Best Cloud Based POS Systems for Restaurants in 2025

Choosing the right cloud based POS system can make or break your restaurant's daily operations, especially in today’s fast-moving, tech-driven restaurant industry. 

Whether launching a cozy café, managing a bustling pizza kitchen, or scaling a fast-casual chain, a reliable POS is no longer optional — it's essential. 

In this 2025 guide, we’ve handpicked and reviewed the best cloud-based restaurant POS systems based on real-world performance, pricing, features, and ease of use. 

From modern solutions like Butter POS to industry leaders like Toast, Square for Restaurants, Lightspeed, TouchBistro, and Clover, this listicle gives you everything you need to make a smart decision. 

Not sure how cloud POS works? Start with our beginner’s guide: What is a Cloud Based POS System?

1) Butter POS

If you're looking for a restaurant POS system that’s simple, powerful, and built with real restaurant struggles in mind, Butter POS should be your first stop. Designed specifically for modern-day restaurants, Butter POS focuses on creating a seamless flow from order taking to kitchen communication to final payment while protecting owners from billing fraud and internal theft.

One of the biggest advantages of Butter POS is its clean, intuitive interface that staff can learn in minutes, perfect for new hires and busy hours. It’s especially ideal for restaurants at the startup or growth stage that want clarity and control without being overwhelmed by overly complex tools.

Butter POS doesn’t just make billing easy — it gives you peace of mind.

Pricing

Butter POS offers customized pricing based on your restaurant’s size and specific needs. This ensures you only pay for what you use, with no hidden charges, and no bloated add-ons. Plus, new users get their first 6 months absolutely free!

For a custom quote, visit butterpos.com

Pros

• Fraud-proof billing and order flow
• Detailed reporting and analytics
• Extremely easy to use — no tech background needed
• Fast setup and responsive customer support
• Designed specifically for restaurants (not retail or generic POS)

Cons

• Currently doesn’t support inventory management (coming soon)

Best For

• New restaurants or soft openings
• Fast casuals, cafes, food trucks, and pizza kitchens
• Restaurant owners who want transparency and simplicity

Still unsure if Cloud is the right model for your POS? Compare all types here: Hybrid vs Server vs Cloud POS.

2) Toast POS

Toast cloud POS is one of the most recognized names in the restaurant tech industry — and for good reason. Built specifically for restaurants, Toast offers a robust cloud-based system that combines ordering, payments, staff management, and marketing all in one streamlined platform. 

Its hardware is Android-based, built to withstand spills, heat, and the hustle of kitchen environments. Toast also offers an impressive lineup of tools like digital ordering, loyalty programs, marketing automation, and payroll integration — making it a favorite among larger restaurants and growing brands.

Pricing

• Starter Kit: $0/month (limited features, for small setups)
• Point of Sale Plan: Starts at $69/month per terminal
• Custom Pricing Plan
• Additional costs for hardware, add-ons (like online ordering, payroll, etc.)

Note: Toast Cloud POS requires you to use its payment processing system.

Pros

• Built specifically for restaurants — not a one-size-fits-all
• Strong hardware ecosystem with durable Android terminals
• Deep reporting, menu management, and loyalty tools
• Excellent training and onboarding support

Cons

• Can get expensive quickly as you add features
• Locked into Toast’s payment processing
• No iOS/iPad support — Android only

Best For

• Full-service restaurants, casual dining chains
• Mid to large-size restaurants looking for an all-in-one system
• Operators with tech-savvy teams who want granular control

3) Square for Restaurants

Square cloud point of sale for Restaurants is a favorite among small to mid-sized restaurant owners, especially those who value simplicity, affordability, and flexibility. Known for its clean interface and easy setup, Square runs on iPads and works great for food trucks, cafes, quick-service spots, and small dine-ins.

From table layouts to tipping to online ordering, Square Cloud point of sale gives you just enough tools to get up and running smoothly. And if you’re already using Square for payments, integrating its restaurant POS is practically plug-and-play.

Pricing

• Free Plan: 0$/month + processing fees
• Plus Plan: $29+/month per location
• Premium Plan: Custom pricing for high-volume or multi-location setups
• Payment processing: 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction

Hardware sold separately — compatible with iPads, Square Stands, and terminals.

Pros

• Super easy to set up and start using
• Clean user interface, great for new staff
• Seamless online ordering and delivery integrations

Cons

• Limited advanced features for full-service or multi-location operations
• Reporting and customization can feel basic compared to bigger systems
• Support isn’t always fast for free plan users

Best For

• New or small restaurants, cafes, food trucks
• Restaurants that want to avoid upfront costs
• Owners already using Square for payments or retail

4) Lightspeed Restaurant POS

Lightspeed is a high-performance, cloud POS system built for growing restaurants, especially those with multiple locations, complex menus, or inventory-heavy operations. 

Lightspeed also shines when it comes to integrations — from accounting tools to delivery platforms to loyalty apps. Its modern, sleek interface runs smoothly on iPads, and it's designed to give restaurant managers full visibility and control over their operations from anywhere.

Pricing

• Starter Plan: $69/month (billed annually)
• Essential Plan: $189/month (includes loyalty & analytics)
• Premium Plan: $399/month+ (custom setups & enterprise features)
• Add-ons like advanced inventory or customer loyalty are available at extra cost

Pros

• Excellent inventory management and real-time reporting
• Ideal for multi-location restaurants and complex operations
• Smooth iPad interface with cloud access from anywhere
• Strong support and extensive third-party app ecosystem

Cons

• Higher learning curve compared to Square or Butter POS
• Can get expensive for small restaurants
• Occasional sync delays when the internet connection is unstable

Best For

• Fine dining, multi-location restaurants, or high-volume kitchens
• Businesses with complex menus and inventory needs
• Owners who want in-depth data and full operational control

5) TouchBistro POS

TouchBistro is a hybrid POS system designed exclusively for restaurants. It operates primarily through an iPad but stores data locally while syncing with the cloud — offering you the speed of an on-site system and the convenience of cloud-based reporting and remote access.

Unlike many other cloud POS system providers that started in retail or payments, TouchBistro was built by restaurant professionals for restaurant professionals. That focus shows in features like customizable floor plans, coursing, tableside ordering, menu management, and even built-in staff scheduling tools.

Pricing

• Software License: Starts at $69/month per terminal
• Add-ons: Online ordering, reservations, loyalty, and gift cards come at additional monthly fees
• Hardware, installation, and support packages are sold separately

Pros

• Strong offline functionality with hybrid cloud setup
• Tailored restaurant features like tableside ordering and floor plans
• Built-in tools for staff management and scheduling
• Works great even with weak internet connectivity

Cons

• Not 100% cloud-native — remote access can be limited in real-time
• Add-ons increase total costs quickly
• Limited integration options compared to Toast or Lightspeed

Best For

• Full-service restaurants and bistros with a dine-in focus
• Locations with unstable internet needing offline reliability
• Operators who prefer on-site control but want cloud syncing for reporting

6) Clover POS

Clover POS is a flexible, all-in-one solution that combines cloud POS software with proprietary hardware. It’s especially popular with small restaurants, food trucks, and cafes thanks to its plug-and-play nature, sleek hardware options, and fast payment processing.

One of Clover’s biggest strengths is its app marketplace, which allows you to customize your POS system with features you actually need — from loyalty programs to payroll tools to advanced reporting. It’s also backed by major payment processors like Fiserv, which gives it financial muscle and reliability.

However, one thing to note: Clover cloud POS software is sold through multiple third-party resellers, which can impact your pricing, contract terms, and customer support experience.

Pricing

• Starter: Begin around $179/month (includes hardware and software)
• Standard: Begin around 239$/month (includes hardware and software)
• Advanced: Begin around $354/month (includes hardware and software)

Always double-check the terms and pricing with your chosen reseller.

Pros

• Beautiful, durable hardware that’s easy to set up
• Flexible software with app-based customization
• All-in-one system for payments, orders, and reporting
• Works great for small operations with straightforward needs

Cons

• Inconsistent pricing and support (depends on the reseller)
• Less advanced restaurant features compared to Toast or Lightspeed
• Locked into Clover’s hardware — limited cross-compatibility

Best For

• Small restaurants, coffee shops, food trucks
• Owners who want a modern-looking POS with minimal setup
• Businesses already using Fiserv or looking for bundled payment hardware

Which Cloud POS System Is Right for Your Restaurant?

Choosing the right cloud based POS system for your restaurant in 2025 depends on your unique needs, goals, and budget. If you're looking for a lightweight, modern, and intuitive system to get started, Butter POS offers simplicity and reliability for small-to-mid-sized restaurants. 

Want something more robust with in-depth customization? Toast, Lightspeed, and TouchBistro bring serious firepower. For flexibility and affordability, Square for Restaurants and Clover give you solid options without a heavy learning curve.

No matter which POS you choose, remember: the best POS system isn’t just about features — it’s about fitting into your operations smoothly, saving time, reducing errors, and helping your team deliver a better guest experience.

Try Butter POS – Built for Restaurants Like Yours

Looking for a smart, reliable, and affordable POS system?

Butter POS is a hybrid restaurant POS that combines the speed of offline systems with the flexibility of cloud-based technology — so your operations never stop, even when the internet does.

• 6 Months FREE for new users!
• Customized pricing (pay only for what you need)
• Works seamlessly with every order type (dine-in, takeaway, delivery, etc.)
• Intuitive interface for faster order taking and billing
• Real-time sales reports, anytime, anywhere

Don’t settle for bloated systems or hidden charges. Choose Butter POS — smooth, powerful, and built for growth. Get a Free Demo Now!