Hotels require a point-of-sale system with features appropriate for the hospitality sector, so they cannot just pick any POS system off the shelf.
For this reason, you must find the Best Hotel POS System with robust features for handling service and reservation requests from guests. Whether you’re managing a boutique hotel, a luxury resort, or a bustling chain, selecting an appropriate hotel POS system can help you manage business operations effectively and achieve a competitive advantage.
Our assessments favor systems that supply hotel operators with the most important elements, such as business growth, business management, and powerful features.
Keep scrolling to discover who competes for the top hotel point of sale systems.
Contents
1. POS system for hotels: A quick look
A POS system for hotels is a hardware and software combination that makes it easier for hotels to handle and record transactions involving their customers.
You can track sales and revenue, handle guest orders, and manage inventory using it. Additionally, it oversees reservations, visitor bookings, and other hotel activities.
For instance, if your guest reserved some of your hotel’s facilities or services, the POS system automatically adds each transaction to the final payment. As a result, upon check-out, the visitor may pay for any billed services.
This system is commonly configured with a cash drawer, credit card reader, barcode scanner, and computer interface. Functionalities include booking, check-in and check-out procedures, and payment tracking, frequently included in its software components. Each time a visitor makes a payment, a POS transaction is finished.
Summary of the best POS system for hotels in 2024:
- Shopify POS – Best for small and medium-sized businesses
- HotelFriend POS – Best for businesses on tight budgets
- Toast POS – Best for large hotels and chains
- Magestore POS – Best for businesses with plans for scalability
- Epos Now POS – Best for businesses with basic demands
2. Best POS system for hotels: Our top picks
2.1. Shopify POS
2.1.1. Overview
With Shopify POS, hotel activities involving marketing, inventory control, payment processing, service reporting, and other areas can be streamlined on a single platform, making it one of the best hotel point of sale systems available for modern businesses.
Instead of having your staff manually add expenditures to each guest’s final payment throughout their stay, this best hotel POS software may be seamlessly integrated with your current systems.
Its point-of-sale devices, which consist of the terminal and additional components, can connect to a phone or iPad, which makes it easy to conduct transactions and manage your business. This functionality ensures that transactions and hotel operations are managed smoothly, cementing its position among the best hotel point of sale systems on the market.
👀 Wondering if Shopify POS is worth the investment? Our Shopify POS Reviews provides a thorough analysis to help you weigh the pros and cons before you make a decision.
2.1.2. Key features
- Smart service and staff management
- Real-time reporting and inventory tracking to manage the back-of-house and front-of-house operations.
- Smooth payment processing options, including credit card and contactless payments and associated processing fees
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Various hardware options
- Seamless integrations to make your POS even more powerful
- Mobile access to allow guests to pay when their order is delivered to their door
2.1.3. Cost/fee
- Shopify POS Lite, which is a part of your initial Shopify subscription plans, starts at $5/month or Shopify POS Pro at $89/month. Get further details by checking out the comparison of Shopify POS Lite vs POS Pro here.
- Transaction costs vary based on your subscription plans, starting at 5% + 0¢
- Here’s a summary of Toast POS’s main hardware prices below:
- A Chipper 2X BT card reader or Tap & Chip card reader: 49$
- 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
We think Shopify POS is the best POS system for hotels, making it perfect for small to medium businesses, especially those utilizing or considering Shopify’s eCommerce platform. This best POS system for small businesses performs remarkably well in settings where user-friendliness and a smooth transition between online and offline tasks are essential.
Besides, mobile accessibility and robust sales reporting make it a good fit for users in the hospitality sector, as they make things more accessible and under control.
2.1.5. Who should use it
Shopify POS is good for small and medium-sized businesses that need unified management and comprehensive workflows.
2.1.6. Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ Unified POS management ✅ User-friendly interface and straightforward navigation ✅ Advanced analytics | ❌ The customization options can add complexity for new users unfamiliar with POS systems ❌ Limited offline capabilities |
2.2. HotelFriend
2.2.1. Overview
Regardless of your size—a small family hotel or the largest hospitality company in the world with several locations—HotelFriend POS will offer highly lucrative solutions and enormous potential tailored to your particular business requirements.
Since our founding in Germany in 2016, HotelFriend has been committed to creating top-notch software enabling exceptional development for travel and hospitality businesses, making it the best POS system for hotel operations.
This best hotel POS software serves more than 500 clients globally, from five-star hotels to lively dining establishments, tranquil spas, and majestic cruise liners.
2.2.2. Key features
- Keep track of your inventory, vacancy levels, staff performance, etc.
- Set up your services to cover hours of operation, holiday closures, custom hours, menu items, etc.
- Automate manual tasks, save time and reduce errors
- Manage your POS and payments with integrated software, hardware, and credit card processing.
- Provide insights into sales data highlighting your busiest hours, labor targets, and monthly progress.
2.2.3. Cost/fee
- The POS software, integrated with HotelFriend PMS, costs $13.58 to $16.30 per room monthly.
- Transaction costs range from 0.20% + $0.13 to 4.15% + $0.13, depending on the card type and sale.
- Here’s a summary of Toast POS’s main hardware prices below:
- Terminals: $200 – $1,200 per terminal.
- Cash drawers: $100 – $300.
- Receipt printers: $150 – $400 per printer.
- Tablets: $200 – $800 per tablet.
- Handheld devices for order taking and payment processing: $300 – $700 each.
- Barcode scanners: $20 – $300 per scanner.
2.2.4. Why we pick it
We strongly recommend HotelFriend to hoteliers looking for affordable, user-friendly, modern POS solutions. This best POS system for hotels is packed with many customization options and features.
At a reasonable price, you have all the tools you need to manage your hotel and offer the best experience for your guests.
2.2.5. Who should use it
HotelFriend POS is good for businesses on tight budgets and prioritizes affordability.
2.2.6. Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ All-in-one cloud platform designed to streamline your daily tasks ✅ A comprehensive, preconfigured, and ready-for-immediate-use cloud-based PMS ✅ Scalable system | ❌ Poor integration ❌ When internet connectivity is poor, it is difficult to work with the system |
2.3. Toast POS
2.3.1. Overview
Recognized as one of the best POS system for hotel, Toast POS’s ability to manage various complex processes makes it the ideal hotel point-of-sale system. The platform has built-in advanced reservation capabilities that let owners monitor cost/profit management information, restrict flow, and block reservations.
Notably, Toast POS is also quite simple to use, mostly because of the comprehensive tutorial that will take you step-by-step through the setup procedure. The back-end interface is user-friendly, so newcomers should have no trouble adjusting to Toast at your hotel.
2.3.2. Key features
- Credit card processing service that takes payments with credit cards online and offline and offers custom-built rates.
- Create loyalty programs with set spending and point systems with ease.
- Automatic tip sharing
- Mobile ordering
- Integrations with third-party solutions like payroll services, online ordering portals, and accounting software
- Provide information on pricing fluctuations, consolidated operational summaries, waste tracking, and other cost-controlling measures.
2.3.3. Cost/fee
- Toast has 1 Free Plan with limited access to all features and 2 Premium Plans starting from $69.
- Transaction costs vary based on your subscription plans, starting at 2.99% + $0.15
- Here’s a summary of Toast POS’s main hardware prices below:
- A Chipper 2X BT card reader or Tap & Chip card reader: 49$
- Retail Kit: $219
- Barcode scanners: $229 to $329
- Label printers: $299 to $499
- Receipt printers: $299 to $369
- Cash drawers: $139 to $159
2.3.4. Why we pick it
Toast POS is a robust and versatile POS system for big hotels with complex operations. It offers a user-friendly platform and a sharp and clean visual design.
Toast offers all the tools to make managing your huge business a breeze. Besides, the support team is knowledgeable and provides timely responses to help you solve any problem immediately.
2.3.5. Who should use it
Toast POS is good for large hospitality establishments with complicated operations.
2.3.6. Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ Suitable for Android users ✅ Strong customization24/7 and responsive support | ❌ Not compatible with iOS devices ❌ Absence of linked payment gateways |
2.4. Magestore POS
2.4.1. Overview
With over 15 years of expertise, Magestore POS is the top point-of-sale system for Magento worldwide. More than 15,000 retailers have benefited from Magestore POS’s simplicity, scalability, customization, and native Magento compatibility, which has reduced operating expenses and simplified everyday tasks.
Companies of various kinds, including omnichannel shops, furniture showrooms, and boutiques specializing in fashion, have utilized this wonderful POS system, and hoteliers can also be your solution to a smooth online and offline operation.
Within 90 days of purchasing the POS license, Magestore will also issue a refund if you’re unhappy with the resolution. Thus, you will have more time to assess the solution’s efficacy in your company.
2.4.2. Key features
- Create new customer profiles and checkout orders in 1 minute
- Offer more device options to run your retail point of sale, from PCs to iPads to Android tablets.
- Allow multiple orders
- Offer POS customization services for all customers, ranging from building new features to integrating with devices and other retail systems
- Cashflow and balance tracking
- Accept different payment methods
- Implement customer loyalty programs
2.4.3. 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 $2,599 and CE at $1,299. 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
2.4.4. Why we pick it
Magestore created a very good POS for hotel businesses looking for an economical option with a handful of features.
At a reasonable rate, this best hotel point of sale systems lets you customize almost anything and put every aspect of your hotel operation under your control. You can manage, track, and improve the performances quickly to meet your customers’ needs.
2.4.5. Who should use it
Magestore POS is good for several types and sizes of businesses with plans for scalability and expansion.
2.4.6. Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ One-time payment with unlimited users, devices ✅ Scalable and highly customizable ✅ A three-month warranty ✅ Never hidden fees | ❌ The upfront cost will be high because Magestore follows a one-time payment model |
2.5. Epos Now POS
2.5.1. Overview
Epos Now POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale system that assists retail and hospitality companies in managing their inventory, operations, and client relations.
This hotel POS system, engineered to maximize employee productivity, serves as the beating heart of your company, optimizing service and increasing output.
Their payment solutions make it simple to receive and handle payments anywhere, at any time. You may accept all popular payment methods with just one fixed rate without worrying about additional costs.
You won’t ever feel like you’re on your own when you have Epos Now. They provide limitless training and coaching, individualized one-on-one onboarding, and round-the-clock assistance.
2.5.2. Key features
- Access staff management & Stock control
- Accept a wide range of payment methods, print receipts, etc.
- View all transactions in a single place, including individual transactions, insights, and payouts.
- Use standalone, or connect to hundreds of apps, including payment systems, accounting software, and much more
- Access your business insights through any device, on-the-go
- 1-on-1 onboarding
2.5.3. Cost/fee
- Epos Now’s Hotel POS System charges a one-time cost of $349 for a complete solution or $39/month for a standard
- Transaction costs start at 2.6% + 10¢ (in-person and online)
- Here’s a summary of Epos Now POS’s main hardware prices below:
- Pro Cash Drawer: $73
- Caller ID: starting at $120
- Staff Swipe Cards: $58
- Barcode scanners: starting at $73
- Receipt printers: starting at $250
2.5.4. Why we pick it
Epos Now is one of the popular hotel point of sale systems with a variety of hardware and software options designed to meet the demands of retail and hospitality enterprises.
It is a well-known solution for simplicity and flexibility, helping thousands of organizations worldwide by streamlining processes and enhancing guest experiences, and maybe, you too!
2.5.5. Who should use it
Epos Now POS is a reasonably priced option for smaller companies or those with basic demands because of its user-friendly interface, affordable prices, and strong customer service.
2.5.6. Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
✅ Integrations with hundreds of third-party applications ✅ Sturdy, versatile hardware and various third-party accessories and devices ✅ It’s easy to train employees to use Epos Now’s flexible software | ❌ Epos Now’s discounted POS rates require users to purchase a monthly customer support plan ❌ Epos Now doesn’t offer in-house payment processing |
3. Conclusion
The kind of hotel you own, size, finances, and specific company objectives will all influence your option of the best hotel POS system.
Smaller lodging establishments prefer affordable monthly subscriptions for iPad and tablet-friendly POS systems, such as Shopify POS or Epos Now POS. This allows managers to minimize hardware and software expenses while maintaining access to all the POS functions they require.
Systems with industry-specific packages like HotelFriend POS and Magestore POS would be ideal for hotels that provide various amenities, including restaurants, bars, spas, and gift shops. These best hotel point of sale systems may consolidate your company’s data into a streamlined system, and customized POS features can be applied to every department of your organization.
Lastly, Toast POS with more sophisticated management and business development tools, such as personnel management, customized loyalty plans, and performance-tracking software, would be more advantageous for larger hotels and chains.
Overall, this eComStart blog gives you some idea of what is best for you, yet you can discover the best POS systems for small businesses and explore other options to find the one you like.
4. FAQs
