5 Best POS Systems That Integrate With QuickBooks
A point-of-sale system might have all the features you need, but you’ll run into issues if it doesn’t connect with your accounting software.
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Shopify Retail POS
Best for QuickBooks Desktop integration
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.
Learn more 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.
Square POS
Best for Free POS software plan
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $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
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Clover POS
Best for Mobile transactions
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $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.
- 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.
Toast POS
Best for Established restaurants
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.
TouchBistro
Best for Locally installed option for restaurantsLocally installed option for restaurants
Payment processing fees
N/A
Quote-based.
Monthly fee
$69
and up.
on TouchBistro's website
Pros
- 24/7 phone, chat and email support.
- Includes restaurant-specific features, like table and menu management.
- Optional profit management system provides tools for improving margins.
- As a hybrid POS system, TouchBistro can operate without the cloud. Offline capabilities include accepting payments, taking orders, editing menus and managing staff.
Cons
- Payment processing rates are quote-based, making them difficult to compare to the competition.
- Contracts are automatically renewed and can't be terminated early.
- No free plan options and charges setup fee.
- Ability to accept online orders costs extra.
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Default Shopify Retail POS
Best for QuickBooks Desktop integration
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.
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.
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.
Square POS
Best for Free POS software plan
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $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
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Square’s transparent pricing, lack of long-term contracts, strong integrations and free POS software make it a good fit for a range of industries. These include retail shops, service-based businesses, restaurants, bars and cafes.
The only downside is that the Free plan’s processing rates are a bit pricey. But we think it’s still an overall solid value. For example, unlike some of its competitors, Square doesn’t charge an extra monthly fee if you’d like to sell your products online. All plans include low-stock alerts, basic reporting, a website builder and Google reviews monitoring. There are also no PCI compliance or chargeback fees.
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
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Square’s transparent pricing, lack of long-term contracts, strong integrations and free POS software make it a good fit for a range of industries. These include retail shops, service-based businesses, restaurants, bars and cafes.
The only downside is that the Free plan’s processing rates are a bit pricey. But we think it’s still an overall solid value. For example, unlike some of its competitors, Square doesn’t charge an extra monthly fee if you’d like to sell your products online. All plans include low-stock alerts, basic reporting, a website builder and Google reviews monitoring. There are also no PCI compliance or chargeback fees.
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
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Clover POS
Best for Mobile transactions
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $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.
- 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 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 support.
- 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 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 support.
- 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.
Toast POS
Best for Established restaurants
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.
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 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.
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 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.
TouchBistro
Best for Locally installed option for restaurantsLocally installed option for restaurants
Payment processing fees
N/A
Quote-based.
Monthly fee
$69
and up.
on TouchBistro's website
Pros
- 24/7 phone, chat and email support.
- Includes restaurant-specific features, like table and menu management.
- Optional profit management system provides tools for improving margins.
- As a hybrid POS system, TouchBistro can operate without the cloud. Offline capabilities include accepting payments, taking orders, editing menus and managing staff.
Cons
- Payment processing rates are quote-based, making them difficult to compare to the competition.
- Contracts are automatically renewed and can't be terminated early.
- No free plan options and charges setup fee.
- Ability to accept online orders costs extra.
For restaurants that haven’t warmed to the idea of a totally cloud-based POS system, TouchBistro is a solid option. It’s a hybrid POS, meaning it’s locally installed but data is still sent to the cloud. Although other cloud-based POS systems can accept payments in offline mode, the TouchBistro system will maintain additional capabilities, like real-time reporting, in a Wi-Fi outage.
Read full review
Pros
- 24/7 phone, chat and email support.
- Includes restaurant-specific features, like table and menu management.
- Optional profit management system provides tools for improving margins.
- As a hybrid POS system, TouchBistro can operate without the cloud. Offline capabilities include accepting payments, taking orders, editing menus and managing staff.
Cons
- Payment processing rates are quote-based, making them difficult to compare to the competition.
- Contracts are automatically renewed and can't be terminated early.
- No free plan options and charges setup fee.
- Ability to accept online orders costs extra.
For restaurants that haven’t warmed to the idea of a totally cloud-based POS system, TouchBistro is a solid option. It’s a hybrid POS, meaning it’s locally installed but data is still sent to the cloud. Although other cloud-based POS systems can accept payments in offline mode, the TouchBistro system will maintain additional capabilities, like real-time reporting, in a Wi-Fi outage.
Read full review
Pros
- 24/7 phone, chat and email support.
- Includes restaurant-specific features, like table and menu management.
- Optional profit management system provides tools for improving margins.
- As a hybrid POS system, TouchBistro can operate without the cloud. Offline capabilities include accepting payments, taking orders, editing menus and managing staff.
Cons
- Payment processing rates are quote-based, making them difficult to compare to the competition.
- Contracts are automatically renewed and can't be terminated early.
- No free plan options and charges setup fee.
- Ability to accept online orders costs extra.
Jump to
Who should integrate QuickBooks with their POS?
How to integrate your POS system with QuickBooks
How to choose a POS system that integrates with QuickBooks
Who should integrate QuickBooks with their POS?
For any small-business owner who uses QuickBooks, integrating it with your point-of-sale (POS) system is a surefire way to save time and energy. Such integrations minimize double data entry and ensure your books accurately reflect sales.
Direct, built-in integrations are ideal, but third-party apps also can sync your data. Make sure the integration receives positive reviews before relying on it (or potentially paying for it).
How to integrate your POS system with QuickBooks
Software products’ websites usually list all of their built-in integrations. If you were on QuickBooks’ app marketplace, for example, you’d search for POS integrations to see what’s available. Or, you could search for a QuickBooks integration on your POS system’s website.
Once you’ve found an app that facilitates the integration, download it and follow the directions. For example, Clover by Commerce Sync, which integrates Clover sales data with QuickBooks, prompts you to log into your QuickBooks account, give the app permission to sync information and select which QuickBooks account you’d like your sales data to show up in.
The activation walkthrough for most integrations should be straightforward and only take minutes.
Find the right QuickBooks product for your business
Learn about QuickBooks’ desktop-based and online accounting software products and how to choose the best fit for your business.
How to choose a POS system that integrates with QuickBooks
Integrations between QuickBooks and POS systems can vary greatly — and you may even have more than one option to sync these products. For instance, QuickBooks offers a native integration with Square, but there are also multiple third-party options.
When considering POS system integrations with QuickBooks, ask the following questions:
Who developed the integration?
Ideally, the developer will be the POS system provider or Intuit, QuickBooks’ parent company. Third-party companies develop integrations, too, but they’re more likely to come with monthly fees. For example, TouchBistro integrates with QuickBooks through Shogo or MarginEdge, which cost $35 per month (for one location) and $300 per month (when paid annually), respectively. Plus, it’s simpler to avoid introducing another product to your business software ecosystem if you can help it.
Does the integration cost extra?
Some in-house integrations, like the one through QuickBooks Online’s Connect to Square app, are free. Others, like Toast’s QuickBooks Online integration through xtraCHEF, require a subscription add-on. If an additional monthly fee or more expensive POS plan is involved, factor those additional costs into your monthly expenses.
What types of data are exchanged?
Review what types of POS data do and do not get funneled into QuickBooks. Chances are, not every single piece of information from your POS system needs to be transferred over. But at a minimum, you’ll want QuickBooks to have access to sales transactions, taxes and any important details about the products or services sold (e.g., product variations or categories, discounts applied).
How often does POS data sync with QuickBooks?
Ideally, it will be every day or more frequently. Regardless, it’s important to be aware of when the sync happens, so that you know whether your sales revenue is up to date. Also, pay attention to how sales transactions will be categorized in your books to make sure it’s logical and aligned with how you’ve organized your accounting system.
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.
