A cloud point-of-sale (POS) system uses wireless internet rather than local servers to function, meaning businesses can access it from anywhere with Wi-Fi. Today, most popular POS systems store data in the cloud, making them more cost-effective, customizable and easier to scale than on-premise, or legacy, systems that require additional hardware and maintenance.
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Here are our top picks for the best cloud POS systems.
Best Cloud POS Systems
Calculate your monthly cost estimate
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 POS Learn more on Square POS's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 5.0/5 Best for Overall cloud POS system | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 and up. | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on Square POS's secure website |
Helcim Learn more on Helcim's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Businesses with high sales volume | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0.00 | Learn more on Helcim's secure website | ||
Clover POS Learn more on Clover POS's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Hardware | In-person: 2.3% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover POS's secure website | ||
Shopify Retail POS Learn more on Shopify POS's secure website | 4.5/5 Best for Shopify e-commerce users | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $39.00 and up for e-commerce plans with POS Lite; Can upgrade to POS Pro for an extra $89. | Learn more on Shopify POS's secure website | ||
Lightspeed Retail POS Learn more on Lightspeed Retail POS's secure website | 3.5/5 Best for Inventory management | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $109.00 for Basic plan, $179 for Core plan, $289 for Plus plan. | Learn more on Lightspeed Retail POS's secure website | ||
Toast POS Learn more on Toast POS's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Full-service restaurants | 2.49% + $0.15 if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option. | $0.00 Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan. | Learn more on Toast POS's secure website | ||
SpotOn Restaurant Learn more on SpotOn Restaurant's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Quick-service restaurants | 1.99% + $0.25 For most cards in paid plans. | $0.00 and up. | Learn more on SpotOn Restaurant's secure website | ||
PayPal Zettle | 4.0/5 Best for Mobile transactions | In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 2.89% + $0.49 | $0.00 |
Our pick for
Overall cloud POS system
Square POS
Learn more
on Square POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
and up.
Square is one of a few in the space that offers a free version of its POS system. Even the free version comes with a long list of features and functionality, including sales tracking and reporting, offline mode for accepting payments without a Wi-Fi connection and a customizable interface. It’s a strong choice for businesses that don’t require specialized or advanced POS features.Read full review
Pros
- Free plan option available.
- Offers helpful related services, like payroll, that integrate closely with its POS system.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- All plans include a free online store.
Cons
- Can’t run on Windows devices.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Our pick for
Businesses with high sales volume
Helcim
Learn more
on Helcim's secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
Unlike flat-rate payment processors that charge the same transaction fee across different types of credit cards, Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model. This means your business saves when a customer uses a card with low interchange rates. Helcim also offers volume discounts if you process more than $50,000 monthly, which is a plus for high-volume businesses. And if you need hardware for taking payments in-person, the company sells its own smart terminal and mobile card reader, too.Read full review
Pros
- Interchange-plus pricing structure can help businesses save money.
- Quick setup; approvals usually take a day.
- Offers volume-based discounts automatically.
- Syncs directly with QuickBooks Online and Xero.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
Cons
- Deposits are available within two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Doesn’t offer services to businesses in certain high-risk industries.
Our pick for
Hardware
Clover POS
Learn more
on Clover POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$14.95
and up.
Clover point-of-sale hardware is pricey, but the reasonable monthly cost and low payment processing fees may help offset that upfront investment over time.Read full review
Pros
- Free plan available if you’re only using a mobile card reader.
- 24/7 phone and email support.
- All restaurant plans include no-fee online ordering, and retail plans let you integrate with existing online stores.
Cons
- Promotions require a three-year contract.
- Charges termination fees, though they may be waived in certain cases.
- Online payment processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Popular accounting integrations are only available through third-party apps.
Our pick for
Shopify e-commerce users
Shopify Retail POS
Learn more
on Shopify POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$39.00
and up for e-commerce plans with POS Lite; Can upgrade to POS Pro for an extra $89.
Shopify POS syncs directly with the Shopify e-commerce platform. However, Shopify does not offer free POS software, and the platform is retail-focused.Read full review
Pros
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- All plans include an online store.
- Built specifically for online sellers.
- 24/7 chat support.
Cons
- No free plan options.
- Cannot process cards in offline mode.
Our pick for
Inventory management
Lightspeed Retail POS
Learn more
on Lightspeed Retail POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$109.00
for Basic plan, $179 for Core plan, $289 for Plus plan.
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based POS system for retailers. It has strong inventory management capabilities and is a good match for more established small businesses with multiple locations. Newer small businesses with less complicated operations could be better served with a simpler, less expensive product.Read full review
Pros
- Includes detailed inventory management tools for creating product variants.
- Free one-on-one onboarding session for all new merchants.
- 24/7 phone and live chat support.
- Generate unlimited barcode labels.
Cons
- No free plan options.
- Lowest-tier plan doesn’t include e-commerce features.
- Charges termination fee and may require annual contract.
- Does not include a virtual terminal or offline mode.
Our pick for
Full-service restaurants
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
Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan.
Every element of Toast's POS system is designed in a restaurant-first way. Hardware options are made to withstand spills, grease and heat. These include self-serve kiosks, kitchen display systems, handheld POS systems and guest displays that let customers view orders. Its free plan also offers 24/7 support via email, live chat and phone, just like its higher-tier plans do.Read full review
Pros
- Free plan available for restaurants with up to two POS terminals.
- 24/7 support via web messaging.
- Offers helpful related services, like payroll and team management software, that integrate closely with its POS system.
- Built specifically for restaurants with in-house delivery platform available, among other industry-specific features.
Cons
- Requires a two-year contract and charges early termination fees.
- Online payment processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Charges setup fee, and offline mode includes hidden cost of backup router.
- Online ordering is considered an add-on for all plans.
Our pick for
Quick-service restaurants
SpotOn Restaurant
4.0
NerdWallet rating Learn more
on SpotOn Restaurant's secure website
Payment processing fees
1.99% + $0.25
For most cards in paid plans.
Monthly fee
$0.00
and up.
SpotOn’s monthly software fee and payment processing fees along with its ability to integrate with third-party hardware make this system an affordable and appealing option. SpotOn offers customizable add-on features such as a loyalty program and team management software. The company also has a strong reputation for its hands-on approach to customer support, from installation and training to 24/7 availability for assistance.
Pros
- Offers a free plan.
- Restaurants can customize plans by adding loyalty programs, reservation capabilities, online ordering or employee scheduling software.
- 24/7 phone support.
- No long-term contract or termination fees.
Cons
- Charges setup fee.
- Offline mode includes the hidden cost of a router.
Our pick for
Mobile transactions
PayPal Zettle
Monthly fee
$0.00
PayPal Zettle delivers the essentials at a relatively low cost with a small commitment. On top of accepting credit and debit cards (customers can either dip or tap them to the device), Zettle accepts other payment methods like Venmo, PayPal and digital wallets. But consider other options if you want features like customer loyalty and email marketing programs. Although Zettle can expand through hardware, it doesn’t offer plan upgrades or those types of add-ons.Read full review
Pros
- No monthly software fees for accepting in-person payments.
- No long-term contract or termination fees.
- Accepts a variety of payment types, including Venmo and PayPal payments.
- Inexpensive card reader with a keypad, plus built-in payment processing and a free mobile app lets you quickly accept in-person payments on the go.
Cons
- Online transaction rates are difficult to parse out, and selling online may involve additional monthly charges.
- No offline mode.
Square
Best overall cloud POS system
Why we like it: Square offers one of the best overall POS systems because of its affordability and flexibility. Most of Square’s best features are offered with its free version, including inventory management, offline mode, a customer directory to store customer contact information and more. Square is also compatible with several third-party applications, and offers add-ons like team management, email marketing, loyalty features and payroll management. Read our full Square POS review.
- $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.
- $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).
- 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.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.
» MORE: What is Square?
Helcim
Best for businesses with high sales volume
Why we like it: Helcim stands out because of its overall transparency and free monthly subscription. With its service, you only pay for payment processing, and it offers volume discounts that are tiered by the credit card transactions your business processes each month. This makes Helcim ideal for businesses that are high in sales volume or are looking to scale. Its POS software is built for both desktop and mobile and is free to set up. Read our full Helcim review.
$0.
- $99 for a mobile card reader (with stand).
- $329 for a stand-alone terminal with built-in thermal printer.
- Interchange plus 0.4% and 8 cents per in-person transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
- Interchange plus 0.5% and 25 cents per online or manually keyed transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
- 0.5% plus 25 cents for ACH payments.
Toast
Best for full-service restaurants
Why we like it: Toast has in-depth, restaurant-specific features to accommodate a variety of food-related businesses, but full-service restaurants will likely get the most value from them. For example, employees can use the Toast Go 2 handheld terminal to take orders tableside and cash customers out from wherever they are in the restaurant. You can also use its POS system to collect guests’ feedback, offer online ordering and delivery options and manage menus. Read our full Toast POS review.
- $0 for Starter Kit plan.
- $69 Point of Sale plan.
- Custom plans available.
- $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).
- 3.09-3.69% plus 15 cents per transaction, if you choose a pay-as-you-go plan.
- 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.
» MORE: Best restaurant POS systems
Shopify
Best for Shopify e-commerce users
Why we like it: Shopify POS offers features that are highly customizable across retailers and for scaling businesses. For example, your customers can buy online to pick up in person, buy in store and ship or browse in store and buy online. Inventory is automatically synced and updated across multiple locations and channels, so inventory sold in store will be updated on the website as well. Read our full Shopify POS review.
Shopify e-commerce plans:
- $29 for Shopify Basic when billed annually (or $39 when paid monthly).
- $79 for regular Shopify when billed annually (or $105 when paid monthly).
- $299 for Shopify Advanced when billed annually (or $399 when paid monthly).
- Custom pricing for Shopify Plus.
- All e-commerce plans come with POS Lite for selling in-person. Upgrading to POS Pro for brick-and-mortar businesses costs an extra $89 per location.
Shopify’s alternative solutions for mainly selling in-person:
- $5 for Starter plan, which includes one POS Lite location.
- $79 (when billed annually) for Retail plan, or $89 when paid monthly; includes one POS Pro location.
- $49 for Tap & Chip card reader.
- $219 for Tap & Chip countertop kit (iPad not included).
- $299 for Shopify POS Go mobile device.
- $349 for Shopify POS terminal.
- $459 and up for POS terminal countertop kits.
- 2.5%, 2.7% or 2.9% plus 30 cents for online payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
- 2.4%, 2.5% or 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
» MORE: Best retail POS systems
Lightspeed Retail
Best for inventory management
Why we like it: Lightspeed offers many features that are customizable across industries, but its sophisticated inventory management system makes it a good fit for established retailers, especially if they have more than one location. With Lightspeed’s product variants, for example, users can detail variations on the same product like color or size. Lightspeed can also help you sell online by building your e-commerce store and offers a variety of hardware to build a customized POS. Its software is compatible with an iPad, and you may be able to use other hardware you already own on a case-by-case basis. Read our full Lightspeed Retail POS review.
Lightspeed offers three different plans for retail stores:
- $109 for Basic plan ($89 if billed annually).
- $179 for Core plan ($149 if billed annually).
- $289 for Plus plan ($239 if billed annually).
Add-on modules include the following:
- $19 per month for reporting (for the Plus plan).
- $39 per month for reporting (for the Core plan).
- $49 per month for appointments.
- $59 per month for reporting (for the Basic plan).
- $59 per month for each additional register after the first.
- $59 per month for workforce management.
- $59 per month for payroll.
Pricing for Lightspeed's iPad and desktop hardware kits is quote-based. Individual hardware products are listed in Lightspeed's online store:
- $79 for Mobile Tap V2 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.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents per in-person transaction.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
» MORE: Best inventory POS systems
Clover
Best for hardware
Why we like it: Clover offers a lot of recognizable hardware options that are built to last. This can make it a less flexible option for businesses trying to cut costs by using their existing hardware, but a great option for businesses looking for an all-in-one solution. You can choose to purchase hardware upfront by paying in full, or add a monthly payment for your hardware to your recurring subscription cost and avoid putting a lump sum down. It offers features that are customizable for full and quick-service restaurants, retailers, professional services and more. Read our full Clover POS review.
- $0 for Clover Go Payments plan.
- $14.95 for Clover Go Essentials, 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.
- $59.95 for Quick-Service Dining Starter and Standard plans.
- $69.90 for Retail Advanced plan.
- $79.90 for Quick-Service Dining Advanced plan.
- $89.95 for Full-Service Dining Starter plan.
- $109.90 for Full-Service Dining Standard plan.
- $129.85 for Full-Service Dining Advanced plan.
- $49 for chip, swipe and contactless Clover Go card reader.
- $599 for Clover Flex mobile POS with printer.
- $799 for Clover Mini POS.
- $799-$899 + $25 per month for kitchen display system.
- $1,699 for Clover Station Solo.
- $1,799 for Clover Station Duo.
- $2,499 + $34.95 per month for self-ordering kiosk.
- 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.
SpotOn Restaurant
Best for quick-service restaurants
Why we like it: Similar to Toast, SpotOn can accommodate different types of restaurants, but its lower in-person processing rates (available in paid plans) and less expensive hardware lower the barrier to entry — especially for quick-service restaurants that don’t need SpotOn’s most expensive full-service POS software plan. There are also lots of useful add-ons available, like in-house online ordering and loyalty programs, too.
- $0 for Quick Start plan.
- $99 for Counter-service plan, plus $3 per employee.
- $135 for Full-service plan, plus $3 per employee.
- Custom pricing available as well.
- $600 for the KDS.
- $750 for the Station POS.
- $850 for the Counter POS.
- Other hardware devices, like the handheld option, are custom.
- 1.99% plus 25 cents for most cards in the Counter-service, Full-service and Customizable plans.
- 2.89% plus 25 cents for Quick Start plan subscribers (this processing rate includes hardware and software costs).
- 2.99% plus 25 cents for reward, international, corporate and keyed-in cards.
PayPal Zettle
Best for mobile transactions
Why we like it: PayPal Zettle’s free app and portable card reader make it a low-cost option for lower-volume businesses that complete most of their sales on the go — for example, at pop-up events or markets. You can also use the app to accept Tap to Pay payments if you don’t have a card reader. In addition to credit and debit cards, you can accept Venmo and PayPal payments. Read our full PayPal Zettle review.
$0.
- $29 for first card reader; additional readers cost $79. Price includes USB cable.
- $199 for terminal only.
- $239 for terminal with barcode scanner built in.
- $249 for Store Kit Mini (screen terminal with card reader).
- $339 for Store Kit Portable kit with mobile card reader and printer.
- $499 for Store Kit Standard (adds printer).
- $699 for Store Kit Plus (adds barcode scanner).
- 2.29% plus 9 cents for in-person and QR code transactions.
- 3.49% plus 9 cents for manual-entry card transactions.
- 2.89% plus 49 cents for online card payments.
- 2.99% plus 49 cents for invoicing (payment made with card).
- 3.49% plus 49 cents for invoicing (payment made with PayPal).
A cloud POS system uses the internet, as opposed to a local server, to operate, process payments and store data. This means all of your sales information is centralized in the cloud as opposed to siloed on-premise, which is especially convenient for businesses with multiple locations. And instead of only being able to accept payments in one location, you can complete sales anywhere you have an internet connection (and the necessary credit card readers and/or mobile apps). The same goes for accessing your POS system data so that you can manage your business and run reports from anywhere.
To address inevitable internet outages, cloud POS systems usually have offline modes that allow your business to continue accepting card payments without an internet connection. However, depending on the provider, you may need to purchase a backup router to access these capabilities.
Learn more about how POS systems work
Read more about the differences between cloud-based and more traditional legacy (or on-premise) POS systems, along with general POS system costs and benefits.
» MORE: What is a POS system?
Most businesses will benefit from using a cloud POS system as opposed to an on-premise system for the following reasons.
- Accessibility: Cloud POS data can be accessed from multiple devices, as long as they have an internet connection. You don’t have to be at your business’s brick-and-mortar location to change menu items, update inventory or run reports.
- Ability to accept payments anywhere: Cloud POS systems let you use countertop registers, handheld terminals or your mobile device to complete sales in-store or on the go.
- Cost: Since cloud POS systems don’t require local servers, you don’t have to purchase one and pay for its installation and maintenance. This lessens business’s upfront costs and helps them start accepting payments sooner.
- Multi-location sync: Businesses with multiple locations can use cloud POS systems to centralize their data in the cloud, as opposed to on separate servers. This makes it easier to compare data across locations and sync it all with your accounting software.
To choose the right cloud POS system for your business, consider the following factors.
Industry-specific features
Lots of popular cloud POS system providers tailor their solutions to a particular industry — usually retail stores, restaurants or service-based businesses. Choosing a cloud POS system made for your particular type of business helps ensure you’ll have the basic industry-specific features you need without paying for what you don’t.
More general, must-have features include reporting, payment processing, employee management, inventory tracking and accounting software integrations. Ideally, your cloud POS system provider will also supply all the POS hardware and accessories you need.
Cost
Cloud POS systems typically require less upfront costs than on-premise systems, but add-on features and hidden fees can pile up quickly. Don’t forget to factor in extra fees for loyalty programs, online ordering and higher-tier software plans, as well as PCI compliance and chargebacks.
Security
Whether you choose a cloud POS system or a legacy one, make sure you and your employees know how to responsibly handle customers’ card data. Your provider should help you meet PCI compliance requirements in some capacity. But if your hardware and software aren’t already PCI compliant, you may need to fill out a self-assessment form to affirm you’re meeting all the requirements. Cloud POS systems should also be transparent about how they encrypt and store your data securely.
Contract lengths
Though month-to-month contracts are common for cloud POS systems, some still require you to sign a longer-term contract if you want to access promotions and/or lower monthly fees. If you go this route, try to demo the software before committing, so that you can get a feel for its usability.
Last updated on May 23, 2024
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
A cloud-based POS system is a POS system that functions through the internet and is accessible from off-site locations.
Square’s POS software is cloud-based and can function anywhere there is internet access, making it flexible and ideal for various types of businesses like food trucks or pop-up shops.
This depends on which cloud POS system you choose, but some potential drawbacks might be security issues if you are not using a secure internet connection, training when you’re first adapting a new system, or loss of functionality due to internet outages.
