Best Restaurant POS In Canada For May 2024

• Toast: Best for contactless ordering
• Square: Best for small businesses
• Aloha POS: Best for ease of use
• Clover: Best for quick-service restaurants (QSRs)
• Lavu: Best for pizzerias
• TouchBistro: Best for all-in-one restaurant management
• Revel: Best for iPad users
• Lightspeed Restaurant: Best for cafes
• SkyTab: Best for tableside restaurants

The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to bringing you unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content to guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.

To find the best restaurant POS systems for small businesses, we considered over 25 of the leading providers in the space and narrowed it down to 13, which we then evaluated across four key categories and 12 different metrics. Our ratings consider factors, such as transparent pricing, employee self-sufficiency, compatibility with third-party integrations, access to customer support and ratings. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

A restaurant POS system is software that helps restaurants manage their business. This can include features, such as inventory, menu management, guest tracking and floor management. Some restaurant POS systems can also have built-in CRM systems so restaurants can upsell and cross-sell to guests.

There are many benefits of using a POS system for restaurants. Perhaps the most important is that it can help restaurant owners save time and money. A POS system can automate tasks, such as inventory management and reporting, which frees up restaurant staff to focus on more important tasks.

Another benefit of using a POS system is that it can help restaurants increase sales. This is because POS systems often have features, such as upselling and cross-selling, which can encourage guests to spend more money at the restaurant.

Finally, POS systems can also help restaurants improve their customer service. This is because they often have features, such as guest tracking, which allows restaurant staff to quickly find information about guests so they can provide them with better service.

There are a few things to consider when choosing the best restaurant POS system. First, you need to think about the specific needs of your restaurant. This includes things, such as the size of your restaurant, the type of cuisine you serve and whether you have multiple locations.

Once you know what your restaurant needs, you can start looking at specific features. Some features to look for include online ordering, gift cards, loyalty programs and table management.

You should also consider the price of the POS system. Some hardware systems can be very expensive, so it’s important to find one that fits within your budget.

Finally, read customer reviews before choosing a POS system. This will help you avoid any common problems or issues with specific restaurant POS systems.

Essential POS Hardware Features

• Touchscreen monitor: A large, clear touchscreen monitor allows for easy navigation and reduces the need for additional hardware, such as a mouse and keyboard.
• Barcode scanner: A barcode scanner is essential for quickly scanning items and accurately tracking inventory.
• Cash drawer: A sturdy cash drawer is important for securely storing cash and credit card receipts.
• Receipt printer: A high-speed receipt printer helps to keep lines moving quickly and accurately prints customer receipts.
• Kitchen printer: A dedicated kitchen printer helps to streamline the kitchen and ensure that orders are prepared correctly. These are often specially made to handle the heat you’d find in a kitchen, and you shouldn’t use a standard printer for this very reason.
• Credit card terminal: A secure credit card terminal is necessary for processing payments from customers.
• Mobile POS: A mobile POS system allows for flexibility and the ability to take orders and process payments at tableside.
• Customer display: A customer display shows the customer the items being purchased and the total cost, helping to prevent mistakes and build trust.

Essential POS Software Features

• Inventory management: A robust system can help you keep track of your food and beverage inventory, as well as manage recipes and ingredient costs. Most POS systems have a notification system to alert you if there are shortages or if supplies are running low.
• Sales reporting: Accurate and up-to-date sales data are critical for any restaurant to make informed business decisions. Is one product selling better than another? What times are busiest? A good POS system will provide real-time sales reporting, as well as the ability to generate custom reports and export data to other platforms.
• Table management: An efficient table management system can make a big difference in the speed and accuracy of service, which is crucial when you’re busy and short-staffed. This feature should allow you to manage reservations, seating arrangements and the flow of diners through your restaurant.
• Customer relationship management (CRM): By keeping track of customer orders, preferences and feedback, you can offer a more personalized experience and build stronger relationships with your diners. A good CRM system will also allow you to send targeted marketing campaigns and reward loyal customers.
• Payment processing: A seamless and secure payment system is essential for any restaurant. A good POS software should be able to process both credit and debit cards, as well as support various payment methods, such as gift cards, mobile payments and contactless transactions.
• Online ordering: With more customers ordering food online, it’s important for restaurants to have an online ordering system that integrates with their POS software. This will help you streamline the ordering process, reduce errors and provide a better experience for your customers.

Pricing and Fees

Understanding your restaurant POS system’s costs and fees can help slim margins already rampant in the restaurant industry. Some systems have upfront costs for hardware and software, while others have monthly fees for support and maintenance. Additionally, many systems also charge fees for processing credit card transactions. To help you better understand the costs you can expect, here’s a breakdown of common pricing and fees:

Upfront Costs

• Hardware: Some POS systems require you to purchase hardware, such as terminals, printers and barcode scanners. This can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the system.
• Software: You may also need to pay for the software upfront or opt for a monthly subscription plan.

Monthly Fees

• Support and maintenance: Many systems charge a monthly fee for support and maintenance. This fee helps cover the cost of updates, security and 24/7 support.
• Processing fees: If you choose to process credit card transactions through the POS system, you’ll likely need to pay a processing fee. This fee is typically a percentage of each transaction, plus a fixed fee per transaction.

Other Fees

• Additional hardware: If you need to purchase additional hardware, such as additional terminals or a kitchen display system, you’ll need to pay extra fees.
• Training: Some systems charge a fee for training and setup, while others offer it for free.

When running a restaurant, there are two main options for handling transactions: traditional cash registers and modern restaurant POS systems. While traditional cash registers have been a staple in the industry for decades, they are outdated. Restaurant POS systems offer many advantages over traditional cash registers, including increased efficiency, more accurate record-keeping and access to a wide range of powerful tools and features.

One of the biggest advantages of using a restaurant POS system is the increased speed and efficiency it provides. Rather than having to manually input transactions and keep track of inventory, a restaurant POS system automates most of these processes, freeing up time and reducing the risk of human error, such as a transposed number. Restaurant POS systems often come with built-in tools for managing tables, tracking sales and generating reports, making it easier to run a restaurant and figure out what is—and isn’t—working. After all, you can’t measure success without a proper yardstick.

Another advantage of using a restaurant POS system is the improved accuracy of record-keeping. With a traditional cash register, it’s difficult to track sales and inventory, leading to discrepancies and potential loss. Restaurant POS systems provide real-time data that is easily accessible and much more accurate. This makes it easier to manage finances, maintain control over inventory and make informed decisions about menu offerings and promotions. Most of these systems offer real-time updates, making it easier than ever to manage your restaurant even when not in-house.

While traditional cash registers may have served the industry well in the past, they simply can’t keep up with the demands of modern restaurants. Restaurant POS systems offer a wealth of benefits that make them the preferred choice for many restaurant owners, and they will probably continue to grow in popularity as technology continues to evolve.

To determine the best restaurant POS systems for small businesses, Forbes Advisor researched providers in the space and narrowed them down to the eight top providers. We analyzed these across three primary categories for a total of 12 different metrics. The criteria were then weighted to favour features that matter most to small businesses. The best restaurant POS systems had the best overall scores based on our methodology.

Here are the three primary categories used to analyze the best restaurant POS systems:

Pricing – 35%

Pricing is a top consideration when selecting a restaurant POS system, and it’s important to understand the full costs involved. Some POS systems offer low monthly rates, but there may be additional fees for hardware, software integrations or other services, such as integrations and employee management.

We considered the total cost of ownership, including any upfront costs and ongoing monthly expenses. To help provide a comprehensive view of pricing, we looked at the cost of each restaurant POS system, considering both the monthly fee and any additional fees, such as hardware costs or integration fees.

Key Features – 35%

We evaluated the range of features offered by each restaurant POS system, considering the most crucial components that would benefit restaurants. These included things, such as table management, online ordering, gift card and loyalty programs, as well as integration capabilities with popular third-party software. This is significant for restaurants looking to streamline operations and run their business efficiently with multiple tools.

When considering the features, we took the following into account:

• Hardware
• Restaurant-specific features, such as online ordering and takeout
• Mobile payments
• Built-in payment processing
• Software integrations
• Inventory management

Expert Score – 30%

For the Expert Score in our methodology, we considered three key factors: Popularity, Standout Features and Overall Value. We evaluated the popularity of each restaurant POS system by looking at the number of users, and how well-regarded it is in the industry. Additionally, we evaluated the standout features of each system, such as table management, online ordering, gift cards and loyalty programs, and how they compared to other systems on the market.

We considered the overall value each system provides, taking into account its pricing and the level of functionality and support it offers. Usability was also a key factor in our evaluation, as we wanted to make sure that the systems we recommended were easy to use and would not require extensive training for staff to operate effectively.

Canadian specific editing and research (including pricing) conducted by Anna Rey.