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6 Best Restaurant POS Systems In Canada

The best restaurant point of sale systems available in Canada are easy-to-use, have necessary restaurant features, and won't break the bank. Discover our top picks.

    Matt Sherman
  • Last updated onUpdated

  • Erica Seppala
  • REVIEWED BY

    Erica Seppala

    Editor & Senior Staff Writer

Our content reflects the editorial opinions of our experts. While our site makes money through referral partnerships, we only partner with companies that meet our standards for quality, as outlined in our independent rating and scoring system.

The best restaurant POS systems in Canada should be affordable, simple to use, and have strong foodservice features like table mapping, menu creation, and ingredient tracking. They should also have a reputable payment processor, a wide variety of reports, and integrations for loyalty programs and online ordering.

We took a look at nearly 20 Canadian POS systems to narrow it down to these top choices. The following point of sale systems scored well in affordability, customer service, and user reviews which also landed them on our list of top-rated Canadian POS systems.

Learn More About Our Top Picks

CompanyBest ForNext StepsBest For
Square For Restaurants

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  • Free software and free online store, delivery integrations and excellent hardware options
  • $0-$60/month USD
  • Month-to-month contracts with no termination fees
  • Free software and free online store, delivery integrations and excellent hardware options
  • $0-$60/month USD
  • Month-to-month contracts with no termination fees

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Lightspeed Restaurant

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  • All-in-one restaurant POS software, great reporting, strong inventory management
  • $189-$399/month USD
  • Can pay month-to-month, cheaper pricing for annual subscriptions
  • All-in-one restaurant POS software, great reporting, strong inventory management
  • $189-$399/month USD
  • Can pay month-to-month, cheaper pricing for annual subscriptions

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Toast POS

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  • Restaurant POS software with excellent hardware options, strong customer service, terrific menu management
  • $0-$165/month USD
  • Long-term contracts and steep termination fees may apply
  • Restaurant POS software with excellent hardware options, strong customer service, terrific menu management
  • $0-$165/month USD
  • Long-term contracts and steep termination fees may apply

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Clover POS

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  • Simple to use restaurant POS software, highly scalable, high customizable, strong tableside ordering
  • $0-$114.85/month USD
  • Long-term contracts from third-party resellers may apply
  • Simple to use restaurant POS software, highly scalable, high customizable, strong tableside ordering
  • $0-$114.85/month USD
  • Long-term contracts from third-party resellers may apply

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TouchBistro

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  • Restaurant-specific software with excellent inventory management and customer management features
  • $69/month USD
  • Month-to-month pricing
  • Restaurant-specific software with excellent inventory management and customer management features
  • $69/month USD
  • Month-to-month pricing

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Revel POS

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  • Feature-rich POS software for mid-sized and larger restaurants, great multi-store management and deep reporting
  • $99/month USD
  • Three-year contract for lowest pricing
  • Feature-rich POS software for mid-sized and larger restaurants, great multi-store management and deep reporting
  • $99/month USD
  • Three-year contract for lowest pricing

Visit Site

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Read more below to learn why we chose these options.

Top Restaurant Systems In Canada

A good restaurant POS should fit into the budget of a small business owner while also providing a feature set without any major gaps. Some key features for Canadian restaurant owners to look for in a point of sale system are mobile ordering, delivery integrations, and intuitive hardware options. Take a look at our choices for the best POS restaurant systems in Canada.

Best Restaurant POS Systems In Canada Compared

Pricing Restaurant-Specific POS Table Management Hardware Cost Mobile App Free Trial
Square $0+ $0+
Lightspeed Restaurant $189/month+ Quote-based
Toast $0+ Quote-based
Clover $14.95/month+ $49+
TouchBistro $69/month A la carte hardware
Revel Quote-based A la carte hardware

Square For Restaurants: Best Free POS System

Square For Restaurants

Total Rating 4.8
Pricing4.8

Ease Of Use4.9

Features4.9

Customer Service4.6

User Reviews4.5

Pricing

Contract

Hardware Cost

Get a free card swiper from Square at no cost when you create a free account. Claim your card reader.

Pros

  • Free plan
  • Online store included
  • Simple processing
  • Highly scalable

Cons

  • Limited features for high-volume restaurants
  • Processing fees can add up

Why We Chose Square For Restaurants As The Best Free POS For Canadian Restaurants

Square For Restaurants is both easy to use and highly scalable depending on your restaurant's needs. The software offers a free option if you have a smaller food-service business; it accepts all types of payments and comes with affordable, built-in processing.

We also like all of the features that are available in the free plan, which includes table mapping, customized ticket layouts, and online ordering. Square's free online store is one of the biggest selling points for this system, allowing you to create your own website, customize it, and set up online ordering and delivery.

Square For Restaurant's Plus tier comes with 24/7 customer support, advanced team management, and advanced reports.

Square For Restaurants Pricing

Square For Restaurants Plans Price  When To Use
Free $0/month Use if you need the basics in restaurant POS software plus simple processing
Plus $60/month/location Use if you need advanced inventory and 24/7 customer service
Premium $165/month Use if you process more than $250,000 a year

Square has a free plan for its restaurant features along with a Plus plan that runs for $60 USD/month. For larger restaurants, there is a Premium plan available with custom pricing. The free plan comes with basic reporting and inventory management along with things like auto-gratuity and menu management.

The paid tier gives you access to additional features like seat and course management, shift reports, and additional customization. And with Square, you never have to sign long-term contracts. You can always pay month-to-month.

Square For Restaurants Features

Square For Restaurants Features Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments
Multi-Channel Selling
Gift Cards
Customer Loyalty Add-on
Marketing Tools Add-on
Online Ordering
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management
EBT Acceptance
Employee Management
Text Messaging

Here are some of Square For Restaurant’s best overall features:

  • Offline Mode: Square For Restaurants can take all types of payments and can even accept payments during an internet outage, storing them securely for processing once a connection is restored.
  • Floor Management: Quickly customize your entire restaurant layout with an intuitive click-and-drag system. This allows you to monitor your tables and close them out easily.
  • KDS System: Track preparation times and customize ticket times to help boost efficiency and turn tables over faster.
  • Square Loyalty: You can add Square’s loyalty program as a paid add-on, allowing you to create promotions and marketing campaigns to attract repeat customers.

Hardware Costs & Options

Square has some of the best point of sale hardware around, from its contactless chip reader to its full-service Square Register. You can get the first magstripe reader for free on their website, which could be a good option for farmer’s markets or food trucks. Here’s what else Square offers:

  • Square Reader For Contactless and Chip: This reader accepts all types of card and contactless payments. The original version runs for $49 USD while the newest generation model costs $59 USD.
  • Square Terminal: An all-in-one mobile payment processor, Square Terminal is an excellent choice for restaurants that want to give their servers the ability to take orders on the go. It runs all of Square’s POS software and costs $299 USD.
  • Square Register: This is the most advanced piece of hardware Square offers and is an all-in-one POS solution. It runs for $799 USD and can handle even the busiest restaurant’s needs.
  • Square For Restaurant Mobile POS Kit: Built specifically for users of Square for Restaurants, this kit works with the Square mobile app and is $259 USD per kit plus $50 USD per each added location.

Payment Processing Costs

Square makes payment processing simple with its built-in software. Its fees are upfront and competitive. In-person payments are 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction. Online payments are 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction and manually entered payments are 3.5% + $0.15 per transaction.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Another big benefit of Square is that you never have to sign a long-term contract. You can also pay month-to-month and know you are getting their lowest prices.

Get Started With Square For Restaurants

Read our in-depth review

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Lightspeed Restaurant: Best Overall

Lightspeed Restaurant

Total Rating 4.0
Pricing3.1

Ease Of Use3.8

Features5.0

Customer Service4.3

User Reviews4.7



Pros

  • Simple interface
  • Built-in loyalty
  • Raw ingredient tracking
  • Customization options

Cons

  • Slight learning curve
  • No free plan

Lightspeed Restaurant tablet ordering system

Why We Chose Lightspeed Restaurant As The Best POS Overall For Canadian Restaurants

Lightspeed does a little bit of everything in the point of sale industry. Its Lightspeed Restaurant product is feature-rich and well-thought-out, offering deep reporting and excellent customer management to help you understand all angles of your restaurant and increase profits in an industry with notoriously small margins.

Lightspeed Restaurant comes with a built-in process, extensive customization options, contactless ordering, and delivery integrations. Lightspeed Restaurant also has a fairly affordable entry point for smaller restaurants and, for full-service and franchise establishments, it has advanced inventory and other kitchen options that can keep you running smoothly.

Lightspeed Restaurant Pricing

Lightspeed Restaurant Plans Price  When To Use
Essential $189/month Restaurants with one or more locations looking for online ordering capabilities
Premium $399/month Larger restaurants & hotels looking for custom payment processing rates

Lightspeed Restaurant has two basic pricing tiers and also an enterprise tier with custom pricing that requires a call with a sales representative. To get these listed prices you will need to sign up to pay annually.

  • Essential: $189/month USD. With this plan, you get built-in online ordering, pay-at-the-table, access to the Lightspeed mobile app, along with multi-location management, and other features for full-service restaurants.
  • Premium: $399/month USD. This plan comes with custom processing rates and access to Lightspeed’s open API.

Lightspeed Restaurant Features

Lightspeed Restaurant Features Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments
Multi-Channel Selling Online and third-party delivery platform orders
Gift Cards
Customer Loyalty
Marketing Tools
Online Ordering
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management Paid add-on
EBT Acceptance
Employee Management
Text Messaging

Lightspeed has a robust feature set and you can unlock more of its potential at its higher-paid tiers. Here are some of its top restaurant features:

  • Delivery Integration With Deliverect: Set your restaurant up to integrate with top third-party services like DoorDash and UberEats to increase sales with orders coming directly to your POS system.
  • Advanced Table Planning: Manage your guests with the ability to easily transfer items from table to table. Track your customers and allow multiple forms of payment and bill splitting.
  • Inventory & Ingredient Management: Track raw ingredients in real-time and run reports on your best-selling items. Cut down on waste and spoilage as well.
  • Employee Management: Give various employees different permissions depending on their roles. Create custom modifiers to walk servers through the ordering process. Send orders to the kitchen with a single tap.

Hardware Costs & Options

Lightspeed offers iPad bundles through its website along with individual items like printers, scanners, and card readers. It does not display its prices up front, however, and you’ll need to call for a quote.

Payment Processing Costs

Lightspeed has its own processing system that comes with its software. Processing fees are 2.6% + $0.10 per in-person transaction and $2.9% + $0.30 for card-not-present transactions.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Lightspeed is fairly upfront about its pricing, fees, and add-ons. You do have the option of paying month-to-month, however, Lightspeed offers discounts on its software pricing if you agree to pay annually.

Get Started With Lightspeed Restaurant

Read our in-depth review

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Toast POS: Best For Mobile Ordering

Total Rating 4.0
Pricing2.6

Ease Of Use4.7

Features5.0

Customer Service5.0

User Reviews4.1

Pricing

Contract

Hardware cost

Pros

  • Excellent table and menu management
  • Strong customer service
  • Intuitive hardware options

Cons

  • Locked into Toast processing
  • Pricing can be difficult to understand

Why We Chose Toast As The Best POS For Mobile Ordering

Toast is a POS system specifically designed for restaurants. It has innovated online and mobile ordering over the years and comes with a rich feature set and a free option. The Toast Go mobile payment processor is also incredibly convenient and widely used in the countries where Toast operates, including Canada.

Toast comes with free menu and table management on all plans along with digital menus. With its higher-paid plans, you can also access its extensive online ordering and delivery system. Toast is exceptionally easy to use and highly scalable and also comes with some of the best customer service around.

Toast Pricing

Toast POS Plans Price  When To Use
Quick Start Bundle $0/month You have a small, single-location restaurant with basic feature needs
Core $69/month You need a full point of sale suite with processing and custom hardware
Custom Custom Larger businesses looking to access the entirety of Toast’s features

Toast comes with three pricing plans and a custom plan for larger, enterprise restaurants. The free plan comes with menu and table management, invoicing, and basic reporting and inventory management.

The Core Plan is $69/month USD and gives you the ability to add on extra features depending on what your restaurant needs including mobile ordering, third-party delivery integrations, plus employee management and accounting tools.

The Growth plan is $165/month USD and includes online ordering and delivery.

Toast Features

Toast POS Features Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments
Multi-Channel Selling
Gift Cards
Customer Loyalty
Marketing Tools
Online Ordering
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management
EBT Acceptance
Employee Management
Text Messaging

While Toast has all of the basics covered and more when it comes to restaurant point of sale software, there are a few areas where it stands out:

  • Robust Reporting: Toast has excellent analytics, including the ability to track performance across locations, multiple sales summaries, and product mixing to identify top-performing items
  • Menu Management: Toast’s menu creation and management system is excellent, allowing for extensive customization, item countdowns, and online invoicing.
  • Online Ordering & Delivery: Use your own website or the Toast app you can cut down on third-party fees and commissions
  • Intuitive Restaurant Hardware: The Toast Go mobile reader is an incredibly handy piece of restaurant software, allowing for contactless mobile payments for an affordable price.

Hardware Costs & Options

Toast’s hardware plans are a little complicated and it can be difficult to just purchase individual items. However, what they offer is intuitive and incredibly useful in a restaurant setting. The Toast Go 2 is a mobile processor and POS system that functions in the palm of your hand while the Toast Flex and Toast Flex for Guest give you countertop options that are easy for your employees and customers. Toast also has a kiosk for self-serve payments.

Here are the hardware plans that Toast offers:

  • Handheld Starter Kit: $627 USD (but free if you agree to higher processing fees)
  • Countertop Starter Kit: $875 USD (but free if you agree to higher processing fees)
  • Guest Self-Service Starter Kit: $1009 USD (but free if you agree to higher processing fees)

Payment Processing Costs

Toast locks you into its own processing service and its fees can be variable depending on your agreement.

The fees for a pay-as-you-go option on hardware are 2.99% + $0.15 per transaction. If you pay for hardware upfront, the fees are 2.49% + $0.15 per transaction. Card-not-present transactions are 3.5% + $0.15 per transaction.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Toast has come under fire recently for signing up customers to three-year processing contracts that are incredibly difficult to break and that come with hefty early termination fees. You’ll want to make absolutely sure you know what you’re signing up for when you make your agreement with Toast.

Get Started With Toast POS

Read our in-depth review

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Clover POS: Best For Ease Of Use

Total Rating 4.3
Pricing4.0

Ease Of Use4.8

Features4.5

Customer Service4.4

User Reviews4.1

Pricing

Contract

Hardware Cost

Pros

  • Solid hardware options
  • Intuitive interface
  • Highly customizable

Cons

  • Can get locked into long-term contracts
  • Clover Go not available in Canada

Clover POS hardware

Why We Chose Clover As The Easiest To Use POS For Canadian Restaurants

Clover is one of the more intuitive POS software options on the market. With its multiple hardware options, affordable processing fees, and rich, customizable feature set, Clover is an excellent option for any Canadian restaurant. Clover is app-based software, which allows you to choose what options you want to round out your system and tailor-fit it to your specific needs.

Like Square and Toast, Clover has excellent mobile and tableside ordering options. It accepts all types of payments and can easily be set up for pick-up and delivery options. Clover's software can be set up and learned in a matter of minutes and it has a strong kitchen display system to maximize efficiency.

Clover Pricing

Clover POS Plans Price  When To Use
Clover Payments $0/month If you only need to process payments and don’t need any POS hardware
Clover Essentials $14.95/month If you have a small retail/service-based business and don’t take returns
Clover Retail Growth $84.95/month If you have a small to mid-size retail/service-based business and need more POS features
Clover Counter Service Restaurant $54.95/month If you have a quick-serve restaurant, cafeteria, or mobile food service business
Clover Table Service Restaurant $84.95/month If you have a full-service restaurant or bar

Clover’s pricing structure can vary somewhat as you can purchase the software through multiple providers. Generally speaking, we suggest that you purchase through a certified Clover reseller. They do offer a free plan if you are only in need of payment processing and no other point of sale feature. For most restaurant plans you can expect to pay between $49.95 and $114.85 USD depending on how complex your restaurant needs are.

Clover Features

Clover POS Features Availability
Multi-Store Support Unknown
Contactless Payments Unknown
Multi-Channel Selling Unknown
Gift Cards Unknown
Customer Loyalty Unknown
Marketing Tools Unknown
Online Ordering Unknown
Inventory Management Unknown
Reporting Unknown
Menu Management Unknown
Delivery Management Unknown
EBT Acceptance Unknown
Employee Management Unknown
Text Messaging Unknown

Clover has a wide array of features for restaurants and you can add on specific apps to expand the software even further. Here are a few areas where Clover stands out:

  • Menu Management: Create things like menu items, categories, and automatic modifiers to help your servers in the ordering process.
  • Specific Bar Features: Turn tickets over quickly with features like pre-approval of credit cards and an excellent offline mode if you lose your internet connection.
  • Online Ordering Integrations: Set up your own delivery system or use third-party delivery options. Clover can help you create a website and an online website to expand your sales.
  • Mobile Ordering: Clover has excellent hardware to help your servers take orders tableside and send them directly to the kitchen where Clover’s kitchen display system can organize them and give your cooks an overview of the whole restaurant.

Hardware Costs & Options

You have three hardware options to choose from in Canada. You can purchase the Clover Flex for $499 USD, the Clover Mini for $799 USD or the Clover Station Duo for $1799 USD.

Payment Processing Costs

As we mentioned, your fees can vary depending on who you purchase your Clover products from. If you purchase from someone other than a Clover reseller, you’ll want to make sure you read the terms of your contract carefully as you may get locked into a long-term contract. If you do go with a certified Clover reseller, you will pay 2.3 % + $0.10 per transaction. For card-not-present transactions, you’ll pay 3.5% + $0.10 per transaction.

Contract Requirement/Warnings

We’ll mention it one more time. There are multiple retailers who sell Clover products and some are less reputable than others as there are many online reviews from customers who unknowingly signed up for long-term contracts. Make sure you choose from one of the best Clover resellers to make sure you’re getting a good deal.

Get Started With Clover POS

Read our in-depth review

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TouchBistro: Best For Restaurant-Specific Features

Total Rating 4.3
Pricing4.0

Ease Of Use4.6

Features4.9

Customer Service3.9

User Reviews4.1

Pricing

$69/month plus add-ons

Contract

None but one-year requirement may be needed for lower processing rate

Equipment Cost

Custom bundles available

Pros

  • Restaurant-specific software
  • Upfront pricing
  • Strong reporting
  • Excellent employee management

Cons

  • Software sometimes glitchy
  • Average customer service

Why We Chose TouchBistro As The Best POS With Restaurant-Specific Features

TouchBistro is software made by restaurant workers for restaurant workers and is based in Toronto, Canada. It comes with affordable, upfront pricing and can be used by all types of restaurants from food trucks to full-service establishments. It has an elegant interface and is highly scalable with multiple add-ons that you can purchase as your restaurant expands.

TouchBistro has excellent table and menu management and has a simple pricing structure both for its software and for its built-in payment processor. It also has easy-to-set-up integrations for delivery and mobile ordering which helps it stand out in a crowded field of restaurant POS software.

TouchBistro Pricing

TouchBistro Plans Price  When To Use
TouchBistro Plan $69+/month If you have basic restaurant needs and are interested in purchasing add-ons

As we mentioned, TouchBistro’s pricing is simple to understand. The software starts at $69/month and you can pay month-to-month. Certain add-ons may need to be purchased depending on what your restaurant needs.

TouchBistro Features

TouchBistro Features Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments
Multi-Channel Selling
Gift Cards Add-on
Customer Loyalty Add-on
Marketing Tools Add-on
Online Ordering Add-on
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management
EBT Acceptance
Employee Management
Text Messaging

While TouchBistro has an extensive feature set for all sizes of restaurants, here are a few areas where it really shines:

  • Built-In Reservations: TouchBistro has a terrific system for taking reservations. It allows you to set reminders, create service fees for large groups, and alter your floor plan if necessary.
  • Tableside Ordering: Easily allow servers to take and send orders from the table, eliminating a time-consuming step. You can also split tickets instantly and effectively.
  • Dining Preferences & Loyalty: Manage customers by adding preferences or allergies from the table and store customer order histories and information for future visits. The loyalty add-on allows you to incentivize customers to return by giving them points they can redeem.
  • Deep Reporting: Go into the analytics of your restaurant’s performance, tracking things like inventory efficiency and waste and determining what times your restaurant is busiest.

Hardware Cost & Options

Touchbistro has hardware bundles available for purchase on its website. It sells its hardware on a quote-based system so you’ll have to call to speak to a representative to get accurate pricing.

Payment Processing Costs

TouchBistro integrates with multiple processors including Square so you can shop around and choose your own if you want. You can also go with TouchBistro Payments. The fees are 2.99% + $0.15 per transaction with the pay-as-you-go plan. Fees jump to 2.49% + $0.15 per transaction if you pay for your hardware upfront for card-present transactions and 3.5% + $0.15 per transaction for card-not-present transactions.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

You have the option to sign up for TouchBistro on a month-to-month basis but, as mentioned, you do get a discount in processing fees if you pay for your hardware upfront.

Get Started With TouchBistro

Read our in-depth review

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Revel POS: Best For Advanced Features

Total Rating 3.9
Pricing3.6

Ease Of Use3.9

Features4.3

Customer Service4.2

User Reviews3.8

Pricing

Contract

Three-year commitment for best rates

Equipment cost

Pros

  • Deep feature set
  • Simple pricing
  • Excellent inventory management

Cons

  • Somewhat steep learning curve
  • Contract for cheapest price

revel systems pizza pos

Why We Chose Revel As The Best POS For Advanced Features

Revel is one of the most advanced and feature-rich POS systems for restaurants on the market. It has incredibly deep inventory management and reporting to run large and multi-location restaurants. Revel allows you to move products across multiple locations and track them in real-time and also has excellent options for delivery.

Revel comes with virtually anything you can think of for restaurant POS software either included in the base price or available as an add-on. Its customer management is also stellar, allowing you to store customer information for marketing or simply for convenience when they return.

Revel Pricing

Revel POS Plans Price  When To Use
Revel plan Quote-based: three-year commitment for cheapest plan Use if you are committed to the product and have a need for high-end features.

Revel’s pricing is fairly straightforward although there is a caveat. The software starts at $99/month but you have to agree to a three-year contract to get that price. So you’ll want to make sure you really love the product before signing up. That price also comes with a two-terminal minimum.

Revel Features

Revel POS Features Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments
Multi-Channel Selling
Gift Cards
Customer Loyalty
Marketing Tools
Online Ordering
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management
EBT Acceptance
Employee Management
Text Messaging

As mentioned, there are very few, if any, gaps in Revel’s restaurant feature set. Here are some of the highlights of the system:

  • Online Ordering: Revel has built-in online ordering which is a huge perk. You can sell from any of your locations and track orders on Revel’s kitchen display system and create your own branding opportunities on your website.
  • Inventory Management: While most POS systems come with at least some form of inventory management, Revel’s is outstanding, coming with easy-to-use spreadsheets to track consumption and other features to help cut down on waste.
  • Integrations: While Revel’s base offerings are extensive, it also integrates with scores of companies that can help you customize your POS system and take it to another level if you have more complex needs.
  • Strong Security: Revel comes with individualized staff accounts for all employees and you can track changes to the menu and see an itemized breakdown of payouts.

Hardware Costs & Options

Like TouchBistro, Revel requires customers to call for a quote on hardware options. Revel uses iPad-based hardware and offers bundles on its website.

Payment Processing Costs

Revel gives you multiple options to choose from for processing so you can shop for a competitive rate. You can also use Revel’s own processor Revel Advantage which has a flat rate of 2.49% +$0.15 for standard transactions.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Revel is fairly straightforward with its pricing but, as mentioned, to receive the lowest pricing, you’ll need to sign up for a three-year contract and you may face a hefty termination fee if you have to break the contract.

Get Started With Revel POS

Read our in-depth review

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Restaurant POS Review Methodology

Merchant Maverick has been researching and reviewing POS providers since 2012. Our writers have tested over 100 different point of sale systems, evaluating pricing, features, ease of use, customer service, and user reviewers. Read more about how we rate POS providers.

Weighted Rating Breakdown

Pricing 40%
Features 30%
Ease Of Use 15%
Customer Service 10%
User Reviews 5%

When comparing different POS software systems, we consider many data points, including relative pricing, the depth of niche features offered, the price of hardware, and any associated payment processing fees. Our lists of the best providers include only apps we’ve deemed worthwhile from multiple vantage points. The POS vendors we pick share qualities such as widespread availability, accessibility, user-friendliness, and reasonable pricing. We also look carefully at niche features, such as check-splitting, inventory management, eCommerce, loyalty programs, gift cards, and more.

We spend an average of 10-15 hours researching and updating each one of our lists, making sure the providers included meet our internal standards for quality and reputation.

80+

Vendors evaluated

65+

Attributes assessed per vendor

20+

Features weighed

30+

Combined years of experience


Which Canadian POS System Is Right For My Restaurant?

You’ll want to prioritize what features are important to you and lay out a budget as you’re looking for your restaurant POS system. However, to sum up:

  • Choose Square for Restaurants if… You are looking for a good free option that doesn’t skimp on features and your restaurant might expand in the near future
  • Choose Lightspeed Restaurant if… You are looking for a comprehensive restaurant POS system with simple pricing that checks all of the boxes for basic features
  • Choose Toast if… You are looking for restaurant-specific POS software that prioritizes mobile and online ordering
  • Choose Clover if… You want a system that is very simple to use and set up and that comes with excellent hardware options
  • Choose TouchBistro if… You want an affordable POS system with some extra restaurant-specific features built-in
  • Choose Revel if… You have extensive inventory and reporting needs and operate restaurants across multiple locations.

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Matt Sherman

Matt Sherman

Lead Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick
Matt has been helping small businesses make decisions since 2017. He has written reviews and articles across many different channels but specializes in the point of sale, payroll, and small business insurance categories and has been quoted in articles for Fox Business, Forbes, and other publications. Prior to joining Merchant Maverick, Matt was a journalist and editor for 14 years for a pair of weekly newspapers. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon and currently resides in Gladstone, Oregon.
Matt Sherman
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