1
Editor's Choice
Square
The easiest, most affordable way to start taking payments.
- Free, capable POS software
- Transparent flat-rate fees
- Affordable hardware
- Great for small business
9.6
Outstanding POS Systems · June 2026
Best POS Systems 2026
Take payments, manage inventory and grow. We compared the top point-of-sale systems for retail, restaurants and service businesses.
- Best Overall
Square
- 2Best for Retail
Shopify POS
The top choice for retailers selling online and in person.
- Unified online and in-store
- Strong inventory tools
- Huge app ecosystem
- Great for omnichannel
9.3Excellent - 3Best for Restaurants
Toast
A restaurant-first platform with deep hospitality features.
- Purpose-built for food service
- Kitchen and online ordering
- Sturdy hardware
- Strong reporting
9.1Very Good - 4Best Hardware
Clover
Versatile hardware and an app market for many business types.
- Attractive, flexible hardware
- Large app marketplace
- Works across sectors
- Good inventory tools
8.8Very Good - 5Best for Inventory
Lightspeed
Powerful inventory and analytics for serious retailers.
- Deep inventory management
- Strong analytics
- Retail and restaurant versions
- Good multi-location support
8.9Very Good
Compare at a glance
| # | Product | Score | Best for | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Square | 9.6/10 | Best Overall | Free + 2.6% per tap | Get Deal |
| 2 | Shopify POS | 9.3/10 | Best for Retail | $5/mo add-on | Get Deal |
| 3 | Toast | 9.1/10 | Best for Restaurants | From $69/mo | Get Deal |
| 4 | Clover | 8.8/10 | Best Hardware | From $14.95/mo | Get Deal |
| 5 | Lightspeed | 8.9/10 | Best for Inventory | From $89/mo | Get Deal |
A modern POS system does far more than take payments — it manages inventory, staff, customers and reporting across your counter and online. We compared the leading systems for retail, hospitality and service businesses.
How we rate POS systems
- Features (30%) — payments, inventory, staff, reporting.
- Hardware (20%) — quality and flexibility.
- Fees (30%) — software and processing costs.
- Ease of use (20%) — setup and daily operation.
How to choose a POS
Pick a system built for your sector: restaurants need table and kitchen features, retailers need inventory depth, and service businesses need appointments. Watch processing fees as much as software fees.
Buyer's guide
Compare monthly software cost, per-transaction processing rates, hardware prices, and whether the system locks you into its own payment processor.
Our #1 pick: Square
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best POS for a small shop?
Square is a favourite for small retail and cafés thanks to free software, transparent fees and easy hardware.
Is there a free POS system?
Square offers free POS software and you only pay processing fees. Paid tiers add advanced inventory and reporting.
What are typical processing fees?
In-person card fees commonly sit around 2.5%–2.9% plus a small fixed amount per transaction, varying by provider and plan.
Can a POS work online and in store?
Yes. Systems like Shopify POS and Square sync in-store and online sales and inventory in one place.
Do I have to use their card processor?
Some systems require their own processor (Square, Toast); others, like Lightspeed and Clover, offer more flexibility.
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#1 Square