Quick Overview
- 1#1: Square - User-friendly POS system with free software, integrated payments, inventory tracking, and sales reporting tailored for small businesses.
- 2#2: Shopify POS - Seamless POS integration with e-commerce for unified online and in-store sales management in small retail businesses.
- 3#3: Lightspeed Retail - Robust cloud-based POS with advanced inventory, CRM, multi-location support, and analytics for growing small businesses.
- 4#4: Clover - Customizable POS hardware and software offering payments, apps marketplace, and business tools for small merchants.
- 5#5: Revel Systems - iPad-based cloud POS with comprehensive features for inventory, employees, and loyalty in retail and restaurants.
- 6#6: Loyverse - Free mobile POS app providing sales, inventory, employee management, and customer loyalty for small businesses.
- 7#7: TouchBistro - Restaurant-specific POS with table management, menu customization, and real-time reporting for small hospitality venues.
- 8#8: Epos Now - Flexible POS system supporting retail, hospitality, and salons with cloud access, inventory, and payment integration.
- 9#9: Lavu - Mobile-first POS for restaurants featuring quick ordering, payments, inventory, and multi-location capabilities.
- 10#10: Toast - All-in-one restaurant POS with online ordering, payments, payroll, and marketing tools for small food businesses.
We ranked these tools by evaluating key factors, including feature breadth, user interface intuitiveness, scalability, and overall value, ensuring they cater to the unique needs of small businesses, from startup efficiency to growing complexity.
Comparison Table
Small business point of sale software simplifies operations, but choosing the right fit can be tough. This comparison table, featuring tools like Square, Shopify POS, Lightspeed Retail, Clover, Revel Systems, and more, helps by outlining key capabilities, pricing, and usability to guide informed decisions.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Square User-friendly POS system with free software, integrated payments, inventory tracking, and sales reporting tailored for small businesses. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 2 |  Shopify POS Seamless POS integration with e-commerce for unified online and in-store sales management in small retail businesses. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Lightspeed Retail Robust cloud-based POS with advanced inventory, CRM, multi-location support, and analytics for growing small businesses. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | Clover Customizable POS hardware and software offering payments, apps marketplace, and business tools for small merchants. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 5 | Revel Systems iPad-based cloud POS with comprehensive features for inventory, employees, and loyalty in retail and restaurants. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Loyverse Free mobile POS app providing sales, inventory, employee management, and customer loyalty for small businesses. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | TouchBistro Restaurant-specific POS with table management, menu customization, and real-time reporting for small hospitality venues. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | Epos Now Flexible POS system supporting retail, hospitality, and salons with cloud access, inventory, and payment integration. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 9 | Lavu Mobile-first POS for restaurants featuring quick ordering, payments, inventory, and multi-location capabilities. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Toast All-in-one restaurant POS with online ordering, payments, payroll, and marketing tools for small food businesses. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 |
User-friendly POS system with free software, integrated payments, inventory tracking, and sales reporting tailored for small businesses.
Seamless POS integration with e-commerce for unified online and in-store sales management in small retail businesses.
Robust cloud-based POS with advanced inventory, CRM, multi-location support, and analytics for growing small businesses.
Customizable POS hardware and software offering payments, apps marketplace, and business tools for small merchants.
iPad-based cloud POS with comprehensive features for inventory, employees, and loyalty in retail and restaurants.
Free mobile POS app providing sales, inventory, employee management, and customer loyalty for small businesses.
Restaurant-specific POS with table management, menu customization, and real-time reporting for small hospitality venues.
Flexible POS system supporting retail, hospitality, and salons with cloud access, inventory, and payment integration.
Mobile-first POS for restaurants featuring quick ordering, payments, inventory, and multi-location capabilities.
All-in-one restaurant POS with online ordering, payments, payroll, and marketing tools for small food businesses.
Square
specializedUser-friendly POS system with free software, integrated payments, inventory tracking, and sales reporting tailored for small businesses.
Free magstripe or contactless reader with instant setup, revolutionizing mobile payments for small businesses
Square is a leading point-of-sale (POS) software platform tailored for small businesses, providing free tools for processing payments, managing inventory, tracking sales, and handling appointments both in-person and online. It integrates seamlessly with affordable hardware like card readers and terminals, enabling quick setup without monthly fees for the core software. With features like customizable menus, loyalty programs, and real-time reporting, Square supports retail, restaurants, services, and mobile vendors efficiently.
Pros
- Free POS software with no monthly fees or contracts
- Seamless payment processing with competitive rates and instant deposits
- Intuitive mobile app and hardware for on-the-go sales
- Robust integrations for e-commerce, inventory, and customer management
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢ for card-present) can accumulate for high-volume businesses
- Advanced reporting and customization limited without premium add-ons
- Customer support primarily email/chat, with phone for higher tiers only
Best For
Small businesses, startups, and mobile vendors seeking an affordable, user-friendly POS with built-in payments and no upfront costs.
Pricing
Free core POS software; transaction fees: 2.6% + 10¢ (in-person), 2.9% + 30¢ (online/invoiced); premium features like Square for Restaurants start at $60/month/location.
Shopify POS
specializedSeamless POS integration with e-commerce for unified online and in-store sales management in small retail businesses.
Real-time inventory and sales synchronization across online and physical channels
Shopify POS is a versatile point-of-sale system integrated with Shopify's e-commerce platform, enabling small businesses to process in-person transactions using mobile card readers, countertop kits, or full terminals. It provides real-time inventory synchronization between online and physical stores, unified customer data, and support for various payment methods including contactless and gift cards. The system scales from pop-up shops to multi-location retail with add-ons like staff management and analytics.
Pros
- Seamless real-time sync between online store and POS inventory
- Extensive app ecosystem for customizations like loyalty programs
- Supports flexible hardware options from basic readers to advanced terminals
Cons
- Requires a paid Shopify subscription (no standalone free tier)
- POS Pro for advanced features adds $89/month per location
- Transaction fees can add up (2.4-2.7% + 10-30¢ per sale)
Best For
Small businesses with an existing or planned online Shopify store seeking unified omnichannel sales and inventory management.
Pricing
POS Lite free with Shopify plans (Basic $29/mo); POS Pro $89/location/mo; plus processing fees (2.4-2.7% + 10-30¢ in-person).
Lightspeed Retail
enterpriseRobust cloud-based POS with advanced inventory, CRM, multi-location support, and analytics for growing small businesses.
Sophisticated inventory matrix and automated reordering system
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed specifically for retail businesses, offering robust inventory management, sales processing, and customer relationship tools. It supports omnichannel selling by integrating with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and provides real-time analytics, multi-location capabilities, and automated purchase orders. This makes it a powerful solution for retailers looking to streamline operations and scale efficiently.
Pros
- Advanced inventory management with real-time tracking and matrix options
- Strong omnichannel support for in-store and online sales
- Comprehensive reporting and multi-location capabilities
Cons
- Higher pricing that may not suit very small businesses
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Limited customization for non-retail industries
Best For
Multi-location retail stores needing sophisticated inventory control and e-commerce integration.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per register (Lean plan, billed annually); higher tiers up to $199/month for Advanced features; additional hardware and setup fees apply.
Clover
specializedCustomizable POS hardware and software offering payments, apps marketplace, and business tools for small merchants.
App Market with thousands of third-party apps for endless customization
Clover is a versatile cloud-based POS system tailored for small businesses, offering a suite of hardware devices like the Clover Mini, Flex, and Station alongside software for payments, inventory tracking, sales reporting, and customer management. It excels in retail, restaurants, and service industries with features like employee scheduling, loyalty programs, and e-commerce integrations. The platform's App Market provides thousands of third-party apps for customization, making it adaptable to specific business needs.
Pros
- Extensive App Market with over 1,000 integrations for customization
- Reliable, durable hardware options suitable for various business types
- Seamless payment processing with competitive in-person rates
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs and ongoing subscription fees
- Customer support can be slow or inconsistent
- Limited offline functionality compared to some competitors
Best For
Small retail, restaurant, or service businesses needing a highly customizable POS with strong app ecosystem support.
Pricing
Hardware from $499+; software plans $14.95-$114.85/month per device; processing fees ~2.3%-2.6% + $0.10 in-person.
Revel Systems
specializediPad-based cloud POS with comprehensive features for inventory, employees, and loyalty in retail and restaurants.
Integrated Kitchen Display System (KDS) and floor plan management for streamlined restaurant operations
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad POS solution designed primarily for restaurants, bars, retail, and small businesses needing robust transaction processing. It offers features like inventory management, employee scheduling, detailed reporting, table management, and integrations with over 100 third-party apps. The system supports offline mode for reliability and provides a web-based dashboard for remote access to operations.
Pros
- Extensive restaurant-specific tools like table mapping and KDS
- Strong cloud syncing and offline capabilities
- Vast integrations via app marketplace
Cons
- Limited to iOS/iPad hardware
- Higher costs for multi-terminal setups
- Customer support can be inconsistent
Best For
Full-service restaurants and quick-service eateries seeking advanced, iPad-optimized POS with deep analytics.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per terminal (Starter), $149 (Growth), $299+ (Enterprise), plus iPad/hardware costs.
Loyverse
specializedFree mobile POS app providing sales, inventory, employee management, and customer loyalty for small businesses.
Free core POS with unlimited transactions and users, no hidden fees
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. It supports mobile devices with real-time syncing across multiple outlets and integrates with hardware like receipt printers and barcode scanners. The platform provides detailed analytics and loyalty programs to help businesses grow without upfront costs.
Pros
- Completely free core POS features with unlimited users and no transaction fees
- Highly intuitive mobile-first interface for quick setup and use
- Strong inventory management and multi-location support
Cons
- Advanced reporting and features locked behind paid add-ons
- Limited customization for complex operations like full-service restaurants
- Customer support primarily via email/tickets, not 24/7 live chat
Best For
Small retail shops, cafes, and food trucks needing a free, mobile-friendly POS without advanced enterprise requirements.
Pricing
Free forever for basic POS; add-ons like Advanced Inventory ($5/location/month), Web Reporting ($10/location/month), and Loyalty ($5/location/month).
TouchBistro
specializedRestaurant-specific POS with table management, menu customization, and real-time reporting for small hospitality venues.
Interactive floor plans with drag-and-drop table management for efficient service
TouchBistro is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, bars, and hospitality businesses, providing tools for order management, table mapping, inventory control, and payment processing. It features offline capabilities, kitchen display systems, and advanced reporting to streamline operations and boost efficiency. Designed for iPad use, it excels in full-service environments with features like reservations and loyalty programs.
Pros
- Robust restaurant-specific tools like interactive floor plans and table management
- Reliable offline mode and strong integrations with accounting software
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for operational insights
Cons
- Higher pricing that may strain small budgets
- Limited to iPad hardware, restricting flexibility
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
Best For
Independent full-service restaurants and bars needing specialized hospitality management.
Pricing
Starts at $69/user/month (billed annually), plus hardware costs and add-ons like payroll.
Epos Now
specializedFlexible POS system supporting retail, hospitality, and salons with cloud access, inventory, and payment integration.
Vast app store with 100+ third-party integrations for accounting, delivery, and e-commerce.
Epos Now is a cloud-based POS system tailored for small to medium-sized businesses in retail, hospitality, and salons, offering touchscreen hardware bundles and software for seamless transactions. It provides inventory management, customer loyalty programs, detailed reporting, and multi-location support to streamline operations. The platform stands out with its extensive app marketplace for integrations with accounting software, e-commerce, and more, making it scalable for growing businesses.
Pros
- Extensive app marketplace with over 100 integrations
- Robust inventory, CRM, and reporting tools
- Reliable hardware options with flexible leasing
Cons
- Higher pricing for very small businesses
- Occasional software bugs and integration glitches
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customization
Best For
Small retail shops, cafes, and restaurants seeking an all-in-one POS with strong integrations and hardware support.
Pricing
Software subscriptions start at $25/month per terminal; hardware bundles from $200 upfront or $39/month lease, with custom quotes for full setups.
Lavu
specializedMobile-first POS for restaurants featuring quick ordering, payments, inventory, and multi-location capabilities.
Advanced table management with drag-and-drop floor plans and course-based ordering for efficient restaurant service
Lavu is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed primarily for restaurants, bars, food trucks, and quick-service eateries. It leverages iPad and iPhone hardware for a mobile-first experience, offering tools like customizable menus, table management, inventory tracking, employee scheduling, and integrated payment processing. The platform emphasizes speed and flexibility, with offline mode to ensure operations continue during internet outages.
Pros
- Highly intuitive iOS interface ideal for front-of-house staff
- Strong restaurant-specific tools like table mapping and kitchen display system
- Reliable offline mode for uninterrupted service
Cons
- Limited native support for non-Apple devices
- Pricing scales quickly with additional devices and add-ons
- Customer support receives mixed reviews for response times
Best For
Small restaurants, cafes, bars, and food trucks needing a mobile, easy-to-deploy iPad POS without complex setup.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month for Starter (1 device), $99 for Quick Serve, $159 for full Restaurant plan; per-device fees and hardware sold separately.
Toast
enterpriseAll-in-one restaurant POS with online ordering, payments, payroll, and marketing tools for small food businesses.
Built-in online ordering and delivery management that syncs real-time with the POS and kitchen operations
Toast is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed specifically for restaurants, bars, and foodservice businesses, offering tools for order management, payment processing, and table service. It includes inventory tracking, employee scheduling, customer loyalty programs, and integrations with online ordering, delivery services like Uber Eats, and kitchen display systems. The platform provides robust analytics and reporting to help owners optimize operations and drive revenue.
Pros
- Restaurant-specific features like kitchen display integration and menu management
- Reliable offline mode and strong mobile app for servers
- Extensive third-party integrations for delivery and accounting
Cons
- Higher pricing and hardware costs geared toward restaurants
- Steeper learning curve for non-restaurant users
- Limited flexibility for non-foodservice retail businesses
Best For
Small to medium-sized restaurants and cafes needing an all-in-one POS with online ordering and operations management.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location for core POS, plus processing fees (2.49%-3.69% per transaction), hardware from $799, and add-ons for advanced features.
Conclusion
The reviewed small business POS software offers standout solutions, with the top three—Square, Shopify POS, and Lightspeed Retail—rising to the forefront. Square leads as the top choice, boasting user-friendly design, integrated payments, and tailored tools that suit diverse small businesses. Shopify POS and Lightspeed Retail, meanwhile, excel as strong alternatives, each bringing unique strengths like e-commerce integration or scalable cloud-based capabilities. Ultimately, the best option hinges on specific business needs, but the top three deliver exceptional value.
Don’t miss out—explore Square’s free, intuitive software today to streamline payments, track inventory, and gain actionable insights, setting your small business up for efficient growth.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison