Quick Overview
- 1#1: Square - User-friendly POS system with free software, integrated payments, inventory tracking, and analytics tailored for small businesses.
- 2#2: Shopify POS - Seamless POS solution that syncs online and in-store sales, inventory, and customer data for omnichannel small businesses.
- 3#3: Clover - Customizable POS hardware and software with payments, loyalty programs, and app marketplace for retail and restaurants.
- 4#4: Lightspeed Retail - Advanced POS for retail with multi-location support, inventory management, and e-commerce integration.
- 5#5: Toast - Restaurant-focused POS with online ordering, tableside payments, and kitchen display systems for small eateries.
- 6#6: Revel Systems - Cloud-based iPad POS offering real-time reporting, inventory, and employee management for various small business types.
- 7#7: TouchBistro - iPad POS designed for full-service restaurants with menu management, floor plans, and reporting features.
- 8#8: Loyverse - Free mobile POS app with sales tracking, inventory, and loyalty programs ideal for startups and small shops.
- 9#9: SpotOn - All-in-one POS with competitive payment processing, marketing tools, and hardware bundles for small businesses.
- 10#10: Lavu - Cloud POS for restaurants featuring mobile ordering, inventory control, and multi-location capabilities.
We ranked these tools based on features like payment processing, inventory management, and analytics; ease of use for quick adoption; and overall value to ensure they deliver strategic and operational benefits for small businesses.
Comparison Table
Choosing the right small business POS software is made easier with this comparison, featuring tools like Square, Shopify POS, Clover, Lightspeed Retail, and more. It outlines key features, usability, and best-fit scenarios to help readers find the perfect solution for their business needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Square User-friendly POS system with free software, integrated payments, inventory tracking, and analytics tailored for small businesses. | other | 9.5/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 2 | Shopify POS Seamless POS solution that syncs online and in-store sales, inventory, and customer data for omnichannel small businesses. | other | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Clover Customizable POS hardware and software with payments, loyalty programs, and app marketplace for retail and restaurants. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Lightspeed Retail Advanced POS for retail with multi-location support, inventory management, and e-commerce integration. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 5 | Toast Restaurant-focused POS with online ordering, tableside payments, and kitchen display systems for small eateries. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | Revel Systems Cloud-based iPad POS offering real-time reporting, inventory, and employee management for various small business types. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | TouchBistro iPad POS designed for full-service restaurants with menu management, floor plans, and reporting features. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | Loyverse Free mobile POS app with sales tracking, inventory, and loyalty programs ideal for startups and small shops. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 9 | SpotOn All-in-one POS with competitive payment processing, marketing tools, and hardware bundles for small businesses. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Lavu Cloud POS for restaurants featuring mobile ordering, inventory control, and multi-location capabilities. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
User-friendly POS system with free software, integrated payments, inventory tracking, and analytics tailored for small businesses.
Seamless POS solution that syncs online and in-store sales, inventory, and customer data for omnichannel small businesses.
Customizable POS hardware and software with payments, loyalty programs, and app marketplace for retail and restaurants.
Advanced POS for retail with multi-location support, inventory management, and e-commerce integration.
Restaurant-focused POS with online ordering, tableside payments, and kitchen display systems for small eateries.
Cloud-based iPad POS offering real-time reporting, inventory, and employee management for various small business types.
iPad POS designed for full-service restaurants with menu management, floor plans, and reporting features.
Free mobile POS app with sales tracking, inventory, and loyalty programs ideal for startups and small shops.
All-in-one POS with competitive payment processing, marketing tools, and hardware bundles for small businesses.
Cloud POS for restaurants featuring mobile ordering, inventory control, and multi-location capabilities.
Square
otherUser-friendly POS system with free software, integrated payments, inventory tracking, and analytics tailored for small businesses.
Completely free POS software with transparent pay-per-transaction pricing and no hidden fees
Square is a leading point-of-sale (POS) system tailored for small businesses, providing free software for processing payments, managing inventory, tracking sales, and handling customer relationships. It supports a variety of hardware options like card readers, terminals, and full registers, enabling seamless in-person, online, and on-the-go transactions. With integrations for e-commerce, payroll, appointments, and loyalty programs, Square streamlines operations without requiring monthly software fees.
Pros
- Free POS software with no monthly fees or contracts
- Intuitive mobile app and quick setup for immediate use
- Comprehensive integrations with e-commerce, payroll, and accounting tools
Cons
- Transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume businesses
- Advanced reporting features are limited compared to enterprise POS systems
- Customer support primarily relies on self-service resources
Best For
Small businesses, startups, and mobile vendors seeking an affordable, plug-and-play POS solution without long-term commitments.
Pricing
Free POS software; in-person transactions at 2.6% + 10¢, online at 2.9% + 30¢; hardware starts at $49 for readers and up to $799 for registers.
Shopify POS
otherSeamless POS solution that syncs online and in-store sales, inventory, and customer data for omnichannel small businesses.
Real-time omnichannel inventory synchronization
Shopify POS is a versatile point-of-sale system integrated with Shopify's e-commerce platform, allowing small businesses to handle in-store transactions while syncing inventory, orders, and customer data in real-time across online and offline channels. It supports contactless payments, customizable hardware options like card readers and registers, and staff management tools. This makes it particularly powerful for retailers aiming for an omnichannel presence without managing separate systems.
Pros
- Seamless real-time sync between online store and physical sales
- Supports a wide range of payment methods including tap-to-pay
- Extensive app marketplace for custom features and integrations
Cons
- Requires a Shopify subscription (starting at $29/month)
- Extra transaction fees for non-Shopify Payments processors
- POS Pro advanced features add $89/month per location
Best For
Small retailers with an online Shopify store looking to expand into brick-and-mortar sales with unified inventory management.
Pricing
Basic POS is free with any Shopify plan ($29–$2,000+/month); POS Pro is $89/month per location; hardware sold separately.
Clover
otherCustomizable POS hardware and software with payments, loyalty programs, and app marketplace for retail and restaurants.
App Marketplace offering thousands of third-party apps for tailored industry-specific customizations
Clover is a versatile cloud-based POS system tailored for small businesses, providing hardware like countertop terminals, mobile devices, and kiosks alongside software for sales processing, inventory management, employee scheduling, and customer loyalty programs. It excels in retail, restaurants, and service industries with support for contactless payments, e-commerce integration, and real-time reporting. The platform's strength lies in its extensive app marketplace, allowing users to customize functionality with third-party integrations for specialized needs.
Pros
- Expansive app marketplace with over 500 integrations for customization
- Reliable hardware options suited for various business sizes and venues
- Seamless integrated payment processing with competitive rates for volume users
Cons
- Significant upfront hardware costs that may deter bootstrapped startups
- Transaction fees (2.3%-3.5% + 10¢) can accumulate for high-volume low-margin sales
- Customer support experiences vary, with some delays in resolution
Best For
Small to medium retail, quick-service restaurants, or service businesses seeking a highly customizable POS with robust hardware and app ecosystem.
Pricing
Hardware from $49 (Clover Go) to $1,699 (Station Duo); software subscriptions $14.95-$94.85/mo per device; processing fees 2.3%-3.5% + 10¢ per transaction.
Lightspeed Retail
enterpriseAdvanced POS for retail with multi-location support, inventory management, and e-commerce integration.
Unified commerce platform with real-time inventory synchronization across all sales channels
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based POS system tailored for retail businesses, providing robust inventory management, point-of-sale transactions, and customer relationship management tools. It enables multi-location operations, e-commerce integration, and real-time analytics to streamline operations and support omnichannel selling. The platform scales with growing businesses, offering customizable hardware compatibility and advanced reporting features.
Pros
- Comprehensive inventory management with real-time tracking
- Seamless omnichannel integration for online and in-store sales
- Strong multi-location support and detailed analytics
Cons
- Pricing can be expensive for single-location small shops
- Learning curve for advanced features and customizations
- Additional costs for hardware and premium add-ons
Best For
Multi-location retail stores needing advanced inventory control and unified online-offline sales channels.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location (Lean plan), $109/month (Standard), $159/month (Advanced); annual contracts required for best rates, plus transaction fees and hardware costs.
Toast
specializedRestaurant-focused POS with online ordering, tableside payments, and kitchen display systems for small eateries.
Integrated online ordering and delivery management that syncs directly with the POS for unified order flow.
Toast is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, providing tools for order management, payment processing, inventory tracking, and staff scheduling. It integrates seamlessly with online ordering, delivery services like Uber Eats, and offers advanced reporting for sales and operations insights. Designed to handle everything from quick-service to full-service dining, it helps small restaurant owners streamline front-of-house and back-of-house processes.
Pros
- Comprehensive restaurant-specific tools like kitchen display system and menu management
- Strong integrations with delivery apps and online ordering
- Detailed analytics and real-time reporting
Cons
- Higher pricing and required hardware bundles increase upfront costs
- Long-term contracts can be inflexible for very small businesses
- Less suitable for non-restaurant retail environments
Best For
Small to mid-sized restaurants needing an all-in-one solution for in-person, online, and delivery orders.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at $69/month per location for Starter plan, plus hardware from $799 and transaction fees around 2.99% + $0.15.
Revel Systems
otherCloud-based iPad POS offering real-time reporting, inventory, and employee management for various small business types.
Native iPad app with seamless kitchen display system (KDS) for efficient order routing
Revel Systems is a cloud-based POS platform primarily designed for iPad and iPhone, catering to restaurants, cafes, and retail businesses with features like inventory management, employee scheduling, customer loyalty programs, and real-time reporting. It supports multi-location operations with centralized data syncing and offers offline functionality to ensure uninterrupted service. The system integrates with numerous third-party apps for enhanced customization and scalability.
Pros
- Robust cloud-based analytics and reporting
- Strong integrations via app marketplace
- Reliable offline mode and multi-location support
Cons
- High subscription and hardware costs
- Limited to Apple ecosystem
- Learning curve for advanced features
Best For
Small to mid-sized restaurants and retail stores needing scalable, mobile POS with real-time insights.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per terminal (Starter plan), up to $299+/month for Pro/Enterprise; hardware like iPads sold separately.
TouchBistro
specializediPad POS designed for full-service restaurants with menu management, floor plans, and reporting features.
Interactive drag-and-drop floor plans for dynamic table and server management
TouchBistro is a cloud-based POS system designed specifically for restaurants, bars, and hospitality businesses, providing tools for order management, table service, payments, inventory tracking, and staff scheduling. It excels in front-of-house operations with visual floor plans, bill splitting, and course management, while offering back-of-house insights through detailed reporting and integrations. The system supports offline mode for reliability during outages and works primarily on iPads.
Pros
- Tailored restaurant-specific features like table mapping and course firing
- Robust offline functionality and real-time reporting
- Extensive integrations with delivery, loyalty, and accounting apps
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to general POS competitors
- Primarily iPad-dependent, limiting hardware flexibility
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy staff
Best For
Full-service restaurants and bars seeking comprehensive hospitality-focused POS with strong table management.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per terminal (billed annually), with tiers up to $165/month; custom quotes and hardware extra.
Loyverse
otherFree mobile POS app with sales tracking, inventory, and loyalty programs ideal for startups and small shops.
Unlimited free transactions and users with full offline functionality
Loyverse is a cloud-based POS system tailored for small businesses like retail stores, cafes, and food trucks, offering sales processing, inventory tracking, employee management, and customer loyalty tools. It operates seamlessly on iOS and Android devices with offline mode support for uninterrupted service. The platform provides real-time analytics and multi-location capabilities, making it scalable for growing operations.
Pros
- Completely free core POS with no transaction fees
- Intuitive mobile-first interface that's quick to set up
- Robust inventory management and real-time reporting
Cons
- Advanced features like detailed analytics require paid add-ons
- Limited customization options compared to enterprise solutions
- Customer support primarily via email and self-help resources
Best For
Small retail shops, cafes, and food services seeking a free, mobile POS with essential tools and easy scalability.
Pricing
Free core plan forever; paid add-ons (e.g., Employees, Inventory Pro) at $5/month per feature per location.
SpotOn
otherAll-in-one POS with competitive payment processing, marketing tools, and hardware bundles for small businesses.
Transparent flat-rate payment processing designed to undercut traditional merchant fees
SpotOn is a cloud-based POS system tailored for small businesses, particularly restaurants and retail, offering integrated payment processing, inventory management, employee scheduling, and online ordering capabilities. It supports customizable hardware like iPads and kitchen displays for seamless operations. The platform emphasizes cost savings on payments and provides robust reporting tools for business insights.
Pros
- Competitive and transparent payment processing rates that can reduce costs
- Comprehensive restaurant-specific tools like table management and kitchen displays
- Strong customer support with dedicated account managers
Cons
- Higher upfront costs for hardware bundles
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Limited third-party app integrations compared to competitors
Best For
Growing restaurants and small hospitality businesses needing an all-in-one POS with integrated payments.
Pricing
Software starts at $25/month per location plus 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction; hardware from $500-$2,000 upfront.
Lavu
specializedCloud POS for restaurants featuring mobile ordering, inventory control, and multi-location capabilities.
Interactive floor plan and table mapping for efficient server navigation and order routing
Lavu is a cloud-based POS system primarily designed for restaurants, bars, food trucks, and hospitality businesses, offering mobile point-of-sale capabilities via iPad and Android devices. It provides essential features like table mapping, menu customization, inventory management, employee scheduling, and integrations with third-party delivery services and accounting software. The platform emphasizes speed-of-service and offline functionality, making it suitable for fast-paced small business environments.
Pros
- Restaurant-specific tools like advanced table management and floor plans
- Offline mode ensures uninterrupted service
- Strong integrations with QuickBooks, delivery apps, and loyalty programs
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with multiple terminals
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Limited customization outside hospitality industry
Best For
Small restaurants, bars, and food trucks needing mobile, table-service-focused POS with reliable offline capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per terminal (Starter plan) up to $159/month (Ultimate), plus one-time hardware costs and optional add-ons like online ordering.
Conclusion
The reviewed POS tools showcase diverse strengths, with Square leading as the top choice—its user-friendly design, integrated payments, inventory tracking, and analytics make it a standout for many small businesses. Shopify POS impresses with seamless omnichannel integration, while Clover’s customizable hardware and app marketplace offer strong alternatives for varied needs. Together, these solutions highlight the power of tailored POS systems to streamline operations.
Don’t miss out—explore Square today to unlock its intuitive, all-in-one capabilities and take your small business’s efficiency to the next level.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
