Best POS System for Coffee Shop: Streamline Operations and Delight Customers

Running a coffee shop is more than just serving cups of coffee; it’s about creating an comfortable and enjoyable experience for your customers while maintaining efficient operations behind the counter. Therefore, having a point-of-sale system is essential to keeping up with the flow. 

The best POS system for coffee shop includes robust inventory and menu management, online ordering, tipping capabilities, a loyalty program, and specialized features like wholesale coffee ground sales and coffee ground subscriptions.

From understanding the unique needs of coffee shop operations to reviewing the most trusted POS systems nowadays, this article examines the best POS for cafe and coffee shops, emphasizing important characteristics that can improve customer satisfaction and maximize operational effectiveness.

Now, let’s go! 

 

1. POS System For Coffee Shop: A quick look

A coffee POS system is software paired with a credit card reader and other restaurant POS hardware that lets you quickly take payments from patrons in line or at the counter (plus tips), track sales information, identify trends, and, most often, set up loyalty programs to entice repeat business.

You may offer gift cards, maintain an inventory and menu, and experiment with new business ideas like coffee bean subscriptions with a strong cafe point-of-sale system.

Any company may prosper and expand with a strong point-of-sale system, which offers crucial and precise data upon which to make choices. Furthermore, a top-notch restaurant system can:

• Help your shop communicate with the servers simply and speedily
• Aid in keeping track of workers’ working hours and creating future schedules
• Log data from previous weeks (or months) to generate comprehensive reports regarding the restaurant’s long-term growth
• Simplify the entire order procedure, including taking online orders and generating email receipts

2. Best POS system for a coffee shop: Our top picks

2.1. Shopify POS

2.1.1. Overview  

The Shopify point of sale system, one of the greatest POS systems for bakeries and coffee shops, will help you sell online and build or enhance your online presence effectively with curbside pickup, delivery, and many tipping choices.

Small and medium-sized Shopify businesses in every industry will profit from this coffee shop best POS system. With it, you can manage all store sales, inventory, and customer data in one place, whether selling on the go or at events.

2.1.2. Key features  

• A wide range of payment options
• Loyalty plans and gift cards
• Automatically computing taxes
• Real-time inventory management synchronization with configurable options
• Featuring mobile point-of-sale (POS) software that enables staff to assist buyers from any location within the company.
• Integrating with other programs, such as door-counting and appointment scheduling
• With the Shopify App Store’s many add-ons, you can monitor your inventory levels in real-time
• Several other ways to pay, including mobile options like Apple Pay and Google Pay

✨To understand how Shopify POS could optimize your business operations, please visit and read carefully our detailed Shopify POS Reviews, which gives you a clear picture of its full capabilities.

2.1.3. Cost/fee 

• Shopify POS Lite, which is a part of your initial Shopify subscription costs, starts at $5/month or Shopify POS Pro at $89/month/location. Visit the comparison between Shopify POS Lite vs POS Pro for all the details.
• Transaction costs vary based on your subscription plans, starting at 5% + 0¢ 
• Here’s a summary of Shopify POS’s main hardware prices below:
  • A Chipper 2X BT card reader or Tap & Chip card reader: 49$
  • Retail Kit: $219
  • Shopify POS Go mobile device: $399 ($429 with case)
  • Barcode scanners: $229 to $329
  • Label printers: $299 to $499
  • Receipt printers: $299 to $369
  • Cash drawers: $139 to $159

2.1.4. Why we pick it 

With this system, you can oversee every aspect of your business from one central spot. This may streamline processes and cut down on mistakes, which can boost your company’s profitability.

Another reason why Shopify POS is the best POS for coffee shops is the flexibility in managing your menu. You can easily create, update, and customize your coffee shop menu to suit your specific needs. Moreover, you can add or remove products, alter the menu at any time of day, and establish prices.

You may tailor your menu items to your target or local market to ensure your coffee shop stands out from the competition.

2.1.5. Who should use it

Shopify POS is good for small and medium-sized independent coffee shops with multiple locations, as it allows them to process orders and track inventory quickly.

For more detailed comparison of the best POS systems for small businesses, check out this guide to the best POS system for small businesses.

2.1.6. Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
✅ Optimal omnichannel workflow ✅ The free plan’s accessibilityVarious modes of payment ✅ Features that improve the customer experience ✅ Numerous personalization choices ✅ Many restaurant applications available for integration	❌ Restricted capabilities for KDS, reservations, and table management ❌ Potentially slower loading times as a result of integrated apps ❌ Absence of offline capabilities

2.2. Toast POS

2.2.1. Overview

Toast POS is a comprehensive restaurant management system designed for the whole food service industry, including coffee shops. Its cloud-based platform offers many solutions to boost revenue, enhance customer experiences, and optimize restaurant operations.

In addition to a range of specialized hardware alternatives, Toast provides software-integrable hardware solutions, including point-of-sale terminals, printers, mobile devices for tableside orders, and kitchen displays.

Its enterprise-grade hardware and profit-focused features promote long-term growth. Thus, this is the best POS system coffee shops on large scales need for their extensive operations.

2.2.2. Key features  

• A profit margin calculator with real-time sales, inventory, and low-stock notifications
• Point-based incentives to promote repurchases and provide companies with access to several customer-focused benefits
• Contactless solutions, including touch and portable wallets, QR codes, and mobile ordering and payment
• Portable terminals for facilitating bar ordering and payment
• Comprehensive menu management services include payroll services, sales statistics, performance indicators, waste and COGS reports, recipe expenditures, and ingredient monitoring

2.2.3. Cost/fee  

• 1 free plan and 2 paid plans, starting at $69 per month
• Transaction costs start at 2.49% + $0.15 if you pay for Starter Kit hardware upfront or 3.09%-3.69% + $0.15 on $0/month plan
• Here’s a summary of Toast POS’s main hardware prices below:
  • $799.20 for the Handheld Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee)
  • $1,024.20 for the Countertop Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee)
  • $1,339.20 for the Guest Self-Service Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee)

2.2.4. Why we pick it 

For most food businesses, its best coffee shop point of sale software and short learning curve make it an excellent choice. However, thanks to its enterprise-grade hardware and profit-focused features that promote long-term growth, it is particularly well-suited to large, full-service restaurants with intricate operations.

It offers great table management and order routing, kitchen display software for managing dine-in and takeout orders, customizable menus for different order types and locations, and marketing features like gift cards and loyalty programs.

2.2.5. Who should use it

Toast POS is good for full-service restaurants or bars with complex operations or large inventories.

2.2.6. Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
✅ Easy to use ✅ Feature-rich software ✅ Powerful menu personalization ✅ Offering an in-depth understanding of where your restaurant is making and losing money	❌ Not compatible with iOS devices ❌ Few integrated payment processors  ❌ Limited knowledge assistance & support

2.3. Square POS

2.3.1. Overview

Square’s restaurant-specific point-of-sale (POS) system, Square for Restaurants, is well-known for its ease of use, straightforward setup, and transparent pricing.

It is a good fit for businesses with one location, but its extensive feature set also makes it a great option for expanding companies or those with several locations.

However, its app-based methodology and ample free tier make it particularly helpful for small food suppliers with lone locations, such as food trucks, kiosks, and cafés.

2.3.2. Key features  

• An array of hardware options, from fully-fledged POS registers to payment terminals and a complimentary chip and PIN card reader
• Strong menu management feature
• Automatic discounts for specific items, categories, and daily specials
• Great capabilities for sit-down restaurants, including table management, seat management, and table-side ordering
• Identifying customers by using their iOS or Android camera to scan a ‘reference ID’ via QR code or barcode

2.3.3. Cost/fee 

• Square offers 2 Restaurant and Retail plans, which cost $60 monthly and $89, respectively, but anyone can download Square’s POS software for free.
• Transaction costs start at 2.6% + 10¢ for card-based transaction or 3.5% + 15¢ for manual keyed-in sales or 2.9% + 30¢ for ecommerce payments
• Here’s a summary of Square’s main hardware prices below:
  • $10: non-contactless card reader to fit iPhone/Android (you can get your first one free)
  • $59: contactless card reader for a chip or Apple Pay
  • $299: portable terminal
  • $149: iPad stand (second gen) with built-in card reader
  • $579: Square stand kit
  • $779: Countertop POS Kit for Square Reader
  • $1,269: Square register kit

2.3.4. Why we pick it 

Square POS is one of the top free point-of-sale systems available, making it a terrific choice for small food businesses. It offers a trustworthy and reasonably priced point-of-sale system, which is why it is considered the best POS for small cafes. 

It is the least expensive point-of-sale system we examined, and most hospitality companies would find it ideal because of its feature-rich plans and adaptable hardware options.

Starting with Square, ordering card readers and selling are quick and simple. If Square doesn’t win you over right away, the business provides liberal hardware return policies in addition to a 30-day free trial on both premium and free programs.

2.3.5. Who should use it

Square POS is good for single-location businesses like food trucks, cafes, or kiosks

2.3.6. Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
✅ Free to get started ✅ Stylish and sophisticated hardware ✅ A reasonably priced restaurant bundle ✅ Offering an in-depth understanding of where your restaurant is making and losing money	❌ Certain features that are more expensive for mid-sized organizations ❌ When making or revising a floor plan, Square does not allow you to change the colors or names of the tables ❌ It also lacks certain capabilities geared toward increasing profits, such as ingredient monitoring and cost management

2.4. Clover POS

2.4.1. Overview

Clover POS is another best coffee shop point of sale providing some of the greatest hardware choices. Its hardware is quite quick and responsive and has an incredibly elegant style. 

Businesses may further improve the functionality of Clover’s POS system by adding other applications for inventory management, customer loyalty, and other purposes to its marketplace.

However, with no free plan in sight and monthly restaurant packages as high as $105, Clover may be more expensive than smaller businesses.

2.4.2. Key features  

• Restaurant-focused features, including menu editing, table and floor plan management, bill splitting, and advanced inventory management
• Stock management features such as stock alerts, bespoke inventory systems, and real-time stock analytics
• Integration with Shopventory for advanced features like discount reporting and ingredient-level tracking
• The Clover Rewards app allows you to build contact lists, share promos and rewards, and collect private feedback
• Clover’s Online Ordering platform lets you manage online ordering and delivery processes in-house
• An array of hardware options, from handheld payment terminals like Clover Flex to all-in-one POS solutions like Clover Station Pro

2.4.3. Cost/fee  

• There are 2 solutions: Full-service dining (3 plans, starting at $165/month) and 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 transactions
• Here’s a summary of Square’s main hardware prices below:
  • $599 for Clover Flex
  • $799 for Clover Mini countertop POS
  • $1,699-$1,799 for Clover Station full POS register package

2.4.4. Why we pick it 

Medium cafés to large restaurants and retail establishments of all sizes may benefit from the adaptable and user-friendly Clover POS system.

We value that Clover POS allows you to personalize your software with a wide selection of stylish point-of-sale hardware, pick from many payment processing companies to receive the best prices, and choose from an extensive app market. 

The app store offers applications for anything, including free loyalty program builders, third-party delivery platforms, and event ticket sales.

2.4.5. Who should use it

Clover POS is good for medium to large establishments that want professional restaurant hardware.

2.4.6. Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
✅ The interface has a simple design, is intuitive and responds quickly ✅ Good selection of hardware choicesNumerous possibilities for merchant accounts ✅ No-cost online buying feature ✅ Vast market for apps	❌ Require an established websiteNo transactions between stores ❌ Hardware purchases cannot be made without a merchant account ❌ Hardware costs a lot of money ❌ Possibility of reseller fraud

2.5. Magestore POS

2.5.1. Overview

Magestore has provided services to more than 10,000 shops worldwide since its founding in 2009. Users from many industries have utilized Magestore solutions to grow their online to offline presence, maintain a seamless operation through an omnichannel approach, and enhance sales. 

With the help of this all-in-one coffee shop POS system, you can manage omnichannel loyalty programs, process orders quickly, connect your website and storefront, and expand your company.

2.5.2. Key features  

• Set up item variants and quickly add remarks to bespoke orders
• Give consumers the option to use touchscreen self-checkout machines to place their orders
• Accept all major payment methods
• Utilize displays aimed at the consumer to allow them to verify the order processing
• Sync order data in real-time
• Take into account their purchasing patterns and preferences when creating more successful promos
• Use shop credits, gift cards, and rewards points to increase customer retention

2.5.3. Cost/fee  

• They don’t publicly display their pricing, so you must contact and get a quote from a Magestore business expert. However, according to our research, Magento POS has two versions: CE and EE, with EE starting at $2599 and CE at $1299. This is a one-time payment.
• No transaction fees
• Here’s a summary of Magestore’s main hardware, but no prices are displayed, so you need to contact them for precise numbers:
  • Receipt printers
  • USB and Bluetooth barcode scanners
  • Card reader
  • Cash drawer
  • Label printers

2.5.4. Why we pick it 

Magestore POS’s robust inventory management capabilities will benefit you if your restaurant manages a sizable or intricate inventory.

The greatest characteristic of this POS is the one-time pricing. The one-time fee includes a full point of sale, professional support, training services, expert consulting, and more. 

There are also no additional costs associated with adding an infinite number of users or devices to grow your business, nor are there any setup or transaction fees.

2.5.5. Who should use it 

Magestore POS is good for food and beverage businesses on tight budgets. It eliminates transaction costs and charges one-time prices for full ownership of the POS, so you don’t have to pay extra fees for loyalty features.

2.5.6. Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
✅ Easy-to-use interface ✅ Program for loyalty on all plans ✅ Seamless eCommerce integration ✅ High customization ✅ 365-day money-back for POS license	❌ A complex framework with several settings and choices ❌ High initial cost

3. Conclusion

This list of top systems includes the only options we have determined to be valuable from several angles. Our choice of the best POS system for coffee shop is based on affordability, accessibility, ease of use, and broad availability.

We hope it helps you decide on the best POS system for your business. If you need anything to improve your business, you can look for it here at eComStart.io. We have many tips and information that we love to share with you.

4. FAQs