![\"FYI\"](\"https://www.business.com/images/content/605/102ad9c658add338b4567/75-75-\")
FYI: The company's subscriptions start at $75 per month, though the first month is free. Toast is a restaurant-focused POS system that serves various restaurant types, like fine dining, casual dining, fast casual, bars and nightclubs, cafes and bakeries, and chains. It has a lot of great features, but one standout is its online ordering capabilities for restaurants.
\r\n\r\nInstead of only offering one ordering and delivery option, Toast gives users a choice. For example, it has tiered POS options that incorporate online ordering and delivery: the Starter plan for $69 per month (ordering and delivery is an add-on), the Essentials plan for $99 per month, and the Growth plan for $189 per month. It also has separate solutions specifically for digital ordering: Toast Now ($50 per month), Toast Now Plus ($75 per month) and Toast Now Premium ($150 per month). These separate options give restaurants more flexibility to determine what type of ordering and delivery solution they need.
\r\n\r\nFor the standard POS plans, you can add on Order and Pay, which is a mobile solution for dine-in guests to order and pay from their phones. This is essentially another form of online ordering, and it also gives the option for delivery. Toast Now plans don't require additional hardware, but if you use one of Toast's all-in-one POS solutions, you can create custom configurations from a variety of restaurant-grade hardware (terminals, handheld devices, kitchen display systems, etc.) starting at $799. The hardware is spill-resistant and can accept contactless payments. Certain third-party hardware is compatible, but Toast recommends using its own hardware for the best service. Toast charges a flat rate for payment processing.
\r\n\r\nToast is cloud-based software, but it also supports a fully functional offline mode, so you can keep ringing in orders even if your Wi-Fi is down. Toast offers necessary POS features like inventory management, order and table management, menu management, payment processing, guest feedback, reporting and analytics, and automatic upgrades. Some plans include online ordering and delivery features like curbside pickup, contactless delivery, dynamic throttling, on-demand delivery driver fleet, and the Toast TakeOut app (compatible with iOS and Android devices).
\r\n\r\nThe Growth plan includes customer-centric features like gift cards (physical and electronic), liability reporting, online balance lookup, customizable customer rewards, and marketing campaigns. These features are also available as add-ons for the Starter and Essentials plans. Some plans also give you the option to add on payroll and team management functions. If you need help with your Toast software, you can contact phone, email and chat support 24/7.
\r\n","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best for Online Restaurant Ordering","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":false,"tabTitle":"Best for Online Restaurant Ordering","review":{"displayName":"Toast","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/toast/","id":"069efe7200cf3ecadfabc7227efea9a3","url":"https://pos.toasttab.com/","review":{"pros":["Toast offers three all-in-one POS plans and three digital ordering solution plans.","Toast is cloud-based software that supports a fully functional offline mode."],"cons":["Toast is not compatible with third-party payment processors."],"fullReviewTest":"Toast is an all-in-one point of sale and restaurant management platform that includes front-of-house, back-of-house, and guest-facing technology. More specifically, Toast helps busy restaurant staff bridge the gaps between point of sale, payment processing, marketing, labor management, online ordering and more. Toast's partner network also allows users to tap into numerous third-party applications as needed. In sum, Toast's technology is designed to help you grow your business, provide contactless off-premise dining solutions, manage your team, and build your vision for the future. Toast serves establishments of all sizes, including fine and casual dining, fast casual, bars and nightclubs, cafes and bakeries, and multi-location restaurant groups.
","fullReview":"Every business comes with its own set of challenges, but restaurants are in a league of their own. In addition to providing excellent food and service to guests, restaurants have to create new menus, manage staff and collect payments.
\r\nThat's why restaurants benefit from finding the right point-of-sale (POS) system: A POS system provides the hardware and software restaurants need to manage day-to-day operations. If you're looking for an intuitive, all-in-one POS system for your restaurant, Toast is one of the best options available. Whether you're a mom-and-pop bakery or an enterprise company with multiple restaurant locations, Toast likely has a solution to fit your needs.
\r\nCheck out all our recommendations to help you choose the best POS system for your business.
\r\nRegardless of the size or type of restaurant you run, Toast offers flexible, customizable packages. There's a monthly software subscription, optional hardware costs and installation, and add-on features to choose from. It's unclear how much the company charges in processing fees, but its website promises a competitive flat rate for all transactions.
\r\nThe company's subscriptions start at $75 per month, though the first month is free. You'll receive all of the core POS features, like the ability to accept payments, take orders, manage your menu and track your data.
\r\nThe starter plan comes with one terminal, but you can purchase additional terminals as needed. All Toast customers receive 24/7 customer support.
\r\nToast also offers the following add-on services that are beneficial to most restaurants:
\r\nToast doesn't list the pricing for these add-on services on its website. The best way to find out what you can expect to pay is by contacting the company to schedule a demo.
\r\n
Here are the main features you'll receive when you sign up for Toast POS:
\r\nToast's all-in-one POS system comes with everything you need to run your restaurant. You'll get restaurant-grade hardware, ranging from handheld devices to self-serve kiosks. And because the POS system is cloud-based, you can manage your restaurant from any device or location. Here are the main features of the POS system:
\r\nToast Now is a feature that helps businesses acclimate to some of the challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. If you're new to things such as online ordering, this service may be a great option for you. And no additional hardware is required to sign up.
\r\nHere is an overview of what you'll receive with Toast Now:
\r\nToast's online ordering service is a convenient feature for your guests, and it creates a seamless experience for your restaurant as well. Customers can place a new order on your website or through your mobile app, and it's sent directly to the kitchen, thereby eliminating the likelihood of errors or double entries.
\r\nAnytime you update your menu, those changes are automatically reflected in the options available for online ordering. By offering this service, you'll be able to leverage a wealth of customer data that will inform your marketing, menu and business strategy going forward.
\r\nBest of all, Toast doesn't charge any commissions or hidden fees. Instead, you'll pay a flat monthly rate. According to Toast, the average customer saves $36,000 per year by implementing the online ordering feature.
\r\n![\"Tip\"](\"https://www.business.com/images/content/605/118c59c658ab3018b4567/75_-75-\")
Offering a delivery service is a huge benefit to customers, but you may not want to hire your own delivery drivers. With Toast Delivery Services, a network of local drivers will be dispatched every time a customer places a new online order.
\r\nGuests can schedule their orders and then track the delivery in real time, and every delivery is contactless. The benefit of using this service over a third-party provider such as DoorDash is that once the order is placed, the data remains in your system, and you can continue to build a relationship with your customers.
\r\nOrder and Pay allows customers who prefer in-person dining to place new orders and pay for their food using their own mobile device. They can access the menu, modify their order and pay for their meal right from their mobile phone.
\r\nThis feature helps your restaurant operate more efficiently by minimizing the back-and-forth between guests and restaurant staff. Plus, guests don't have to wait for a server to deliver their menu or the check, which improves your table turnover.
\r\nYou can use Toast to boost engagement and drive long-term loyalty from your customers. With this flexible loyalty program, customers will earn points every time they swipe their credit cards.
\r\nYou can customize the way customers earn and redeem their points. For instance, you can offer birthday rewards and sign-up bonuses. Customers can track their progress toward earning a reward at any point.
\r\nYou don't need additional hardware to implement a loyalty program, and Toast charges a flat monthly fee for the service.
\r\nToast offers a flexible solution that can accommodate restaurants of various types and sizes. The POS system is a good option for bars, bakeries, cafes and restaurants that offer fine dining or casual dining. In addition to its versatility, here are some additional benefits of Toast's POS solution:
\r\nToast has some additional hardware costs for some users, and it is only compatible with Android devices. Additionally, the company strongly recommends using Toast hardware, which could quickly become expensive if you need to replace existing POS hardware.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":false,"selected":"affiliate-widget","widgetId":"10135","widget":{"id":"10135","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://businesscom.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=773&aff_id=1000&source=best-pos-systems&aff_sub4=revenue|QT&aff_sub3=deal|Toast&url_id=1","name":"QT Program"}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5bc780001039eb461c8b458a/Toast.png"}}},{"bullets":["Ingredient inventory tracking","Tableside orders and payments","Table management tools"],"description":"TouchBistro serves a variety of restaurants, including full-service establishments, quick-service joints, bars, clubs, food trucks and breweries. Since its POS hardware and software are specific to restaurants, you can rest assured that it has the features and capabilities you need to ring up orders and accept customer payments.
\r\n\r\nTouchBistro's mobile-friendly software uses iPads as mobile registers. It is compatible with iPads, iPad Pros and iPad Minis. This is great for restaurants that want to offer tableside ordering and payment services. You can also use it as a self-serve ordering system to allow customers a contactless experience.
\r\n\r\nThe software supports third-party POS hardware as well (cash drawers, receipt printers, payment processing devices, and barcode scanners), but you will need to check the TouchBistro website to ensure your devices are compatible. TouchBistro sells POS licenses starting at $69 per month. You can also purchase add-ons, like the ability to take reservations (starting at $229 per month), online orders (starting at $50 per month) or gift cards (starting at $25 per month). You can either process payments through TouchBistro Payments (its in-house processor) or integrate with third-party payment processors like Worldpay, TSYS, Square, Moneris and Chase. You can try out TouchBistro with no commitment for 28 days – a free trial is available for seven days without registration, and you get 21 additional days upon registration.
\r\n\r\nTouchBistro POS software has a plethora of features to help you run your restaurant. You can use drag-and-drop table management tools to create a restaurant floor plan, track table turnover, take orders online, and facilitate tableside ordering. You can manage and track your inventory, all the way down to each ingredient, which can help you maintain full stock levels for your most-sold items. It is easy to edit food items in the software, so servers can stay up to date on which items you have and which are out of stock.
\r\n\r\nYou can create customer accounts to track customers' ordering history and manage balances. If you want advanced loyalty features, you can add the TouchBistro Loyalty program for $99 per month. You can also create employee profiles, assign staff roles, and track employees' performance and attendance. TouchBistro has more than 50 detailed reports to show you pertinent restaurant information, and it offers 24/7 phone and email support.
\r\n","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best for Restaurants","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":false,"tabTitle":"Best for Restaurants","review":{"displayName":"TouchBistro","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/touchbistro/","id":"651e05fddf178b38b6428bcee193dc34","url":"https://www.touchbistro.com/","review":{"pros":["TouchBistro has more than 200 restaurant-focused features.","It supports third-party hardware."],"cons":["As a hybrid system, it might require more IT support and maintenance than other POS systems."],"fullReviewTest":"TouchBistro is a restaurant POS company with offices in the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Mexico. Its point-of-sale software is suitable for restaurants of all sizes, with one or multiple locations, including full- and quick-service restaurants, food trucks, bars, nightclubs, and breweries. TouchBistro is used internationally by more than 23,000 establishments, including high-profile clients like Little Caesars and Johnny Rockets. It was also recently deployed in several restaurants that received makeovers in celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's new Fox show, 24 Hours to Hell and Back.
\r\nTouchBistro is our pick for the best restaurant POS app for iPads because it's affordable, works well for most restaurant types and sizes, and has an impressive collection of restaurant-specific features to help you manage your business effectively. It also works with third-party hardware, so you can comparison shop or possibly continue using equipment you already own. Another benefit is that you can select which payment processing company you work with from a list of options that include its in-house processing service, TouchBistro Payments, and well-known processors such as Worldpay (Vantiv), Square, PayPal and Chase.
\r\nTouchBistro posts the pricing for its POS plans and several of its add-on services, such as its loyalty program and reservations system, on its website. It charges a $200 setup fee for installation assistance and training.
\r\nBefore signing up for TouchBistro restaurant POS, you'll want to book a demo and take advantage of its free trial so you can try out all the features and make sure it's a good fit for your business. The trial period is 28 days (seven days without registration and an additional 21 days after you register).
\r\nTouchBistro's POS software has a one-year contract. If you prepay, you can cancel your account at any time, and there's no early termination fee, but the terms specify that all prepaid fees are nonrefundable, so you'll want to wait until the end of the term to avoid losing money. You'll need to provide TouchBistro written notice of your intent to cancel 60 days before the end of the term to prevent it from automatically renewing.
\r\nTouchBistro uses iPads as the POS terminals. You can use the iPad, iPad Pro or iPad Mini. Your staff can use them as mobile POS devices to take orders and credit card payments tableside, or you can use them to set up a countertop checkout station. You also have the option to set up multiple iPads as any of the following:
\r\nYou can also connect the system to a large external screen or television to use as a digital menu board for $20 per month.
\r\nFor the rest of your equipment, such as a cash drawer and receipt printer, TouchBistro works with third-party POS hardware. It keeps a list of compatible equipment on its website, so you can shop around for the best price or see if you can use equipment you already own.
\r\nThis POS system is a hybrid solution, meaning it uses a local network as the brains of the system but has cloud-based reporting, letting you access your data remotely from any browser. For the network, you need an AmpliFi HD Mesh Router, and if you use more than one iPad with the system, you also need a Mac computer (the Mac Mini, iMac or Mac Pro) to use as a server.
\r\nTouchBistro's website says that it has more than 200 features. The company regularly updates its software, and we found that TouchBistro has nearly all the tools we looked for in restaurant POS systems.
\r\nUsing TouchBistro's drag-and-drop table management tools, you can create a floor plan that mimics the layout of your restaurant, and use it to visually manage tables and seats, helping you maximize your occupancy. You can add or remove seats at a table, move parties from one table to another, and transfer items from one seat or table to another. The system tracks how frequently tables turn over, which helps you evaluate the efficiency of your staff.
\r\nThis iPad restaurant POS system includes food inventory tools such as recipe management and ingredient-level tracking. It tracks costs, so you can see your profit margin on each menu item, helping you set menu prices. Low-inventory alerts notify you when your supplies drop below the threshold you set, helping you avoid running out of ingredients and other supplies. However, TouchBistro doesn't include vendor management features, which would make it easier to keep track of your vendor's information and reorder supplies, nor does it allow you to add incoming inventory with a barcode scanner; received items must be entered into the system manually.
\r\nYou can access your reporting data from any device with a browser or from TouchBistro's Reports To Go app, which is available for both Apple and Android phones and tablets. From the app, you can see your daily sales dashboard and dozens of reports, including the following:
\r\nYou can print, email and export reports to CSV files. With the Shogo integration, you can also export data to your QuickBooks, Xero and Sage accounting software.
\r\nTouchBistro allows you to create customer accounts. It has a notes field that you can use to record customer preferences, and you can view purchase histories and manage account balances.
\r\nIf you want to offer your customers a loyalty program, you can subscribe to TouchBistro Loyalty. This lets you collect customer data, offer branded loyalty and gift cards, track points, and offer rewards. Here's more information about these plans:
\r\nThere's no limit to the number of users you can add to your TouchBistro account. You can create user profiles for each employee and assign them to staff roles you've created (e.g., host, server, chef or manager). You decide which information and features each role can access. For example, perhaps you only want your hosts and managers to access reservations, or maybe you want all your servers to be able to discount items. If you want to run labor reports, you can set the pay rate for each employee or each role.
\r\nTouchBistro has a built-in timeclock, allowing employees to clock in and out through the POS system. It also has in-app messaging to help you communicate with your employees. In case you need help with scheduling, TouchBistro integrates with 7shifts.
\r\nTouchBistro doesn't offer as many integrations as some of its competitors, but it has options for accounting, analytics, bar inventory, loyalty programs, online ordering and scheduling. The software has an API for custom integrations, but it's only available to select partners.
\r\nHaving multiple processing options is an important factor to consider when selecting a restaurant POS service, because it allows you to shop around for the best rates. TouchBistro works with Chase, PayPal, Square, TSYS (Cayan) and Worldpay from FIS (Vantiv). It also has its own processing plan, TouchBistro Payments, through a partnership with Chase.
\r\nAll TouchBistro customers have access to 24/7 phone and email support. If you need help with the restaurant POS software, the company's support technicians can remotely access your system to fix the problem. The company also provides online resources to help you troubleshoot, including a knowledgebase, video tutorials and how-to guides with step-by-step instructions. TouchBistro has a blog with articles about managing, staffing, menu creation, marketing, and other topics of interest to restaurant owners and managers.
\r\nAlthough TouchBistro has cloud-based reporting and analytics, and automatically backs up your data every day, it's a hybrid system that works on a local network. This may be a plus if you're concerned about internet outages, as the system isn't fully reliant on your internet connection. However, if you'd prefer a fully cloud-based system that doesn't require you to set up a local network, you may want to look at other options.
","fullReview":"When it comes to restaurant point-of-sale (POS) systems, TouchBistro is our No. 1 choice. It serves restaurants of all sizes, whether you have a single store or multiple locations. It is affordable, suitable for most restaurant types, and provides a ton of features specifically for food-service purveyors. We like that TouchBistro makes it easy to offer customers tableside ordering and payment processing, something that is especially important during the coronavirus pandemic. Not only does that speed up the order-taking process, but it creates a safer environment, putting customers and staff at ease.
\r\nVisit our best picks page to see all of our recommendations for business POS systems.
\r\nTouchBistro is transparent with its pricing, listing the cost for its POS plans and add-on services on its website. It doesn't require long-term contracts, and it comes with a 28-day free trial for businesses to test it out risk-free. (The free trial is limited to seven days if you do not register your name, company, phone number, and email address.)
\r\nTouchBistro's pricing is as follows:
\r\nYou can choose from a list of payment processors, including TouchBistro Payments (powered by Chase), its in-house service. TouchBistro also supports partnerships with Worldpay (formerly Vantiv), TSYS, Square and Moneris (by Payment Ready).
\r\n
Hardware is made easy with TouchBistro; the software supports iPad, iPad Pro or the iPad Mini. These iPads can be used as mobile devices to take orders and process payments tableside or as self-serve ordering kiosks to limit contact between staff and customers.
\r\nTouchBistro also supports third-party POS hardware, such as cash drawers, receipt printers, payment processing devices or barcode scanners. Touch Bistro is a hybrid POS system, with the software residing locally on a server and data stored in the cloud. That enables you to access data and run reports from any browser. It does require extra outlays for hardware, however. You will need a AmpliFi HD Mesh Router, and if you use more than one iPad with the system, you'll need a Mac computer (the Mac Mini, iMac or Mac Pro) to use as a server.
\r\nTouchBistro is a leader in the restaurant POS market for good reason: It has a lot of features to support this industry. TouchBistro updates its software often, regularly adding new features and enhancements to the system.
\r\nTouchBistro makes it easy to manage the floor during a busy night. Its drag-and-drop table-management tools make it easy to create a floor plan that mimics the layout of your restaurant, which helps you more efficiently manage tables and seats, maximizing occupancy. Its robust tracking tools record how frequently tables turn over, which helps you evaluate the efficiency of your staff.
\r\nTouchBistro also enables online ordering features, allowing restaurant owners to take orders on their website and moving them right into the TouchBistro POS. Tableside order and checkout is another example of advanced TouchBistro capabilities. With its mobile POS, wait staff can bring the menu and checkout to the customer. Servers can also view helpful information tableside, like ingredient lists, allergy information and menu item images.
\r\nThe inventory management system in this POS system is top-notch, enabling customers to manage inventory all the way down to the ingredients you use in your dishes. It can flag items that you are running low on and automatically remove items from the menu when you are out of that particular ingredient or item. You can add inventory using a barcode scanner or enter it manually. We like the ability to see how much each menu item costs based on its ingredients. That can help you decide which menu items stay and which need to go.
\r\nManaging customers is an important aspect of running a restaurant if you want them to keep coming back. TouchBistro allows you to do that by creating customer accounts. You can use the \"Notes\" field to record customer preferences, view purchase histories and manage balances that customers may have.
\r\nLoyalty programs are made easy through TouchBistro's loyalty feature. It lets you collect data on customers and use that to offer branded loyalty and gift cards, and other rewards.
\r\nTouchBistro Loyalty costs $99 a month. With it, you get the following:
\r\nComing soon is TouchBistro Loyalty Premium. For a monthly fee that's yet to be disclosed, you get everything that comes with the basic loyalty package plus the following:
\r\nOne of the reasons TouchBistro is our best pick for restaurants is the unlimited number of users you can add to your TouchBistro account. You can create user profiles for each employee and assign them to staff roles. You're in total control of what information and features they have access to. You may only want hosts to make reservations, or you might allow the entire staff to record a reservation. You can also run reports on your employees to see who the best performers are based on sales. The POS also has a built-in time clock and in-app messaging to help you communicate with your employees, and TouchBistro integrates with 7shifts to help with scheduling.
\r\n
TouchBistro makes it easy to access reporting data, since all of it is stored in the cloud. TouchBistro has more than 50 detailed reports, including the following:
\r\nYou can print, email and export reports to CSV files. With the Shogo integration, you can also export data to your QuickBooks, Xero and Sage accounting software.
\r\nTouchBistro also has its Reports-To-Go app, which is compatible with both Android and Apple devices. From the app, you can view daily sales data and run dozens of reports. This means employers and managers can access important reports wherever they are, regardless of mobile device type.
\r\nTouchBistro doesn't have as many integrations as some of its competitors, but it has a few options for accounting, analytics, bar inventory, loyalty programs, online ordering and scheduling. The software has an open API for custom integrations, but it's only available to select TouchBistro partners.
\r\nTouchBistro is a cloud-based mobile software that is easy to use. Businesses can easily scale the product and add new hardware features as needed, which is great for restaurant expansion. It is focused specifically on POS for restaurants (e.g., full service, quick service, bars, clubs, food truck, brewery), so you can rest assured knowing that its features are geared toward your food-service needs.
\r\nTouchBistro is a hybrid system, which means it runs from a locally based server. If you experience frequent internet outages (or you're worried about internet outages), using a local network may offer some stability. However, there is some extra expense and setup involved with establishing your network. If you prefer a fully cloud-based POS system, you may want to look at other options.
\r\nAt the time of this review, TouchBistro currently has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and it is not accredited with the agency. It has 11 BBB complaints closed over the past three years. While the customer reviews posted on the BBB's website may not be an accurate representation of the type of service you will get from TouchBistro, we thought it was worth noting.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"affiliate-widget","widgetId":"10135","widget":{"id":"10135","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://businesscom.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=59&aff_id=1000&source=best-pos-systems&aff_sub4=revenue|QT&aff_sub3=deal|TouchBistro&url_id=1","name":"QT Program"}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5d8511bf5a215e6c158b4584/touchbistro.png"}}},{"bullets":["Catalogs with 8 million+ items ","Built-in CRM and loyalty tools","Custom templates and dashboards"],"description":"Lightspeed serves retail stores (apparel, bikes, CBD, electronics, gifts, health, home decor, jewelry, liquor, pets, sporting goods, toys, and vapes), restaurants (full- and quick-service eateries, bars, cafes, and hotel dining), and golf businesses (multicourse, municipal, resorts, private, semiprivate, and public). It offers five retail POS system plans, ranging from basic (starting at $69 per month) to pro (starting at $229 per month). Each plan includes one free terminal and the ability to accept payments; additional registers each cost $29 per month. The additional features in each plan are tiered, offering varying levels of POS capabilities (such as e-commerce, accounting, customer loyalty and analytics). You can try out the product risk-free with a 14-day free trial.
\r\n\r\nAlthough we chose Lightspeed as the best POS system for retail, it also sells restaurant and golf POS systems. Restaurant POS plans start at $59 per month, with one register included; additional registers each cost $34 per month. You can customize your POS with basic add-ons for $12 per month or premium add-ons for $39 per month.
\r\n\r\nLightspeed POS software features are tiered, but even the midlevel plans have retail POS capabilities, payment processing, and e-commerce functions for selling online and in-store. It has inventory management tools that allow you to create product variations and bundles, upload thousands of SKUs at a time, access preloaded catalogs with over 8 million items, and set stock alerts. Its built-in CRM and customer loyalty tools let you track customer purchase history, create customer profiles, and build rewards programs and custom promotions. You can manage your employees with customized permissions and time-tracking and reporting capabilities. Lightspeed has more than 60 built-in reports, so you can check sales and trends, view inventory costs and transfers, and evaluate employee performance.
\r\n\r\nWhether you use Lightspeed for a retail store, restaurant, or golf course, it offers user-friendly software. You can create a personalized home dashboard, and the e-commerce functions include several mobile-responsive and customizable templates. If you need help with Lightspeed's software, you have access to plenty of resources. You can visit the Lightspeed website to view free tools, blog posts, events, webinars and more. For personalized support, you can reach out to a Lightspeed representative by phone, email or live chat.
\r\n","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best for Retail","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":false,"tabTitle":"Best for Retail","review":{"displayName":"Lightspeed","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/lightspeed-pro/","id":"a6bdb5e9021d5a92c909cafc14b0aba0","url":"https://www.lightspeedhq.com/","review":{"pros":["Lightspeed gives you a choice of five flexible pricing plans for retail.","It offers robust e-commerce tools."],"cons":["It limits the payment processors you can use."],"fullReviewTest":"Lightspeed point-of-sale software is used at more than 51,000 business locations in more than 100 countries. The company has offices in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, Belgium, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands. The system has versions for retail businesses and restaurants, and an e-commerce add-on is available for retailers that operate both in person and online. Though this iPad POS system is designed primarily for small and midsize businesses, the company offers custom plans for enterprise-level organizations as well.
\r\nWe selected Lightspeed as the best POS system for inventory management because both the retail and restaurant versions of its software have robust inventory features, including nicer ones like purchase ordering, preloaded catalogs for quick inventory creation on the retail version and ingredient-level tracking on the restaurant version.
\r\nLightspeed Restaurant earned its place as our pick for the best iPad POS for full-service restaurants and bars for its rich assortment of features including table, tab and tip management, tableside ordering and coursing.
\r\nIt also has the flexibility we look for in both types of POS systems, with options for subscription length, compatibility with third-party hardware and a choice of integrated payment processors.
\r\nLightspeed provides an overview of its software pricing on its website. All of its plans are cloud-hosted, and there are no setup or installation fees. If you need something different from the published plan – for instance, if you have a large business or a high monthly sales volume and need a customized plan, you can call the company for a quote. Pricing for its POS hardware is not posted online.
\r\nLightspeed gives you the option of month-to-month service, though you can opt for annual or multiyear subscriptions if you prefer lower pricing to the flexibility of not being locked into a long-term contract. The pricing posted on its website is for a single location. If you have multiple locations, you'll need to speak with a sales rep to get a quote specific to your business's needs.
\r\nLightspeed offers a demo and a 14-day free trial, and you should use both to make sure the software meets your needs. This is particularly important if you choose an annual subscription, since you'll be locked into the service for an extended period. All plans include onboarding and 24/7 support. Here are more details on Lightspeed's POS software prices.
\r\nFive pricing plans are available for this software version, and the company posts pricing for both its annual and month-to-month plans online. Each plan supports one register, and includes inventory, basic reporting and customer management features. Additional registers cost $29 each per month.
\r\nThis version of Lightspeed's POS supports an unlimited number of users, and includes tableside ordering, customer management, standard reporting and access to Lightspeed's integration library.
\r\nA variety of add-ons are available for Lightspeed Restaurant, and the company posts pricing for them online.
\r\nYou can run Lightspeed Retail POS as a mobile app on any type of iPad or from a web browser on any device, such as a laptop or desktop computer. If you use an iPad as your POS terminal, you can use it as a fully mobile device and check out customers from anywhere in the store, or pair it with a stand to use as a countertop POS station. You can also set up an iPad as a display so your customers to see and verify their orders as you enter them into the system.
\r\nFor Lightspeed Restaurant POS, you can run the front end of the software as an app on iPads, iPods, and iPhones, allowing your servers to take orders and payments or tableside. Or, like the Retail version, you can pair an iPad with a stand to use as a countertop POS station. To access the back end of the software, you can use any device with a web browser.
\r\nLike other top POS systems, Lightspeed works with third-party POS hardware, and posts the makes and models it supports on its website. You can purchase hardware from Lightspeed, either bundled or piece by piece, or use the list to comparison shop. If you already own POS equipment like a cash drawer, receipt printer or barcode scanner, but don't see your items on the website, you can contact the company to check for compatibility. If you need to buy iPads or Mac computers, you can purchase them from Lightspeed, as it's an authorized Apple reseller.
\r\nAll versions of Lightspeed's POS software are full-featured, giving you a broad selection of tools to help you run your business efficiently. The company regularly updates all versions of its software.
\r\nInventory management tools are built into Lightspeed's iPad POS system, allowing you to track inventory, create product variations and bundle items. It helps you manage vendors and create purchase orders. If you have multiple outlets, you can track and purchase inventory for all locations, and transfer items from one location to another.
\r\nAll Lightspeed POS subscriptions come with reporting tools, including a daily dashboard, employee performance reports and product reports. You can view your sales per hour on the dashboard, and the product sales report displays your top-selling and most profitable items. If you need to export report data to another program, you can download it in CSV format. The Advanced Reporting module comes with the Lightspeed Retail's Pro plan or can be added to your Lightspeed Restaurant subscription for an additional monthly fee.
\r\nLightspeed has built-in customer relationship management tools that let you create customer profiles and add notes about their preferences. On the retail POS software, you can view purchase histories, assign VIP status to your regulars, and offer customers discount and promo codes. The restaurant POS software lets you create tabs, track visits and payment histories, and see a customer's reservation. The Lightspeed Loyalty module comes with the retail Advanced and Pro plans. It can be added to the restaurant version of this POS software for an additional monthly fee.
\r\nLightspeed has role-based user access. Its preconfigured roles make it easy to get started, and you can customize them, create new roles, or set custom permissions for each individual, giving you the ability to control exactly which tasks and data you want each user or role-based group of users to access.
\r\nThis POS system has a built-in timeclock, so your employees can clock in and out using the POS system. You can see your employees' hours and run performance reports to see their sales, profit and, for restaurants, tips.
\r\nLightspeed's App Store offers more than 250 integrations. Dozens of apps are available for both the retail and restaurant versions of Lightspeed's POS software, allowing you to connect to credit card processors, accounting software (including QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage), analytics programs, marketing services, and other business programs. Lightspeed eCom has numerous apps that you can use to extend its capabilities, such as chat programs and social media channels. An API is available for Lightspeed Retail, but access to the restaurant API is limited to Lightspeed partners.
\r\nLightspeed Retail supports product variants, such as color, size, and style, and you can bundle multiple items together to sell as a package or kit. You can also process work orders, which may be a useful feature for stores that provide repair services, and place special orders for customers.
\r\nIt has tools that you can use to automate discounts and change prices in bulk, saving you the time it would take to update them one at a time. You can also create coupons, run promotions and giveaways, and offer donations.
\r\nLightspeed Restaurant has table and reservation management features to help you optimize available seating, a self-order menu app you can use with iPads so customers can place their own orders from kiosks or from tables, and catering and delivery tools to manage the takeout side of your restaurant. If you want customers to be able to order online, you can add this option to the system using a third-party integration.
\r\nYou can use the floor plan to see which tables are open and which are ready to pay so you can let waiting customers know that a table will be available shortly. When your servers are taking orders, they can arrange dishes into courses to ensure menu items are brought out in the correct order. When it's time to pay, servers can split and group bills, and even divide an item, such as a shared appetizer, between customers.
\r\nLightspeed now offers its own payment processing service, called Lightspeed Payments, which is available for Lightspeed Retail in the U.S. (and will soon be offered in other regions as well). It has flat-rate pricing with no additional fees. Here's what it costs to use it:
\r\nEven though Lightspeed has in-house processing, it still gives you the option of working with Cayan (now a TSYS company) and Worldpay from FIS (formerly Vantiv). Even though your processor options are limited, and this is a smaller selection than most companies offer, you can still call for pricing quotes and choose the one that's the best deal.
\r\nLightspeed's customer service team is available 24/7 by phone or email, and tech support agents can remotely resolve software-based issues. The company can help you set up the system or migrate your data as well. If you prefer to troubleshoot problems yourself, the company's website has a searchable knowledgebase with step-by-step directions, video tutorials, blogs, white papers and webinars. You can also sign up to join its community forum.
\r\nAlthough Lightspeed posts most of its pricing info on its website, it doesn't reveal pricing for its POS hardware. Still, it works with third-party hardware – including pieces you may already own – and posts a full list of compatible models so you can shop around for the best value.
\r\nWhile it offers in-house processing and two integrated credit card processing options, that is a lot fewer than most of what its competitors offer. This means you may not be able to continue using your preferred processor unless you use the POS software alongside your payments system instead of integrating with it, which adds extra steps to the checkout process.
","fullReview":"We selected Lightspeed as the best POS for retail because of its feature-rich software geared toward small and midsize retailers, variety of pricing plans, and advanced e-commerce and loyalty tools. The POS software enables you to run all aspects of your retail business – including inventory management, customer relations and employee management – from one dashboard. You can run advanced reports, choose payment processors and access more than 200 integrations via the app store. Lightspeed supports all of the leading payment methods and offers free customer service 24/7 via phone and email. The company also offers one-on-one training at no cost.
\r\nCheck out our recommendations to help you choose the best POS system for your business.
\r\nYou can pay month to month or choose an annual or multiyear plan. The longer the period you commit to, the less it will cost you. There are no setup or installation fees. If your business has several locations, contact Lightspeed to get a customized quote. Lightspeed offers a demo and a 14-day free trial.
\r\nFive pricing plans are available for this software version, and the company posts pricing for both its annual and month-to-month plans online. Each plan supports one register, and includes inventory, basic reporting and customer management features. With each plan, you get one free terminal and the ability to accept payments. Software for each additional register costs $29 per month. Here is an overview of the five plans:
\r\nLightspeed's restaurant POS system is also impressive. In addition to supporting an unlimited number of users, it includes table-side ordering, customer management tools, reporting and integrations.
\r\nLightspeed has its own payment processing service, dubbed Lightspeed Payments, that has flat-rate pricing with no additional fees. It is yet another reason we chose Lightspeed as the best POS system for retail.
\r\nHere's a look at the charges for the internal payment processing service:
\r\nCustomers may also be able to use one of Lightspeed's payment processor partners, like Cayan, Worldpay (formerly Vantiv), Element Express or Mercury Payment Services.
Another reason we like Lightspeed is that its retail POS software works on a web browser on any laptop or desktop computer, and is also compatible with iPads.
\r\nUsing the iPad POS as a terminal gives you flexibility. You can use it as a mobile register, bringing checkout to your customers, or as a stationary POS terminal when you pair it with a stand. You can also use the iPad as a customer-facing display with Lightspeed's retail POS software.
\r\nYou can purchase third-party POS hardware directly from Lightspeed, either as a bundled package or on a stand-alone basis. Although Lightspeed's website doesn't list the prices for hardware, it does note which third-party hardware it supports. In some cases, you may be able use old POS hardware. Lightspeed is an authorized Apple reseller, which means you can purchase iPads (and other third-party POS hardware) from the company.
\r\nThere are many reasons Lightspeed is our pick for the best POS system for retail, including the must-have features that come with the Standard package and the e-commerce and loyalty tools found in the higher-tier plans. Lightspeed also has standout SEO tools to drive more business your way, and the software is updated regularly with new features.
\r\nLightspeed offers a robust suite of inventory management tools that are specifically designed with retailers in mind. The software lets you track inventory, bundle items and create product variations, manage vendors, and track inventory across multiple locations.
\r\nThe retail software includes the following inventory management features:
\r\n![\"Did](\"https://www.business.com/images/content/605/1211c5a215e6d348b4567/75_-75-\")
Through Lightspeed's built-in customer relationship management tools, you can create profiles of customers, add notes about their preferences and run reports on their sales. You can also see customers' purchase histories, assign VIP status to certain customers, and offer rewards and promotions.
\r\nLightspeed has a robust set of loyalty tools to keep customers coming back. Here are a few things you can do with Lightspeed's loyalty tools:
\r\nLightspeed's retail POS software makes employee management easy. You can assign roles or choose which employees have access to the system and when. The POS system also has a built-in time clock and the ability to run reports on employees' hours, sales, and profits.
\r\nLightspeed puts a big focus on e-commerce by offering tools to easily build an online store. It has more than 50 professional themes to choose from, as well as several mobile-responsive and customizable templates. Plus, you can showcase products in high definition.
\r\nReporting with Lightspeed's retail POS can be as simple or as detailed as you want it to be, thanks to the ability to run more than 60 built-in reports. Here are some of the reporting capabilities:
\r\nLightspeed Analytics is an extra service that looks at stock, the customer experience and staff performance and suggests ways to optimize business.
\r\nLightspeed offers more than 250 integrations with credit card processors, accounting software (including QuickBooks, Xero and Sage), analytics programs, marketing services and other business programs. The company has an open API for its retail software, but the API for restaurants is limited to Lightspeed partners.
\r\n
Lightspeed offers user-friendly software for a variety of businesses. It focuses on providing POS features for retail stores (apparel, bikes, CBD, electronics, gifts, health, home decor, jewelry, liquor, pets, sporting goods, toys, and vape shops), restaurants (bars, cafes, full service, hotels and quick service), and golf businesses (multicourse, municipal, private, semiprivate, public, and resorts).
\r\nThe mobile-friendly platform lets businesses operate seamlessly on the go. Users can set up their personalized home dashboards and access customizable templates. Lightspeed also offers built-in tools to boost SEO.
\r\nAlthough Lightspeed is an excellent POS for retailers, there are a couple of potential drawbacks to consider. First, the website lacks pricing for third-party POS hardware, making it more difficult to get an accurate quote for the total system. You can check the list of compatible products and then comparison-shop on your own, but this can be time-consuming.
\r\nSecond, Lightspeed has fewer payment processor choices than some of its rivals, which means you may have to forgo your current payment processor to use Lightspeed.
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\r\n\r\nEpos Now has a few pricing options, depending on what type of hardware you need. For example, its touchscreen package (terminal, cash drawer, printer, Epos software) starts at $999, or $72 per month (currently on sale for less). Its iPad and tablet packages (iPad/tablet, cash drawer, printer, Epos Now software) start at $599. Its Epos Pocket plan (handheld device, Epos Now software) starts at $0 upfront and then $44 per month, or $189 upfront and then $24 per month. Epos Now offers a 30-day free trial.
\r\n\r\nEpos Now software is feature-rich and easily scalable, which is great for growing businesses that want to start with a simple POS solution. It has inventory management capabilities to track one or more locations and stock alerts. It has customer management features like customer feedback options, or you can add on a customer loyalty campaign. The POS software also offers employee management features – allowing you to assign permissions based on job role, for example. Through the Epos Now dashboard, you can run reports and view real-time sales data, which can help you boost efficiency and profits.
\r\n\r\nThe company boasts easy-to-use software, claiming a 15-minute training time, to get employees up to speed. This means your team can be set up, onboarded and trained on the software in minutes. Epos Now is there to help every step of the way: You and your team members can contact customer support representatives 24/7 by phone, email or live chat. The company also offers one-on-one onboarding and unlimited training and coaching to help users navigate the software.
","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best for Ease of Use","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":false,"tabTitle":"Best for Ease of Use","review":{"displayName":"Epos Now","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/epos-now-pos-systems/","id":"018703b1b331446a84748b1e43ad463f","url":"https://www.eposnow.com/us","review":{"pros":["This service supports multiple hardware devices.","You can work with the credit card processor of your choice."],"cons":["The website doesn't offer a community forum."],"fullReviewTest":"Epos Now is a U.K.-based company with offices in London, Manchester, Norwich and Glasgow, and a U.S. office in Orlando, Florida. It caters to small and midsize businesses, but it's also suitable for enterprise businesses. It's used by more than 30,000 businesses, and its clients include Walt Disney Pictures, Universal Studios and Yankee Candle.
\r\nWe selected Epos Now as the best point-of-sale (POS) system for small businesses. In addition to having a strong mix of features for both its retail and hospitality POS software, it's versatile, affordable, and offers a choice of credit card processors that integrate with the system. Although you can purchase POS hardware from Epos Now, if you already own equipment, you may be able to use it as the system is compatible with third-party hardware.
\r\nEpos Now posts pricing for its tablet POS software and hardware on its website, as well as for its touchscreen POS systems; however, pricing for software modules, such as its loyalty and booking applications, aren't listed. So if you need extra features, you'll need to speak with a sales rep for a pricing quote specific to your business.
\r\nEpos Now's POS software can be used on iPads, Android tablets, Macs and PCs, and it lets you use multiple types of devices with your system – you're not restricted to one platform. The company offers two subscription plans for its cloud-based software, or you can pay upfront for a software license and then pay a renewal fee each year. All versions of the software support an unlimited number of users and transactions.
\r\nBefore subscribing or purchasing a license for this POS system, you should plan on taking advantage of the 30-day free trial the company provides so you can try out all the software features and make sure it's a good fit for your business.
\r\nEpos Now posts its terms and conditions on its website, and you should read it before signing up with the company, as you would with any POS provider. The terms state that contracts are for 12-month terms, and merchants can pay in advance or monthly. The contract automatically renews for additional one-year terms, and you have a 30-day cancellation window. If you cancel before the end of your term, you won't receive a refund if you paid in advance, and if you are on a monthly payment plan, you will be required to pay for the remaining months on your term.
\r\nYou can purchase your POS hardware from the company as a bundle or piece by piece. If you already own POS hardware, you might be able to use it with this system. Check with the company to find out if it's compatible before investing in new equipment. Here are some pricing examples:
\r\nAlthough a leasing option is available, purchasing your POS equipment is always your best option because it's less expensive than what you'll pay over the life of a lease. Epos Now's terms range from two to five years. Your credit score and other factors may affect the payment rate and terms you receive.
\r\nEpos Now offers both retail and hospitality versions of its POS system software, so it can be used by most businesses, including general and specialty retailers; restaurants and cafes; bars and nightclubs; and service-based businesses, such as hotels, salons, spas, and gyms. The company says its software is so intuitive that it only takes 15 minutes to train an employee how to use it.
\r\nThe software runs on any device, so you can use it with a tablet, laptop, desktop computer or touchscreen terminal. This system is cloud-based, so you can access reports and back-office tools from any browser. You don't need to set up a local server for this system even if you're running multiple devices in your store or restaurant.
\r\nBoth the retail and hospitality versions of this POS system come with a good mix of features and have every tool we looked for, either built-in or as integrations, which are available through its app store. It offers several features that aren't commonly included, such as those for creating purchase orders and tracking employee time. Here's more detail on the features available with this system.
\r\nThe dashboard gives you a real-time overview of your sales data, and you can customize it to show you the information that's most important to you. It displays transactions for different time intervals – by the hour, day, week or month. You can view your best- and worst-performing products, and identify the products and brands with the highest profit margins. The employee reports can show you your top salespeople. In addition to running reports and analyzing sales data from any device with a browser, you can export reports to Excel, QuickBooks, Xero and Sage.
\r\nEpos Now has a built-in customer management system. With it, you can collect contact information from your customers and run reports that help you analyze customer behavior. For example, when you email customers their receipts, they're asked to rate the service they received. This feedback can be used to help you gauge customer satisfaction. A loyalty module is available for an extra cost, and marketing integrations such as Mailchimp, which let you run email campaigns, are available through the app store.
\r\nThis POS system has role-based user management so you can set permissions for your employees and assign PIN codes or swipe cards to sign in. The software logs employee activity on the till and has a built-in time clock and staff scheduling tools.
\r\nThe Epos Now app store has more than 80 integrations, allowing you to customize the system and share data with the other business applications you use. For example, if you want to expand your store online, you can use its new Shopify integration or the Nettl or Zapier integrations to connect with other e-commerce platforms, such as WooCommerce. Or, if you want to connect the POS software with your accounting program, Epos Now integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Business Cloud Accounting (formerly Sage One) and Sage 50cloud. Restaurant-specific integrations include TableUp and Hopt. APIs are also available so you can add custom integrations to the system, if needed.
\r\nThe inventory management tools for the retail version of the software support up to 60,000 items, and allow you to track products across both your brick-and-mortar and online stores, and even between multiple locations. The restaurant version can track inventory on an ingredient level, which makes it easier for you to order the correct amount of food. Both versions allow you to set low-stock alerts so you can reorder supplies before you run out, or you can set up the system to automatically generate purchase orders when supplies are low.
\r\nSome features are specific to the retail version of the software. For example, you can print your own barcodes and shelf-edge labels, making it easy for your customers to see prices and your cashiers to ring up orders using a barcode scanner.
\r\nThe system has a product matrix that makes it easy to add variants, such as for color and size. It also allows you to bundle products, which is a useful feature if you offer composite products such as gift baskets or kits.
\r\nAt the register, you can add pop-up notes to prompt your staff to up and cross-sell items. If you have multiple locations, you can run different promotions at different locations at different times.
\r\nEpos Now's restaurant POS system is suitable for all types of restaurants, including full-service establishments. It has a drag-and-drop table-management tool you can use to mimic your restaurant's floor plan, and with it, you can make quick updates when you need to move tables and chairs. It shows you which tables are open and how many customers are seated at each occupied table.
\r\nAs with most of the restaurant POS systems we reviewed, you can add a photo of each dish to the system's menu to help customers choose what they want and help servers quickly enter their orders into the system. Pop-up notes prompt servers to ask customers about cooking preferences, such as how they prefer their steak cooked, and to offer the customer choices specific to the item they ordered, such as whether they'd prefer the soup or salad with their meal. Servers can assign courses to ensure items come out in the proper sequence. When your customers are ready for the check, your servers can easily split and merge bills.
\r\nThe system tracks how long it takes from the time the order is placed until it's served. You can also track how long it takes for your tables to turn over and see per-table revenue. These features are helpful when analyzing how efficiently your restaurant operates.
\r\nIf you want to offer customers the option of booking a table or ordering online, or if you need delivery management tools, you can add third-party integrations for them to the system, though these may cost extra.
\r\nEpos Now integrates with Worldpay by FIS (Vantiv) and EVO Payments. Alternatively, you can use this POS software alongside the payment processing service of your choice, which is a good option if you like your current processor or if you're locked into a processing contract. The other option is to build a custom integration using the company's API.
\r\nCustomer support is available via phone, email and live chat, though you need the Premium plan if you want 24/7 phone support. When we contacted the company, posing as a small business owner with questions about the system, the chat agent provided us with prompt, helpful information.
\r\nData migration and setup help are available as part of the 30-day implementation included with the service. If you have an issue with the software, company representatives can, with your permission, access your system remotely to diagnose and fix the problem. If you purchase your POS hardware from Epos Now and need a replacement part sent to you, overnight shipping is available.
\r\nEpos Now has a lot to offer small businesses, both retail and restaurant, but it isn't perfect. There are limitations to consider before you make your decision.
\r\nAlthough the company is transparent with many of its costs, such as its software subscription and hardware prices, the website isn't clear about which features are add-on modules, and it doesn't disclose what they cost. There's some confusion with the website and downloadable brochures, as some prices haven't been converted to American dollars from British pounds, though sales agents are happy to explain pricing to you when you call.
\r\nAnother issue is that it doesn't offer as many self-help resources as some of its competitors. The Epos Now website has a blog with articles of interest to small business owners, a YouTube channel with a few demos and how-to videos, and active Facebook and Twitter accounts. However, there's no knowledgebase or community forum, so if you have questions about the software, you'll need to contact customer service directly.
\r\nLast, there's no kiosk option yet available. The rep we spoke with said that the company is concerned about POS kiosk security and is holding off on this feature until security measures meet their standards.
","fullReview":"We chose Epos Now as the best POS system for ease of use for several reasons. Epos Now is full of helpful features and easily scalable, and it integrates with credit card processors and other third-party applications to ensure it can grow with your business. Epos Now is also one of our top picks because of its embrace of advanced technology and its support for e-commerce.
\r\nSince the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, e-commerce has become an even more important sales channel for merchants. Epos Now partnered with BigCommerce to enable customers to pivot to online sales. As a bonus, Epos Now is compatible with third-party hardware, so you may not need to purchase new equipment. If you do, you can buy the hardware from Epos Now.
\r\nCheck out our recommendations to help you choose the best POS system for your business.
\r\nEpos Now POS systems start at a one-time cost of $999 or $72 (payable over three years) a month for a package that includes a touchscreen point-of-sale system, a secure cash drawer and a high-speed printer. You also get access to the company's software, which integrates with more than 100 apps. You can use any of the major payment providers to process payments. As of March 2021, Epos Now was offering a substantial discount: an upfront cost of $449 or $39 per month for three years.
\r\nEpos Now also offers a handheld system, called the Epos Pocket, which allows you to take orders from anywhere. The company has two plans for the Epos Pocket: Plan One is $0 upfront and $44 per month, and Plan Two is $189 upfront and $24 per month.
\r\nEpos Now's iPad POS system starts at $599 and includes an Apple iPad stand, a cash drawer, a receipt printer and access to the Epos Now software. The Android package costs the same and comes with a Samsung tablet stand, a cash drawer, a receipt printer and access to the Epos Now software. Epos Now offers a 30-day free trial.
\r\nThe Epos Now website does not list the prices for additional features, such as advanced reporting, inventory management or loyalty programs. If you need to determine the cost of extra features, you'll need to speak with a representative.
\r\n
Another reason Epos Now is our best pick for ease of use is the flexibility in adding hardware. You can purchase POS hardware as a bundled package or individually. If you have existing POS hardware, you may not need to buy any hardware. Check with Epos Now to see if your current hardware is compatible.
\r\nLeasing costs more over the long term than purchasing the hardware outright. Epos Now offers terms ranging from two to five years; your credit score will dictate the rate and terms you receive.
\r\n
The top POS providers go to great lengths to offer an array of features at an affordable price. Epos Now delivers on both fronts. Here's a look at the POS features that helped to make Epos Now our best pick for ease of use.
\r\nEpos Now's inventory management tools are robust, with the retail version of the software supporting thousands of items. You can track products across sales channels and various locations. The restaurant version of the software lets you track inventory down to the ingredient level. It also automates the ordering process and allows you to maintain control alerts when stock is getting low, thus preventing you from running out of hot-selling items or taking a dish off the menu prematurely.
\r\nEpos Now has a robust built-in customer management system that allows you to amass information about your customers and use it to customize sales and loyalty programs. The customer management system can also collect feedback to help you gauge customer satisfaction. For an additional cost, you can add Epos Now's loyalty module and marketing integrations that let you run email campaigns.
\r\nThe POS software includes role-based user management, which enables business owners to assign permissions based on roles within the organization. Employees are assigned PIN codes or swipe cards they use to sign in, and the software logs the employee and tracks their activity on the register. It also has a built-in time clock and staff scheduling tools.
\r\nThe Epos Now dashboard gives you an overview of sales in real time and lets you run reports on the spot. You can customize reports to display the information that matters most – for example, the top-performing products, the wait staff members who ring up the most sales or the customers who spend the most. You can display transactions by day, hour, week or month, and pinpoint the products and brands with the best profit margins. You can also export these reports into your accounting software to get a deeper picture of the health of your business.
\r\nEpos Now stood out when it came to integrations with third-party software. With more than 100 app integrations, this system is extremely customizable. Some popular integrations it supports include Shopify, Nettl, Zapier, QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Business Cloud Accounting (formerly Sage One) and Sage 50cloud. Restaurant-specific integrations include TableUp and Hopt. APIs are also available to add custom integrations to the system.
\r\nEpos Now integrates with all of the major payment providers, so you can choose the one that's right for you and negotiate your own rate.
\r\nEpos Now offers retail (convenience store, apparel store, electronic store, gift shop, vape store, liquor store) and hospitality (restaurant, bar, quick service, cafe, hotel) business owners software geared toward their unique needs. This helps to simplify the product and make it easier for each user to implement. Epos Now claims that the software is so easy to use that employees can be trained on it in 15 minutes.
\r\nWhat makes Epos Now's software stand out is its compatibility with iPads, Android tablets, Macs and PCs, and the ability to mix devices. All of Epos Now's software supports an unlimited number of users and transactions. Because all of the data lives in the cloud, you can run reports anytime, anywhere. You don't need to have a local server on-site, so you lower the cost of operations.
\r\n
One drawback of Epos Now is its limited online resources; the help section on the company's website isn't as detailed as some of its rivals'. If customers have certain questions, they must contact customer service or search on their own. The website does have a blog with articles of interest to small business owners, a YouTube channel with a few demos and how-to videos, and active Facebook and Twitter accounts. However, it doesn't have a knowledgebase or community forum.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"widget","widgetId":"10135","widget":{"id":"10135","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://www.eposnow.com/us","name":""}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5e0f79de7b4374fe138b457f/EPOSNOW_logo.png"}}},{"bullets":["3 tiered POS plans","Live mobile app (iOS and Android)","Sales, product and labor reports"],"description":"Upserve by Lightspeed offers stellar POS options for a variety of restaurants (bars, coffee shops, breweries, cafes, pizza shops, nightclubs, wineries, quick-service establishments, delis, bakeries and fine dining). It has multiple plans to fit a wide range of restaurant needs: the Core plan for $59 a month (plus $60 per terminal), the Pro plan for $199 a month (plus $50 per terminal) and the Pro Plus plan for $359 a month (plus $40 per terminal). You must purchase at least one terminal with each plan. You can add on supplemental features like commission-free online ordering, gift cards and customer reporting. Upserve processes payments for a flat fee.
\r\n\r\nOne thing we especially like about Upserve is its live mobile app for iOS and Android devices. All Upserve clients can use this app to access a wealth of restaurant information that is collected on the POS, like sales, labor costs, discounts, guest behavior and out-of-stock items.
\r\n\r\nAs an Upserve POS user, you'll have access to feature-rich software with inventory capabilities like a logbook, menu optimization, automated inventory management, recipe costing, vendor management, one-click purchasing and low-inventory alerts. There are also customer-focused features that allow you to track customer rewards, create custom loyalty programs, offer and accept gift cards, and maintain your reputation. These capabilities can help you identify your regular customers and keep them coming back to your restaurant.
\r\n\r\nEmployee management tools are also available, allowing you to use training mode or offline mode, create staffing schedules, and track server performance. You can use reports to track your sales, product levels, labor performance and more. You can even view this information on the mobile app, so you can make important business decisions even when you're out of town. Upserve supports third-party platform integrations, helping your restaurant stay connected and streamline business functions.
\r\n\r\nUpserve offers 24/7 U.S.-based customer support, and the company claims it answers 84% of calls within 30 seconds. Not many competitors offer this level of customer support, and it's a great option to have, especially when you have questions about the Upserve software or mobile app. Upserve is accredited with the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ rating with the agency.
","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best POS Mobile App for Restaurants","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":false,"tabTitle":"Best POS Mobile App for Restaurants","review":{"displayName":"Upserve POS","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/upserve-pos/","id":"3f95ec36dc749cffb7fadc0e7e05f42b","url":"https://upserve.com","review":{"pros":["Offline and hardwired options are available to keep your POS running without Wi-Fi.","A live mobile app offers on-the-go restaurant management."],"cons":["Upserve is not compatible with third-party payment processors."],"fullReviewTest":"","fullReview":"Upserve, formerly known as Breadcrumb, is a POS system designed specifically for the restaurant industry. It's an ideal choice for restaurants, bars, bakeries and cafes, and the company offers flexible payment options for smaller restaurants with tight margins.
\r\nThe right POS system makes it easier to accept payments and complete the day-to-day tasks that go into operating a restaurant. If your restaurant needs a POS system with an excellent mobile app that gives you access to a wealth of data, Upserve is a good choice.
\r\nWe selected Upserve as the best POS mobile app for restaurants because it offers a user-friendly mobile application, multiple pricing plans and a useful slate of features. Many challenges come with running a restaurant; most restaurants operate on very thin margins and struggle to find and retain quality employees.
\r\nCheck out all our recommendations to help you choose the best POS system for your business.
\r\nUpserve offers three pricing plans: Core, Pro and Pro Plus. The size of your business and current needs will determine which plan is right for you.
\r\nThis plan is the best option for small businesses that are just getting started with payment processing. The Core plan starts at $59 per month and includes a single POS terminal. If you need more than that, you'll pay $60 per additional terminal.
\r\nThe Core plan comes with the mobile app, Upserve HQ insights and employee management features. You can also take advantage of Upserve payments, which come with a flat rate of 2.49% plus a 15-cent processing fee.
\r\nYou'll also receive 24/7 phone, email and chat support. However, if you want to track menu optimization, server performance or inventory, you'll need to upgrade to one of the other two plans.
\r\nAccording to Upserve, the Pro plan is the company's most popular option. It costs $199 per month and $50 for each additional terminal. This plan gives you everything that comes with the Core plan, as well as some additional features.
\r\nThe Pro plan is best for restaurants that need to manage inventory, optimize their menus and create customized loyalty programs. You'll also gain insight into how each server is performing, which can make it easier to manage the entire restaurant.
\r\nThe Pro Plus Plan is ideal for enterprise companies that manage multiple locations. It costs $359 per month and an additional $40 per terminal.
\r\nIn addition to including everything in the Core and Pro plans, the Pro Plus plan allows you to create custom reports using sales and menu data, integrate your Upserve data with other platforms for a more customized solution, and receive account management and consulting that is personalized to your business.
\r\nUpserve provides all of the basic features and tools you'll need to manage your restaurant. Here's a more in-depth look at what's included.
\r\nWith Upserve payment processing, you'll receive a fair flat rate per transaction, which ensures that your costs will be predictable and you won't get hit with any hidden fees.
\r\nThe company's EMV solution is certified as PCI Level 1 compliant, which means it meets the highest level of certification requirements set by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council. PCI compliance reduces your risk of falling victim to fraud and incurring chargebacks.
\r\nPayments are integrated seamlessly into the Upserve POS, so you can process payments using a single platform. This makes it easier to collect data and ensure that data is accurate and up to date.
\r\n
One of the biggest advantages of choosing Upserve is that you get access to the company's mobile app. The app is available for Android and iOS devices and gives you the ability to manage your restaurant from anywhere.
\r\nWith the mobile app, you can track your restaurant's performance and respond to issues in real time. The app makes it easy to track server performance, labor costs and sales performance.
\r\nYou can also make recommendations to servers or back-of-house staff, thereby keeping everyone on the same page and your restaurant running smoothly.
\r\n
Upserve provides detailed menu analytics, so you can see which items are a hit and which ones you should probably scrap. For example, the software could show you which five menu items result in 80% of your restaurant's sales.
\r\nUpserve will break down all of your menu options into the following categories:
\r\nAll restaurants need a way to keep their staff and guests safe and socially distanced during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can do that with Upserve's tableside ordering feature. Dine-in guests can access your menu and place their orders using a mobile device, thereby minimizing contact between guests and servers.
\r\nAll servers are equipped with a device that lets them take orders, share menu items and cancel items. The mobile POS comes with a credit card reader, so guests can easily make contactless payments.
\r\nUpserve also provides free online ordering integration, which allows you to create a branded website where customers can look through your menu and order items for pickup or delivery. These orders are automatically added to the system and sent to the kitchen.
\r\nIf you've never offered online ordering before, it may seem very complicated at first, but Upserve can help your business get started in just 48 hours. Best of all, by offering online ordering, you'll receive detailed insight into your customers and menu.
\r\nLabor costs are one of the most significant expenses for any restaurant, so you need to make sure you're managing your staff well. Upserve provides restaurant scheduling software that allows you to create employee schedules. Using one platform, you can either build a new schedule from scratch or use an existing template, and once you've published a new schedule, you can text or email it to your employees.
\r\nThe software can also help you monitor your labor costs over time. You can view your scheduled labor costs and gross sales from the previous year and manage early clock-ins so your labor costs don't start creeping up.
\r\n
You can use Upserve to streamline your back-of-house costs as well. The software makes it easy to see what items you're running low on and restock quickly with one-click ordering.
\r\nPlus, you can use the software to evaluate your food costs and identify where you're wasting money. The software tracks every ingredient and the price fluctuations, so you can see the menu items that are truly profitable for your business.
\r\nAccording to Upserve, most customers see a 5% to 8% improvement in their margins by using the inventory management feature.
\r\nUpserve POS is easy to use and train your staff on, and it addresses many common challenges in the restaurant industry. The software comes with built-in features, like payment processing, restaurant management and customer management. Here are the benefits of Upserve's POS system:
\r\n
Some user reviews cited occasional system crashes as a drawback of Upserve. However, other users reported a more reliable experience. It is important to ensure that your IT infrastructure is suitable for the type of software you select, or else you could experience performance issues. We could not independently confirm or deny the occasional system crashes, but with any software, it is a good idea to regularly back up data from all systems.
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A point-of-sale (POS) system is more than just a fancy cash register. It rings up sales, accepts payments, manages inventory, and analyzes sales data, to name just a few of its capabilities. It's an important tool in commerce for all sizes of businesses.
\r\nPOS system options abound, making it an arduous selection process for business owners. The wrong decision can cost you big time. To make the process easier, we did the research for you. We studied more than 100 vendors, poring over features and pricing to come up with our best picks for POS system.
\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionWidget","id":"get-a-quote","isInToc":false,"type":"widget","title":"Find the Right POS System for Your Business","widget":{"widgetId":"10135"}},{"__typename":"SectionOurApproach","id":null,"isInToc":false,"type":"ourapproach","isActive":null,"ourapproach":{"isClonable":false,"servicesConsidered":"112","servicesTested":"14","servicesSelected":"11","linkText":"How we evaluate products and services","linkUrl":"mailto:editor@business.com"}},{"__typename":"SectionContainer","id":"compare-our-best-picks","isInToc":true,"type":"container","title":"Compare Our Best Picks","container":{"isBuyingGuide":false,"html":"\n| \r\n | Toast | \r\nTouchBistro | \r\nLightspeed | \r\nEpos Now | \r\nUpserve | \r\nSquare | \r\n
| Industries | \r\nRestaurants | \r\nRestaurants | \r\nRetail, restaurants, golf | \r\nHospitality, retail | \r\nRestaurants | \r\nRestaurants, retail, appointment booking | \r\n
| Starting price | \r\n$69 per month | \r\n$69 per month | \r\n$69 per month | \r\n$39 per month | \r\n$59 per month (plus $60 per terminal) | \r\n$60 per month per location (free plan available) | \r\n
| Free trial | \r\nNo | \r\n28 days | \r\n14 days | \r\n30 days | \r\nNo | \r\n30 days | \r\n
| POS hardware | \r\nToast Flex, Toast Go 2, Toast Flex for Guest, Toast Flex for Kitchen, kiosk (accessories available) | \r\niPad, iPad Pro, iPad Mini | \r\niPad, devices with internet access | \r\nEpos Now touchscreen, iPad, Samsung Galaxy tablet, tablet stand, Epos Pocket, receipt printer, cash drawer | \r\nPOS terminals, tableside devices, EMV payments, printers, kitchen display system, wireless networking | \r\niPad, register, terminal, stand, card reader | \r\n
| Payment options | \r\nDebit cards, credit cards, mobile payments, gift cards | \r\nDebit cards, credit cards, mobile payments, gift cards | \r\nDebit cards, credit cards, mobile payments, gift cards | \r\nDebit cards, credit cards, mobile payments, gift cards | \r\nDebit cards, credit cards, mobile payments, gift cards | \r\nDebit cards, credit cards, mobile payments, gift cards | \r\n
\r\n
| \r\n | Lavu | \r\nClover | \r\nRevel | \r\nHeartland | \r\nCardConnect | \r\n
| Industries | \r\nRestaurants | \r\nRestaurants, retail, service businesses, e-commerce | \r\nRestaurants, retail | \r\nHome services, liquor, restaurants, retail, service professionals, quick service | \r\nGrowing businesses | \r\n
| Starting price | \r\n$69 per month | \r\n$69 per month | \r\n$99 per month per terminal (minimum 2 terminals required) | \r\nContact for quote | \r\nContact for quote | \r\n
| Free trial | \r\nNo | \r\n30 days | \r\nNo | \r\n7 days | \r\nNo | \r\n
| POS hardware | \r\niPad, terminals, starter kits, printers, networking devices, kitchen display system, cash drawers, card readers | \r\nClover Station, Clover Station Pro, Clover Flex, Clover Mini, Clover Go (accessories available) | \r\niPad, iPad stands, kiosks, payment devices, printers, barcode scanners, networking devices, cash drawers and tills | \r\nRegisters, terminals, handheld devices | \r\nMultiple device options (based on CardConnect solution) | \r\n
| Payment options | \r\nDebit cards, credit cards, mobile payments, gift cards | \r\n\r\n Debit cards, credit cards, mobile payments, gift cards \r\n | \r\nDebit cards, credit cards, mobile payments, gift cards | \r\nDebit cards, credit cards, mobile payments, gift cards | \r\nDebit cards, credit cards, mobile payments, gift cards | \r\n
Square is one of the top companies in the POS industry, and for good reason. It offers POS options for restaurants, retail stores, and small businesses, as well as an appointment-scheduling POS system for customer-booking businesses.
\r\nSquare has several software capabilities that integrate with its POS system, which makes it a great one-stop shop for SMBs. The Square POS software is free to use; the only stipulation is that you have to process payments through Square (which charges 2.6% + $0.10 for in-person and invoice payments, and 2.9% + $0.30 for online payments). If you want more advanced features, Square offers the Plus plan for $60 per month per location (plus $40 a month per added POS device) and the Premium plan with custom pricing.
\r\nSquare has a 30-day free trial, so you can try it out before making a commitment. If you want to customize your plan, you can add on tools like team management ($35 per month), payroll ($29 plus $5 per employee each month), a customer loyalty program (starting at $45 a month per location), marketing (starting at $15 a month per location), and one-on-one implementation help ($599). Square also offers an appointment-booking POS (free for one calendar, $50 per month for 2-5 calendars, $90 per month for 6-10 calendars, and custom pricing for 11 or more calendars) with a processing fee of 2.5% or 2.6% + $0.10.
\r\nYou can pair your Square POS software with an iPad, or you can purchase POS hardware from the company. Square registers cost $799, or $39 per month for 24 months; terminals are $299, or $27 per month for 12 months; stands for contactless and chip payments are $169, or $16 per month for 12 months; and readers for contactless and chip payments are $49. The Square mobile app is compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices. This variety of hardware lets you develop a unique POS setup that fits your needs and budget.
\r\nYou can access a variety of features with Square, depending on the plan you choose. For example, you may be able to access inventory management features like in-store and curbside pickup. Retail plans have multi-location stock view, exchange capabilities, barcode label printing, purchase order and vendor management, and COGS (cost of goods sold) reporting. Restaurant plans offer features like table/course/item management, a Square kitchen display system, online menus, automatic gratuity capabilities, conversational modifiers, and remote device management. You can also manage your team with permissions and timecard functions.
\r\nEvery plan includes some level of sales and reporting features, based on what you are using the POS for and how much you are paying. Every Square customer has access to customer support, an online support center, blogs, and a seller community.
\r\nLavu is a mobile POS system that caters to restaurants, including bars, ice cream shops, food trucks, wineries, coffee shops, breweries and pizza joints. Businesses of any size can customize a Lavu plan that fits their needs. A single POS terminal plan costs $69, but those who need multiple terminals or enterprise plans will need to contact Lavu for a custom quote.
\r\nLavu uses iPad-based hardware, and it has an online shop where you can choose from a variety of hardware and peripherals. For example, it offers terminals, starter kits, printers, networking devices, kitchen display systems, gift cards, cash drawers, card readers and discounted products. These hardware options come in a wide range of prices. If you choose to process payment through Lavu's in-house payment solution, LavuPay, it offers an EMV-compliant PayPal chip card reader to accept cards, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay. Lavu can also process payments through integrated third-party credit card gateway and processing partners.
\r\nLavu is cloud-based software, although it also has an offline mode for system security. The Lavu POS includes more than 300 features. You can access inventory management functions, like linking your inventory to your menu for seamless tracking, managing vendor relationships, offering tableside ordering and table customization, and managing your menu, such as adding prompts for modifiers. You can improve customer experiences with gift and loyalty features, and you can manage employees with schedule creation capabilities. Lavu provides real-time sales and labor reports, inventory updates, and other financial reports to keep you up to date on how your restaurant is performing.
\r\nWhere Lavu shines is its integrations. It has nearly 15 of its own in-house integrations that you can add on to the POS offering, which makes it easy to customize your POS setup. Few competitors offer this many in-house integrations to support their POS systems. You can also choose to integrate with nearly 30 other third-party apps, with nearly 60 additional third-party integrations coming soon. Lavu also has the Lavu Pilot app, which lets you track your payments, labor, menu items, trends and reports with your iOS device. Every Lavu plan includes free software updates and free 24/7 customer support by phone, email, and chat. Lavu also has an online resource database.
\r\nClover is an affordable POS system for restaurants, retail shops, service businesses and e-commerce. Clover is sold through third parties, including Costco, and has prices starting at $9.95 a month with a 30-day free trial and anytime cancellation. You can use its software with your own hardware, allowing you to find the best rates, or you can purchase or lease Clover hardware.
\r\nClover's hardware is where it shines. It has multiple POS hardware solutions at varying price points. For example, you can get the Clover Station (POS terminal, cash drawer and receipt printer) for $1,399, or $466 per month for three months; the Clover Station Pro (POS terminal, cash drawer, high-speed receipt printer and customer-facing screen) for $1,649, or $549 per month for three months; the Clover Mini (a compact POS system) for $749, or $250 per month for three months; the Clover Flex (handheld device) for $499, or $166 per month for three months; or the Clover Go (card reader for iOS and Android devices) for $69.
\r\nClover also has designated hardware for full-service restaurants, like the Clover Station for full-service restaurants for $1,349 (or $450 per month for three months) and the Clover Mini. These restaurant-specific POS systems come preloaded with Clover Dining. Table-service restaurants can access these options for $69.95 per month, plus 2.3% + $0.10 for in-person transactions and 3.5% + $0.10 for keyed-in transactions. You can accept all payment types with Clover.
\r\nClover offers POS accessories like weight scales, barcode scanners, kitchen printers, printer paper, label printers, cash drawers, swivel stands, holsters, PIN shields, extenders, silicone sleeves, accessibility pads, travel kits and cable kits. Clover's software clearly displays which accessories are compatible, along with add-ons for each device type (the Clover Station, Mini, Flex, and Go). This simplifies the purchasing process. Some businesses can receive a $450 statement credit when they purchase a Clover Station, Mini or Flex.
\r\nWhen you purchase Clover software, you get access to several POS functions, like automatically syncing your inventory (e.g., products, stock levels, orders), taking orders for pickup and delivery, gathering customer contact info and marketing preferences, enabling donations, and building customer email lists and customer profiles. If you use a Clover device, you have access to more tools and functions, such as customer rewards and promos. You can manage employees, track sales patterns and trends, and integrate with platforms like BigCommerce, Ecwid, QuickBooks, and Gusto. Clover is secure with end-to-end encryption, integrated EMV chip sensors and fingerprint logins. The company offers a variety of customer support options and online resources.
\r\n\r\nRevel Systems provides cloud-based POS systems to quick-service businesses, restaurants, retail shops, pizza joints, and coffee shops. It is easy to use and has a lot of custom options.
\r\nRevel software pricing starts at $99 per month per terminal, billed annually with a three-year Revel Advantage contract. You must purchase at least two terminals to use Revel. Implementation onboarding starts at $674.
\r\nRevel offers sleek POS hardware like iPads, iPad stands, self-service kiosks, payment devices, printers, barcode scanners, networking devices, cash drawers and tills. It is possible to connect Revel software with some third-party hardware; however, it recommends sourcing your hardware directly from Revel for the best experience. All hardware packages come preconfigured and ready to go. Additional services and products are also available, like account management, delivery management, kiosks and mobile order-takers, online ordering, multi-location management, and integrated partners. Revel is compatible with some third-party payment processors, or you can use Revel Advantage, its in-house payment processor. Payment processing is a flat fee, and it is EMV and Apple Pay ready, all card types included.
\r\nThe Revel software has several POS capabilities, including inventory management. You can manage, track, and count products across all stores and sales channels, which is especially great if you have multiple store locations. You can also streamline administrative processes by managing labor operations from a single console.
\r\nWhere Revel shines is its customer loyalty program capabilities. You can capture customer info from your POS, create custom loyalty programs, and designate how customers earn loyalty points (e.g., with each transaction, based on purchase amount, and/or for specific products). You can view your loyalty program data to gain customer insights as well. Revel Systems has developed an in-house loyalty reward card program for you to customize and build your own gift card program (with setup videos online), or you can integrate with Punchh, Como Sense, LoyaltyPlant, Spendgo, Pepper, LevelUp, or Repeat Returns. This gives you a variety of loyalty program options.
\r\nYou can access real-time reports and online payment statements from anywhere. In addition to its loyalty program integrations, Revel integrates with multiple companies for analytics, payment processing, online and mobile ordering, accounting, delivery management, e-commerce, restaurant management, gift cards, employee management and payroll, CRM, and security services. Revel has an in-house support team and an onboarding package to help you get started.
\r\nHeartland Payment Systems offers payment solutions, payroll, capital lending, customer engagement, and POS systems with industry-specific solutions. It caters to retailers, restaurants, bars, grocery stores, quick-service and convenience stores, entertainment businesses, home services, hospitality, internet services, laundromats, liquor stores, municipalities, nonprofits, parking businesses, pharmacies, and service professionals.
\r\nHeartland's POS system is cloud-based software, but it can work offline too. Its payment processing system is unlocked, so you can switch to another processor at any time, for any reason. You can accept payments by mobile phone, tablet, laptop, terminal, or POS, which gives you a variety of possible business setups (e.g., countertop, table, kiosk, food truck, website, or at a customer's home). You can accept all payment types and even store cards on file. Heartland is an Apple-based product, but if you want to use your own compatible processing system or hardware, you can easily work with a Heartland rep to implement it on a different platform. Heartland offers a seven-day free trial, so you can try out the product with no commitment.
\r\nWith Heartland, you can take online orders, monitor inventory levels in real time, receive automatic alerts, review insights on your top-selling items and margins, offer two-tap ordering, and access multi-location capabilities. With the guest engagement app, you can access rewards, skip-the-line ordering, easy-to-use gift and loyalty features, coupons, and discounts. You can keep track of customer details (e.g., payments, orders, and invoices) and manage employees with timeclock features. Reporting capabilities are available, and Heartland integrates with third-party applications. Its integrations include 48 delivery services (such as Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash and Postmates), or you can run your own deliveries with the built-in features.
\r\nAlthough Heartland is a full-service payment solution, its customer support is where it shines. Heartland support is available by ticket, live chat or phone. It prides itself on responding to customers almost instantly, and it lists a variety of phone numbers for you to choose from based on what you are calling about. Heartland also offers fraud protection, so you'll know you're in good hands.
\r\nCardConnect is different from our other best picks, as it is not necessarily a POS system. Instead, it is a merchant services provider that offers various solutions for businesses of any size. Its primary solutions include CardPointe (for businesses), Clover (for small shops), Gateway and Plugins (for e-commerce), Bolt (for software), CoPilot (for partners), and Contactless Payments (for software). It is a leading credit card payment processor for ISV partners, merchant accounts, agents, ISOs and VARs. Since CardConnect offers a variety of solutions, it can support you as your business grows. Its mission is to grow commerce with simple, secure, and integrated payments, so it's a secure payment processing solution with PCI-validated defenses.
\r\nIf you are looking for a POS system with CardConnect, you may want to consider CardPointe or Clover. Each system offers something unique. CardPointe is a browser-based POS system for desktops, laptops and mobile devices. It offers transaction management, countertop and virtual terminals, free mobile apps and compatible devices, hosted payment pages (customizable, secure solutions for online stores), and integrations and add-ons (such as online shopping carts and accounting software). It can easily integrate with Bolt devices to process virtual transactions protected by EMV or chip card technology.
\r\nIf you have a smaller business or want to use Clover's exceptional POS hardware, you can sign up with Clover through CardConnect. Clover software is only $9.95 per month, making it a perfect choice for small businesses. It offers a variety of in-house hardware for restaurants, retail stores, service businesses and e-commerce. It also has POS features for inventory management, customer and employee management, and reporting and analytics.
\r\nRegardless of which CardConnect solution you use, you can rest assured that your payments will be processed securely. CardConnect also offers 24/7 team support and a plethora of online resources. CardConnect is accredited with the Better Business Bureau and has a B+ rating with the agency.
\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionContainer","id":"cost","isInToc":true,"type":"container","title":"How Much Does a POS System Cost?","container":{"isBuyingGuide":false,"html":"\nThanks to advances in technology and a decline in POS prices over the years, there is a POS system for every size of business. The hardware no longer costs several thousand dollars, and the service contracts aren't hundreds of dollars a month. Today, there are price points to fit a one-shop merchant as well as a retailer with several locations.
\r\nPOS system costs still vary widely, though, depending on the hardware and software features you need. There are three components to consider when determining the price of a system – hardware, software, and payment processing. Plan on comparison shopping for each one.
\r\nDepending on the business, a POS terminal can include a cash drawer, a credit card swipe bar, barcode scanners, a receipt printer, a card reader and signature-capture devices. The best POS providers are compatible with third-party hardware so you can shop around for deals (and may be able to continue using it if you switch software providers later). They're also scalable, so you can start with just the basics, then add peripherals as your business grows and your budget allows.
\r\nFor very small businesses that only accept credit cards and can email receipts to customers, a phone or tablet and a card reader will suffice. If you already have mobile devices and only need to buy a credit card reader (EMV compliant and NFC enabled), this setup usually costs between $20 and $100.
\r\nMost small businesses will want a few more peripherals, such as a tablet stand, credit card reader, cash drawer and receipt printer. For this type of setup (using your own tablet), you'll typically pay $600 to $1,000. Additional peripherals like barcode scanners, kitchen printers and display screens cost extra.
\r\nPOS software costs depend on the services you need. You could pay anywhere from $25 to $250 a month. The most common payment model in the POS software market is monthly subscriptions.
\r\nMost of the cloud-based POS vendors offer pricing tiers with different features. Some tiers cap the number of users or the monthly sales volume you process. There are also POS vendors that offer free POS software, but there's a catch: You must process your payments through the POS provider.
\r\nIf you want a basic, free POS system, the best options are from mobile credit card processors like Square, PayPal and SumUp. They include POS features as part of their mobile processing apps. You must use these companies for your payment processing in order to use their POS apps, but you aren't locked into a long-term contract. Processing fees are charged on a pay-as-you-go basis, which is ideal for very small businesses.
\r\nIf you need more out of your POS system, such as inventory management or e-commerce tools, expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $100 a month for one register. The more bells and whistles you want, the higher the monthly cost. Be mindful of the features in each tier when shopping for a POS system: One company might include all the features you need in the basic package, whereas you have to pay for a higher tier to access some of those features with another vendor. For example, inventory management with tracking capabilities may be standard in all packages with one vendor and an add-on with another.
\r\nThe final piece of the POS pricing puzzle is payment processing. This is the cost to accept and process customers' payments through your point-of-sale device. The best POS systems give you a choice of payment processors so you can shop around for low rates and fees, and if you decide to use a different processor, you won't have to switch out the entire POS system.
\r\nPOS providers are increasingly offering in-house processing, which can be convenient but more costly. Some give you a choice to use their in-house processing service or not, while others charge an extra fee (either monthly or per transaction) for using a third-party processor. Others require you to use their in-house credit card processing service exclusively.
\r\nach POS system offers a different mix of features based on the service plan you choose. Many systems are customizable, allowing you to add hardware and software programs for an extra cost. As you evaluate systems, decide which features you need so you can calculate the total cost, including add-ons.
\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionContainer","id":"types-of-pos-systems","isInToc":true,"type":"container","title":"Types of POS Systems","container":{"isBuyingGuide":false,"html":"The first step in choosing a POS system is determining which type is right for your business. The three main POS system types are cloud-hosted, locally hosted, and a combination of both.
\r\nCloud-based POS systems are popular with merchants and restaurant owners, as they offer a simple but comprehensive way to manage commerce. This is the most common type of POS system on the market and tends to be the cheapest. With a cloud-based POS, all the software resides on the internet. You don't need to set up a local server to host your data – the POS provider takes care of that for you.
\r\nWith a cloud-based POS system, you can ring up sales, take orders, and accept payments using a tablet or smartphone anywhere in your store or restaurant. If you get a mobile cloud-hosted POS, you can take your register wherever you need. You can also access back-office functions from any browser, such as viewing sales data in real time or automatically restocking shelves.
\r\nMost cloud POS software providers charge a monthly subscription and little in the way of fees. Pricing is transparent, and the software is regularly updated; you don't have to worry about ensuring the POS software is secure and up to date. You won't pay extra for customer service either – many of these companies include customer service in the subscription price.
\r\nThe one potential downside of a cloud-based POS provider is the need for reliable internet access. Many web-based systems have an offline mode so you can continue ringing up sales if you have the occasional glitch in your connection, but if your internet access is unreliable, you may need to consider a server-based solution.
\r\nServer-based, on-premises, or onsite POS systems are installed on your server instead of hosted in the cloud. You don't need to be online to ring up sales, and you can customize the system. But you do have to maintain your own server, which means security and backups fall to you.
\r\nA server-based POS system tends to be more expensive than a cloud-based version. For starters, it may require extra computer hardware and IT support to maintain the system. Then there's the cost of the software, which can be high, and monthly support or maintenance fees.
\r\nSince the POS lives onsite, it may be difficult to access your system remotely. You'll need to be in the building to take care of back-office tasks like running reports and updating your product catalog or menu.
\r\nIf you want the mobility and convenience benefits of a cloud-based POS system and the stability of a server-based POS system, consider a hybrid solution. This type of POS system runs on a local server and backs up your data to the cloud, allowing you to access it remotely. If your internet drops or lags, there's no disruption to your system. These systems are typically priced as a monthly subscription, like cloud-based POS systems.
\r\nA hybrid POS system shares some of the downsides of server-based solutions. You will need some extra hardware and potentially IT support. It's also more involved to set up than a purely cloud-based system. You may need to back up the server manually, whereas a cloud-based system does it for you.
\r\nThe POS market is a crowded one, with vendors trying to differentiate their features and services. Some POS vendors sell software only, while others sell both software and hardware. Then there's payment processing: With some POS vendors, that service is part of a bundled package, while others don't offer it at all. Because of all this, making an apples-to-apples comparison when shopping for a POS can be challenging. Make sure to include the costs for all three components (software, hardware and payment processing) in your calculations when you're evaluating your options.
\r\nAdditionally, each POS system offers a different mix of features based on the service plan you choose. Many systems are customizable, allowing you to add hardware and software programs for an extra cost. As you evaluate systems, decide which features you need so you can calculate the total cost, including add-ons.
\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionBuyingGuide","id":"pos-software-features","isInToc":true,"type":"buying-guide","title":"Buying Guide","containers":[{"title":"What POS Software Features Do You Need?","html":"\nPOS systems can have hundreds of features, but they are worthless if you don't use any of them. Depending on the specifics of your business, you may need a full arsenal of features, or you may prefer to keep things simple. As you look for POS software, think about what features you must have, those that would be nice to have, and which ones you'll never use. Sign up for a few demos and trial versions before making your final decision. You want to make sure the POS app is easy to use and checks off all the boxes on your must-have list.
\r\nBesides the basic cash register features that every POS solution has, you should look closely at some key feature sets before selecting a system. Keep in mind that specific capabilities within each feature set vary from system to system. Advanced features may only be available at higher service tiers, or you may need to add apps or integrations to the POS system.
\r\nThe best POS systems have apps that you install on tablets and smartphones, transforming the devices into mobile POS terminals. Retailers can use them as mobile checkout devices to ring up customer orders anywhere on the store floor. Restaurants can use them to take orders and accept payments tableside. You can also attach the tablet to a stand and add peripherals, such as a cash drawer and a receipt printer, to create a countertop checkout station.
\r\nBe mindful of the platform the mobile POS supports when comparison shopping. Although some POS systems can be used with both Android tablets and iPads, some are specific to one platform. If you have a strong preference for one platform or already have tablets and phones you want to use, this is an important consideration. Dual-platform POS system vendors include Epos Now, Square and PayPal.
\r\niPads are the preferred platform for most POS providers. These devices are well known for their user-friendly interface and stability. iPads also have superior security because of the closed nature of Apple's iOS. That makes it harder for hackers to install malware on the devices. But you pay for that added security; iPads tend to be more expensive than Android tablet POS systems. iPad POS systems include Vend, TouchBistro, Lightspeed, Talech and Revel.
\r\nAndroid may be the more popular platform with consumers, with over 2.5 billion devices in use, but not when it comes to POS systems. While iOS-based systems are more common, Android tablets tend to be less expensive. With multiple manufacturers, there's more competition in the market, resulting in lower prices and broader product selections. That can save you money as you set up your system, add devices, or replace broken, lost, or stolen tablets. An example of an Android POS systems is Toast.
\r\nA POS inventory management system does a lot of the work for you, automatically tracking and ordering items. When considering inventory management, think about what you really need. Do you need a basic product catalog or menu-item countdown? Do you need to track quantities, including components or ingredients? Do you need low-stock alerts or automatic reordering?
\r\nIf you have a retail business, estimate how many SKUs you need the POS system to support. Some vendors support a limited number or SKUs, and others offer unlimited packages. If you do need advanced inventory management features and they're not available in the POS you want, make sure the POS system integrates with your inventory software.
\r\nCustomer retention is an important part of running a store or restaurant. Many POS systems have built-in tools and features to help you manage and retain your customers, but you may not need all the customer management and loyalty features some POS vendors offer. That's why it's important, again, to consider your needs.
\r\nIf your business only needs to collect customers' payment and delivery information, you won't need a built-in CRM. But if you are looking to create customer profiles with detailed purchase histories and to add notes, such as customers' birthdays, preferences, or allergies, then you want a more robust system.
\r\nIf your employees will use the POS system, you need to control the data and functions they can access. For example, you may only want your store managers to handle refunds, or it can be a function of all cashiers. It's important to choose a POS vendor that can deliver on your employee management needs, simple or complex. Here are some things to consider:
\r\nA big benefit of using a POS system is the reporting. Because the POS tracks all your sales, you get an overview of what inventory is moving and what is languishing. This can help you identify sales trends and ultimately boost your bottom line.
\r\nAll POS systems can generate reports, but the number of reports, specific report types and customization options differ between systems. The more advanced reporting you need, the more you'll pay for the capability.
\r\nMost web-based POS systems have integrations or apps that make it easier for you to share data between systems. For example, connecting your accounting software to your POS system saves you the time of exporting sales data. Integrating with your e-commerce platform will ensure inventory is accurate across sales channels. Look for a POS system that integrates with the business programs you already use, such as accounting software, payroll, e-commerce platforms, and email marketing services.
\r\nIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing trend for POS software is the ability to turn a tablet or smartphone into a self-serve kiosk. Customers can use these devices to choose and purchase items, enabling merchants to transform tablets and smartphones into self-ordering and self-payment stations.
\n"},{"title":"Which POS Hardware Features Do You Need?","html":"\nYou have a lot of options for POS hardware and how you configure your system. A basic POS station has a tablet or a touchscreen, a credit card reader, a cash drawer and till, and a receipt printer. Some POS systems are compatible with additional peripherals:
\r\nIt's always best to purchase your POS terminal upfront, even if that means starting with just the basics. You could pay much more than the equipment is worth if you lease – not to mention that leases have noncancelable, multiyear contracts. If you go out of business and return the equipment, you must continue making lease payments until your contract is up.
\r\nSome companies offer \"free\" POS terminals, but accepting these can also be more expensive than buying your equipment upfront. To get this deal, you're typically required to sign a lengthy contract for the company's credit card processing service. Usually there's a monthly fee on top of that for maintenance or insurance. Then there's the POS software subscription to cover each month. Keep in mind that if it's a \"free placement program,\" you'll be required to return the equipment if you close your account when the lease expires.
\r\nProprietary POS hardware only works with the system you're purchasing it for, so if you switch systems, it will be unusable. It's usually only available from that specific POS provider, so you can't shop around for a good deal.
\r\nOpen-source POS hardware can be used with multiple POS systems. If you switch to new POS software that supports open-source hardware, you might be able to continue using the equipment you already own. It's usually available from the POS company and multiple third-party vendors, enabling you to comparison shop.
\r\n\r\n
Most of the time, you'll buy the credit card terminal or mobile reader from your payment processing company. However, sometimes you must purchase it from the POS company. Whether you buy it from the processor or POS company, you want it to be EMV-certified so you can accept chip cards at your point of sale. You also want it to have NFC capabilities so you can accept contactless payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
\n"},{"title":"Best POS Software Systems for Small Businesses","html":"\nIn addition to having a comprehensive suite of features and providing reliable support, the best POS systems are those that give you the most flexibility with contractual terms and setup configuration. They don't lock you in with contracts, leases, or proprietary hardware, so you can move on if the system isn't the best fit for your business or you want to try a different solution.
\r\nThey integrate with multiple payment processors and various business applications, allowing you to add more features to the system or connect with other systems you already use. Many also have an open API so you can build custom integrations if needed.
\r\nFinally, they can grow with your business, whether that means adding extra users, more devices or registers, or even a new location, allowing you to manage multiple outlets from a single account.
\n"},{"title":"POS System FAQS","html":"\nA point-of-sale or POS system is a combination of hardware and software designed to ring up sales and process payments. Retailers, restaurant owners and online merchants are common consumers of POS systems. POS systems serve businesses of all sizes, from one-person retail shops to operations with many locations.
\r\nDepending on your business's needs, your POS hardware may include a cash drawer, credit card reader, receipt printer and/or barcode scanner. On the software front, the POS performs a multitude of tasks, such as ringing up sales, processing payments, managing orders and promoting customer loyalty. The POS software should be able to integrate with your business's existing systems.
\r\nThere are both server- and cloud-based POS systems. Cloud versions are more popular because they are cheaper and easier to use, and they require no maintenance on the business owner's part.
\r\nThe types of businesses that use a POS system include retailers, restaurants, and just about any merchant that makes sales. A street vendor or food truck owner can use a POS system to accept orders and payments, just like an online store or a local merchant can use a POS system to ring up sales.
\r\nThe three main types of POS systems are cloud-based, server-based and hybrid systems. The right type for you depends on your business's needs.
\r\nThe big difference between a POS and mPOS is the ability to take the hardware on the go. With a POS system, the hardware is fixed within a restaurant or store; you can't ring someone up as they walk through the store or bring the digital menu to their table. You can do that with an mPOS system, since the terminal is portable. With an mPOS system, you can take your register on the go or to multiple locations. Keep in mind that mPOS and POS systems use the same software, so you can accept and process payments, track inventory, and run reports with both systems.
\n"},{"title":"Methodology","html":"\nWe started our evaluation of POS systems with more than 100 options, including companies we were already familiar with, those that contacted us and others that we came across in our research.
\r\nFrom this list, we looked for cloud-based POS systems designed for small businesses. We searched vendors' websites for information, read customer reviews, browsed how-to guides and installation manuals, watched video tutorials, and tried out demos. Here are the aspects we examined to evaluate POS systems:
\r\nPOS systems are rich in features, able to do everything from ringing up sales to automatically reordering inventory. But the small business owners we spoke with point to mobility, ease of use and customer experience as the attributes that matter most.
\r\nTake Scaffidi Restaurant Group in Steubenville, Ohio, for example. It recently switched to the Square POS platform from the Windows-based EmaginePOS. One reason it made the switch was Square's ability to take orders and process payments in a mobile fashion, such as tableside and carside.
\r\n\"In this day and age, when either restaurants are forced to do only carryout/delivery or, when not forced, customers are gravitating towards that service, it is important to have a system that makes the process more streamlined, with less steps, and able to handle the volume that we need it to,\" said Frankie DiCarlantonio, director of the Scaffidi Restaurant Group.
\r\nWith the company relying on delivery services like DoorDash, DiCarlantonio said it needed a POS that could automate the process of taking orders from these delivery services. \"It cuts down on the processing time of taking the order they provide to us and entering it into our order processing systems manually,\" he said, noting it also reduces errors.
\r\nFor Ravi Parikh, CEO of campground management software company RoverPass, a detailed customer-facing display is an important feature in a POS system because it ensures speedy checkout.
\r\n\"So many POS systems just give an itemized list with the names on SKUs and little more,\" he said. \"It's hard to read, scrolls by too fast, and leads to more confusion than anything else. Customers either ignore everything but the total, or they hold up the cashier to ask questions.\"
\r\nParikh said a good POS system should at least list the item's full name, displayed in a clear font and at a readable speed. \"If it's on sale, the display should show that to save time,\" he added.
\r\nStephen Light, co-owner of Nolah Mattress, puts ease of use and security at the top of the list for anybody shopping for a POS system. According to Light, business owners should look for POS systems with easy-to-use interfaces that don't have a slew of bells and whistles.
\r\n\"When businesses use a complex POS system with many unnecessary characteristics, it makes transactions longer and more prone to errors,\" he said.
\r\nLight also said to be mindful of the protections the vendor has in place to secure data. You want to choose a POS system that can tell the difference between authorized personnel and hackers.
\r\n\"When a POS system has a reliable security certificate, it can limit sensitive data access to a selected few, giving business owners peace of mind,\" Light said.
\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionContainer","id":"what-to-expect-in-2021","isInToc":true,"type":"container","title":"What to Expect in 2021","container":{"isBuyingGuide":false,"html":"\nThe POS market has made great strides in features and technology over the years. That's not going to change in 2021 as e-commerce capabilities take center stage. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught business owners anything, it is the need for adaptability. When shutdowns forced retailers to close their doors, another channel quickly rose to the forefront: e-commerce. Recognizing this, POS vendors stepped up to offer more e-commerce features in their services. More of that is expected in 2021 as e-commerce remains vital during the pandemic and beyond.
\r\nLightspeed's recent acquisition of New York-based ShopKeep is indicative of that trend. When announcing the deal, Montreal-based Lightspeed said the acquisition was driven by demand from independent businesses to replace legacy POS systems with modern ones that can support e-commerce. Meanwhile, global POS provider Epos Now recently inked a deal with BigCommerce, an e-commerce platform provider. When announcing the partnership, Epos Now said thousands of brick-and-mortar stores will be able to operate online through the alliance.
\r\n\"Consumer habits are shifting on an unprecedented scale,\" said Epos Now's chief growth officer, Barbara Staruk, in a press release announcing the deal. \"Our customers must move to capitalize on the growing demand for online retail.\"
\r\nIn addition to the increasing demand for e-commerce services, selling on social media is a growing trend that POS providers are supporting in 2021. Many POS systems have built-in capabilities for merchants to easily upload products on social and SEO tools to boost sales online. More tools and features for e-commerce and social media selling are expected to appear this year.
\r\nBefore the pandemic, unattended POS systems were still in the taking-off stage. Self-serve kiosks were available already, of course, but now they are a mainstay. With social distancing being the norm now, businesses are increasingly rolling out self-serve stations, enabling customers to place orders and make payments without interacting with a human being. Many POS software vendors are wise to this trend, developing features that will turn tablets and mobile devices into self-serve ordering kiosks. Meanwhile, restaurants are using QR codes at the table to provide menus to customers and allow them to pay for meals without contact. With self-service kiosks comes the ability for merchants to accept a variety of payment methods. That ability is expected to become more common in 2021, as these methods provide safe and quick ways to make purchases.
\r\nMobile POS systems are also expected to continue to grow in popularity in 2021. These systems enable merchants and restaurants to bring digital menus and cash registers to where the customers are. That means shorter lines and quicker table turnover. Merchants and restaurant owners can expect more services around loyalty programs and customer retention this year as well. With competition fierce and businesses suffering because of the pandemic, anything that can boost customer loyalty will be welcome in 2021.
\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionMoreCoverage","id":"","isInToc":false,"type":"morecoverage","isActive":null,"title":"More Coverage","articles":[{"title":"What Is a POS System? (and Other Common Questions Answered)","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/what-is-a-pos-system/","author":{"displayName":"Skye Schooley"},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/5dc/05f295a215ef0608b4567/1500-0-"}},{"title":"Features of POS Systems","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/features-of-pos-systems/","author":{"displayName":"Sean Peek"},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/5f6/55bcd5a215ee4568b4567/1500-0-"}},{"title":"How to Choose a Mobile POS System","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/mobile-pos/","author":{"displayName":"Skye Schooley"},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/5da/0d8845a215e3d3e8b456d/1500-0-"}}]}],"tocElements":[{"title":"Best Picks","id":"top-of-page"},{"title":"Intro","id":"intro"},{"title":"Get a Quote ","id":"get-a-quote"},{"title":"Compare Our Best Picks","id":"compare-our-best-picks"},{"title":"Our Reviews","id":"our-reviews"},{"title":"Other Reviews","id":"other-reviews"},{"title":"Cost","id":"cost"},{"title":"Types of POS Systems","id":"types-of-pos-systems"},{"title":"How to Choose ","id":"how-to-choose"},{"title":"Buying Guide","id":"pos-software-features"},{"title":"Community Expert Insight ","id":"community-expert-insight"},{"title":"What to Expect in 2021","id":"what-to-expect-in-2021"}],"author":{"id":"5e2f111c7b4374b05b8b4573","name":"Skye Schooley","bio":"Skye Schooley is an Arizona native, based in New York City. She received a business communication degree from Arizona State University and spent a few years traveling internationally, before finally settling down in the greater New York City area. She currently writes for business.com and Business News Daily, primarily contributing articles about business technology and the workplace, and reviewing categories such as remote PC access software, collection agencies, background check services, web hosting, reputation management services, cloud storage, and website design software and services.","thumbnail":null,"status":"enabled","type":"Staff","user":{"slug":"skye-schooley","imagePath":"https://staging.business.com/images/uploads/user/profile/b90031d86ad400c4d947707423e3c77d43b9d.jpg"},"title":null,"image":null,"social":{"facebook":"","linkedin":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/skyeschooley/","twitter":null,"website":"https://www.business.com"}},"breadcrumbs":null,"channels":{"primary":{"name":"Finance","slug":"finance"},"sub":{"name":"Financial Solutions","slug":"financial-solutions"}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5df3d8695a215e58428b4570/POS_GETTY_DERO2084.jpg","caption":"DERO2084 / Getty Images","isBlurred":false},"image":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5df3d8695a215e58428b4570/POS_GETTY_DERO2084.jpg","meta":{"robots":"index, follow","description":"Before you choose a POS system, check out our reviews of the best picks for 2021. ","title":"Best POS Systems for 2021 - business.com"}}},"pageContext":{"displayModified":"2021-03-17T17:33:00.000Z","title":"The Best POS Systems of 2021","template":"mega","meta":{"robots":"index, follow"},"docType":"categories","slug":"best-pos-systems","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/categories/best-pos-systems/"}},"staticQueryHashes":[]}