Since takeaway businesses operate in hectic environments, you need a POS system that can streamline your operation to help you survive and thrive. Yet, in a crowded market, it’s understandable to feel unsure of which is the best POS system for takeaway businesses to choose.
To help you, we tested several systems with this in mind, and 5 names came out on top as the best POS systems for takeaways. As you can probably tell, no system is a one-size-fits-all. So, take your time to thoroughly go through our POS system for takeaway review to find the one that fits you the most.
Contents
1. Best POS System For Takeaway: At A Glance
A takeaway POS system is a combination of software and hardware solutions that streamlines the ordering and payment process for takeaway and delivery. It can also help with other management tasks and marketing – all from one place.
2. POS System For Takeaway Review: Our Top Picks
Competitors for the title of the best takeaway point of sale system for 2025 include:
- Shopify POS: Best for omnichannel selling
- TouchBistro POS: Best for user-friendliness
- Square POS: Best for processing low transaction volumes
- Clover POS: Best for hardware options
- Lightspeed POS: Best for offline functions
Each of our top five selections for takeaway POS systems best serves different kinds of takeaway businesses with various needs. Let’s dive in to see the details!
2.1. Shopify POS: Best for omnichannel selling
Our rating | 4.7/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | $5 – $89+ |
Hardware cost | $49 – $500+ |
Key features | ✔ Ordering Omnichannel ✔ Pickup Options |
Shopify POS is designed to be flexible enough to meet the demands of takeaway businesses. Without requiring technical know-how, it provides user-friendly features that make setting up and running an online ordering system simple.
2.1.1. Pricing
Shopify POS Lite, which is a part of your initial Shopify subscription costs, starts at $5/month or Shopify POS Pro at $89/month/location. See their comparison here.
Transaction costs vary based on your subscription plans, starting from 2.4% to 2.7% + $0 per transaction.
2.1.2. Features
- Ordering Omnichannel: Restaurants can employ the “Buy online – pick up in-store or local delivery” function on their website to let customers make orders online and select how their meal is delivered or picked up in-store.
- Pickup Options: Customers are able to choose the places and times of pickup, which enables you to customize your service to satisfy their preferences.
- Menu Customizations: By labeling certain items with badges or stickers of “best sellers” or “must try,” you can encourage customers to select your best dishes that will eventually improve their dining experience and potentially result in upsells.
2.1.3. Hardware
Here’s a summary of Shopify POS retail hardware prices below:
- A Chipper 2X BT card reader or Tap & Chip card reader: 49$
- Shopify POS Go mobile device: $399 ($429 with case)
- Barcode scanners: $199 to $289
- Label printers: $299 to $499
- Receipt printers: $299 to $369
- Cash drawers: $139 to $159
2.1.4. Payment method
- Shopify Payments
- Cash
- Credit/debit cards
- Mobile wallets
- Loyalty points
- Gift cards
2.1.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for takeaway restaurants that want to provide online ordering services and gain more omnichannel sales.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for takeaway restaurants solely running onsite takeaway restaurants.
2.1.6. Pros & Cons:
2.2. TouchBistro POS: Best for user-friendliness
Our rating | 4.8/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | $69+ |
Hardware cost | Contact for information |
Key features | ✔ Dynamic Touchscreen ✔ Self-Ordering Kiosk |
The next best option for the best POS system for takeaway is TouchBistro, a hospitality POS specialist. It boasts the best POS software for takeaway that makes it quick and simple to receive and handle orders for takeaway and delivery online.
2.2.1. Pricing
POS software: From $69/month
Depending on the plan you select and whether you purchase hardware upfront, this best takeaway point of sale system charges different payment processing fees:
- Pay-as-you-go plan: 3.09–3.69% + 15¢ per transaction
- Hardware paid upfront: 2.49% + 15¢ for card-present transactions, and 3.50% + 15¢ for card-not-present transactions
2.2.2. Features
- Dynamic Touchscreen: When an order is placed, your kitchen staff will see tickets appear on the screen immediately, and start preparing the food, which expedites the delivery service and overall customer experience.
- Self-Ordering Kiosk: Customers can place their own food orders, pay for them, and wait while your kitchen makes the meals on-site thanks to the user-friendly interface and detailed menu on the kiosk.
- Reporting Tools: You can build cost vs. profit statistics, access staff performance reports, and analyze data on spending trends and popular menu items. All these metrics give you better ideas on promoting the most lucrative dish.
2.2.3. Hardware
This best POS for takeaway doesn’t display the price of its hardware and you are encouraged to contact them to get quoted. Here’s a summary of TouchBistro POS hardware:
- iPad system
- Barcode scanners
- Label printers
- Receipt printers
- Cash drawers
2.2.4. Payment method
- Credit/Debit cards
- Cash
- Contactless payments
- Digital wallets, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
2.2.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for takeaway restaurants that want quick system adaptation and minimize the time for staff training.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for takeaway restaurants running on Android systems.
2.2.6. Pros & Cons:
2.3. Square POS: Best for processing low transaction volumes
Our rating | 4.5/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | $0 – $60+ |
Hardware cost | $59 – $415+ |
Key features | ✔ QR code ordering ✔ Kitchen Display System |
Square POS is our top best POS for small businesses with low transaction volumes. It performed strongly on pricing and help and support as well as stock management and usability.
2.3.1. Pricing
Initial software/installation fees: $0
Monthly software fees:
- Free: $0
- Plus: $60 per location (includes advanced inventory and advanced team management)
- Premium: Custom quote (for over $250,000 a year in payment processing)
Processing fees:
- In-person: 2.6% + 10 cents (2.5% + 10 cents for Plus Plan)
- Online: 2.9% + 30 cents
- Keyed-in: 3.5% + 15 cents
2.3.2. Features
- QR code ordering: A free online and QR code ordering page will be available to you. You can print the codes for your business so that customers can scan them, pay for their purchases using their phones, and pick up their meals without making contact.
- Kitchen Display System (KDS): The kitchen receives all orders directly from the user-friendly KDS, which provides precise instructions on what to prepare. Additionally, it allows for automatic menu updates, ensuring that diners never order meals that are sold out.
- Customer loyalty management: You can use automated marketing to attract prospective buyers and reward your loyal consumers with promotions based on their past purchases. Additionally, branded physical and digital gift cards are among the strategies to draw more clients to your takeaway establishment.
2.3.3. Hardware
Here’s a summary of Square POS hardware prices below:
- Payment Terminals: $349.99 to $415
- Cash Registers: $165.46 to $192.43
- Receipt Printers: $279 to $365
- Barcode Scanner: $59
2.3.4. Payment method
- Cash/ checks
- Credit cards
- Contactless methods such as text-to-pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
2.3.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for takeaway restaurants that look for a low-risk option, especially startups with low sales volumes as there is a free plan for them to experiment with the system.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for large takeaway restaurants since it is missing some very advanced features for huge establishments or chains, such as cost vs profit analysis and ingredient tracking.
2.3.6. Pros & Cons:
2.4. Clover POS: Best for hardware options
Our rating | 4.6/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | $105+ |
Hardware cost | $599 – $1,799+ |
Key features | ✔ Touchscreen hardware ✔ Scheduled orders |
A specialized point-of-sale system for quick-service eateries, such as takeaway, is Clover. It offers a variety of top-notch hardware and the best POS software for takeaway that can easily endure the hot and busy takeout environment.
2.4.1. Pricing
This best POS for takeaway offers 2 solutions:
- Full-service dining (3 plans, starting at $165/month)
- Quick-service restaurant (3 plans, starting at $105/month)
Transaction costs start at 2.3% + 10¢ for card-present transactions or 3.5% + 10¢ for keyed-in transaction
2.4.2. Features
- Touchscreen hardware: Customers can effortlessly use the customer display screens to place food orders since they are bright and responsive to touch. The fingerprint login feature is another noteworthy feature that speeds up staff access to the interface and order processing for customers.
- Scheduled orders: It enables customers to order now and schedule a convenient pickup time later. Moreover, it specifies how far in advance customers can place orders.
- Curbside pickup: Customers can include their vehicle information for easy identification at the curb. This feature lets your staff quickly locate and deliver food to the right customers.
2.4.3. Hardware
Here’s a summary of Clover POS hardware prices below:
- Clover Go: $49
- Clover Flex and Clover Pocket Flex: $599 – $649
- Clover Mini countertop POS: $799
- Clover Station: $1,699 – $1,799
2.4.4. Payment method
- Cash
- Credit/Debit cards
- Gift cards
- Mobile payments
- EMV chip cards
- Contactless payments
- Prepaid cards
- EBT cards
2.4.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for takeaway restaurants that require a set of robust hardware to facilitate their large operations.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for small or single location takeaways with tight budgets since the monthly fees and hardware costs are high.
2.4.6. Pros & Cons:
2.5. Lightspeed POS: Best for offline functions
Our rating | 4.7/5⭐ |
Monthly software fee | $189 – $399+ |
Hardware cost | $129 – $400+ |
Key features | ✔ Order Management ✔ Offline mode |
With add-on modules for delivery, takeout, and contact-free ordering on your property, Lightspeed POS is a highly regarded best takeaway POS software. Because of its extensive array of integrated marketing features, it is also well-known for its capacity to cultivate customer loyalty.
2.5.1. Pricing
There are 3 monthly pricing plans, including:
- Essential plan: $189/month
- Premium plan: $399/month
- Enterprise plan: Custom quote
Lightspeed Payments’ credit card processing rates for restaurant POS users are:
- Card present (CP): 2.4% + $0.10 per transaction
- Card not present (CNP): 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
2.5.2. Features
- Order Management: The Order Anywhere feature offers your buyers more ordering options, such as online or by a QR code. Additionally, they can modify their orders using the system’s “order modifier” feature like adding coffee or removing tomatoes.
- Offline mode: Internet failures won’t have an impact on operations because the till operates offline. That ensures a consistent business operation and builds customers’ trust since they can buy from you anytime without any external factors.
- Integrations with popular delivery apps: You can link Uber Eats and Deliveroo to the current menu of food in your till. After orders appear in your point-of-sale system, the kitchen will prepare the meal and you may promptly deliver it.
2.5.3. Hardware
Here’s a summary of Lightspeed POS hardware prices below:
- Cash Drawer: $129
- Terminals: $234 – $399
- Lightspeed Stand with Payments: $199
- Kitchen Printer: $349
- Lightspeed Kitchen Bump Bar: $199
2.5.4. Payment method
- Credit and debit cards
- Contactless payments
- Cash
- Check
- Gift cards
- Credit account
2.5.5. Suitable and Not suitable for
- It is SUITABLE for takeaway restaurants looking for a solution to streamline the operation in case of internet failure.
- It is NOT SUITABLE for takeaway restaurants that want to integrate with other third-party payment gateways.
2.5.6. Pros & Cons:
3. What Factors Should I Consider When Choosing A POS System For My Takeaway Business?
All the options in our POS system for takeaway review have their own strengths and weaknesses and each is better than the others in some aspects.
The question now is which one will be your best bet. To help you answer, we’ve pointed out some factors that will take you to the right end of the best POS-finding journey.
3.1. Your Goals
When a takeaway business chooses to invest in a point-of-sale system, it has different goals. As the owner or the manager, it is your responsibility to decide the goals for the best POS for takeaway.
3.2. Contracts and Costs
A POS system doesn’t have to be extremely expensive to be effective. Indeed, it should not only fit into your budget but also save you money over time.
There isn’t a one-price-fits-all plan for all takeaway POS systems, so try to find out about pricing models to determine how much you will pay for your particular requirements.
3.3. Hardware options
The actual equipment that each POS system provider offers for sale or rental should be carefully examined. Make sure your POS provider can give you kiosks if you wish to set up a self service for your customers. Choose a POS provider with a till setup if you accept both cash and credit cards.
Moreover, it’s vital to confirm whether your current equipment or the equipment you intend to purchase can readily connect with your selected point-of-sale system, even though some POS systems are compatible with third-party gear.
3.4. Employee Usage
There are differences among all POS systems. This implies that if you make changes to the system, your employees’ interactions with it will likewise change. Avoid using a complicated system that demands a lot of training since it can lead to chaos.
So, look for a POS with user-friendliness and a simple-to-use system to avoid wasting much time and effort on training staff or adapting the best takeaway POS software into your business operations.
4. Best POS System For Takeaway: Final Verdicts
Finding the best POS system for takeaway depends on the needs of each company. To help you make well-informed decisions, here are the cases where one is better than the others:
- Shopify POS: If you want to create an online channel that allows customers to order through it, Shopify POS is ideal since it has strong tools for building websites.
- TouchBistro POS: It is built with intuitiveness and user-friendliness in mind, which makes it a great option for those who want to take on the system without hassles.
- Square POS is a good option for you if you are a startup and only generating low sales as the system has a free plan and you can upgrade later easily.
- Clover POS: It focuses on providing top-notch hardware to help you build a strong bridge connecting your staff with the POS software for smooth operations. If this is your goal, go for it.
- Lightspeed POS: If you want to keep your ordering service up even when there is an internet problem, this POS has the right solution for you.
5. Conclusion
Selecting the best POS system for takeaway requires careful thought and time. Whatever your business needs to function like a well-oiled machine will determine which POS system is ideal for you.
Some may opt for a system that saves money upfront or simplifies complex transactions. The others have higher goals like meeting the demands of their growing businesses or managing a large volume of orders.
Whatever it is, our eComStart’s picks of the best POS for takeaway businesses can be your guideline to find the right one.
6. FAQs
