POS Systems for Restaurants: Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Solution in 2026

The best POS system for restaurants in 2026 is one that handles tableside ordering, integrates with online ordering platforms, and provides robust reporting while staying within your budget. Toast leads for full-service restaurants with its restaurant-specific features, Square works well for quick-service and small operations, while Clover offers versatility across restaurant types. Your choice should depend on your service model, volume, and specific operational needs.

Quick Picks at a Glance

What Makes a Restaurant POS Different

Restaurant POS systems handle unique requirements that retail systems don't address:

• Table management: Assign servers, track table status, manage sections
• Menu modifiers: Customize orders (no onions, extra cheese, well done)
• Course firing: Send appetizers before entrees
• Split checks: Divide bills by seat, item, or percentage
• Tip management: Track tips, calculate tip pools, report for payroll
• Kitchen display systems: Replace paper tickets with digital screens
• Online ordering integration: Connect with delivery apps and direct ordering

Top Restaurant POS Systems Reviewed

1. Toast — Best Overall for Full-Service Restaurants

Toast is built exclusively for restaurants, showing in every feature:

Standout Features:

• Handheld ordering devices for tableside service
• Kitchen display system included
• Built-in online ordering and delivery management
• Payroll and team management integration
• Robust reporting and analytics

Pricing:

• Starter: $0/month (pay-as-you-go processing)
• Essentials: $69/month per terminal
• Growth: $165/month per terminal

Processing Rates: 2.49% + $0.15 (card-present)

Pros:

• Purpose-built for restaurants
• Excellent tableside hardware
• Strong customer support
• Regular feature updates

Cons:

• Proprietary hardware required
• Must use Toast processing
• Contract may apply

Best For: Full-service restaurants, bars, and multi-location operations

2. Square for Restaurants — Best for Quick-Service

Square offers simplicity and flexibility with no long-term contracts:

Standout Features:

• Free basic plan available
• Easy menu management
• Built-in online ordering
• Works with iPads or Square hardware
• Integrates with Square ecosystem (payroll, marketing)

Pricing:

• Free: $0/month
• Plus: $60/month
• Premium: Custom pricing

Processing Rates: 2.6% + $0.10 (card-present)

Pros:

• No monthly fee option
• Month-to-month, no contracts
• Easy setup and use
• Works with existing iPads

Cons:

• Less robust for complex full-service needs
• Limited offline functionality
• Basic table management

Best For: Cafes, quick-service, food trucks, small restaurants

3. Clover — Best Hardware Variety

Clover offers diverse hardware options for different restaurant formats:

Standout Features:

• Multiple hardware form factors (counter, handheld, kiosk)
• App marketplace for customization
• Built-in customer engagement tools
• Flexible payment processing options

Pricing:

• Starter: $14.95/month
• Standard: $49.95/month
• Advanced: $69.90/month

Processing Rates: Varies by processor (Clover works with multiple providers)

Pros:

• Choose your payment processor
• Attractive, modern hardware
• Extensive app marketplace
• Scalable system

Cons:

• Hardware purchased through bank partnerships
• Some third-party apps add costs
• Variable support quality

Best For: Restaurants wanting hardware variety and processor flexibility

4. TouchBistro — Best iPad POS for Restaurants

TouchBistro runs on iPads with a restaurant-focused interface:

Standout Features:

• Intuitive iPad interface
• Strong table management
• Built-in reservations
• Staff scheduling included
• Detailed menu engineering reports

Pricing:

• Starting at $69/month (software only)
• Add-ons: Online ordering $50/month, reservations $229/month

Processing Rates: Works with multiple processors

Pros:

• Beautiful, easy-to-learn interface
• Solid table management
• Works offline
• Choose your processor

Cons:

• Add-on costs increase price
• Limited e-commerce features
• iPad hardware costs extra

Best For: iPad-centric restaurants, intuitive interface seekers

5. Lightspeed Restaurant — Best for Inventory Management

Lightspeed excels at detailed inventory and menu costing:

Standout Features:

• Advanced inventory tracking
• Ingredient-level costing
• Multi-location management
• Comprehensive reporting
• Built-in accounting integrations

Pricing:

• Essentials: $69/month
• Plus: $189/month
• Pro: $399/month

Processing Rates: 2.6% + $0.10

Pros:

• Best-in-class inventory
• Excellent reporting
• Strong integrations
• Multi-location capable

Cons:

• Higher price point
• Can be complex for simple operations
• Processing through Lightspeed required

Best For: Fine dining, multi-location groups, inventory-focused operations

Essential Features to Look For

Must-Have Features

Order Management:

• Modifiers and special instructions
• Course firing/hold and fire
• Item availability updates
• Order notes and allergen alerts

Payment Processing:

• EMV chip cards
• Contactless/NFC payments
• Split checks multiple ways
• Tip adjustment

Table Management:

• Visual floor plan
• Table status tracking
• Server section assignment
• Reservation integration

Reporting:

• Sales by item, category, server
• Labor vs. sales analysis
• Peak hour identification
• Inventory and waste tracking

Nice-to-Have Features

• Kitchen display system (KDS)
• Tableside ordering devices
• Customer loyalty program
• Marketing automation
• Online ordering and delivery integration
• Inventory management with recipe costing
• Employee scheduling

Hardware Considerations

Restaurant POS hardware must withstand demanding environments:

Terminals:

• Spill-resistant designs
• Easy-clean surfaces
• Durable construction
• Adequate screen size for complex menus

Kitchen Printers/Displays:

• Heat and moisture resistant
• High-speed printing
• Clear, readable tickets
• Bump bar for KDS

Payment Devices:

• Customer-facing screens
• Contactless-capable
• Tip selection interface
• Durable card readers

Handheld Devices:

• Long battery life
• Drop-resistant
• Full POS functionality
• Integrated payment

Cost Breakdown

Typical Monthly Costs

Hardware Investment

• Basic tablet setup: $500-$1,500
• Full terminal with peripherals: $1,500-$3,000
• Multi-station setup: $5,000-$15,000
• Kitchen display system: $500-$1,500

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a restaurant POS system cost?

Basic systems start free (Square, Toast Starter) with payment processing fees around 2.6%. Full-featured systems run $50-$200+ per month per terminal, plus hardware costs of $500-$3,000 per station.

Can I use my own payment processor with a restaurant POS?

Some systems (Clover, TouchBistro, Lightspeed) allow processor choice. Others (Toast, Square) require their integrated processing. Processing flexibility often comes with higher software costs.

What's the best POS for a new restaurant?

Square for Restaurants offers a free starting point with no contracts—ideal for new restaurants uncertain about volume. Toast's starter kit is another zero-monthly-cost option. Both let you upgrade as you grow.

How long does restaurant POS installation take?

Simple tablet-based systems can be operational in a day. Complex multi-terminal setups with kitchen displays, handhelds, and integrations typically take 1-2 weeks including training.

Should I buy or lease POS hardware?

Buying is almost always more cost-effective. Leases often cost 2-4x the purchase price over the lease term and may lock you into processing agreements. If cash flow is tight, look for financing rather than leasing.

Key Takeaways

• Toast leads for full-service restaurants with comprehensive, restaurant-specific features and hardware
• Square offers the easiest entry point for quick-service, cafes, and small restaurants with no monthly fees
• Consider total cost including software, hardware, processing fees, and add-ons before deciding
• Prioritize features that match your service model: table management for full-service, speed for quick-service
• Avoid long-term equipment leases that lock you in and cost more than purchasing

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Red Rock Payments partners with leading restaurant POS providers and offers competitive processing rates. Contact us to find the best solution for your restaurant.