Best POS Systems for Small Businesses of October 2025
We looked at more than 25 point-of-sale (POS) products. Our top picks have built-in payment processing and help businesses in a variety of industries track sales.
Learn more Best overall POS system
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Square's website
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.
Best overall POS system
Square POS
Best for Overall POS system
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Square's website
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.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$0
on Helcim's website
Pros
- No monthly software fees.
- No long-term contract or termination fees.
- Offers volume discounts for businesses whose monthly credit card volume surpasses $50,000.
- Interchange-plus processing rates can help businesses save money.
Cons
- Some hardware, like barcode scanners and cash drawers, are only available through a third-party provider.
- No full POS register options.
Helcim POS
Best for High sales volumes
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$0
on Helcim's website
Pros
- No monthly software fees.
- No long-term contract or termination fees.
- Offers volume discounts for businesses whose monthly credit card volume surpasses $50,000.
- Interchange-plus processing rates can help businesses save money.
Cons
- Some hardware, like barcode scanners and cash drawers, are only available through a third-party provider.
- No full POS register options.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.7% + $0.05
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
on Stripe's website
Pros
- No monthly software fees.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- 24/7 chat support.
- Supports more than 135 currencies.
Cons
- Does not include a POS app or standard POS capabilities.
- Likely requires coding and developer expertise.
- No phone or email support.
Stripe Terminal
Best for International businesses
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.7% + $0.05
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
on Stripe's website
Pros
- No monthly software fees.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- 24/7 chat support.
- Supports more than 135 currencies.
Cons
- Does not include a POS app or standard POS capabilities.
- Likely requires coding and developer expertise.
- No phone or email support.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$39
and up for e-commerce plans with POS Lite; Can upgrade to POS Pro for an extra $89.
on Shopify's website
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.
Shopify Retail POS
Best for Online businesses
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$39
and up for e-commerce plans with POS Lite; Can upgrade to POS Pro for an extra $89.
on Shopify's website
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.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$109
for Basic plan, $179 for Core plan, $339 for Plus plan.
on Lightspeed's website
Pros
- Includes detailed inventory management tools for creating product variants.
- No long-term contracts.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- Generate unlimited barcode labels.
Cons
- No free plan options.
- Accounting integrations are only available in Core and Plus plans.
Lightspeed Retail POS
Best for Inventory management
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$109
for Basic plan, $179 for Core plan, $339 for Plus plan.
on Lightspeed's website
Pros
- Includes detailed inventory management tools for creating product variants.
- No long-term contracts.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- Generate unlimited barcode labels.
Cons
- No free plan options.
- Accounting integrations are only available in Core and Plus plans.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.3% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Free plan available if you’re only using a mobile card reader.
- 24/7 phone support.
- All restaurant plans include no-fee online ordering, and retail plans let you integrate with existing online stores.
- Offers a variety of plans tailored to six specific types of businesses.
- Can pair POS systems with third-party payment processors.
Cons
- Promotions require a three-year contract.
- May be subject to early termination fees if you use Clover as your payment processor.
- Online payment processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
Clover POS
Best for Choosing your own payment processor
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.3% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Free plan available if you’re only using a mobile card reader.
- 24/7 phone support.
- All restaurant plans include no-fee online ordering, and retail plans let you integrate with existing online stores.
- Offers a variety of plans tailored to six specific types of businesses.
- Can pair POS systems with third-party payment processors.
Cons
- Promotions require a three-year contract.
- May be subject to early termination fees if you use Clover as your payment processor.
- Online payment processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
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
Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan.
on Toast's website
Pros
- Free plan available for restaurants with up to two POS terminals.
- 24/7 phone and web messaging support.
- 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 and accounting integrations cost extra.
Toast POS
Best for Restaurants doing dine-in and online business
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
Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan.
on Toast's website
Pros
- Free plan available for restaurants with up to two POS terminals.
- 24/7 phone and web messaging support.
- 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 and accounting integrations cost extra.
Payment processing fees
1.99% + $0.25
For most cards in paid plans.
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on SpotOn's website
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.
SpotOn Restaurant
Best for Restaurant-specific add-on features
Payment processing fees
1.99% + $0.25
For most cards in paid plans.
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on SpotOn's website
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.
Jump to
How we choose the best POS systems
Our writers and editors gather more than 30 pieces of data for each POS system we rate. This includes details about:
- Features: Our picks can process different payment types (e.g., online, in-person, invoice) and include a range of software features and hardware options. Industry-specific components and accounting software integrations are important, too.
- Cost: We consider processing rates (both online and in-person), setup and termination fees, and monthly pricing. Our top picks typically include a free software plan option. Most are also transparent about additional fees for setup, PCI compliance and chargebacks.
- Customer friendliness: Providers need to offer phone, chat or email support. If it’s available 24/7, that’s even better. Products get dinged for requiring long-term contracts or not having free trials.
We also speak with company representatives and test user interfaces when possible. We fact-check these data points regularly to ensure accuracy.
POS systems must earn at least 4 stars to make our list.
⭐ What our star ratings mean
What POS systems we consider
NerdWallet’s editorial team has evaluated more than 25 POS systems. Our focus is on major players in general industries (e.g., retail, restaurants, online). This includes big names, like Square, Toast and Shopify.
But we also look at systems that cater to more niche industries, like salons and grocery stores. We don’t always rate these options because of their limited scope. But we include them on relevant pages. In some cases, we’ll review card readers and POS apps from other business software providers, like QuickBooks, too.
Ultimately, our writers and editors choose which POS systems to cover. We base these decisions on conversations with business owners, online trends and other research. We also pay attention to the POS systems we commonly interact with as customers.
≡ Full list of POS systems
Find options by industry
How we keep our picks up to date
NerdWallet has a full-time team of small-business writers and editors. Here's how they monitor the POS system landscape:
- Reviewing data points regularly: We do a full audit annually. This involves fact-checking product info and reaching out to providers if needed. Some updates happen off-cycle. We make those changes as soon as they happen.
- Assessing usability: We lurk on Reddit and other social channels, and our team frequently interviews business owners. We ask what POS system they use and why. When possible, we also schedule product demos with company representatives and watch video tutorials.
- Following news and trends: The market for POS systems is always evolving. Providers introduce new AI-powered features or the ability to accept payment options like Bitcoin. We rely on Google Alerts, emails from PR reps and more to stay informed.
🤓
If you’re trying to decide between two or three different POS systems, ask local business owners in your industry what they use. Pairing our product comparisons with those business owners’ real-life experiences may help you tip the scale. Chances are, local business owners’ day-to-day interactions with a POS will provide insight into a system’s overall ease of use and its unforeseen downsides, as well as how easy it is to get a hold of customer service in your area. Nerdy Tip
What is a POS system?
Primarily, a POS system lets your business accept payments from customers. But it also helps you track sales and inventory. It can take the form of a countertop register or handheld device with a credit card reader
A POS system isn’t usually just one single product. It includes POS hardware
Some providers offer their own hardware options, like POS terminals
» Learn more about what a POS system does: What is a point-of-sale system?
How to choose the best POS system for your business
To narrow down your options, follow these steps:
- Consider your business’s industry and size. Most POS systems are built for businesses in a specific industry. Shopify, for example, is geared toward retail businesses that prioritize online sales. Toast, on the other hand, offers restaurant-specific features, like table management. Your POS system should also be able to scale with your business as it grows. That means it offers multiple plan options, as well as the ability to purchase additional checkout devices.
- Calculate upfront and ongoing costs. Hardware will likely be your biggest upfront POS cost. You’ll want to factor in per-transaction payment processing costs, too. Some monthly POS software subscriptions are free, but if you want a more robust feature set, expect to pay a fee.
- Think twice about long-term contracts. Some companies require you to commit for at least a year. While that isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, you’ll want to be sure that the product will work for your business in the long term. Read the “terms and conditions” carefully and seek out product demos so you can test functionality before committing. Even if you don’t have a contract, switching POS systems can still be a hassle.
- Confirm accounting software integrations. To ensure a smooth setup process, your POS software should integrate with your accounting software. That way, your books are always up to date. For more options, see NerdWallet’s choices for the
best POS systems that integrate with QuickBooks
How much does a POS system cost?
A POS system’s total cost
- Software subscriptions: Most POS systems run on cloud-based software. Usually, this requires you to sign up for a monthly subscription. Some basic plans are free or start at around $40 per month. Other plans cost upward of $199 per month. You might receive a discount by paying yearly instead of monthly.
- Payment processing fees: Every time you accept a card payment, you’ll pay a transaction fee. This usually costs around 2.5% to 3% of the transaction, plus 10 to 30 cents. Prices vary depending on the type of card and whether it’s being accepted in person or online. Prices also depend on if the processor charges
flat-rate or interchange-plus fees - Hardware: POS system providers might offer a free card reader that you connect to a phone or tablet. Others may require proprietary hardware or a more robust POS terminal. These can cost hundreds of dollars. POS accessories, including receipt printers, cash drawers and barcode scanners, may cost extra.
- Add-ons: If you want multiple registers, have more than one location or exceed a certain amount of revenue each month, a basic plan might not cut it. More advanced features, such as inventory management and loyalty programs, may also cost extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
A POS system is a combination of hardware and software that enables a business to accept payment for a transaction. Many POS systems, however, often do much more than process payments. They may have the capability to track inventory, manage employees, sync with popular payroll and accounting software, build customer profiles, offer loyalty programs and additional features.
An example of a simple POS system that’s quite common these days would be a credit card reader attached to a smartphone; this mobile POS system allows a transaction to be completed with the swipe of a card through a card reader and payment software accessed through the phone. An example of a more complex, feature-rich POS system would be a full set of POS hardware
A POS payment is taken at the time of a sales transaction. Payment may be made in person, using cash, a credit or debit card or a digital wallet, or online, depending on the specific setup of the business. If a card is used for payment, whether in person or online, the merchant will be charged a processing fee
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