What Bakeries Need from a POS System

Bakeries have distinct operational requirements that many generic POS systems fail to address. Before diving into our recommendations, here are the critical features every bakery should prioritize:

Recipe Costing and Ingredient Tracking

Bakeries work with thin margins where ingredient costs directly impact profitability. A good bakery POS should track ingredient usage per recipe, automatically deduct inventory when items sell, calculate accurate cost per item, and alert you when flour, butter, or other staples run low.

Custom Cake and Special Order Management

Wedding cakes, birthday orders, and custom requests are often the highest-margin items for bakeries. Your POS needs to capture detailed customization requirements, manage deposits and payment schedules, schedule production and pickup times, and attach photos or sketches to orders.

Allergen and Ingredient Information

With increasing food allergies and dietary restrictions, bakeries must track and communicate ingredients clearly. Look for systems that tag items with common allergens, display warnings at checkout, and print allergen information on receipts or labels.

Pre-Order and Pickup Scheduling

Holiday seasons bring waves of pre-orders. Your POS should handle advance ordering with specific pickup windows, prevent overbooking production capacity, send reminder notifications to customers, and manage pickup queues during rush periods.

Scale Integration

Many bakeries sell items by weight: cookies, pastries, bread, and bulk ingredients. The ideal POS integrates with digital scales to weigh items and calculate prices automatically, reducing checkout time and errors.

Production Planning

Knowing what to bake and when requires data. Look for systems with sales forecasting, production scheduling, waste tracking, and batch management capabilities.

1. Square for Retail – Best Overall

Square for Retail earns our top recommendation for its unbeatable combination of features, affordability, and ease of use. Whether you operate a neighborhood bakery or a growing chain, Square provides the foundation you need without overwhelming complexity.

Pricing

Key Features for Bakeries

• Item Variations: Create products with size variations (mini, regular, jumbo), flavor options, and frosting choices with automatic price adjustments
• Inventory Alerts: Set low-stock notifications for ingredients and finished goods to prevent sellouts
• Pre-Orders: Accept orders in advance through Square Online with pickup time slots and deposit collection
• Loyalty Program: Built-in loyalty with punch cards or points to reward repeat customers (add-on from $45/month)
• Gift Cards: Digital and physical gift cards to boost holiday sales
• Customer Directory: Track customer preferences, order history, and contact information
• Barcode Scanning: Scan packaged items for faster checkout
• Weight-Based Pricing: Connect compatible scales for pricing by weight

Hardware Options

• Square Stand for iPad: $149 (or $14/month)
• Square Terminal: $299 (or $27/month)
• Square Register: $799 (or $39/month)
• Chip + Tap Reader: $49

Bakery-Specific Considerations

Strengths:

• Free tier allows new bakeries to launch without software costs
• Square Online included for online ordering at no extra charge
• Intuitive interface requires minimal staff training
• Works on existing iOS or Android devices
• Robust reporting on product performance and sales trends

Limitations:

• No native ingredient-level recipe costing (requires third-party integration)
• Custom order management is basic compared to specialized systems
• Allergen tracking requires manual setup through item notes

Who Should Choose Square

Square is ideal for bakeries that prioritize simplicity and value. If you want to get started quickly without significant investment, need online ordering capabilities, and can work around the lack of native recipe costing, Square delivers exceptional value. It works particularly well for single-location retail bakeries, counter-service operations, and bakeries expanding into online sales.

2. Toast – Best for Bakery-Cafes

Toast has become the go-to choice for bakeries that combine retail with cafe service. If your bakery serves espresso drinks, sandwiches, or sit-down breakfast alongside pastries, Toast’s restaurant-grade features provide capabilities that retail-focused systems lack.

Pricing

Key Features for Bakeries

• Menu Management: Build complex menus with modifiers for customization (decaf, oat milk, extra shot) ideal for espresso bars
• Kitchen Display System: Route orders to prep stations for made-to-order items
• Ingredient Tracking: Track inventory at the ingredient level with recipe management
• Online Ordering: Native online ordering with pickup scheduling and delivery options
• Handheld Ordering: Toast Go devices for line-busting during morning rushes
• Table Service: Full table management for bakery-cafes with seating
• Labor Management: Staff scheduling, time tracking, and labor cost reporting
• Payroll Integration: Optional Toast Payroll for seamless employee management

Bakery Success Story

Maman Bakery, a popular New York-based bakery-cafe, expanded from one location to 30 using Toast. The system’s reporting helped them optimize store hours and table turns, while the easy setup enabled rapid expansion without lengthy training periods.

Bakery-Specific Considerations

Strengths:

• Purpose-built for food service with bakery-cafe functionality
• Ingredient-level inventory tracking for recipe costing
• Excellent kitchen display system for production flow
• Robust online ordering with scheduling
• Strong labor management for larger teams

Limitations:

• Proprietary hardware locks you into Toast ecosystem
• Add-ons can significantly increase monthly costs
• Overkill for pure retail bakeries without cafe service
• Some users report mixed customer support experiences

Who Should Choose Toast

Toast is ideal for bakeries with significant cafe operations: espresso service, made-to-order sandwiches, or sit-down dining. If you need kitchen routing, coursing, or complex modifiers for drink customization, Toast delivers restaurant-grade capabilities that retail POS systems cannot match. It also excels for multi-location bakery groups needing centralized management.

3. Lightspeed Retail – Best Inventory Management

Lightspeed Retail (formerly Vend) offers the most sophisticated inventory management capabilities in our lineup. For bakeries that struggle with ingredient waste, need precise recipe costing, or operate multiple locations, Lightspeed provides the depth and control serious operators demand.

Pricing

Key Features for Bakeries

• Advanced Inventory Tracking: Track ingredients with automatic deduction when items sell
• Product Variants: Manage size, flavor, and decoration variations with matrices
• Purchase Orders: Create and track purchase orders for ingredient restocking
• Vendor Management: Maintain vendor catalogs with pricing and order history
• Low Stock Alerts: Automatic notifications when ingredients reach reorder points
• Multi-Location Sync: Real-time inventory sync across all bakery locations
• Integrated E-commerce: Built-in online store or connect to Shopify/WooCommerce
• Customer Loyalty: Points-based loyalty program with automated rewards
• Advanced Reporting: Inventory aging, margin analysis, and sales forecasting

Bakery-Specific Considerations

Strengths:

• Most comprehensive inventory management for bakeries
• Excellent multi-location capabilities with centralized control
• Strong reporting for identifying profitable products
• 24/7 customer support on all plans
• Works on iPad with offline mode

Limitations:

• Higher starting price than competitors
• Custom order management requires workarounds
• Recipe costing requires manual setup
• Steep learning curve for full feature utilization

Who Should Choose Lightspeed

Lightspeed is the right choice for established bakeries with complex inventory needs, multiple locations, or a focus on wholesale operations. If you struggle with ingredient waste, need precise cost tracking, or want to expand to additional locations with centralized management, Lightspeed provides the sophistication you need.

4. Clover – Best Hardware Options

Clover offers the most polished hardware experience in the bakery POS market. If presentation matters to your brand and you want a sleek, professional terminal that impresses customers, Clover delivers aesthetic appeal alongside solid functionality.

Pricing

Key Features for Bakeries

• Beautiful Hardware: Sleek, modern terminals that complement any bakery aesthetic
• Flexible Form Factors: From compact Clover Flex for farmers markets to Clover Station Duo for busy counters
• App Market: Hundreds of add-on apps for specialized bakery needs
• Inventory Management: Track stock levels with low-stock alerts
• Employee Management: Time clock, permissions, and performance tracking
• Customer Engagement: Built-in loyalty program and customer tracking
• Online Ordering: Clover Online Ordering for pickup and delivery
• Reporting: Sales, inventory, and employee performance reports

Hardware Options

• Clover Flex: $499 – Handheld all-in-one device for mobile sales
• Clover Mini: $799 – Compact countertop terminal
• Clover Station Solo: $1,349 – Full-featured POS station
• Clover Station Duo: $1,799 – Dual-screen with customer-facing display

Bakery-Specific Considerations

Strengths:

• Professional, attractive hardware that enhances brand perception
• Flexible device options for different bakery setups
• Clover App Market extends functionality for specific needs
• 90-day free trial to test before committing
• Solid inventory and customer management

Limitations:

• Hardware purchase required – no bring-your-own-device option
• Locked to Clover/Fiserv payment processing
• Long-term contracts often required (36-48 months)
• Some apps require additional monthly fees

Who Should Choose Clover

Clover is ideal for bakeries where brand presentation and customer experience are paramount. If you want professional-grade hardware that looks as good as your pastries, and you are comfortable with the hardware investment and processing lock-in, Clover provides an impressive solution. It works well for established bakeries, high-traffic locations, and those attending farmers markets or events with the portable Flex device.

5. Shopify POS – Best for Online Sales

Shopify POS excels when your bakery has significant online sales or ships products nationally. If you sell cookies, specialty breads, or gift boxes online alongside your retail counter, Shopify’s unified commerce platform keeps inventory synchronized across all channels seamlessly.

Pricing

Key Features for Bakeries

• Unified Inventory: Real-time sync between online store, retail POS, and any third-party channels
• Built-in E-commerce: Industry-leading online store platform included
• Pre-Order Capabilities: Accept pre-orders for holiday cookies, special occasion cakes, and seasonal items
• Subscription Sales: Recurring orders for bread subscriptions or monthly treat boxes
• Buy Online, Pick Up In Store: Seamless BOPIS functionality with notification system
• Customer Profiles: Unified customer data across online and in-store purchases
• Marketing Tools: Email marketing, abandoned cart recovery, and discount codes
• Shipping Integration: Built-in shipping label printing and carrier rate calculation

Hardware Options

• Shopify POS Go: $399 – Handheld mobile POS
• Countertop Kit: $459 – Tablet stand and dock
• Retail Bundle: $999 – Complete countertop setup
• Card Reader: $49 – Bluetooth tap/chip reader

Bakery-Specific Considerations

Strengths:

• Best-in-class e-commerce with seamless retail integration
• Perfect for bakeries shipping nationwide or offering subscriptions
• Powerful marketing and customer retention tools
• Easy pre-order management for holiday rushes
• No long-term contracts required

Limitations:

• Retail POS features less robust than dedicated systems
• No ingredient-level inventory tracking
• POS Pro required for advanced retail features
• Can become expensive with multiple locations

Who Should Choose Shopify POS

Shopify POS is perfect for bakeries where online sales represent a significant portion of revenue. Cookie companies shipping nationwide, bakeries selling subscriptions, or those with strong Buy Online Pick Up In Store demand will find Shopify’s unified commerce capabilities invaluable. If your online store is as important as your counter, Shopify is the clear choice.

6. Bindo POS – Best for Specialty Bakeries

Bindo POS caters to specialty retail businesses with features that larger platforms often overlook. For artisan bakeries focusing on upselling premium products and building deep customer relationships, Bindo offers intelligent tools that boost average transaction values.

Pricing

Key Features for Bakeries

• Smart Register Upselling: Automated product recommendations during checkout based on purchase patterns
• Ingredient Tracking: Track ingredient levels with automatic alerts for low stock
• Product Matrices: Categorize products with up to three attributes (size, flavor, decoration)
• E-commerce Storefront: Built-in online store synced with in-store inventory
• Customer Loyalty: Customizable loyalty program with points tracking and rewards
• Customer CRM: Detailed customer profiles with purchase history and preferences
• Purchase History: Track customer favorites for personalized service
• Mobile Payments: Accept payments anywhere with Bindo’s mobile terminal

Bakery-Specific Considerations

Strengths:

• Smart upselling boosts average ticket values
• Strong customer relationship management
• Good ingredient tracking capabilities
• iPad-based for flexible deployment
• Integrated e-commerce storefront

Limitations:

• Less well-known than major competitors
• Limited third-party integrations
• Support options may be less comprehensive
• Fewer hardware options than competitors

Who Should Choose Bindo

Bindo works well for specialty bakeries focused on premium products and customer relationships. If your bakery emphasizes artisan goods, wants to maximize upselling opportunities, and values personalized customer interactions, Bindo’s intelligent tools can boost revenue while strengthening customer loyalty.

7. Loyverse – Best Free Option

Loyverse proves that excellent POS software does not require a monthly fee. For new bakeries, pop-ups, or operators watching every dollar, Loyverse delivers comprehensive features at zero cost for the core platform.

Pricing

Key Features for Bakeries

• Full POS Functionality: Complete point of sale with product management and checkout
• Inventory Tracking: Real-time stock levels with low-stock alerts
• Product Variants: Size, color, and other variations for bakery items
• Built-in Loyalty: Free loyalty program with points and rewards
• Sales Analytics: Revenue, profit, and sales trend reporting
• Kitchen Display: Free KDS app for production coordination
• Offline Mode: Continue selling when internet drops
• Multi-Device: Use on multiple phones or tablets simultaneously
• Barcode Scanning: Use device camera for barcode scanning

Bakery-Specific Considerations

Strengths:

• Genuinely free core platform with no hidden catches
• Comprehensive features rivaling paid competitors
• Works on iOS and Android devices
• Integrates with multiple payment processors (not locked in)
• Loyal customer base with positive reviews

Limitations:

• No integrated e-commerce (requires WooCommerce integration)
• Advanced features require paid add-ons
• Less polished interface than premium competitors
• Limited hardware options

Who Should Choose Loyverse

Loyverse is perfect for budget-conscious bakeries that need a capable POS without monthly fees. New bakeries, pop-up operations, farmers market vendors, and small shops will find everything needed to operate professionally. As you grow, the optional add-ons scale with your needs.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Pricing Comparison

Feature Comparison

Bakery POS Buying Guide

Questions to Ask Before Choosing

1. What is your primary sales channel? If online sales are significant, prioritize Shopify. For pure retail, Square or Lightspeed excel.
2. Do you need ingredient-level tracking? Only Toast, Lightspeed, and Bindo offer native ingredient tracking. Others require integrations.
3. How complex are your custom orders? Wedding cakes and complex custom orders may require specialized solutions or workarounds.
4. What is your budget? Loyverse and Square’s free tiers eliminate software costs. Premium options like Lightspeed start at $89/month.
5. Do you operate multiple locations? Lightspeed and Shopify offer the best multi-location management.
6. Is cafe service part of your operation? Bakery-cafes with espresso and food service should strongly consider Toast.

Hidden Costs to Watch

• Processing fees: These can add up significantly. Compare total costs, not just monthly fees.
• Hardware: Some systems require proprietary hardware that increases upfront investment.
• Add-ons: Loyalty programs, advanced reporting, and employee management often cost extra.
• Contracts: Watch for long-term commitments, especially with Clover resellers.

Implementation Tips

• Use trial periods to test systems before committing
• Import product catalogs early to identify any issues
• Train staff before going live, not during the transition
• Plan the switch during a slow period, not before a holiday rush
• Keep your old system running in parallel initially as backup

Frequently Asked Questions