10 Best Point Of Sale (POS) Systems In 2021

Get Started with Lightspeed Retail POS

Limited time offer: Save up to $1,000 on Lightspeed's retail digital bundle and get two pieces of free hardware. Offer expires December 4th 2021.

Pros

Made especially for retail businesses
In-house eCommerce platform
Strong inventory management

Cons

It can get expensive if you want all the features

Monthly Fees

Lightspeed Retail pricing starts at $69/month for the “Lean” plan, which includes the core Lightspeed point of sale software. You can upgrade to the $119/month “Standard” plan to get accounting and the built-in eCommerce features or the $199/month “Advanced” plan to add loyalty and analytics. Additional registers on any plan are $29/month/register.

Hardware Cost

Lightspeed sells iPad and desktop PC hardware kits as well as individual hardware components, all of which are quote-based.

Payment Processing

In-house processing with Lightspeed Payments is included on all plans. The rate is 2.6% + $0.10 for all tapped, inserted, and swiped payments. Manually keyed-in payments are charged at a rate of 2.6% + $0.30 (including online payments). Lightspeed optionally allows you to integrate an outside payment processor for an additional monthly fee.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

The above monthly subscription prices are for merchants using Lightspeed Payments with an annual contract; integrating an outside payment processor or paying month-to-month will incur a higher subscription price.

Where Lightspeed Retail Really Shines

Lightspeed Retail is easily the most powerful retail POS at its price point. As long as you’re willing to pay a bit extra for all the bells and whistles, Lightspeed has everything small-to-medium-sized retail businesses could need to sell and manage their business, with excellent customer support to guide you through it all. Lightspeed is the best POS system for any retail store that needs features, such as advanced inventory management, vendor purchase orders, built-in eCommerce, and a plethora of software integrations in case you want to make your system even more powerful.

2. Revel Systems: Best For Advanced POS Features

Revel POS Systems

Get Started with Revel POS Systems

Pros

Advanced iPad POS
Adaptable to any industry
Strong offline mode

Cons

Long-term processing commitment

Monthly Fees

Revel Systems POS monthly pricing starts at $99/month, billed annually, with a two-terminal minimum. There is also a $674 one-time implementation fee. Add-ons, such as online ordering, delivery management, kiosk ordering, multilocation management, and software integrations, are offered at a premium. However, Revel does not publicly disclose the pricing for those services.

Hardware Cost

revel pos on iPad with stand

The iPad-based Revel POS hardware sold on Revel’s website is quote-based.

Payment Processing

Revel has an in-house flat-rate payment processing service called Revel Advantage, with a standard rate of 2.49% + $0.15 per transaction. You can also integrate an outside payment processor of your choice for an additional fee.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Revel’s $99/month package requires annual billing, with a three-year processing contract with Revel Advantage. Given the two-terminal minimum, this means you are committing to pay at least $2,376 upfront per year for the next three years (in addition to payment processing fees).

Where Revel Really Shines

Despite its steep price tag and long-term commitment, Revel Systems is arguably the most advanced iPad point of sale system out there, particularly for quick-serve (though many retailers use it too). Whether you need digital menu boards, self-order kiosks, caller ID integration, or all of the above, Revel has got you covered. Revel is one of the few cloud POS systems that can process payments offline and even has a proprietary wired Ethernet connection for iPad. As a result, Revel can handle any size business that needs a powerful and reliable POS system.

3. Square: Best Free

Square POS

Get Started with Square POS

Pros

Feature-packed free plan
Works for any industry
Works on most mobile devices

Cons

Account stability issues for some merchants

Monthly Fees

Square POS is free ($0/month) with unlimited registers/devices. You can, however, purchase paid Square add-ons, such as advanced team management ($35/month/location), email marketing ($15+/month), and loyalty ($45+/month/location). Additionally, Square has dedicated point of sale systems for specific industries, including Square Appointments (for salons and other appointment-based businesses), Square for Restaurants, and Square for Retail, all of which offer free and paid plans.

Hardware Cost

Square Stand

Hardware prices range from $0 (just use your mobile phone and a free Square magstripe reader) to $1,668 for a complete Square Stand Restaurant Station kit. The kit includes an iPad, swiveling Square Stand with magstripe reader, portable Square Terminal ($299 when purchased separately), Square chip and tap reader, cash drawer, kitchen printer, and USB receipt printer.

Payment Processing

Square has built-in payment processing on all plans, charging a flat 2.6% + $0.10 per tap, dip, or swipe. Manually keyed-in card payments have a rate of 3.5% + $0.15, while online payments are 2.9% + $0.30.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Square’s month-to-month contract is ideal for any business that doesn’t want a long-term commitment. After signing up, you’re not even committed to using the POS at all, as there is no monthly minimum. A caveat is that Square has an aggregated merchant account model (i.e., businesses do not get their own dedicated merchant accounts), which can lead to withheld funds on transactions that Square’s algorithm flags as high risk or even sudden account termination for some merchants.

Where Square Really Shines

Square really shines when it comes to the number and quality of its free POS features. No other free POS offers free eCommerce, free employee management, free inventory management, and as many other free features as Square does — or at least, no other free POS executes these features quite as expertly as Square does. Simply put, you can’t find a better free POS than Square.

4. Clover POS: Best Out-Of-The-Box Features

Clover POS

Get Started with Clover POS

Pros

Plug-and-play, all-in-one POS
Sleek, flexible hardware options
Customizable to any industry

Cons

Some Clover systems sold by sketchy merchant services companies

Monthly Fees

Clover pricing starts at $0/month for its payments-only plan. To get the full Clover POS feature set, most businesses will choose the $39.95/month Clover Register Plan, $39.95/month Counter Service Plan, or $69.95/month Table Service Plan, depending on your industry. The Clover POS feature set includes built-in apps for loyalty, promos, employee management, inventory, and more. Additional terminals on any plan are $9.95/month.

Hardware Cost

clover station with cash drawer and receipt printer with customer-facing display

Clover hardware starts at $99 for a Clover Go Bluetooth credit card reader, which pairs with your smartphone, but most businesses wanting a complete countertop POS will go with the $1,349 Clover Station Solo. Other hardware options include a portable Clover Flex for $499, a pint-size Clover Mini for $749, or a Station Duo for $1,699. You do not need to purchase any Clover hardware if you choose the “No Hardware” plan, which lets you process payments online exclusively.

Payment Processing

Clover plans purchased through Clover.com include built-in payment processing on all accounts, with in-person rates ranging from 2.3%-2.6% + $0.10, depending on your monthly software plan. However, Clover systems purchased elsewhere may have different payment processing fees.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

All Clover systems and associated contracts sold on the Clover website are month-to-month. However, numerous merchant services companies sell Clover point of sale systems with their own contracts and pricing. Some of these Clover providers may have expensive processing and restrictive, long-term contracts and hardware leases. Make sure you purchase your system from Clover directly or another reputable Clover provider.

Where Clover Really Shines

Clover is a one-of-a-kind POS system that is mobile, modern, and uniquely designed for small businesses. Clover is an ideal choice of POS if you want a plug-and-play POS with strong out-of-the-box features. Once you purchase your Clover system — you’ll buy your complete hardware setup as a package, complete with bundled software apps — you can get up and selling in minutes. You can also add additional features from a vast Clover app market to create a system perfectly tailored to you, whether you have a retail, quick-serve, full-service restaurant, or service industry business.

5. Lightspeed Restaurant: Best For Restaurants

Lightspeed Restaurant POS

Get Started with Lightspeed Restaurant POS

Pros

Can accommodate any type of restaurant
Advanced digital ordering features
Affordable starting price

Cons

Limited offline mode

Monthly Fees

Lightspeed Restaurant fees start at $59/month (billed annually). Additional terminals are $34/month, and paid add-ons, such as a customer-facing display or self-order table menu, start at $12/month. Premium add ons, such as online ordering and delivery integration, start at $39/month.

Hardware Cost

lightspeed restaurant hardware

Lightspeed Restaurant sells iPad POS hardware kits and individual hardware components, which are quote-based. You can also source your own hardware.

Payment Processing

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Lightspeed encourages annual contracts with Lightspeed Payments for payment processing. Restaurants that choose to integrate an outside payment processor or month-to-month billing will pay a higher monthly fee.

Where Lightspeed Restaurant Really Shines

Besides its strong core restaurant POS functionality, Lightspeed Restaurant has all the digital ordering features restaurants need to thrive in today’s world. These include third-party delivery service integration, as well as an in-house online ordering system for pickup or delivery, and an integrated eCommerce website to sell merch online. Restaurants can also let customers order and pay on their phones via QR codes or place orders from a self-order kiosk. Whether you own a food truck, a nightclub, or any other type of eatery, Lightspeed Restaurant has the tech-forward features you need.

6. Toast: Best Customer Service

Toast POS

Get Started with Toast POS

Pros

Outstanding customer service
Restaurant-grade Android hardware
Advanced online and mobile ordering features

Cons

Complicated pricing

Monthly Fees

Toast pricing starts at $0/month for the Pay-As-You-Go plan. However, since this plan comes with a high payment processing rate (2.99% + $0.15), most businesses should choose the $69/month core subscription ($59/month billed annually) or $165/month Essentials plan to include online ordering and delivery. There is also a Growth plan for $272/month, which adds gift cards, loyalty, and marketing. Handheld ordering devices are another $50/month per device, while a kiosk terminal or kitchen display system will set you back another $90/month and $25/month, respectively.

Hardware Cost

Toast pos hardware bundle starter kit

Toast hardware starts at $0 if you choose a Starter Kit on the Pay-As-You-Go plan. The kit includes Toast’s proprietary Android-based Flex POS terminal, Toast Tap payment device, and router. Alternatively, you can pay for your Starter Kit upfront for $799. Pricing for other kit configurations and individual components is listed on Toast’s website.

Payment Processing

Toast payment processing on the standard plan is 2.49% + $0.15 for most in-person payments. Note that unlike the other providers on our list, Toast charges more to process American Express cards — 3.29% + $0.15, to be exact. It is not possible to integrate an outside payment processor to use with Toast POS.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Toast requires a two-year payment processing agreement. Similar to Clover, Toast hardware is proprietary and can’t be used with any other POS system if you decide you don’t like Toast. Make sure you have thoroughly read your merchant agreement so that you understand all the fees (including online processing fees, cancelation fees, and others) before you decide to commit to Toast.

Where Toast Really Shines

Toast’s features hold their own with pretty much any other restaurant POS system out there, even though it doesn’t follow the ubiquitous iPad POS model. Toast has also beefed up its digital ordering extras to include eGift cards, contactless delivery, and even a mobile delivery app. But most significantly, Toast has some of the best customer service that we’ve come across in our reviews. Toast has a thorough onboarding and training process, walking you through every step of setup, and it doesn’t end there. Even after you get up and going, Toast customer support is available 24/7/365 via call, email, or webchat.

7. Vend: Best For Inventory Management

Vend by Lightspeed

Get Started with Vend by Lightspeed

Pros

Strong inventory management
Choice of hardware setup and payment processor
Features designed specifically for retailers

Cons

No built-in eCommerce

Monthly Fees

Vend has a very limited free plan, but it only includes support for 10 products and will not work for most businesses. Full Vend POS plans are $99/month for the Lite plan or $129/month for the Pro plan (both billed annually).

Hardware Cost

vend hardware bundle

Through its hardware partner POS Portal, you can purchase a complete Vend POS hardware bundle, including a 10.2″ iPad for $806.49 or a starter kit that you can use with your laptop or iPad for $694.99.

Payment Processing

Vend does not include built-in payment processing, but rather, the POS integrates with various partnered processors. In the United States, some payment processors you can use with Vend include Worldpay, PayPal, CardConnect, EVO, North American Bancard, TSYS, and Square.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

While Vend gives you the option of a month-to-month contract, you will pay an additional fee if you don’t purchase the annual contract — $20/month more on the Lite plan or an additional $30/month on the Pro plan. On the positive side, Vend does not require you to use any particular processor or hardware.

Where Vend Really Shines

Vend’s retail-centric inventory management makes this system a strong choice for stores with extensive inventories. Vend lets you add tags and photos to inventory items for easy searching and add items to themed bundles. You can also use the Vend Scanner app for iPhone to look up items from the shop floor or conduct mobile stocktakes. The system additionally includes automatic reorder points to refill stocks of popular items, multilocation inventory transfers, and inventory analytics to show you what’s selling and what’s not.

8. Shopify POS: Best For In-Person + eCommerce

Shopify POS

Get Started with Shopify POS

Pros

Syncs eCommerce and in-person retail sales
Month-to-month plans with no long-term commitment
Unlimited devices per location

Cons

Complicated pricing

Monthly Fees

Shopify plans start at just $9/month for a Shopify Lite mobile selling plan but can range up to $299/month for an Advanced Shopify plan. There is no fee to add additional register devices at the same location. Shopify also has a Shopify Pro add-on for $89/month, which includes staff roles and permissions and advanced omnichannel features.

Hardware Cost

shopify hardware

Shopify POS hardware ranges from a $29 chip card reader that you can use with a mobile phone to iPad POS hardware bundles listed at $789 (not including the iPad). All Shopify hardware pricing is listed on Shopify’s website.

Payment Processing

Processing with Shopify Payments is included on all plans, or you can use an external processor for an additional fee. In-person payment processing fees for Shopify Payments range from 2.4% to 2.7%, depending on which plan you’re on. Online processing fees range from 2.4% to 2.9% + $0.30.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

All Shopify plans are billed month-to-month, which means there is no long-term commitment. Something to know about Shopify Payments is that it is powered by Stripe, which is a third-party payment processor like Square. So you will not have your own merchant account with Shopify and could potentially experience account instability, particularly if you own a high-risk business.

Where Shopify Really Shines

Shopify is especially known for its strong eCommerce functionality, as this retail system started as an eCommerce company that made it easy for retailers to sell online. Shopify POS provides a bridge between your online and in-person sales, effortlessly syncing your inventory across multiple channels. All Shopify plans on the Basic ($29/month) tier and up include your own Shopify online store and blog. Advanced omnichannel features, such as BOPIS (buy online, pick up in-store) and BORIS (buy online, return in-store), are included on all Shopify Pro plans.

9. SwipeSimple By Payment Depot: Best Basic Option For Mobile

Payment Depot Mobile

Get Started with Payment Depot Mobile

Pros

Mobile POS
It comes with your own merchant account
Plans for low-volume and high-volume sellers

Cons

Pared-down feature set

Monthly Fees

Payment Depot offers two pricing setups for SwipeSimple. For low-volume merchants, it’s $10/month with flat-rate pricing. For higher-volume businesses using SwipeSimple, Payment Depot offers $49/month membership pricing with interchange-plus rates.

Hardware Cost

swipesimple by payment depot pax terminal

SwipeSimple can use a $25 Bluetooth card reader with an app installed on your smartphone or a PAX all-in-one terminal.

Payment Processing

Payment Depot offers both flat-rate processing at 2.6% + $0.10 and interchange pricing, depending on your monthly plan.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Payment Depot has month-to-month contracts with no cancellation fees or monthly minimums. You can cancel your contract at any time on either monthly plan. You also get your own merchant account with Payment Depot, which provides greater account stability than you get with another mobile POS provider, such as Square or Shopify. Note that like Clover, SwipeSimple is also offered by other providers that have different contract terms than Payment Depot.

Where SwipeSimple By Payment Depot Really Shines

SwipeSimple by Payment Depot is the best basic mobile POS or Square alternative. The SwipeSimple app offers basic inventory management, reports, discounts, tips, digital receipts, and an offline mode, as well as 24/7 support and 24 to 48-hour deposits. But the main benefit of using SwipeSimple vs. other mobile POS is that you get your own dedicated merchant account. This makes SwipeSimple by Payment Depot the best choice for businesses that just need mobile payment processing with basic POS features.

10. Loyverse: Easiest To Use

Loyverse

Pros

Free POS with built-in loyalty
Works with most mobile devices and payment processors
Excellent ease of use

Cons

Somewhat basic functionality

Monthly Fees

Loyverse POS is free ($0/month) and includes a free built-in loyalty program, a free kitchen display system option, and free customer-display functionality. There are three optional paid add-ons for Loyverse, including advanced inventory management, employee management, and software integrations (e.g., QuickBooks integration), all of which are offered at $25/month per store.

Hardware Cost

loyverse hardware

For $439, you can purchase a complete mPOP™ Multifunction System from Loyverse’s website for use with iPad, Android tablets, and Windows tablets. You can also purchase individual POS components for iPad and Android tablet POS setups.

Payment Processing

To process payments with Loyverse, US merchants can choose from Worldpay, SumUp, Zettle by PayPal, and CardConnect. You can also use your own merchant service provider as a non-integrated payment option.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Loyverse POS is completely free and month-to-month, with no requirement to purchase hardware or use a particular processor. If you choose to buy a paid add-on, you can select a month-to-month plan or an annual plan for a discount. It is easy to cancel your plan at any time.

Where Loyverse Really Shines

Being a relatively basic, free POS application, Loyverse is incredibly easy to use on virtually any device, from an iPhone to a Windows tablet. And even though Loyverse is not the most advanced POS system available, it provides an impressive amount of functionality considering the free price tag. Businesses in a variety of industries, from grocery stores to cafes to boutiques, find Loyverse to be a highly capable POS with built-in loyalty.