Best hospitality POS systems in 2025 Want to streamline your bar, restaurant, coffee shop, café or hotel payment process? We’ll run you through the top choices for your next hospitality POS system. Written by Eddie Harris Reviewed by Ollie Simpson Updated on 6 June 2025 Our Research When judging the best POS systems, our writers work with expert researchers to focus on key features that matter most to small businesses. These include value for money – setup, hardware and transaction fees – help and support, plus the till, stock, and business management tools available. Written and reviewed by: Eddie Harris Reviews Writer Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive Startups.co.uk is reader supported – we may earn a commission from our recommendations, at no extra cost to you and without impacting our editorial impartiality. In the fast-paced hospitality industry, choosing the right POS system for your business can be a make or break decision. It’s more complex than just choosing the overall best POS system for restaurants, as you’ll need one that can support the specific needs of your business – a bar, for example, will need to carry out different tasks to a hotel.Our latest round of in-depth testing revealed Square as our top hospitality POS system. It excelled in all the areas crucial to the hospitality industry, combining a great range of POS terminals with a newly improved interface that makes it the easiest system to use. Best Hospitality POS Systems at a glance Square – Overall best hospitality POS system Clover – Best for nightclubs and bars SumUp – Best for coffee shops, bakeries, and takeawaysToast – Best for established restaurants with complex operationsLightspeed Restaurant – Best for multi-location restaurants takepayments – Best for quick service restaurants TouchBistro – Best for full-service and fine dining restaurantsEpos Now – Best for hotelsClick any of the links above to begin comparing costs on a POS system for your own business size and needs. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How many POS terminals does your business need? Just 1 2-3 Over 3 Unsure Compare Costs Swipe right to see more 0 out of 0 backward forward SPONSORED BEST OVERALL Epos Now Square Clover SumUp Toast Lightspeed takepayments TouchBistro Best for Best for hotels Best for Overall best hospitality POS system Best for Best for nightclubs and bars Best for Best for coffee shops, bakeries, and takeaways Best for Best for established restaurants with complex operations Best for Best for multi-location restaurants Best for Best for quick service restaurants Best for Best for full-service and fine dining restaurants Pricing from Hardware: From £225Monthly subscriptions: From £25 per month Pricing from No monthly cost Pricing from £1 per month (on an 18 month contract) Pricing from No monthly cost Pricing from £80 per month Pricing from £109 per month Pricing from Quote-based Pricing from $69 per month Key benefits Inventory tracking24/7 supportEasily connect to delivery apps Key benefits Excellent help and support optionsFree planAutomatically share tips between your employees based on working hours Key benefits Exceptional POS hardware and accessoriesFingerprint login on the Clover Terminal Lots of tools to boost the efficiency of your staff Key benefits Great range of hardware and accessoriesInventory management tools with stock alerts and cost managementMobile and QR code ordering Key benefits Customer engagement tools to build loyalty programmesStrong inventory management, including stock alertsBuilt in reservation tools Key benefits Watch a demo before you buyGrows with your businessCustomisable floor plansCustomer loyalty features Key benefits Realtime reportingEasy inventory managementDedicated account manager Key benefits Staff management softwareStrong floor planning toolsIn-depth reporting features Compare Quotes See Pricing Compare Quotes Compare Quotes Compare Quotes Try Lightspeed Compare Quotes Compare Quotes In this guide: 1. Square: overall best hospitality POS system 2. Clover: best for nightclubs and bars 3. SumUp: best for coffee shops, bakeries, and takeaways 4. Toast: best for established restaurants with complex operations 5. Lightspeed Restaurant: best for multi-location restaurants 6. takepayments: best for quick service restaurants 7. TouchBistro: best for full-service and fine dining restaurants 8. Epos Now: best for hotels How we test hospitality POS systems Buying guide: how to choose a POS system for your hospitality business I updated this page on 06/06/2025. Here's what's changed: In May 2025, we conducted a new set of in-depth POS testing to ensure our recommendations are up to date and accurate.Our latest tests led to Square taking the top spot as number one choice for best hospitality POS system. This was due to clear improvements to its interface, making it significantly more intuitive to use. This now leaves Clover in second place.Thanks to improvements to its front end, alongside being one of the most affordable systems on this roundup, SumUp now moves up to third place.Toast has made its way into the top six contenders, thanks to its absolutely packed range of software tools and features. It just takes over Lightspeed, which has remained consistent since the previous tests with no significant changes. 1. Square: overall best hospitality POS system Square 4.8 Starting software price: Free plan Transaction fees from: From 1.75% Great range of POS hardware as well as an iOS app Excellent mobile ordering features Easy menu creation Summary Square is headed up by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. Specifically designed for small to medium sized businesses, it leads the US market for POS systems, currently serving four million clients. Show moreless Suitable if: You want to integrate your POS with an online store You’re an untested business on a tight budget, and you need a free plan You're looking for a POS system that support basic needs but grow with you in the future Not suitable if: You want detailed cost management capabilities You want an ingredient tracking tool You want a training mode to help new users Why is Square a top choice?Since our last round of testing in 2024, Square has made some pretty impressive improvements to its interface. The upgrades have resulted in a sleek, fast and modern user experience for hospitality businesses. These updates, alongside Square’s already impressive range of POS terminals, excellent help and support, and free plan, resulted in Square pulling ahead as the clear frontrunner in our latest analysis.When we tested it, we really appreciated how simple and user-friendly Square’s POS software is. Source: Startups.co.ukWe also ranked Square as the best iPad-based POS system. So if you’re willing to use an iPad you already own, that’s a good way to save on hardware costs. If you do need to expand, you can upgrade to Square’s paid plan, and graduate to its POS Register.This is how your order screen will look when using Square POS. Source: Startups.co.ukWhat could be improved?We would like to have seen an ingredient tracking feature, as we found this very helpful when we tested Clover. We would have also liked a dedicated training mode to help get novice users up to speed, but Square makes up for this with an exceptional range of help and support channels. How much does it cost?PricingSoftwareFree plan: FreeSquare for Restaurants Plus plan: £69/month, per locationPremium plan (for businesses that process more than £200,000 per year): custom pricingHardwareSquare Stand (to turn your iPad into a countertop terminal): £99 plus VATSquare Register: £599 plus VAT Transaction fees1.75% in person, 2.5% for virtual terminal and invoices, 1.4% + 25p for online transactionsFree trial?You can test the system using the free plan on a tabletA big benefit of Square is its transparency around pricing. While other platforms can be coy about costs, Square is upfront about its software plans and transaction fees, so you know what you’re in for.Its in-person transaction fee of 1.75% is on the higher end of average, and while the Plus plan isn’t cheap, it’s roughly in line with similar competitor plans. Of course, the free plan is perfect for those just starting out. What our researchers think I’m a huge fan of the Square interface. When we tested it on the an iPad, I found it really easy to navigate as everything was clearly labelled and the interface was really modern and clean looking, which made it even easier to find all the functions I needed. Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 2. Clover: best for nightclubs and bars Clover 4.4 Starting software price: Currently from £1 per month (18 month contract) Transaction fees from: 1.49% Highly customisable customer display Exceptional POS hardware and accessories Speedy fingerprint login on the Clover Terminal Summary Clover is based in California and, as of 2020, processes $133 billion in card transactions annually. It’s owned by Fiserv, the largest merchant acquirer in the world. Show moreless Suitable if: You’re willing to pay upfront for excellent hardware to help give your staff a boost You want in-depth analytics to get insights into your budgeting You run a medium- to large-sized bar or restaurant Not suitable if: You need a dedicated terminal but want to avoid steep upfront costs You run a small business like a pop-up, or you’re just getting started You’d like to be able to automate tip sharing Why is Clover a top choice?We’ve always been fans of Clover’s top-of-the-range countertop terminals, and our latest tests have only proven to cement that. The touch screen is highly responsive, and allowed fast access with a fingerprint login – in a stressful nightclub or bar environment, this could save your staff precious time during peak hours.The speedy fingerprint scanner, which can be seen on the top right of the POS terminal, is definitely a standout feature for us. Source: Startups.co.ukClover offers all the accessories you’ll need to boot, and the Clover Station Duo has a fully customisable customer display screen. The system is also packed with handy features, including profit tracking, and stock alerts (useful to see when beer kegs or bottles are running low and avoid unhappy customers). Its huge library of apps should also have you covered for any specific tools that aren’t already built in.Read more: The best POS systems for pubs and barsClover has an extensive app store. Source: Startups.co.ukWhat could be improved?While established bars and nightclubs will find the first class terminals and feature packed software highly adept at managing the chaos of happy hour, smaller pop-up bars might find the system to be overkill for their needs. If you’re just getting started our number one choice, Square, will be better for your needs.We’d also have liked to see Clover include an option for automated tip sharing, which both Square and Toast include with its POS systems.How much does it cost?PricingSoftwareCurrently from £1 per monthHardwareClover Mini: £450Clover Station Solo: Contact Clover for pricesClover Station Duo: £1,300Transaction feesFrom 1.49%Free trial?NoneClover is currently offering a promotion where costs start from £1 per month (monthly service fee, including device) on an 18 month contract. However, it can also offer bespoke quotes, so you could potentially find something more suited to your specific needs.Just keep in mind Clover’s terminals come with a hefty price tag. If you need a more affordable countertop terminal, we’d recommend looking at SumUp instead. What our researchers think The Clover hardware was the most modern and sleek for me, out of all the POS systems we tested, I’d liken it to Apple in the way it looks with glossy white colours. Using the system was really simple too, it’s laid out with icons and looks similar to an iPad, so there’s no issues with learning to use it – plus the finger print recognition was so useful and meant I could log in quicker than any other system we tested. Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 3. SumUp: best for coffee shops, bakeries, and takeaways SumUp 4.2 Starting software price: Free Transaction fees from: 1.69% Superb range of hardware and accessories Mobile and QR code ordering Inventory management tools with stock alerts and cost management Summary In 2020, London-based payment service provider SumUp acquired GoodTill, an iPad-based POS software provider. Show moreless Suitable if: You're a smaller hospitality business and you want to prioritise speed and efficiency over advanced tools You want to create a bespoke loyalty programme for your customers to keep them coming back You need to be able to take mobile orders Not suitable if: You need to operate while offline You run a larger restaurant chain You want the option for a handheld POS system for you, or your staff, to carry around Why is SumUp a top choice?In our most recent round of testing, we were impressed by SumUp’s sleek, lightweight POS Lite terminal. It still feels like a professional bit of kit, despite the affordable price. We also found the software was really straightforward and quick to use, making it great for smaller businesses like cafes and bakeries, where speed and efficiency are key to survival.You can get started with SumUp by downloading the free app. Source: Startups.co.ukWith SumUp, you can seamlessly connect with Uber Eats and Deliveroo, also making it a great choice for takeaway businesses. You can also build a website through SumUp, and enable your customers to place orders via mobile or QR code. You can do everything from an iPad and the free app, which is great for simplicity and keeping costs low.This is how your payment screen will look when using SumUp POS. Source: Startups.co.ukWhat could be improved?Despite some improvements to the front end since 2024, we did still run into some issues while trying to sync up the front and back end, and slow loading times remain a frustration. SumUp keeps things basic and simple, which is good for small eateries, but if you’re running a large restaurant, Lightspeed will be a better option for you.While we were impressed by the POS Lite (a combination of a tablet and stand), SumUp doesn’t offer a handheld POS, which would have been useful for staff members who want to carry devices around the business. Both Clover and Square provide handheld POS terminals, if this is a must-have for you.Read more: The best takeaway POS systems for small businessesHow much does it cost?Pricing SoftwarePay-as-you-go: FreePayments Plus: £19/monthPoint of Sale Pro: £49/monthHardwarePOS Lite: One-time cost of £249POS Pro: Starting at £754.80Transaction feesPay-as-you-go: 1.69%Payments Plus: 0.99% per transaction, 1.99% for premium cards Free trial?7-day trial for Payments PlusWith SumUp’s pay-as-you-go plan, you can get started for no monthly costs; just the transaction fees, which are pretty reasonable especially for a free plan. If you want to scale up you can pay for SumUp’s Point of Sale Pro plan, which includes features like the ability to send an order straight to your kitchen printer.While the SumUp Pro plan might be pretty expensive, most single-location businesses can get by with the SumUp Lite package. It’s also a great option for sidestepping monthly fees. What our researchers think I really liked how easily you could set up QR code ordering and customise it to your business, which is great for serving customers more efficiently. On the back-office side they have really great inventory management and analytical tools which make it a breeze when tracking your stock. Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 4. Toast: best for established restaurants with complex operations Toast 4.1 Starting software price: £80 per month Transaction fees from: Quote-based Excellent inventory management tools Reservation tools built into the POS package Includes customer engagement tools that let you create a points system Summary Toast, Inc. is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with its POS system purpose built for the food and beverage industry. Toast's POS operates on Android, and is currently used by 140,000 restaurant locations. Show moreless Suitable if: You have a large, complicated inventory you need to manage You're a medium, or larger sized hospitality business You need built in reservation tools to help manage the flow of customers Not suitable if: You're smaller hospitality business, and you just the need basics at an affordable price You plan to use iPads to run your POS system (Toast is Android only) You're looking to avoid monthly costs Why is Toast a top choice?When we tested Toast, we found it to be packed with an array of advanced features that can help manage complex operations. This would be particularly beneficial to a multi-faceted hospitality business, like a hotel that needs to simultaneously run an in-house restaurant and bar. Toast also boasts excellent inventory management tools to help you stay on top of a complicated stock of wines, spirits, and food items.Toast comes with built-in customer engagement tools so you can build your own loyalty programmes. Source: Startups.co.ukDespite being an advanced system, we found that it was easy to get to grips with thanks to a helpful tutorial and a clear step-by-step guide. Toast also comes with built-in features like customer engagement programmes, automatic tip sharing, and reservation tools (to save you the hassle of having to integrate third-party software to get these capabilities).You can adjust the height of the Toast Flex and flip the screen to suit a range of different environments. Source: Startups.co.ukWhat could be improved?One thing to keep in mind about Toast is that its been built for Android. So if you were planning to run your POS system on iPads, you’ll need to check out an iOS-friendly platform like TouchBistro or Square instead.While Toast has a lot of tricks up its sleeve to manage a complex, multi-location business, it might be over the top for many smaller, single-location eateries. Those running simple cafes and restaurants should be looking at SumUp or Square as an alternative.How much does it cost?PricingSoftwareStarter: from £80/monthEssentials: £150/monthCustom: custom pricingHardware From £749Transaction feesQuote-basedFree trial?NoneToast is one of more expensive options in this roundup. With no free plan and a costly minimum monthly cost, this will price out many budget-conscious businesses. But more established restaurants with busy kitchens may find the advanced tools offered by Toast to be worth the asking price. 5. Lightspeed Restaurant: best for multi-location restaurants Lightspeed Restaurant 3.9 Starting software price: £69 per month Transaction fees from: Quote-based Offline functionality that syncs automatically when back online Brilliant customer engagement features Tablet-based system is easy to carry around Summary Based in Montreal, Canada, Lightspeed is a commerce platform that currently serves over 150,000 customer locations. Show moreless Suitable if: Your business is scaling, or you plan to scale soon, to multiple locations You want to avoid paying upfront costs You have a complicated inventory Not suitable if: You want to automate your tip management You run a smaller operation, like a café You don’t want a tablet-based system Why is Lightspeed Restaurant a top choice?Lightspeed’s excellent range of advanced tools, like comprehensive cost vs profit breakdowns and easily customisable menu creation, make it a good fit for multilocation restaurants. You can even manage all of your menus from a centralised touchpoint and make real-time adjustments to your floor plans across locations.This is how the payment page will look when using Lightspeed Restaurant. Source: Startups.co.ukIn addition to this, we found that Lightspeed’s loyalty tools are some of the best we tested. We especially like its email marketing tools – helpful for driving repeat customers back to your eatery. We also appreciated the range and the accuracy of the help and support channels that are available to help you out if you do face any issues using the system.Creating a floor plan is easy with Lightspeed Restaurant. Source: Startups.co.ukWhat could be improved?While the iPad-based system is easy to carry around, some restaurant staff might feel more comfortable with the rugged durability of an all-in-one countertop terminal. If that’s you, take a look at Clover’s range of terminals instead.We did find the back end more naturally intuitive than the front end, and highlighted some difficulties with functions like order recall. We also, once again, would’ve liked to see built-in tip management, which Toast provides.How much does it cost?Pricing SoftwareBasic: £69 per month Core: £129 per monthPro: £219Lightspeed doesn’t disclose its transaction fees or the prices of its POS hardware or accessories – though, since this an iPad-based system, that’s the key device you’ll need to have – but its software prices aren’t cheap. Its starting plan is more expensive than most of the other mid-range options we evaluated.That said, restaurateurs who want advanced tools might well consider it worth the money (though it’s possibly too pricey for a café). Lightspeed does offer a product demo for its Restaurant POS, which is worth checking out before you lock into an ongoing contract. What our researchers think Although Lightspeed may start slightly higher in monthly price than some other options, it’s well worth the price. When I tested the front-end I was really impressed with how easy and quick it was to take an order, and the fact that this could all be done through an iPad means that you can be on the go and speed up serving times. The customer management tools were some of the best I’ve seen in any platform and allow you to create email or SMS marketing, loyalty schemes and even customer segmenting! Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 6. takepayments: best for quick service restaurants takepayments 3.8 Starting software price: £55 per month Transaction fees from: Quote-based Code scanners built into the front and back of the terminal User-friendly and simple front end balanced with a feature-dense back end The terminal comes with a built-in printer Summary takepayments is a UK-based company offering payment solutions including card terminals, online payments, and POS systems. It currently serves over 750,000 customers and is one of the fastest-growing card payment providers in the UK. Show moreless Suitable if: You just have a simple inventory to manage You're first time user that wants support while getting set up You need insightful cost management tools to identify which products are most profitable Not suitable if: You want to prioritise customer engagement You want to create and sell gift cards You want access to an app store Why is takepayments a top choice?takepayments’ all-in-one terminal comes with a built-in printer, barcode scanner, and customer display, making it a great tool for quick service restaurants and sandwich shops that sell items as well as serve food – you can be fully equipped while your countertop stays relatively clutter-free. We also liked that you can set up separate prices for eating in and taking away.takepayments’ dual-screen terminal is ideal for showing customers their order total to avoid confusion. Source: Startups.co.uktakepayments’ helpful analytics also left us impressed, as they’re great for seeing what items are selling the most at peak times. Combined with the cost versus profit management tools, this can really help owners keep an eye on their profit margins.The takepayments terminal’s built-in scanner can really come in handy. Source: Startups.co.ukWhat could be improved?While we still find the back end straightforward to use and packed with management tools, since our last tests in 2024, our frustrations around the front end haven’t been fixed. We still found it to be clunky and unresponsive, especially when compared to the slicker back office. You also can’t use takepayments to create bespoke gift cards – you should look at Clover instead if this is a must-have for you.How much does it cost?PricingSoftware/HardwaretPOS Counter: £55/month plus £250 setup feetPOS Complete: £65/month plus £250 setup feeTransaction feesQuote-basedFree trial?Nonetakepayments doesn’t offer a free plan or trial, which might not be ideal for those just starting out. However, a benefit of takepayments is its bespoke transaction fees that will be tailored to your business.The prices of the paid plans, tPOS Counter and tPOS Complete, are about average, but both have the same expensive setup fee, so just be wary of that. That said, both tiers do come with the terminal, portable card reader, and software included. What our researchers think I loved how simple and easy to use the takepayments POS system was. The layout was really clearly divided into each section which minimised any confusion or mistakes when adding an order. I was also really impressed by their onboarding and support as they have someone to take you through the processes and they can also remotely log in (with your permission of course) so when you have a problem they can see exactly what is happening and fix it 10x quicker! Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 7. TouchBistro: best for full-service and fine dining restaurants TouchBistro 3.7 Starting software price: $69 Transaction fees from: Available on request Solid cost management tools Tablet-based system is easy to carry around Floor plans that are easy to edit Summary TouchBistro is based in Toronto, Canada, and in 2013 it partnered with PayPal. It now focuses on its POS software developed specifically for iPad. Show moreless Suitable if: Growing businesses that need a system that scale up with them You want to offer your customers targeted promotions You want to seamlessly connect a kitchen display system Not suitable if: You’d rather have a countertop terminal than a tablet You want to automate tip management You want to take mobile or QR code orders Why is TouchBistro a top choice?Since our last testing in 2024, we noted some clear improvements to TouchBistro’s usability. We found both the front and back end of the system to be extremely sleek and user-friendly, and were able to complete orders with exceptional ease using the iPad. The excellent floor planning tools can help manage complex seating arrangements, and the seamless kitchen display system ensures precise order tracking (crucial for multi-course dining).We found TouchBistro’s software very easy to use in our testing. Source: Startups.co.ukTouchBistro has an interesting approach to pricing: you pay for the core software, and additional features come as paid add-ons. This means you can build a bespoke package for your needs, adding new features as you scale and grow. The excellent marketing tools, loyalty reward features, and reservation system are all stand-out additions for us.TouchBistro has a user-friendly order screen that can help streamline orders. Source: Startups.co.ukWhat could be improved?The key missing feature is automated tip management. Considering you’ll need to stay on the right side of the UK’s tipping laws, making sure your staff get the right tips is absolutely critical. If this is a tool you’ll want, check out Square, which offers extensive tip management tools, or Toast.How much does it cost?PricingSoftwareFrom $69/month (TouchBistro’s pricing is only available in US dollars)HardwareQuote-basedTransaction feesQuote-basedFree trial?No, but you can get a free demoWhile it doesn’t disclose hardware prices, TouchBistro is very clear about its software prices, with the base software starting at $69 per month and additional features ranging from $19 per month (for a kitchen display system) to a steep $330 per month (for profit management tools).If you only need one or two additional features this could be a fine option, but if you’ll need the full suite of tools, it will end up being pretty costly. You can book a free demo through TouchBistro, though, so you can try before you buy. What our researchers think What I love about TouchBistro is the ability to pick and choose what features you want. You don’t have to pay extra for something that you won’t actually need and it means you’re getting a package tailored to you but what’s great is that their pricing is still completely transparent. The POS system was simple to use and places you on the floor plan page as soon as you log in which is great for ordering quickly and I also found that the menu and stock customisation was one of the best I’ve seen. Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 8. Epos Now: best for hotels Epos Now 3.7 Starting software price: £25 Transaction fees from: 1.3% You can pay upfront for the software and hardware In-depth inventory management tools High quality terminal with a large 15.6" HD display screen Summary Based out of Norwich, Epos Now is a payment service provider and SaaS company, specifically focusing on providing POS systems to small and medium sized businesses. Show moreless Suitable if: You need to manage a large and complex inventory You want a system specifically for hotels You want a countertop terminal with a large display Not suitable if: You’re new to POS systems and need a simple setup You want to automate tip sharing You want to avoid upfront costs New feature: Standalone Mode For 2025, Epos Now have introduced a brand new feature: Standalone Mode. This means you can continue to take payments with the card reader even when it won’t connect to your integrated payment method (the main till for example), or if the internet has gone down. So that means no more missed payments for merchants. Why is Epos Now a top choice?Epos Now is an easy choice for hoteliers because it’s one of the few providers to offer a dedicated system specifically for hotels. Through its POS app store, you can access a host of hotel-specific integrations like multi-room booking and room service ordering. You can also pay extra for a handy caller ID function (you can connect it with your landline or VoIP system), which helps you store customer contact info. So, when your guests call, you can greet them by name to give a personal touch.Epos Now provides an impressively sturdy terminal. Source: Startups.co.ukEpos Now provides an impressive and sturdy terminal with a large 15.6-inch display. The large customer display in particular should really help to streamline operations like checking in guests and taking orders. We were also impressed by Epos Now’s management functions, like the simple drag-and-drop floor planning, inventory updates, and insightful cost versus profit analysis reports.With Epos Now, you get access to a wide range of integrations. Source: Startups.co.ukWhat could be improved?In our latest round of testing, we still found the front end slightly easier to use than the back end. While we did still appreciate the powerful back office customisation, this could create a steep learning curve for new users. We would have also preferred to see more extensive tip management options, which Square offers.How much does it cost?PricingSoftwareFrom £25 per monthHardwareFrom £225Transaction feesFrom 1.3%Free trial?NoneEpos Now can offer a range of different packages of software and hardware to suit your specific requirements. It also offers the unique option of paying for all your hardware and software upfront, so you can avoid monthly fees completely. What our researchers think This is a great choice if you want some high quality hardware. Epos Now have recently released a new and updated terminal and it has a huge HD screen, which means you can see everything really clearly and also a crystal clear customer facing screen, which can help speed up orders as they can see what they’re ordering. They have tonnes of features in the back-end to create loyalty programmes and floor plans and being able to access this from the terminal itself is something that only very few platforms actually allow. Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive How we test hospitality POS systemsWe are both impartial and rigorous.We regularly re-test and re-evaluate POS systems to make you’re getting the most helpful recommendations for your business.In May 2025, our Senior Research Executive lead a brand new round of testing and analysis into the top 11 POS systems for hospitality in the UK.This was conducted at our Startups offices in London, and included working with our dedicated Reviews Writer to perform hours of actual, hands-on user testing.We tested the front and back offices of the POS systems, including any hardware available. This was based on a framework devised by the Head of Research to ensure we were reflecting the pain points and needs of real world hospitality business owners.The research and testing was conducted into six main scoring categories, weighted by their importance to hospitality entrepreneurs. These scores determined our top seven roundup.Our scoring categories were:Usability (30%): We judge how easy the system is to use based on how easy it is to navigate and how often our testers made errors.Software (25%): We assessed what we felt were the most crucial features of hospitality POS software, including – but not limited to – table/floor management, app store variety, reservation options, and customer engagement capabilities.Pricing (20%): Are you getting a good deal? We compare upfront costs, monthly costs, and transaction fees.Help and support (15%): The avenues of customer support that are available, and the responsiveness and accuracy of the answers.Hardware (5%): We test the POS terminals available, analysing display quality, portability, and the variety of accessories.Reputation (5%): The standing of the company based on user reviews, online comments, and how likely our testers would be to recommend the platform. Buying guide: how to choose a POS system for your hospitality businessWhat makes for a perfect retail POS system will be different to what the ideal hospitality POS system needs. To successfully choose the best POS for your business, you should understand the industry-specific factors worth considering:Cost: There’s a lot that goes into the cost of a POS system. It’s not just the actual price of the terminal, there’s also software subscription costs, setup fees, transaction fees, and the price of any additional accessories you might need.Features: You’ll need to make sure the system you choose has all the essential features you need to run your hospitality business. For example, a takeaway service might need mobile and QR code ordering, whereas a larger restaurant will need extensive floor planning abilities.Hardware: What hardware is right for you? Are you running a small café that could use the portability of an iPad? Or are you running a busy hotel that needs a more sturdy, large-screen countertop terminal?Free trials: Many hospitality POS systems offer a free demo. It’s always worth getting hands on and testing it out yourself before you make any financial commitments.Accessories: You may not necessarily want to stop at a tablet or dedicated terminal for your POS setup. You might also need additional hardware, like a cash drawer or a barcode scanner. Crucially, make sure these are compatible with your system before you buy them.Security: This is non-negotiable. You’re being entrusted with your customers’ sensitive information. Look for systems that offer data encryption and regular security checks and updates.Help and support: Inevitably, things go wrong and issues happen, especially in the high pressure world of hospitality. Make sure you’ll have access to the help and support you’ll need, via the contact channels you prefer to use. We can help you find your perfect POS system Tell us what you're looking for and compare leading providers Get free quotes It only takes a minute Startups.co.uk is reader-supported. If you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Startups.co.uk to provide free reviews for our readers. It has no additional cost to you, and never affects the editorial independence of our reviews. Share this post facebook twitter linkedin Tags Business software guide Written by: Eddie Harris Reviews Writer Eddie is resident Reviews Expert for Startups, focusing on merchant accounts, point of sales systems and business phone systems. He works closely with our in-house team of research experts, carrying out hours of hands-on user testing and market analysis to ensure that our recommendations and reviews are as helpful and accurate as possible. Eddie is also Startups video presenter. He helps create informative, helpful visual content alongside our written reviews, to better aid customers with their decision making. Eddie joined Startups from its sister site Expert Reviews, where he wrote in-depth informational articles and covered the biggest consumer deals events of the year. And, having previously worked as a freelancer providing screenplay and book coverage in the film and television industry, Eddie is no stranger to the demands of the sole trader. Reviewed by: Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive After three years of refining my skills in data analysis, I transitioned to a role as a researcher to help understand our readers' preferences and needs. My professional journey started as a researcher in law enforcement, where I developed strong analytical abilities. Later, I moved into operations, strengthening my understanding of quantitative data. Now, I blend my quantitative analysis skills with qualitative research to explore both audience preferences and product nuances. Armed with a UX design diploma, I translate research findings into actionable insights that facilitate informed decision-making. Whether enhancing Startups offerings or delivering research presentations, I am driven by a relentless pursuit of improvement and results.