Best Point of Sale (POS) Software in 2026

Free-to-start POS with its own affordable hardware

The easiest POS to get running same-day, with hardware that ships quickly and a flat, predictable transaction fee. Larger retailers eventually find the flat processing rate more expensive than a negotiated merchant account elsewhere.

Free software, per-transaction processing fee

Visit Square →

Bank-distributed POS with a large app marketplace

Often bundled through a merchant's own bank, which is convenient but ties the merchant to Clover's hardware and app ecosystem in a way that makes switching processors later more disruptive than with software-first competitors.

Hardware purchase plus monthly software fee

Visit Clover →

Restaurant-specific POS with kitchen display and online ordering

Built specifically for restaurant workflows — course timing, kitchen display routing, online ordering sync — in a way generic POS systems only approximate. The hardware and contract terms are less flexible than software-only competitors.

Hardware plus monthly fee, restaurant-tiered

Visit Toast →

Inventory-heavy POS for multi-location retail

The inventory and purchase-order tools go deeper than most POS systems, which matters once a retailer is managing stock across several locations. That depth also means a longer setup than a single-location shop typically needs.

Per location per month, tiered

Visit Lightspeed Retail →

In-store POS that shares inventory with a Shopify online store

The real value is a single inventory count shared between a physical till and a Shopify webstore, which matters specifically to a retailer already selling online through Shopify. Offers little advantage to a store with no online presence.

Included with Shopify plans, higher tier for full features

Visit Shopify POS →

Cloud POS for independent retail, now part of Lightspeed

Solid cloud POS for independent retail, though prospective buyers should note it is being folded into the wider Lightspeed product line, which affects its long-term roadmap as a standalone product.

Per location per month

Visit Vend by Lightspeed →

iPad-based POS for restaurants and multi-location retail

Aimed at multi-location restaurant and retail chains that need centralised reporting across sites, with iPad-based terminals rather than proprietary hardware. Pricing is quote-based and generally out of reach for a single-location small business.

Hardware plus monthly fee, custom quote

Visit Revel Systems →

Free POS aimed at very small shops and cafes

Genuinely free for a single till running basic sales and inventory, which is hard to beat for a small cafe or kiosk. Advanced reporting and multi-store management sit behind paid add-ons most small shops never need.

Free core app, paid add-ons for advanced reporting

Visit Loyverse →

UK-founded POS covering retail and hospitality

Covers both retail and hospitality use cases from one platform with reasonably priced hardware bundles. Customer support quality has been an inconsistent point of complaint relative to Square or Lightspeed.

Per till per month, hardware bundles available

Visit Epos Now →

Square's dedicated restaurant POS with course and table management

Brings Square's simple pricing model to full-service restaurants with table and course management, a genuinely different product from the general Square POS. A sensible choice for a restaurant already using other Square products.

Free software tier, per-transaction fee

Visit Square for Restaurants →

POS bundled with booking for salons, spas and fitness studios

Combining appointment booking with checkout in one system removes a real integration headache for a salon or studio. Not designed for and not worth considering for a general retail or restaurant business.

Per location per month plus booking fees

Visit Vagaro →