Best POS Systems for Small Restaurants in the US (2025 Guide)

Choosing the right POS system can feel harder than opening a restaurant. Every supplier promises speed, smart reports, and more sales. But when you start comparing them, you realize one thing: no POS is “best” for every restaurant.

This guide looks at the most used POS systems for small restaurants in the U.S., showing where they excel and where they fall short. By the end, we highlight Butter POS, a practical choice for owners who want one system that simply works.

How We Compared These POS Systems

We evaluated each POS system based on features that matter in real restaurants:

• Ease of daily use
• Menu and order flexibility
• Online ordering support
• Inventory and reporting tools
• Hardware compatibility
• Pricing transparency
• Setup and learning time
• Support for growth

We focused on systems built for food businesses, not retail-focused POS tools that work primarily at the checkout.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is intended for:

• Small restaurant owners
• New restaurant locations
• Restaurants switching from older POS software
• Owners who want control without paying for features they don’t use

If your goal is to make serving customers easier without juggling multiple tools, this guide is for you.

Top POS Systems Reviewed

1. Toast

Toast is designed for restaurants that need strong order and kitchen management. It handles table service, online orders, and payments in one system, while also offering staff scheduling, payroll, and reporting tools.

Strengths:

• Strong kitchen workflows with order routing and display screens
• Staff scheduling, payroll, and reporting tools for daily operations

Best For:

• Full-service restaurants
• Multi-terminal kitchens
• Restaurants planning to scale

Limitations:

• Can be heavy for very small teams
• Cost increases with advanced add-ons
• Requires training for all features

Pricing:

Varies by location and plan; hardware and payment processing may incur extra costs

2. Square for Restaurants

Square simplifies operations for small teams. It handles orders, payments, and basic inventory and integrates with Square’s online ordering, marketing, and payroll tools.

Strengths:

• Fast setup and reliable performance
• Mobile-friendly hardware
• Integrates online orders with POS

Best For:

• Coffee shops
• Food trucks
• Quick-service restaurants

Limitations:

• Limited advanced kitchen workflows
• Table management features are basic

Pricing:

Depends on software and hardware setup; transaction fees apply

3. Lightspeed Restaurant

Lightspeed excels at tracking inventory, menus, and sales. It helps restaurants manage stock and control food costs without being overly complex.

Strengths:

• Detailed inventory management
• Recipe tracking and performance reporting

Best For:

• Multi-menu restaurants
• Bars or kitchens with detailed inventory needs
• Owners focused on cost control

Limitations:

• Learning curve can be steep
• Interface less staff-friendly than simpler systems
• Cost increases with additional tools

Pricing:

Tiered plans; hardware and integrations cost extra

4. TouchBistro

TouchBistro is optimized for table-service restaurants, allowing servers to take orders, manage tables, and split checks efficiently. It runs on iPads and works offline.

Strengths:

• Table mapping, reservations, and menu customization
• Tablet-based for flexible service

Best For:

• Dine-in restaurants
• Complex menus
• Focused on customer service flow

Limitations:

• Add-ons required for some features
• Multi-location management limited

Pricing:

Plans vary by feature set; extra tools may cost more

5. Clover

Clover combines software and hardware in one system, managing orders, basic reports, and inventory. Additional features are available via the app store.

Strengths:

• Easy installation and setup
• Hardware bundles available
• App store for extra tools

Best For:

• Cafes and counter-service restaurants
• Single-location owners

Limitations:

• Less specialized for restaurants
• Advanced tools often require third-party apps

Pricing:

Based on hardware and plan; payments processed through Clover network

Comparison Table of Top POS Systems

How Butter POS Supports Daily Restaurant Operations

Butter POS helps small restaurants manage orders, payments, and staff from a single platform. It works across dine-in, takeout, delivery, and multi-menu kitchens, keeping operations organized without requiring multiple systems.

1. Order Management:

Orders from tables, takeout, and delivery appear in one place. Modifiers, split checks, and special pricing are supported, and online orders flow automatically into the POS.

2. Kitchen and Staff Tools:

Butter POS integrates with kitchen displays and allows role-based staff management and notifications, helping operations run smoothly during peak hours.

3. Inventory and Reporting:

Stock levels, ingredient usage, and sales patterns are tracked automatically. Simple reports highlight top-selling items and potential shortages, making it easier to make operational decisions.

4. Payments and Flexibility:

The system accepts cards, mobile wallets, QR payments, and cash. Split payments and refunds are supported, and it works on standard tablets and supported printers.

5. Integrations and Growth:

Butter POS connects with delivery apps, accounting software, and loyalty programs. It supports single locations or multiple restaurants, letting businesses scale without switching systems.

Who Butter POS Works Best For

Butter POS works best for small restaurants that want one system to handle orders, payments, and staff management easily. It also adapts well to mobile setups and delivery-focused operations. It also works well for:

• Cafes – quick orders and simple payments
• Casual dining – flexible table management and menus
• Pizza Kitchens – mobile-friendly and easy to operate
• Delivery kitchens – manages multiple online orders efficiently
• Multi-menu restaurants – tracks inventory and combo deals

Choosing the Right POS

Choosing a POS really comes down to how your restaurant operates day to day. Some owners care most about control and advanced tools, while others just want a system that stays out of the way.

• Toast: Advanced tools and kitchen control
• Square: Simple, fast setup for small teams
• Lightspeed: Strong inventory and cost control
• TouchBistro: Smooth table-service experience
• Clover: Hardware-inclusive, basic setup
• Butter POS: One flexible system for a variety of restaurant types

Final Thoughts

Every small restaurant operates differently. Some systems focus on speed, others on control, reporting, or scale. Butter POS provides a versatile, practical solution, combining the essential tools needed to manage orders, staff, payments, and inventory—all in one system. It adapts to multiple restaurant types, helping owners streamline operations without unnecessary complexity.