Best POS System for Restaurants: Compare Features & Pricing for 2025

A point of sale (POS) system is the engine of your restaurant, keeping orders, payments, and operations running smoothly, and it’s important to find one that fits your needs. 

Choosing the right POS system can be a game-changer for your restaurant. It’s more than just a way to take orders and process payments. 

A POS system works with tools to help you keep track of inventory, record sales and learn what customers like. It saves you time, so you can focus on creating great dining experiences.

In this post, I’ll show you my picks of the best restaurant POS systems based on customer reviews and share tips to help you find one that fits your goals perfectly.

Best POS systems for restaurants (quick overview) 

Before I cover each POS system, here’s a comparison of the platforms and their main features at a glance: 

1. Square for smaller and upcoming restaurants

Key features:

• Connects to your online store
• Takeout and delivery orders 
• Easy payment processing 
• User-friendly dashboard 

Square is one of those tools that just gets it right for retail restaurants because of its POS capabilities and easy payment processing. It packs in a ton of features, all without feeling overwhelming. I love how straightforward it is, which is probably why many restaurant owners swear by it.

We’ve seen Square used at smaller and upcoming restaurants. Toast, however, is more common at established restaurants.

Compared to tools like Toast, Square goes the extra mile by including a mobile app and free online ordering in its free plan. This is a huge win if you’re trying to keep costs down while still having solid tools to run your business.

That said, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• High credit card processing fees. Although Square includes features like a mobile app and online ordering that other tools usually charge extra for, some users report high processing fees. 
• Limited customization. You’re pretty much locked into Square’s templates. So, if you love tweaking things, this might feel a bit restrictive.
• Basic features. While the simplicity is great for some, others might find the tools aren’t as robust as competitors. If you’re looking for a wider range of integrations for more complex needs, I’d recommend Toast. 

Why I like Square: The user-friendly dashboard makes managing day-to-day tasks easy. And, I love how it simplifies things like takeout and payments. If you’re looking for something that’s easy to set up and use, Square is a solid choice.

Real customer reviews for Square

Customers like:

“Square is great at on-the-go ordering and managing. I love the simplicity of the app and the features it comes with for balancing receipts and metrics.”

“Easy to use, affordable, quick to manage inventory, professional templates.”

Customers don’t like:

“The design of the website is pretty strict, you can't add much of your own designs or layouts. You have to make your ideas fit their layouts” 

“The software lacked the robustness of others. As far as features, some are limited in functionality where others had some small glitches.”

2. SpotOn for add-on variety 

Key features:

• Real-time restaurant analytics
• Flexible menu and table management 
• Supports multiple locations 
• Advanced modifiers 

SpotOn is a great choice if you’re looking for a POS system that goes beyond the basics. What really stands out to me and a lot of other users is its reporting features. Compared to tools like CAKE or Aloha, SpotOn’s restaurant analytics are on another level.

And, it’s a cloud-based system, which means you can access the program from anywhere, even offline. It comes with helpful add-ons like a loyalty program, tip management, and an easy-to-use dashboard. 

That said, a few users have reported software hiccups like error warnings that can be frustrating.

Why I like SpotOn: SpotOn is all about variety and customization. It’s packed with tools that help you fine-tune your restaurant’s operations.

Real customer reviews for SpotOn

‍Customers like:

“The reporting features are insane. I've been able to create custom subscriptions so that the reports that I love the most are just sent to me every Monday morning. The service is also incredible.” Source

“SpotOn did a great job in working with us from the menu design through the install date…The software is very user-friendly and was easier to adjust to than expected.”

Customers don't like: 

“Constantly having issues and error warnings. We had to try different downloads and programs and still had issues.” 

“This is the first time that I've actually paid a subscription for POS software so that took some getting over.”

3. Toast POS for streamlining operations

Key features:

• Customizable plan option 
• Wide range of features and add-on options 
• Digital menus, offline mode and mobile payments
• Table and order management 

Toast POS is a solid choice for new restaurants, thanks to its free plan, which makes it easy to get started. It also saves you a bunch of time with back-office tasks which can really go a long way with streamlining operations. 

It’s especially strong for in-person dining, although the online ordering features are fairly basic. Toast can also support larger restaurants with more complex needs. 

The downside? Add-ons can quickly drive up costs, making Toast less ideal for restaurants on a tight budget. For example, you have to pay for additional features to get a similar experience with other tools in this list. 

Their online ordering is also very DIY since they have to accommodate all restaurants on Toast POS. So, the marketing is left up to you and they offer most features as a “blank template” so you have to do a lot of the set-up yourself. This isn’t fantastic for quick-service restaurants trying to grow their direct online orders. 

Also, some users say that the Toast customer service team isn’t the strongest. 

Why I like Toast POS: Toast has a ton of features, making it great for restaurants that want to grow into a more robust system. If you’re starting small but want the flexibility to scale up later, it’s a great tool—as long as you keep an eye on the add-on costs.

Real customer reviews for Toast

Customers like:

“I love how robust it is. The search bar feature at the top makes it easy to find what you are looking for in a platform that is really encompassing any of our retail and restaurant POS needs.” 

“As far as POS systems go, Toast is very user-friendly and highly customizable to your restaurant, bar, or venue. It is easy to set up and when changes need to be made, they are easy to do.”

Customers don't like: 

“If you need customer support to resolve an issue, help with a feature you may be unfamiliar with or network support, Toast is very weak in this area.”

“Support is not efficient. It is time-consuming to get problems resolved sometimes. Also, the equipment did not hold up well- possibly due to the volume of our business.”

4. TouchBistro for front-of-house operations

Key features:

• Floor plan and table management
• Menu personalization and modifications
• Allows you to manage multiple locations 
• Integrations like accounting tools and inventory management 

If you’re looking to improve your front-of-house operations, TouchBistro is a POS system I’d highly recommend. It has features like tableside ordering that make running the dining room efficient.

TouchBistro also gets high marks for being easy to use, which means less time spent training staff and more time focusing on your customers.

However, some reviewers have commented on the lack of customization and the glitchiness.  

Why I like TouchBistro: Its tableside ordering and reservation features help create a more efficient and guest-friendly experience.

Real customer reviews for TouchBistro

Customers like:

“Great software to have when running a restaurant business. Set up is easy to use and the price is great compared to that of its other competitors.”

“The TouchBistro POS system is very easy to use. I don't find myself to be the best at POS systems, but the setup process was basically idiot-proof.”

Customers don't like: 

“Losing orders, connectivity problems, card reader not working, printers printing to different locations randomly, Not very customizable.” 

“Sometimes there can be a little lag when putting in certain orders. It seems like the POS system is sometimes just trying to play catch up with itself.”

5. Clover for customizable features

Key features:

• Flexibility with hardware options 
• Employee scheduling 
• Receive and send orders from any device 
• Accepts many payment options 

Clover is a POS system I’d choose if you need a lot of flexibility. What’s great is that Clover allows for a high level of customization, even on their basic plans. So, you can mold this tool exactly to your needs, whether you’re a quick-service restaurant or more complex.

One of Clover’s standout features is its hardware flexibility. You can choose from a wide range of hardware options, which is a nice perk if you have specific needs for your setup. 

It also lets you accept payments from multiple sources, making it easy to serve customers however they prefer to pay. 

Why I like Clover: I appreciate how you can really customize this tool without having to pay a premium price. This gives restaurants a lot of flexibility. 

Real customer reviews for Clover

Customers like:

“I love the pricing, it's very competitive and affordable. Love all the features and ease of use.”

“What I like most about Clover is that it can be downloaded on any smart device as an app and has an easy-to-use card chip reader. Our agency wanted a chip reader for extra customer security and Clover offered that option.”

Customers don't like: 

“I don't like how sometimes it will take a few tries to read a card, which can make customers desperate and annoyed.”

“Can be a little glitchy at times and I have had to turn away customers because it wouldn't work.”

6. Revel Systems for multiple location restaurants

Key features:

• Supports multiple locations 
• Mobile POS capabilities 
• Inventory management and employee scheduling 
• In-house features like barcode scanners and receipt printers

If you’re running a restaurant with multiple locations, I'd definitely consider Revel Systems. Reviewers have stated that it syncs well with other tools, like QuickBooks. They’ve also stated that managing payments is also effortless. Plus, its mobile POS capabilities are a bonus for keeping things running smoothly. 

I like that Revel includes features like barcode scanners and receipt printers. This allows for an all-in-one setup without extra equipment.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind, though. Revel runs primarily on iPads, which might be great if you’re already using them—but not so much if you’re not. It can also get a little buggy at times, and it’s on the pricier side. That’s why I’d recommend it more for established restaurants rather than ones just starting.

Why I like Revel: Revel is great for handling the challenges of managing multiple locations. 

Real customer reviews for Revel

Customers like:

“Ease of use in payments, refunds, tabs, etc is awesome. I have had a great experience with a team who helped set up and guide me through the Revel experience.”

“I like the ability to customize reports and link seamlessly with Quickbooks.”

Customers don't like: 

“We dislike the fact that all POS front-end stations need to have the same version to work properly. If the main station accidentally updated the application version, then the rest need to do the same.”

“The biggest trouble we ran into is that Revel is hopelessly buggy, and I would sometimes be on the phone with customer service for an hour before getting my problem resolved.”

7. Aloha Cloud for larger-scale restaurants  

Key features:

• Tip and inventory management 
• Loyalty program 
• Advanced reporting 
• Online ordering 

If you run a large restaurant such as a chain with lots to manage, Aloha Cloud could be a good fit. It helps with tips, inventory, loyalty programs and reporting to keep you organized. Plus, it works with online ordering, so you can easily serve dine-in and takeout customers.

That said, Aloha Cloud isn’t without its downsides. Some users find it complicated and a bit slow, and programming the system can take longer than expected. It’s also on the expensive side, so it’s better suited for established restaurants with bigger budgets. 

Why I like Aloha Cloud: Aloha Cloud shines when it comes to managing the detailed needs of larger restaurants. Its loyalty programs and menu management tools are especially helpful. 

Real customer reviews for Aloha Cloud

Customers like:

“Ability to customize things like loyalty, gift cards, and gratuity reporting is very good.”

“I love that it integrates with online ordering. It is user-friendly and the reports are in real time.”

Customers don't like: 

“Updating pricing and creating buttons takes too long and is too complicated compared to newer POS systems. Customer service is not very responsive.” 

“The software is challenging to navigate and is not as easy to use as many of the other systems on the market today. The system is clunky and takes forever to program and input new information for use.”

Pair your POS with Owner.com to grow online orders 

Now, I know Owner.com isn’t technically a POS, but I wanted to mention it because my team designed it to help restaurants thrive online. Online has become the default way to discover restaurants, and while some of these POSs offer online ordering, it’s not the best in class. Owner specialised in online ordering for quick-service restaurants and syncs with many popular POS systems. 

For example, you can pair it with a POS like Toast. That way, you’ll have an online ordering system that works seamlessly with your website. And, it will drive more sales and keep everything running smoothly. Owner is the perfect addition to your POS setup, setting you up with the tools to boost orders and cut down on commissions from apps like DoorDash.

What Owner.com can do for you:

• Syncs with many POS systems: Orders go straight to your POS system, making less work for you.
• Updates your menu easily: Change your menu easily with updates sync automatically every six hours to keep things current.
• Show up more in Google: Use tools to rebuild your website so more people can find your restaurant online.
• Creates menu pages: Create menu pages automatically to make ordering simple. And, it can help highlight special deals just for your customers.
• Transparent with savings: Let customers see how much they save by ordering directly. This can keep them loyal and skip third-party fees.

Also, with our mobile app, you can boost your repeat orders by an impressive 112%. It’s a powerful way to build lasting customer relationships and keep your restaurant top of mind. 

Owner.com doesn’t just help you take orders—it’s a full-fledged restaurant marketing tool. From driving website traffic to creating irresistible offers, it’s built to capture more sales and maximize your revenue.

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Real customer reviews for Owner.com

Customers like:

“The user-friendliness and the hardware is great! the customers love the set up of the website everything has been a 10/10.” 

“They are easy to talk to and I sense they really care about their client's success. I also like how fast they launched the website, online ordering, and mobile app.”

“I am happy I did as it has greatly improved our online presence and marketing ability. They have great sites, built us our own app and sent us great flyers to market our business to our customers.”

Customers don't like: 

“I think there are a few features that need to be added, but I think that's the beauty of this is because they actually want my feedback on what to add, and have already added things that we needed.” 

“I would like to see more integration features with our POS.”

How to choose the right POS

Finding the right POS system for your restaurants can feel overwhelming. But, I can make this easier for you based on my experience working with restaurants. Here are some things I recommend keeping in mind when you’re searching for the right POS tool:

• Make sure it’s easy to use: Restaurant owners are busy, so you’ll want to avoid a complicated system with a stressful onboarding experience. Many of these tools offer free demos, which can help give you an idea of how involved the setup is. 

• See if it pairs well with other tools: Some POS systems pair better with other tools than others. Look into integrations with your current restaurant management software. For example, Owner.com pairs well with Toast POS.  
• Browse additional features: Many of these POS systems offer add-ons. If you find a POS system you like, make sure it offers a specific feature you want to see if it's a good fit. For example, a POS with a loyalty program feature can increase average ticket size by up to 46%.
• Customer reviews: Never skip customer reviews. They can give you honest feedback about how the software works and whether it’s better for one type of restaurant or another. In addition to the review pages I’ve sourced in this guide, I’d encourage you to look at Reddit threads as well. 

Find the best POS system to scale your restaurant 

Choosing the right POS system for your restaurant can feel like a big decision, but trust me—it’s worth the effort. The right system doesn’t just handle transactions. It’s the backbone of your business. It helps you simplify tasks, learn more about your customers and grow.

If you want to round out your POS system with online ordering features, try a demo of Owner.com. We can show you how we help restaurants grow their sales and thrive.