The 9 Best Point Of Sale Systems
This wiki has been updated 24 times since it was first published in January of 2019. As a business owner, your point of sale system is something that needs to run smoothly. The models on our list represent the best of what the industry has to offer, including some highly portable options for street vendors. We've ranked them for you here by their reliability and functionality, the intuitiveness of their programs, and the cost of any ongoing monthly subscription fees. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Clover C101
2. Square Terminal
3. Square A-SKU-0373
Editor's Notes
January 04, 2021:
When choosing your POS system, you'll need to take more than just looks and functionality into account, as many are only compatible with specific payment processors. With this in mind, we did our best to include not only high-quality options that offer a lot of features, but also options for several payment processors. Square is, without a doubt, one of the most popular companies, especially with small businesses, and, as such, many of their models have found their way onto our list. If you need something small and portable from them, you'll want to consider the Square Terminal, but if you prefer something with a large screen and advanced features, the Square A-SKU-0373 will be a better option. While Clover may not be a household name like Square, they too, make some excellent models with a lot of useful features. For example, the Clover C101 has a 14-inch HD display and software that can do everything from tracking inventory to managing employees. Competing with the Square Terminal is the Clover Flex Merchant, which is also a small, handheld device that can be brought tableside to diners or used at festivals and other outdoor markets.
January 22, 2019:
It's a shame that pretty much every decent option out there requires some kind of subscription service and a signed contract before some items will even ship. Some units, like the Datio Base Station, make it a little easier by doing everything through their app and making the function of their hardware dependent on the presence of their software. A little favor was also given to complete systems, as a POS without a cash drawer and/or a card reader seems like a bad idea.
Special Honors
Lightspeed POS Designed to work with iPads, Lightspeed POS systems are fully mobile and cloud based. They have dedicated software for specific industries, such as restaurants and retail, and allow for month-to-month usage rather than a long-term contract. lightspeedhq.com
Toast Toast is an all-in-one package that includes both software and hardware. It is specifically designed for restaurants and has features well suited to handling in-person dining as well as online ordering for pick-up or delivery customers. toasttab.com
4. Clover Flex Merchant
5. NRS POS Plus Touchscreen Bundle
6. Datio Base Station
7. Perfect POS Retail
8. Epsilont Star Micronics TSP143III
9. Square Stand
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.