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5 Best Cafe and Coffee Shop POS Systems of April 2024

Restaurant point-of-sale systems can work well for cafes and coffee shops, but don’t opt for more features than you need.
By Hillary Crawford, Karrin Sehmbi
Last updated on March 21, 2023
Edited bySally Lauckner
Fact checked and reviewed

⏰ Estimated read time: 7 minutes

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If you’ve ever faced a throng of caffeine-craving customers from behind the register, you know how important it is to have a reliable point-of-sale system. The right POS system will keep the line moving, include easy-to-use features and help turn customers into regulars. Look for a system that offers customer-facing displays for tipping, loyalty programs, employee time-tracking features and online ordering options.

FEATURED

 
Square
Square

Square Restaurant POS

NerdWallet Rating 
5.0
Here are NerdWallet’s picks for best cafe and coffee shop POS systems.

Best Cafe and Coffee Shop POS Systems From Our Partners

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Estimates assume an average interchange fee of 1.81% + $0.10, based on our latest available data. Estimates provided reflect online and in-person transactions, but exclude any keyed transactions. Estimates are based on the lowest monthly plan and processing fees for each provider.

Product
Cost Estimate
Payment processing fees
Cost Estimate
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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 cafe and coffee shop POS

In-person: 2.6% + $0.10

Online: 2.9% + $0.30

$0.00

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

Clover POS

Learn more

on Clover POS's secure website

4.0/5

Best for Taking payments from customers in line

In-person: 2.3% + $0.10

Online: 3.5% + $0.10

$14.95

and up.

Learn more

on Clover POS's secure website

Toast POS

Learn more

on Toast POS's secure website

4.5/5

Best for Larger coffee shops that serve food

2.49% + $0.15

if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option.

$0.00

Quick Start Bundle; $69 Core plan; $165 Growth plan. Custom plan also available.

Learn more

on Toast POS's secure website

TouchBistro

Learn more

on TouchBistro's secure website

3.5/5

Best for Customer relationship management platform

N/A

Quote-based.

$69.00

and up.

Learn more

on TouchBistro's secure website

Lavu

Learn more

on Lavu's secure website

3.5/5

Best for Cash discount program

N/A

Quote-based.

$99.00

and up.

Learn more

on Lavu's secure website

Our pick for

Overall cafe and coffee shop POS

Square Restaurant POS

Learn more

on Square Restaurant POS's secure website

Monthly fee
$0.00

Free plan; $60 Plus plan; Custom plan available.

Our pick for

Taking payments from customers in line

Clover POS

Learn more

on Clover POS's secure website

Monthly fee
$14.95

and up.

Our pick for

Larger coffee shops that serve food

Toast POS

Learn more

on Toast POS's secure website

Payment processing fees
2.49% + $0.15

if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option.

Monthly fee
$0.00

Quick Start Bundle; $69 Core plan; $165 Growth plan. Custom plan also available.

Our pick for

Customer relationship management platform

TouchBistro

Learn more

on TouchBistro's secure website

Payment processing fees
N/A

Quote-based.

Monthly fee
$69.00

and up.

Our pick for

Cash discount program

Learn more

on Lavu's secure website

Payment processing fees
N/A

Quote-based.

Monthly fee
$99.00

and up.

Square POS for Restaurants: Best overall cafe and coffee shop POS

Monthly fees:
  • $0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
  • $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
  • $60 for Square Restaurant Plus plan.
  • $69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
  • $89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
  • $192 and up for Square Restaurant Essentials Bundle.
  • Custom pricing for Square Retail Premium plan.
Hardware pricing:
  • $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; monthly financing available).
  • $299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer (monthly financing available).
  • $799 for Square Register two-screen system (monthly financing available).
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 is easy to use and built to incorporate customer-facing displays for tipping. The Square Stand swivels to face the customer, while the Square Register has a separate customer-facing screen. The free software plan, which comes with an online ordering page, may be sufficient for smaller cafes and coffee shops. However, with an array of add-ons, plan tiers and kitchen display system hardware, the product leaves room for growth, too. Read our full .

Clover: Best for taking payments from customers in line

Monthly fees:
  • $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 pricing:
  • $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, though rates may also vary by hardware type.
  • 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's core software plan for counter service restaurants like coffee shops includes a loyalty program and no-fee online ordering. In addition, Clover Flex and Mini POS systems are equipped with LTE, a standard for wireless data transmission, which will kick in during Wi-Fi outages and allow cashiers to continue taking orders as usual. And if your coffee shop deals with long lines, the handheld Flex POS system enables staff to take orders anywhere. Read our full .

Toast: Best for larger coffee shops that serve food

Monthly fees:
  • $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 pricing:
  • $799.20 for Handheld Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
  • $1,024.20 for Countertop Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
  • $1,339.20 for Guest Self-Service Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
Payment processing:
  • 3.09% 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 NerdWallet's top overall pick for restaurant POS systems, Toast is a solid pick for cafes and coffee shops that sell made-to-order food options and plan to expand. Highlights include an offline mode, in-house delivery service, the for online ordering, a $50-per-month loyalty program and a . Read our full .

TouchBistro: Best customer relationship management platform

Monthly fees:
  • $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 pricing: Quote-based.
Payment processing: TouchBistro Payments is quote-based and works with third-party payment solutions.
Why we like it: TouchBistro's software is locally installed, meaning it's fully functional in the event of a Wi-Fi outage. Just ensure your payment processor is integrated with the POS or has its own offline mode so you can continue accepting payments. In addition, the company's loyalty program, which starts at $99 per month, doubles as a customer relationship management platform. The program keeps track of customer data like allergies, birthdays and preferences and sends targeted offers to customers, making it easier to recognize repeat customers and their orders. Read our full .

Lavu: Best cash discount program

Monthly fees:
  • $99 for Starter plan with Dual Pay.
  • $149 for Growth plan with Dual Pay.
  • $279 for Optimize plan with Dual Pay.
Hardware pricing: Lavu's POS terminals use iPads, which can be bought through Lavu or elsewhere. The Vault Pro iPad enclosure is $219. Stands, rotation bases, receipt printers and cash drawers are sold separately. Read our full .
Payment processing: Lavu Pay, the system's integrated solution, is quote-based; using a third-party payment processor costs $20 per month per terminal.
Why we like it: Lavu's terminals are entirely iPad-based and business owners can piece their hardware components down to the rotation bases and brackets. One of the company's most unique features is its cash discount program that rewards customers for paying in cash and upcharges those who pay with a card.

How to choose a coffee shop POS system

Here are some of the most important questions to ask while comparing your options:

Fees

  • Does the system charge a monthly fee to integrate with your accounting software?

Hardware features

  • Does the terminal come with a customer-facing display? Can you add one to it?
  • Can you set tipping options on the customer-facing display?
  • Does the company offer mobile POS options for taking orders from customers standing in line?
  • Will an offline mode kick in when the Wi-Fi inevitably goes out?

Customizability and loyalty

  • Can employees add special notes to orders?
  • Is there a loyalty program that rewards customers for each visit?
  • Will the system help your employees spot regulars and remember their orders?

Payments

  • Is there an online ordering option or order-ahead option available?
  • Does the system let you accept contactless payments?
  • Are you stuck with the in-house payment processor, or can you use a ?

Time-tracking

  • Does the system let employees easily clock in and out?
  • Does it let employees tip out when a shift is over?
Last updated on March 21, 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 .
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.
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