June Special
| Get 33% off the first 6 months!
Everything you need to get started
POS Unit | Printers | Windcave Terminal | Online Ordering Setup
Limited time offer. Save up to 70%
Was $155, + GST per month, $49 + GST per month
.png){kind=small}
Choosing the right POS system can significantly impact a restaurant’s efficiency. From handling orders and payments to tracking sales, inventory, and customer behaviour, your POS is the backbone of everyday operations. But with so many options claiming to be the best POS system for restaurants, how do you choose the one that actually fits your business? According to the 2025 TouchBistro State of Restaurants Report, 97% of full-service restaurants already utilise a POS system, demonstrating that modern POS technology is no longer optional — it has become the operational standard across the industry.
This guide breaks down the essentials, including the types of restaurant POS systems, key features, pricing, integrations, and the rise of online POS systems for restaurants, so you can make a confident decision.
A modern POS isn’t just a cash register anymore. It’s a comprehensive point of sale for restaurants that connects your front-of-house, kitchen, staff performance, delivery apps, and even customer touchpoints, such as loyalty programs and kiosks.
A well-chosen POS system helps you:
If you're scaling, franchising, or introducing new services like takeaway, delivery, or loyalty programs, the right POS system is essential—not optional. The restaurant POS industry itself is booming, with the global market expected to grow from USD 7.58 billion in 2025 to USD 14.69 billion by 2033, showing how quickly restaurants are upgrading to more innovative digital tools.
Before selecting the top POS systems for restaurants, it’s essential to understand the primary categories. Each works best for different business sizes, service styles, and budgets.
These are installed directly on hardware in your restaurant.
Best suited for: Large restaurants, fine dining establishments, or businesses that require stable offline performance.
Today, over 60% of food and beverage businesses use cloud-based POS systems, driven by the need for flexibility, mobility, and real-time data sync across locations.
Also known as online POS systems for restaurants, these run entirely online and sync across devices. The cloud POS market for restaurants has also grown rapidly, valued at USD 1.83 billion in 2024 and expected to reach USD 4.85 billion by 2030, making it the fastest-growing type of POS system globally.
Best for: Small to medium-sized restaurants, cafés, food trucks, and multi-location chains.
A mix of on-premise stability + cloud convenience.
Best for: Busy restaurants that cannot afford downtime but want cloud benefits.
Not all POS systems offer what restaurants truly need. When comparing the top POS systems for restaurants, look for features that simplify your daily operations—not complicate them.
Here are the essentials that every restaurant owner should prioritize:
Easily update prices, menu items, and combos without calling support every time.
Ensures smooth communication between FOH and the kitchen.
Real-time stock updates so you know exactly what’s running low.
Track performance, hours, and permissions from one dashboard.
Your POS should tell you:
Connect with apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or your own online store.
From cards to wallets to QR—customers expect flexibility.
For restaurants adopting a self-service kiosk POS system, this is a must-have.
Not every restaurant needs the same POS setup. Here’s a quick guide:
Choosing the right POS depends on your service speed, order volume, and customer flow, not on the fanciest features.
The cost of a restaurant POS can vary widely depending on the size of your restaurant, service style, and the features you actually need. Basic cloud POS systems start at a low monthly subscription, while more feature-heavy options that offer inventory tracking, analytics, online ordering, and kiosk integration tend to be more expensive.
It's important to look past the sticker price and understand the value you get. Some POS solutions charge low monthly fees but add extra costs for integrations, payment gateways, or customer support. Others offer a more complete ecosystem with fewer surprises.
Restaurants that partner with TABIN appreciate that the pricing is clear, the features are tailor-made for food businesses, and the system scales easily with them, so they aren't paying for tools they'll never use. The best POS is one that fits your workflow, supports your long-term goals, and keeps your ops humming along during rush hour. The same 2025 restaurant industry report shows that 67% of operators rely on their POS provider for most of their software tools, making all-in-one ecosystems — like TABIN — a smarter long-term choice for growing restaurants.
Before committing, make sure your POS system checks these boxes:
A POS isn’t just a tool—it’s an investment in smoother operations, better customer experience, and long-term growth.
Most POS systems range from $5 to over $139, depending on features, hardware, and the size of your restaurant.
Yes. Modern POS systems integrate with accounting tools, inventory systems, delivery platforms, loyalty programs, and kiosks.
A reliable POS includes:
.png)
