POS guide
Best Restaurant POS Systems (2026)
The right POS ties together orders, online ordering, payroll, and inventory — without locking you into bad hardware.
Quick comparison
| Software | Category | Starting price | Free trial | Rating | Best for | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toast POS | POS | $0/mo | Yes | 4.5 | Full-service and quick-service restaurants of every size. | Visit |
| Square for Restaurants | POS | Free | Yes | 4.4 | New restaurants, cafés, and quick-service concepts. | Visit |
| Clover | POS | $90/mo | No | 4.1 | Restaurants and retailers who want hardware flexibility. | Visit |
Top picks
#1
Toast POS
POS
4.5
Toast is the leading restaurant POS, online ordering, and payroll platform.
- Restaurant-only focus
- Strong online ordering
- Integrated payroll
Starting price
$0/mo
Free trialVisit site
4.4
Square for Restaurants brings Square's simple POS to full-service and QSR concepts.
- Free plan available
- Easy hardware setup
- Predictable processing fees
Starting price
Free
Free trialVisit site
#3
Clover
POS
4.1
Clover offers POS hardware and software for restaurants, retail, and services.
- Strong app marketplace
- Flexible hardware lineup
Starting price
$90/mo
More for restaurants
Restaurant owners need a POS that ties together orders, online ordering, inventory, and labor — without locking you into bad hardware.
See all software for restaurantsFAQ
Toast vs Square for Restaurants?+
Toast has deeper restaurant-specific features and integrations. Square is cheaper to start and easier for cafés and quick-service.