When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn The best restaurant and bar POS systems are easy to use and customizable to streamline your front-of-house and back-of-house. These solutions include core features like table management, customizable bills, discount offers for happy hours, team management, and shift scheduling.
Having hands-on tested the best POS systems for restaurants and bars, I’ve identified the most user-friendly and good value-for-money options that can help your business run smoothly, whether you’re running a small café or a bustling bar.
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Best POS System for Restaurants and Bars
Here’s a quick breakdown of all the top POS systems for bars and restaurants on our list:
- TouchBistro – Best All-in-One POS System for Restaurant
- Square – Best POS for Order Management
- Toast – Best POS System for Takeaway and Delivery
- Lavu – Best POS System for Small Restaurants
- Clover – Best Quick Service POS System
- Shopify – Best POS for Online Ordering
- Lightspeed – Best POS System for Cafe
- Epos Now – Best POS System for Bars and Nightclubs
- Revel Systems – Best POS for Restaurants with Multiple Locations
- Loyverse – Best Restaurant POS for Inventory Management
The Best Bar and Restaurant POS Systems Tested by Our Experts
TouchBistro - Best All-in-One POS System for Restaurant
Toast - Best POS System for Takeaway and Delivery
Loyverse - Best Restaurant POS for Inventory Management
What is a Restaurant POS System?
A restaurant POS system is a software and hardware solution designed to manage various aspects of restaurant operations, including order taking, payment processing, inventory management, and reporting. It serves as a central hub for all transactions and data, enabling efficient and streamlined operations.
Why You Need a POS Bar System
The vast majority of bars and restaurants have adopted Point-of-Sale (POS) systems in recent years, which shouldn’t come as a surprise, as they can do much, much more than regular cash registers and card readers.
A POS system makes it infinitely easier to track orders for each table, streamline communication with the front-of-house team, and facilitate everything from inventory management to shift scheduling – so you can deliver a seamless customer experience.
Put simply, a bar POS system assists with every aspect of running your business, helping your team fulfill orders faster and making it more convenient for your customers to pay via their preferred method.
As a result, you’ll improve the overall quality of service, attract new customers, keep track of your inventory more easily, gain valuable insights into the overall performance of your business, and ultimately improve your bottom line.
Best POS Systems for Bars and Restaurants Reviewed
While there are many POS options on the market, not all are ideal for restaurants or bars. Below, I compare and contrast some of the top restaurant POS solutions to help you decide which is best for your establishment.
1. TouchBistro – Best All-In-One POS System for Restaurants
| Free Trial | Free Demo |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $69/month |
| Transaction Fees | Quote-based |
| Top 3 Features | Upselling Reminders, Bill Splitting, Individual Staff Logins |
Why We Picked It
TouchBistro is an excellent all-in-one bar and restaurant POS system with customizable tools to grow your food business and deliver an outstanding customer experience. It’s comparable to Square but more specifically aimed at bars and restaurants. TouchBistro’s subscription lets you sync data with other tools you need to manage your restaurant. Its vast integration capacity gives you access to software across different categories, such as Sage Intacct for accounting, R365 for inventory management, and more.
I love its table management feature, which mirrors the actual layout of your restaurant so you can see at a glance which tables are occupied, reserved, or available.
Features
- Tableside Ordering System – Enable your staff to take orders and process payments directly at the tables.
- Seat Joining and Splitting – TouchBistro makes it a breeze for staff to join or split seats, items, and bills within seconds.
- Flexible Billing Options – Your waiting staff can easily change the billing options for patrons who share meals, pay separately, or switch tables.
- Intuitive Menu Configuration – With just a few clicks, you can create, configure, and sync your menu and items. Customize background colors for menu items to highlight promotions and upselling opportunities.
- Staff Management – The built-in staff management features let you track employee activity, optimize labor costs, automate payroll, and increase security with individual staff logins across all devices. Alternatives like Square and Epos Now sell these features as add-ons, so this is a big plus for TouchBistro.
Pricing Plans
| Plans | Price | Processing rate | Hardware |
|---|---|---|---|
| TouchBistro Plan | From $69/month | Quote-based | Quote-based |
TouchBistro has a single restaurant POS system pricing plan that’s rich in features and compatible with numerous third-party and in-house apps. The basic plan costs $69 per month; however, its payment processing fees are custom, and you can expect its price to go up if you need additional features, such as a kitchen display system, which costs $19 per month, or online ordering, for $50 per month – which is something of a drawback if you’re on a tight budget.
For streamlined front-of-house operations:
- Tableside ordering capabilities
- Customer-facing displays
- Payment processing solutions
For optimized back-of-house efficiency:
- Kitchen display system (starting at $19/month)
- Profit management tools (starting at $330/month)
For enhanced guest engagement:
- Online ordering (starting at $50/month)
- Reservations management (starting at $229/month)
- Loyalty programs (starting at $99/month)
- Marketing automation (starting at $99/month)
- Gift card solutions (starting at $25/month)
Who’s It Best For?
TouchBistro is suitable for different restaurant types, such as full-service, dining, family-style, fast casual, bar & club, and brewery, that need an integrated system to handle payment and other operations in one place.
Pros 
- Restaurant-specific features
- No commission fees for online orders
- Excellent customer support
- Comprehensive offline mode capabilities
- Advanced floor plan and table management with insights on average table spend
Cons 
- Apple-only compatibility
- Kitchen display system is paid for separately from the POS
2. Square – Best POS for Order Management
| Free Trial | Free Plan or 30-Day Free Trial |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $69/month |
| Transaction Fees | From 2.6% + $0.10 |
| Top 3 Features | Menu Customization, Auto Gratuity, Advanced Discounts |
Why We Picked It
Square is the best POS system for small restaurant and bar owners looking to improve order management and customer service. Whether physically or online, Square uses smart AI to help you manage customers’ orders efficiently. The fact that its online ordering feature is free to use, unlike Toast POS online ordering, which comes at an extra fee, makes it a cost-effective option for new restaurants seeking ways to serve online customers.
I love its kitchen display system, which intuitively arranges orders based on each customer’s choice. You can view all-day orders or a specific item to quickly bulk-produce similar items.
Features
- Accepts Diverse Payment Methods – Accept various payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallets. This flexibility ensures convenience for customers and enables quick and secure payment processing.
- Transparent and Competitive Fees – Square prominently displays its payment processing fees on its website. This transparency means you won’t encounter any hidden costs or surprises.
- In-House Add-Ons and Integrations – You can access in-house add-ons, including restaurant management software for teams and shifts, loyalty programs, and invoicing.
- Payroll Solution Integration – Businesses can seamlessly integrate Square’s payroll solution into their accounts. With pricing comparable to top payroll software, this feature centralizes data and simplifies payroll management.
- User-Friendly Interface – Square’s intuitive interface ensures that restaurant staff won’t need extensive training. Whether handling payments or using advanced features like table management, the user-friendly design enhances efficiency.
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Cost | Processing rate | Hardware |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | From 2.6% + 10 cents | From $20 |
| Plus | $69/location/month | From 2.6% + 10 cents | From $149 |
| Premium | $165/location/month | From 2.6% + 10 cents | From $149 |
Premium: This pricing plan includes four essential software tools for restaurants to operate efficiently. The tools included in the cost are:
- Countertop POS (One included)
- Mobile POS App (unlimited)
- Square Kitchen Display System (unlimited devices)
- Square Kiosk (unlimited)
Square has a transparent pricing structure for its business services, including its POS system. You can use its free plan to test its interface and basic features before committing to a subscription, but we suggest opting for its 30-day free trial for the Premium plan instead, as you’ll get access to its advanced features.
Who’s It Best For?
Square is a good option for new and existing restaurants seeking a two-way solution to manage customers’ orders more effectively online and physically.
Pros
- Comprehensive free plan
- Beginner-friendly interface
- Advanced floor and kitchen management functionality
- Fully operational in offline mode
- Unlimited countertop and handheld POS devices
Cons
- High fees for larger organizations
3. Toast – Best POS System for Takeaway and Delivery
| Free Trial | Free Plan |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $69/month |
| Transaction Fees | Quote-based |
| Top 3 Features | Real-Time Fraud Monitoring, Toast Delivery Services, Digital Menus |
Why We Picked It
Toast offers exceptional features for restaurants looking to manage their on-premises and online ordering and delivery – making takeaways easier. With its mobile order and pay, you can simplify checkout processes for guests and your staff. In addition, guests can pay using Apple Pay, reducing wait times and long lines.
Although it’s a bit pricey compared to competitors like Square, its commission-free delivery option can help you attract more customers. While testing Toast’s online ordering capabilities, I found that restaurants seeking ways to target more customers in more locations will benefit from its location picker (allowing guests to order from the right location) and order tracking (updating guests about their order status while waiting.)
Features
- Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics – Toast provides robust reporting and analytics capabilities, allowing you to gain deeper insights into your business’s performance and customer behavior.
- Performance Monitoring – Monitor your restaurant’s performance over any period, whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly to help you pinpoint strengths and weaknesses.
- Labor Cost Tracking – Whether you’re analyzing a single location or viewing data across your entire business, Toast helps you optimize staffing.
- User-Friendly Interface and Real-Time Item Countdowns – The intuitive interface simplifies menu management and helps you prevent the awkward “86″ situation so your servers and your kitchen are in sync.
- Customer Support – Toast excels in customer support, offering responsive assistance 24/7.
Pricing Plans
| Plans | Price | Processing rate | Hardware |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Kit | Free | N/A | Terminal or handheld kit included |
| Point of Sale | Starting at $69/month | N/A | Included |
| Build Your Own | Custom | N/A | Included |
Toast offers a comprehensive free plan for startups and two premium plans for small-to-large-sized businesses. It offers lots of flexibility to its customers with its add-ons, making Point of Sale an exceptional plan that you can mix and match with its other features.
It already incorporates most of its add-ons, but restaurant owners looking for advanced team management features should opt for its custom plan.
Who’s It Best For?
Toast is recommended for quick-service, multi-location, delivery-only, and busy restaurants that need to handle a high volume of orders quickly and efficiently.
Pros
- Customizable solutions with transparent pricing and no hidden fees
- Handhelds designed for bars and restaurants and resistant to spills and knocks
- Supports multiple payment methods
- Optional in-house payroll software
- Excellent employee management
Cons
- Limited transaction fee transparency
- Android exclusive
4. Lavu – Best POS System for Small Restaurants
| Free Trial? | None |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Custom |
| Transaction Fees | Custom |
| Top 3 Features | Dual Pricing Capability, Kitchen Display System, Customer Database |
Pros
- Super easy to set up, intuitive, and user-friendly
- Excellent mobile apps
- Supports automatic timed menu changes for happy hour deals and special promotions
- Compatible with third-party payment processors
- Enables contactless ordering and payments through self-ordering kiosks
Cons
- No free trial or free plan
- Pricing not transparent
- Addons can get expensive
5. Clover – Best Quick Service POS System
| Free Trial | None |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $105/month |
| Transaction Fees | From 2.3% + $0.10 |
| Top 3 Features | Table Mapping, Tipping Support, Scan-to-Pay |
Pros
- Gorgeous design and super simple UI
- Well-designed hardware
- Exceptional team management features
- Integrates with popular accounting software, including QuickBooks
Cons
- Expensive hardware
- Complex pricing system
6. Shopify – Best POS for Online Ordering
| Free Trial | 3-Day Free Trial |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $29/month |
| Transaction Fees | From 2.4% to 2.7% + $0 per transaction |
| Top 3 Features | Custom Website, Manager Approvals, Order History |
Pros
- In-store and online payments are automatically tracked and synced
- Well-designed, intuitive interface
- Offline mode for cash and custom transactions
- Excellent multichannel selling features
Cons
- Short free trial period
- Made for retail, with lots of features bars and restaurants likely won’t need
7. Lightspeed – Best POS System for Cafe
| Free Trial | 14-Day Free Trial |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $189/month |
| Transaction Fees | From 2.6% + $0.10 |
| Top 3 Features | Take Out and Delivery, Order and Pay at Table, Advanced Insights |
Pros
- 24/7 customer support
- Superb inventory management for restaurant chains
- Excellent menu customization
- Automatically reminds staff of age verification, promotions, and discounts
Cons
- More expensive than most alternatives
- UI may be challenging for new users
8. Epos Now – Best POS System For Bars and Nightclubs
| Free Trial | 14-Day Free Trial |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Custom |
| Transaction Fees | Quote-Based |
| Top 3 Features | Robust Hardware, Payment Pre-Authorization, Staff Onboarding |
Pros
- High-quality hardware with water-resistant touchscreens
- Simple and easy-to-use POS system
- Dynamic menus with automatic price changes for promotions and happy hour
- Real-time inventory tracking and low-stock alerts
Cons
- Customer support could be better
- Pricing can be a bit steep for small business owners
9. Revel Systems – Best POS for Restaurants With Multiple Locations
| Free Trial | Free Demo |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | Custom |
| Transaction Fees | Quote-Based |
| Top 3 Features | Table Ordering System, Color-Coded Timers, Custom Reports |
Pros
- Exceptional back-office tools
- Multichannel capabilities
- Customizable interface
- Can integrate with many software
Cons
- Pricing isn’t transparent
- No free trial
10. Loyverse – Best Restaurant POS for Inventory Management
| Free Trial | 14-Day Free Trial |
|---|---|
| Starting Price | You only pay for add-ons |
| Transaction Fees | From 2.6% + 10 cents |
| Top 3 Features | Advanced Inventory Management, Sales Analytics, Multi-Location Support |
Pros
- Easy-to-use interface
- Comprehensive features for inventory and sales
- Core POS is free with affordable add-ons
- Works on iOS and Android devices
Cons
- Limited hardware compatibility
- Customer support can be slow at times
- Setting up add-ons can be complicated
The Best Restaurants POS Systems Compared
Choosing the right Point of Sale (POS) system is essential for effectively running your restaurant, bar, or nightclub. Let’s explore a comparison of some leading restaurant POS systems to assist you in making an informed choice:
| POS Systems | Free Version | Starting Price | Best For | Top Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TouchBistro | Free Demo | From $69/month | All-in-one POS for restaurants | Upselling Reminders, Bill Splitting, Individual Staff Logins |
| Square | Free Plan, 30-Day Free Trial | From $69/month | Order management | Menu Customization, Auto Gratuity, Advanced Discounts |
| Toast | Free Plan | From $69/month | Takeaway and delivery | Real-Time Fraud Monitoring, Toast Delivery Services, Digital Menus |
| Lavu | None | Custom | Small restaurants | Dual Pricing Capability, Kitchen Display System, Customer Database |
| Clover | None | From $105/month | Quick-service restaurants | Table Mapping, Tipping Support, Scan-to-Pay |
| Shopify | 3-Day Free Trial | From $29/month | Online ordering | Custom Website, Manager Approvals, Order History |
| Lightspeed | 14-Day Free Trial | From $189/month | Cafe owners | Take Out and Delivery, Order and Pay at Table, Advanced Insights |
| Epos Now | 14-Day Free Trial | Custom | Bar and nightclub owners | Robust Hardware, Payment Pre-Authorization, Staff Onboarding |
| Revel Systems | Free Demo | Custom | Restaurants with multiple locations | Table Ordering System, Color-Coded Timers, Custom Reports |
| Loyverse | 14-Day Free Trial | Free to use | Inventory management | Advanced Inventory Management, Sales Analytics, Multi-Location Support |
To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular POS products on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:How We Review And Test POS Products
Key Features to Look for in a Restaurant and Bar POS System
When evaluating restaurant POS systems, it’s essential to consider the following key features:
-
- Order Management and Menu Customization – You’ll want the ability to create customizable menus, take orders efficiently, and send them directly to the kitchen for preparation. This streamlines the ordering process and reduces errors.
- Payment Processing – Ensure your chosen POS has secure and efficient processing of various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, mobile payments, and contactless options like digital wallets and QR codes.
- Inventory Tracking and Management – Real-time tracking of inventory levels, automated reordering, and insights into popular items and sales trends will optimize your stock levels and minimize waste.
- Reporting and Analytics – Look for comprehensive reporting capabilities, including sales data, employee performance, and menu item analysis, so your decision-making is data-driven.
- Employee Management and Scheduling – You’ll need tools for managing employee information, scheduling shifts, tracking attendance, and monitoring performance metrics.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Loyalty Programs – Features that capture customer data, create loyalty programs, and leverage marketing and promotional tools to drive repeat business and customer engagement.
- Kitchen Display System (KDS) Integration – Integration with kitchen display systems to ensure accurate and efficient communication of orders to the kitchen staff.
- Online Ordering and Delivery Integration – Integration with popular online ordering platforms and delivery services to provide a seamless experience for you and your customers.
- Mobile POS and Tableside Ordering – Capability for servers to take orders and process payments tableside using mobile devices, enhancing efficiency and customer service.
Benefits of a Restaurant and Bar POS System
A POS system can greatly improve how your restaurant operates, leading to increased efficiency, higher profits, and better customer satisfaction.
Here are some key benefits of using a POS system:
-
-
- Smoother Order Process – POS systems allow servers to input orders easily and accurately, reducing mistakes. Orders go straight to the kitchen, minimizing delays.
- Better Payment Handling – With integrated payment processing, customers can pay conveniently with credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, etc. This improves the experience and helps prevent fraud.
- Inventory Tracking – Real-time inventory data lets you see what’s running low and reorder accordingly, reducing waste and ensuring popular items don’t run out.
- Reporting and Analysis – Detailed reports give you insights into sales, best-selling menu items, staff productivity, and more, helping you make informed decisions.
- Employee Management – Tools for scheduling staff, tracking hours/attendance, and monitoring performance can optimize labor costs and efficiency.
- Customer Loyalty Programs – Capture customer data and offer rewards programs to encourage repeat business and build relationships.
- Online/Delivery Orders – Integrate with online ordering platforms and delivery apps to reach more customers conveniently.
- Mobile Ordering – Servers can take orders and payments tableside on handheld devices, improving service.
-
What Hardware Do I Need for a Bar POS System?
You’ll need a POS terminal or a few, depending on the bar’s size, handheld POS devices for tableside ordering and payment processing, a receipt printer, and a card reader. Depending on your specific needs, you might also want to get a kitchen POS terminal, a cash register, and a barcode scanner. If you want mobile pos systems, it would be good to invest in mobile devices like iPads or other tablets as well.
Some providers will include hardware in their subscription plans, while others will require a one-time payment. In general hardware costs range from $10 to over $1,000.
Pricing and Fees of POS Software for Bars and Restaurants
POS systems can have various pricing models and fee structures, which can include a combination of upfront costs, recurring fees, and transaction-based charges. It’s essential to understand these costs to make an informed decision and budget accordingly.
Restaurant POS System vs. a Traditional Cash Register
POS systems offer significant advantages over traditional cash registers, including comprehensive features and functionality beyond basic transactions, inventory management and reporting capabilities, integration with other business tools, enhanced security and fraud prevention, and scalability and flexibility for growth. Cash registers are limited to basic transactions and lack advanced features and integrations offered by modern POS systems.
How to Choose The Best Restaurant POS System
Selecting the right POS system is important for the success of your restaurant business. Here are the key factors to evaluate when choosing the best restaurant POS system:
The type of restaurant you operate plays a significant role in determining the features and functionalities you need from a POS system. A full-service restaurant with table service will require different capabilities than a quick-service or fast-casual establishment. Consider factors such as menu complexity, order types (dine-in, takeout, delivery), and reporting needs.
If you plan to expand your business by opening additional locations or anticipate significant growth in the future, it’s essential to choose a POS system that can scale with your needs. Look for solutions that offer multi-location management, centralized reporting, and the ability to add more terminals or users as your business grows.
POS systems come with varying price points, ranging from entry-level solutions to more advanced and feature-rich options. Determine your budget and prioritize the essential features you require. Consider not only the upfront costs but also ongoing expenses, such as subscription fees, payment processing fees, and potential add-ons or upgrades.
A user-friendly POS system can significantly impact staff productivity and customer service. Look for solutions with intuitive interfaces, customizable layouts, and efficient order-taking processes. Also, consider the training resources and support provided by the vendor to ensure a smooth implementation and ongoing assistance.
You should consider a POS system that integrates seamlessly with other software and tools you use. This could include accounting software, the best cloud HR software, online ordering platforms, loyalty programs, and inventory management systems. Seamless integrations can streamline operations and provide a more comprehensive view of your business.
Robust reporting and analytics capabilities are essential for making data-driven decisions and optimizing your restaurant operations. Evaluate the reporting features offered by different POS systems, including sales reports, inventory tracking, staff performance metrics, and customer behavior analysis.
Reliable and responsive customer support is vital, especially during the initial implementation and training phases. Consider the vendor’s reputation for customer service, availability of support channels (phone, email, online resources), and the level of ongoing assistance they provide.
Conclusion
In my opinion, Square and TouchBistro are the best choices for restaurant POS systems. I think Square is perfect for small restaurants or startups because its free plan offers a ton of features that make managing payments simple without breaking the bank. Plus, the ability to add integrations and manage everything from one platform is a huge advantage.
TouchBistro, on the other hand, really shines for bars and larger restaurants. I love how customizable it is, and I think its table management feature is a game-changer. It mirrors your actual layout, making it easy to track table status. Its integrations with tools like Sage Intacct and R365 also make it a strong choice for more complex operations.
At the end of the day, it’s all about finding the POS system that fits your business and budget. Just make sure it can truly support your day-to-day needs.
