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Consumer Retail

Top 10 Best Point Of Sales Software of 2026

Explore top 10 best point of sales software to boost business efficiency. Get the right tools today!

Alexander Schmidt

Alexander Schmidt

Feb 11, 2026

10 tools comparedExpert reviewed
Independent evaluation · Unbiased commentary · Updated regularly
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In competitive markets, a reliable point of sales (POS) system is foundational to efficient operations, customer engagement, and data-driven decision-making. With a spectrum of tools ranging from mobile-friendly apps to comprehensive retail solutions, choosing the right software directly impacts business success, making this curated list a vital resource for identifying top performers.

Quick Overview

  1. 1#1: Square - Offers a user-friendly POS system with free software, payment processing, inventory management, and analytics for small businesses.
  2. 2#2: Shopify POS - Provides seamless POS integration with e-commerce for unified online and in-store sales tracking and inventory.
  3. 3#3: Lightspeed Retail - Delivers robust POS features like advanced inventory, CRM, multi-store support, and detailed reporting for retailers.
  4. 4#4: Toast - Restaurant-focused POS with menu management, online ordering, kitchen displays, and payroll integration.
  5. 5#5: Clover - Customizable POS hardware and software with an app marketplace for payments, loyalty, and industry-specific tools.
  6. 6#6: TouchBistro - iPad-based POS for restaurants featuring floor plans, table management, and real-time sales insights.
  7. 7#7: Revel Systems - Cloud POS platform with real-time reporting, inventory control, and extensive integrations for retail and food service.
  8. 8#8: Epos Now - Flexible cloud POS with hardware options, e-commerce sync, and loyalty features for small to medium businesses.
  9. 9#9: Zettle - Mobile card reader POS app for quick payments, sales tracking, and basic inventory on smartphones.
  10. 10#10: Loyverse - Free mobile POS app offering sales processing, inventory management, and customer loyalty programs for startups.

Tools were ranked based on functionality—including inventory, payments, and integrations—ease of use, performance stability, and value, ensuring coverage of diverse business needs, from startups to multi-location retailers.

Comparison Table

For businesses seeking reliable point of sale software, options like Square, Shopify POS, Lightspeed Retail, Toast, and Clover cater to varied needs, from small shops to large enterprises. This comparison table outlines key features—pricing, hardware compatibility, and transaction support—to help readers find the tool that aligns with their operations.

1Square logo9.4/10

Offers a user-friendly POS system with free software, payment processing, inventory management, and analytics for small businesses.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
9.6/10
Value
9.5/10

Provides seamless POS integration with e-commerce for unified online and in-store sales tracking and inventory.

Features
9.5/10
Ease
8.8/10
Value
8.5/10

Delivers robust POS features like advanced inventory, CRM, multi-store support, and detailed reporting for retailers.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.1/10
Value
7.9/10
4Toast logo9.1/10

Restaurant-focused POS with menu management, online ordering, kitchen displays, and payroll integration.

Features
9.5/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
8.5/10
5Clover logo8.5/10

Customizable POS hardware and software with an app marketplace for payments, loyalty, and industry-specific tools.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
8.0/10

iPad-based POS for restaurants featuring floor plans, table management, and real-time sales insights.

Features
9.2/10
Ease
8.1/10
Value
7.8/10

Cloud POS platform with real-time reporting, inventory control, and extensive integrations for retail and food service.

Features
9.1/10
Ease
8.4/10
Value
7.9/10
8Epos Now logo8.1/10

Flexible cloud POS with hardware options, e-commerce sync, and loyalty features for small to medium businesses.

Features
8.4/10
Ease
7.9/10
Value
7.7/10
9Zettle logo8.1/10

Mobile card reader POS app for quick payments, sales tracking, and basic inventory on smartphones.

Features
7.9/10
Ease
8.8/10
Value
8.5/10
10Loyverse logo8.4/10

Free mobile POS app offering sales processing, inventory management, and customer loyalty programs for startups.

Features
7.9/10
Ease
9.3/10
Value
9.6/10
1
Square logo

Square

specialized

Offers a user-friendly POS system with free software, payment processing, inventory management, and analytics for small businesses.

Overall Rating9.4/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
9.6/10
Value
9.5/10
Standout Feature

Completely free core POS software with unlimited users and locations, eliminating subscription barriers for startups and small businesses

Square is a leading point-of-sale (POS) software platform tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, enabling seamless payment processing for in-person, online, and invoiced transactions. It offers free core POS software with features like inventory management, sales reporting, employee scheduling, and e-commerce integrations. Compatible with affordable hardware such as card readers, terminals, and registers, Square simplifies operations for retail, restaurants, and service-based businesses while providing real-time analytics and customer loyalty tools.

Pros

  • Free POS software with no monthly fees or contracts
  • Intuitive mobile-first interface that's quick to set up
  • Robust payment options including contactless, Apple Pay, and international cards
  • Extensive integrations with QuickBooks, Shopify, and more

Cons

  • Transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume, low-margin sales
  • Advanced reporting requires paid add-ons for enterprises
  • Customer support is mostly self-service with limited phone options

Best For

Small businesses, retailers, food trucks, and service providers seeking an affordable, user-friendly POS without upfront software costs.

Pricing

Free POS software; 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction, 2.9% + 30¢ for online/invoiced; hardware from $29; premium plans from $29/month.

Visit Squaresquareup.com
2
Shopify POS logo

Shopify POS

specialized

Provides seamless POS integration with e-commerce for unified online and in-store sales tracking and inventory.

Overall Rating9.2/10
Features
9.5/10
Ease of Use
8.8/10
Value
8.5/10
Standout Feature

Real-time unified inventory management across online and physical stores from a single dashboard

Shopify POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale system that enables merchants to process in-person transactions using iOS or Android devices while seamlessly integrating with their Shopify online store. It offers real-time inventory syncing across online and offline channels, supports multiple payment methods including cards, mobile wallets, and buy-now-pay-later options, and provides tools for customer loyalty programs and detailed reporting. Ideal for omnichannel retailers, it turns smartphones or tablets into full-featured checkout stations with customizable hardware compatibility.

Pros

  • Seamless omnichannel integration syncing inventory and orders between online and in-store sales
  • Supports a wide array of payment processors and hardware options for flexibility
  • Robust analytics and reporting for sales insights across all channels

Cons

  • Requires a paid Shopify subscription, adding to overall costs
  • Advanced features like staff permissions need the pricier POS Pro add-on
  • Setup and customization can have a learning curve for non-technical users

Best For

Retailers with an existing Shopify online store seeking unified management of in-person and e-commerce sales.

Pricing

Free with any Shopify plan (Basic $29/mo, Shopify $105/mo, Advanced $399/mo billed annually); POS Pro add-on $89/location/mo for advanced features.

3
Lightspeed Retail logo

Lightspeed Retail

enterprise

Delivers robust POS features like advanced inventory, CRM, multi-store support, and detailed reporting for retailers.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.1/10
Value
7.9/10
Standout Feature

Real-time, centralized inventory management across unlimited locations and online channels

Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for retail businesses, providing comprehensive tools for sales processing, inventory management, and customer engagement. It supports multi-location operations with real-time synchronization across physical stores and online channels, including e-commerce integrations like Shopify and WooCommerce. The platform offers advanced reporting, loyalty programs, and purchase order management to streamline retail operations and drive growth.

Pros

  • Robust multi-location inventory management with real-time syncing
  • Seamless omnichannel integration for in-store and online sales
  • Advanced analytics and customizable reporting dashboards

Cons

  • Higher pricing tiers can be expensive for small businesses
  • Occasional learning curve for advanced features
  • Customer support response times can vary

Best For

Multi-location retail stores seeking advanced inventory control and e-commerce integration.

Pricing

Starts at $89/month per location (Essential plan), with Plus at $149/month and Advanced at $249/month; annual discounts available, plus hardware and add-ons extra.

Visit Lightspeed Retaillightspeedhq.com
4
Toast logo

Toast

specialized

Restaurant-focused POS with menu management, online ordering, kitchen displays, and payroll integration.

Overall Rating9.1/10
Features
9.5/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
8.5/10
Standout Feature

Integrated online ordering and delivery marketplace sync that processes orders directly through the POS without double-entry.

Toast is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system tailored specifically for restaurants and foodservice businesses, offering end-to-end management from order taking to payments and inventory. It includes features like tableside ordering, kitchen display systems (KDS), employee scheduling, customer loyalty programs, and detailed reporting analytics. With seamless integrations for third-party delivery services such as Uber Eats and DoorDash, Toast streamlines operations for both front- and back-of-house teams.

Pros

  • Restaurant-specific tools like advanced table management and KDS
  • Powerful analytics and reporting for business insights
  • Seamless integrations with delivery and online ordering platforms

Cons

  • Higher pricing compared to general POS systems
  • Primarily optimized for hospitality, less ideal for retail
  • Steep learning curve for advanced customization

Best For

Full-service restaurants, bars, and multi-location chains needing specialized POS with strong online and delivery capabilities.

Pricing

Custom quotes starting at $69-$165/month per location for software, plus hardware ($799-$1,999) and payment processing (2.49%-3.69% + $0.15 per transaction).

Visit Toasttoasttab.com
5
Clover logo

Clover

specialized

Customizable POS hardware and software with an app marketplace for payments, loyalty, and industry-specific tools.

Overall Rating8.5/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Apps Marketplace with thousands of third-party apps for endless customization and integrations

Clover is a versatile cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system from Fiserv, providing hardware like the Clover Mini, Flex, and Station alongside software for processing payments, managing inventory, tracking employees, and handling customer loyalty. It stands out with its extensive Apps Marketplace, allowing businesses to add thousands of third-party integrations for customized functionality. Primarily targeted at small to medium-sized businesses in retail, restaurants, and services, Clover offers scalability from basic countertop setups to full restaurant solutions.

Pros

  • Expansive Apps Marketplace with over 5,000 integrations for customization
  • Reliable hardware options tailored for various business sizes and environments
  • Seamless built-in payment processing with competitive rates and EMV support

Cons

  • Hardware requires upfront purchase, adding to initial costs
  • Transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume businesses
  • Customer support can be inconsistent, relying heavily on self-service resources

Best For

Small to medium retail, restaurant, and service businesses needing flexible, app-extensible POS with robust hardware options.

Pricing

Software plans start at $14.95/month (Register Lite) up to $114.85/month (Full plan); hardware from $49 (Go handheld) to $1,699 (Station Duo); payments at 2.3% + $0.10 in-person.

Visit Cloverclover.com
6
TouchBistro logo

TouchBistro

specialized

iPad-based POS for restaurants featuring floor plans, table management, and real-time sales insights.

Overall Rating8.6/10
Features
9.2/10
Ease of Use
8.1/10
Value
7.8/10
Standout Feature

Drag-and-drop floor plan editor for dynamic table management and server assignments

TouchBistro is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, bars, and hospitality venues, providing tools for order management, table mapping, inventory tracking, and payment processing. It supports offline functionality to ensure operations continue during internet outages and offers detailed reporting for sales, labor, and inventory insights. The iPad-centric design integrates seamlessly with kitchen display systems (KDS) and third-party apps for loyalty programs and accounting.

Pros

  • Restaurant-specific features like advanced table management and KDS
  • Reliable offline mode and real-time reporting
  • Strong integrations with accounting and delivery apps

Cons

  • Higher pricing compared to general POS competitors
  • Limited to iOS devices (primarily iPads)
  • Occasional glitches reported in high-volume environments

Best For

Full-service restaurants and bars needing robust table service and inventory management tools.

Pricing

Starts at $69 per location/month (Starter plan, billed annually); higher tiers up to $219+ for Pro/Elite with more users and features; hardware sold separately.

Visit TouchBistrotouchbistro.com
7
Revel Systems logo

Revel Systems

enterprise

Cloud POS platform with real-time reporting, inventory control, and extensive integrations for retail and food service.

Overall Rating8.6/10
Features
9.1/10
Ease of Use
8.4/10
Value
7.9/10
Standout Feature

Fully integrated Kitchen Display System (KDS) for streamlined order routing and prep in busy kitchens

Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad-centric POS platform tailored for restaurants, retail, and quick-service businesses. It provides comprehensive tools for sales processing, inventory management, employee scheduling, real-time reporting, and customer engagement via loyalty programs. The system emphasizes mobility with tableside ordering and integrates a Kitchen Display System (KDS) for efficient order fulfillment in high-volume environments.

Pros

  • Extensive restaurant-specific features like KDS and tableside ordering
  • Robust real-time analytics and cloud-based accessibility
  • Scalable for single locations to multi-site enterprises

Cons

  • High upfront hardware costs tied to Apple ecosystem
  • Premium pricing with additional transaction fees
  • Occasional reports of software glitches and support delays

Best For

Mid-sized restaurants and retail operations needing advanced inventory, reporting, and multi-location management.

Pricing

Starts at $99/month per location (Core plan), $149 for Pro, Enterprise custom; plus 2.3% + $0.10 processing fees and separate hardware purchase.

Visit Revel Systemsrevelsystems.com
8
Epos Now logo

Epos Now

specialized

Flexible cloud POS with hardware options, e-commerce sync, and loyalty features for small to medium businesses.

Overall Rating8.1/10
Features
8.4/10
Ease of Use
7.9/10
Value
7.7/10
Standout Feature

EPOS Now App Store offering over 100 third-party apps for tailored functionality

Epos Now is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for retail, hospitality, and service-based businesses, offering seamless transaction processing, inventory management, and customer relationship tools. It supports a wide range of hardware options and provides access to an extensive app marketplace for custom integrations like loyalty programs, accounting, and e-commerce. The platform emphasizes scalability for single stores or multi-location operations with real-time reporting and mobile accessibility.

Pros

  • Vast app store with 100+ integrations for customization
  • Flexible hardware compatibility and cloud-based access
  • Robust inventory and reporting tools

Cons

  • Hardware and add-ons can increase total costs significantly
  • Customer support response times vary and can be slow
  • Initial setup and advanced features have a learning curve

Best For

Small to medium retail and hospitality businesses needing scalable, integration-heavy POS solutions.

Pricing

Starts at £25 per device/month (billed annually) plus one-time hardware from £299; custom enterprise plans available.

Visit Epos Noweposnow.com
9
Zettle logo

Zettle

specialized

Mobile card reader POS app for quick payments, sales tracking, and basic inventory on smartphones.

Overall Rating8.1/10
Features
7.9/10
Ease of Use
8.8/10
Value
8.5/10
Standout Feature

Seamless PayPal integration for effortless management of online and offline sales in one dashboard

Zettle by PayPal is a mobile-first point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for small businesses, featuring a compact card reader that connects to iOS or Android devices for accepting contactless, chip-and-PIN, and magstripe payments. The intuitive app handles sales processing, basic inventory tracking, sales reports, and customer loyalty programs. It integrates seamlessly with PayPal for unified online and in-person transactions, making it ideal for on-the-go merchants.

Pros

  • Ultra-portable card reader for mobile use
  • No monthly fees with competitive transaction rates
  • Quick setup and intuitive app interface

Cons

  • Limited advanced inventory and reporting tools
  • Hardware add-ons can increase costs
  • Customer support can be slow outside business hours

Best For

Small businesses like market vendors, food trucks, and pop-up shops seeking a simple, affordable mobile POS without subscription commitments.

Pricing

Card reader $29 one-time; no monthly fees; 2.29% + $0.09 per in-person transaction (US pricing).

Visit Zettlepaypal.com/zettle
10
Loyverse logo

Loyverse

other

Free mobile POS app offering sales processing, inventory management, and customer loyalty programs for startups.

Overall Rating8.4/10
Features
7.9/10
Ease of Use
9.3/10
Value
9.6/10
Standout Feature

Fully functional offline mode that syncs data automatically when reconnected

Loyverse is a free, cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for small businesses in retail, cafes, restaurants, and services. It offers core features like sales processing, inventory tracking, customer management, and employee time-tracking through intuitive mobile apps for iOS and Android, with desktop support. The system supports offline mode and multi-location setups via add-ons, making it accessible for startups and small operations without initial investment.

Pros

  • Completely free core POS functionality with no subscription required for basics
  • Excellent mobile-first design with offline sales support
  • Strong inventory and customer loyalty tools for small businesses

Cons

  • Advanced reporting and analytics locked behind paid add-ons
  • Limited customization and scalability for larger enterprises
  • Relies on third-party payment processors, adding transaction fees

Best For

Small retail shops, food trucks, and cafes seeking a simple, no-cost mobile POS to get started quickly.

Pricing

Free forever for core POS; optional add-ons like Employees ($5/mo), Analytics ($10/mo), and Multi-Location ($25/mo per location).

Visit Loyverseloyverse.com

Conclusion

Widely regarded as the top choice, Square impresses with its user-friendly, all-in-one design, seamlessly combining payment processing, inventory management, and analytics for small businesses. Just below, Shopify POS and Lightspeed Retail stand out as strong alternatives—Shopify for unified e-commerce and in-store tracking, and Lightspeed for advanced retail features like multi-store support and detailed reporting, each catering to distinct operational needs.

Square logo
Our Top Pick
Square

Begin your journey with Square to unlock efficient, intuitive sales management; its versatile tools are built to grow with your business, from small operations to scaling ventures.