Restaurant POS Systems: Complete 2025 Guide
Welcome to the definitive guide to restaurant POS systems. Whether you run a food truck, full-service restaurant, or multi-location chain, we will help you find the perfect POS solution. This hub connects you to our in-depth reviews, comparisons, and resources.
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Top Restaurant POS Systems for 2025
1. Toast – Best Overall Restaurant POS
Best For: Full-service restaurants, multi-location groups
Price: $0 – $165+/month
Why We Like It: Purpose-built for restaurants with industry-leading features for online ordering, kitchen displays, and team management.
2. Square for Restaurants – Best Free Option
Best For: Small restaurants, food trucks, cafes on a budget
Price: Free – $60/month
Why We Like It: Start with zero monthly fees and scale up as you grow. Works for restaurants and other business types.
3. TouchBistro – Best iPad POS
Best For: Restaurants preferring Apple hardware, Canadian businesses
Price: $69 – $399/month
Why We Like It: iPad-native with excellent offline capabilities and straightforward interface.
4. Lightspeed Restaurant – Best for Bars
Best For: Bars, fine dining, establishments with inventory complexity
Price: $69 – $399/month
Why We Like It: Strong inventory management and reporting. Great for bars tracking drink costs.
5. Revel Systems – Best Enterprise Solution
Best For: Multi-location chains, franchises, QSR
Price: $99+/month per terminal
Why We Like It: Highly customizable with open API. Built for complex, high-volume operations.
Restaurant POS by Business Type
Quick Service (QSR)
Full Service
Bars & Nightlife
Specialty
Restaurant POS Comparisons
Toast vs Square
Restaurant specialist vs. versatile free option
Square vs Toast
Budget-friendly vs. feature-rich
Toast vs Lightspeed
Two industry-leading restaurant platforms
Revel vs Toast
Enterprise customization vs. turnkey solution
TouchBistro vs Toast
iPad simplicity vs. integrated platform
Key Features for Restaurant POS
Must-Have Features
- Menu Management: Easy updates for daily specials and price changes
- Table Management: Floor plans, section assignments, wait times
- Order Routing: Send items to correct kitchen stations
- Split Checks: Divide bills by seat, item, or percentage
- Tip Management: Track, pool, and distribute tips
- Reporting: Sales by item, server, daypart, and more
Advanced Features to Consider
- Online Ordering: Commission-free ordering from your website
- Kitchen Display System: Replace paper tickets with digital
- Tableside Ordering: Handheld devices for faster service
- Delivery Integration: Connect DoorDash, UberEats, Grubhub
- Reservation System: Manage bookings and waitlists
- Inventory Management: Track food costs and waste
- Staff Scheduling: Build schedules based on forecast
- Loyalty Programs: Reward repeat customers
Restaurant POS Pricing Guide
| POS System | Monthly Fee | Processing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square | $0 – $60 | 2.6% + $0.10 | Small restaurants, food trucks |
| Toast | $0 – $165+ | 2.49% – 2.99% | Full-service, growing restaurants |
| TouchBistro | $69 – $399 | Varies | iPad preference, Canadian |
| Lightspeed | $69 – $399 | 2.6% + $0.10 | Bars, fine dining |
| Revel | $99+ | Varies | Enterprise, franchises |
Free Resources
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Restaurant POS Buyer's Guide
Complete 2025 Guide for Restaurant Owners
Everything you need to know about restaurant POS systems. Compare top options, understand pricing, and avoid costly mistakes.
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Recently Published
- Toast vs Square: 2025 Comparison
- Revel vs Toast: Enterprise Showdown
- TouchBistro vs Toast: iPad vs Android
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