Top POS Systems of 2025
The right point of sale system can help simplify sales, track inventory in real time, manage staff and tips, and streamline day-to-day operations. Whether you run a retail store, restaurant, bar, or mobile business, comparing top-rated POS providers ensures you find a system that fits your workflow, supports your growth, and stays within budget.
Lightspeed
- Serves restaurants, retail stores
- 24/7 expert support
- Streamlines restaurant workflows
Toast
- Start for $0 a month
- Handheld portable POS terminals
- Online ordering and flat fee delivery
What is a POS system?
POS stands for point of sale—the moment and place where a customer completes a purchase. That might be a checkout counter, a restaurant table with a handheld device, a food truck window, or even your phone during a house call.
A POS system is the combination of software + hardware that:
- Processes payments
- Records sales
- Updates inventory
- Tracks customers and staff
- Generates reports and insights
Modern providers describe POS as a suite of tools, not just a cash register: one cloud-based system that lets businesses sell products and services, manage inventory, track performance, and build customer relationships.
Because most modern POS systems run online and store data in the cloud, you’ll also see terms like ePOS (electronic point of sale) or cloud POS used interchangeably.