5 Best Tablet POS Systems of July 2026
A tablet POS system maintains the functions of a desktop POS, but allows you to accept payments on the go.
Tablet point-of-sale (POS) systems transfer the functions of a standard POS system to an iPad or Android tablet for increased portability. The best tablet POS options are easy to use and include core features, like inventory tracking, checkout tools and reporting. Our top picks focus on POS systems that let you use the provider’s software on your own tablets. Many of them also sell tablet accessories, like swivel stands and portable card readers.
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» MORE: What is a point-of-sale system?
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Square POS
Best for Overall tablet POS system
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
Learn more 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.
Shopify Retail POS
Best for Tablet POS system for online-first 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; 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.
- Business and American Express cards carry higher online rates (3.5% plus 30 cents in the Basic plan).
- Phone support only available for Plus plan subscribers.
Lightspeed Retail POS
Best for Tablet POS system for retail businesses
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.
TouchBistro
Best for Tablet POS system 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.
PayPal POS
Best for Tablet POS system that accepts QR code payments
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.29% + $0.09
Online: 2.99% + $0.49
Online: 2.99% + $0.49
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- 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.
- Low in-person processing fees for a flat-rate processor.
Cons
- Online payment processing rates can be difficult to navigate.
- Limited accounting integrations; no payroll integrations.
- Deposits may take up to 3 days.
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Default Square POS
Best for Overall tablet POS system
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.
Shopify Retail POS
Best for Tablet POS system for online-first 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; 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.
- Business and American Express cards carry higher online rates (3.5% plus 30 cents in the Basic plan).
- Phone support only available for Plus plan subscribers.
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.
- Business and American Express cards carry higher online rates (3.5% plus 30 cents in the Basic plan).
- Phone support only available for Plus plan subscribers.
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.
- Business and American Express cards carry higher online rates (3.5% plus 30 cents in the Basic plan).
- Phone support only available for Plus plan subscribers.
Lightspeed Retail POS
Best for Tablet POS system for retail businesses
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 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.
- 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 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.
- 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.
TouchBistro
Best for Tablet POS system 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.
PayPal POS
Best for Tablet POS system that accepts QR code payments
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.29% + $0.09
Online: 2.99% + $0.49
Online: 2.99% + $0.49
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- 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.
- Low in-person processing fees for a flat-rate processor.
Cons
- Online payment processing rates can be difficult to navigate.
- Limited accounting integrations; no payroll integrations.
- Deposits may take up to 3 days.
PayPal POS 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), it 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 PayPal POS can expand through hardware, it doesn’t offer plan upgrades or those types of add-ons.
Read full review
Pros
- 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.
- Low in-person processing fees for a flat-rate processor.
Cons
- Online payment processing rates can be difficult to navigate.
- Limited accounting integrations; no payroll integrations.
- Deposits may take up to 3 days.
PayPal POS 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), it 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 PayPal POS can expand through hardware, it doesn’t offer plan upgrades or those types of add-ons.
Read full review
Pros
- 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.
- Low in-person processing fees for a flat-rate processor.
Cons
- Online payment processing rates can be difficult to navigate.
- Limited accounting integrations; no payroll integrations.
- Deposits may take up to 3 days.
Our top picks for tablet POS systems
Square
Best overall tablet POS system
Why we like it: Square has one of the best all-around POS systems, especially for businesses that are just starting out and don’t need a lot of industry-specific features. It also offers a handful of features with its free option and can be scaled with add-ons while your business grows. Its software system is compatible with Apple and Android tablets, and much of its hardware is also compatible in various capacities. For example, the iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Air 3rd generation and iPads 7th-9th generation are compatible with all of the hardware Square offers, while other iPads and Android tablets have more limited options. Read our full Square POS review.
- $0 for Square Free plan.
- $49 for Square Plus plan.
- $149 for Square Premium plans.
- $0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
- $59 for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
- $149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included; monthly financing available).
- $149 for Square Kiosk for self-serve ordering.
- $299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer (monthly financing available).
- $399 for Square Handheld portable POS system with built-in barcode scanner (monthly financing available).
- $799-$899 for Square Register two-screen system (monthly financing available).
- $1,189 and up for Square Register hardware kit with cash drawer and printer.
- 2.6% plus 15 cents for in-person transactions with Free plan.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents for online transactions with Free plan.
- 2.5% plus 15 cents for in-person transactions with Plus plan.
- 2.4% plus 15 cents for in-person transaction with Premium plan.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions with Plus and Premium plans.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
» MORE: Best free POS software.
Shopify
Best tablet POS system for online-first businesses
Why we like it: Shopify is known as an e-commerce platform, but its plans let businesses supplement online sales with in-person ones, too. You can use its POS software on an iPad, connect it to a compatible card reader and start taking payments. Plus, processing rates go down as you upgrade POS plans. 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).
- $2,300 per month and up for Shopify Plus.
- 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.
- $49 for Tap & Chip card reader.
- $219 for Tap & Chip countertop kit (iPad not included).
- $349 for Shopify POS terminal.
- $459 and up for POS terminal countertop kits.
- For online payments made with standard cards: 2.5%, 2.7% or 2.9% plus 30 cents in Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
- For online payments made with business or American Express cards: 3.1%, 3.3% or 3.5% plus 30 cents in Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
- For in-person payments: 2.4%, 2.5% or 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person payments in Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
TouchBistro
Best tablet POS system for restaurants
Why we like it: TouchBistro, another POS system that was built with restaurants in mind, has solid options for food trucks and other food businesses that do frequent mobile transactions. Its system and features are also scalable to brick-and-mortar locations. Its POS software offers shift scheduling, inventory and menu management, tableside ordering and more. You can also opt to add online ordering and gift cards, among other options.
TouchBistro’s system runs on iOS, which means its software is compatible with Apple products. In addition to the software, its hardware is compatible with most versions of the iPad, and is not bundled, which makes it more customizable. You can purchase what you need, or even bring some pre-owned hardware, like an iPad stand, along with your tablet. Read our full TouchBistro POS review.
- $69 and up for base plan.
- Additional features (e.g., gift cards, online ordering, loyalty program, reservations and marketing) are quote-based.
Quote-based.
Quote-based for TouchBistro Payments.
» MORE: Best POS systems for food trucks
Lightspeed Retail POS
Best tablet POS system for retail businesses
Why we like it: Lightspeed is a great POS system for retail establishments because of its robust inventory management. Its integrations and add-ons also make it a fairly flexible and scalable option, ideal for, say, an online retail store owner who wants to start doing pop-up shops and eventually open a brick-and-mortar location.
Lightspeed’s mobile POS system is compatible with an iPad and comes with the same features as its desktop system to help you sell in store, online and across multiple locations. For inventory management, it offers product variants, barcode labels, stock transfers, automated ordering and more. 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).
- $339 for Plus plan ($289 if billed annually).
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.
- $169 for iPad stand.
- $399 for Smart Terminal v2.
- $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 retail POS systems
PayPal POS
Best tablet POS system that accepts QR code payments
Why we like it: PayPal is a recognizable name in the payments industry, and if your customers appreciate being able to use it as a payment method, the company's POS system could be a good solution for your business. Additionally, card-present transaction fees are lower than those of many competitors at 2.29% plus 9 cents per transaction. Read our full PayPal POS 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.
- $229 for Store Kit Mini (tablet stand with card reader and dock).
- $339 for Store Kit Portable kit with mobile card reader and printer.
- $479 for Store Kit Standard (tablet stand, card reader, dock and 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.
- 2.99% plus 49 cents for invoicing (payment made with card).
- 3.49% plus 49 cents for invoicing (payment made with PayPal).
Frequently Asked Questions
Most of the top POS options today have software that runs on mobile devices, tablets included. Using a tablet as a piece of your POS hardware can be a great way to save money, especially when you’re first starting out.
This will depend on your specific POS provider, but several companies including Square, offer software that runs on various Android devices.
A POS system is the software and hardware that come together to allow a business to process a transaction or sale. The traditional POS systems function as desktop systems that stay put, however mobile POS options are gaining popularity, and allow users to take many if not all of their POS features on the go.
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.
