A restaurant POS (Point of Sale) system is the backbone of a restaurant’s operations. It allows you to take orders, process payments, track sales, and manage staff schedules—all from one platform.
For restaurant owners, especially those about to launch, having the right POS system is essential for smooth operations. It helps reduce errors, speeds up service, prevents employee fraud, and provides valuable business insights. With so many options available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming.
To make things easier, we’ve compiled a list of the top restaurant POS systems available in the market today.
Let’s dive in!
1. Butter POS
This is a simple yet powerful restaurant POS system designed to make restaurant management easy. It helps you take orders, process payments, and manage tables without any hassle. Plus, it speeds up service and prevents internal or external fraud, giving you full control over your business.
It’s built specifically for restaurants, so every feature is designed to keep things running smoothly. Whether you’re handling dine-in or online orders, tracking sales, or managing staff, everything is easy to use and set up.
For new restaurant owners, Butter POS is a reliable option that helps you focus on profitable growth, increasing customer loyalty, and maintaining a positive cash flow while keeping daily operations efficient and error-free.
Why Butter POS?
Butter POS is packed with features that help restaurants run smoothly and efficiently. Here are some standout features that make it a top choice:
- Fraud Prevention & Secure Transactions: Butter POS helps prevent employee fraud by tracking every transaction, including voided and refunded orders, ensuring complete transparency in billing.
- Smart Order Management: Whether it’s dine-in, takeout, or online orders, Butter POS organizes everything in one place, reducing errors and speeding up service.
- Multi-Payment Flexibility: Accept cash, credit cards, split payments, and even digital payment links—giving customers multiple ways to pay effortlessly.
- Instant Setup & Easy to Use: No complicated training required! Butter POS is designed for quick setup so restaurant owners can start using it right away.
These features make Butter POS a top restaurant POS system for new restaurant owners looking to simplify operations and maximize profits.
Pricing Plans of Butter POS
Butter POS offers three flexible pricing plans to fit different restaurant needs:
Free Plan - $0.00/month
- Cloud-based POS System
- Multiple Payment Methods
Quick Start Plan - $1.00/month (for the first 6 months)
- Cloud-based POS System
- 24/7 chat support
- Access to all Butter POS features
- Best for small restaurants
Advanced Plan - $49.00/outlet per month or 1 cent per transaction
- Unlimited counters
- No order-taking app license restriction
- Best for medium to large restaurants
- Cloud-based POS System
- 24/7 chat support
Note: See all the pricing plans now. These plans provide restaurant owners with affordable options, whether they’re just starting or running a large-scale operation.
2. Toast POS
Toast is one of the reliable cloud based POS systems for restaurants, designed to simplify operations and improve efficiency. Built specifically for the food service industry, it offers powerful tools for order management, payment processing, and customer engagement. Whether you run a small café or a multi-location restaurant, Toast provides a seamless experience with cloud-based technology, ensuring smooth operations and real-time insights.
Key Features of Toast POS
- Cloud-Based System: Access your restaurant’s data anytime, anywhere with a fully cloud-based POS.
- Order & Menu Management: Easily customize menus, track orders, and manage modifications.
- Integrated Payments: Accept multiple payment methods, including credit cards, mobile payments, and gift cards.
- Employee Management: Track staff shifts, assign roles, and manage payroll efficiently.
Toast POS Pricing Plans
Here are the pricing plans of one of the reliable cloud based POS systems for restaurants.
Starter Kit
- Price: Starts at $0/month
- Ideal For: Single-location restaurants needing 1-2 terminals to begin operations.
- Includes hardware kit with no upfront costs, Cloud-based POS, 1 terminal hardware configuration, and Additional add-ons included.
Point of Sale
- Price: Starts at $69/month
- Ideal For: Restaurants looking for core functionality and flat-rate processing.
- Includes Cloud-based point of sale, Custom hardware configuration, Additional add-ons included.
Build Your Own
- Price: Custom Pricing (Quote-based)
- Ideal for the restaurants wanting to optimize operations and maximize revenue using the full Toast platform.
Note: See all the pricing plans here: https://pos.toasttab.com/pricing.
3. Clover POS
Clover POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale system designed to simplify payments and business management for restaurants, cafes, and retail stores. It offers an all-in-one solution with customizable hardware and software, allowing businesses to accept payments, track sales, and manage day-to-day operations efficiently. With its user-friendly interface and integration options, Clover helps businesses streamline workflows and improve customer service.
Features of Clover
- Customizable Hardware: Clover offers a range of hardware options, from countertop terminals to mobile POS devices, allowing businesses to choose what suits them best.
- Flexible Payment Processing: Accepts various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, contactless payments, and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Customer Engagement Tools: Built-in features for loyalty programs, gift cards, and personalized promotions to enhance customer retention.
- Inventory Tracking: Allows businesses to monitor stock levels, set alerts for low inventory, and manage products efficiently.
Pricing Plans of Clover
Below are the pricing plans for Clover.
Starter Plan
Run your restaurant on a powerful restaurant POS and easily take orders and payments at a front-of-house wait station.
- Price: $179/month for 36 months
- One-time purchase: $1,799 + $89.95/month
Standard Plan
Enhance your front-of-house with a powerful handheld POS—easily take orders and payments at the server station or tableside.
- Price: $239/month for 36 months
- One-time purchase: $2,548 + $109.90/month
Advanced Plan
Take orders throughout your restaurant, connect front-of-house and back-of-house, and manage your complex business with robust management tools.
- Price: $354/month for 36 months
- One-time purchase: $4,447 + $129.85/month
Note: See all the pricing plans here: https://www.clover.com/pricing.
Conclusion
Choosing the right POS system is key to running a restaurant smoothly. Butter POS is a budget-friendly, secure option for new and growing restaurants. Toast POS offers advanced features for full-service restaurants, including kitchen management and online ordering. Clover POS provides flexibility with easy-to-use hardware for various food businesses.
The best choice depends on your restaurant’s needs and budget, but a good POS system will streamline operations, enhance service, and boost efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a restaurant POS system and why is it essential?
A restaurant POS system is the central platform used to take orders, process payments, track sales, and manage daily operations. It acts as the backbone of a restaurant by reducing manual work, minimizing errors, improving service speed, and giving owners clear visibility into performance and cash flow.
Why do new restaurant owners need a POS system from day one?
New restaurant owners benefit from a POS system because it creates structure from the start. It helps avoid billing mistakes, controls cash handling, tracks sales accurately, and prevents employee fraud, all while making operations easier to manage during the critical early stages.
How does a POS system improve daily restaurant operations?
A POS system streamlines order-taking, automates billing, tracks payments, and organizes sales data in one place. This reduces confusion during busy hours, speeds up service, and allows staff to focus more on customers rather than manual processes.
Can a POS system help prevent employee fraud?
Yes, modern POS systems log every transaction, including voids, refunds, and discounts. This transparency makes it difficult for unauthorized actions to go unnoticed and helps owners quickly identify suspicious activity.
What makes Butter POS suitable for new restaurant owners?
Butter POS is designed to be simple, affordable, and quick to set up. Its user-friendly interface requires minimal training, while features like fraud prevention, multi-payment support, and smart order management help new owners stay in control without added complexity.
How does Butter POS handle different order types?
Butter POS manages dine-in, takeout, and online orders in one system. This centralized approach reduces errors, keeps orders organized, and ensures faster service across all channels.
Is Butter POS affordable for small restaurants?
Yes, Butter POS offers flexible pricing plans, including a free plan and low-cost starter options. This makes it accessible for small and newly opened restaurants that need reliable functionality without heavy upfront costs.
What type of restaurants benefit most from Toast POS?
Toast POS is ideal for full-service and growing restaurants that need advanced features like employee management, detailed reporting, and integrated payments. It works well for restaurants that want deeper operational insights and scalability.
How does Toast POS support restaurant management?
Toast POS provides cloud-based access to real-time data, menu customization, order tracking, and employee scheduling. These tools help owners manage operations efficiently, even across multiple locations.
Is Toast POS suitable for single-location restaurants?
Yes, Toast POS offers starter plans for single-location restaurants with limited terminals. It allows smaller restaurants to start with essential features and expand as their business grows.
What makes Clover POS different from other restaurant POS systems?
Clover POS stands out for its customizable hardware options and flexibility. Restaurants can choose countertop, handheld, or mobile devices, making it suitable for various service styles and layouts.
How does Clover POS help with customer engagement?
Clover includes tools for loyalty programs, gift cards, and promotions. These features help restaurants encourage repeat visits and build long-term customer relationships.
Can Clover POS handle inventory tracking?
Yes, Clover POS allows restaurants to track inventory levels, set low-stock alerts, and manage products efficiently. This helps reduce waste and avoid running out of key items during service.
Are cloud-based POS systems better than traditional systems?
Cloud-based POS systems offer real-time data access, automatic updates, and remote management. They are generally more flexible and scalable than traditional systems, making them better suited for modern restaurant operations.
How do POS systems support multiple payment methods?
Modern POS systems support cash, credit and debit cards, split payments, and digital wallets. This flexibility improves the customer experience and speeds up checkout.
What should restaurant owners consider when choosing a POS system?
Owners should consider ease of use, pricing, payment options, fraud prevention, scalability, and customer support. The right POS should match the restaurant’s size, service style, and long-term goals.
Is a POS system worth the investment for small restaurants?
Yes, even small restaurants benefit from accurate billing, reduced errors, better cash control, and clear reporting. Over time, these advantages often outweigh the monthly cost of the system.
Can a POS system grow with a restaurant?
Most modern POS systems are scalable. Restaurants can start with basic features and add more tools, terminals, or locations as the business expands.
How does a POS system improve customer experience?
Faster order processing, accurate billing, and multiple payment options create a smoother experience for customers. This leads to higher satisfaction and repeat visits.
Which POS system is best overall in 2026?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Butter POS is best for budget-conscious and new restaurants, Toast POS suits feature-rich full-service operations, and Clover POS works well for businesses needing flexible hardware. The best choice depends on your restaurant’s specific needs and budget.
Region: United States
