Best POS Systems 2026: Top 10 for Small Business
Point of Sale (POS) systems do more than process payments—they manage inventory, track sales, and run your business.
Quick Comparison
| POS | Best For | Monthly Fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square | Overall | Free | 2.6% + 10¢ |
| Shopify | Omnichannel | $29+ | 2.7% |
| Clover | Restaurants | $14.95+ | 2.3% + 10¢ |
| Toast | Restaurants | $0+ | Custom |
| Lightspeed | Retail | $69+ | 2.6% + 10¢ |
1. Square — Best Overall
Monthly: Free (hardware extra)
Square offers the easiest setup with no monthly fees.
Features
- ✅ Free POS software
- ✅ Payments processing
- ✅ Inventory management
- ✅ Employee management
- ✅ Customer loyalty
- ✅ E-commerce included
- ✅ Invoicing
Hardware
- Square Reader: Free
- Square Stand: $149
- Square Terminal: $299
- Square Register: $799
Best For: Small businesses, pop-ups, mobile sellers.
2. Shopify POS — Best Omnichannel
Monthly: $29-299 (Shopify subscription)
Shopify POS syncs perfectly with online stores.
Features
- ✅ Online + in-store sync
- ✅ Unified inventory
- ✅ Customer profiles
- ✅ Staff management
- ✅ Analytics
- ✅ Buy online, pick up in store
Best For: Retailers with online + physical stores.
👉 Related: Shopify vs WooCommerce
3. Clover — Best for Restaurants
Monthly: $14.95-94.85
Clover offers industry-specific solutions.
Features
- ✅ Table management
- ✅ Menu customization
- ✅ Employee scheduling
- ✅ Tipping
- ✅ Inventory
- ✅ Loyalty programs
Best For: Restaurants, quick service.
4. Toast — Restaurant Specialist
Monthly: $0+ (hardware required)
Toast is built specifically for restaurants.
Features
- ✅ Restaurant-specific
- ✅ Online ordering
- ✅ Kitchen display
- ✅ Payroll integration
- ✅ Delivery management
- ✅ Menu management
Best For: Full-service restaurants.
5. Lightspeed — Best for Retail
Monthly: $69-199
Lightspeed offers robust retail management.
Features
- ✅ Advanced inventory
- ✅ Multi-location
- ✅ Purchase orders
- ✅ Customer management
- ✅ Reporting
- ✅ E-commerce
Best For: Specialty retail, multi-location.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Square | Shopify | Clover | Toast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Inventory | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| E-commerce | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-location | Paid | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Restaurant | Basic | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Our Recommendations
| Business Type | Choose |
|---|---|
| General | Square |
| Online + Store | Shopify POS |
| Restaurant | Toast |
| Quick Service | Clover |
| Large Retail | Lightspeed |
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Last updated: January 2026