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7 Best iPad POS Systems of October 2024

IPads that function as point-of-sale systems are affordable, flexible and easy to use. Here’s how to pick the right one.
By Hillary Crawford, Karrin Sehmbi
Last updated on August 22, 2024
Edited byRyan Lane
Fact checked and reviewed

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Similar to full point-of-sale (POS) system setups, iPad POS systems fulfill core business functions, like accepting customer payments, calculating sales tax and recording sales. However, they’re typically more flexible and less costly, making them ideal for mobile businesses and small brick-and-mortar shops on a budget.
Here are some of our top iPad POS system picks, along with a full list of options.

Best iPad POS Systems

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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
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Shopify Retail POS

Learn more

on Shopify POS's secure website

Get an estimated monthly cost for your business.
4.5/5

Best for Omnichannel businesses

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.

Get an estimated monthly cost for your business.
Learn more

on Shopify POS's secure website

Square Stand

Learn more

on Square Stand's secure website

5.0/5

Best for Overall iPad POS system

In-person: 2.6% + $0.10

Online: 2.9% + $0.30

$0.00

Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.

Learn more

on Square Stand's secure website

Clover Go

Learn more

on Clover Go's secure website

4.0/5

Best for Mostly mobile businesses

In-person: 2.6% + $0.10

Online: 3.5% + $0.10

$0.00

Payments plan; $14.95 Essentials plan.

Learn more

on Clover Go's secure website

Lightspeed Retail POS

Learn more

on Lightspeed Retail POS's secure website

3.5/5

Best for Customer relationship management features

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

TouchBistro

Learn more

on TouchBistro's secure website

3.5/5

Best for Restaurants

N/A

Quote-based.

$69.00

and up.

Learn more

on TouchBistro's secure website

Helcim POS

Learn more

on Helcim POS's secure website

4.5/5

Best for High-volume businesses

In-person: 0.4% + $0.08

Online: 0.5% + $0.25

Plus interchange

$0.00

Learn more

on Helcim POS's secure website

PayPal Zettle

4.0/5

Best for Low in-person transaction rates

In-person: 2.29% + $0.09

Online: 3.49% + $0.09

$0.00

Our pick for

Omnichannel businesses

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.

Our pick for

Overall iPad POS system

Square Stand

Learn more

on Square Stand's secure website

Monthly fee
$0.00

Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.

Our pick for

Mostly mobile businesses

Clover Go

Learn more

on Clover Go's secure website

Monthly fee
$0.00

Payments plan; $14.95 Essentials plan.

Our pick for

Customer relationship management features

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.

Our pick for

Restaurants

TouchBistro

Learn more

on TouchBistro's secure website

Payment processing fees
N/A

Quote-based.

Monthly fee
$69.00

and up.

Our pick for

High-volume businesses

Helcim POS

4.5
NerdWallet rating 
Learn more

on Helcim POS's secure website

Monthly fee
$0.00

Our pick for

Low in-person transaction rates

PayPal Zettle

Monthly fee
$0.00

Our picks for the best iPad POS systems

Square

Best overall iPad POS system
Why we like it: Square Stand is a top-notch iPad POS system that’s scalable, convenient and promises no hidden fees. In addition to being a one-stop shop for payment processing, POS software and POS hardware, Square offers a variety of add-ons and plans. And its “shop now, pay over time” options, free online store builder and free POS software — which includes essentials like inventory management and employee time tracking — all lower the cost of entry for new small businesses. The company also offers its own in-house payroll software and payment processing, and business owners who don’t already own an iPad can buy one straight from Square’s hardware shop. Read our full Square POS review.

Clover Go

Best for mostly mobile businesses
Why we like it: The free Clover Go app lets business owners accept payments, send receipts and track sales directly through a smartphone or tablet. Small businesses that would benefit from inventory management and need to set up employee logins, discounts, tips and tax rates might consider purchasing a software plan to use alongside the app. The product is ideal for businesses that already use Clover or operate mostly on the go. Read our full Clover review.

TouchBistro

Best for restaurants
Why we like it: TouchBistro is an iPad POS system built specifically for restaurants. It offers customizable solutions for full-service restaurants along with food trucks, quick-service restaurants, bars, bakeries and coffee shops. The company’s core software plan includes inventory management, menu and table management, reporting, tableside ordering capabilities and staff management tools. Reservations, online ordering, digital menu boards and customer loyalty programs are available for an extra monthly fee. The system is a solid option for restaurants that need more functionality than other companies’ free plans have to offer. Read our full TouchBistro review.

Lightspeed

Best for customer relationship management features
Why we like it: Lightspeed’s CRM tools let businesses create customer profiles, offer discounts to regulars, record each customer’s purchase history and explore shopping trends. The product is a good fit for restaurants and retail stores that know how to use this type of data to grow and better appeal to their audience. The company’s inventory management tools are also notable. Businesses can create product variants, assign unique serial numbers to products and order new stock directly through the POS system. Read our full Lightspeed review.

Shopify

Best for omnichannel businesses
Why we like it: Like Lightspeed, Shopify’s iPad POS system lets businesses create customer profiles and save order histories in all plans. Shopify really stands out, however, because of its e-commerce perks and relatively low processing rates. Businesses that do most of their sales online, particularly those that already use Shopify, will benefit the most from its shipping discounts, online marketplaces and ability to add an unlimited amount of products and variants in your POS. Read our full Shopify POS review.

Helcim

Best for high-volume businesses
Why we like it: Helcim can be a simple, cost-efficient solution for brick-and-mortar businesses and even mobile service-based businesses, like landscaping companies, that process high-cost transactions. Volume discounts kick in once your business begins processing more than $50,000 in credit card transactions monthly. Just pair the company’s mobile reader with your iPad, and you’re ready to go. Read our full Helcim review.

PayPal Zettle

Best for low in-person transaction rates
Why we like it: PayPal Zettle’s low in-person transaction rates make it a solid option for cash-conscious brick-and-mortar and/or mobile businesses. The POS app is free to download on either your smartphone or iPad. If you run a mobile business, you’ll likely only need an iPad and card reader. Brick-and-mortar locations might opt for a more robust setup with an iPad stand, cash drawer and receipt printer. Read our full PayPal Zettle review.

How to turn your iPad into a POS system

Ultimately, turning your iPad into a POS system should take less than an hour. Here are the basic steps you should expect to take:
Couple of hands typing on a laptop.
Confirm iPad compatibilityBefore subscribing to POS software or a POS app, make sure it’s compatible with your existing iPad and its operating system. Most iPad POS system providers should list exactly which models you can pair with the software.
Woman sitting on top of some coins.
Download the POS appGo to Apple’s App Store on your iPad, download the POS app and enter your business’s details to create an account. This is also a good time to import any lists you might have for customers and inventory items.
A person looking at a mobile phone.
Pair devicesTo accept payments, you’ll need to pair the POS app on your iPad with a card reader. Most companies provide in-house hardware options, including card readers, and some products also integrate with accessories — like receipt printers and cash drawers — from third parties.
Wallet with a gold credit card.
Start taking paymentsAfter you’ve set up your account and paired your card reader and iPad, you can begin taking card payments from customers. Usually, you’ll have the option to either print or send receipts via email or text.

Benefits of opting for an iPad POS system

There are lots of reasons your small business might choose an iPad POS system over a full countertop POS setup. Here are some of the main ones:
  • Versatility: iPad POS systems can live at the counter in an iPad stand or go where you do. This gives you the opportunity to complete sales from anywhere, whether that’s in your brick-and-mortar store or at a popup event. 
  • Cost savings: Full POS system setups with proprietary touchscreens can cost upwards of $1,000, whereas iPads cost hundreds (or nothing upfront if you already own one). And since iPad POS systems can double as both countertop and mobile POS systems, you won’t have to buy two sets of hardware. Plus, lots of iPad POS apps, like the ones from PayPal Zettle and Helcim, are free. 
  • Low upfront investment: Businesses that are just starting out might not have the cash-on-hand they need to invest in a full POS setup. iPads POS systems are a more reasonable option, even if it means your business upgrades to a more robust system down the road. If you do scale up, though, make sure your current POS software provider offers higher-tier plans that can grow with your business. 
  • Quick setup: POS system providers often walk businesses through the setup process for more complex systems. Businesses using an iPad POS system can skip those onboarding calls, if they want, and get started pretty quickly on their own. That being said, it’s always beneficial to have a representative show you the POS app’s capabilities to ensure you’re getting the fullest value out of it. 
Maddie Shepherd contributed reporting to this article.
Last updated on August 22, 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.
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