How to choose a POS system for your restaurant or shop
25 October 2026 · SaaS Vendor Market
A point of sale (POS) system is the heart of a restaurant, café or shop. It handles every sale, so a bad choice costs you time and money every single day. This guide explains what a modern POS should do, which costs to watch and what to ask before you sign up.
What a modern POS should do
- Fast selling: products in clear groups, quick search and few taps per sale.
- Several payment methods: cash, card through a payment terminal, and splitting a bill between guests.
- Receipts that follow the rules: receipts that cannot be changed after payment, gapless numbering and corrections only through a return receipt.
- Reports: a daily report per till or employee and an export for your accountant.
- Access per role: staff can sell without seeing your revenue or settings.
Extra for restaurants and cafés
- A floor plan with tables and zones that you can rearrange.
- Orders sent to separate kitchen and bar displays or printers.
- Taking orders at the table on a phone, or letting guests order themselves with a QR code.
- Product options such as cooking preference, plus happy hour prices.
- Reservations in the same system.
Extra for shops
- Stock that updates with every sale.
- A connection with your webshop, so stock and orders stay in sync.
- Barcodes and quick returns.
Costs to watch out for
Compare more than the monthly fee. Ask about the price per extra till or phone, transaction fees for card payments, hardware you must buy or rent, and the notice period. Browser-based systems often work on tablets and phones you already have, which saves on hardware.
Questions to ask before you sign up
- Can I try it for free with my own menu or products?
- What happens when the internet connection drops?
- Which payment terminals work with it?
- Does revenue flow automatically into my bookkeeping?
- Can I export all receipts and logs if I switch later?
Compare POS systems
See all POS and retail software and our overview of software for restaurants and cafés on SaaS Vendor Market. Compare features and prices, and start a free trial directly at the maker.