8 Best Restaurant POS Systems (April 2023)

To determine the best restaurant POS systems for small businesses, Forbes Advisor researched providers in the space and narrowed them down to the eight top providers. We analyzed these across three primary categories for a total of 12 different metrics. The criteria were then weighted to favor features that matter most to small businesses. The best restaurant POS systems had the best overall scores based on our methodology.

Here are the three primary categories used to analyze the best restaurant POS systems:

Pricing – 35%

Pricing is a top consideration when selecting a restaurant POS system, and it’s important to understand the full costs involved. Some POS systems offer low monthly rates, but there may be additional fees for hardware, software integrations or other services such as integrations and employee management.

We considered the total cost of ownership, including any upfront costs and ongoing monthly expenses. To help provide a comprehensive view of pricing, we looked at the cost of each restaurant POS system, considering both the monthly fee and any additional fees, such as hardware costs or integration fees.

Key Features – 35%

We evaluated the range of features offered by each restaurant POS system, considering the most crucial components that would benefit restaurants. These included things such as table management, online ordering, gift card and loyalty programs, as well as integration capabilities with popular third-party software. This is significant for restaurants looking to streamline operations and run their business efficiently with multiple tools.

When considering the features, we took the following into account:

• Hardware
• Restaurant-specific features, such as online ordering and takeout
• Mobile payments
• Built-in payment processing
• Software integrations
• Inventory management

Expert Score – 30%

For the Expert Score in our methodology, we considered three key factors: Popularity, Standout Features and Overall Value. We evaluated the popularity of each restaurant POS system by looking at the number of users, and how well-regarded it is in the industry. Additionally, we evaluated the standout features of each system, such as table management, online ordering, gift cards and loyalty programs, and how they compared to other systems on the market.

We considered the overall value each system provides, taking into account its pricing and the level of functionality and support it offers. Usability was also a key factor in our evaluation, as we wanted to make sure that the systems we recommended were easy to use and would not require extensive training for staff to operate effectively.