Quick Overview
- 1#1: Square - User-friendly POS software with free core features, integrated payments, inventory tracking, and e-commerce sync for small to medium businesses.
- 2#2: Shopify POS - Seamless POS system that integrates online and in-store sales with robust inventory management and multichannel selling.
- 3#3: Lightspeed Retail - Powerful cloud-based POS for retail with advanced inventory, multi-location support, and detailed analytics.
- 4#4: Toast - Restaurant-focused POS with menu customization, online ordering, kitchen display systems, and loyalty programs.
- 5#5: Clover - Customizable POS platform with flexible hardware options, app marketplace, and payment processing for various industries.
- 6#6: Revel Systems - iPad-native cloud POS offering real-time reporting, employee management, and extensive third-party integrations.
- 7#7: TouchBistro - iPad POS tailored for restaurants with table management, floor plans, and contactless payments.
- 8#8: SpotOn - All-in-one restaurant POS with built-in marketing, loyalty rewards, and competitive processing rates.
- 9#9: Epos Now - Cloud POS compatible with diverse hardware for retail and hospitality, featuring inventory and CRM tools.
- 10#10: Loyverse - Free mobile POS app with sales tracking, inventory control, and employee management for small businesses.
We ranked tools based on core functionality, user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring inclusion of platforms that excel across key areas like payments, inventory management, and scalability for businesses of varying needs.
Comparison Table
Choosing the right point-of-sale software can streamline operations—this comparison table details top tools like Square, Shopify POS, Lightspeed Retail, Toast, and Clover. Readers will learn about key features, pricing models, and ideal use cases to find the best fit for their business, whether starting small or running a growing enterprise.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Square User-friendly POS software with free core features, integrated payments, inventory tracking, and e-commerce sync for small to medium businesses. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 2 |  Shopify POS Seamless POS system that integrates online and in-store sales with robust inventory management and multichannel selling. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Lightspeed Retail Powerful cloud-based POS for retail with advanced inventory, multi-location support, and detailed analytics. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Toast Restaurant-focused POS with menu customization, online ordering, kitchen display systems, and loyalty programs. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | Clover Customizable POS platform with flexible hardware options, app marketplace, and payment processing for various industries. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Revel Systems iPad-native cloud POS offering real-time reporting, employee management, and extensive third-party integrations. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | TouchBistro iPad POS tailored for restaurants with table management, floor plans, and contactless payments. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | SpotOn All-in-one restaurant POS with built-in marketing, loyalty rewards, and competitive processing rates. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 9 | Epos Now Cloud POS compatible with diverse hardware for retail and hospitality, featuring inventory and CRM tools. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 10 | Loyverse Free mobile POS app with sales tracking, inventory control, and employee management for small businesses. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.8/10 |
User-friendly POS software with free core features, integrated payments, inventory tracking, and e-commerce sync for small to medium businesses.
Seamless POS system that integrates online and in-store sales with robust inventory management and multichannel selling.
Powerful cloud-based POS for retail with advanced inventory, multi-location support, and detailed analytics.
Restaurant-focused POS with menu customization, online ordering, kitchen display systems, and loyalty programs.
Customizable POS platform with flexible hardware options, app marketplace, and payment processing for various industries.
iPad-native cloud POS offering real-time reporting, employee management, and extensive third-party integrations.
iPad POS tailored for restaurants with table management, floor plans, and contactless payments.
All-in-one restaurant POS with built-in marketing, loyalty rewards, and competitive processing rates.
Cloud POS compatible with diverse hardware for retail and hospitality, featuring inventory and CRM tools.
Free mobile POS app with sales tracking, inventory control, and employee management for small businesses.
Square
specializedUser-friendly POS software with free core features, integrated payments, inventory tracking, and e-commerce sync for small to medium businesses.
Free magstripe card reader and instant mobile payment processing that revolutionized accessibility for small businesses.
Square is a leading point-of-sale (POS) software platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses, offering seamless payment processing, inventory management, sales analytics, and e-commerce integration. It provides free POS software accessible via iPad, iPhone, or Android devices, paired with affordable hardware like card readers and terminals. Square streamlines operations for retail, restaurants, and service-based businesses with features like real-time reporting, employee management, and loyalty programs.
Pros
- No monthly fees or contracts for core POS software
- Exceptionally intuitive interface with quick setup
- Extensive integrations with tools like QuickBooks and Shopify
Cons
- Transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume sellers
- Advanced reporting requires paid add-ons
- Customer support primarily self-service with limited phone options
Best For
Small to medium businesses, mobile vendors, retail shops, and restaurants seeking an affordable, user-friendly POS without upfront costs.
Pricing
Free POS software; 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction, 2.9% + 30¢ for online/keyed; hardware from $0 (basic reader) to $799+.
Shopify POS
specializedSeamless POS system that integrates online and in-store sales with robust inventory management and multichannel selling.
Real-time omnichannel inventory sync between online and physical stores
Shopify POS is a comprehensive point-of-sale system integrated with Shopify's e-commerce platform, enabling merchants to sell in-person while maintaining real-time synchronization of inventory, orders, and customer data across online and offline channels. It supports a variety of hardware like card readers, receipt printers, and barcode scanners, making it suitable for retail stores, pop-ups, and markets. With features like offline mode, customizable checkout, and multi-location management, it streamlines omnichannel operations for growing businesses.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Shopify online store for unified inventory and sales tracking
- Supports offline transactions with automatic sync when reconnected
- Extensive hardware compatibility and customizable checkout experiences
Cons
- Requires a Shopify subscription, adding to overall costs
- Advanced reporting and analytics are somewhat limited compared to dedicated enterprise POS systems
- POS Pro tier needed for full features like staff permissions, which increases pricing
Best For
Retail businesses with an existing Shopify online store looking to expand into seamless omnichannel selling.
Pricing
POS Lite is free with any Shopify plan (starting at $29/month); POS Pro adds $89 per location/month for advanced features.
Lightspeed Retail
enterprisePowerful cloud-based POS for retail with advanced inventory, multi-location support, and detailed analytics.
Real-time multi-channel inventory synchronization that prevents overselling across in-store, online, and marketplace channels
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) and retail management platform designed for brick-and-mortar stores, providing comprehensive tools for sales processing, inventory tracking, and customer relationship management. It excels in omnichannel retail by seamlessly integrating in-store transactions with online sales, e-commerce platforms, and marketplaces like Amazon and Shopify. Advanced features include real-time inventory synchronization across multiple locations, customizable reporting, and hardware compatibility for various retail environments.
Pros
- Powerful inventory management with matrix support for variants like size/color
- Seamless omnichannel integration for unified online and in-store sales
- Robust analytics and reporting for data-driven business insights
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may not suit very small businesses
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Occasional customer support delays reported
Best For
Multi-location retail businesses such as boutiques, sporting goods stores, or specialty shops needing advanced inventory and e-commerce integration.
Pricing
Starts at $89/month for Retail Starter (billed annually), $129/month for Retail Plus, and $199/month for Retail Advanced; additional fees for hardware, payment processing, and premium add-ons.
Toast
specializedRestaurant-focused POS with menu customization, online ordering, kitchen display systems, and loyalty programs.
Integrated online ordering and delivery hub that syncs directly with the POS for real-time order fulfillment without third-party middleware.
Toast is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, offering hardware like countertop terminals, handhelds, and kitchen displays alongside software for order management, payments, inventory, and scheduling. It excels in integrating online ordering, delivery partnerships (e.g., Uber Eats, DoorDash), and loyalty programs to streamline front- and back-of-house operations. Comprehensive analytics and reporting help owners make data-driven decisions to boost efficiency and revenue.
Pros
- Specialized restaurant tools like table management, menu modifiers, and kitchen display systems
- Seamless integrations with online ordering and major delivery services
- All-in-one platform covering POS, payroll, inventory, and analytics
Cons
- Higher pricing structure with mandatory hardware and processing fees
- Less flexible for non-restaurant retail environments
- Mixed reviews on customer support responsiveness
Best For
Full-service restaurants, quick-service eateries, and bars needing robust online ordering and delivery management.
Pricing
Core POS starts at $69/month per location, full bundles ~$165+/month; hardware $799+ upfront or financed, plus 2.49%-3.69% processing fees.
Clover
specializedCustomizable POS platform with flexible hardware options, app marketplace, and payment processing for various industries.
The Clover App Market with over 1,000 third-party apps for tailored functionality
Clover is a versatile cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed for small to medium-sized businesses, offering integrated payment processing, inventory management, employee scheduling, and customer loyalty programs. It pairs robust software with a range of proprietary hardware devices, such as the Clover Mini, Flex, and Station, suitable for retail, restaurants, and services. The platform's App Market allows extensive customization with thousands of third-party apps for specialized needs like delivery integrations and advanced reporting.
Pros
- Expansive App Market for custom integrations
- Reliable hardware with offline functionality
- Seamless built-in payment processing
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs
- Processing fees higher than some competitors
- Customer support can be inconsistent
Best For
Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses seeking a customizable, all-in-one POS with strong app ecosystem support.
Pricing
Hardware from $49-$1,699; software plans $14.95-$114.85/month per device; payments 2.3% + $0.10 in-person, 3.5% + $0.10 keyed.
Revel Systems
enterpriseiPad-native cloud POS offering real-time reporting, employee management, and extensive third-party integrations.
Native iPad app with reliable offline mode and real-time cloud analytics
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad POS solution tailored for restaurants, retail, and hospitality businesses, offering seamless transaction processing, inventory tracking, and employee management. It provides advanced reporting, multi-location support, and extensive third-party integrations for streamlined operations. The platform emphasizes mobility and scalability, with real-time data syncing even in offline mode.
Pros
- Robust analytics and reporting tools
- Excellent multi-location management
- Strong integrations with 100+ apps
Cons
- Hardware limited to iPads
- Higher cost for small businesses
- Occasional sync issues reported
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants and retail chains needing scalable, feature-rich POS with advanced reporting.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per terminal for Starter plan; Growth at $149/month, Enterprise custom; hardware extra.
TouchBistro
specializediPad POS tailored for restaurants with table management, floor plans, and contactless payments.
Interactive table management with drag-and-drop floor plans and real-time status updates
TouchBistro is an iPad-based, cloud-connected POS system tailored for full-service restaurants, bars, and hospitality venues, handling everything from order entry and table management to inventory tracking and staff scheduling. It supports offline operations for reliability during internet outages and offers detailed reporting on sales, labor, and menu performance. The platform integrates with payment processors, loyalty programs, and kitchen display systems to streamline restaurant workflows.
Pros
- Comprehensive restaurant-specific tools like table mapping and service timers
- Reliable offline mode ensures uninterrupted service
- Robust analytics and reporting for data-driven decisions
Cons
- Limited to iOS devices, requiring iPad hardware
- Pricing can be steep for small or single-location venues
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization
Best For
Full-service restaurants and bars seeking an all-in-one hospitality-focused POS with strong table management.
Pricing
Starts at $69/user/month (billed annually); scales to $165+/user/month for advanced plans, plus one-time hardware costs and custom enterprise pricing.
SpotOn
specializedAll-in-one restaurant POS with built-in marketing, loyalty rewards, and competitive processing rates.
Intelligent payment routing that dynamically selects the lowest-cost processor for each transaction to maximize savings
SpotOn is a cloud-based POS system designed primarily for restaurants, retail, and convenience stores, offering integrated payment processing, inventory management, employee scheduling, and customer loyalty tools. It provides customizable hardware like countertop terminals and handheld devices, along with software for real-time reporting, online ordering, and kitchen display systems. The platform emphasizes cost savings through competitive payment rates and operational efficiency for growing businesses.
Pros
- Competitive and transparent payment processing rates with potential savings via intelligent routing
- Comprehensive suite of restaurant-specific tools including kitchen displays and online ordering
- Strong customer support with dedicated account managers
Cons
- Higher upfront costs for hardware bundles
- Limited third-party app integrations compared to competitors like Toast
- Occasional reports of software bugs and slower update cycles
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants and retail businesses prioritizing payment cost savings and all-in-one management without complex integrations.
Pricing
Custom quotes typical; software from $49-$199/month per location, payments at 2.6% + 10¢ (in-person), hardware leased ~$50-150/month or purchased outright.
Epos Now
enterpriseCloud POS compatible with diverse hardware for retail and hospitality, featuring inventory and CRM tools.
Vast app marketplace enabling seamless integrations with tools like Sage, Deliveroo, and Shopify for highly tailored operations
Epos Now is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed primarily for retail, hospitality, and service industries like salons and cafes. It provides core functionalities such as transaction processing, inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM), staff scheduling, and real-time reporting across multiple locations. The platform stands out with its modular app marketplace allowing over 100 integrations for accounting, delivery, and e-commerce, paired with customizable hardware bundles.
Pros
- Extensive app marketplace with 100+ integrations for customization
- Robust multi-location and inventory management tools
- Flexible hardware bundles tailored to various business types
Cons
- Higher pricing structure, especially for add-ons and hardware
- Moderate learning curve for advanced features and setup
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Growing small to medium-sized retail and hospitality businesses needing scalable, customizable POS with strong multi-store support.
Pricing
Starts at £25 per device/month (billed annually) for core software, plus hardware from £399; enterprise plans custom-quoted with payment processing fees.
Loyverse
specializedFree mobile POS app with sales tracking, inventory control, and employee management for small businesses.
Unlimited free users and no transaction fees, making it exceptionally accessible for startups and small teams
Loyverse is a cloud-based POS system tailored for small businesses like retail stores, cafes, and restaurants, offering sales processing, inventory tracking, customer management, and employee scheduling via a mobile app. It supports offline transactions that sync when online and integrates with receipt printers, cash drawers, and barcode scanners. The platform provides real-time reporting and multi-location support for growing operations.
Pros
- Completely free core plan with no transaction fees or user limits
- Intuitive mobile-first interface that's quick to set up
- Offline mode ensures uninterrupted sales during connectivity issues
Cons
- Advanced analytics and back-office features require paid add-ons
- Limited customization options compared to enterprise POS systems
- Reporting depth is basic in the free tier
Best For
Small retail shops, cafes, food trucks, and service businesses seeking a no-cost, mobile POS for daily operations.
Pricing
Free forever for basic single-location use; paid add-ons like Back Office ($5-$25/month per location) and Hardware Server ($5/month).
Conclusion
Picking the right point-of-sale software relies on aligning with business needs, and this ranking highlights exceptional options. At the top is Square, a standout with intuitive tools, free core features, and seamless integration, perfect for small to medium businesses. Close alternates include Shopify POS, which excels at merging online and in-store sales, and Lightspeed Retail, lauded for its robust cloud-based system and detailed analytics, making them strong choices for specific use cases.
Make the most of your operations by trying Square—its user-friendly design and comprehensive features offer a versatile foundation to grow and adapt, setting you up for success.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison