Integrated payments, online ordering & more
Choosing the right restaurant POS software is a decision that deserves real attention. A reliable point of sale system should be fast, stable, and easy for your team to use. It should improve service, not slow it down.
If you’ve ever worked in a bar or restaurant where the bar POS system lagged or crashed, you know how quickly frustration builds. And when your team is frustrated, your guests feel it too. In a business where one bad experience can lose a customer, your tech has to work.
Whether you’re looking for POS systems for bars, POS systems for food trucks, or a point of sale system for restaurants, this guide will help you make the right call.
Top restaurant POS systems
Here are some of the most trusted and top-rated systems for restaurants, cafés, food trucks, and bars:
What is a restaurant POS system?
A restaurant POS system, or point of sale system, is the software and hardware that powers transactions in your business. It calculates what a customer owes, processes the payment, and generates receipts.
But modern POS systems for restaurants do much more than handle payments. Today’s restaurant POS software can track sales, manage menus, log customer data, monitor inventory, and integrate with third-party tools like online ordering and accounting platforms.
Think of your POS as the central nervous system of your restaurant. It connects the front-of-house with the kitchen, organizes key data, and helps streamline day-to-day operations.
Why you need restaurant POS software
Restaurant POS software helps you manage much more than just transactions. It tracks cash flow, sales, expenses, and inventory in one system. With the right restaurant POS in place, you can simplify bookkeeping, speed up operations, and reduce costly errors.
Many top POS systems for restaurants also include built-in features like till management, shift tracking, and reporting. Whether you’re running a food truck, bar, café, or full-service restaurant, a reliable POS system can help you streamline service and scale your business.
Some providers also bundle credit card processing, so you don’t need to source a separate payment processor. And because POS systems log all activity, they help reduce employee theft and make it easier to track hours, manage permissions, and oversee team performance.
Restaurant POS at a glance
A restaurant POS system does more than process payments. It connects your staff, streamlines communication, and helps you make smarter business decisions every day. Here’s what the right POS software can do for your restaurant:
- Improve communication between front-of-house and kitchen staff
- Track food inventory and highlight top-selling menu items
- Log employee hours to simplify payroll and scheduling
- Generate reports for profit and loss, taxes, and performance metrics
- Reduce manual errors and speed up service during peak hours
- Help manage multiple locations or service types (dine-in, takeout, delivery)
Whether you run a single location or a growing group of restaurants, the right POS system helps you work faster, smarter, and with more control.
Our top picks for June 2025
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Restaurants & food trucks
Which features are important for a restaurant’s point of sale?
Not all restaurant POS systems are built the same. While many offer similar basics, the best systems for restaurants include features that directly support speed, accuracy, and day-to-day operations.
Below are the essential features to look for in any restaurant point of sale system:
Inventory Control
Inventory is one of the most important and complex parts of restaurant management. A good restaurant POS system should let you track ingredients, monitor usage in real time, and generate alerts when stock runs low.
Accurate inventory tracking helps reduce waste, improve food cost control, and protect profit margins. Some systems even automate this process by deducting inventory as menu items are sold.
Actionable reporting
The best restaurant POS systems turn raw data into clear insights. You should be able to see sales by item, category, or shift, monitor labor costs, and identify trends over time.
Good reporting helps you spot what’s working, where you’re losing money, and how to adjust for higher profitability.
Speed and Ease of Use
Your staff should be able to learn the system quickly and navigate it without slowing down. In a fast-paced restaurant environment, every second counts. A POS system that is slow or overly complex leads to delays, mistakes, and frustrated teams.
Look for intuitive software with minimal taps per order, customizable menus, and touchscreen support.
Marketing and customer tools
Modern POS systems for restaurants often include CRM and marketing tools. You can collect guest emails, create loyalty programs, send birthday promotions, or run targeted campaigns to bring customers back.
These features help boost repeat business and build stronger guest relationships without relying on separate platforms.
Reliable support
Technical problems are inevitable. What matters is how fast they’re fixed. Choose a POS provider that offers 24/7 support and cloud-based troubleshooting. If your restaurant POS system goes down on a Friday night, you need help right away, not in 48 hours.
What type of hardware do you need?
Choosing the right restaurant POS hardware depends on your service style, space, and how much mobility your team needs. Most systems today support flexible setups — from traditional terminals to mobile tablets.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common hardware options:
Mobile POS (mPOS)
Mobile POS systems run on iPads, tablets, or smartphones. These setups are ideal for food trucks, cafés, pop-ups, and quick-service restaurants. Staff can take orders tableside, bust lines during rush hours, or process payments curbside.
Many mPOS systems are cloud-based and work with card readers that connect via Bluetooth or USB. Some providers offer their own pre-configured devices, while others let you use your own hardware.
Pros:
- Portable and flexible
- Easy to scale or reposition
- Lower upfront hardware costs
Considerations:
- May require a strong Wi-Fi connection
- Battery life can limit all-day use
Desktop POS systems
Desktop POS systems typically run on a dedicated register or computer. These setups are common in full-service restaurants, bars, and high-volume operations where staff are stationed at fixed terminals.
They support a wider range of peripherals like cash drawers, kitchen printers, barcode scanners, and customer-facing displays. Some desktop setups also include kitchen display systems (KDS) to replace printed tickets.
Pros:
- Robust and durable
- Supports multiple hardware integrations
- Better suited for busy, stationary setups
Considerations:
- Less flexible than mobile setups
- May require on-site IT support or setup
What to consider when moving to a new restaurant POS System
Upgrading your restaurant POS system is a smart move, but it’s also a big one. To make the transition smooth and successful, there are a few important things to keep in mind.
Start with the customer experience
Every technology decision should support better service. Ask yourself: Will this system help guests order faster, pay easier, or enjoy smoother interactions? The best restaurant POS systems improve both operations and customer experience at the same time.
Align with your long-term goals
Think beyond today’s needs. Will this POS system scale with you if you open a second location, launch online ordering, or start delivery? Ensure the system supports your restaurant’s future, not just its present.
Plan for a gradual rollout
Roll out your new POS in stages to avoid overwhelming your team. Start with core features like order entry and payments, then introduce additional tools like inventory, loyalty, or integrations over time. This reduces learning curves and helps avoid costly service disruptions.
Set clear priorities
Identify your must-have features early, such as menu modifiers, tableside ordering, or integrations with accounting software. Knowing what matters most will help you avoid overspending on tools you don’t need.
Train your team and test everything
Before going live, ensure your staff is trained and your setup is tested. Run mock transactions, check printer connections, and test payment processing. A smooth launch starts with preparation.
Our top picks for June 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a restaurant POS system?
A. A restaurant POS system is the software and hardware that manages sales, orders, and payments. It also connects front-of-house with the kitchen, tracks inventory, and helps you manage staff, reporting, and customer data.
Q. How much does a restaurant POS system cost?
A. Costs vary depending on features, hardware, and service plans. Some POS providers offer free software with transaction-based fees, while others charge monthly subscriptions starting around $69 per terminal. Hardware costs are often additional.
Q. What’s the best POS system for a small restaurant?
A. It depends on your needs. For quick setup and low upfront cost, Square for Restaurants is popular. For more advanced features like ingredient tracking or tableside ordering, Toast or TouchBistro are strong options.
Q. Do restaurant POS systems work offline?
A. Yes, many cloud-based systems offer offline mode so you can still take orders and process payments during internet outages. Transactions sync once you’re back online.
Q. Can a restaurant POS system help with inventory?
A. Yes. Modern POS systems track ingredients, portions, and inventory levels in real time. Some even adjust inventory automatically based on menu item sales and alert you when stock runs low.
Q. Do I need special hardware for a restaurant POS?
A. Most systems work with tablets like iPads or Android devices, but some providers offer their own proprietary hardware. Common components include touchscreen terminals, receipt printers, kitchen printers, cash drawers, and card readers.
