Best Mobile POS Systems

Square is likely the best-known mobile POS system because it was one of the first and most popular. It consistently tops lists for many reasons, including its flat-fee payment processing rates, completely free POS app and its simple interface.

The base software has no monthly, set-up or subscription fees, but you can choose from a handful of paid-for add-on features to make the POS system more complete.

Payment processing is built into Square, so you don’t have to shop around for a merchant services provider (MSP). The flat rate makes it easy for you to know how much you’ll have to pay with each transaction, but the fee is likely higher than what you may get from your own merchant account if you already have an established business.

• In person: 1.75%
• Virtual: 2.5%

Square hardware reader costs £19 plus VAT.

Who should use it:

Any small business that wants to sell using a mobile POS system would do well with Square because of its robust feature set and easy-to-use system. It’s an excellent choice for new businesses that may not be able to get low processing rates from merchant services.

Shopify sets itself apart from other mobile POS systems by focusing on e-commerce business owners. All three of Shopify’s POS plans include a website with a fully functional online store with unlimited products. Plans range from £19 to £259 per month. You can purchase a card reader from Shopify for £49.

The basic plan is packed with features, including abandoned cart recovery, marketing automations and built-in payment processing. Scaling up to the mid- or high-level tier will get you access to reporting and discounts on shipping and processing. The payment processing rates are the most complicated part about Shopify.

• Basic Plan

• Online: 2% plus 25 pence
• In person: 1.7%

• Shopify Plan

• Online: 1.7% plus 25 pence
• In person: 1.6%

• Advanced Plan

• Online: 1.5% plus 25 pence
• In person: 1.5%

As you can see, you’ll pay less in transaction fees as you scale up (but you’ll pay more per month). It’s also worth noting that you can choose to use your own merchant account, but if you choose Shopify as your POS system, you’ll have to pay a transaction fee if you don’t use Shopify payments (from 0.5% to 2%, depending on the plan you’re on).

Who should use it:

Sellers that already utilise the Shopify online platform and want to expand to mobile sales.

Small businesses that want to focus on building relationships with customers should consider Loyverse as a POS solution. The app is free and it works on any mobile device, so you can sell at a store, on the floor, at a pop-up shop or anywhere your customers are.

While the POS features for Loyverse are basic, it’s the loyalty programme that may make you a fan. You can use the points programme to encourage repeat business. And if customers sign up for it, you’ll then have access to customer preferences, which can help inform you of the best products to push. You can even message customers through the program (a great way to tell your customers about an upcoming sale, for example).

To make Loyverse a more complete POS solution, you may need to subscribe to some paid add-on features. For £20 per month, you’ll be able to integrate e-commerce, marketing and accounting apps. Employee management and advanced inventory cost £20 per month each, but you can get a discount if you pay annually.

Loyverse doesn’t offer its own card reader, so you’ll have to get one on your own. It also doesn’t offer built-in payment processing, but it does integrate with multiple processors, including Worldpay, Zettle and CardConnect.

Who should use it:

Loyverse’s mobile POS app is free, easy to use and it works on both iOS and Android devices. In fact, it’s one of the best Android POS systems around. We like its built-in free loyalty programme that can help you retain and communicate with customers.

TouchBistro has all the features you likely need for your restaurant, food truck or cafe. The mobile POS app lets you take orders and payments tableside or at various locations. It includes lots of restaurant-specific features to make this a great all-in-one POS solution for any food service business. For £59 per month, you can set up your floor plans, tables and menus. Staff management comes at no added cost too.

The basic tools from TouchBistro are advanced compared to some of the best POS software. For example, inventory management doesn’t just include accurate counts and low stock alerts; you can track at the ingredient level and log recipes, so you know what you have down to portion levels. The menu management feature includes tools to help your servers upsell appetisers or desserts, for example.

To get the most complete POS system, you may need to opt for more pricey add-ons from TouchBistro. You’ll have to pay £20 per month to be able to create and sell gift cards; marketing tools and a loyalty programme cost around £80 per month each*; and online ordering will set you back £40 per month. To set up reservations through TouchBistro, you’ll pay £180 per month.

Who should use it:

Most restaurant POS systems are expensive because the features are niche and necessary. TouchBistro offers an affordable base software that makes it easy for you to take orders and accept payments whether your customers are in your restaurant or out at a festival.

*Converted from dollars, 20 December 2023

Lightspeed offers a variety of custom POS solutions based on whether you run a restaurant or retail business. We focused on the retail version of its mobile POS system because it’s one of the best POS systems for retailers. You can use Lightspeed at your countertop or with an iPad or iPhone to make sales. Pricing starts at £59 per month, if paid annually, but that will only give you basic features. To make the most of Lightspeed, you may need to choose the £119 per month plan.

Every plan includes Lightspeed’s best feature: advanced inventory management. It includes vendor info, purchase orders and low stock alerts. You can also use Lightspeed Payments for sales transactions. The rate is comparable to other POS systems’ built-in payment processing rates. You can get lower rates for processing if you do high-volume sales and sign up for the enterprise-level plan.

Aside from the expensive plans and limited functionality for low tiers, Lightspeed only works on iOS devices. It’s also worth noting that you’ll pay more if you don’t opt for Lightspeed payments.

Who should use it:

Lightspeed is one of the best iPad POS systems chiefly because of its robust inventory system. It includes helpful features, such as a loyalty program and e-commerce integration, but you’ll have to upgrade to a pricier plan for them.