Point of sale (POS) systems include the hardware and software used in tandem to place orders, track sales, manage inventory and track revenue and profits.
The benefits small businesses gain from implementing POS restaurant software are numerous. POS software has the potential to simplify all essential restaurant tasks, from the back of the house to the front.
POS systems help small businesses save time and money by increasing efficiency and automating many essential tasks.
Managers can track volume, staff performance, inventory and sales in real time from any location. Accurate reporting helps managers analyze sales data, calculate revenue, profit and loss and forecast future inventory and sales.
With the aid of handheld POS systems, the FOH staff can increase time spent on the floor with customers. This improves efficiency, reduces human error, increases sales and improves the bottom line. Customer data can even be used to improve product and sales.
POS systems can support your company as it grows. Additional hardware can be purchased and added to terminals already in use, connecting to the software that’s already in place. Upkeep for POS systems includes purchasing new hardware, replacing broken parts and updating software.
The best POS restaurant software is determined by combining G2 Crowd user reviews, market share, vendor size and social impact. High Performers are highly rated by users but do not have the highest market share. Meanwhile, contenders have significant market presence but have received below average user satisfaction ratings or have yet to receive a sufficient number of reviews.
According to the G2 Crowd Grid® for POS restaurant software, as of Nov. 25, 2017, the high performers and contenders for small businesses are:
Let’s let the reviewers do the talking.
TouchBistro Restaurant POS is an iPad restaurant POS solution made to ease all front- and back-of-house processes. Service staff can take table-side orders and payment while managers can focus on customer relations, staff management, inventory, reporting and analytics.
These are the five features that users most frequently cited in their reviews as their favorite aspects of TouchBistro Restaurant POS as of Nov. 25, 2017.
“We have been using it for 5 years with zero issues. We recently upgraded to more terminals and a PRO Server and it has been the best investment the business has made. I can't recommend TouchBistro enough. As a small restaurant, it allows us to serve customers quickly and efficiently and the back end of this product makes it make very easy to implement menu changes. The cloud based reporting is a helpful tool that allows us to send out daily email reports to the whole upper management team along. A handy app allows us to monitor the restaurant in real time.
"We have added multiple iPads as POS terminals now and it has been a major upgrade from our previous POS System. TouchBistro does not require much technical knowledge, making it great for all restaurant owners that are looking for a simple solution that does not require assistance from support to set up. The user interface is very friendly, unlike older more mainstream systems. Our staff love it!” — TouchBistro Restaurant POS review by Susie J
Choose between iPads, Apple Mac Mini computers, iMac computers, Mac Pros, Apple routers, impact printers, thermal printers, cash drawers, monitors and accessories.
7Shifts Restaurant Scheduling, QuickBooks, Xero, Sage One, Exact and more.
Toast provides menu management, server ordering and payment receipt all from a handheld device. Hardware options include 10-, 15- and 22-inch counter terminals, kitchen display system (KDS) screens, etc. Toast specializes in solutions for full or quick service, bar or nightclub, pizzeria or enterprise.
These are the five features that users most frequently cited in their reviews as their favorite aspects of Toast as of Nov. 25, 2017.
“Toast has developed, and continues to enhance, one of the best POS platforms we have encountered. Their support is top notch and they consistently treat our business as an extension of their own. Toast has consistently been a key partner for us and has helped us implement a POS solution that delivers all functionality that we were hoping for.
"Toast has given us a single integrated POS platform to tie all 37 of our North American restaurants together allowing us to remotely push different menus to different regions with different pricing structures. This has given us insights into our restaurants performances and reporting capabilities regardless of enterprise structure.” — Toast review by Eric K.
Choose between handheld tablets, hardwired terminals and kitchen display systems.
Compeat Back Office, MONKEY, Restaurant365, CrunchTime Back Office Solution and more.
Breadcrumb offers a comprehensive view into your restaurant including POS reports and revenue numbers. Taking payments, streamline operations and manage your sales and costs in real time from any location.
These are the five features that users most frequently cited in their reviews as their favorite aspects of Breadcrumb as of Nov. 25, 2017.
“Breadcrumb is extremely intuitive, easy to use and easy to train new staff members. It’s also easy to open or close tabs and add new terminals. Offline mode has been vital to us when we have ISP issues — everyone can keep moving and our business does not stop. Finding a nice looking interface with decent reporting that also kept open tabs (such a simple thing — but many systems are retail focused) was actually pretty difficult. Breadcrumb helped us become more efficient with our merchandise inventory. We are able to track comps effectively and eliminate giveaways and there is server accountability.” — Breadcrumb review by Melissa H.
Choose between iPads, Meraki networking routers and extenders, iPad stands, printers, readers and swipers and kitchen display systems.
Time Clock and TimeSheets, SimpleOrder, SynergySuite Restaurant Management Software and more.
Lavu is a POS solution designed for use by full-service, quick-service and franchise restaurants, from bars, nightclubs and lounges to food trucks and coffee shops.
These are the five features that users most frequently cited in their reviews as their favorite aspects of Lavu as of Nov. 25, 2017.
“The Lavu product is a great fit for our restaurant/cafe. We offer a QSR style ordering mixed with restaurant food/service. We can mix those that just want a coffee and cake with customers who want a three course meal. Lavu service options allow for this flexibility and fits into our existing methods. The additional add-ons (KDS pro, customer facing screens, etc) are also benefits. Additional reassurance of having the local server (LLS) also means we are not worried about broadband issue, and the install of this was carried out by Lavu overnight remotely from US. All together, I have managed to self install Lavu and I am (nearly) happy with the product; over time this will move up to 10 stars I am sure!” — Lavu review by Ian T.
Choose from terminals, printers, card readers, cash drawers, kitchen display systems
LoyalTree allows your customers to collect loyalty points and Mercury PayPal integrates PayPal into Lavu POS.
Aloha POS helps businesses increase sales, speed and accuracy of service. Aloha POS is ideal for quick service, fast casual, casual dining and fine dining tables service restaurants and can be used on fixed POS terminals, handheld and mobile devices.
These are the five features that users most frequently cited in their reviews as their favorite aspects of Aloha POS as of Nov. 25, 2017.
“Finding a software with an all-in-one solution that can handle almost every aspect of the hospitality business is what you get with Aloha. From menu creation and editing, staff management tools, online ordering tools, special event tools, full customization of your touch screen terminal interface, absolutely endless options and results!” — Aloha POS review by an internal consultant.
Choose from terminals, handheld devices and servers
OpenTable for secure, convenient payment options.
According to the reviews for the best POS small restaurant software products on G2 Crowd, users agree that they most value easy-to-use, time-saving solutions. If you use any of these five POS systems, please share your experience at G2 Crowd. Your experiences will help potential users gain the insight they need to make an informed decision.
These POS systems are just a few of the many POS Restaurant software options reviewed on G2 Crowd. For additional help in choosing the right business solution, check out the POS restaurant software categories where you can compare products, available features, pricing and more.
If you need other POS solutions, look no further than POS retail software.
* Please note: Reviews have been edited for spelling and grammar.
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