Quick Overview
- 1#1: Square - All-in-one POS system offering payment processing, inventory management, and sales analytics for small businesses.
- 2#2: Shopify POS - Integrated POS solution that syncs online and in-store sales with inventory and customer management.
- 3#3: Lightspeed Retail - Robust retail POS with advanced inventory, multi-location support, and e-commerce integration.
- 4#4: Toast - Comprehensive restaurant POS featuring menu customization, online ordering, and real-time reporting.
- 5#5: Clover - Flexible POS hardware and software platform supporting payments, apps, and custom business tools.
- 6#6: Revel Systems - Cloud-based iPad POS for retail and restaurants with strong reporting and employee management.
- 7#7: TouchBistro - Restaurant-specific POS with table management, floor plans, and integrated payments.
- 8#8: Epos Now - Customizable POS system with payment integration, inventory tracking, and hardware compatibility.
- 9#9: SpotOn - POS platform for restaurants and retail offering competitive pricing, marketing tools, and analytics.
- 10#10: Loyverse - Free mobile POS app providing sales tracking, inventory management, and loyalty programs for small businesses.
Tools were selected based on feature depth, user experience, technical reliability, and overall value, prioritizing versatility across small businesses and enterprises to deliver actionable insights and operational excellence.
Comparison Table
POS sales software is a key tool for businesses looking to enhance transaction management, inventory oversight, and customer interactions. This comparison table features popular options like Square, Shopify POS, Lightspeed Retail, Toast, and Clover, guiding readers to understand differences in functionality, pricing, and suitability for their unique needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Square All-in-one POS system offering payment processing, inventory management, and sales analytics for small businesses. | enterprise | 9.6/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 2 |  Shopify POS Integrated POS solution that syncs online and in-store sales with inventory and customer management. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Lightspeed Retail Robust retail POS with advanced inventory, multi-location support, and e-commerce integration. | enterprise | 8.9/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | Toast Comprehensive restaurant POS featuring menu customization, online ordering, and real-time reporting. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | Clover Flexible POS hardware and software platform supporting payments, apps, and custom business tools. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 6 | Revel Systems Cloud-based iPad POS for retail and restaurants with strong reporting and employee management. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 7 | TouchBistro Restaurant-specific POS with table management, floor plans, and integrated payments. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Epos Now Customizable POS system with payment integration, inventory tracking, and hardware compatibility. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 9 | SpotOn POS platform for restaurants and retail offering competitive pricing, marketing tools, and analytics. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Loyverse Free mobile POS app providing sales tracking, inventory management, and loyalty programs for small businesses. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 |
All-in-one POS system offering payment processing, inventory management, and sales analytics for small businesses.
Integrated POS solution that syncs online and in-store sales with inventory and customer management.
Robust retail POS with advanced inventory, multi-location support, and e-commerce integration.
Comprehensive restaurant POS featuring menu customization, online ordering, and real-time reporting.
Flexible POS hardware and software platform supporting payments, apps, and custom business tools.
Cloud-based iPad POS for retail and restaurants with strong reporting and employee management.
Restaurant-specific POS with table management, floor plans, and integrated payments.
Customizable POS system with payment integration, inventory tracking, and hardware compatibility.
POS platform for restaurants and retail offering competitive pricing, marketing tools, and analytics.
Free mobile POS app providing sales tracking, inventory management, and loyalty programs for small businesses.
Square
enterpriseAll-in-one POS system offering payment processing, inventory management, and sales analytics for small businesses.
Free magstripe and chip card reader that instantly transforms smartphones into full POS terminals with no setup hassle.
Square is a leading cloud-based POS system tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, providing seamless payment processing for in-person, online, and mobile transactions via its intuitive app and affordable hardware. It offers built-in tools for inventory management, sales reporting, customer tracking, and employee scheduling without monthly software fees. Square's ecosystem integrates e-commerce, appointments, and loyalty programs, making it a versatile all-in-one solution for modern retail and service businesses.
Pros
- No monthly fees for core POS software, only pay-per-transaction
- Instant setup with free mobile app and plug-and-play hardware
- Comprehensive free features like inventory, analytics, and integrations
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢) can accumulate for high-volume sellers
- Advanced enterprise features require paid add-ons or upgrades
- Hardware purchases add upfront costs despite modular options
Best For
Small businesses, food trucks, retail shops, and service providers seeking an affordable, scalable POS with zero commitment.
Pricing
Free POS software; 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction, 2.9% + 30¢ for online; hardware from $49 (reader) to $799 (Terminal).
Shopify POS
enterpriseIntegrated POS solution that syncs online and in-store sales with inventory and customer management.
Real-time bidirectional sync of inventory, sales, and customer data between online store and physical POS
Shopify POS is a versatile point-of-sale system that enables merchants to process in-person transactions using iOS or Android devices, compatible with a wide range of hardware like card readers and receipt printers. It seamlessly integrates with the Shopify e-commerce platform, automatically syncing inventory, orders, customers, and sales data across online and offline channels for true omnichannel retail. This setup supports features like buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS), staff management, and detailed reporting to streamline operations.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Shopify e-commerce for unified inventory and customer data
- Real-time omnichannel syncing across online, in-store, and mobile sales
- Extensive hardware compatibility and support for contactless payments
Cons
- Requires a paid Shopify subscription; not available standalone
- Advanced POS Pro features add $89/location/month extra cost
- Customization often needs third-party apps, increasing complexity
Best For
E-commerce businesses expanding into physical retail or omnichannel sellers needing synchronized online and in-store operations.
Pricing
POS Lite free with any Shopify plan (Basic $29/mo, Shopify $105/mo, Advanced $399/mo); POS Pro $89/additional location/mo; hardware sold separately.
Lightspeed Retail
enterpriseRobust retail POS with advanced inventory, multi-location support, and e-commerce integration.
Unified omnichannel commerce platform that synchronizes inventory and sales data across physical stores and online channels in real-time
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based POS system tailored for retail businesses, providing robust tools for point-of-sale transactions, inventory management, and customer loyalty programs. It excels in omnichannel retail by integrating in-store sales with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce for unified inventory and order fulfillment. The platform offers real-time reporting, multi-location support, and customizable hardware compatibility to streamline operations for growing retailers.
Pros
- Advanced inventory management with real-time tracking across multiple locations
- Seamless omnichannel integration for online and in-store sales
- Comprehensive analytics and customizable reporting dashboards
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to basic POS competitors
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Customer support can be slower during peak times
Best For
Multi-location retail stores seeking a scalable omnichannel POS with strong inventory and e-commerce integration.
Pricing
Starts at $89/month (billed annually) for Essentials plan; Retail plan at $129/month; higher tiers and add-ons available, with custom Enterprise pricing.
Toast
enterpriseComprehensive restaurant POS featuring menu customization, online ordering, and real-time reporting.
Toast Pay: Fully integrated payment processing with instant payouts and built-in fraud protection tailored for high-volume restaurant transactions
Toast is a cloud-based POS system designed specifically for restaurants, offering end-to-end management from front-of-house ordering and payments to back-of-house inventory and reporting. It integrates seamlessly with online ordering, delivery services, loyalty programs, and employee management tools to streamline restaurant operations. With mobile hardware options and offline capabilities, Toast helps businesses handle high-volume service efficiently while providing actionable insights through analytics.
Pros
- Comprehensive restaurant-specific features like table management and kitchen display systems
- Integrated payment processing with competitive rates and PCI compliance
- Robust analytics and reporting for sales, inventory, and labor insights
Cons
- Higher pricing structure that can add up with add-ons and processing fees
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features and customizations
- Limited flexibility for non-restaurant retail environments
Best For
Full-service restaurants and hospitality businesses seeking an all-in-one platform for dine-in, takeout, and delivery operations.
Pricing
Custom pricing starts at $69-$165/month per location based on features, plus 2.99%-3.69% payment processing fees and hardware costs.
Clover
enterpriseFlexible POS hardware and software platform supporting payments, apps, and custom business tools.
Clover App Market offering thousands of third-party apps for tailored functionality
Clover is a versatile point-of-sale (POS) system offering integrated hardware and cloud-based software for payment processing, inventory management, sales tracking, and customer engagement. It caters to retail, restaurants, and service-based businesses with customizable apps via its extensive App Market and supports features like online ordering, loyalty programs, and employee scheduling. Designed for small to medium-sized enterprises, Clover provides flexible hardware options from handheld devices to full countertop terminals.
Pros
- Vast App Market with over 1,000 integrations for customization
- Reliable hardware lineup suitable for various business sizes
- Seamless payment processing with competitive rates and security
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs can deter startups
- Some advanced features locked behind premium plans or add-ons
- Customer support response times vary by plan level
Best For
Small to medium-sized retail and restaurant businesses needing scalable, app-customizable POS hardware and software.
Pricing
Hardware from $49 (Mini) to $1,699 (Station Duo); software plans $14.95-$114.85/month; plus 2.3% + $0.10 per transaction.
Revel Systems
enterpriseCloud-based iPad POS for retail and restaurants with strong reporting and employee management.
Integrated Kitchen Display System (KDS) that eliminates paper tickets and optimizes order routing in real-time.
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad POS solution tailored for restaurants, cafes, and retail businesses, offering end-to-end management from order taking to inventory and reporting. It provides real-time data syncing across multiple locations, employee management, customer loyalty programs, and integrations with delivery services like DoorDash. Revel's mobile-first design enables tableside ordering and supports offline mode for uninterrupted service.
Pros
- Robust restaurant-specific features like kitchen display system and table management
- Cloud-based with excellent multi-location scalability and real-time analytics
- Strong third-party integrations for payments, payroll, and delivery apps
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to basic POS systems
- Hardware primarily locked to iPads, limiting flexibility
- Steep initial setup and learning curve for complex features
Best For
Growing restaurant chains and multi-location businesses seeking a scalable, feature-rich cloud POS.
Pricing
Core POS starts at $99/month per terminal (billed annually), plus hardware ($800+ per iPad setup) and add-ons like advanced reporting ($50+/month).
TouchBistro
specializedRestaurant-specific POS with table management, floor plans, and integrated payments.
Dynamic floor plans with real-time table status and server handoffs
TouchBistro is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, bars, and hospitality venues, providing tools for order management, table service, inventory tracking, and payment processing. It features customizable menus, staff management, real-time reporting, and integrations with kitchen displays, loyalty programs, and accounting software. Designed for iPad hardware, it supports offline operations and multi-location management to streamline front- and back-of-house workflows.
Pros
- Restaurant-specific features like advanced table mapping and guest tracking
- Strong analytics and reporting for sales, inventory, and labor
- Reliable offline mode and seamless iPad-based interface
Cons
- Higher cost structure with mandatory hardware bundles
- Primarily optimized for Apple devices, limiting hardware flexibility
- Customer support can be inconsistent for smaller venues
Best For
Full-service restaurants and bars needing robust table management and hospitality-focused tools.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per license (billed annually) for basic plans, up to $165+ for premium tiers; hardware and add-ons extra, custom quotes for enterprises.
Epos Now
enterpriseCustomizable POS system with payment integration, inventory tracking, and hardware compatibility.
The EPOS Now App Store offering over 100 specialized third-party integrations for tailored functionality.
Epos Now is a cloud-based POS system tailored for retail, hospitality, and service industries, offering seamless sales processing, inventory management, and customer relationship tools. It supports customizable hardware setups and provides real-time reporting across multiple locations. With an extensive app marketplace, it integrates with over 100 third-party services for enhanced functionality.
Pros
- Extensive app marketplace with 100+ integrations
- Flexible hardware bundles for various business sizes
- Robust multi-location management and reporting
Cons
- Higher pricing especially with hardware add-ons
- Mixed customer support experiences
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
Best For
Growing small to medium-sized retail and hospitality businesses needing scalable POS with strong integrations.
Pricing
Software starts at £25/month (Lite) to £109/month (Pro) per terminal; hardware bundles from £499+ upfront, all-inclusive options available.
SpotOn
enterprisePOS platform for restaurants and retail offering competitive pricing, marketing tools, and analytics.
Transparent flat-rate payment processing with month-to-month contracts and no long-term commitments
SpotOn is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, retail, and service industries, providing integrated payment processing, inventory management, employee scheduling, and customer loyalty programs. It supports both front-of-house and back-of-house operations with hardware options like countertop terminals and handheld devices. The platform emphasizes seamless online ordering, delivery integrations, and real-time analytics to drive sales and efficiency.
Pros
- Integrated payment processing with competitive flat rates and no hidden fees
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for business insights
- Flexible hardware bundles and industry-specific customizations
Cons
- Higher upfront costs for hardware and setup
- Occasional reports of software bugs and integration delays
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Small to mid-sized restaurants and retail businesses seeking an all-in-one POS with strong payment integration.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at $49/month for software per location, plus hardware from $500+ and processing fees around 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction.
Loyverse
otherFree mobile POS app providing sales tracking, inventory management, and loyalty programs for small businesses.
Free forever POS core with zero transaction fees and unlimited cashier logins
Loyverse is a cloud-based POS system tailored for small businesses like retail shops, cafes, and restaurants, providing tools for sales processing, inventory management, employee scheduling, and customer loyalty programs. It offers real-time reporting across multiple devices and locations with seamless synchronization. The platform stands out for its mobile-first approach, available on iOS, Android, and web, making it ideal for on-the-go operations.
Pros
- Completely free core POS functionality with no transaction fees
- Intuitive mobile and web interface that's quick to set up
- Supports multi-store management and unlimited users on the free plan
Cons
- Advanced features like detailed inventory tracking require paid add-ons
- Limited customization options compared to enterprise POS systems
- Reporting capabilities are basic without upgrades
Best For
Small retail or food service businesses seeking a cost-free, easy-to-use POS without needing complex enterprise features.
Pricing
Free plan with unlimited users and locations; paid add-ons ($5-$29/month) for advanced inventory, employees, analytics, and loyalty.
Conclusion
Evaluating the top 10 POS sales tools reveals Square as the standout choice, offering a seamless all-in-one solution for small businesses. Closely following are Shopify POS, ideal for syncing online and in-store sales, and Lightspeed Retail, robust for multi-location and e-commerce needs—each excelling in distinct areas. Together, they highlight the best options for businesses aiming to streamline operations and grow.
Don’t miss out on Square’s powerful features—dive in today to transform how you manage sales, inventory, and success.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison