12 best restaurant POS systems (Updated 2022)

Square is one of the top POS systems for restaurants that we want to show you first. The POS system has provided both free and paid options to merchants of all stripes. The free version covers almost everything you need like inventory management, menu management, table management, and employee time tracking.

Square POS for restaurants is available on iPad, and Square’s sleek all-in-one POS has a customer display and card/NFC reader.

Key features

  • In-house payroll software available

  • Per-item sales tracking

  • Includes employee management

Pros

  • No monthly fee

  • Free to get started

  • Compatible with iOS and Android devices

  • Can pay for hardware in installments

  • No long-term contracts or installation fees

  • All plans include a free online ordering page

Cons

  • Free plan doesn’t include 24/7 support

  • No reservation management

Cost

Square for restaurants is free to use with a basic feature set. To get advanced services, you can sign up for their $60/month

Hardware cost: Square register is from $799, the handheld Square Terminal is from $299, and the basic reader is free.

Payment processing:

  • 2.6% + 10 cents per in-person transaction

  • 2.9% + 30 cents for online payments.