Touch-screen point-of-sale (POS) systems operate with touch-screen hardware, like a register, handheld card reader or kiosk. Most POS providers offer either their own hardware or the compatibility to use other touch-screen devices. Some have unique features tailored for specific industries. Let’s take a look at the five best touch-screen POS systems.
Best Touch-Screen POS Systems From Our Partners
Calculate your monthly cost estimate
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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Square Learn more on Square's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 5.0/5 Best for Overall option | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on Square's secure website |
Toast POS Learn more on Toast POS's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Restaurants | 2.99% + $0.15 If you pay for hardware as you go; 2.49% + $0.15 if you buy upfront. | $0.00 Quick Start Bundle; $69 Core plan; $165 Growth plan. Custom plan also available. | Learn more on Toast POS's secure website | ||
TouchBistro Learn more on TouchBistro's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for iPads | N/A Quote-based. | $69.00 and up. | Learn more on TouchBistro's secure website | ||
Clover POS Learn more on Clover POS's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for All-in-one option | In-person: 2.3% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover POS's secure website | ||
SpotOn Restaurant Learn more on SpotOn Restaurant's secure website | 4.5/5 Best for Mobile restaurant ordering | 1.99% + $0.25 For most cards in paid plans. | $0.00 and up. | Learn more on SpotOn Restaurant's secure website |
Our pick for
Overall option
Square
Learn more
on Square's secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
Square's product lineup is modular, but its POS system works well enough as a stand-alone product. Pricing is competitive, making it a solid option for many small businesses.Read Full Review
Pros
- Transparent pricing.
- Free version of its POS includes a lot of features.
- Offers related services, such as payroll, that integrate with its POS system.
Cons
- Can’t run on Windows devices.
- Complex businesses might prefer a more specialized POS system.
Our pick for
Restaurants
Toast POS
Learn more
on Toast POS's secure website
Payment processing fees
2.99% + $0.15
If you pay for hardware as you go; 2.49% + $0.15 if you buy upfront.
Monthly fee
$0.00
Quick Start Bundle; $69 Core plan; $165 Growth plan. Custom plan also available.
Toast's restaurant-oriented POS system makes it easy to update menus, track table statuses, split checks, add gratuity automatically, apply various discount rules — say, for happy hour — take online orders, manage multiple locations, track employee performance and accept tableside payments.Read Full Review
Pros
- Promises no additional transaction fees or markups.
- Restaurant-friendly features for managing tables, inventory and employee performance.
- Multi-location management and the ability to publish different menus and set different prices at different locations.
- Live support available by phone, email or instant message.
- Pay-as-you-go plan with no monthly fee available.
Cons
- Some features, like online ordering and the loyalty program, may cost extra based on the package you choose.
- If you close your account before your contract term ends, you’ll have to pay the remaining subscription and software financing fees.
Our pick for
iPads
TouchBistro
Learn more
on TouchBistro's secure website
Payment processing fees
N/A
Quote-based.
Monthly fee
$69.00
and up.
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.
- Built specifically for restaurants.
- Greater offline mode capabilities than many competitors.
Cons
- Contracts are automatically renewed and can't be terminated early.
Our pick for
All-in-one option
Clover POS
Learn more
on Clover POS's secure website
Monthly fee
$14.95
and up.
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
- Competitive flat rates for payment processing.
- Hardware performs well and is well designed.
Cons
- No free options.
- Pricing can be tough to understand.
Our pick for
Mobile restaurant ordering
SpotOn Restaurant
4.5
NerdWallet rating Learn more
on SpotOn Restaurant's secure website
Payment processing fees
1.99% + $0.25
For most cards in paid plans.
Monthly fee
$0.00
and up.
SpotOn’s monthly software fee and payment processing fees along with its ability to integrate with third-party hardware make this system an affordable and appealing option. SpotOn offers customizable add-on features such as a loyalty program and team management software. The company also has a strong reputation for its hands-on approach to customer support, from installation and training to 24/7 availability for assistance.
Pros
- 24/7 customer support via telephone.
- No long-term contract.
- Hands-on installation and training for an additional fee.
- Can integrate with third-party hardware.
Cons
- Quote-based hardware pricing makes it hard to compare total costs with other POS systems.
Square: Best overall touch-screen POS system
Monthly POS software fee:
- $0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
- $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
- $60 for Square Restaurant Plus plan.
- $69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
- $89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
- Custom pricing for Square Retail and Restaurant Premium plans.
Hardware cost:
- $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.
Payment processing cost:
- 2.6% plus 10 cents (Free plan) or 2.5% plus 10 cents (Plus plan) for in-person transactions.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions or card-on-file invoices.
Why we like it: Square offers reliable and affordable POS software, with a couple of proprietary touch-screen hardware options. The Square Register is a fully integrated register that has both a merchant-facing and customer-facing display. The customer-facing side includes a card terminal and contactless option. The Square Terminal is a small handheld device capable of accepting card and contactless payments. It comes equipped with a powerful battery and receipt printer for full mobile capabilities.
The Square Register and Terminal both offer monthly payments plans. Other Square POS hardware and software is compatible with iPads and mobile devices, making it an even more affordable option if you want to cut costs on hardware. Read our full Square POS review.
Toast: Best touch-screen POS system for restaurants
Monthly POS software fee:
- $0 for Quick Start Bundle.
- $69 for Core plan.
- $110 plus $4 per employee for Restaurant Basics plan.
- $165 for Growth plan.
- Custom plans available.
Hardware cost:
- $627 for Handheld Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
- $875 for Countertop Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
- $1,234 for Guest Self-Service Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
Payment processing cost:
- 2.99% plus 15 cents per transaction, if you choose pay-as-you-go option on hardware.
- 2.49% plus 15 cents for card-present transactions, if you pay for hardware upfront.
- 3.50% plus 15 cents for card-not-present transactions, if you pay for hardware upfront.
Why we like it: Toast is a top-rated POS system for restaurants, with proprietary touch-screen hardware that is built to endure the rough and messy environment of a restaurant. It makes two registers: the Toast Flex and Toast Flex for Guest. Both are built with a customer-facing feature and accept all payment types.
Toast also offers a touch-screen handheld terminal that is spill-proof and drop-proof up to four feet; a self-service touch-screen kiosk that accepts all payment types; and a touch-screen kitchen display system that’s built to withstand spills and high heat. Toast runs on Android software, and is compatible with limited third-party hardware. Read our full Toast POS review.
» MORE: Best restaurant POS systems
TouchBistro: Best touch-screen POS system for iPads
Monthly POS software fee:
- $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.
Hardware cost:
Not disclosed. An iPad is necessary to run TouchBistro software. IPads, cash drawers, routers, printers, mini servers, keyboards and other accessories are available by quote only. You may also have the option to use your existing equipment.
Payment processing cost:
Quote-based if you use TouchBistro Payments; can also choose from third-party payment processors.
Why we like it: TouchBistro is a popular choice for restaurants that’s slightly more affordable than Toast. Although TouchBistro does not make any proprietary touch-screen hardware, its hardware includes cash drawers, printers, displays and more that are easily integrated with its software and compatible with an iPad. TouchBistro does not offer hardware payment plans, but you can use other types of pre-owned hardware like an iPad stand or printer. Read our full TouchBistro POS review.
» MORE: Best POS systems for food trucks
Clover: Best all-in-one touch-screen POS system
Monthly POS software fee:
- $14.95 for Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter, Professional Services Starter and Standard and Home & Field Services plans.
- $49.95 for Retail Standard, Personal Services Standard and Advanced and Professional Services Advanced plans.
- $54.95 for Quick-Service Dining Starter and Standard plans.
- $64.90 for Retail Advanced plan.
- $69.90 for Quick-Service Dining Advanced plan.
- $84.95 for Full-Service Dining Starter plan.
- $99.90 for Full-Service Dining Standard plan.
- $114.85 for Full-Service Dining Advanced plan.
Hardware cost:
- $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.
Payment processing cost:
- 2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions for most plans, though rates may also vary by hardware type.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter and Professional Services Standard plans, as well as Home & Field Services Standard and Advanced plans.
- 3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.
Why we like it: Clover’s proprietary hardware offers a clean and sleek look that has become popular among different types of businesses. If you are looking to invest in an all-in-one hardware and software solution, Clover is a good choice. It makes two registers — the Station Solo and Station Duo — that both include a 14-inch touch-screen display and receipt printers. The Station Duo is a little more robust, accepting all forms of payment (as opposed to just chip and card swipe), and includes a customer-facing display as well as a merchant-facing display.
Other hardware includes the Clover Mini, a smaller 8-inch touch-screen display that can accept all payment options, and the Clover Flex handheld POS system, which has a 6-inch touch-screen display and can also accept dip, swipe, tap or contactless payments. Both the Clover Mini and Flex handheld are compatible with larger Clover POS hardware, and are scalable with your growing business.
Payment plans are available if you don’t want to front the full hardware cost, and monthly prices are dependent on which software plan you choose. Read our full Clover POS review.
SpotOn Restaurant: Best restaurant touch-screen POS system for mobile ordering
Monthly POS software fee:
- $0 for Quick Start plan.
- $99 for Counter-service plan, plus $3 per employee.
- $135 for Full-service plan, plus $3 per employee.
- Custom pricing available as well.
Hardware cost:
- $850 for the Counter POS.
- $750 for the Station POS.
- $600 for the KDS.
- Other hardware devices, like the handheld option, are custom.
Payment processing cost:
- 1.99% plus 25 cents for most cards in the Counter-service, Full-service and Customizable plans.
- 2.89% plus 25 cents for Quick Start plan subscribers (this processing rate includes hardware and software costs).
- 2.99% plus 25 cents for reward, international, corporate and keyed-in cards.
Why we like it: SpotOn offers an affordable monthly software option that can integrate with your own third-party hardware. Its proprietary hardware includes a handheld POS device, a kiosk and a kitchen display system. Its handheld device in particular is a little more customizable than what Toast has to offer, and is built for mobility with straps and belt hooks. This may be a good option if your restaurant does a lot of mobile ordering, either tableside or in a drive-thru line for instance. One drawback is that SpotOn’s hardware is all quote-based, so it can be hard to compare prices, but it will work with you on payment plan options.
Last updated on June 30, 2023
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.
