Best iPad POS Systems for Small Businesses 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 | ||
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Shopify Retail POS Learn more on Shopify POS's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 4.0/5 Best for Shopify e-commerce users | In-person: 2.7% + $0.00 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $5 POS Lite; $89 POS Pro. (Paid Shopify plan is required for POS use.) | 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 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 Starter plan; $14.95 Standard plan. | Learn more on Clover Go's secure website | ||
Lightspeed POS Learn more on Lightspeed POS's secure website | 3.5/5 Best for Customer relationship management features | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $69 and up. | Learn more on Lightspeed POS's secure website | ||
TouchBistro Learn more on TouchBistro's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Restaurants | N/A Quote-based. | $69 and up. | Learn more on TouchBistro's secure website |
Our pick for
Shopify e-commerce users
Shopify Retail POS
on Shopify POS's secure website
$5
POS Lite; $89 POS Pro. (Paid Shopify plan is required for POS use.)
Pros
- Has good features for multichannel selling.
- Offers integrated, flat-rate payment processing.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- More e-commerce focused than other competitors.
Our pick for
Overall iPad POS system
Square Stand
on Square Stand's secure website
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripes, digital wallets and QR codes.
- Features a swivel screen so customers can see transaction details.
- Built-in reader for contactless and chip payments.
- Allows offline payments.
Cons
- Requires an iPad to use as a screen.
- Can’t scan barcodes on its own.
Our pick for
Mostly mobile businesses
Clover Go
on Clover Go's secure website
$0
Starter plan; $14.95 Standard plan.
Pros
- Charges via standard USB charger.
- Uses passcodes for employees.
Cons
- Takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to charge.
- Requires a monthly fee for advanced POS features.
Our pick for
Customer relationship management features
Lightspeed POS
on Lightspeed POS's secure website
$69
and up.
Pros
- Offers robust inventory management.
- Good customer service offerings.
- Lots of integrations.
Cons
- High price.
- Annual contracts required for lower pricing.
Our pick for
Restaurants
TouchBistro
on TouchBistro's secure website
N/A
Quote-based.
$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 Stand: Best overall
- $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.
- $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.
- 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.
- Free software plan available, and it includes a wealth of features.
- Can finance hardware and pay in monthly installments. APR is 15%.
- No fees for early termination, PCI compliance or setup.
- Offers plans tailored to retail stores, restaurants and service-based businesses.
- Phone, email and messaging support with all plans; available 24/7 in paid restaurant plans.
- Customer loyalty programs and email marketing tools are monthly add-ons.
Clover Go: Best for mostly mobile businesses
- $0 for Starter plan.
- $14.95 for Standard plan.
- $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.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
- 3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.
- Free software plan available.
- Minimal hardware investment needed.
- 24/7 phone support.
- Inventory management and the ability to set discounts, tips, tax rates and employee logins aren’t included in the free software plan.
- Clover is sold by a number of resellers, so prices and contract terms could vary.
TouchBistro: Best for restaurants
- $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.
- 24/7 phone, chat and email support.
- Offers customizable plans for a variety of restaurant types.
- Add-ons like customer loyalty programs and online ordering can get expensive.
- No free plans.
Lightspeed: Best for customer relationship management features
- $89 for Lean plan ($69 if billed annually).
- $149 for Standard plan ($119 if billed annually).
- $269 for Advanced plan ($199 if billed annually).
- $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.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents per in-person transaction.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
- 24/7 phone, text and email support.
- Free onboarding session that includes live online training and one-on-one follow-up.
- Robust set of customer relationship management and inventory management features.
- No free plans.
- Annual contracts required for lowering pricing.
- Add-ons such as accounting integrations and customer loyalty programs cost extra in restaurant plans.
Shopify: Best for Shopify e-commerce users
- $29 for Shopify Basic.
- $79 for regular Shopify.
- $299 for Shopify Advanced.
- $2,000 for Shopify Plus.
- $5 for Shopify POS Lite.
- $89 per location for Shopify POS Pro.
- $49 for Chipper 2X BT card reader or Tap & Chip card reader.
- $219 for Retail Kit.
- $399 for Shopify POS Go mobile device.
- 2.4%, 2.6% or 2.9% plus 30 cents for online payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
- 2.4%, 2.5% or 2.7% for in-person payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
- Low payment processing rates.
- Can pay for Shopify Retail Stand in installments.
- 24/7 email, chat and phone support.
- All plans include a free online store for your business, shipping discounts, the ability to print shipping labels and an abandoned cart recovery tool.
- Must pay separately for a Shopify e-commerce plan.
- Basic and Shopify software plans limited to two and five staff accounts, respectively.