Best POS Systems for Restaurants
We spent 50+ hours testing restaurant POS systems, running transactions, building menus, and evaluating kitchen workflows. Here are our top picks for 2025, whether you're opening a food truck or running a multi-location full-service restaurant.
Toast
Best Overall for Restaurants
Toast dominates the restaurant POS market for good reason. Purpose-built for food service, it offers the best kitchen display system, powerful online ordering, and unique features like Toast Delivery.
Pros
- ✓Industry-leading kitchen display system
- ✓Commission-free online ordering
- ✓Excellent offline mode
- ✓Built-in delivery management
Cons
- ✗Requires Toast hardware (no BYOD)
- ✗2-year contracts typical
The gold standard for restaurants. If you're serious about food service and can handle the hardware investment, Toast is the best choice.
Read full review →Square
Best for Small Restaurants & Startups
Square for Restaurants offers an unbeatable free tier, simple setup, and works on your existing iPad. Perfect for food trucks, small cafes, and restaurants that value simplicity over advanced features.
Pros
- ✓Free to start
- ✓No contracts
- ✓Works on your own iPad
- ✓Excellent e-commerce integration
Cons
- ✗Less robust kitchen features than Toast
- ✗Limited offline capabilities
The best starting point for new restaurants. Upgrade to Toast if you outgrow it.
Read full review →Clover
Best for Counter-Service Restaurants
Clover works well for simple counter-service operations. The hardware looks professional, and the app marketplace lets you add features as needed. Just watch out for confusing reseller pricing.
Pros
- ✓Sleek, professional hardware
- ✓Flexible app marketplace
- ✓Works for multiple business types
Cons
- ✗Not purpose-built for restaurants
- ✗Pricing varies wildly by reseller
A solid choice for counter-service if you want premium hardware. Get quotes from multiple resellers.
Read full review →Lightspeed
Best for Restaurant + Retail Combos
Lightspeed Restaurant (U-Series) is powerful but often overkill for typical restaurants. It shines for operations that combine food service with retail, like brewery taprooms or coffee roasters.
Pros
- ✓Strong inventory management
- ✓Great for hybrid retail/restaurant
- ✓Advanced reporting
Cons
- ✗Higher price point
- ✗Steeper learning curve
Consider Lightspeed if you sell merchandise alongside food or need enterprise-level reporting.
Read full review →How to Choose a Restaurant POS
Full-Service vs Quick-Service
Full-service restaurants need table management, coursing, and server assignments. Quick-service needs speed and efficiency. Toast excels at full-service; Square is often better for quick-service.
Hardware Considerations
Restaurant environments are tough on hardware. Look for spill-resistant terminals and reliable kitchen printers. Toast's hardware is restaurant-hardened; Square lets you use consumer iPads (riskier).
Online Ordering is Essential
Post-pandemic, online ordering isn't optional. Toast and Square offer commission-free ordering. Third-party apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats) charge 15-30% commissions that crush margins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest restaurant POS?
Square for Restaurants is free to start—you only pay processing fees. Toast's Starter Kit is also $0/month but has higher processing fees. For full features, both cost $60-70/month.
Can I use an iPad as a restaurant POS?
Yes, with Square. Toast requires its proprietary hardware. Square works on iPads and Android tablets, making it more affordable to start but potentially less durable in restaurant environments.
What processing fees should I expect?
Most restaurant POS systems charge 2.3-3% + 10-30¢ per transaction. That's standard flat-rate pricing. High-volume restaurants may negotiate lower rates or use interchange-plus pricing.