketplace, and inventory for mobile vendors.
iPad POS focused on front-of-house operations, bill splitting, and real-time reporting for food services.
Restaurant management suite with POS, online ordering, and marketing tools optimized for food trucks.
Data-driven POS by Lightspeed providing sales analytics, team management, and customer insights.
Cloud POS system with inventory control, CRM, and e-commerce integration for small food businesses.
Square
specializedAll-in-one POS system offering mobile payments, inventory management, and online ordering perfect for food trucks.
Free, fully functional POS app with offline processing and instant hardware setup for uninterrupted mobile service
Square is a versatile point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for small businesses like food trucks, providing seamless payment processing, inventory tracking, sales analytics, and order management through its free mobile app and affordable hardware. It supports contactless payments, offline transactions, and integrations with delivery apps, making it ideal for on-the-go operations. Food truck owners can set up in minutes, customize menus, and access real-time reports to streamline their mobile business without monthly software fees.
Pros
- No monthly fees for core POS software, only pay per transaction
- Highly portable hardware with offline mode for mobile food trucks
- Intuitive app with quick setup and real-time sales insights
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢) can accumulate for high-volume sales
- Advanced inventory features require paid add-ons
- Customer support primarily email/chat, no phone for free tier
Best For
Food truck owners seeking a simple, cost-effective, mobile-first POS system without subscription costs.
Pricing
Free POS software; 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction; hardware from $49 (reader) to $799 (terminal); optional paid plans from $29/month for advanced features.
Toast
specializedCloud-based restaurant POS with advanced reporting, kitchen display, and online ordering for mobile operations.
Handheld Android POS devices enabling quick, mobile order fulfillment anywhere on the truck or at events
Toast is a comprehensive cloud-based POS system designed primarily for restaurants but adaptable for food trucks, offering mobile order taking, payment processing, inventory tracking, and sales analytics. It supports offline mode for uninterrupted service during events and integrates seamlessly with third-party delivery apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash. Food truck owners appreciate its scalability as their business grows from street vending to multiple locations.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including inventory, payroll, and loyalty programs
- Reliable offline capabilities essential for mobile operations
- Strong integrations with payment processors and delivery platforms
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to food truck-specific alternatives
- Hardware can be bulky and expensive for tight truck spaces
- Steeper learning curve for non-restaurant users
Best For
Scaling food trucks transitioning to restaurant-like operations who need advanced analytics and integrations.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per terminal for software (plus processing fees), with hardware bundles from $500+; custom enterprise pricing available.
Revel Systems
specializediPad-centric POS with offline mode, inventory tracking, and loyalty programs ideal for food trucks.
Offline transaction processing with seamless cloud sync, ensuring uninterrupted service in areas with poor connectivity
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad POS system tailored for restaurants and food trucks, providing mobile point-of-sale capabilities, inventory tracking, and real-time sales reporting. It supports offline transactions that sync when connectivity returns, making it reliable for on-the-go food truck operations. Additional features include customer loyalty programs, kitchen display systems, and integrations with delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Pros
- Highly portable iPad-based hardware ideal for food trucks
- Strong offline mode and automatic cloud syncing
- Comprehensive integrations with accounting and delivery services
Cons
- Higher upfront hardware costs and monthly fees
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Food truck operators seeking a scalable, feature-rich POS with robust inventory and reporting for growing businesses.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per location (Core plan) plus one-time hardware costs of $1,000+ for iPad bundles; higher tiers up to $299/month for advanced features.
Lavu
specializedAffordable iPad POS designed for food trucks with menu management, quick service, and multi-location support.
Seamless offline mode that queues transactions and syncs automatically when connectivity returns
Lavu is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants and food trucks, offering mobile point-of-sale on iPads and Android tablets with offline capabilities. It includes inventory management, menu customization, online ordering, and detailed reporting to streamline quick-service operations. Designed for mobility, it supports food trucks with features like quick item entry and integrations for payments and delivery apps.
Pros
- Highly mobile POS with offline mode for reliable service anywhere
- Strong inventory tracking and menu customization for fast-paced trucks
- Integrations with delivery apps and payment processors
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for single-truck operations
- Occasional customer support delays reported
- Less specialized food truck routing or event features than niche competitors
Best For
Food truck owners needing a robust, tablet-based POS with inventory and online ordering for growing operations.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month (Starter plan) per location, up to $159/month (Ultimate); hardware sold separately.
Lightspeed Restaurant
enterpriseComprehensive POS platform with inventory, scheduling, and e-commerce for dynamic food truck businesses.
Advanced inventory management with real-time tracking, waste logging, and supplier ordering
Lightspeed Restaurant is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants but adaptable for food trucks via portable tablet hardware and offline mode. It provides robust inventory management, quick order processing, payment integrations, and delivery app support like Uber Eats and DoorDash. Food truck operators can leverage real-time analytics and employee scheduling to manage limited-space operations efficiently.
Pros
- Comprehensive inventory tracking with recipe costing ideal for limited stock
- Offline mode ensures reliability in remote locations
- Seamless integrations with delivery platforms and accounting software
Cons
- Pricing is higher than food truck-specific alternatives like Square
- Table management features are less relevant for mobile setups
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
Best For
Food truck owners scaling operations who need advanced inventory and multi-location support.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location (Basic), up to $199/month (Enterprise); hardware extra.
Clover
specializedFlexible POS hardware and software with payments, apps marketplace, and inventory for mobile vendors.
Clover App Market with 200+ integrations for custom food truck workflows like delivery apps and inventory syncing
Clover is a versatile point-of-sale (POS) system designed for small businesses, including food trucks, offering mobile hardware like the Clover Go handheld for on-the-go transactions. It handles payments, inventory tracking, employee management, and reporting with support for contactless payments and EMV chips. The platform's app marketplace allows customization with third-party apps for online ordering, loyalty programs, and delivery integrations, making it adaptable for mobile food service.
Pros
- Reliable mobile hardware like Clover Go for quick roadside service
- Extensive app marketplace for food truck-specific integrations
- Comprehensive payment processing with low rates for high-volume sales
Cons
- Upfront hardware costs can be steep for startups
- Monthly software fees add up alongside processing charges
- Not as specialized for food trucks as niche competitors, requiring more setup
Best For
Food truck owners needing scalable POS with strong payment processing and hardware flexibility for growth into multiple locations.
Pricing
Hardware from $49 (Go reader) to $1,699 (Station Duo); software plans start at $14.95/month for Register Lite, plus 2.3% + $0.10 per transaction.
TouchBistro
specializediPad POS focused on front-of-house operations, bill splitting, and real-time reporting for food services.
Offline mode with automatic cloud sync, critical for food trucks at remote events without reliable internet
TouchBistro is a robust, iPad-based point-of-sale (POS) system originally designed for full-service restaurants, offering features like menu management, inventory tracking, payment processing, and staff scheduling. For food trucks, it enables portable operations with offline mode and quick-service capabilities, allowing owners to handle orders, payments, and basic reporting on the go. While feature-rich, its emphasis on table service and kitchen integration makes it less optimized for the high-mobility, minimalist needs of most food trucks.
Pros
- Comprehensive inventory and reporting tools for tracking sales and stock in real-time
- Offline functionality ensures operations continue during spotty connectivity common at events
- Seamless payment processing with support for EMV, NFC, and multiple processors
Cons
- High monthly pricing not ideal for low-volume food truck operations
- Hardware ecosystem (iPads, printers) adds significant upfront costs and setup complexity for mobile use
- Geared more toward dine-in/table service than ultra-fast counter service typical of food trucks
Best For
Upscale food trucks with semi-permanent locations or event catering that need advanced restaurant-grade features like detailed inventory and loyalty programs.
Pricing
Subscription plans start at $69/month (Starter) up to $165/month (Premium) per location, plus one-time hardware costs (iPads from $300+, accessories $500+); no long-term contracts.
SpotOn
enterpriseRestaurant management suite with POS, online ordering, and marketing tools optimized for food trucks.
Zero markup on interchange-plus payment processing, delivering direct wholesale rates to save on every transaction
SpotOn is a versatile POS system tailored for restaurants and food trucks, providing mobile payment processing, inventory management, menu customization, and online ordering integration. Its rugged handheld terminals and countertop options make it suitable for on-the-go operations, with robust reporting and loyalty program features. The platform stands out for its focus on cost-effective payment processing without markups.
Pros
- Competitive payment processing with zero markup
- Durable mobile hardware ideal for food trucks
- Comprehensive integrations for ordering and inventory
Cons
- Lacks specialized food truck tools like route planning or scheduling
- Steep initial learning curve for full feature set
- Hardware requires upfront investment
Best For
Food truck owners prioritizing affordable payments and reliable mobile POS over niche operational tools.
Pricing
Software from $69-$149/month; hardware $500+; processing ~2.6% + 10¢ with no merchant markup.
Upserve
specializedData-driven POS by Lightspeed providing sales analytics, team management, and customer insights.
Upserve Insights for deep, actionable sales and performance analytics
Upserve is a cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform that provides iPad-based point-of-sale systems, inventory tracking, staff management, and advanced analytics via its Upserve Insights tool. For food trucks, it offers portable hardware options and offline transaction processing with automatic syncing when reconnected, enabling quick service during mobile operations. While versatile for small-scale food trucks, it is optimized more for brick-and-mortar restaurants with features like table management that may not fully apply to on-the-go vendors.
Pros
- Portable iPad POS ideal for mobile food truck setups
- Robust real-time analytics and reporting for sales insights
- Offline mode supports service in low-connectivity areas
Cons
- Higher pricing better suited for higher-volume operations
- Limited food truck-specific features like route planning
- Requires reliable internet for full functionality and syncing
Best For
Food truck owners with moderate to high sales volume seeking advanced analytics and scalable POS without needing ultra-specialized mobile features.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month per location (Core plan), $99/month (Pro plan); hardware and payment processing fees extra.
Epos Now
specializedCloud POS system with inventory control, CRM, and e-commerce integration for small food businesses.
Vast integrations marketplace connecting to Uber Eats, QuickBooks, and loyalty apps effortlessly
Epos Now is a versatile cloud-based POS system tailored for retail and hospitality, providing food truck operators with tools for sales processing, inventory tracking, and payment handling via tablets or mobile devices. It enables quick order taking, real-time reporting, and customer management, making it suitable for mobile vending despite being more restaurant-oriented. The system supports integrations with delivery apps and accounting software, syncing data across locations for growing operations.
Pros
- Extensive marketplace with 100+ integrations for delivery and accounting
- Robust inventory and reporting tools for perishable stock management
- Cloud syncing for multi-device use in mobile setups
Cons
- Higher pricing less ideal for solo food truck operators
- Limited full offline functionality requires internet for optimal use
- Hardware options can feel bulky for cramped truck spaces
Best For
Food truck owners seeking scalable features and integrations as they expand beyond a single vehicle.
Pricing
Starts at $39/month per device (Plus plan), with hardware bundles from $500+; custom quotes for full setups.
Conclusion
The top 10 food truck software reviewed offer tailored solutions, with Square leading as the top choice for its all-in-one mobile payments, inventory management, and online ordering. Toast impresses with advanced reporting and kitchen display systems, while Revel Systems stands out for offline mode and loyalty programs—each with strengths to suit different operational needs. Whether a new or established food truck, the right software can streamline operations significantly.
Explore Square first to experience its comprehensive features, or consider Toast or Revel Systems based on your specific priorities—start optimizing your mobile food business today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison