2026 Guide to the Best Restaurant POS Systems

If you’re in the market for a new point of sale (POS) system, you’ve probably discovered that finding reliable information on the best restaurant POS systems can be tricky.

Not only are there dozens of different providers to choose from, but each one has a unique set of features, tools, and services to offer. And if you’re a restaurateur, you don’t have the time to scour through company websites and online reviews of the best restaurant pos software just to find the information you need.

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 restaurant POS systems. With in-depth reviews of all the top POS providers (including our own), this guide will help you narrow down the best restaurant POS systems for 2026.

Best POS For:

TouchBistro	Toast	Square	Clover	SpotOn	Lavu	Lightspeed	Epos Now
Small to medium-sized single and multi-location restaurants	Large-scale multi-location restaurants	Food trucks and single-terminal venues	Restaurants with an integrated retail component	Restaurants with an integrated retail component	Specialized concepts, such as pizzerias	Restaurants with an integrated retail concept	Basic foodservice businesses

We know that no restaurant POS system is a one-size-fits-all solution. We hope that with this guide to the best restaurant POS systems, you’ll find the answers to all your questions.

Get the Ultimate Guide to the Best Restaurant POS Systems

Compare the top restaurant POS systems on features, pricing, payments, and more.

Download Now

TouchBistro

What is TouchBistro?

TouchBistro is an all-in-one POS and restaurant management system that enables operators to delight their guests, maximize profitability, and grow their businesses. Designed exclusively with restaurants in mind, TouchBistro provides the most essential front of house, back of house, and guest engagement solutions on one easy-to-use platform.

As the very first company to launch an iPad-based restaurant POS, TouchBistro has been a leader in the restaurant technology space for more than a decade and has become the POS of choice for thousands of single and multi-location restaurants. TouchBistro has been dubbed the “best POS for all-in-one restaurant management” by Forbes and has even been featured as Gordon Ramsay’s POS system of choice on the hit shows Kitchen Nightmares and Gordon Ramsay’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back.

What are TouchBistro’s biggest strengths?

TouchBistro’s strengths include:

• TouchBistro is specifically engineered to handle the distinct needs of restaurants, including complex food and beverage workflows. Unlike other POS systems that are designed for retail, TouchBistro focuses heavily on smooth server workflows and fast bill-splitting, helping minimize the chaos of a busy floor. This includes features such as superior visual table-management, multiple bill splitting options, and a native restaurant reservations system.
• TouchBistro is a cloud-based POS that gives operators a centralized solution for all their operations, data, and reporting, as well as the flexibility to run their business from virtually anywhere.
• TouchBistro runs on Apple’s iOS operating system and uses Apple hardware, which is a very intuitive out-of-the-box solution, especially if staff are already familiar with Apple products. This allows for a quick, DIY setup and can help to speed up the training process, making it easier for staff to troubleshoot if issues arise.
• TouchBistro offers custom-quoted payment processing rates and transparent terms. Once your rate has been locked in, TouchBistro is transparent and upfront about its terms, so you always know exactly what you’re paying for, without any hidden fees.

What are TouchBistro’s weaknesses?

There are also some drawbacks to TouchBistro, including:

• While TouchBistro is well equipped for growing multi-location businesses, it does not offer the level of customization and flexibility that restaurants with dozens of locations will require, ultimately making it less suited to major chain restaurants and franchises.
• Unlike some POS providers that offer integrations with dozens of different partners and custom Application Programming Interface (API) access, TouchBistro supports integrations for a much more curated list of best-in-class partners.

What payment processing options are available with TouchBistro?

If you use TouchBistro’s integrated payment processing solution, TouchBistro Payments, you’ll receive custom-quoted rates based on your venue type and volume of business With TouchBistro Payments, you enjoy access to best-in-class payment processing technology, advanced security, and the support of dedicated payments experts. You’ll also enjoy transparent and upfront terms, so you always know exactly how your monthly bill is broken down.

How much does TouchBistro cost?

TouchBistro’s software starts at $69 USD per month and with each subscription you get all of TouchBistro’s core POS features, cloud-based POS reports and analytics, 24/7/365 support, and unlimited users and logins for your team.

In terms of hardware costs, TouchBistro is highly affordable. Unlike some TouchBistro competitors, the POS hardware is relatively less expensive because you’re paying for non-proprietary devices (iPads) that are cheaper to purchase, repair, and replace. With TouchBistro, you also own your own hardware, have the option to finance it, and it has strong resale value. This means that if you ever choose to switch systems, you can take your hardware with you.

TouchBistro is the best POS for small to medium-sized single and multi-location restaurants

With all the POS features you need to run a restaurant, TouchBistro is a great all-around solution for small to medium-sized single and multi-location restaurants. This includes quick and full service restaurants, as well as bars, clubs, cafes, bakeries, breweries, and wineries.

Though TouchBistro can support larger, multi-unit restaurants, it’s not equipped with the kind of enterprise capabilities required to support major restaurant chains and franchises. For restaurants with these kinds of complex needs, a more bespoke POS solution with extensive third-party integrations may be a better fit.

Want to see TouchBistro in action?

Toast

What is Toast?

Toast offers POS solutions for both restaurants and retailers. Toast’s POS system runs on the Android operating system and requires the use of proprietary Android technology. Beyond a robust set of restaurant management features, Toast also offers extensive add-on solutions and integrations, including an open API that allows for greater flexibility.

What are Toast’s strengths?

Toast’s strengths include:

• Toast is a fully integrated system, which means the POS comes with all the essential features restaurants need for service and day-to-day operations. Toast also offers some unique POS features for niche restaurant concepts, like pizzerias and hotel restaurants.
• Toast offers many enterprise-level features, including advanced multi-location reporting, highly customizable menu management, and flexible hardware that can accommodate a more bespoke setup.
• Toast works with an extensive list of best-in-class partners to deliver specialized solutions for restaurants, and even allows operators to build and customize their integrations using Toast APIs.

What are Toast’s biggest weaknesses?

Drawbacks to the Toast POS system include:

• Toast is an Android system, which can come with a steeper learning curve for those used to Apple devices. Toast also requires you to purchase proprietary, vendor-specific Android hardware, which can mean higher costs, more limited device options, and long wait times for replacements. 
• Toast can be a pricey system to use because of the high upfront cost of purchasing a proprietary hardware setup and because of high payment processing fees, which can be as high as $3.69% + $0.30 per transaction, according to Merchant Maverick.
• Transparency has been an issue for some of Toast’s customers with the company drawing industry-wide outrage for quietly introducing a 99-cent fee paid by guests on orders of $10 or higher placed through Toast’s online ordering channels (a decision the company later walked back).

What payment processing options does Toast offer?

Toast offers integrated payments with all of its POS packages, making it a one-stop-shop for your POS and payment processing needs. However, it’s important to note that Toast is not compatible with other payment processors, which means you can’t shop around for the best rates.

Toast’s payment processing rates start at 2.49%, $0.10 per transaction for customers who pay for their hardware upfront. However, if you choose the cheaper Starter Kit plan, you’ll be locked into Toast’s premium payment processing rates, which are much higher. In other words, if you want better payment processing rates, you need to be prepared to pay for all your hardware upfront.

How much does Toast cost?

When compared to other cloud-based restaurant POS systems, Toast’s monthly software fees are in line with most other providers. Though Toast does have a basic Starter Kit package that starts at $0 per month, this package is primarily designed for smaller venues like cafes and coffee shops because it includes more limited features, a basic POS setup, and a maximum of two terminals. And while the software fees are low, you pay a much higher payment processing rate – one that is often locked in for a two to three year term.

Toast’s more complete offering is its Point of Sale package, which is better suited to restaurants and starts at $69 USD per month. However, even with this package, there are additional costs to take into account. Remember that you’re also obligated to use Toast as your payment processor, which comes with its own set of fees. Additionally, you also need to purchase Toast’s vendor-specific hardware in order to use the POS and any add-on software you may need.

Toast is the best POS for large-scale multi-location restaurants

With its flexible Android technology, enterprise-level features, extensive third-party partnerships, and open API, the Toast POS is the best restaurant POS solution for large-scale restaurant concepts in need of a more bespoke and flexible solution. Franchises and multi-national chains would be especially well-suited to Toast’s system and would be able to carry the higher costs of a custom hardware setup.

But while Toast offers some big benefits for large multi-location concepts, there are a few drawbacks for the average small to medium-sized restaurant. With its proprietary hardware requirements, Android operating system, and pricey payment processing fees, the average restaurateur may prefer a solution that allows them to get up and running more quickly and supports more standard restaurant workflows.

Wondering how Toast compares to TouchBistro?

Read our full review of TouchBistro vs Toast

Square for Restaurants

What is Square for Restaurants?

Square for Restaurants is restaurant-specific software from the popular mobile payment company Square. Like the company’s other products, Square for Restaurants is designed for simplicity and mobility, combining an iOS-based POS system with Square’s proprietary hardware and in-house payment processing services. 

What are Square’s strengths?

Square’s main strengths include:

• Square’s POS hardware is simple and easy to use, which makes for a quick setup process and ensures that the devices are intuitive enough for virtually any staff member to pick up and learn.
• Square for Restaurants is one of the more affordable restaurant POS systems on the market, with relatively low hardware costs and reasonable monthly software fees (though costs can add up when you add more features and hardware).
• Square is a highly mobile system, with hardware like the Square Reader weighing only a few ounces and running wirelessly via Bluetooth – features that are highly beneficial to mobile food service businesses like food trucks and food stands.

What are Square’s biggest weaknesses?

Some of the drawbacks to Square for Restaurants include:

• Square’s solutions were initially built for retail and mobile businesses, not restaurants, which means some of its restaurant-specific workflows, such as bill splitting or food and beverage inventory tracking, are clunky or require manual workflows.
• If you purchase Square’s lowest tier software package, no weekend or after-hours support if available (exactly the times when restaurants need support the most). If you want to unlock 24/7 support, you need to upgrade to a higher software tier and commit to a longer-term contract.
• Square’s was originally designed for small, solo operations and its newer multi-location management features are fairly limited. This means the Square platform is not as well suited to helping you grow and scale your business as other POS systems are.

What payment processing options does Square offer?

When you sign up for Square for Restaurants, you also need to sign up with Square as your payment processor. There are some advantages to using Square as your payment processing, including access to quick payment processing, business banking accounts, fast cash flow loans, specialized management software, and physical card readers,

However, the drawback is that Square bundles its payment processing fee with its software, making it hard to separate true costs. As a result, the company frequently offers “free” hardware upfront, but this discount comes with higher payment processing rates of up to as 3%+. These rates can also rise after sign-up, which means you can end up paying a lot more in payment processing fees than the initial cost of the hardware. Ultimately, this cost structure can make Square more expensive than it initially appears.

How much does Square cost?

Cost is one reason why Square for Restaurant may initially be an appealing choice to operators. Unlike most of the top restaurant POS systems, Square does offer a free version of its software with no monthly charges. However, the free version of Square for Restaurants has limited capabilities and no weekend or after-hours support. With the “free” version of Square’s POS you also still need to pay for the necessary hardware and Square’s payment processing services in order to use the system, which, as mentioned, locks you into higher payment processing rates that can cost more in the long-run.

A more comparable offering is Square’s Plus package, which costs $60 per month per location, and $40 per month per added device. This package comes with all of Square’s core POS features, full reporting, and 24/7 support. But again, you still need to factor in the cost of your hardware, any add-on solutions, and Square’s in-house payment processing fees, since Square does not integrate with other payment processors.

Square is the best POS for food trucks and single-terminal venues

With its relatively affordable monthly software fees, highly-mobile hardware, and user-friendly design, review platforms like Expert Market agree that Square for Restaurants is one of the best restaurant POS systems for food trucks and any other mobile food business, such as food stalls.  Square’s simple and streamlined design also makes it a great option for small, single terminal restaurants that process lower ticket items or a lower volume, such as cafes.

However, Square for Restaurants has more limited capabilities than other restaurant POS systems and is not designed for extensive growth. For many full service restaurants (FSRs) and quick service restaurants (QSRs) – especially those that plan to scale – this means that Square for Restaurants’ POS features, reports, and inventory solution may not be robust enough to support their busy operations.

Wondering how Square for Restaurants compares to TouchBistro?

Read our full review of TouchBistro vs Square

Get the Ultimate Guide to the Best Restaurant POS Systems

Compare the top restaurant POS systems on features, pricing, payments, and more.

Download Now

Clover

What is Clover?

Clover POS is a cloud-based POS system that runs on an Android operating system and proprietary, vendor-specific hardware. Unlike other restaurant POS systems, the Clover system is made up of a series of apps that can be downloaded to meet the needs of restaurants, retailers, and other small businesses. For restaurants in particular, Clover’s App Marketplace is stocked with a wide variety of in-house apps for foodservice workflows, such as table management, inventory management, kitchen operations, and more.

What are Clover’s strengths?

Clover’s strengths include:

• Clover operates its own App Marketplace of in-house, restaurant-specific apps that you can download to customize your system for your specific venue type and service model – from cafes and bakeries to fine dining. 
• Clover integrates with a lengthy list of third-party partners and even supports custom application development, which is a huge plus for niche restaurant concepts in need of a more bespoke solution
• Beyond restaurants, Clover is used by many retailers and other industries like professional services businesses. As a result, Clover offers many features that can support retail-specific workflows as well – a plus for restaurants with an integrated retail concept, like breweries that also operate a bottle shop.

What are Clover’s biggest weaknesses?

Weaknesses of the Clover POS system include:

• The free versions of many of the Clover apps have very limited capabilities, meaning you need to pay to access more robust POS features – features that generally come standard on other POS systems.
• Clover runs on its own proprietary Android hardware, which means you have to make a big upfront investment in POS hardware – hardware that you won’t be able to use with another system if you decide to switch providers in the future.
• Unlike many other restaurant POS systems, Clover was not specifically designed for the needs of restaurants, and the system is not equipped with the advanced features or capabilities needed to support some growing restaurants.

What payment processing options does Clover offer?

Early on, Clover was acquired by the payment processing company Fiserv (First Data). As a result, Fiserv is the only integrated payments solution that Clover supports. While this means you have a little less flexibility, you also benefit from having a fully integrated payments solution. With Fiserv, you can process payments in-venue, at the table, online, or even over the phone.

As for payment processing rates, Clovers rates start at 2.6% + $0.10 for those on its Basic plan and 2.3% + $0.10 for its Standard, Advanced, and Restaurant Growth plans. This means that if you’re looking for lower monthly software fees, you’ll pay a lot more in payment processing fees, which may end up costing you more in the long-run.

How much does Clover cost?

Clover’s quick service and table service POS solutions both start at $89.95 USD per month, which is a tad higher than some of the top restaurant POS systems on the market.

In addition to Clover’s monthly software fees, it’s also important to factor in the cost of hardware. As noted, Clover uses its own Android hardware, which means that you need to invest in Clover’s hardware upfront in order to use the system. This can be quite pricey, especially for restaurants that need a countertop POS, because the Clover Station Duo alone costs over $1,349 (compared to a starting price of $349 for an iPad). 

Clover is the best POS for restaurants with an integrated retail concept

With its unique app ecosystem that supports a wide variety of business types, Clover is one of the most flexible and versatile restaurant POS systems. The unique set up allows restaurants to pick and choose from a wide variety of apps, including extensive retail and ecommerce functions. As a result, Clover is well suited to restaurants that focus more on retail sales, and less on dine-in service. For example, breweries with an in-house taproom and bottle shop.

While Clover’s app-based system is perfect for unique restaurant concepts looking for a bespoke POS solution, it may not be the best restaurant POS software for more traditional restaurants. QSRs and FSRs may find that many of Clover’s apps lack the robust capabilities of the core features found on other restaurant POS systems. As a result, these kinds of venues may quickly outgrow their Clover POS.

Wondering how Clover compares to TouchBistro?

Read our full review of TouchBistro vs Clover

Lightspeed

What is Lightspeed?

Lightspeed is a popular iPad POS system for restaurants, retailers, and golf courses. Though Lightspeed is primarily used in North America, recent coverage by BetaKit reveals that the company has begun to shift its focus to the European market. Lightspeed also continues to heavily invest in retail and golf verticals, with its broader focus being on unified commerce – building a single platform that integrates POS, payments, e-commerce, and analytics across multiple business types.  

What are Lightspeed’s strengths?

Lightspeed’s strengths include:

• Lightspeed runs on the iOS operating system and uses Apple hardware, which is generally considered a more reliable and user-friendly system – especially for those who are already familiar with other Apple devices such as iPhones and MacBooks. Even for staff who have never used Apple technology before, Apple’s hardware and software is so intuitive that it’s easy to learn right out of the box.
• In addition to integrations with various third-party payment processors, Lightspeed also offers many third-party integrations with best-in-class partners for services such as payroll, accounting, staff management, marketing, ecommerce, and more.
• The Lightspeed POS system is highly customizable thanks to raw API access, which allows you to access Lightspeed’s back-end so you can customize your experience – something that provides very large multi-unit restaurants with added flexibility.

What are Lightspeed’s biggest weaknesses?

Lightspeed’s weaknesses include:

• Lightspeed was originally founded as a POS and ecommerce software provider for retail businesses, and only later expanded its product suite to accommodate restaurants. In recent years, Lightspeed has begun to shift its focus back to retail and the European market, suggesting less ongoing research and development for its restaurant-specific solutions. 
• Some of Lightspeed’s add-on solutions are less robust than others. For instance, Lightspeed’s reservation solution is very new and lacks some more advanced reservations features, such as a public discovery platform. Similarly, Lightspeed Loyalty is available as an add-on, but it is only equipped with basic reward program functionalities. As a result, many restaurants will need to rely on a complex web of third-party integrations to bridge the gap between Lightspeed’s POS system and their restaurant’s needs.
• Lightspeed heavily discounts its hardware upfront, but makes up for this loss by charging much higher payment processing fees. As a result, Lightspeed can be a much more expensive solution in the long-run.

What payment processing options does Lightspeed offer?

Lightspeed customers can use Lightspeed Payments, which is an integrated payment processing solution powered by the global payments platform Stripe. This integrated solution allows you to accept payments in-venue, tableside, or online, for a quick and seamless solution.

Payment processing rates for Lightspeed Payments will depend on your software package, with rates starting at 2.6% + $0.10 for card-present transactions and 2.9% + $0.30 for card-not-present transactions. However, if you receive an upfront hardware discount, you may be charged higher payment processing rates. 

How much does Lightspeed cost?

Lightspeed’s initial package starts at $69 USD per month and includes most of its restaurant POS software features, except for Lightspeed Tempo (a service pacing tool and dashboard) and multi-location management. Lightspeed also has an Essentials plan that starts at $189 USD per month, a Premium Plan that starts at $399 USD per month, and an Enterprise plan that’s custom quoted. 

Keep in mind that while these bundles include most of Lightspeed’s basic POS features, they don’t include add-on solutions like KDS, accounting, or gift cards. Each of these add-ons will cost you extra (the KDS alone is priced at $40 per month, per screen), so keep this in mind when budgeting how much Lightspeed will set you back each month.

Lightspeed is the best POS for restaurants with an integrated retail concept?

With expertise in POS solutions for retail businesses and ecommerce, Lightspeed is an excellent solution for restaurants that also include a retail component, such as breweries with bottle shops, or cafes that also sell groceries. Lightspeed not only offers in-house solutions for these unique restaurant concepts, but it also offers dozens of third-party integrations and raw API access, which supports highly customizable logic that allows you to create a bespoke POS solution for your business.

However, for more traditional FSRs and QSRs, Lightspeed may not be the best restaurant POS solution. Lightspeed’s highly customizable design means it has a somewhat steeper learning curve, with more complex restaurant workflows. Additionally, some of Lightspeed’s add-ons only offer basic functionality, which may not be enough for some restaurants.

Wondering how Lightspeed compares to TouchBistro?

Read our full review of TouchBistro vs Lightspeed

SpotOn

What is SpotOn?

SpotOn originally began as a marketing and loyalty platform called SpotOn Transact, and has since transformed into a payment processing and POS software. It was only recently that SpotOn became a restaurant-first solution, and has continued selling software solutions for a wide range of other businesses, including clothing retailers, auto repair shops, nail salons, plumbers, accountants, and more. 

What are SpotOn’s strengths?

SpotOn’s biggests strengths include:

• An extensive suite of in-house, value added services for restaurants, including standard products such as loyalty and online ordering, but also more niche solutions such as a website builder and review management software. Additionally, the company also offers a robust suite of financial management add-ons, such as an AI-driven profitability analysis software called SpotOn Profit Assist.
• SpotOn offers a $0 per station, per month package for restaurants looking to get up and running quickly with minimal upfront costs (though it’s worth noting this comes with higher payment processing rates and minimum two year contract). 
• SpotOn offers free 24/7 support via phone or email, as well as in-person assistance. For the most part, reviews on sites like Capterra suggest customers have positive customer support and onboarding experiences with SpotOn.  

What are SpotOn’s weaknesses?

Some drawbacks to SpotOn include:

• SpotOn creates products for a wide range of industries and business types (more than 60% of which are in the retail space), so some of its solutions have been adapted to restaurant workflows, rather than designed specifically for them. As some SpotOn POS reviews have described, core POS features, such as menu editing, can be clunky and require multiple steps.
• SpotOn runs on the Android operating system and uses proprietary Android hardware, which can be more expensive to source and replace. For instance, the SpotOn Station 15 touchscreen (meant to serve as your primary POS terminal) is priced at $995. Since all of your hardware must be purchased through SpotOn, with no option to shop around, you have no choice but to shell out thousands for a full setup. 
• SpotOn does not offer an advanced inventory management solution, only very basic inventory tracking through the POS. In order to access more advanced inventory functions, you need to rely on a third-party inventory integration.

What payment processing options does SpotOn offer?

SpotOn offers POS-integrated payments through a plan called SpotOn with Payments. Payment processing rates start at 2.45% + $0.15 per transaction. However, if you purchase SpotOn’s All-In plan with hardware included, you’ll be paying rates as high as 3.79% + $0.20 per transaction for keyed-in transactions. If your average customer ticket is quite low (i.e. a $6 cappuccino), that $0.20 fee eats into a big percentage of your profits. As a result, restaurants with a low average ticket size may find SpotOn to be a very expensive solution.

How much does SpotOn cost?

As mentioned, SpotOn’s POS software pricing starts at $0 per station, per month for its All-In plan. However, this pricing is a bit misleading because it’s not a $0 flat monthly fee. The plan requires customers to lock into a two year contract and use SpotOn’s integrated payment processing, which typically carries higher payment processing rates that offset the “free” hardware and software upfront – fees that can end up costing much more than the hardware in the long run. 

If you purchase one of SpotOn’s more expensive software packages, you also need to account for the cost of hardware, which is not included. Because SpotOn requires you to purchase its own Android hardware, upfront costs can be quite high. For example, SpotOn’s handheld device alone costs $500 (compared to the starting price of $349 for an iPad).

SpotOn is the best POS for restaurants with an integrated retail component

With a wide variety of in-house, value-added services, SpotOn is considered a robust and capable POS system. However, many of these add-ons, such as its ecommerce solution, appointment scheduler, and website builder, are more valuable to retailers and other small businesses than restaurants.

As a result, SpotOn is best suited to niche restaurant concepts with an added retail element, such as wineries with an on-site bottle shop or QSRs that also sell some groceries and other pre-packed items. These venue types are most likely to get the full benefit of SpotOn’s many integrated tools, while more traditional FSRs and QSRs – especially those with growth and expansion in mind – may benefit from a more dedicated restaurant POS.

Wondering how SpotOn compares to TouchBistro?

Read our full review of TouchBistro vs SpotOn POS

Lavu

What is Lavu?

Lavu is an iPad-based POS and payment processing system used by restaurants in more than 90 different countries worldwide. In addition to FSRs and QSRs, Lavu is also known for offering solutions for more niche restaurant concepts with unique workflows, such as pizzarias, delis, ice cream parlors, and concession stands. 

What are Lavu’s strengths?

Lavu’s major strengths include:

• Lavu is one of the few POS programs for restaurants with dedicated solutions for niche concepts. For instance, Lavu is designed to support the complex pizza customization (i.e. countless topping combinations, half-and-half splits, etc.), high-volume delivery logistics, and specific kitchen routing needs of pizzarias, which is something not all POS systems can do.
• Lavu runs on Apple’s iOS operating system and Apple’s iPad tablets, which are not only user-friendly, but they are also considered more reliable because Apple owns both the hardware and the software, which allows for the seamless rollout of updates and strong security.

What are Lavu’s biggest weaknesses?

Drawbacks to Lavu’s restaurant POS system include:

• Lavu frequently boasts about offering 200+ features, but the approach tends to be “do it all,” rather than “do it well.” The quality and depth of Lavu’s features are not consistent across the board, with many (like its staff management and floor plan management features) only equipped with basic functionality.
• Lavu lacks some valuable in-house add-on solutions, such as advanced inventory management, team management, and reservations. For many restaurants, specifically FSRs, not having these functions may be quite limiting and stall long-term growth.
• Customer reviews report that Lavu’s system is fairly complex to set up and the software comes with a steeper learning curve than other systems. 

What payment processing options does Lavu offer?

Lavu offers both an in-house payment processing solution, LavuPay, or the option to use a third-party payment processor. However, using a third-party processor is considered an “add-on” in Lavu’s pricing structure, which means you’ll pay an additional fee to use the payment processor of your choice. 

If you do decide to use LavuPay, you’ll have to sign up for a quote to see your payment processing rates as the company does not publish them online.

How much does Lavu cost?

Lavu differs from many of the other top restaurant POS systems by not having a traditional pricing page outlining its offerings. However, online reviews by sites like tech.co report that Lavu’s software starts at $99 per month for the Starter plan, $149 per month for the Growth plan, and $279 per month for the optimize plan. It’s worth noting that the Starter plan is designed for very small foodservice businesses, like food trucks and market sellers, which means it lacks some of the more robust features full service restaurants rely on.

As a result, the more complete software package is the Growth, which, at $149 per month, is priced a fair bit higher than many of the best restaurant POS software on the market today. Not to mention, you also have to account for the cost of hardware as well.

Lavu is the best POS for specialized restaurant concepts

With an extensive list of features and the ability to accommodate more specialized workflows, Lavu is the best POS option for niche restaurant concepts such as pizzerias, ice cream shops, delis, concession stands, and cafeterias.

While Lavu excels when it comes to creating features for very specific restaurant concepts like pizzerias, this “do it all” approach means that some of Lavu’s core POS features are lacking and some its add-ons are quite basic. For many busy QSRs and FSRs, this means that Lavu may not be robust enough to keep up with the demands of day-to-day operations and support long-term growth.

Wondering how Lavu compares to TouchBistro?

Read our full review of TouchBistro vs Lavu

Get the Ultimate Guide to the Best Restaurant POS Systems

Compare the top restaurant POS systems on features, pricing, payments, and more.

Download Now

Epos Now

What is Epos Now?

Epos Now is a cloud-based software provider that specializes in POS systems for restaurants, as well as a wide range of other businesses, including clothing retailers, golf courses, nail salons, barber shops, convenience stores, and more. The company is based in the UK, but its software is available in more than 70 countries. 

What are Epos Now’s strengths?

Epos Now’s strengths include:

• Unlike nearly every other restaurant POS system on the market, Epos Now can be run on iOS, Android, or Windows, which means you can choose the operating system and hardware that works best for your particular restaurant and budget. You can also save on upfront costs by using your existing POS hardware.
• Epos Now integrates with over 100 different third-party apps, making it easy to customize the platform with solutions for specialized functions like accounting and ecommerce.

What are Epos Now’s biggest weaknesses?

Some of the drawbacks of using Epos Now include:

• The system was designed in the U.K., which means some North America-specific workflows (like bill splitting) are not as intuitive as they are with some of the other top restaurant POS systems and review sites like Expert Market note that the system comes with a steep learning curve..
• You must purchase Epos Now’s premium support plan for an extra $79 per month in order to access 24/7 support. If you don’t pay this extra charge, support is limited to business hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), which is outside of the hours most restaurants operate. 
• Epos Now’s software pricing is not very transparent and is tied up with complicated hardware bundles. These bundles often come with heavy discounts, but in order to get the discount, you need to pay a higher monthly software fee. In other words, it can be hard to understand your true costs with Epos Now.  
• Epos Now supports a wide range of industries, which means there is less focus on ongoing research and development for its restaurant-specific POS solution.

What payment processing options does Epos Now offer?

Unlike some of the major POS providers on the market, Epos Now gives customers some flexibility to use a third-party payment processor or build a custom payments integration using the company’s API. However, you will need to pay a higher monthly software fee if you don’t use Epos Now’s integrated payment processing solution.

It’s also important to note that if you choose to use a payment processor that’s not integrated with Epos Now, you’ll have to carry out all credit card transactions separately and enter the amounts from each transaction manually into the POS system. For any restaurant that processes a high volume of transactions, this is a major consideration because manually entering each transaction is not only time consuming, but also carries the risk of costly data entry errors.

If you do use Epos Now’s integrated payment processing solution, rates are 2.6% plus $0.10 per transaction, according to Business.com. These fees are roughly in line with other POS providers, if somewhat on the higher end.

How much does Epos Now cost?

As mentioned, Epos Now’s pricing structure is less straightforward than other POS providers. Monthly software fees start at $39 per month, but vary depending on your plan. Plus, you also need to account for the $79 per month charge to access 24/7 support.

Lastly, there is the cost of Epos Now’s hardware. While you do have the option to repurpose existing hardware you may have, the company highly encourages purchasing its own hardware to ensure you have the best user experience. Epos Now’s proprietary hardware is on the more expensive end, with a single countertop POS terminal priced at $1,499. 

Epos Now is the best POS for basic foodservice businesses

Based on its flexible hardware options and uncomplicated POS features, it’s clear that Epos Now is the best restaurant POS solution for small-scale foodservice businesses with relatively straightforward needs. For instance, businesses such as ice cream shops, juice bars, and coffee shops would benefit from a system like Epos Now because it covers all the basics, and won’t weigh you down with advanced features that you may not end up using.

However, if you need to carry out anything more than basic POS functions, you’ll likely find Epos Now inadequate. Unlike other POS programs for restaurants, Epos Now was not originally created for hospitality businesses and many of its restaurant POS features are still limited. Not to mention, Epos Now also doesn’t offer any in-house solutions for add-ons like loyalty or reservations that can help your restaurant scale. For many QSRs and FSRs, a system like Epos Now is likely not robust enough to support a growing restaurant business.

Wondering how Epos Now compares to TouchBistro?

Read our full review of TouchBistro vs Epos Now

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best POS system for restaurants?

TouchBistro stands out as a top POS system because it was built strictly for food service, rather than adapted from general retail software. While Square caters well to small-scale foodservice businesses like food trucks and Toast offers deep enterprise customization, TouchBistro consistently ranks as a leading all-around choice for restaurants thanks to its robust feature set, user-friendly interface, and reliable hardware setup.

How to compare top restaurant POS systems effectively?

Evaluating top systems like Toast, Clover, TouchBistro, and Lightspeed requires examining total hardware costs, payment processing transparency, offline functionality, support availability, and platform usability. While systems like Toast require the use of proprietary hardware and Clover leans on third-party integrations to fill product gaps, TouchBistro offers a balanced alternative by running on familiar Apple hardware with all core restaurant management features built natively into the platform. 

How to choose the best restaurant POS system?

Choosing a POS system should be based on your specific service model, staff technical proficiency, and long-term operating costs. ​​Platforms like Square excel in basic, contract-free setups that allow small businesses to get up and running quickly, whereas Toast suits large-scale operations with heavy IT support. TouchBistro hits the sweet spot for most operators by offering a shallow learning curve that speeds up staff onboarding alongside non-proprietary hardware that minimizes overall cost of ownership.

Which restaurant POS systems are most scalable long term?

Scalability varies across leading platforms like Toast, TouchBistro, Lightspeed, and SpotOn. Though it comes with a higher price tag, Toast is especially well suited to handle complex multi-chain logistics and long-term growth, thanks to its enterprise-grade data analytics, open API access, and extensive product suite.

What restaurant POS software is easiest for staff training?

Ease of training is a major consideration when comparing platforms like TouchBistro, Square, and Clover, especially in an industry with high staff turnover. While Square’s hardware is particularly user-friendly, TouchBistro’s POS software is designed specifically for restaurant workflows using familiar iOS interfaces. TouchBistro’s logical layout enables servers to master order modifications, tableside entry, and bill splitting in less than an hour, significantly reducing training time compared to some of the other top restaurant POS systems.

What are the best restaurant POS systems for full service dining?

Top contenders for full-service operations include TouchBistro, Toast, and SpotOn, each offering tailored tools for complex service flows. While systems like Toast provide deep customizability, sometimes the sheer amount of options can make the system more complicated to use on a daily basis. TouchBistro stands out for full-service venues by integrating intuitive visual floor plans, seamless coursing management, and native tableside ordering into a single, responsive platform that enhances both server speed and table turnover.

What are the best restaurant POS systems for quick service restaurants?

Quick-service venues operators frequently compare Square, SpotOn, Epos Now, and TouchBistro to maximize speed and throughput. While Square provides quick setup and Epos Now offers extensive integrations, TouchBistro balances both by offering handheld, line-busting terminals, intuitive upselling prompts, a robust restaurant CRM, and commission-free online ordering. This combination drives high-volume order processing, while helping operators retain a higher percentage of their delivery and pickup revenues.

Most affordable POS system for a new food truck?

When starting a food truck, operators frequently compare budget-friendly options like Square, SpotOn, and Lavu. Among these three POS programs for restaurants, Square stands out as the overall most affordable and flexible solution for new vendors due to its zero monthly software fees on its base tier and free, plug-and-play card reader setup. With predictable flat-rate processing, built-in offline payment capabilities for dead-zone spots, and no long-term contracts, Square allows mobile operators to keep upfront capital low while maximizing order output.

What are the best restaurant POS for franchises and growing concepts?

Multi-unit operators frequently evaluate platforms like Toast, SpotOn, and Esos Now to manage expanding footprints. Toast emerges as the premier solution for growing enterprise concepts due to its powerful, centralized cloud architecture and robust suite of restaurant-grade hardware. Toast simplifies complex operations across locations with centralized menu rollout, unified sales and inventory analytics, and enterprise-level multi-unit administrative controls, making it uniquely equipped to power high-growth multi-unit concepts.

The Bottom Line

If there’s one key takeaway from this ultimate guide to the best restaurant POS systems for 2026, it’s that no two providers are the same. Each restaurant has its own unique set of needs and POS providers have developed different features, tools, and services to meet those needs. In short, the answer to “what is the best restaurant pos system” will depend on your size, location, type of restaurant, and a wide variety of other factors. But armed with the information in this guide, you should be one step closer to finding the best restaurant POS software for your business.

Get the Ultimate Guide to the Best Restaurant POS Systems

Compare the top restaurant POS systems on features, pricing, payments, and more.

Download Now