When it comes to looking for the right bar point-of-sale, or POS, system, there’s no shortage of options available to bar owners. Some point-of-sale systems are specifically designed from the start to suit the needs of the restaurant and bar industry, while others are more generalized systems that offer particular features and add-ons that are well-suited to managing a bar.
The providers that make our list include most or all of the qualities you’d expect from a bar POS system, but each has particular strengths and features that may make it the right fit for your business needs.
Best Bar POS Systems From Our Partners
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Input your business’s monthly transaction details and we’ll help you sort from the best valueProduct | Cost Estimate | Payment processing fees | Cost Estimate | Learn more | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Square Restaurant POS Learn more on Square Restaurant POS's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 5.0/5 Best for Overall bar POS system | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 Free plan; $60 Plus plan; Custom plan available. | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on Square Restaurant POS's secure website |
Toast POS Learn more on Toast POS's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Bars that serve food | 2.99% + $0.15 if you pay for hardware monthly; 2.49% + 15¢ if you buy upfront. | $0 Quick Start Bundle; $69 Core plan; $165 Growth plan. Custom plan also available. | Learn more on Toast POS's secure website | ||
Clover POS Learn more on Clover POS's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Customer engagement tools | In-person: 2.3% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $15 $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover POS's secure website | ||
Lightspeed Restaurant POS Learn more on Lightspeed Restaurant POS's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Flexibility and customizability | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $69 Starter plan; $189 Essential plan; $399 Premium plan. | Learn more on Lightspeed Restaurant POS's secure website | ||
TouchBistro Learn more on TouchBistro's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for System reliability | N/A Quote-based. | $69 and up. | Learn more on TouchBistro's secure website |
Our pick for
Overall bar POS system
Square Restaurant POS
Learn more
on Square Restaurant POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$0
Free plan; $60 Plus plan; Custom plan available.
Pros
- Free plan available.
- App and card readers are compatible with iOS and Android devices.
- Can pay for hardware in installments.
- No long-term contracts or installation fees.
- In-house payroll software available.
- All plans include a free online ordering page.
Cons
- Free plan doesn’t include 24/7 support.
Our pick for
Bars that serve food
Toast POS
Learn more
on Toast POS's secure website
Payment processing fees
2.99% + $0.15
if you pay for hardware monthly; 2.49% + 15¢ if you buy upfront.
Monthly fee
$0
Quick Start Bundle; $69 Core plan; $165 Growth plan. Custom plan also available.
Pros
- 24/7 phone, email and chat support.
- Free plan available for restaurants with up to two POS terminals.
- In-house payroll software available.
- Online ordering is included in some plans.
- In-house delivery platform available.
- Built specifically for restaurants.
Cons
- A two-year contract is required.
Our pick for
Customer engagement tools
Clover POS
Learn more
on Clover POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$15
$14.95 and up.
Pros
- Competitive flat rates for payment processing.
- Hardware performs well and is well designed.
Cons
- No free options.
- Pricing can be tough to understand.
Our pick for
Flexibility and customizability
Lightspeed Restaurant POS
Learn more
on Lightspeed Restaurant POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$69
Starter plan; $189 Essential plan; $399 Premium plan.
Pros
- 24/7 phone and chat support.
- Free online training with a specialist.
- May be compatible with hardware from different brands.
Cons
- Annual contracts are required for lower pricing.
- Monthly software fees are higher than many competitors.
Our pick for
System reliability
TouchBistro
Learn more
on TouchBistro's secure website
Payment processing fees
N/A
Quote-based.
Monthly fee
$69
and up.
Pros
- 24/7 phone, chat and email support.
- Built specifically for restaurants.
- Greater offline mode capabilities than many competitors.
Cons
- Contracts are automatically renewed and can't be terminated early.
Square for Restaurants: Best overall bar POS system
Monthly POS software fee:
- $0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
- $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
- $60 for Square Restaurant and Retail Plus plans.
- $69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
Hardware:
- $0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
- $49 and up for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
- $149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included).
- $299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer.
- $799 for Square Register two-screen system.
Payment processing:
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
Why we like it: Square consistently comes out ahead of other POS providers not only for the strength of its system but especially because of its competitive pricing — across monthly software, hardware and payment processing fees — and lack of surprise fees and contracts. In fact, many competitors in the industry-specific POS space require longer term contracts, so for bar owners who are hesitant to make a long-term commitment just yet, Square for Restaurants is a strong choice.
Also unlike many of its competitors in this space, Square is entirely transparent with its pricing. All fees for software, hardware, payment processing and add-ons are listed clearly on Square’s website — no need to call for a quote. Square for Restaurants is a robust POS offering at both the free — yes free — and paid plan tiers. It won’t be the right fit for every bar, however. If you’re a bar with an extensive food menu and table service, for example, you’ll likely require a more specialized system from some of Square’s restaurant-specific competitors. Read our full Square for Restaurants review.
Pros:
- No contract or hidden fees.
- Free software plan available.
- Total pricing transparency.
- Can scale to fit changing business needs.
- Free plan includes unlimited countertop devices and locations.
- Free trial available with Plus plan.
Cons:
- 24/7 support available only with paid monthly plan.
- Hefty in-person setup and training fee (starts at $1,399).
Toast POS: Best for bars that serve food
Monthly POS software fee:
- $0 for Quick Start Bundle.
- $69 for Core plan.
- $110 plus $4 per employee for Restaurant Basics plan.
- $165 for Growth plan.
- Custom plans available.
Hardware:
- $627 for Handheld Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
- $875 for Countertop Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
- $1,009 for Guest Self-Service Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
Payment processing:
- 2.99% plus 15 cents per transaction, if you choose pay-as-you-go option on hardware.
- 2.49% plus 15 cents for card-present transactions, if you pay for hardware upfront.
- 3.50% plus 15 cents for card-not-present transactions, if you pay for hardware upfront.
Why we like it: As a specialized POS system designed specifically for restaurant industry use, Toast includes all the features you’ll need (or want to add-on) for a bar that serves more than just a few nibbles, including menu, table and employee management and built-to-be-dropped-bumped-and-splashed hardware. Toast makes it easy to edit and update menus, take orders in multiple ways and get up-to-date reporting on your bar. The software also automatically breaks down the tip pool for payroll.
Bars that are short on staff or are looking to streamline their food service may benefit from Toast’s mobile solution that allows guests to scan a QR code to order and pay quickly from their own phone with Apple Pay. Many POS systems offer an offline mode which, to varying degrees, will enable you to continue using your system (often in a limited capacity) during internet outages or disruptions. Toast’s system clearly alerts the user when there’s a connection issue and uses a color-coded system to provide details on which functions are still available based on the issue. The company’s online support library provides detailed instructions for troubleshooting in various outage scenarios. Read our full Toast POS review.
Pros:
- 24/7 customer support available with all plan tiers.
- Enables QR code ordering.
- Hearty, spill-resistant hardware.
- Offline mode with detailed support instructions for troubleshooting during various outage scenarios.
Cons:
- Long-term contract required and may include early termination fee.
» MORE: Best POS systems for restaurants
Clover POS: Best for customer engagement tools
Monthly POS software fee:
- $14.95 for Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter, Professional Services Starter and Standard and Home & Field Services plans.
- $49.95 for Retail Standard, Personal Services Standard and Advanced and Professional Services Advanced plans.
- $54.95 for Quick-Service Dining Starter and Standard plans.
- $64.90 for Retail Advanced plan.
- $69.90 for Quick-Service Dining Advanced plan.
- $84.95 for Full-Service Dining Starter plan.
- $99.90 for Full-Service Dining Standard plan.
- $114.85 for Full-Service Dining Advanced plan.
Hardware:
- $49 for chip, swipe and contactless Clover Go card reader.
- $599 for Clover Flex mobile POS with printer.
- $799 for Clover Mini POS.
- $1,699 for Clover Station Solo.
- $1,799 for Clover Station Duo.
Payment processing:
- 2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions for most plans.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter and Professional Services Standard plans, as well as Home & Field Services Standard and Advanced plans.
- 3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.
Why we like it: Clover is another household name in the POS industry offering solutions for various business types, including bars. The company offers a variety of sleek and sturdy proprietary hardware options and discloses pricing for each on its website. Clover is also transparent with its monthly software fees, offered at a variety of tiers depending on business need, and payment processing fees.
It offers an extensive app market for third-party integrations that include not only the typical payroll and scheduling apps a bar owner may be interested in but also industry-specific apps such as Happy Hour, DigitalPour and Waitlist Me. Clover’s set of tools for customer engagement, in particular, make it a great fit for a bar POS system. The tools — offered in limited capacity for free or at an enhanced level for an additional $99 per month — allow for gathering customer feedback directly, getting the word out about promotions and events, rewarding loyal customers and building customer profiles from credit card data. Read our full Clover POS review.
Pros:
- 24/7 customer support.
- Enables QR code ordering.
- Dependable hardware.
- Large selection of software integrations.
Cons:
- No free monthly software option.
- Pricing, while transparent, can be tough to navigate.
Lightspeed Restaurant POS: Best for flexibility and customizability
Monthly POS software fee:
- $69 for Starter plan.
- $189 for Essential plan.
- $399 for Premium plan.
Hardware:
Pricing for Lightspeed's iPad and desktop hardware kits is quote-based. Individual hardware products are listed in Lightspeed's online store:
- $99 for Chipper 2X BT card reader.
- $199 for iPad stand or swivel stand.
- $299 for WisePOS E countertop reader.
- $429 for Lightspeed Lite Server for data backup and offline mode functionality.
Payment processing:
- 2.6% plus 10 cents per in-person transaction.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
Why we like it: Lightspeed acquired Upserve in 2020 and built on its restaurant POS prowess to create Lightspeed Restaurant POS. Like many of the other specialized systems in this space, Lightspeed Restaurant comes with a wealth of tools and features a bar POS system should have, including bill splitting, inventory management and a training mode to quickly onboard new staff.
Lightspeed stands out among its competitors, however, in its ability to flex to any business need. You can purchase hardware through Lightspeed, use your existing hardware or purchase used hardware elsewhere at a discounted price (just be sure to check Lightspeed’s compatibility guide, available in its online help center). The company also offers you the flexibility to choose its own payment processing service, Lightspeed Payments, or use any of the third-party processors it supports. This tech flexibility coupled with the customizability of the software empowers you to design just the right fit for your bar POS needs. Read our full Lightspeed Restaurant POS review.
Pros:
- 24/7 support available.
- Offers free live setup and training.
- Can integrate with existing hardware and third-party payment processors.
- Integrations with useful apps such as BevSpot, 7shifts and OpenTable.
Cons:
- Offline mode only included with purchase of a proprietary local server (and function is limited).
TouchBistro: Best for system reliability
Monthly POS software fee:
- $69 for base plan.
- $25 for gift cards feature.
- $50 for online ordering feature.
- $99 for loyalty features or marketing features.
- $229 for reservations feature.
Hardware: Quote-based.
Payment processing: Quote-based for TouchBistro Payments.
Why we like it: TouchBistro is another recognizable POS brand in the bar and restaurant industry. As such, it comes with many of the features you would expect, including tools to manage staff, menus, tables and inventory. It also comes loaded with dozens of reports to offer useful business insights on customers, employees and revenue.
Because TouchBistro is a hybrid POS system — meaning it runs both in the cloud and on a local server — you can continue with business as usual during an internet outage or disruption. Unlike some competitors’ offline modes, functionality during outages isn’t limited to a single POS terminal. With TouchBistro’s system, multiple devices will continue to communicate with one another, and you’ll retain the ability to take orders, send them to the kitchen, have employees clock in or out, and you’ll still have access to customer and reporting data (though new data won’t update until you’re back online). Read our full TouchBistro review.
Pros:
- 24/7 support.
- Remote training and POS access to diagnose issues.
- Software integrations for accounting, payroll and inventory management.
- Hybrid system setup enables many functions to continue — across multiple devices — during internet outage.
Cons:
- Long-term contract that may be very difficult to terminate early.
- Add-on capabilities add up pretty quickly.
>> MORE: Best POS systems for food trucks
Bar POS system must-have features
Any bar POS system worth its salt (and lime) should have the following features and qualities. Beyond these, the right system for your bar will depend on your particular business needs.
- Speed and reliability. The bar environment is a fast-paced one, and you’ll need a POS system that can keep up on all fronts, from app and software response to payment processing to receipt printing. Taking advantage of a free trial opportunity or live, in-person demo could help you gauge whether the system you’re considering will power through a late-night rush or drag you down with delays and lag times.
- User friendliness. Even if you’re a tech-savvy business owner, your staff will likely have varying degrees of comfort with tech and POS systems. And because time is definitely money in the bar and restaurant industry, you want to be sure you won’t need to invest heavily in getting you and your staff confident in using the system. This is where POS providers who offer live setup and training support (especially if it’s in-person and most especially if it’s free) can stand out among the competition.
- 24/7 live support. Whether by phone or through chat, customer support availability — particularly after normal business hours — is an important consideration when choosing your bar POS provider. It’s great to have a chatbot at your fingertips for quick questions that can be easily answered, but when it’s 1 a.m. and your bar is packed, you won’t want to dampen the mood if your system suddenly has an issue accepting credit card payments and you’re unable to reach a customer support representative until 9 a.m. the next day.
- Tabs, split checks and promos. Customers will almost certainly expect the ability to open a tab, split a check among friends or coworkers and see what’s on offer for happy hour. You’ll want to be sure your POS system can deliver on those expectations.
- Menu management. Whether you have a small, curated menu of specialty cocktails, an extensive beer and food menu that spans several pages, or something in between, you’re going to need the ability to easily make changes to your menu. Some systems allow you to schedule pricing changes to occur on certain days and times (think happy hours and promotions), which can help to streamline your menu management.
- Staff management. Any bar owner knows the amount of time and thought that goes into creating a staffing schedule that satisfies both the employee and the business needs. Not to mention how crucial it is to accurately track and pay out tips, ensure employees get paid correctly and on time and set system permissions according to employee role. A POS system that includes functionality for managing staff, whether as a built-in feature or an add-on tool, is a must.
- Inventory tracking. It almost goes without saying that accurate inventory tracking is essential for running a bar. Many bar POS systems will include this as a built-in function; some may also offer the ability to integrate with various inventory management apps and software.
Last updated on May 26, 2023
Methodology
NerdWallet’s point-of-sale systems provider ratings reward companies whose products and services are priced well and work in a variety of payment scenarios, among other criteria.
Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including cost, system capabilities, contract requirements, customer service and integrations and add-ons. Learn more about how we rate point-of-sale (POS) systems providers.
These ratings are a guide, but services, hardware and pricing can vary widely from business to business and provider to provider. We encourage you to shop around and compare several providers.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.