Best POS Systems in 2025

Discover the perfect POS system for your restaurant or retail store. Compare top brands, explore key features, and boost your business.

Julian, Author
Last updated: December, 2025

Quick Sort

Editor's Choice
9.2

Best for:

  • Food & Drink
  • $0 upfront cost on hardware
  • Restaurant POS trusted by 25,000+ businesses nationwide
  • Free professional installation + 24/7/365 expert support
  • All-in-one: POS, payments, online ordering & back-office
  • Commercial-grade hardware for demanding restaurant environments
Visit SkyTab 888-276-2108 Just $29/month + Lifetime Warranty

All-in-one restaurant POS platform trusted by tens of thousands of restaurants and bars nationwide. Starting at $29/month with free hardware included, SkyTab combines point-of-sale software, commercial-grade hardware with lifetime warranty, integrated payments, and cloud-based back-office management with no startup fees. Free professional installation by certified technicians, 24/7/365 expert support, and real-time business insights through the Lighthouse platform help restaurants streamline operations from front-of-house to kitchen. Backed by Shift4’s proven payment processing expertise, SkyTab delivers enterprise-grade reliability at an affordable price point for independent restaurants and growing chains.

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Most Popular
9.4
   

Best for:

  • Food & Drink
  • Retail
  • 200+ seamless integrations
  • All-in-one platform with payroll add-ons
  • Works offline to keep service running
  • Retail options for grocery, convenience and liquor stores
Visit Toast

Toast connects every part of your business with an all-in-one platform that brings more convenience, more variety, and more delightful customer experiences. Whether you run a restaurant or retail store, Toast allows you to serve all customers on the same platform, eliminating the need for multiple POS systems or separate terminals.

Track every purchase, reward every visit, and transform customers into regulars with loyalty and email marketing options. Whether online, in-store, or through delivery, give your customers more easy ways to find you and love you.

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9.5

Best for:

  • Retail
  • Complete system — POS terminal, printer, card machine, and software included
  • Real-time reporting on staff, customers, sales, margin and stock
  • Online, delivery, collection, and multi-channel ready
  • Connect to 100+ apps including payments and accounting
  • Personalized onboarding and product training
Visit Epos Now

Epos Now is a complete cloud-based EPOS solution for retail and hospitality businesses including retailers, cafés, bars, and restaurants. The system enables businesses to manage operations with real-time reporting on staff, customers, sales, margin, and stock, while staying multi-channel ready for online, delivery, and collection orders. Access business insights from any device, on-the-go, with cloud connectivity that works offline when needed. Trusted by over 80,000 businesses across 70+ countries, Epos Now includes 24/7 support, personalized onboarding, unlimited training, and connects to hundreds of apps including payment systems and accounting software.

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8.9

Best for:

  • Food & Drink
  • Restaurant-specific POS designed exclusively for food service
  • All-in-one restaurant solution with customized implementation
  • Trusted by 5,000+ restaurants across 75 countries
  • White-glove setup, staff training, and 24/7 support included
Visit Lavu Free hardware

Is your restaurant software starting to lag? Don’t lose time and money struggling with an outdated POS system. Lavu is an affordable all-in-one restaurant solution that helps simplify operations, control costs, and boost your bottom line. Used by restaurants in 75 countries, Lavu’s cloud-based system ensures reliable performance so you can focus on what matters most – serving great food and growing your business.

Save thousands of dollars each month with Lavu’s comprehensive restaurant management platform. From efficient order management to seamless payment processing and real-time reporting, Lavu is designed for maximum profitability and includes dedicated support to help your restaurant reach new heights of success.

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9.1

Best for:

  • Food & Drink
  • Free 24/7 personalized support
  • Commission-free online ordering, automated cost analysis, and automated marketing
  • Contactless payment options and mobile ordering

SpotOn revolutionizes businesses with a tailored, all-in-one POS solution for both retail and restaurant operations. Enhance customer experiences, drive growth, and foster digital connections with user-friendly interfaces, integrated online ordering, loyalty programs, and CRM tools. Whether you’re managing inventory in a retail store or tracking tables in a restaurant, SpotOn’s advanced features maximize profitability and minimize waste.

From retail inventory management to restaurant table service, adapt to evolving needs with SpotOn’s scalable architecture, powerful automation, and unparalleled 24/7 support from industry experts. Stay at the forefront of modern business management and unlock your full potential with SpotOn’s cutting-edge, cloud-based POS system that seamlessly handles both retail and restaurant operations.

9.5
   

Best for:

  • Food & Drink
  • Retail
  • #1 POS for food trucks and growing businesses
  • Flat-rate pricing with free setup
  • User-friendly interface staff learn in minutes
  • Built-in business and staff management

Square’s restaurant POS software goes beyond basic functionalities, offering seamless integration of payment processing, table management, and inventory control. It bridges the gap between front and back-of-house operations, as well as your administrative tasks, liberating you to prioritize customer satisfaction. Whether you run a single-location full-service restaurant, a multi-location quick-service restaurant, a bar, or multiple concepts, Square enhances order flow and maximizes profitability. Experience the convenience of a flexible cloud-based solution that your staff can master in minutes, ensuring efficiency without sacrificing quality.

 

8.9

Best for:

  • Retail
  • Best for inventory-heavy retailers & chains
  • One system for all stores & channels
  • Real-time insights across operations
  • Fast workflows with expert support

Lightspeed powers ambitious retail stores globally with an innovative unified commerce platform that features interconnected omnichannel sales, inventory, and analytics. Retailers benefit from embedded payments, scalability, and tailored integrations that streamline complex operations while accommodating growth. Sophisticated yet simple technology together with world-class support enable retailers to swiftly adapt and deliver standout shopping experiences.

What exactly is a POS System?

POS (Point of Sale) software is a crucial tool for businesses of all sizes and types. It’s a system that facilitates and records sales transactions, managing various aspects of the business, from processing payments to tracking inventory and generating sales reports.

  • Efficient checkout and payment processing for retailers.
  • Order management and table communication for restaurants.
  • Appointment scheduling and payment processing for service-based businesses.
  • E-commerce integration and inventory control for online stores.
  • Streamlines operations, improves customer service, and provides valuable insights for businesses of all types.

In essence, POS software simplifies operations, enhances customer service, and provides valuable insights into sales and trends, making it an indispensable asset for businesses looking to improve efficiency and profitability.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Use our quiz to get a perfect match.

Frequently Asked Questions

What features should I prioritize when comparing POS systems?
Focus on these essential capabilities:
  1. Payment processing
  2. Inventory management
  3. Sales reporting
  4. Staff management
  5. Mobile accessibility
  6. Third-party integrations
  7. Customer management
  8. Cloud-based access

What improvements and customer benefits should I expect?
Automation eliminates double-entry accounting and reduces processing time significantly. Mobile engagement capabilities and omni-channel features drive repeat business, while real-time reporting provides actionable insights into sales patterns, inventory needs, and customer behavior that support strategic decision-making.

What are the main challenges during POS system implementation?
Staff training requires dedicated time and resources to ensure employees are comfortable with new technology and workflows. Data migration from existing systems needs careful planning to transfer customer, inventory, and sales information without losing critical business data or disrupting operations.

How do I know if a POS system fits my business?
Start by identifying your current pain points – whether you’re opening new, upgrading from a cash register, or switching from another POS system. Retail businesses should prioritize inventory management and e-commerce integration, while restaurants need menu management and kitchen displays. Test the system through demos or free trials, and ensure it integrates with tools you’re already using.

What improvements will I see from upgrading my POS?
Modern POS systems boost productivity by automating manual tasks, improving staff workflows, and enabling faster customer service. For retail, you’ll gain better inventory control and reduce excess stock, while restaurants benefit from faster order processing and reduced kitchen confusion during rush periods. Both industries see increased profits through improved efficiency and enhanced customer experience.

Our Favorites

Restaurant POS starting at $29/month with free hardware and lifetime warranty. Trusted by tens of thousands nationwide.
Just $29/month + Lifetime Warranty
Visit SkyTab 888-276-2108
Editor's Choice
9.4
Unify operations with Toast's all-in-one POS. Increase sales through optimized digital ordering and seamless integration of online and in-house orders.
Visit Toast
9.6
The point-of-sale system retailers and restaurants have been waiting for: powerful, flexible, and designed to help you run a better business without the hefty startup costs.
Start for $0. Seriously
Visit Global Payments

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Tech.co is a leading business technology authority, here to help you know more about tech and find the best solutions to work smarter and grow securely. We assist over half a million customers each month in making the right choices for their needs, with our comparison charts, guides, and reviews.

The right tech can help you find new and more efficient ways of running your operation, retain and attract loyal customers, protect your assets from security risks, or even add entirely new revenue streams. We should know, because we’ve been there; Tech.co started out as a simple community-building Tech Cocktail event, back in 2006, and has transformed into a fully-fledged media company.

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