Point of Sale
The core of our all-in-one restaurant management system
From food trucks to FSRs, get the POS built for restaurants.
By Katherine Pendrill
If you’re shopping for a new POS system, one of the first decisions you need to make is choosing between a legacy POS system and a cloud POS system.
Legacy POS systems, also known as traditional POS systems, store your data on-site on local servers and run on a closed internal network. On the other hand, cloud-based POS systems are web-hosted solutions that store your data in the cloud via remote servers.
While there are pros and cons to each type of system, you might decide that legacy POS systems are a better fit for your particular restaurant. If that’s the case, the next step is actually finding a legacy POS that works for your restaurant (and your budget).
To help you cut through the noise and make shopping for a new POS a little less painful, we’ve put together an ultimate guide to the best legacy POS systems for restaurants. With in-depth restaurant POS system reviews of all the top legacy providers, this guide will help you narrow down the best restaurant POS for your specific business. This guide also includes a review of one of the top modern POS systems, TouchBistro, so you can see how a cloud-based system compares.
In each review, you’ll find:
We know that no restaurant POS system is a one-size-fits-all solution, which is why we’ve covered multiple different legacy POS systems, and one modern solution. We hope that with this guide to the best legacy POS systems, you’ll find the answers you need to choose a new POS system for your restaurant.
Compare the top legacy POS systems for restaurants on features, hardware, integrations, pricing, and more.
The Aloha POS has been around for quite some time and originally established a reputation as one of the top legacy POS systems. In 2011, Aloha’s parent company Radiant Systems was acquired by NCR Corporation, (previously known as National Cash Register). Since that time, NCR has made an effort to modernize the Aloha POS to compete with newer cloud-based POS solutions. Today, NCR Aloha is a popular option for major enterprise-level restaurant chains.
Some of the strengths of the Aloha POS system include:
Some of the drawbacks of the Aloha POS system include:
NCR, Aloha’s parent company, is a leader in banking and ecommerce and offers its own integrated payment processing solution for the Aloha POS called NCR Merchant Solutions. NCR Merchant Solutions is an end-to-end payments processor with the ability to process everything from mobile payments to card-not-present transactions, making it a good payments option for restaurants.
However, NCR is not very transparent when it comes to its actual payment processing fees. Though the company does promise competitive fees, you need to contact NCR directly if you want to know what you’ll actually be paying for payment processing each month. For restaurants that don’t want to go through the rigamarole of a sales pitch, this lack of transparency can be off putting.
Unfortunately, there is also a lack of transparency when it comes to pricing for NCR Aloha’s software and hardware. NCR does not make any pricing information available publicly on its website, which means you must contact the company in order to get a quote for the Aloha POS system. The idea behind this model is that without fixed pricing packages, NCR can provide each restaurant with a custom rate for its specific POS setup. However, even with a custom rate, keep in mind that the Aloha POS is designed for enterprise and you should expect it to come with a price tag to match.
The Aloha POS is one of the most feature-rich systems on the market, making it an excellent option for enterprise-level restaurant brands. This lengthy feature list includes very robust multi-unit management tools that are especially valuable for restaurant brands with hundreds to thousands of locations. And with NCR’s vast global footprint, you could easily use the Aloha POS in international venues as well.
Of course, like any enterprise system, the Aloha POS does not come cheap. Though Aloha offers custom rates, it’s fees are much higher than most modern POS software subscriptions. And when you factor in the added cost of maintaining Aloha’s older legacy hardware, cost can quickly become a deal-breaker for most restaurants, especially small to medium-sized independent venues.
Wondering how NCR Aloha compares to TouchBistro?
Read our full review of TouchBistro vs NCR Aloha
Silverware is a Canadian POS company that was founded back in 1992. Originally a legacy POS system, Silverware has since added cloud capabilities to its Windows and Android-based system, including an iOS app. Beyond restaurants, Silverware POS is also a popular choice for hotels and other hospitality businesses.
Strengths of the Silverware POS system include:
Weaknesses of the Silverware POS system include:
As mentioned above, a big plus of using Silverware POS is the freedom to choose from a wide variety of integrated payment processing partners, including big names like Chase Paymentech. This is a benefit to just about any restaurateur because it means you can go with the payment processor who provides the best rate for your specific restaurant type, your size, and the transaction volume you process.
While Silverware works with a lot of great payment processing partners, it’s worth noting that Silverware does not have its own in-house payments solution. While this it’s necessarily a drawback, some restaurateurs may prefer the option to use an in-house payment solution because these partners are industry-experts with services tailored specifically to the needs of restaurants.
When it comes to pricing, SIlverware’s software fees start at $49 per month, and are mostly in line with that of other restaurant POS providers. However, it’s worth noting that Silverware’s most basic package lacks many important features, such as real-time cloud reporting, real-time cloud backup, and real-time system failover.
It’s also important to remember that while Silverware’s prices may seem reasonable, there are some additional fees associated with this legacy POS system. For instance, you may need to invest in proprietary hardware to run Silverware’s Windows or Android operating system. You also need to factor in the cost of every third-party integration you plan to use with your Silverware POS.
At the end of the day, there’s no question that SIlverware is a robust POS system with features that have been designed to handle the complex demands of high volume transactions associated with larger venues. As a result, Silverware is a great option for enterprise-level restaurant brands and hospitality venues like hotel chains.
While Silverware’s features may have all the bells and whistles, the actual technology still lags behind that of many modern POS systems. For independent FSRs and QSRs that need to be quick, agile, and flexible, Silverware’s older and sometimes glitchy software may be a hindrance to growth.
Wondering how Silverware compares to TouchBistro?
Read our full review of TouchBistro vs Silverware
Micros (formally known as the Oracle MICROS Simphony POS system), was originally founded back in the 1970s as a high-tech alternative to the cash register. Micros was eventually purchased by Oracle Corporation, which has augmented the older legacy POS system with cloud capabilities. Micros is now a popular choice for well established, global restaurant chains, such as Pizza Hut, TGI Fridays, and Outback Steakhouse.
Strengths of the Micros POS system include:
Drawbacks of the Micros POS system include:
Like other legacy POS systems, Micros offers quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to payment processing. In the past, Micros has worked with Heartland Payment Systems to create an easy integration between credit card processing and the Micros POS. However, Micros doesn’t currently require customers to use any one particular processor. This means that you have the freedom to choose from a wide variety of integrated payment processing partners and can shop around to find the best rate for your business.
As mentioned, Micros is not very transparent when it comes to its pricing and requires anyone interested in the system to call in to receive a custom quote. The problem with this process is that restaurateurs have no baseline to decide whether Micros will be in their price range in the first place. This means that many will call in only to find out that the POS system is way out of their budget. And for busy restaurateurs, time is money.
Overall, it’s clear that the Micros POS is best for well established, global restaurant chains with hundreds, if not thousands, of locations around the world. The legacy POS system is equipped with extensive features, add-ons, and integrations designed to support and manage multiple locations. Not to mention, the system also supports multiple languages and currencies, which is something that’s essential to any global enterprise.
Of course, most venues don’t actually need extremely robust features, and support for multiple languages and currencies. As a result, most independent restaurants will find that Micros’ powerful capabilities are more than they need to run their operation and the price tag may be too high for features they won’t actually end up using.
Wondering how the Oracle MICROS Simphony POS compares to TouchBistro?
Read our full review of TouchBistro vs Micros POS
Squirrel, formally known as Squirrel Systems, is a Canadian POS company that launched the first-ever touchscreen POS for the hospitality industry in 1984. Since then, the company has augmented its legacy POS system with cloud capabilities, and has developed a reputation as a trusted solution for restaurant groups and other major hospitality brands.
Strengths of the Squirrel Systems POS include:
Drawbacks of the Squirrel POS include:
Like many other legacy POS systems, Squirrel Systems does not offer its own in-house payment processing solution. Instead, you have the freedom and flexibility to choose from a lengthy list of integrated payment processing partners. For many restaurateurs, this is a major plus because it means you can shop around, compare rates, and ultimately choose the best payment processing for your specific business model.
Squirrel’s pricing is based on how many POS terminals you need, which means the bigger your venue, the higher your monthly software fees. This pricing structure is designed to accommodate venues of various sizes, however, it’s worth noting that Squirrel Systems is primarily used by major restaurant groups and hospitality brands that generally require a multi-terminal setup.
With a robust set of core features, flexible payment processing options, multi-location management, and a range of third-party integration partners, Squirrel is a great fit for high volume operations in the restaurant and hospitality space. Squirrel’s broad range of available hardware is also a plus for major restaurant groups that may need different hardware options for different concepts.
But while Squirrel’s core POS may be strong, the system is lacking when it comes to in-house add-ons like reservations, online ordering, marketing, and more. For many growing restaurants, in-house add-ons are preferable to third-party solutions because they help to extend the capabilities of the core POS without the risk of errors or hefty third-party fees. And with Squirrel’s software fees already on the high end, most independent restaurants won’t have the budget to pay for extra third-party solutions.
Wondering how Squirrel Systems compares to TouchBistro?
Read our full review of TouchBistro vs Squirrel Systems
To help you compare the legacy providers in this guide to a modern solution, we’ve included a review of one of the top modern restaurant POS systems, TouchBistro.
TouchBistro is an award-winning iPad POS system and integrated payment processing solution built for restaurant people, by restaurant people. Used in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Mexico, and over 100 other countries, TouchBistro is one of the best restaurant POS systems for independent restaurants. It has even been featured as Gordon Ramsay’s POS system of choice on the hit show Gordon Ramsay’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back.
Strengths of the TouchBistro POS system include:
Want to see TouchBistro in action?
Some of the drawbacks of TouchBistro include:
Unlike some of the other POS providers on the market, TouchBistro offers more flexibility when it comes to payment processing. TouchBistro partners with a number of other payment partners, like TSYS and Moneris in Canada, Barclaycard in the U.K., and EVO in Mexico. This means you have a bit more freedom to go with the payment processing solution that fits your business model or your location-specific needs.
In addition to partnerships with third-party payment processors, TouchBistro also offers an integrated payments solution. In the U.S., customers can use TouchBistro Payments powered by Chase, which is an in-house, integrated payment processing solution. Unlike many other payment processors, TouchBistro Payments uses a cost plus pricing model. With a cost plus pricing model, factors such as the type of card a customer pays with, processing volume, and risk criteria are taken into consideration. This means you pay a custom rate for each transaction, instead of a flat rate for all transactions. The result? You get a more competitive rate than you would with fixed rate pricing.
Not only are TouchBistro’s payment processing fees competitive, but so are its monthly software fees. TouchBistro’s software starts at $69 per month for a single license, and its pricing is tiered so the cost decreases for each additional license you add. With each package, you get all of TouchBistro’s core POS features, cloud-based reporting and analytics, 24/7/365 support, and unlimited users and logins for your staff and management.
Like other POS systems, you’ll also have to factor in additional costs to use TouchBistro such as installation, hardware, and payment processing fees (if you’re using integrated payments). Because TouchBistro is a restaurant iPad POS system, you may be able to save on some hardware costs by reusing your current iPad tablets (as long as it’s a compatible generation). TouchBistro also gives you the option to split the cost of your POS tablets over 24 months, which is a great alternative if you don’t want to purchase your iPads outright.
With all the POS features you need to run a restaurant, TouchBistro is a great all-around solution for independent restaurants big and small. And with in-house technology like loyalty and integrated reservations, TouchBistro is one of the best restaurant POS systems for both QSRs and FSRs.
Though TouchBistro can easily support larger restaurants, it’s not equipped with the kind of enterprise-level capabilities required to support nation-wide, multi-unit chains. For restaurants with these kinds of complex needs, a more bespoke legacy POS solution with multi-unit reporting capabilities would be a better fit.
It goes without saying that no legacy POS system – or modern POS system for that matter – is a one-size-fits-all-solution. Our ultimate guide to the best legacy POS systems is designed to highlight the pros and cons of each system so you can find a provider that offers the features, tools, and services you need to run a successful restaurant. Armed with this information, you’ll be better equipped to choose the best restaurant POS system for your particular venue.
Katherine is the Content Marketing Manager at TouchBistro, where she writes about trending topics in food and restaurants. The opposite of a picky eater, she’ll try (almost) anything at least once. Whether it’s chowing down on camel burgers in Morocco or snacking on octopus dumplings in Japan, she’s always up for new food experiences.
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