Find the best POS system for your business

Square is the go-to POS for small businesses, food trucks, and retail shops that want to start selling immediately with zero upfront cost. The free plan includes a full point-of-sale system, a free card reader, and access to inventory management, sales analytics, and an online store. Processing fees are a flat 2.6% + $0.10 per tap or swipe, with no hidden fees or monthly commitments. Square works on any iOS or Android device, and most sellers are up and running in under 15 minutes. The trade-off is limited offline capability and occasional account holds for businesses with irregular sales patterns.

Toast is the most widely used restaurant POS in the United States, built from the ground up for food service. It handles everything a restaurant needs: menu management, kitchen display screens, tableside ordering via handheld tablets, online ordering, and delivery logistics. The free Starter Kit plan includes hardware and software at no upfront cost, though processing fees are higher at 2.99% + $0.15. Paid plans start at $69/mo with lower rates. Toast runs on its own proprietary Android-based hardware, which means reliable offline mode during internet outages — critical for busy dinner rushes.

Shopify POS is the in-store extension of Shopify's ecommerce platform, designed for retailers who sell both online and in person. Every sale, inventory change, and customer interaction syncs across your website, physical store, social channels, and marketplaces in real time. POS Lite is included free with any Shopify plan (starting at $39/mo), while POS Pro adds advanced staff management and detailed store analytics for an extra $89/mo per location. Hardware ranges from a $49 card reader to a $459 countertop terminal. If you already run a Shopify store, adding in-person sales is seamless.

SpotOn has quietly become one of the most competitive POS systems for restaurants and small businesses, largely because of its 1.99% + $0.25 processing rate — the lowest in the industry. There are no long-term contracts, and the free plan includes hardware and full POS functionality. Paid plans (up to $135/mo) add marketing tools, loyalty programs, and commission-free online ordering. Every merchant gets a dedicated account representative, which is rare at this price point. SpotOn covers both restaurant and retail workflows, making it a versatile choice for multi-concept businesses.