Find The Best Food Truck POS System To Keep Your Lines Moving
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The food truck industry is steadily on the rise, and it’s easy to see why. Delicious food at competitive prices, available within walking distance of office buildings, shopping centers, or festivals and events — what could be better?
As an owner, you have the truck, you have the food, and you know the best locations in your area to maximize revenue. But there’s still something missing. Maybe you want to offer multiple convenient ways to pay. Or you want to easily track inventory to know when to place an order with your suppliers. Or perhaps you want to reward your loyal customers with a customized loyalty program.
Sound familiar? If so, your business needs a point of sale (POS) system. More than just taking credit cards or mobile payments (they do that, too!), POS systems help keep your business organized. A POS system allows you to do everything from processing coupons to running financial reports and analytics.
If you’re new to POS systems, finding the right one for your food truck can be a daunting task. What features do you need? What should you expect to pay for a POS system? What system is easy to learn — and teach to your employees?
Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate the complicated world of POS systems alone. In this post, we’re going to take a look at the top picks for POS systems for your food truck. We’ve tested these systems, done our research, and have evaluated features, pricing, ease of use, and other factors to help you choose the right POS system for your business.
Learn More About Our Top Picks
| Company | Summary | Next StepsSummary |
|---|---|---|
 | Best free POS system for food trucks. | Best free POS system for food trucks.
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 | Best food truck POS system with advanced features. | Best food truck POS system with advanced features.
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 | Best food truck POS system that's easy to use and budget-friendly. | Best food truck POS system that's easy to use and budget-friendly.
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 | Best food truck POS system for beginners. | Best food truck POS system for beginners.
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 | Best Android-based POS systems for food trucks. | Best Android-based POS systems for food trucks.
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Other Featured Options:
- Rezku POS: Best POS system for versatility and easy setup.
Read more below to learn why we chose these options.
Table of Contents
What Is The Best POS System For A Food Truck?
The best food truck POS systems are easy to use and versatile. POS systems for food trucks should accept multiple forms of payment and should include features such as inventory management and reporting. Start your POS system search with these top picks, including Square, Revel, Toast, TouchBistro, Clover, and Rezku.
1. Square
Square POS
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Best free POS system for food trucks.
Square has beefed up its mobile foodservice features in the past couple of years, making it a big contender in the food truck industry — especially since there is no monthly fee for the basic system, and it includes a free card reader. Hardware upgrades are available, but the free reader is enough to get you started.
Square is a simple mobile payment processing solution that allows you to take orders from customers at your window or inline (or online) using just an iOS or Android device. Square’s mobility makes it a great choice for food trucks. The Square card reader is portable, allowing you to take payments on the fly easily. Square’s free mobile app can be utilized by employees. If you have multiple food trucks, multilocation support is included at no additional fee. You’ll also get the benefits of inventory management, online ordering for your customers, easy built-in tipping, and access to third-party integrations.
The best part of Square is the price: a $0 monthly fee. Square payment processing is 2.60% + $0.10 for all card-present transactions — which is not super friendly to small transaction sizes, but it’s not unreasonable either. Plus, many merchants like the convenience of flat-rate pricing for all cards. You do have to pay a little extra if you want a stand for your device, a chip card reader, the ability to create gift cards, and other things along those lines. However, the prices are reasonable and, more importantly, competitive.
Pros
- No monthly fees
- Easy to use
- Numerous integrations
Cons
- No 24/7 phone support on the free plan
- Basic inventory
2. Revel
Revel POS
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Best food truck POS system with advanced features.
Revel is an industry leader known for its robust, feature-rich software and for developing specific apps for different facets of the foodservice industry, including pizza parlors, grocery stores, fro-yo shops, cafes, and food trucks. This POS runs on a 4G iPad, which can stand alone or be supplemented with traditional hardware printers and card swipes. Revel is so powerful that you can truly do just about anything you want with it, though you will have to pay extra for add-ons, such as online ordering, loyalty, and kiosk mode.
Revel is loaded with features. In addition to the basic features you’d expect from a POS system, Revel also has inventory tracking to help manage stocks on an ingredient level and employee management and analytics. Revel also has numerous third-party integrations, including a direct integration with QuickBooks and a built-in Twitter integration. Revel has 24/7 live support, unlimited data storage, an offline mode, and a wired iPad connection for a more stable internet connection. You can opt to work with Revel’s in-house payment processor, Revel Advantage, or choose from one of its supported third-party options.
Revel is not the cheapest option available. Still, considering the number of valuable features offered, most people would agree that the software is fairly priced. Revel packages start at $99/month, billed annually with a three-year contract.
Pros
- Advanced features
- Numerous integrations
- Excellent customer support
Cons
- The setup can be complicated
- It may be too expensive for low-volume businesses
3. TouchBistro
TouchBistro
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Best food truck POS system that’s easy to use and budget-friendly.
TouchBistro is an iPad-based POS solution created specifically with food trucks in mind (as well as bars, restaurants, cafes, and other foodservice facilities). TouchBistro is feature-rich yet easy to use and ideally designed for food truck owners.
With TouchBistro, you’ll be able to easily accept any type of payment from your food truck, from gift cards to mobile payments. Ordering is made more convenient with online ordering via third-party integrations and a kiosk mode, which allows customers to place their orders on an iPad. Other notable features include an employee management suite, 24/7 customer support, and onsite data storage. You can also customize your POS with options and add-ons, including digital menu boards, kitchen display systems, reservations, and loyalty programs. You can use TouchBistro Payments in-house payment processing, or you can choose from several third-party processors, including Square.
If you don’t use any integrations or add-ons, TouchBistro is a somewhat more basic system than an advanced iPad POS such as Revel. It’s also more affordable than Revel at just $69/month (for a single register, billed annually).
Pros
- Easy to use
- Competitive pricing
- Modern UI
Cons
- Some advanced features are paid add-ons
4. Clover
Clover POS
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Best food truck POS system for beginners.
If you have no previous experience using a POS system, Clover might be the right choice for you. One of the best things about Clover is that this POS solution is easy to set up, learn, and use. Even if you have no prior experience with a POS system, you’ll be using the system — and training your employees to use it — in no time at all.
In addition to an intuitive UI, Clover has plenty of features that are ideal for food truck setups. Clover also has plenty of pricing plans and hardware setups to create a customized system that’s right for your business. Basic features include employee management, customer management, and integrations from the Clover App Market. Upgrade to a higher-priced plan to receive access to more advanced features, including inventory management, scale integrations, menu management, and loyalty programs. You can also customize your own physical and digital gift cards. One potential drawback to note, however, is that Clover only integrates with a single processor: Fiserv.
Another great thing about Clover is that the system is extremely flexible, and you can change plans or add hardware as your business grows. Pricing starts at $4.95/month for the most basic plan, and hardware starts at $69/month for the Clover Go mobile POS device.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Numerous integrations
- Easy setup
Cons
- No choice in payment processors
5. Toast
Toast POS
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Best Android-based POS system for food trucks.
Most POS systems on the market are iOS-based, but what makes Toast stand out is that it runs on Android operating systems. This gives your business a versatile, more cost-efficient POS solution. That isn’t all that Toast has going for it, either. Lots of features, loads of integrations, and a free pricing plan make this a viable solution for any food truck.
Notable Toast POS features include ordering via handheld tablets or countertop terminals, easy tipping, time tracking, inventory management, kiosk mode, digital receipts, a loyalty program, advanced reporting, and online ordering. You can also create and accept digital and physical branded gift cards. It is important to note that while the cloud-based POS software is free, you will need to upgrade to a paid plan to take advantage of features such as loyalty programs, gift cards, and marketing. POS hardware must also be purchased through Toast.
In addition to its numerous features, Toast POS is also easy to set up, learn, and use. There are a number of add-ons and third-party integrations to help you customize your system. However, one drawback to keep in mind is that you’re locked into Toast’s in-house credit card processing. While rates are competitive and there are no hidden fees, Toast reserves the right to increase fees. You’ll also be locked into a contract, which could be as long as three years, so make sure you fully understand what you’re signing up for if you opt to use Toast as your POS provider.
Pros
- Numerous features
- Numerous integrations
- Advanced reporting
Cons
- Payment processing contract required
6. Rezku
Rezku POS
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Best POS system for versatility and easy setup.
If you’re looking for a POS system that’s versatile and easy to set up, Rezku can come to the rescue. Though it’s somewhat of a new kid on the block, having launched in 2014, Rezku is already making a splash in the foodservice industry. Rezku has a very intuitive interface, is easy to learn and use, and has a solid set of features. While lacking a bit in reporting and inventory management, this POS system is still robust enough to manage your food truck.
Some of the features you can expect from Rezku include menu costing, integrated time tracking, loyalty, gift cards, and a kitchen display system. Hardware packages can be purchased directly from Rezku with a financing option available. While it doesn’t have as many integrations as others on this list, it does have a handful, including QuickBooks and Worldpay. You can opt to use Rezku partner Vantiv as your credit card processor or choose your own.
Rezku’s subscription plans start at $0/month. You may need to upgrade to a paid plan or pay add-on fees for features such as mobile POS, kitchen display systems, and third-party integrations.
Pros
- Intuitive interface
- Easy to set up
- Competitive pricing
Cons
- Limited integrations
- Limited reporting
A Quick Guide To Find The Right Food Truck POS
Some food truck POS software is more robust than others, and choosing the one that’s best for you has a lot to do with the size of your business and your priorities. But generally, here are some important features to look for in a food truck POS.
Essentials (Must-Haves)
Any quality POS system for food trucks should have the following features:
- Mobile System (iPad, Smartphone, Or Tablet): A mobile business necessitates a mobile, cloud-based POS. A full-sized traditional POS just won’t do when you have a small (and sometimes moving!) space.
- Payment Processing: Your customers expect you to be able to process credit cards and, ideally, mobile payments, too. Cash-only will deter some cashless but hungry potential customers. Your payment system must be fast and should ideally have an offline mode in case you are located somewhere with a spotty Wi-Fi signal.
- Digital Signatures, Tipping & Receipts: A touch screen POS with these features speeds up your checkouts, reduces paper waste, and makes it easy for customers to tip you. Email receipts also let you market to your customers and save space if you can’t fit a printer into your setup.
- Inventory Management: This helps you keep track of your stock and prevents you from running out of a key ingredient during the lunchtime rush.
- Menu Management: You should be able to quickly and easily change up your offerings from your device’s touchscreen as needed and push these changes to your other trucks if you have them.
- Sales Reports: Your POS should have at least a basic reporting and analytics suite that gives you insights about your sales and customers.
- 24/7 Customer Service: Occasional problems are bound to arise with any POS, but a system with consistently available customer service will help you fix any issues no matter the time of day so that you can get back to selling.
Optional (Nice-To-Haves)
Depending on your needs, you may benefit from systems that offer the following features. Not every food truck owner will need (or want to pay extra for) these features, but they are worth considering.
- Multilocation Support: The ability to manage all of your inventory, change your menu, and see your sales data in one place is critical for multi-truck setups.
- Kitchen Display System: Choose a POS system that supports a kitchen display system if you’d rather use a KDS than a kitchen printer.
- Loyalty Program: Integrated loyalty software can encourage repeat business to your food truck.
- Advanced Reports: If you’re a data-oriented business owner, advanced POS reports may be worth paying a premium for.
- Employee Management: Some POS systems double as employee time-clocks where workers can clock in and out. Some systems can also set employee permissions and view employee analytics, such as who sells the most, who gets the most tips, etc.
- Online Ordering: This can be a convenient addition to your restaurant ordering system, putting your business out there online and reducing lines at your truck. With an online ordering app, customers can place their order ahead of time online and then go straight to your pickup window.
Food Truck POS: The Key Takeaways
With so many POS systems on the market, choosing the right one for your food truck can be overwhelming. Narrowing down your choice to just one system doesn’t have to be difficult. Keep in mind your budget, the features you want, and the type of hardware you need to help you make your selection.
Regardless of which option you choose, your POS system should have a few key features. Mobility, ease of use, the ability to take multiple forms of payments, basic inventory management, and reporting are the minimum requirements you should have for your POS system. It’s also important to look for a modern UI that’s easy to use (and teach to employees) and 24/7 customer support to help you navigate any troubles that arise.
Before you commit, make sure to do your research and take advantage of any free trials or demos of systems that interest you. Read any contracts carefully, and don’t be afraid to move on to another provider if one doesn’t suit your business’s needs.
If all this sounds like too much, as an alternative for a very basic POS system with a small footprint, check out our article on the best mobile POS systems. Good luck!
In Summary: What Is The Best POS System For A Food Truck?
- Square POS: Best free POS system for food trucks.
- Revel POS: Best food truck POS system with advanced features.
- TouchBistro: Best food truck POS system that's easy to use and budget-friendly.
- Clover POS: Best food truck POS system for beginners.
- Toast POS: Best Android-based POS systems for food trucks.
- Rezku POS: Best POS system for versatility and easy setup.
Erica Seppala
Erica is a writer based in Greenville, South Carolina. She is a graduate of Limestone College. Initially determined to be an accountant, she put away the calculator and picked up a laptop to pursue her dream of being a writer. Erica has spent the past 10 years writing blogs and articles for hundreds of private clients, and she loves sharing her love of research and the written word with everyone around her.
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ShopKeep vs Square:
I’m just catching up on this thread as I prepare to open shop in about 6 weeks with my first food truck venture. I’m curious to know why ShopKeep is $69/month where the others have little or no monthly fee. Is it because it offers the capability of not having to have Internet access to take payments, where the Square systems would require your iPad to have a service plan? Those are about $30-$50 a month I think.
Also, I see that Square offers customers the capability to pre-order online. Does ShopKeep offer the same service. I’m certainly wanting that capability! 😎
Thanks for your help.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Trey! Thanks for your question.
Overall, Square is going to be a slightly more cost-effective option to ShopKeep, although ShopKeep is still very reasonably priced considering the depth of its features. Square has its free app which gives you more than its other free competitors in terms of reporting etc… However, depending on what you need for you business, you may find a few holes in the software. You have to purchase add-ons for additional employees and for its loyalty program for example. You may find it more cost effective to go with Square for Retail if you like Square’s platform which is $60 a month and fills in a lot of those gaps. Overall, it’s tough to go wrong with either system.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
If I will only be selling a handful of SKUs (so no need to have massive inventory tracking) which should I use? I don’t really understand why you are recommending Shopkeep when other services don’t hit you with that $69/month charge. Also, do any of these have a CRM where they will identify a return customer and have their email ready to send the receipt to?
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Kyle,
ShopKeep is actually pretty affordable comparatively but, if you don’t have a lot of inventory, I would think Square would be the way to go.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi, after reading your article it sounds like TouchBistro is the way to go for a Food Truck POS system, however, in the comments someone specifically called out Shopkeep as the best bet(June 5 2017). So which is it? What’s the major difference in the two systems?
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Dana! You really can’t go wrong with either ShopKeep or TouchBistro here. For one terminal, they are the exact same price and are both among the most affordable on the market. While ShopKeep is our top-rated system overall and has some rich features, particularly when it comes to inventory, TouchBistro has specifically thought of food trucks with some of its offerings. They integrate with virtually any payment method, are customer friendly with a customer-facing function, and conveniently mobile. It’s honestly difficult for me to pick between the two in this instance but, if I had to, I’d probably take TouchBistro. ShopKeep offers a free consultation for food truck vendors too which might be valuable.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Thank you, Julie!
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Are there any stand alone POS to purchase outright? $49/month $588 annually is a lot of money.
Are all POS systems cloud based where the providers take control and ownership of business and accounting information? Both ShopKeep and Square will not allow any information to be deleted.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Derek,
There are a number of stand alone systems that you can purchase outright. Square Register is new to the market, and at $999, it’s a good investment if you think you’ll stay with it for a while. It’s likely the best stand alone system you can buy right now. Regarding your second question, we aren’t too sure what the answer is, and we’d rather not give you an answer that we’re not too certain about.
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Need information if there exists software for Food Trucks ?
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.
Hi Ruben,
Thanks for your question! Your best bet is Shopkeep Best of luck to you!
This comment refers to an earlier version of this post and may be outdated.