- Lavu POS: Built for local restaurants. Cloud-based, starting at $9.99/month + 2% processing. Great for dual pricing, delivery integrations, and real-time inventory tracking. All-in-one.
- Toast POS: Designed for franchises, starting at $69/month. Offers tableside ordering, recipe costing, and offline mode.
- Lightspeed Scalable and feature-rich, with advanced inventory tools and analytics. Canadian based. Also does retail.
- Square POS: Free basic plan, ideal for food trucks. Paid plans start at $60/month with easy setup and simple features. Expensive payment processing
- Aloha POS: Custom pricing for high-volume operations, with advanced table management and kitchen tools. Complicated setup. Not cloud based. Very expensive.
Quick Comparison
| POS System | Starting Cost | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lavu | $9.99/month + 2% fee | Local restaurants, All-in-one, reliability and profitability | Dual pricing, kitchen display, real-time inventory, 24/7 support |
| Toast | $69/month + 3% and 15 cents | Franchises restaurants | Recipe costing, offline mode, kitchen tools |
| Lightspeed | Varies | Growing businesses | Advanced inventory, analytics, loyalty programs |
| Square | $60+ per month + 3% and 10 cents | Food trucks | Easy setup, low-stock alerts, integrations |
| Aloha | Custom pricing | High-volume operations | Table management, scalability |
Key Takeaway
Each POS system offers unique strengths. For food trucks, Square is budget-friendly — but watch out for expensive payment processing fees. For franchises, Toast excels in inventory and table management. Growing businesses might prefer Lavu or Lightspeed, while Aloha suits high-traffic setups. Choose based on your restaurant’s size, needs, and growth plans.
Top 5 Restaurant POS Systems
1. Lavu POS System
Lavu is a cloud-based iPad POS system that’s widely used in the restaurant industry, boasting an impressive 99.99% uptime and a high customer satisfaction score (91 NPS). If you’re running a local restaurant, this system offers a reliable solution packed with features to simplify your operations.
| Plan Level | Monthly Cost | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $9.99 + 2% processing | Hardware, 24/7 support, loyalty programs |
| Advanced | $19.99 + 2% processing | All Basic features plus advanced reporting and delivery options |
| Enterprise | $29.99 + 2% processing | Multi-location support and custom integrations |
For restaurants juggling dine-in and delivery, Lavu’s dual pricing and inventory tools make it easier to maintain margins and avoid running out of stock. The system tracks inventory automatically and sends alerts when supplies are low, helping you stay ahead of demand.
Lavu supports multiple payment methods, including contactless and mobile options, and integrates smoothly with popular delivery platforms. Its kitchen display system (KDS) helps reduce order mistakes and speeds up preparation times, keeping your kitchen running efficiently.
The platform also excels in customer support, offering:
- 24/7 technical help
- Extensive training materials
- Dedicated account managers
- Fast resolution of system issues
Lavu’s real-time analytics give restaurant owners actionable insights for improving operations, while its cloud-based design keeps your data secure and accessible from anywhere.
While Lavu delivers reliability and a strong feature set, the next section will look at how Toast POS measures up in terms of scalability and ease of use.
2. Lightspeed POS System
Lightspeed POS is a feature-packed option for restaurants, offering flexible pricing that adjusts to your business’s needs. It shines in areas like inventory management, payment processing, and analytics, making it a great fit for both single-location eateries and expanding multi-unit setups.
| Core Feature | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Inventory Tools | Real-time stock tracking, automated ordering, supplier management |
| Payment Processing | Accepts credit/debit cards, mobile payments, with PCI-compliant security |
| Business Analytics | Tracks sales performance, customer behavior, and trends |
| Operations | Table management, online ordering integration, employee scheduling |
The inventory tools are particularly impressive. You can track stock in real time, automate orders, and manage suppliers – all from one dashboard. This helps reduce waste and ensures you always have the right stock levels.
When it comes to payments, Lightspeed supports a variety of methods, including mobile payments, and ensures secure transactions with PCI compliance. Its infrastructure is built to handle transactions smoothly and reliably.
The analytics features are another highlight. You’ll get detailed insights into sales and customer behavior, helping you make informed decisions to grow your business. You can spot trends and adjust strategies to maximize profitability.
Lightspeed also includes a loyalty program to keep customers coming back. It allows you to offer personalized rewards based on customer preferences, encouraging repeat visits. Plus, the platform is user-friendly, which means less time spent training new staff.
For setup and ongoing use, Lightspeed provides 24/7 support, including technical help and training. They even offer a free trial, so you can explore the system’s features before committing [2][3].
While Lightspeed is strong in inventory and analytics, if you’re looking for a more cost-effective option for smaller operations, Square POS might be worth considering.
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3. Square
Square POS is an affordable and feature-packed option for food trucks, offering a free basic plan and paid tiers starting at $60 per month, plus transaction fees. This straightforward pricing structure makes it a great choice for food trucks and cafes aiming to manage costs effectively.
One of Square’s standout features is its ability to integrate with various tools, including:
- Accounting software for easier financial management
- Online ordering platforms to expand service options
- Loyalty programs to keep customers coming back
Its user-friendly interface and robust features simplify daily operations. For example, the menu management tools allow for automatic discounts and handling daily specials – ideal for businesses running frequent promotions [1].
| Feature Category | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Payment Processing | Supports credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay with secure, fast transactions |
| Inventory Tools | Includes low-stock alerts and order tracking |
| Staff Management | Offers scheduling, time tracking, and performance monitoring |
| Customer Engagement | Includes loyalty programs, feedback collection, and promotional tools |
Square’s inventory tools are designed to help restaurants stay on top of stock levels. The system sends real-time low-stock alerts and automates tracking, so you’re never caught off guard.
Its payment processing is built for speed and security, supporting multiple payment methods with reliable performance. On top of that, Square provides 24/7 customer support, which includes:
- Help with technical issues
- In-person support in certain locations
For growing restaurants, Square offers the flexibility to add features as needed without overhauling the entire system.
While Square works well for smaller operations, restaurants with more complex inventory needs might find Lightspeed’s inventory tools a better fit. Up next, the Aloha POS system offers another solution for businesses with more intricate requirements.
4. Aloha
Aloha POS, developed by NCR Corporation, is designed to meet the needs of restaurants of all sizes. It offers advanced tools for managing tables, detailed analytics, and other features aimed at simplifying restaurant operations.
| Feature Category | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Table Management | Reservations, waitlists, table splitting |
| Kitchen Operations | Recipe costing, order routing, kitchen display system |
| Staff Tools | Employee efficiency tracking, performance monitoring |
| Business Analytics | Customer behavior insights, sales reporting |
Pricing for Aloha POS depends on the size and specific needs of your restaurant, with custom quotes being the norm. Its scalability makes it an excellent choice for both single-location restaurants and growing multi-unit operations, without requiring major system changes.
The kitchen display system is equipped with advanced tools to improve communication between staff, ensuring smoother kitchen operations. Aloha also connects directly with supplier systems, simplifying inventory management and ordering processes. However, these more complex features may require additional staff training when compared to simpler options like Square.
Aloha’s CRM tools allow you to set up loyalty programs and track customer preferences, helping to boost repeat business. It’s particularly well-suited for full-service restaurants and expanding chains that need more advanced features.
The platform integrates with various payment processors, accounting software, and delivery platforms, giving it added flexibility. Its reporting tools provide valuable insights into sales trends, employee performance, and menu profitability.
While Aloha is packed with features, smaller restaurants might find alternatives like Square or Lightspeed more affordable and easier to use. For full-service restaurants or chains looking for a scalable and feature-rich solution, Aloha is worth considering.
5. Toast
Toast is a POS system designed specifically for restaurants, starting at $69 per month. It’s built to handle everything from small bistros to multi-location operations, offering tools that cater to the unique challenges of the restaurant industry.
| Feature Category | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Core Functions | Tableside ordering, menu customization, kitchen display system |
| Payment Options | Credit/debit cards, mobile payments, contactless transactions |
| Operations | Guest self-ordering kiosks, real-time inventory tracking, recipe costing |
| Business Tools | Advanced reporting, analytics dashboard, multi-location management |
One standout feature is its inventory management. The recipe costing tool not only tracks ingredient usage but also updates inventory levels in real time as orders are placed. This helps restaurant owners maintain accurate stock levels without manual adjustments.
Toast supports a variety of payment methods, including mobile and contactless options. However, it does require the use of Toast’s own payment processing system. While this may feel limiting, it ensures smooth integration and dependable transactions.
Another key feature is its offline mode, which keeps operations running even when the internet goes down. This is paired with durable hardware built to handle the fast-paced restaurant environment.
The kitchen display system is particularly useful for full-service restaurants, improving communication between servers and kitchen staff. On top of that, Toast provides 24/7 customer support, implementation assistance, regular updates, and emergency hardware replacements.
With its user-friendly interface, Toast reduces the time needed to train new employees, helping restaurants avoid disruptions. Its speed and reliability make it a strong choice for busy, full-service operations.
Next, we’ll take a closer look at Lightspeed POS to see how it stacks up in terms of features and flexibility.
Comparison of Pros and Cons
Here’s a side-by-side look at some of the top POS systems, breaking down their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right fit:
| POS System | Strengths | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Lavu | • Top-rated customer service (91 NPS) • Integrates with Uber Eats, QuickBooks, etc. • Dual pricing options |
• Brand awareness is lower than others |
| Toast | • Strong inventory tools • Built-in online ordering • Tableside ordering features • Excellent kitchen management |
• Requires Toast payment processing • Poor customer service |
| Lightspeed | • Advanced inventory tracking • Detailed analytics • Flexible payment choices • Great for multiple locations |
• Steeper learning curve for staff • Needs stable internet • Pricing can be complex |
| Square | • Free basic plan • Easy to use • Payment processing included • Quick to set up |
• Limited features for restaurants • Basic inventory tools • Fewer customization options |
| Aloha | • Advanced table management • Comprehensive kitchen display • Handles multi-unit operations well • Detailed analytics |
• High upfront costs • Requires training for complex features • Custom pricing model |
This table offers a quick overview to match each system with your restaurant’s needs, budget, and size.
Pricing ranges widely. Square offers a free plan, while Toast starts at $69 per month. Lavu is a mid-range option at $9.99 plus processing fees. If uptime is a priority, Lavu boasts 99.99% reliability. For delivery-focused restaurants, Lightspeed and Toast provide built-in delivery management.
Square is a solid choice for beginners, but growing businesses might prefer scalable options like Aloha or Lavu, which excel in managing multiple locations.
Let’s dive deeper in the next section to help you pinpoint the best POS system for your restaurant.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
| Restaurant Type | Recommended POS | Key Deciding Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Service | Lavu | Advanced table management, detailed analytics |
| Quick-Service | Square | Speed, ease of use, affordable pricing |
| Growing/Multi-Location | Lavu | High reliability, extensive integrations |
| High-Volume | Lavu | Robust features, scalability |
Let’s break down why these systems work well for different types of restaurants. One thing to remember: having solid local support can make a big difference in keeping things running smoothly.
For full-service restaurants, Lavu POS stands out with features designed to handle complex operations. It offers tools like advanced table management and online ordering. Starting at $9.99 per month, it’s a great fit for establishments needing detailed analytics and support for multiple locations.
If you run a quick-service restaurant or food truck, Square POS is a top pick. Its free basic plan and simple setup make it perfect for single-location businesses focused on speed and ease of use. Paid plans start at $60 per month, offering an affordable option without sacrificing key features.
For restaurants looking to grow, Lavu POS delivers reliable performance and integrates seamlessly with platforms like Uber Eats and QuickBooks. This makes it especially useful for businesses expanding their delivery services or managing multiple locations.
When it comes to high-volume operations, Lavu POS is a strong choice. It’s equipped with advanced tools for table management and kitchen coordination, helping restaurants handle complex, high-traffic environments. However, it does come with higher upfront costs.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the importance of local support. For example, Lavu provides 24/7 assistance and onboarding services to ensure a smooth transition. To find the best fit, schedule demos with your top choices and see how their features align with your specific needs.