The best POS systems for restaurants in 2025 Our breakdown of the very best POS systems for your restaurant will make sure you’re prepared for all seasons. Written by Eddie Harris Reviewed by Ollie Simpson Updated on 1 November 2024 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. Choosing the best POS system for your restaurant can be critical to success. Whether you’re overhauling your existing operation or just starting up, you need to make sure your POS system ticks all the right boxes – it has a user-friendly interface, and essential features like inventory, menu, and floor plan management. It also needs to be cost effective.Our analysis revealed Clover as the top choice for restaurants due its exceptional range of hardware and user friendly software. However, it will depend on what type of restaurant you run – a pop-up might need the portability of a tablet-based POS, while a large chain of high-end restaurants will need more sophisticated stock management systems.Below, you’ll find our rigorously researched roundup of the top POS systems for your restaurant: Best Restaurant POS Systems at a glance Clover: best for professional level hardwareSquare: best for scalability and growing with your restaurantLightspeed Restaurant: best for inspiring repeat business and loyal customersTouchBistro: easiest POS system to operateSumUp: best for coffee shops that need speed and efficiencyEpos Now: best for managing complicated inventoriesClick any of the links above to begin comparing costs on POS Systems for your own business’s size and needs. Each restaurant POS system has different strengths, so read on or 🔍compare quotes to find out which may be the best choice for yours. Swipe right to see more 0 out of 0 backward forward FEATURED BEST OVERALL Provider Lightspeed for Restaurants Provider Clover for Restaurants Provider Square Provider Touchbistro Provider SumUp Provider Epos Now Best for Inspiring repeat business and loyal customers Best for Professional level hardware Best for Scalability and growing with your restaurant Best for Easiest POS system to operate Best for Coffee shops that need speed and efficiency Best for Restaurants with 10+ employees Pricing From £109 per month Pricing Contact Clover for prices Pricing Price from FREE Pricing $69 per month Pricing Price from FREE Pricing Hardware: From £225Monthly subscriptions: From £25 per month Transaction Fees On request Transaction Fees Contact Clover for rates Transaction Fees 1.75% Transaction Fees Available on request Transaction Fees 1.69% Transaction Fees from 1.3% In this article, we cover: Best restaurant POS systems 1. Clover POS 2. Square for Restaurants 3. Lightspeed Restaurant 4. TouchBistro 5. SumUp 6. Epos Now How we test restaurant POS systems Buying guide: how to choose a restaurant POS system Suitable if: You want in-depth analytics You run a mid- to large-sized restaurant You’re willing to pay for top of the range hardware Not suitable if: You want the ability to automatically share tips You run a small restaurant or pop-up You’re trying to avoid steep upfront costs 1. Clover POS: best for professional level hardware Clover 4.7 Starting software price: Quote-based Transaction fees from: Quote-based 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 Clover has an excellent range of card machines and terminals. Source: Startups.co.uk Suitable if: You want in-depth analytics You run a mid- to large-sized restaurant You’re willing to pay for top of the range hardware Not suitable if: You want the ability to automatically share tips You run a small restaurant or pop-up You’re trying toavoid steep upfront costs Why is Clover a top POS system for restaurants?Clover’s sleek and robust hardware makes it a top POS for hospitality businesses. When we tested it, we found that the touchscreen was responsive, and the option for a fingerprint login – meaning staff can quickly get into the system during high-pressure services – was a standout feature.Clover hasn’t undercooked the software either. Our testing found that both the front and back end interface surpassed expectations. Compared to competitors’ systems, Clover was more user friendly – tasks like adding products, creating categories, and setting up modifiers were a cinch. The fleshed out features, such as profit tracking capabilities and stock alerts, also left us impressed.Unfortunately, the top class hardware does come with a top tier price tag. If you run a small restaurant or pop-up shop, you should take a look at Square for more beginner-friendly products, or Lightspeed Restaurant if you want to sidestep ugly upfront costs.How much does it cost?PricingSoftwareContact Clover for pricesHardwareClover Mini: £450Clover Station Solo: Contact Clover for pricesClover Station Duo: £1,300Transaction feesContact Clover for ratesFree trial?NoneClover can be opaque when it comes to its pricing structures. You’ll need to contact its sales team in order to get a full picture of what you’ll be paying, and read your contract carefully before signing. Our own research showed us the transaction fees can cover a broad range, and will be dependent on your business’s turnover. The only thing to keep in mind is that Clover’s hardware can get pretty expensive. What our researchers think The Clover hardware was the most modern and sleek for me, out of all the EPOS 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 other system we tested. I was also really impressed with the back-end as it was really extensive and the app store was huge and had anything extra I might need like loyalty or reservation apps! Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 2. Square for Restaurants: best for scalability and growing with your restaurant Square for Restaurants 4.7 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 We liked Square for Restaurants intuitive interface. Source: Startups.co.uk Suitable if: You run up to three locations You’re looking to integrate an ecommerce site You want a free plan and a low-risk option Not suitable if: You want to track your ingredient usage You need robust cost management tools You’ll need to change your floor plan often Why is Square a top POS system for restaurants?Our testing found Square to be an ideal fit for eateries of any size thanks to its well designed app-based interface, and its no-cost option which we ranked as the best free POS software. This makes it perfect for businesses with smaller budgets, such as pop-ups and food trucks, but equally, Square’s premium accessories and hardware are great for scaling restaurant chains.Square POS comes with a fleet of help and support options, offering every avenue of assistance you’ll need – from live chat to a forum where you can discuss pain points with fellow restaurateurs (though we would have liked to have seen a training mode for new staff).We found Square to be easy to use with an intuitive interface. However, that simplicity does come at the cost of a few more sophisticated extras. We found there was no option to track the ingredients being used in dishes – something Clover can do – and no detailed cost management tools, which Lightspeed Restaurant excels in.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 feesFree plan: 1.75% in person, 2.5% for virtual terminal and invoices, 1.4% + 25p for online transactionsSquare for Restaurants Plus plan: 1.6% in person, 1.4% + 25p for online transactionsPremium plan: custom ratesFree trial?You can test the system using the free plan on a tabletWhere many other POS providers are murky about costs, Square is transparent about its pricing. Its transaction fees range from average to a little high. Similarly, its Plus plan is about average, but it has a very solid free plan option. The Square Register, while not cheap, is fairly priced for a dual screen till system. While they aren’t the lowest prices, they’re not particularly aggressive either, and you know what you’re getting – ideal for newer businesses. 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. I especially like that I could start with the free plan to try it out for an extended period and then if I’m happy and want more I can upgrade and start paying, it’s mean you’re not under any pressure to purchase it immediately as the free plan still has great features! Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 3. Lightspeed Restaurant: best for inspiring repeat business and loyal customers Lightspeed Restaurant 4.5 Starting software price: £109 Transaction fees from: Available on request 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 This is what your home screen will look like when using Lightspeed Restaurant POS. Source: Startups.co.uk Suitable if: You’re looking to expand your business You have a diverse inventory You want to avoid paying upfront costs Not suitable if: You want a tool that automates tip allocation You’d prefer a countertop POS terminal You’ll need to adjust your floor plan often Why is Lightspeed Restaurant a top POS system for restaurants?Of the POS systems we tested, Lightspeed Restaurant boasted some of the best tools for driving customer engagement and fostering loyalty, including email and SMS marketing capabilities as well as loyalty-boosting reward programmes to help you lock in repeat business.The tablet-based POS system is perfectly suited to a fast-paced environment that demands efficiency and manoeuvrability. This might not be for everyone though; if you need a strong set of countertop hardware you should check out Clover instead.Our users found the back office more intuitive and user-friendly than the front end – it was difficult to add customers details, and discounts. Creating table plans was simple enough, but quickly changing them afterwards proved to be a speed bump – if you need to do this often, Epos Now is a better option. Although, if you do encounter any difficulties, the range of help and support offered by Lightspeed was among the most extensive we’ve seen.How much does it cost?Pricing SoftwareEssential: £109 per month Premium: £339 per monthEnterprise: Quote-based Even Lightspeed’s Essential plan is pricey compared to its competitors’ entry level plans, and the provider is less than transparent when it comes to its hardware prices and transaction fees. You’ll have to contact Lightspeed directly to get a full picture, but its software pricing certainly isn’t cheap. However, Lightspeed does offer a demo of the software, so you can try it out before committing. 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 be done all 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 4. TouchBistro: easiest POS system to operate TouchBistro 4.4 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 We were impressed with how user-friendly the TouchBistro POS platform is. Source: Startups.co.uk Suitable if: You want to offer targeted promotions to customers You run a large restaurant chain You want to seamlessly integrate a kitchen display system Not suitable if: You want to enable QR code and mobile ordering You want to automate tip management You’d prefer a countertop POS terminal Why is TouchBistro a top POS system for restaurants?If you need simple POS software, TouchBistro’s exceptionally easy to use platform is well worth your attention. Our testing proved both the front and back end to be equally user-friendly and well designed, making completing almost any order or task completely painless.We particularly appreciated the standout suite of features provided by TouchBistro such as the customisable reservation system to create a smoother guest experience. As well as the detailed loyalty tools designed to help you drive repeat business.Missing ingredients include an option for QR code based ordering – which SumUp provides – as events-based food companies might find this helpful, and the ability to automate tip management, which Square offers.Read more: TouchBistro features in our list of 5 best pub and bar POS systems right nowHow much does it cost?PricingSoftwareFrom $69/month (TouchBistro’s pricing is only available in US dollars)HardwareContact TouchBistro for pricesTransaction feesContact TouchBistro for ratesFree trial?No, but you can get a free demoWhile upfront about its software pricing, TouchBistro keeps its cards close to its chest on hardware costs and transaction fees, and you’ll need to get in touch with the company for a quote. In regards to its software, the base plan’s price is pretty average compared to competitors… but with a caveat. Many features – like online ordering and the reservation system – cost extra, with their own individual add-on prices. These could really start to add up if you need a stack of them. You can contact TouchBistro for a demo of the system before committing to a purchase. 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 EPOS 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 5. SumUp: best for coffee shops that need speed and efficiency SumUp 4.1 Starting software price: £19 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 SumUp has a simple, user-friendly order screen. Source: Startups.co.uk Suitable if: You run a small restaurant, café, or coffee shop You want to retain customers with personalised loyalty programmes You want to enable mobile-based ordering Not suitable if: You want extensive reservation functions You run a large chain of restaurants You want a handheld POS system Why is SumUp a top POS system for restaurants?Dealing with the stress of a rush-hour coffee run is never fun, but you’d do a lot worse than SumUp’s user-friendly order screen to help maximise efficiency. It facilitates the processing of multiple orders, while also bolstering repeat business with some top-tier engagement and loyalty tools.SumUp provides a great range of hardware – from iPad stands to kitchen displays – to fully equip your business. Our testers appreciated the detailed inventory management tools, which included cost management and stock updates. However larger restaurant chains might need a more comprehensive suite of advanced features, like those offered by Lightspeed Restaurant.While the back end proved to be more user friendly than the front, our testers did find tasks like splitting bills and adding customer information into the system confusing, and also found the synchronisation between the back and front end wasn’t perfect.Read more: The 4 best iPad POS systems for small businessesHow much does it cost?Pricing SoftwarePay-as-you-go: FreeSumUp One: £19/monthPoint of Sale Pro: £49/monthHardwarePOS Lite: One-time cost of £349POS Pro: Starting at £754.80Transaction feesPay-as-you-go: 1.69%SumUp One: 0.99% per transaction, 1.99% for premium cards Free trial?7-day trial for SumUp OneSumUp is transparent about costs and charges some pretty reasonable prices, with its Point of Sale Pro service being cheaper than many other starting tiers on this list. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll need to pay extra for features like the kitchen display screen (£9 per month) or its advanced stock module which includes features like real-time updates and in-depth reporting (£18 per month). Its transaction fees are about average, but if you sign up for the SumUp One service, you’ll unlock lower rates. You can get a 7-day free trial of SumUp One, so you can try before you buy. 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 6. Epos Now: best for managing complicated inventories Epos Now 4.1 Starting software price: £25 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 Epos Now provides an impressively sturdy terminal. Source: Startups.co.uk Suitable if: You’re looking to minimise monthly outgoings You have a complex and diverse inventory You run any size of restaurant, small or large Not suitable if: You’d rather avoid large costs upfront You’re a POS novice and need something simple You want to automate tip sharing Why is Epos Now a top POS system for restaurants?If you need to stay on top of a large, complex inventory, Epos Now’s cloud-based software should make your life a lot easier thanks to features like uploading and editing items in bulk to save time, stock alerts, and even cost vs profit analysis, which is particularly helpful for identifying what menu items are more lucrative than others.Epos Now is unique – you can pay for all the software and hardware upfront, rather than subscribing to the software with a monthly fee. It’ll be a costly lump sum, but could be beneficial in the long run if you need to keep monthly outgoings low (if you want the opposite and are looking to avoid upfront costs completely, Lightspeed Restaurant is your best bet).While we found Epos Now’s hardware impressive – particularly the high-quality terminal and its 15.6-inch display – we had mixed results when testing the front and back office software, as the latter was slightly trickier to use than the former. Some features, like the drag-and-drop floor planning, proved to be straightforward, but overall we found TouchBistro to be more user-friendly and intuitive.How much does it cost?PricingSoftwareFrom £25 per monthHardwareFrom £225Transaction feesFrom 1.3%Free trial?NoneEpos Now’s pricing is structured differently to many other providers as it offers a range of different packages that include hardware, accessories, and software. Uniquely, you can buy the software upfront, but just be aware that it might actually be cheaper to get it bundled into one of the package deals. 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 restaurant POS systemsWe are both impartial and rigorous. We tested 15 different restaurant POS systems to narrow down the top options.We combined this with further internal research, surveying over 500 respondents to gain insights into the needs of the food and beverage industry.We used this insight to determine the six most important factors for our readers, and then broke these down into further subcategories to ensure our evaluations of each system were as helpful as possible.Our main six scoring categories were:1. Hardware: How does the POS terminal perform in terms of display quality and portability, and what accessories are available.2. Software: We assessed what we felt were the most crucial features for a restaurant POS system, including – but not limited to – table and floor management, app store variety, reservation options, and customer engagement tools.3. Help and support: Finding the avenues of customer support that are available, and testing the responsiveness and accuracy of the answers.4. Customer score: How likely our testers were to recommend the platform.5. Pricing: Are you getting a good deal? We compared upfront costs, monthly costs and transaction fees.6. Usability: We judged how easy the system is to use based on navigation, and how easy our testers found it to make errors. Buying guide: how to choose a restaurant POS systemThe best POS systems for a retail business won’t be the best options for a food and beverage business. Here’s what you should consider when picking the perfect POS system for your restaurant:Essential featuresLook for must-haves like order management, inventory tracking, table management, and reporting. Think about what your unique restaurant might need – loyalty programs, or online or QR code-based ordering to accept takeaway or website orders.Read more: How to start a takeaway business from homeBest takeaway POS systems for SMEs right nowTrials and demosBefore committing, ask for a trial or a demo. Nothing beats hands-on experience to find out whether a system is right for you.Price pointsIt’s not just the initial costs; monthly fees, transaction charges, and hardware costs can sneak up and add to the overall cost of your POS system.Hardware compatibilityConsider the hardware required. From touchscreen terminals to kitchen printers and handheld devices for waitstaff, ensure they sync seamlessly with the software. Think ruggedness – spills and hectic kitchens demand durable gear.User-friendly interfaceYour staff will thank you for getting an intuitive system. It should be easy to learn and navigate. The last thing you want is a complicated system that slows down your service.Reliable supportEmergencies happen – ensure the POS provider offers responsive customer support. Whether it’s a tech glitch during the lunch rush or a query at odd hours, having reliable support is a game-changer.ScalabilityAs your restaurant grows, so should your POS system. Opt for one that can expand to accommodate your evolving needs. Also, check for regular updates to keep your system running smoothly.SecurityWith sensitive customer data and transactions, security is non-negotiable. Look for EMV compliance, data encryption, and regular security updates to safeguard your business. Save by Comparing Restaurant POS Quotes Is your restaurant business already using a POS system? Yes No 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 Written by: Eddie Harris Reviews Writer 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.