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Best POS software and systems

POS software processes payments, manages orders, tracks inventory, and reports sales at the register. Compare systems by business type, processing fees, hardware, and integrations.

15

Tools compared

4

Offer free trials

Contact vendor for exact pricing and packaging details.

Lowest starting price

POS software comparison at a glance

Click any tool name for the full write-up.

ToolStarting priceDeploymentFree trialBest for
Contact vendor for exact pricing and packaging details.CloudNoCloud · multi-workflow teams · FreeVisit Website
Contact vendor for exact pricing and packaging details.CloudNoCloud · Android · SubscriptionVisit Website
Contact vendor for exact pricing and packaging details.CloudYesCloud · iOS / Android · POC-friendlyVisit Website
Contact vendor for exact pricing and packaging details.CloudNoCloud · Android · SubscriptionVisit Website
Contact vendor for exact pricing and packaging details.CloudYesCloud · multi-workflow teams · POC-friendlyVisit Website
Contact vendor for exact pricing and packaging details.CloudNoCloud · multi-workflow teams · SubscriptionVisit Website
Contact vendor for exact pricing and packaging details.CloudNoCloud · iOS · SubscriptionVisit Website
Contact vendor for exact pricing and packaging details.CloudNoCloud · iOS · SubscriptionVisit Website

What is Point of Sale Software

Point of Sale Software covers the tools finance teams use for run checkout, payments, store operations, and transaction capture in retail and in-person selling environments..

Each tool below has a pricing summary, implementation notes, review excerpts and our editorial take. You can also use our side-by-side comparison tool to put two vendors next to each other, or check the finance glossary for term definitions.

Point of Sale Software starts to pay off when the team needs a more controlled, repeatable workflow than spreadsheets and inbox approvals can give it.

Curated list of POS software

Full write-ups for each tool. Pricing, deployment, strengths and limitations.

Square is the default POS for small businesses, offering payment processing, inventory, online sales, and business management in a single ecosystem. Its free software tier with pay-per-transaction pricing removed the traditional barrier to accepting card payments.

Best for

Small businesses (retail, restaurants, services) starting or scaling that want a complete POS system with no monthly software fees and fast setup.

Main tradeoff

Payment processing rates are not negotiable and higher than interchange-plus pricing available to larger merchants. Enterprise customization is limited.

Buying motion

Self-serve online purchase. Hardware from $0 (reader) to $799 (register). No sales conversation required.

Not ideal for

Large retailers or restaurant chains that need deeply customizable POS, negotiate payment processing rates, or require specialized enterprise features.

“Teams usually judge Square on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Free POS software with no monthly feesComprehensive ecosystem covering payments, payroll, and bankingEasy setup with minimal hardware requirements
Payment processing fees are fixed with no volumeAdvanced features require paid add-onsLess suitable for high-volume businesses needing custom rates

Toast is the dominant restaurant POS, providing order management, kitchen display, online ordering, payroll, and marketing in a platform purpose-built for food service operations.

Best for

Restaurants (full-service, quick-service, bars, cafes) that need an all-in-one platform covering POS, kitchen management, online ordering, and restaurant-specific operations.

Main tradeoff

Long-term contracts (typically 2-3 years) with significant early termination fees. Payment processing is bundled and not negotiable. Hardware costs are front-loaded.

Buying motion

Sales-assisted with demos for larger restaurants. Self-serve Starter Kit available. Hardware lease or purchase options.

Not ideal for

Retail businesses, service businesses, or restaurants that want month-to-month flexibility without long-term contracts.

“Teams usually judge Toast on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Purpose-built for restaurants with deep industry featuresCustom hardware designed for restaurant environmentsIntegrated online ordering and delivery management
Only works with Toast hardwareLong-term contracts and hardware costs add upPayment processing is locked to Toast Payments

Shopify POS connects in-store sales with Shopify's e-commerce platform, providing unified inventory, customer data, and order management across physical and online channels. Built for omnichannel retail.

Best for

Retail businesses selling both online and in physical stores that want unified inventory, customer profiles, and order management across all channels.

Main tradeoff

Requires a Shopify e-commerce subscription. Less compelling for businesses without an online store. Payment processing requires Shopify Payments or third-party gateway with additional fees.

Buying motion

Add-on to Shopify subscription. POS Pro at $89/location/month. Self-serve setup.

Not ideal for

Businesses without an online presence, restaurants needing table management and kitchen display, or stores not using Shopify for e-commerce.

“Teams usually judge Shopify POS on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Online and in-store inventory stay in sync automaticallyUnified customer profiles across channelsPart of Shopify's powerful ecommerce ecosystem
POS Pro features require additional monthly feeBest for businesses already on Shopify ecommercePayment processing locked to Shopify Payments in most

Clover (Fiserv) provides POS hardware and software for small businesses with a focus on hardware design quality and an app marketplace that extends functionality for specific business types.

Best for

Small businesses (retail, restaurants, services) that want premium POS hardware with an app marketplace for adding specialized features.

Main tradeoff

Sold through independent sales organizations (ISOs) with variable pricing and contract terms. Payment processing rates depend on the reseller, not Clover directly.

Buying motion

Sold through banks and ISOs. Pricing varies by reseller. Hardware purchase or lease.

Not ideal for

Businesses that want transparent, direct pricing without negotiating with resellers, or large chains needing enterprise-level customization.

“Teams usually judge Clover on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Range of hardware options for different business typesApp marketplace for extending functionalityGood for restaurants, retail, and service businesses
Processing rates depend on reseller, creating price varianceHardware is proprietary and cannot be repurposedQuality of experience depends on which reseller sold

Lightspeed provides POS and e-commerce for retail and restaurants with strong inventory management, multi-location support, and advanced reporting. It targets established businesses with complex operations.

Best for

Established retailers and restaurants (1-50 locations) with complex inventory (multi-variant products, serialized items) and multi-location operations.

Main tradeoff

Higher price point than Square or Clover. Recent pricing changes have frustrated some customers. Advanced features require higher-tier plans.

Buying motion

Sales-assisted with demos. Pricing from $89/month (Basic). Annual plans required for best pricing.

Not ideal for

Simple single-location businesses where Square's free tier provides sufficient functionality, or large chains that need enterprise POS customization.

“Teams usually judge Lightspeed on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Advanced inventory management with variant and serial trackingStrong analytics and reporting for business insightsIntegrated ecommerce for omnichannel selling
Higher pricing than basic POS alternativesFull feature access requires higher-tier plansPayment processing must use Lightspeed Payments for best

SpotOn provides restaurant and retail POS with integrated online ordering, loyalty programs, and marketing tools. The platform emphasizes helping small businesses compete with chains through technology.

Best for

Independent restaurants and retail businesses that want POS with integrated online ordering, loyalty, email marketing, and website building in a single platform.

Main tradeoff

Newer platform with a shorter track record than Toast or Square. Some hardware and processing complaints from early adopters. Contract terms can be restrictive.

Buying motion

Sales-led with local representatives. Custom pricing. Hardware purchase or lease options.

Not ideal for

Businesses that prefer established POS platforms with longer track records, or operations that use separate, best-of-breed marketing tools.

“Teams usually judge SpotOn on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Competitive pricing compared to ToastIntegrated marketing and loyalty programsHands-on local support and implementation
Less brand recognition than Square or ToastSome features are still maturingHardware options can be confusing to navigate

TouchBistro provides iPad-based restaurant POS with strong table management, menu engineering, and staff scheduling. Designed specifically for full-service restaurants that need front-of-house and back-of-house coordination.

Best for

Full-service restaurants and bars that need table management, reservation integration, and menu engineering alongside standard POS functionality.

Main tradeoff

Add-on pricing for modules (online ordering, reservations, gift cards) drives up total cost. Less compelling for quick-service or counter-service restaurants.

Buying motion

Sales-assisted. Starting at $69/month for core POS. Add-ons priced separately. Annual contracts.

Not ideal for

Quick-service restaurants, retail businesses, or restaurants that want all features included in the base price without add-on modules.

“Teams usually judge TouchBistro on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

IPad-based with offline functionalityPurpose-built for restaurant operationsTableside ordering improves table turn time
IOS/iPad only; no Android supportOnline ordering and loyalty require add-on subscriptionsPayment processing options are limited by region

Revel Systems provides iPad-based POS for multi-location restaurants and retailers, with strong kitchen management, inventory, and enterprise reporting built on Apple hardware.

Best for

Multi-location restaurants and retailers (5-50 locations) that want iPad-based POS with enterprise management features and open API for custom integrations.

Main tradeoff

Three-year contracts are standard. Per-terminal pricing adds up for large deployments. Implementation requires more setup than Square or Toast.

Buying motion

Sales-led with demos. Per-terminal pricing from $99/month. Three-year contracts typical. Implementation via Revel partners.

Not ideal for

Single-location small businesses that do not need enterprise management features, or restaurants that prefer Android-based POS hardware.

“Teams usually judge Revel Systems on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Open API for extensive customizationEnterprise-ready multi-location managementAdvanced inventory and CRM features
Higher price point than basic POS systemsIPad-only hardware requirementSetup and customization can be complex

Epos Now is a cloud POS provider serving retail and hospitality businesses with a focus on ease of use and broad integration support. The platform connects to over 100 third-party apps and supports multiple hardware configurations. Epos Now serves small businesses that want a flexible POS with strong integration capabilities, particularly popular in the UK and expanding into the US market.

Best for

Epos Now is a flexible POS option for small retail and hospitality businesses that want broad integration capabilities and hardware flexibility.

Main tradeoff

Customer support reviews are mixed

Buying motion

Subscription pricing model. Cloud deployment.

Not ideal for

Some integrations require additional fees

“Teams usually judge Epos Now on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

100+ app integrations for extending functionalityFlexible hardware options including touchscreen terminalsWorks across retail and hospitality use cases
Customer support reviews are mixedSome integrations require additional feesLess specialized than industry-specific POS platforms

Helcim provides payment processing with a free POS application, using interchange-plus pricing that gives merchants lower processing rates than flat-rate competitors like Square, particularly at higher volumes.

Best for

Small to mid-size businesses processing $10,000+ monthly that want lower payment processing costs through interchange-plus pricing rather than flat-rate.

Main tradeoff

POS software is simpler than Square or Clover. Hardware options are limited. Best value proposition is payment processing cost savings, not POS feature depth.

Buying motion

Self-serve signup. No monthly fees. Interchange-plus per-transaction pricing. Hardware purchase.

Not ideal for

Businesses that prioritize POS features over processing costs, or micro-businesses processing under $5,000/month where interchange-plus savings are minimal.

“Teams usually judge Helcim on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

No monthly software feesTransparent interchange-plus pricing saves money at volumeIncludes online store, invoicing, and POS in one
Less feature-rich POS than Square or ToastSmaller brand with less ecosystem breadthHardware selection is limited

SumUp is a payment and POS provider focused on micro businesses, solopreneurs, and mobile sellers. It offers affordable card readers, a free POS app, and online payment links with simple flat-rate pricing. SumUp has expanded from mobile card readers to include a full POS system, online store, invoicing, and business accounts. It is particularly popular in Europe and serves millions of businesses worldwide.

Best for

SumUp is the most accessible POS option for micro businesses and mobile sellers that need affordable card acceptance with zero monthly commitment.

Main tradeoff

Basic POS features compared to full platforms

Buying motion

Free pricing model. Cloud deployment. Self-serve signup available.

Not ideal for

Not suitable for high-volume or complex businesses

“Teams usually judge SumUp on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Very affordable hardware starting under $50Simple flat-rate pricing with no monthly feesGood for mobile and low-volume businesses
Basic POS features compared to full platformsNot suitable for high-volume or complex businessesLimited reporting and analytics

Heartland, now part of Global Payments, provides POS systems and payment processing for restaurants, retail, and service businesses. It offers industry-specific POS solutions along with payment processing, payroll, customer engagement tools, and data security services. Heartland's breach warranty and data security focus differentiate it for businesses prioritizing payment card security.

Best for

Heartland is a reliable POS and payment option for businesses that prioritize data security and want industry-specific capabilities backed by Global Payments.

Main tradeoff

Pricing requires direct sales engagement

Buying motion

Custom quote pricing model. Cloud deployment. Sales-led with demo.

Not ideal for

Product lineup can be confusing post-acquisition

“Teams usually judge Heartland on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Industry-specific POS solutionsStrong data security focus with breach warrantyIntegrated customer engagement and loyalty tools
Pricing requires direct sales engagementProduct lineup can be confusing post-acquisitionContract terms should be reviewed carefully

Loyverse provides free POS software for small businesses with basic inventory, sales analytics, and a built-in loyalty program. The platform runs on smartphones and tablets with no proprietary hardware required.

Best for

Micro-businesses and market vendors that want free POS on their existing smartphone or tablet with basic inventory and a customer loyalty program.

Main tradeoff

Very basic compared to Square or Clover. No integrated payment processing. Employee management and advanced inventory are paid add-ons.

Buying motion

Self-serve free download from app stores. Optional paid add-ons. No sales interaction required.

Not ideal for

Businesses that want integrated payment processing, advanced inventory management, or any enterprise-grade POS functionality.

“Teams usually judge Loyverse on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Core POS is completely freeWorks on iOS and Android smartphones and tabletsGood inventory management for a free tool
Loyalty and advanced features require paid add-onsNo integrated payment processing in most regionsLimited customization compared to paid POS systems

Vend (now part of Lightspeed) provides cloud-based retail POS with strong inventory management, customer loyalty, and e-commerce integration. Known for its clean interface and ease of use for independent retailers.

Best for

Independent retailers (1-10 locations) that want intuitive cloud POS with inventory management, customer loyalty, and Shopify e-commerce integration.

Main tradeoff

Now part of Lightspeed, creating product direction uncertainty. Feature development is being folded into Lightspeed Retail. Payment processing requires Lightspeed Payments or third-party.

Buying motion

Part of Lightspeed's retail POS offering. Sales-assisted. Monthly subscription pricing.

Not ideal for

Restaurants, multi-location chains needing enterprise management, or businesses that want a standalone POS product without Lightspeed platform dependency.

“Teams usually judge Vend on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Browser-based POS works on any deviceStrong inventory management for retailIntegrated loyalty program
Being absorbed into Lightspeed platformLong-term standalone product future is uncertainNew customers should evaluate Lightspeed directly

NCR Aloha is the legacy enterprise restaurant POS installed in tens of thousands of locations, providing deep restaurant management functionality built over three decades of restaurant technology development.

Best for

Large restaurant chains and franchise operations (50+ locations) that need enterprise POS with deep integration into back-office, labor management, and enterprise reporting systems.

Main tradeoff

Legacy technology that is being modernized but still carries older UI patterns. Implementation and support require NCR professional services. Cost structure is enterprise-oriented.

Buying motion

Enterprise sales-led through NCR. Multi-year contracts. Implementation via NCR professional services.

Not ideal for

Independent restaurants, small chains, or any business that wants modern cloud POS with self-serve administration.

“Teams usually judge Aloha NCR on how quickly it is useful after rollout, how much tuning it needs, and how much admin work it adds.”

FE

FinanceOpsClub Editorial

Reviewer

Decades of restaurant industry expertiseEnterprise-grade reliability for multi-unit operationsDeep table management and kitchen production features
Legacy technology with ongoing modernizationHigher cost and complexity than modern cloud-first POSNCR's restructuring creates product direction uncertainty

Shortlist criteria

Teams usually compare point of sale software vendors on workflow fit, implementation effort, reporting, and how much manual work is left after rollout.

The better products in point of sale software shorten cycle time, tighten controls, and leave a record that controllers, auditors, and the CFO can follow.

What to validate before you buy

  • Clarify which point of sale software workflow is consuming the most time today.
  • Check whether ERP integrations and approval logic fit the current operating model.
  • Compare how much manual follow-up and exception handling each tool actually removes.

What shows up across the current market

Common pricing models in this category include Free, Subscription, and Custom quote. Deployment patterns represented here include Cloud and Cloud / On-premise. We have published 15 software profiles in this category.

Shortlist criteria

Which workflow should point of sale software fix first? How much implementation, training and process cleanup will you still need after purchase? Does the pricing still work as headcount, entities or transaction volume grow? Which reporting, control or integration gaps are likely to cause problems six months after rollout?

How we selected these tools

We included the tools that hold up best on implementation effort, pricing structure, trial access, workflow coverage and published reviews. Read how we review software for the full methodology, and see our editorial guidelines for how we handle vendor relationships.

When to evaluate point of sale software

POS software matters most when payment reliability, inventory accuracy, and daily reporting directly affect operations and margins.

It is especially important for high-volume businesses where checkout speed limits how much you can sell.

Common evaluation mistakes

Buyers often focus on hardware design and the interface without testing processing fees, accounting integration, and offline mode.

Another common mistake is choosing a POS without confirming it handles the industry workflows the business depends on, such as tip management, table turns, or inventory variants.

Building your shortlist

Build the shortlist on processing fees, reliability, and industry workflow fit, not just ease of setup.

Before committing, test the full transaction flow, including a refund, a split payment, and an end-of-day close.

Types of point of sale software tools

Restaurant POS systems

Best when table management, kitchen displays, online ordering, and tip compliance are central to the operation.

Retail POS systems

For stores that need inventory management, barcode scanning, product variants, and multi-location selling.

Service business POS tools

For businesses that need appointments, recurring memberships, or service tickets alongside payments.

Key features to look for in Point of Sale Software

Reliable, fast payment processing at competitive rates. This is often what separates tools that look alike, once you compare rollout effort, fit and ongoing admin work.

Real-time inventory tracking across locations. This is often what separates tools that look alike, once you compare rollout effort, fit and ongoing admin work.

Industry workflows, such as table management for restaurants or product variants for retail. This is often what separates tools that look alike, once you compare rollout effort, fit and ongoing admin work.

Daily sales reports for operations and accounting. This is often what separates tools that look alike, once you compare rollout effort, fit and ongoing admin work.

Employee management, time tracking, and tip handling where relevant. This is often what separates tools that look alike, once you compare rollout effort, fit and ongoing admin work.

Accounting and payroll integration so daily sales don't have to be reconciled by hand. The tool has to work with the systems you already run. Check that it supports your ERP, banks and other core systems natively, not through custom work.

Cost and pricing expectations

POS pricing usually combines a software subscription and hardware. Processing fees of 2 to 3% per transaction are typically the largest ongoing cost.

Hardware (terminals, card readers, receipt printers, kitchen displays) can add a lot to first-year cost.

Compare processing fee structures carefully. Small rate differences add up quickly at higher sales volume.

When this category is overkill

A full POS system is sometimes overkill for very low-volume sellers or pop-ups where a simple card reader does the job.

Industry-specific POS platforms can be the wrong choice when the business is simple enough for a general-purpose tool.

Other options and adjacent paths

Payment processors with basic POS features when taking payments is the only requirement.

Ecommerce and online payment platforms when most sales are online and in-person checkout is rare or absent.

Point of Sale Software buyer guides

No buyer guides for this category yet.

Point of Sale Software comparisons

No comparisons for this category yet.

More point of sale software guides

Narrower versions of this page, by team type, company size or use case.

Point of Sale Software terms to know

Common questions about POS software

What should buyers compare in POS software?

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Start with payment processing fees, hardware requirements, industry-specific features (table management for restaurants, inventory for retail), and integration with your accounting and payroll systems.

What is the best POS system for a small business?

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The best fit depends on industry, transaction volume, hardware preferences, and whether inventory management is needed. Square, Clover, and Lightspeed are commonly evaluated for small businesses.

Does POS software work offline?

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Many modern POS systems have an offline mode that keeps processing payments and recording sales when the internet drops. Check how offline transactions sync once the connection returns and whether every payment type works offline.

What hardware does POS software require?

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Requirements vary by vendor and use case. Most systems need a tablet or terminal, a card reader, and optionally a receipt printer, cash drawer, or barcode scanner. Some platforms are hardware-agnostic; others are tied to proprietary hardware.

How much does POS software cost?

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Many POS platforms offer free software plans and make money on payment processing fees (typically 2.5–3.5% per transaction). Paid plans with advanced inventory, reporting, or multi-location features typically range from $50–200 per month per location. Hardware costs vary from $50 for a basic reader to $1,000+ for a full terminal setup.