15 Best Restaurant POS Software & Tools

A restaurant POS system is the backbone of your business. 

It allows you to take orders, process sales transactions, manage employees, and run customer retention strategies.

With a good POS system, you can manage not only your sales but also optimize your daily operations. 

In this article, I have reviewed some of the best POS software products that are ideal for Restaurants. Check out the list to explore their core features and prices.

What is Restaurant POS Software and What Tools Are Best For You?

A restaurant POS software is a digital register that records your sales transactions and generates customer invoices. It comes with virtual terminals for online sales and hardware for in-person payments.

Modern POS systems also offer several side functions to help restaurant owners oversee key operations and track their profits. They can create order management workflows, keep an eye on their inventory, build loyalty programs, and even monitor sales trends.

Top Features To Look For In a Restaurant POS Software;

• Sales transactions.
• Order management.
• Inventory tracking.
• Customer engagement.
• Reporting.

If you are looking for recommendations, check out the top 15 best POS software for restaurants.  The list might help you compare products and pick the right software for your business.

1. Square

Square offers software and hardware solutions to service-based businesses. Its POS system is ideal for small to mid-size restaurants, providing flexible payment options and a robust operation suite.

You can use Square to process sales transactions, manage takeouts, and handle online deliveries. You’ll get a mobile app for table-side orders and a kiosk app for drive-thru.

Tons of other interesting features are available on Square to improve efficiency. For example, you can create a house account for loyal customers to provide convenient payment solutions.

Overall, it’s a good app to consider for your restaurant.

Core Features

• In-person and online sales.
• Offline payments.
• Table-side ordering and kiosks.
• Floor management.
• Employee features.
• Customer engagement.
• Real-time inventory and sales reporting.
• Multi-location support.
• Mobile app.

Price

Square offers a free version with paid plans starting at $60 a month. Processing fees are 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction.

2. Aloha

ALOHA is another leading POS software. Many prefer it due to its established reputation and versatility.

The software provides both on-premise and cloud POS systems with hardware support for front and back-end operations. You can easily manage your cash register, kitchen display, tables, and reservations. You can set up take-out and online delivery workflows as well.

Payment and reporting systems here are robust. You’ll also get several convenient features, like customer engagement and real-time reporting, to improve your sales.

Core Features

• On-premise and cloud POS.
• Flexible payment.
• Back and front-end solutions.
• Table side serving.
• Staff management.
• Mobile ordering.
• Self-service kiosks.
• Customer engagement.
• Reporting.

Price

ALOHA shares prices on request. Contact sales to get quotes.

3. SpotOn

SpotOn is perfect for all kinds of food and beverage businesses. You can buy counter and full-service POS packages and scale your plan for complex workflows.

The software is easy to use and comes with both basic and advanced features. You’ll get a seamless payment system, robust analytics, staff management, and multi-unit management. 

One of SpotOn’s notable features is its cellular backup. Your system remains online when Wi-Fi signals are disrupted.

Core Features

• Cloud POS with hardware.
• Online ordering and delivery.
• Back and front-end management.
• Table-side ordering.
• Marketing and loyalty programs.
• Staff management.
• Reservations.
• Analytics and reporting.
• Integration.

Price

SPOTON charges $99 for the counter package and $135 for the full package. The basic plan is free.

Special offers are available for new restaurants.

4. Clover

Clover is a card processor and POS system. It has features for both quick and full-service restaurants.

You’ll get flexible payment options with mobile devices for table-side orders. The software supports cash, checks, wallets, and borderless accounts like PayPal.

The subscription also covers other operation management tools like online ordering, omnichannel menu management, real-time sales tracking, and employee scheduling. Plus, you can build loyalty programs and gift cards for customers.

The unique selling point of CLOVER is its cash flow service. If you ever need an advance, you don’t have to look elsewhere for cash.

Core Features

• Software and hardware.
• In-person and online payments.
• Menu and order management.
• Online ordering.
• Customer engagement.
• Employee scheduling.
• Tracking and reporting.
• Payroll integration.
• Mobile app.
• Cash advance.

Price

Clover prices start at $105. For the full-service system, it charges $165 to $330.

5. Lightspeed

Lightspeed comes with some really good POS features.

You can manage table-side and online orders, introduce contactless ordering, build the floor plan, and accept online and offline payments. What’s more, you can run multiple units on your POS, and customize your system.

For the back-end workflows, you will get a kitchen display system and inventory management system. 

Add-ons are available on the platform to extend the software functionality. For example, you can integrate LightSpeed with the hotel PMS and your accounting tool.

Core Features

• Custom POS.
• Hardware.
• Online and offline payments.
• Table-side and online ordering.
• Kitchen and floor management.
• Inventory tracking.
• Multi-location support.
• Customer engagement.
• Reporting and analytics.
• Integration.
• Mobile app.

Price

Lightspeed charges $189 to $399 per month.  You can get an enterprise package.

6. Oracle MICROS 

Oracle MICROS is best for both casual diners and high-end restaurants. It’s a global POS that provides enterprise-grade on-premise and cloud systems, plus a range of hardware, including portable POS.

Core capabilities of MICROS are payment processing, front-end, and back-end integration, table service, and reporting. In addition, you can run online ordering, pick-up services, and self-service kiosks.

MICROS works in 180+ countries.

Core Features

• On-premise and cloud POS.
• Front and back-end integration.
• Online ordering and delivery.
• Loyalty program.
• Inventory tracking.
• Staff management.
• Global coverage.
• PMS integration.
• Mobile app.

Price

Oracle shares prices on request. Contact sales for details.

7. Heartland

Heartland POS is well-suited for bars, casual diners, and growing restaurants with multiple branches. It delivers a digital cash register with mobile POS for easy ordering.

Some of its notable features are payment processing, table-side ordering, kitchen display system, and inventory management. You can connect your back and front-end workflows and also run loyalty programs.

Over 75+ integration options are available on Heartland, plus side products for additional functions.

All in all, it’s a handy tool for small and growing businesses.

Core Features

• Software and hardware.
• Payment processing.
• Table-side ordering.
• Online ordering.
• Kitchen display system.
• Loyalty program.
• Inventory tracking.
• Staff management.
• Integration.
• Mobile app.

Price

Heartland prices start at $89. 

8. Lavu

Lavu delivers iPad POS software. It supports over a dozen hospitality businesses and all the essential features.

The system is user-friendly and allows customization. You can set up a self-ordering kiosk and integrate Lavu with third-party applications like Uber to run an online ordering and delivery service.

With its inventory and reporting features, you can easily monitor your stock and sales trends. 

There’s also an option for staff management. Your employees can clock in and out and take orders on the smartphone.

One of its standout features is the cash discount program. You can offer discounts to customers who pay in cash. This would allow you to save credit card processing fees.

Core Features

• Full and quick service software.
• iPad POS.
• Online ordering.
• Offline mode.
• Customization.
• Inventory tracking.
• Staff management.
• Cash discount program.
• Reporting.
• Integration.

Price

Lavu charges $59 to $129 per month.

9. TouchBistro

TouchBistro offers a complete restaurant management solution.  Via this tool, you can handle your front operations, back office, and guests.

The monthly package covers floor plans, menu management, table-side ordering, and staff scheduling. You can incorporate contactless ordering and offer bill-splitting options to customers.

Menu management is easier on TouchBistro. You can create separate menus for in-person and online orders, and add customization options.

Tons of integration are available to streamline your workflows.

Core Features

• Software and hardware.
• Front and back house integration.
• Online ordering.
• Guest engagement.
• Menu customization.
• Staff management.
• Contactless payment.
• Table-side ordering.
• Third-party integrations.

Price

TouchBistro prices begin at $69/month. 

10. Toast

Toast is a top-rated POS software for restaurants. People love it for its ease of use, rich features, and good support.

The software facilitates sales transitions, menu management, table-side ordering, and mobile ordering. 

It also comes with both offline and online features. You can easily build your website and optimize it for Google. Also, you’ll get a mobile app in the digital suite to keep an eye on your operations remotely.

Staff management is part of the package. You can oversee your employees’ time, tips, and payroll via Toast.

Core Features

• Hardware and software.
• Online ordering.
• Payment processing.
• Table and order management.
• Marketing suite.
• Reporting.
• Integration.
• Mobile app.

Price

Toast has a free starter plan. Its premium subscription costs $69 per month.

You can customize your package.

11. HungerRush

HungerRush covers cash drawer, kitchen display, online orders, and food delivery. For $89 a month, you can get a full-fledged cloud POS system with add-on hardware support.

The platform delivers flexible payment options to optimize the buying experience and multiple hardware products to set up your front and back house operations.

Several marketing features like loyalty programs and feedback surveys are also available to help you engage customers. 

For delivery management. HungerRush provides Uber integration. I believe you’ll also find other options, like DoorDash. Contact sales to learn more about integrations.

Core Features

• Software and hardware.
• Online ordering.
• Kitchen display.
• Marketing tools.
• Group ordering.
• Third-party online order delivery integrations.
• AI sales forecasting.
• Multi-location support.

Price

HungerRush charges $99 to $299. Book a demo to explore it.

12. Squirrel

Squirrel provides POS systems for small businesses, multi-location restaurants, and hotels. You’ll get comprehensive software with the capability to support complex workflows.

The system is scalable and allows integration with ordering services for delivery management. Its interface is user-friendly, and you’ll get desktop, tablet, and handheld hardware with the software.

Kitchen management is built into the system. It offers real-time updates to help you improve coordination. You’ll also get the module for staff management.

Core Features

• Software and hardware.
• Self-hosting capabilities.
• Kitchen management.
• Online ordering.
• Staff management.
• Real-time reporting.
• Integrations.
• Mobile friendly.

Price

Squirrel’s cloud POS costs $100 per month. For the on-premise system prices, contact sales.

13. Loyverse

Loyverse offers a free POS app with premium add-ons and hardware. You can use it on your smartphone, and record transactions online and offline.

You can manage multiple locations on Loyverse and handle credit card and cash transactions with ease. You’ll have the flexibility to customize your display menu and offer discounts to customers.

Inventory, ticketing, and staff management options are also available. You can set permissions to control access.

Core Features

• Software and hardware.
• Menu customization.
• Kitchen management.
• Online ordering.
• Flexible payment.
• Loyalty program.
• Multi-location support.
• Inventory and staff management.
• Integration.

Price

Loyverse add-on costs $5 to $25 per month. You can take a 14-day free trial.

14. Skytab

Skytab lets you process in-person transactions and take online orders. It delivers flexible ordering solutions with side features to engage customers.

You can offer table-side ordering services, self-service kiosks, mobile payments, and contactless payments. You’ll get a website builder in the package to set up your online presence and third-party integrations to connect delivery services.

Reservations can also be managed with Skytab. You can add the widget to your website for online bookings.

Core Features

• Software and hardware.
• In-person and online payments.
• Table-side ordering.
• Reservations.
• Website builder.
• Loyalty program.
• Staff management.
• Integrations.
• Mobile app.

Price

Skytab charges $30 per month. You can request a free demo.

15. Poster POS

Poster POS provides an excellent cloud system for managing orders and payments. You can use it to take orders, track cash transactions, and monitor sales.

The software allows both full and quick service options. It also has a failsafe that lets you take orders when you go offline. 

You’ll get a kitchen display for back-house workflows, a website for online orders, and mobile POS for quick orders. There’s a separate mobile app for owners to oversee everything remotely. 

Core Features

• Robust cloud POS.
• Online ordering.
• Offline mode.
• Menu management.
• Kitchen kit.
• Marketing.
• P&L report.
• Integrations.
• Mobile app.

Price

Poster prices range between $29 and $69. You can try it for free.

Conclusion

Choosing the proper POS system depends solely on your restaurant’s operations and budget.

Some systems offer budget-friendly options but come with limited features, while others might provide advanced features but at a slightly higher cost.

Pick a restaurant POS that meets at least 50% of your requirements. If you want a safe option, go for Toast. I would, however, recommend exploring your options and taking free trials before making your purchase decision. Good luck!