The best POS system out there, is dependent on your business model. Are you a small business with minimal square footage? Maybe opt for a cloud based POS system. Are you a multi-unit restaurant group that needs robust reporting and reservation capabilities? Maybe a hardware based POS solution is the best option for you. The key in looking for restaurant software is finding something that is flexible to your restaurant; not a “one size fits all” model.
So we're put together a small list of the possible point-of-sale systems that are best for your restaurant:
Squirrel Point of Sale
As the first touch screen point-of-sale system on the market, Squirrel is a leading point-of-sale provider in the restaurant industry. With a quote based model for pricing, their software caters to small businesses to multi-location restaurant groups.Pros:
- Hospitality and restaurant focused
- Flexible pricing and products
- Software and hardware options
- Robust multi-unit location reporting
Cons:
- Level of ease of use is dependent on restaurant software knowledge
Lavu
Looking for a mobile point-of-sale system? Look no further! Lavu is a restaurant specific mobile point-of-sale software that is made for those who love details. Their reports are extensive, and they offer inventory management for restaurants.Pros:
- Restaurant specific
- Monthly contracts
- Detailed reporting
Cons:
- Compatible with Apple/iOS devices only
- Different tiers of support
- Limited device options based on tiers
Square
One of the tablet POS systems taking the industry by storm, is SquarePOS. With a payment terminal that’s presented as a sleek white square, SquarePOS works best for new restaurants, and quick service type establishments.Pros:
- Compatible with both Apple and Android devices
- Easy set-up and navigation
- No extra hardware
- Third party integrations
- Loyalty program and marketing tools available
Cons:
- Interac/Debit cards can only be tapped, with a $100 limit
- Transaction flat rates can get expensive
- Costly for high revenue businesses
- Limited phone support
