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5 Best Tablet POS Systems of October 2024

A tablet POS system maintains the functions of a desktop POS, but allows you to accept payments on the go.
By Olivia Chen
Last updated on July 17, 2024
Edited byChristine Aebischer
Fact checked and reviewed

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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.

Best Tablet 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.

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Square POS

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on Square POS's secure website

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5.0/5

Best for Overall tablet POS system

In-person: 2.6% + $0.10

Online: 2.9% + $0.30

$0.00

and up.

Get an estimated monthly cost for your business.
Learn more

on Square POS's secure website

Shopify Retail POS

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on Shopify POS's secure website

4.5/5

Best for Tablet POS system for online-first 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.

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on Shopify POS's secure website

Lightspeed Retail POS

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on Lightspeed Retail POS's secure website

3.5/5

Best for Tablet POS system for retail businesses

In-person: 2.6% + $0.10

Online: 2.9% + $0.30

$109.00

for Basic plan, $179 for Core plan, $289 for Plus plan.

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on Lightspeed Retail POS's secure website

TouchBistro

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on TouchBistro's secure website

3.5/5

Best for Tablet POS system for restaurants

N/A

Quote-based.

$69.00

and up.

Learn more

on TouchBistro's secure website

PayPal Zettle

4.0/5

Best for Tablet POS system that accepts QR code payments

In-person: 2.29% + $0.09

Online: 3.49% + $0.09

$0.00

Our pick for

Overall tablet POS system

Businesses in a variety of industries — including retail, restaurant and service-based — can start accepting payments quickly with Square’s free POS software plus a card reader and an iPad or Android tablet. Its low barrier to entry makes it an easy solution for businesses that need the flexibility to sell from anywhere.

Square POS

Learn more

on Square POS's secure website

Monthly fee
$0.00

and up.

Our pick for

Tablet POS system for online-first businesses

Shopify is a robust e-commerce platform that lets businesses choose from more than 200 website themes and customize their own online store. Online businesses that also have a brick-and-mortar location or take their sales on the road will appreciate the fact that you can use an iPad to sell in person.

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

Tablet POS system for retail businesses

Lightspeed’s purchase order and inventory tracking capabilities make it a good choice for retail shops that need to track a large variety of items and product variations, and restock often. The company recommends using iPads with its system, but it’s also compatible with Android tablets.

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

Tablet POS system for restaurants

Restaurants, cafes and food trucks considering TouchBistro can save in upfront hardware costs by using their own iPads. The company says its system is compatible with most iPad models, but recommends the most current ones.

TouchBistro

Learn more

on TouchBistro's secure website

Payment processing fees
N/A

Quote-based.

Monthly fee
$69.00

and up.

Our pick for

Tablet POS system that accepts QR code payments

Businesses can use PayPal Zettle’s POS tablet setup to generate QR codes that customers can scan to quickly complete payments via their PayPal or Venmo accounts. PayPal Zettle’s store kit bundle includes an iPad stand, card reader and dock.

PayPal Zettle

Monthly fee
$0.00

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.

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.

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.

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.

PayPal Zettle

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, PayPal Zettle’s tablet 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 Zettle review.
Last updated on July 17, 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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