Discover how a point-of-sale (POS) system can help you track real-time sales, efficiently manage inventory, and seamlessly integrate with accounting software to optimize your business operations.
Modern POS systems have evolved far beyond traditional cash registers. Today, they function as all-in-one business management hubs, enabling businesses to handle transactions, inventory tracking, and customer relationships with ease. For small businesses, the right POS solution can enhance stock management, improve customer retention, and streamline team workflows—all from a single, centralized system.
Our comprehensive guide will help you choose a feature-rich, reliable POS system in 2025 designed to simplify operations and drive business growth effectively.
Top 10 Best POS Systems & Companies 2025.
- Toast - There’s a plan for you, no matter your size or budget
- Lightspeed - For entrepreneurs with big ambitions
- Square - Payments you can rely on to run smarter
- Shopify - The only truly unified point of sale
- Clover - Seamless Payments, Smarter Business Management
- TouchBistro - All-in-One POS and Restaurant Management System
- SpotOn - The POS System That Grows with Your Business
- POS Nation - Smart, Reliable, and Built for Your Business
- Flagship - Powering Your Business with Seamless Payments
- Revel - Powering Businesses with Smarter POS Solutions
Toast - Smart POS and Hardware Made for Restaurants
Start for $0/month
Portable POS devices
Durable restaurant hardware
Flat-fee delivery & online ordering
Lightspeed - All-in-One POS Solution for Retail Businesses
24/7 expert support
Serving retail & golf businesses
Access and manage your data anytime, anywhere
Square – Fast easy and secure payment processing
Shopify - All-in-One POS for Seamless Online and In-Store Sales
200+ product updates every year
Seamless experiences for customers & staff
Clover – Secure and Efficient Payment Solutions for Restaurants and Retail
TouchBistro - A Complete and Feature-Rich System for Restaurants
Get 45% Off Hardware & Software
Flexible add-on products tailored to your needs
Increase sales and maximize profits
SpotOn - A Fully Integrated System Tailored to Your Business Needs
Rates starting at just 1.99% + $0.25
No hidden fees or long-term contracts
24/7 expert support with in-person setup
POS Nation - Customized Solutions for Retail, Restaurants, and Quick Service Businesses
No long-term commitments
Top-rated customer support
Comprehensive features and flexibility
Flagship - Dependable Hardware with Essential Features
Authorized Clover reseller
Designed for businesses of all sizes
0% payment processing available
Revel - Versatile POS System with Unique Features for Every Business
Fully customizable POS system
Ideal for medium and large businesses
Includes a 1+ year manufacturer’s warranty
Our Methodology: How We Evaluated POS Systems
Our expert review team, consisting of industry specialists and consumer advocates, conducted an in-depth analysis of various point-of-sale (POS) systems to determine which offer the best value and performance. Using hands-on testing, in-depth research, and real user feedback, we developed a comprehensive evaluation process based on the following key criteria:
Evaluation Criteria:
✔ Features & Functionality: We examined core features such as inventory management, real-time sales tracking, and CRM tools to assess overall efficiency.
✔ Ease of Use: We tested user interfaces for intuitive navigation, learning curve, and the availability of training and support resources.
✔ Hardware Compatibility: We assessed how well POS systems work with tablets, smartphones, registers, and peripherals like barcode scanners and card readers.
✔ Payment Processing Options: We reviewed supported payment methods, including credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, and third-party integrations, while analyzing transaction fees.
✔ Scalability: We evaluated whether the POS system can support business growth, including multi-location management, employee controls, and advanced analytics.
✔ Integration Capabilities: We checked for seamless integration with accounting software, marketing platforms, loyalty programs, and other essential business tools.
✔ Customer Support: We examined the availability and quality of customer service, looking at options like live chat, phone support, and online knowledge bases.
✔ Cost & Pricing Transparency: We analyzed the total cost of ownership, including setup fees, hardware costs, subscription plans, and transaction fees, ensuring no hidden charges.
✔ Security & Compliance: We confirmed adherence to PCI compliance, data encryption, and secure access protocols to protect business and customer data.
✔ User Reviews & Testimonials: We analyzed customer feedback from platforms like Trustpilot and BBB to assess reliability, service quality, and overall user satisfaction.
A Closer Look at the Top 10 POS Systems
Ready to find the best POS system for your business? Our expert insights and detailed comparisons will help you choose the right solution to streamline operations and support long-term growth.
Toast is built specifically for restaurants, bringing together all essential tools in one streamlined POS system to simplify operations. With the introduction of Toast Payroll & Team Management, it now provides a comprehensive business solution, making restaurant management more efficient and seamless.
Pros
Tailored specifically for restaurant operations
Intuitive Android tablets designed for efficiency
Fast tableside payments to improve service speed
Cons
Expensive setup and monthly fees
Only works with exclusive hardware
Lightspeed provides versatile POS solutions for both retail and restaurant businesses, with a stronger emphasis on retail in the U.S. Whether you're using Lightspeed Delivery for your restaurant or Lightspeed eCom for online sales, the platform delivers detailed features and seamless functionality. QuickBooks integration is simple, requiring just a few clicks. Additionally, businesses can manage special orders, apply discounts, and customize receipts directly from a Mac or iPad for a smooth and professional experience.
Pros
No setup fees required
Built-in analytics for products, sales, and staff management
Cons
Expensive monthly pricing
Reports of occasional software glitches from users
Square provides fast and secure payment processing for businesses of all sizes, offering easy setup, seamless transactions, and powerful POS solutions. With integrated tools for sales, inventory, and customer management, Square helps businesses streamline operations and grow efficiently.
Pros
No monthly fees or hidden charges
Supports online e-commerce operations
Ideal for small and medium-sized businesses
Cons
Tech support can be complex
Higher rates for keyed-in transactions
Shopify is a top eCommerce platform that provides a seamless POS system integrated with its online store. Whether you sell online or not, you can manage orders, inventory, and staff through an easy-to-use interface. Shopify’s hardware simplifies payment processing, and the POS app, compatible with iPad and Android, offers customizable features to suit your business needs.
Pros
Robust inventory management features
Simple setup and user-friendly interface
Seamless integration with Shopify’s online store
Cons
High monthly fees for multi-location businesses
Only supports cash payments without an internet connection
Clover provides secure and scalable payment processing solutions for restaurants and retail businesses. With customizable POS systems, advanced security features, and seamless integrations, Clover helps businesses streamline transactions, manage operations, and enhance customer experiences.
Pros
On-demand support specialists for troubleshooting
Transparent pricing for POS devices and payment processing
Automated inventory tracking with accounting software integration
Cons
Add-on costs may be high for small businesses
Monthly subscription fee applies even with no sales
TouchBistro is an efficient, reliable, and user-friendly POS system designed specifically for restaurants. Packed with essential features to streamline operations and increase profitability, it helps restaurateurs manage their businesses with ease. Trusted by over 29,000 restaurants across 100+ countries, TouchBistro has been recognized as the Best POS for Restaurants for four consecutive years.
Pros
Strong analytics and reporting
Easy to use, quick staff training
iPad POS with built-in payments
Cons
Limited cloud-based features
Fewer third-party integrations
SpotOn is a user-friendly POS system with transparent pricing and reliable payment processing, making it a popular choice for restaurants and retail businesses. Users appreciate its customizable features, including online ordering, marketing tools, and advanced reporting, along with no long-term contracts and flat-rate processing fees. While many highlight its excellent customer support, some mention occasional software glitches and a learning curve for new users. Overall, SpotOn is well-regarded for its affordability, functionality, and commitment to helping businesses streamline operations.
Pros
Customizable features
Easy-to-use POS system
Flat-rate pricing, no contracts
Cons
Occasional software issues
Learning curve for new users
POS Nation is a comprehensive, feature-packed solution designed to streamline business operations. It enhances checkout efficiency, boosts customer retention, and simplifies day-to-day management. With an all-in-one system, it handles payroll, checkout, customer tracking, and inventory management effortlessly. Ideal for retailers, restaurants, and service-based businesses, POS Nation offers top-rated customer support to ensure smooth operations.
Pros
No long-term contracts
Wide range of features and functionality
Multiple integrations for seamless operations
Cons
No free trial available
Support is limited to English only
Flagship is a leading provider of merchant services, offering credit card processing, mobile payments, and secure payment gateways. It enables businesses to accept payments seamlessly and affordably, without long-term commitments. With competitive pricing and flexible solutions, Flagship helps small and medium-sized businesses stay competitive and grow with ease.
Pros
No setup fees
Free mobile swiper and app
Cons
No live chat support
No publicly available pricing (custom quotes only)
Revel is a highly versatile and customizable iPad-based POS solution, designed for businesses across various industries. Packed with advanced features, it offers seamless accessibility and adaptability, making it an excellent choice for medium to large businesses seeking a scalable and efficient system.
Pros
No contract requirements
Advanced employee management features
Cons
Too complex for small businesses
Requires 30-day cancellation notice
Types of POS Software
Businesses can choose from four main types of POS software, each designed to meet different operational needs.
Mobile POS Software
A cloud-based POS system that runs as an app on a smartphone or tablet. It supports basic functions such as receipt printing and credit card payments but lacks the advanced capabilities of a full terminal POS system. Mobile POS solutions are best suited for independent service providers, freelancers, and small mobile businesses such as food carts.
Tablet POS Software
Similar to mobile POS software but with enhanced features that support larger retail businesses with multiple locations. These systems can handle inventory tracking, employee time management, payroll, and accounting. Tablet POS software is often compatible with various POS hardware components to create a more complete system.
Terminal POS Software
A fixed POS system designed for physical retail locations, including large stores, spas, malls, and other brick-and-mortar businesses. It can be either cloud-based or on-premise and provides comprehensive back-office management tools, including reporting, advanced inventory control, and customer relationship management (CRM).
Self-Service or Unattended POS Software
This type of POS software is used for self-checkout kiosks and automated sales stations in busy retail environments such as grocery stores, coffee shops, and quick-service restaurants. It is often linked to a primary POS system, allowing businesses to enhance customer experience by reducing wait times and increasing transaction efficiency.
Many POS solutions are also industry-specific, with specialized software tailored for sectors like restaurants, hospitality, retail, financial services, education, and healthcare.
POS Software Costs and Pricing Factors
The cost of POS software depends on several factors, including the type of POS system, additional features, hardware requirements, and the number of integrations it supports.
Mobile POS software typically starts at $50 per month.
Feature-rich POS systems with advanced capabilities may cost several hundred dollars per month.
Most cloud-based POS solutions operate on a subscription model with monthly or annual fees.
POS System Costs: Software vs. Hardware
When budgeting for a POS system, businesses should consider both software fees and hardware costs.
Monthly Software Fees
Prices range from free to over $100 per month.
Most paid POS systems cost between $15 and $30 per month.
Free POS software typically charges higher transaction fees, ranging from 2% to 4% per sale.
POS Hardware and Installation Costs
Some POS providers offer bundled pricing that includes both hardware and software, while others require businesses to purchase hardware separately. Installation fees may cover software setup and hardware configuration.
Getting the Right POS Hardware
A POS system requires compatible hardware to process transactions efficiently. A basic POS hardware setup may include:
A POS terminal or tablet-based POS system
A receipt printer for retail stores and restaurants
A credit card reader for secure payment processing
A cash register for handling cash transactions
Additional hardware may be needed depending on the business type. Some examples include:
Kitchen printers for restaurants
Barcode scanners for retail businesses
Self-checkout kiosks for high-traffic environments
Weight scales for grocery and food retailers
Key Benefits of a POS System
Implementing a POS system can help businesses improve efficiency and streamline operations in several ways:
Enhances customer retention through loyalty program management
Provides real-time inventory tracking to prevent stock shortages
Automates discounts and promotional offers
Delivers data-driven insights for sales forecasting and trend analysis
Enables employee time tracking and workforce management
Secures payment processing across multiple channels
With a well-integrated POS system, businesses can increase revenue, reduce errors, and optimize daily operations.
Cloud-Based vs. On-Premise POS Systems
A cloud-based POS system stores data online, while an on-premise POS system keeps data locally on a business’s internal servers. Each option has its own advantages:
Feature | Cloud-Based POS | On-Premise POS |
|---|---|---|
Upfront Cost | Lower initial investment | Higher installation costs |
Monthly Fees | Ongoing subscription fees | Minimal long-term costs |
Accessibility | Remote access from anywhere | Limited to business location |
Scalability | Easily scalable for growth | Less flexible for expansion |
Internet Reliance | Requires a stable internet connection | Functions without internet |
Data Security | Cloud backup and encryption | Data loss risk if the server crashes |
Cloud-based POS systems are ideal for businesses looking for flexibility and scalability, while on-premise systems may be preferable for companies requiring complete local control over their data.
How to Choose the Right POS System Provider
Selecting a POS system provider depends on factors such as business size, industry, and long-term growth plans. The following criteria can help in making an informed decision:
1. Hardware and Features
What essential features does the business need?
Does the provider offer bundled hardware, or can it integrate with existing devices?
What types of receipts does the system generate?
2. POS Setup and Usability
Does the POS system integrate with current business applications?
Is the software user-friendly, or does it require training and support?
What customer support options are available?
3. Cost and Pricing Transparency
What are the upfront costs versus ongoing monthly fees?
How does the system handle transaction fees?
Are there any hidden charges?
4. Scalability and Growth Potential
Does the system support advanced inventory tracking and analytics?
Can it integrate with eCommerce platforms, marketing tools, and CRM software?
Can the system scale as the business expands?
Finding the Best POS System for Your Business
A well-chosen POS system can significantly improve business operations by streamlining sales, enhancing customer experiences, and optimizing inventory management.
Research shows that 86% of restaurants use POS data to enhance loyalty programs and marketing strategies. Businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises, are leveraging POS technology to improve operational efficiency and customer service.
Popular POS providers such as Toast, Lightspeed, and Square offer specialized features for various industries. Whether a business needs advanced inventory tracking, seamless payment processing, or in-depth analytics, there is a POS solution that aligns with its needs and budget.
Investing in the right POS system is a strategic move that supports business growth, improves efficiency, and ensures long-term success