Quick Overview
- 1#1: Square - All-in-one cloud POS system offering payment processing, inventory management, sales analytics, and appointments for small businesses.
- 2#2: Lightspeed Retail - Cloud-based POS for retail with advanced inventory control, CRM, multi-location support, and e-commerce integration.
- 3#3: Toast - Comprehensive restaurant POS with online ordering, kitchen display, payroll, loyalty programs, and menu management.
- 4#4: Clover - Flexible POS hardware and software platform with app marketplace for payments, inventory, and custom business apps.
- 5#5: Shopify POS - Omnichannel POS that seamlessly syncs in-store sales with online stores for inventory and customer data.
- 6#6: Revel Systems - iPad-centric POS with real-time reporting, employee management, loyalty programs, and kitchen display systems.
- 7#7: TouchBistro - iPad-based POS tailored for restaurants featuring table management, staff scheduling, and analytics.
- 8#8: Epos Now - Customizable cloud POS for retail and hospitality with integrated payments, stock control, and reporting.
- 9#9: SpotOn - POS system with built-in marketing tools, loyalty programs, online ordering, and payment processing.
- 10#10: Lavu - Cloud restaurant POS with menu customization, online ordering, time clock, and multi-location capabilities.
We ranked these tools by evaluating their feature breadth (including integration, scalability, and industry-specific tools), quality (stability, user experience, and customer support), ease of use (intuitive design and setup), and overall value (performance relative to cost).
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines key POS system software options, including Square, Lightspeed Retail, Toast, Clover, and Shopify POS, to guide businesses in finding the right tool for their needs. Readers will discover details on features, pricing, and ideal use cases, from small local shops to large-scale dining establishments. Whether prioritizing ease of use, inventory capabilities, or third-party integrations, this guide simplifies the selection process for tailored solutions.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Square All-in-one cloud POS system offering payment processing, inventory management, sales analytics, and appointments for small businesses. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 2 | Lightspeed Retail Cloud-based POS for retail with advanced inventory control, CRM, multi-location support, and e-commerce integration. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | Toast Comprehensive restaurant POS with online ordering, kitchen display, payroll, loyalty programs, and menu management. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.3/10 | |
| 4 | Clover Flexible POS hardware and software platform with app marketplace for payments, inventory, and custom business apps. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 |  Shopify POS Omnichannel POS that seamlessly syncs in-store sales with online stores for inventory and customer data. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | Revel Systems iPad-centric POS with real-time reporting, employee management, loyalty programs, and kitchen display systems. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | TouchBistro iPad-based POS tailored for restaurants featuring table management, staff scheduling, and analytics. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Epos Now Customizable cloud POS for retail and hospitality with integrated payments, stock control, and reporting. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | SpotOn POS system with built-in marketing tools, loyalty programs, online ordering, and payment processing. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 10 | Lavu Cloud restaurant POS with menu customization, online ordering, time clock, and multi-location capabilities. | enterprise | 8.0/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.7/10 |
All-in-one cloud POS system offering payment processing, inventory management, sales analytics, and appointments for small businesses.
Cloud-based POS for retail with advanced inventory control, CRM, multi-location support, and e-commerce integration.
Comprehensive restaurant POS with online ordering, kitchen display, payroll, loyalty programs, and menu management.
Flexible POS hardware and software platform with app marketplace for payments, inventory, and custom business apps.
Omnichannel POS that seamlessly syncs in-store sales with online stores for inventory and customer data.
iPad-centric POS with real-time reporting, employee management, loyalty programs, and kitchen display systems.
iPad-based POS tailored for restaurants featuring table management, staff scheduling, and analytics.
Customizable cloud POS for retail and hospitality with integrated payments, stock control, and reporting.
POS system with built-in marketing tools, loyalty programs, online ordering, and payment processing.
Cloud restaurant POS with menu customization, online ordering, time clock, and multi-location capabilities.
Square
enterpriseAll-in-one cloud POS system offering payment processing, inventory management, sales analytics, and appointments for small businesses.
Free, unlimited POS software with instant payment deposits and seamless hardware integration
Square is a versatile point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, enabling seamless in-person and online payment processing, inventory tracking, sales reporting, and customer management. Its cloud-based software works with affordable hardware like card readers, terminals, and registers, supporting retail, restaurants, and service-based operations. Square's free core POS app, combined with transparent per-transaction pricing, eliminates upfront software costs and scales easily for growing businesses.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and mobile compatibility
- Comprehensive tools including inventory, appointments, and e-commerce integration
- No monthly software fees, only per-transaction costs
Cons
- Transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume sellers (2.6% + 10¢ for card-present)
- Advanced reporting and customization limited compared to enterprise POS systems
- Hardware purchases required for full functionality, adding upfront costs
Best For
Small businesses, retail shops, food trucks, and pop-up vendors needing an affordable, user-friendly POS without subscription fees.
Pricing
Free POS software; in-person transactions at 2.6% + 10¢, online at 2.9% + 30¢; hardware starts at $49; premium features like payroll from $35/month.
Lightspeed Retail
enterpriseCloud-based POS for retail with advanced inventory control, CRM, multi-location support, and e-commerce integration.
Real-time multi-channel inventory synchronization across physical stores, e-commerce, and marketplaces
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based POS system designed specifically for retail businesses, providing robust inventory management, point-of-sale transactions, and customer loyalty tools. It excels in omnichannel retailing by integrating seamlessly with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce, enabling unified inventory across online and physical stores. The platform offers advanced reporting, multi-location support, and customizable hardware compatibility to streamline operations for growing retailers.
Pros
- Comprehensive inventory management with real-time tracking and purchase orders
- Seamless omnichannel integration for online and in-store sales
- Detailed analytics and customizable reporting dashboards
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to basic POS competitors
- Steep learning curve for advanced features and customizations
- Customer support can be inconsistent during peak times
Best For
Multi-location retail stores needing advanced inventory control and omnichannel selling capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month (Lean plan) per register, up to $199/month (Advanced); annual billing required, plus transaction fees and hardware costs.
Toast
enterpriseComprehensive restaurant POS with online ordering, kitchen display, payroll, loyalty programs, and menu management.
Integrated online ordering and delivery management that syncs directly with the POS for unified order flow and menu consistency
Toast is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed specifically for restaurants, offering comprehensive tools for order taking, payment processing, inventory management, and table service. It integrates online ordering, delivery partnerships, customer loyalty programs, and advanced analytics to streamline restaurant operations from front-of-house to back-of-house. With mobile ordering capabilities and real-time reporting, Toast helps restaurants optimize efficiency and drive revenue growth.
Pros
- Restaurant-specific features like table management, kitchen display system (KDS), and bill splitting
- Seamless integrations with delivery services (e.g., DoorDash, Uber Eats) and online ordering
- Robust analytics, reporting, and real-time data insights for better decision-making
Cons
- Proprietary hardware is expensive and required for full functionality
- Pricing structure can be costly for small or single-location restaurants
- Occasional reports of slower customer support response times
Best For
Full-service restaurants, quick-service chains, and bars needing an all-in-one POS with strong online ordering and delivery capabilities.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at $69 per month per terminal (Core plan), up to $165+ for advanced plans; includes 2.99% + $0.15 per transaction fees and separate hardware costs ($500-$2,000+ per setup).
Clover
enterpriseFlexible POS hardware and software platform with app marketplace for payments, inventory, and custom business apps.
App Marketplace with thousands of third-party apps for seamless customization and integrations.
Clover is a versatile point-of-sale (POS) system from Fiserv, providing integrated hardware like countertop terminals, mobile Go devices, and Flex units alongside cloud-based software for processing payments, managing inventory, tracking employees, and handling customer relationships. It supports a wide range of payment methods including contactless, EMV, and gift cards, with real-time sales reporting accessible via web or mobile apps. Businesses can extend functionality through Clover's extensive App Market, making it suitable for retail, restaurants, and quick-service operations.
Pros
- Extensive App Marketplace with over 500 integrations
- Durable, customizable hardware options
- Robust inventory, reporting, and loyalty tools
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs (starting at $499+)
- Monthly software fees add up per device
- Customer support often criticized for delays
Best For
Small to medium-sized retail and restaurant businesses needing scalable, hardware-integrated POS with app extensibility.
Pricing
Hardware from $499 (Mini) to $1,699 (Station Duo); software plans $14.95-$99.85/month per device + 2.3%-3.5% + $0.10 per transaction processing fees.
Shopify POS
enterpriseOmnichannel POS that seamlessly syncs in-store sales with online stores for inventory and customer data.
Real-time omnichannel inventory sync between online store and physical POS locations
Shopify POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale system designed for merchants using Shopify's e-commerce platform, enabling seamless in-person sales through compatible hardware like iPads, tablets, and card readers. It synchronizes inventory, orders, and customer data in real-time between online and physical stores, supporting features like buy online pickup in-store (BOPIS) and multi-location management. The system handles payments, staff permissions, and reporting, making it ideal for omnichannel retail operations.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Shopify online store for unified inventory and sales tracking
- Flexible hardware compatibility and mobile setup for pop-ups or permanent stores
- Robust omnichannel features like BOPIS and customer profiles across channels
Cons
- POS Pro advanced features require an additional $89/month per location fee
- Limited offline mode compared to dedicated POS systems
- Customization often requires third-party apps from the Shopify App Store
Best For
E-commerce businesses expanding into physical retail who need tight online-offline synchronization.
Pricing
POS Lite included free with any Shopify plan ($29-$2,000+/mo); POS Pro add-on at $89/location/month.
Revel Systems
enterpriseiPad-centric POS with real-time reporting, employee management, loyalty programs, and kitchen display systems.
Real-time cloud-based multi-location inventory synchronization and centralized analytics dashboard
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad-centric POS system tailored for restaurants, retail, bars, and quick-service operations. It delivers comprehensive tools for order management, inventory tracking, employee scheduling, customer loyalty programs, and advanced reporting with real-time analytics. The platform supports offline functionality, multi-location scalability, and extensive third-party integrations for payments, delivery, and accounting.
Pros
- Robust feature set with strong restaurant-specific tools like KDS
- Excellent multi-location management and real-time reporting
- Seamless integrations with 100+ third-party apps
Cons
- High subscription and per-terminal fees
- Hardware limited primarily to iPads/iOS ecosystem
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants, bars, and retail businesses needing scalable, analytics-driven POS with multi-location support.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per location + $25-$50 per terminal; hardware and advanced plans extra (custom enterprise pricing).
TouchBistro
enterpriseiPad-based POS tailored for restaurants featuring table management, staff scheduling, and analytics.
Interactive visual floor plan for dynamic table management and server handoffs
TouchBistro is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, bars, cafes, and hospitality businesses, providing tools for order taking, table management, inventory tracking, and staff scheduling. It integrates seamlessly with kitchen display systems, payment processors, and loyalty programs to optimize front- and back-of-house operations. The platform emphasizes mobility with iPad-centric hardware, offline functionality, and real-time reporting for data-driven decisions.
Pros
- Robust restaurant-specific features like visual floor plans and table-side ordering
- Reliable offline mode ensures business continuity during outages
- Comprehensive analytics and reporting for sales, inventory, and labor insights
Cons
- Premium pricing can be steep for smaller venues
- Occasional software glitches reported by users
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations
Best For
Full-service restaurants and bars seeking a mobile, hospitality-focused POS with strong table management.
Pricing
Starts at $69 per terminal/month (Starter plan), scaling to $165+ for Pro tiers; hardware and add-ons extra; custom quotes available.
Epos Now
enterpriseCustomizable cloud POS for retail and hospitality with integrated payments, stock control, and reporting.
Vast Epos Now App Store with 100+ third-party integrations for accounting, loyalty, and e-commerce.
Epos Now is a cloud-based POS system tailored for retail, restaurants, cafes, and salons, offering seamless transaction processing, inventory tracking, and customer management. It supports a wide range of hardware options and provides robust reporting tools for business insights. The platform excels in multi-location management and integrates with numerous third-party apps for enhanced functionality.
Pros
- Extensive marketplace with over 100 integrations
- Strong multi-location and inventory management
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics dashboard
Cons
- Pricing can add up with add-ons and hardware
- Customer support response times vary
- Limited offline mode reliance on internet
Best For
Small to medium-sized retail and hospitality businesses needing customizable POS with broad integrations.
Pricing
Software starts at $25/month per terminal (Essential plan); hardware bundles from $1,000+ with scalable tiers up to $60+/month.
SpotOn
enterprisePOS system with built-in marketing tools, loyalty programs, online ordering, and payment processing.
Proprietary payment processing that guarantees lower rates than competitors by rebating differences
SpotOn is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, retail, and service businesses, offering integrated payment processing, inventory management, online ordering, and customer loyalty programs. It provides customizable hardware options like countertop terminals and handhelds, with strong emphasis on reducing transaction costs through proprietary processing. The platform excels in restaurant-specific features such as table management, kitchen display systems, and delivery integrations with third-party services.
Pros
- Seamless integration of payments and POS reduces fees and streamlines operations
- Robust restaurant tools including tableside ordering and labor management
- Excellent customer support with dedicated account managers
Cons
- Pricing can be opaque with custom quotes and potential long-term contracts
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Limited scalability for very large enterprises compared to top competitors
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants and retail businesses seeking an all-in-one POS with built-in payment processing to cut costs.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at $99/month for software plus hardware leases ($500+ upfront or financed); processing at 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction with volume discounts.
Lavu
enterpriseCloud restaurant POS with menu customization, online ordering, time clock, and multi-location capabilities.
Drag-and-drop table management with real-time floor plans for efficient restaurant service
Lavu is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, bars, cafes, food trucks, and quick-service outlets, enabling efficient order management, payments, and operations on iPad and Android tablets. It includes specialized features like table mapping, inventory tracking, employee scheduling, and integrations with delivery apps and accounting software. The system emphasizes mobility, offline mode, and scalability for multi-location businesses.
Pros
- Strong restaurant-specific tools like customizable floor plans and table management
- Reliable offline mode for uninterrupted service
- Flexible mobile app support on iOS and Android
Cons
- Limited appeal outside foodservice industry
- Some users report integration glitches with third-party apps
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Small to medium-sized restaurants, bars, and food trucks needing a mobile-first POS with table service capabilities.
Pricing
Starter plan at $69/month (1 terminal), Pro at $119/month; additional terminals $50-$69/month, plus hardware and add-ons.
Conclusion
Evaluating the top 10 POS systems highlights a mix of robust tools, with Square emerging as the top choice due to its all-in-one versatility. Close behind, Lightspeed Retail impresses with advanced retail and e-commerce integration, while Toast stands out for its comprehensive restaurant-focused features. This range ensures businesses of all types can find a solution that fits their unique needs, whether big or small.
Don’t miss out—begin with Square to unlock its seamless payment processing, inventory management, and sales insights, and set your business up for success.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison