Quick Overview
- 1#1: Toast - Cloud-based restaurant POS system optimized for iPad tablets with comprehensive order management and payment processing.
- 2#2: Square - Versatile POS software for retail and restaurants that runs seamlessly on iPad and Android tablets with integrated payments.
- 3#3: Lightspeed Restaurant - Feature-rich POS platform for hospitality businesses supporting tablet deployments with inventory and analytics tools.
- 4#4: TouchBistro - iPad-exclusive POS designed for full-service restaurants offering floor plans, tableside ordering, and reporting.
- 5#5: Revel Systems - Cloud-native iPad POS for retail and quick-service restaurants with customizable features and real-time data.
- 6#6: Clover - Flexible tablet-compatible POS hardware and software ecosystem for small to medium businesses with app marketplace.
- 7#7: Shopify POS - Tablet POS app integrated with e-commerce for seamless omnichannel selling on iPad and Android devices.
- 8#8: Lavu - iPad-based restaurant POS with mobile ordering, kitchen display, and multi-location support.
- 9#9: SpotOn - All-in-one restaurant POS for tablets featuring contactless payments, loyalty programs, and marketing tools.
- 10#10: Zettle - Simple tablet POS by PayPal for small businesses with inventory tracking and sales analytics.
Tools were selected based on functionality (e.g., order tracking, payment processing), ease of use, and overall value, including scalability and additional features like reporting or loyalty programs, ensuring suitability for diverse business needs.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores leading tablet POS software tools like Toast, Square, Lightspeed Restaurant, TouchBistro, and Revel Systems, offering a clear overview of each. Readers will gain insights into features, pricing, and ideal use cases to find the best fit for their business needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toast Cloud-based restaurant POS system optimized for iPad tablets with comprehensive order management and payment processing. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
| 2 | Square Versatile POS software for retail and restaurants that runs seamlessly on iPad and Android tablets with integrated payments. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | Lightspeed Restaurant Feature-rich POS platform for hospitality businesses supporting tablet deployments with inventory and analytics tools. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | TouchBistro iPad-exclusive POS designed for full-service restaurants offering floor plans, tableside ordering, and reporting. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Revel Systems Cloud-native iPad POS for retail and quick-service restaurants with customizable features and real-time data. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Clover Flexible tablet-compatible POS hardware and software ecosystem for small to medium businesses with app marketplace. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Shopify POS Tablet POS app integrated with e-commerce for seamless omnichannel selling on iPad and Android devices. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | Lavu iPad-based restaurant POS with mobile ordering, kitchen display, and multi-location support. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | SpotOn All-in-one restaurant POS for tablets featuring contactless payments, loyalty programs, and marketing tools. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 10 | Zettle Simple tablet POS by PayPal for small businesses with inventory tracking and sales analytics. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 |
Cloud-based restaurant POS system optimized for iPad tablets with comprehensive order management and payment processing.
Versatile POS software for retail and restaurants that runs seamlessly on iPad and Android tablets with integrated payments.
Feature-rich POS platform for hospitality businesses supporting tablet deployments with inventory and analytics tools.
iPad-exclusive POS designed for full-service restaurants offering floor plans, tableside ordering, and reporting.
Cloud-native iPad POS for retail and quick-service restaurants with customizable features and real-time data.
Flexible tablet-compatible POS hardware and software ecosystem for small to medium businesses with app marketplace.
Tablet POS app integrated with e-commerce for seamless omnichannel selling on iPad and Android devices.
iPad-based restaurant POS with mobile ordering, kitchen display, and multi-location support.
All-in-one restaurant POS for tablets featuring contactless payments, loyalty programs, and marketing tools.
Simple tablet POS by PayPal for small businesses with inventory tracking and sales analytics.
Toast
enterpriseCloud-based restaurant POS system optimized for iPad tablets with comprehensive order management and payment processing.
Integrated online ordering and Toast Delivery that captures direct customer orders without third-party commissions
Toast is a cloud-based POS system designed specifically for restaurants, running seamlessly on tablets to handle order taking, payment processing, table management, and kitchen communication. It provides an all-in-one platform with features like inventory management, employee scheduling, customer loyalty programs, and real-time analytics to optimize restaurant operations. Toast excels in integrations with delivery services, online ordering, and hardware like kitchen display systems, making it a comprehensive solution for modern hospitality businesses.
Pros
- Extremely comprehensive restaurant-specific features including online ordering and analytics
- Reliable offline mode and fast performance on tablets
- Scalable for single locations to enterprise chains with strong integrations
Cons
- Higher pricing especially with hardware and add-ons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Customer support can be slow during peak times
Best For
Mid-sized to large restaurants needing a full-featured tablet POS with online ordering, delivery integrations, and advanced reporting.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location for core POS software, plus hardware costs ($500+), payment processing (2.49% + $0.15/transaction), and premium add-ons.
Square
specializedVersatile POS software for retail and restaurants that runs seamlessly on iPad and Android tablets with integrated payments.
Zero monthly fees for unlimited POS use with seamless integration of the free Square Reader for instant card payments.
Square is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system optimized for tablets like iPads and Android devices, enabling businesses to accept contactless payments, track sales, manage inventory, and run reports seamlessly. It pairs with affordable hardware such as Square Reader and stands for a complete tablet setup. The software emphasizes simplicity, with no monthly fees for core features, making it ideal for mobile and small-scale operations.
Pros
- Completely free POS software with no subscription required
- Intuitive interface and quick setup on tablets
- Robust payment processing including contactless and gift cards
Cons
- Transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume sellers
- Advanced inventory and reporting tools are basic compared to enterprise options
- Custom hardware integrations may require additional purchases
Best For
Small to medium retail, food service, and mobile businesses seeking an affordable, user-friendly tablet POS without upfront software costs.
Pricing
Free POS software; processing fees start at 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction, higher for keyed-in sales; hardware sold separately.
Lightspeed Restaurant
enterpriseFeature-rich POS platform for hospitality businesses supporting tablet deployments with inventory and analytics tools.
Advanced kitchen display system (KDS) integration with real-time order routing and production timers
Lightspeed Restaurant is a cloud-based POS system designed specifically for restaurants and hospitality businesses, offering seamless tablet compatibility on iPads and other devices. It handles front-of-house tasks like order taking, table management, and payments, while providing back-of-house tools for inventory tracking, menu engineering, and detailed reporting. The platform supports multi-location operations and integrates with kitchen display systems for efficient workflows.
Pros
- Robust inventory and recipe costing tools
- Advanced analytics and customizable reporting
- Extensive integrations with 100+ third-party apps
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers for advanced features
- Steeper learning curve for complex setups
- Limited offline mode compared to competitors
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants and multi-location chains seeking scalable inventory management and detailed analytics.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per terminal (Essential plan, billed annually), scaling to $169+/month for Pro/Elite tiers, plus payment processing fees.
TouchBistro
specializediPad-exclusive POS designed for full-service restaurants offering floor plans, tableside ordering, and reporting.
Visual drag-and-drop floor plans for intuitive table management and seating optimization
TouchBistro is an iPad-optimized POS system built exclusively for restaurants and bars, enabling seamless order management, payment processing, and table service. It includes specialized tools like visual floor plans, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, and loyalty programs, all accessible via a user-friendly tablet interface. The platform supports offline operations to ensure business continuity during connectivity issues and offers cloud-based reporting for real-time insights.
Pros
- Advanced restaurant-specific features like drag-and-drop table management and kitchen display integration
- Reliable offline mode for uninterrupted service
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics tailored to hospitality
Cons
- iPad-only compatibility limits hardware options
- Higher pricing may strain smaller operations
- Occasional reports of customer support delays
Best For
Full-service restaurants and bars needing a robust, tablet-based POS with strong table service capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per terminal (Starter plan), with Essential at $165/month and Growth at $295/month; payments and hardware extra.
Revel Systems
enterpriseCloud-native iPad POS for retail and quick-service restaurants with customizable features and real-time data.
Real-time cloud-based analytics dashboard with customizable KPIs for business intelligence
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad POS solution designed primarily for restaurants, retail, and bars, offering comprehensive tools for sales processing, inventory management, employee scheduling, and customer loyalty programs. It provides real-time reporting and analytics accessible from any device, with seamless integrations for delivery apps, accounting software, and more. The system supports offline mode for uninterrupted service during internet outages, making it reliable for high-volume environments.
Pros
- Robust inventory and multi-location management
- Advanced real-time reporting and analytics
- Strong integrations with 100+ third-party apps
Cons
- Higher pricing can be prohibitive for small businesses
- iPad/iOS only, no Android support
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
Best For
Multi-location restaurants and retail businesses needing scalable inventory control and detailed analytics.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per terminal (Essentials plan), up to $249/month for Enterprise; hardware and add-ons extra.
Clover
specializedFlexible tablet-compatible POS hardware and software ecosystem for small to medium businesses with app marketplace.
App Market with over 5,000 third-party apps for tailored functionality
Clover is a cloud-based POS system from Fiserv that transforms tablets, countertop devices, and mobile hardware into full-featured point-of-sale solutions for retail, restaurants, and services. It offers integrated payment processing, inventory management, employee scheduling, and customer loyalty tools. The platform's App Market provides thousands of third-party apps for customization, making it highly adaptable to specific business needs.
Pros
- Extensive App Market for customization
- Seamless integrated payment processing
- Durable, flexible hardware options including tablets
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs
- Ongoing subscription and transaction fees add up
- Best features require Clover-specific hardware
Best For
Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses needing a customizable, all-in-one tablet POS with strong payment integration.
Pricing
Hardware starts at $499 (e.g., Clover Mini tablet); software plans from $14.95/mo (Register Lite) to $99+/mo (Register Pro), plus ~2.3% + $0.10 per transaction.
Shopify POS
specializedTablet POS app integrated with e-commerce for seamless omnichannel selling on iPad and Android devices.
Automatic omnichannel inventory synchronization across online and physical stores in real-time
Shopify POS is a tablet-based point-of-sale system designed for iPads and compatible Android tablets, enabling retailers to process in-store transactions while seamlessly integrating with their Shopify online store. It supports inventory management, customer tracking, and sales reporting across both physical and digital channels. The software offers two tiers: POS Lite (basic features) and POS Pro (advanced tools like staff permissions and professional reports).
Pros
- Seamless real-time sync between online and in-store inventory and sales
- Intuitive tablet interface with quick setup and mobile flexibility
- Broad payment processing options including contactless and Shopify Payments
Cons
- POS Pro advanced features require extra $89/month per location fee
- Reporting and analytics limited in free Lite version
- Best suited for Shopify ecosystem users, less ideal for standalone POS needs
Best For
Small to medium retailers with an existing Shopify online store seeking unified omnichannel operations.
Pricing
POS Lite free with any Shopify plan ($29+/mo); POS Pro $89/mo per location; hardware sold separately.
Lavu
specializediPad-based restaurant POS with mobile ordering, kitchen display, and multi-location support.
Advanced offline functionality that syncs data automatically upon reconnection
Lavu is a cloud-based tablet POS system designed primarily for restaurants and bars, enabling seamless order taking, table management, and payment processing on iPads and Android tablets. It offers robust features like customizable menus, inventory management, employee scheduling, and kitchen display systems to streamline front- and back-of-house operations. The platform supports offline mode for uninterrupted service during connectivity issues and integrates with various third-party apps for loyalty programs and delivery services.
Pros
- Strong tablet optimization with intuitive touch interface
- Reliable offline mode for continuous operations
- Comprehensive restaurant-specific tools like table mapping and KDS
Cons
- Limited scalability for non-restaurant businesses
- Customer support can be slow during peak times
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans
Best For
Small to mid-sized restaurants and bars seeking a mobile-first POS with offline capabilities.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month for basic plan (1 device); scales to $159+/month for Pro plan with unlimited devices and advanced features; custom enterprise pricing available.
SpotOn
enterpriseAll-in-one restaurant POS for tablets featuring contactless payments, loyalty programs, and marketing tools.
Transparent, industry-low payment processing with no long-term contracts or hidden fees
SpotOn is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, retail, and hospitality businesses, offering tablet-compatible hardware like iPad stands for efficient front-of-house operations. It provides end-to-end features including payment processing, inventory management, employee scheduling, kitchen display systems, and online ordering integrations. The platform stands out for its focus on cost savings through competitive processing rates and customizable reporting tools.
Pros
- Competitive payment processing rates (2.6% + $0.10)
- Robust restaurant tools like KDS and multi-location support
- 24/7 U.S.-based customer support
Cons
- Custom quotes make pricing less transparent upfront
- Hardware bundles can be costly for smaller operations
- Steeper learning curve for advanced reporting features
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants and hospitality venues needing integrated payments and operations management on tablets.
Pricing
Custom quotes; software from $99+/month per location, payments at 2.6% + $0.10, hardware $500+ upfront.
Zettle
specializedSimple tablet POS by PayPal for small businesses with inventory tracking and sales analytics.
Ultra-portable Bluetooth card reader optimized for seamless tablet integration and quick contactless payments
Zettle, now part of PayPal, is a mobile-first POS software solution that transforms tablets and smartphones into versatile point-of-sale systems for small businesses. It supports contactless payments via a compact Bluetooth card reader, basic inventory management, sales reporting, and customer loyalty tools. Primarily designed for on-the-go merchants like market stalls, food trucks, and pop-up shops, it emphasizes simplicity and affordability over enterprise-level features.
Pros
- Extremely simple setup and intuitive tablet interface
- Portable hardware with reliable Bluetooth connectivity
- Real-time sales insights and basic reporting at no monthly cost
Cons
- Transaction-based fees can add up for high-volume sales
- Limited advanced inventory and multi-location support
- Fewer integrations compared to dedicated tablet POS competitors
Best For
Small mobile vendors and pop-up retailers seeking a low-commitment, easy-to-use tablet POS without monthly subscriptions.
Pricing
Free POS app; transaction fees from 1.49%-1.75% per swipe (region-dependent); card reader hardware starts at around $29 one-time purchase.
Conclusion
Evaluating the top 10 tablet POS tools highlights Toast as the clear winner, excelling in restaurant-specific capabilities like order management and payment processing. Square, with its versatility across retail and food service, and Lightspeed Restaurant, offering robust inventory and analytics, stand out as strong alternatives, each tailored to distinct business needs. For many, Toast’s seamless iPad optimization makes it a standout choice, though Square and Lightspeed remain excellent options depending on priorities.
Take the first step toward enhanced efficiency—try Toast today to discover a powerful, user-friendly solution that elevates daily operations and boosts customer satisfaction.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
