Mobile point-of-sale (POS) systems let businesses accept payments anywhere — at events, tableside, curbside, or throughout a store. By combining portable hardware with POS software on smartphones, tablets, or dedicated terminals, they help teams manage sales, inventory, and customers on the go.
To help you find the right fit, I evaluated the best mobile POS systems for 2026 based on performance, pricing, hardware, payment options, scalability, and real-world user feedback:
| Provider | Best for | Monthly fee starts at |
|---|---|---|
| Square | Overall mobile POS system | $0 |
| Toast | Full-service restaurants | $0 |
| Shopify POS | Online businesses expanding into in-person sales | $5 |
| Clover | Choosing your own payment processor | $14.95 |
| Loyverse | Small, quick-service restaurants | $0 |
| Lightspeed Retail | Inventory-heavy small businesses | $109 |
| Helcim | Low-cost interchange-plus pricing | $0 |
| PayPal POS | Freelancers and occasional sellers | $0 |
- Square: Best overall (best free all-in-one mobile POS)
- Toast: Best for full-service restaurants
- Shopify POS: Best for online businesses expanding into in-person sales
- Clover: Best for choosing your own payment processor
- Loyverse: Best for small, quick-service restaurants
- Lightspeed Retail: Best for inventory-heavy small businesses
- Helcim: Best for low-cost interchange-plus pricing
- PayPal POS: Best for freelancers and occasional sales
Best mobile POS systems comparison
Company
Our score (out of 5)
Monthly POS fee
POS hardware options
Payment processing options
User feedback
.* Based on Fiserv; fees vary if you purchase Clover from 3rd-party sellers.
** Lightspeed Retail pricing depends on POS plan tier and add-ons.
Consider these guide questions as you go through my evaluation of each provider below:
- Is it compatible with your mobile device?
- Does it have the POS software features that your business needs?
- Is the software and hardware pricing reasonable?
- Does it support payment processing fit for your sales volume?
Square: Best overall (Best free all-in-one mobile POS)
Overall score
4.45/5
Pricing
4.63/5
Mobile POS Hardware
4.60/5
Mobile POS Features
4.25/5
Support, reliability, ease of use
4.45/5
User scores
4.40/5
Pros
- Free POS software and built-in payment processing
- Comes with a free mobile card reader
- Fast setup and no monthly minimums
Cons
- Limited advanced inventory features
- Accounts may be subject to holds or reviews
- Must use Square Payments
Why I chose Square
Square is the best overall mobile POS because it gives small businesses the fastest, most affordable way to start accepting in-person payments using a smartphone or tablet. It earned high marks for pricing, mobile hardware flexibility, and excellent user reviews — no other provider offers this combination of a free POS app, free card reader, and mobile-friendly hardware that works across both Android and iOS devices.
Square stands out over providers like Shopify POS and Lightspeed Retail because it has no monthly fees, no contracts, and one of the easiest onboarding processes in the market. Its all-in-one ecosystem also makes it more beginner-friendly than Clover, which requires choosing a payment processor, or Helcim, which is better for businesses focused primarily on securing the lowest processing rates.
That said, Square isn’t perfect for everyone. If you run a full-service restaurant and need deep menu, kitchen, and tableside tools, Toast is the better fit. Retailers with large inventories may prefer Lightspeed Retail, and businesses that want to keep their existing payment processor should consider Clover instead.
- Monthly POS software fee: $0-$149
- In-person transaction fee: 2.6% + 15 cents
- Mobile POS hardware:
- Square magstripe reader: Free
- Square contactless and chip reader: $59
- Square Terminal: $299 (or $27/month for 12 months)
- Square Handheld: $399 (or $37/month for 12 months)
- Chargeback fee: Waived up to $250/month
- Setup fee: $0
- Cancellation fee: $0
Square’s transparent, predictable pricing makes it an excellent fit for new businesses and mobile sellers that want to avoid contracts, deposits, or hidden fees.
Free POS plan
Square’s POS app is free to download and includes inventory tracking, invoicing, a customer directory, team permissions, reporting tools, and a free online store. Paid upgrades unlock industry-specific features for retail, restaurants, and appointment-based businesses.
Mobile hardware options
Square offers a wide range of mobile hardware, including compact card readers and portable smart terminals, so users can accept payments anywhere. Devices pair easily with smartphones and tablets, making Square one of the most flexible options for mobile selling.
Built-in payment processing
Every Square account includes Square Payments, so you can start accepting cards immediately without separate merchant account underwriting. This is one of the fastest onboarding processes in the industry.
Highly rated mobile apps
Square remains one of the highest-rated POS apps on both major app stores. Users consistently praise its ease of use, reliability, and smooth transaction flow.
Toast: Best for full-service restaurants
Overall score
4.33/5
Pricing
4.06/5
Mobile POS Hardware
4/5
Mobile POS Features
4.64/5
Support, reliability, ease of use
4.55/5
User scores
4.15/5
Pros
- Industry-specific restaurant features
- Durable, restaurant-grade mobile hardware
- $0 upfront starter kit available
Cons
- Requires Toast’s payment processing
- Long-term contract for most plans
- Not compatible with iOS or Android devices
Why I chose Toast
Toast is the best mobile POS for full-service restaurants because no other provider in this list offers the same depth of restaurant-specific tools — especially for tableside ordering, menu management, kitchen coordination, and guest engagement. It earned high marks for mobile hardware, industry features, and reliability. Its handheld POS terminals are purpose-built for restaurant environments, giving Toast a real edge over iPad-based competitors when durability and speed matter.
Toast stands out over Square and Clover for restaurants that need advanced features like coursing, kitchen display systems, seat-level ordering, menu engineering, and restaurant-grade offline modes. For full-service dining, Toast is simply more complete than general-purpose POS apps.
Still, Toast isn’t ideal for everyone. If you prefer using your own iPad or Android device, Loyverse or Square offer more flexible mobile hardware. Restaurants that want to keep their existing payment processor should consider Clover, while smaller quick-service setups may find Loyverse more cost-effective. And if you run an online-first business planning to sell in person, Shopify POS is the better fit.
- Monthly POS software: $0-$69
- In-person processing: 2.49% + 15 cents to 2.99% + 15 cents
- Mobile POS hardware:
- $0 upfront for handheld starter kit (with higher processing rates)
- ~$627+ for standard hardware setups
- Chargeback fee: $15
- Setup/installation: Custom quoted (often $0 for basic plans)
- Cancellation: No fee, but contract buyout applies
Toast’s pricing favors restaurants that want minimal upfront hardware costs, though long-term contracts and required payment processing are important considerations.
Restaurant-grade hardware
Toast’s handhelds are built for heat, spills, and heavy use. They combine ordering, payments, and printing-friendly workflows in a single mobile device.
Deep restaurant management tools
Includes menu management, kitchen display systems (KDS), table mapping, coursing, modifiers, staff management, loyalty, online ordering, and delivery integrations.
Mobile-first workflows
Servers can take orders tableside, fire items directly to the kitchen, and process payments without returning to a POS station — reducing wait times and increasing table turns.
Reliable support and training
Toast offers thorough onboarding, 24/7 support, and setup guidance tailored for restaurant operations.
Shopify POS: Best for online businesses expanding into in-person sales
Overall score
4.33/5
Pricing
4.13/5
Mobile POS Hardware
4.35/5
Mobile POS Features
4.50/5
Support, reliability, ease of use
4.30/5
User scores
4.15/5
Pros
- Leading ecommerce platform with strong omnichannel tools
- Unified online and in-person inventory
- Fast checkout with Shop Pay
Cons
- Higher transaction fees without a Shopify ecommerce plan
- Limited offline functionality
- Android POS app has lower ratings
Why I chose Shopify POS
Shopify POS is the best mobile POS for online businesses that want to expand into in-person sales because it seamlessly connects ecommerce, inventory, payments, and customer data under a single platform. It scored high in omnichannel features, ease of use, and overall scalability, making it ideal for merchants who sell both online and offline and need everything to stay synced in real time.
Shopify stands out over Square and Clover when it comes to multichannel selling, product catalog management, and order fulfillment. If your online shop is already built on Shopify, using Shopify POS gives you a smoother workflow than any other provider on this list.
However, Shopify isn’t the most cost-effective choice for merchants who only need a mobile POS and don’t plan to sell online — Square or Helcim offer lower in-person transaction costs. Businesses that handle complex retail inventory may prefer Lightspeed Retail, while restaurants needing deeper hospitality tools should consider Toast or Loyverse. And if keeping your existing processor matters, Clover offers more flexibility.
- Monthly POS software:
- $0-$89/month when bundled with a Shopify ecommerce plan
- $5/month for Shopify POS Lite without ecommerce
- In-person transaction fees:
- With ecommerce plan: 2.4%-2.6% + 10 cents
- Without ecommerce plan: 5% per transaction
- Mobile POS hardware:
- $49 for tap-and-chip reader
- $349 for Shopify POS Terminal
- Chargeback fee: $15
- Setup fee: $0
- Cancellation fee: $0
Shopify is most cost-effective when bundled with its ecommerce plans; standalone POS users will pay higher processing rates.
Omnichannel selling
Shopify keeps all online and in-person sales, customers, and inventory synced automatically. This is one of the strongest omnichannel ecosystems available.
Integrated payments
Shopify Payments is built in, providing fast setup and support for tap, chip, digital wallets, and BNPL options. Third-party processors can be used for an additional fee.
Retail-ready tools
Merchants can manage product variants, barcodes, purchase orders, stock transfers, discounts, and fulfillment workflows from one unified dashboard.
Mobile-friendly hardware
Shopify POS works on both Android and iOS devices and offers compact card readers and handheld POS terminals for mobile selling at events, markets, and pop-ups.
Highly rated customer experience
Shopify’s POS interface is intuitive and well-integrated with the full Shopify ecosystem, reducing training time and simplifying daily operations.
Clover: Best for choosing your own payment processor
Overall score
4.28/5
Pricing
4/5
Mobile POS Hardware
4.45/5
Mobile POS Features
4.25/5
Support, reliability, ease of use
4.15/5
User scores
4.65/5
Pros
- Wide range of mobile and countertop hardware
- Works with multiple payment processors
- Excellent user reviews
Cons
- Pricing varies widely among resellers
- Hardware becomes locked to your processor
- Contract terms depend on the merchant services provider
Why I chose Clover
Clover is the best mobile POS for businesses that want to keep their preferred payment processor or negotiate better processing rates. It scored high in hardware quality, compatibility, and user experience, offering one of the most flexible device ecosystems among all POS providers on this list. Clover Go works with iOS and Android smartphones, and its handheld Flex device is a powerful mobile POS terminal built for more robust workflows.
Clover stands out over Square and Shopify because it allows you to choose your own merchant services provider, which can significantly lower your long-term processing costs. Its mobile hardware is also more versatile than Toast’s proprietary devices.
However, Clover isn’t ideal for every business. If you want simple, predictable pricing with no resellers involved, Square or Helcim provides more transparent cost structures. Full-service restaurants will find better industry tools with Toast, and online-first businesses with in-person needs will get a more seamless omnichannel experience from Shopify POS. And if you want a free mobile POS for small quick-service operations, Loyverse is more cost-effective.
- Monthly POS software: $14.95-$185 (varies by plan and provider)*
- In-person transaction fees: 2.3%-2.6% + 10 cents (Fiserv rates)
- Mobile POS hardware:
- Clover Go: $199
- Clover Compact: $349 (or $16/month for 36 months)
- Clover Flex: $749 (or $40/month for 36 months)
- Clover Flex Pocket: $699 (or $35/month for 36 months)
- Chargeback fees: Depends on payment processor
- Setup fee: $0
- Cancellation fee: Depends on payment processor
*Actual pricing depends on where you purchase Clover. Third-party resellers may charge different rates and contract terms.
Flexible payment processing
Clover can be programmed to work with a variety of merchant services providers, giving businesses more options to secure competitive rates.
Versatile hardware lineup
From the Clover Go mobile reader to the handheld Flex and full countertop stations, Clover offers hardware to fit any size of business.
Advanced inventory tools
Clover provides tools for item catalog management, variants, modifiers, stock tracking, and real-time multi-channel reporting.
Strong mobile app ratings
Clover’s POS apps receive consistently high ratings on both app stores, with users praising ease of use and reliability.
Extensive app marketplace
Businesses can extend Clover’s functionality through integrations with loyalty, workforce management, accounting, and ecommerce applications.
Loyverse: Best for small, quick-service restaurants
Overall score
4.23/5
Pricing
4.50/5
Mobile POS Hardware
4.15/5
Mobile POS Features
4.07/5
Support, reliability, ease of use
4.15/5
User scores
4.65/5
Pros
- Forever-free POS software
- Built-in KDS and loyalty tools
- Works with common Android and iOS devices
Cons
- Limited support unless on paid plans
- Integrations require upgrades
- Must sign up separately with a payment processor
Why I chose Loyverse
Loyverse is the best mobile POS for small quick-service restaurants because it offers a free, easy-to-use POS app with built-in features like a kitchen display system, loyalty program, and ingredient-level inventory — tools that QSRs often have to pay extra for. It scored particularly well in pricing, mobile hardware flexibility, and user reviews, making it one of the most cost-effective restaurant POS options on the list.
Compared with Toast and Clover, Loyverse excels at affordability and simplicity. It’s ideal for small cafes, food kiosks, food trucks, and quick-service shops that want a lightweight POS they can run entirely from a phone or tablet without committing to expensive hardware or long-term contracts.
That said, Loyverse isn’t the best fit for every restaurant. Businesses that need advanced menu management, table mapping, or enterprise-grade tools should choose Toast. Retailers with larger catalog needs will be better served by Lightspeed Retail, and merchants wanting the easiest all-in-one setup may prefer Square. If transparent interchange-plus pricing matters, Helcim is the better choice.
- Monthly POS software: $0-$25
- POS app, KDS, loyalty: Free
- Advanced inventory: $25/month
- Employee management: $5/month
- In-person processing: Depends on payment processor
- Mobile POS hardware: Varies by provider
- Chargeback fee: Processor-dependent
- Setup fee: $0
- Cancellation fee: None
Because hardware and payment processing are handled separately, ongoing costs remain highly customizable.
Built-in quick-service tools
Includes kitchen display system (KDS), modifiers, combo items, loyalty management, and ingredient-level stock tracking — at no extra cost.
Flexible hardware compatibility
Works with iOS and Android smartphones or tablets, along with commonly available receipt printers, scanners, and cash drawers.
Payment processor choice
Compatible with SumUp, PayPal POS, and Worldpay, giving businesses the freedom to choose the hardware and processing rates that suit them best.
Clean, easy-to-learn interface
Loyverse is known for being intuitive and fast to use, which reduces training time for new staff.
Excellent user feedback
Loyverse maintains some of the highest mobile app ratings among all POS providers on this list.
Lightspeed Retail: Best for inventory-heavy retail businesses
Overall score
4.21/5
Pricing
3.94/5
Mobile POS Hardware
4.25/5
Mobile POS Features
4.43/5
Support, reliability, ease of use
4.15/5
User scores
3.95/5
Pros
- Advanced, multi-location retail inventory tools
- Strong analytics and reporting
- Robust integrations and ecommerce features
Cons
- Higher monthly fees than lightweight retail POS systems
- Some features require add-ons
- Limited to iPad for mobile POS
Why I chose Lightspeed Retail
Lightspeed Retail is the best mobile POS for inventory-heavy retail businesses because it offers some of the most advanced product, catalog, and stock-management tools in the market. It scored high in mobile POS features — particularly inventory, reporting, and integrations — making it ideal for retailers with complex product sets, variants, or multiple locations.
Lightspeed outperforms Square, Shopify POS, and Clover when it comes to deep retail workflows like purchase ordering, vendor management, stock transfers, serialized inventory, and advanced analytics. It’s designed for growing brick-and-mortar retailers that need more than a basic mobile POS can offer.
However, Lightspeed isn’t the lowest-cost option. Smaller sellers, pop-up shops, and casual mobile merchants will save more with Square or Helcim, while ecommerce-first retailers may get better omnichannel value from Shopify POS. Businesses wanting flexible payment processor options may also prefer Clover. And if you run a quick-service food business, Loyverse is more tailored and affordable.
- Monthly POS software: $109-$339 (depending on plan tier)*
- In-person transaction fees: Varies by Lightspeed Payments rates
- Mobile POS hardware: iPad-based; terminals and peripherals sold separately
- Chargeback fee: $15
- Setup fee: $0
- Cancellation fee: None
*Prices may increase with ecommerce add-ons, advanced analytics, or additional registers.
Lightspeed is best suited for established retailers that can benefit from its deeper feature set.
Advanced retail inventory
Lightspeed excels in variant matrices, purchase orders, supplier catalogs, stock transfers, and multi-location inventory — tools many mobile POS systems lack.
iPad-based mobile selling
Although limited to iPad for mobile POS, Lightspeed’s tablet interface is modern, intuitive, and designed for fast in-store or on-the-floor selling.
Integrated ecommerce platform
Businesses can sync inventory and customer data between in-store and online channels, ideal for omnichannel retail.
Customizable reporting and analytics
Lightspeed’s retail analytics suite is among the best available, offering detailed reports on sales, stock levels, employee performance, and customer behavior.
Strong integration ecosystem
Supports accounting, loyalty, payments, marketing apps, and vertical-specific add-ons.
Helcim: Best for low-cost interchange-plus pricing
Overall score
4.19/5
Pricing
4.75/5
Mobile POS Hardware
4.50/5
Mobile POS Features
4/5
Support, reliability, ease of use
4.20/5
User scores
3.1/5
Pros
- Interchange-plus pricing with no monthly fees
- Works with Android and iOS devices
- Free POS, invoicing, and payment tools built in
Cons
- Limited industry-specific features
- No advanced restaurant or retail modules
- Smaller integrations list than larger POS ecosystems
Why I chose Helcim
Helcim is the best mobile POS for businesses that want the lowest processing costs because it offers true interchange-plus pricing with no monthly software fees, no contracts, and no hidden markups. It scored especially high in pricing, hardware flexibility, and overall usability, making it one of the most affordable ways to accept in-person payments with a phone or tablet.
Helcim stands out over Square and Shopify POS because it avoids the typical flat-rate pricing that can get expensive for high-volume merchants. It also has a stronger all-in-one approach than PayPal POS, with free invoicing, recurring billing, and virtual terminal tools included. For mid-sized businesses with consistent sales volume, Helcim’s pricing model can lead to significant long-term savings.
However, Helcim isn’t ideal for businesses that need specialized workflows. Full-service restaurants should consider Toast, while large retail operations with complex inventory needs will be better served by Lightspeed Retail or Shopify POS. Smaller quick-service food shops may find Loyverse more feature-complete without upgrading. And if you want an all-in-one mobile POS with bundled readers and industry-specific apps, Square is still the easier choice.
- Monthly POS software: $0
- In-person transaction fees: Interchange + 0.25% + 10 cents
- Mobile POS hardware:
- Helcim Card Reader: $199
- Helcim Terminal: $349 (or $32/month for 12 months)
- Compatible with iOS and Android devices
- Chargeback fee: $15
- Setup fee: $0
- Cancellation fee: $0
Helcim’s transparent interchange-plus structure makes it especially cost-effective for higher-volume merchants.
Low-cost payment processing
Interchange-plus pricing offers lower fees than flat-rate processors, especially for businesses processing more than ~$10,000/month.
Mobile-friendly hardware
The Helcim Card Reader pairs with smartphones and tablets over Bluetooth, creating a compact, portable POS setup.
Free POS and invoicing tools
Helcim includes a free POS app, invoicing, recurring billing, customer directory, and payment links—no need to purchase add-ons.
Self-serve portals and checkout
Customers can save cards on file, view receipts, and manage subscriptions through Helcim’s built-in tools.
Reliable support
Helcim is known for responsive, friendly customer service and transparent communication.
PayPal POS: Best for freelancers and occasional in-person sellers
Overall score
4.15/5
Pricing
4.75/5
Mobile POS Hardware
4.45/5
Mobile POS Features
4.07/5
Support, reliability, ease of use
3.80/5
User scores
3.40/5
Pros
- Free POS app with built-in payment processing
- Wide range of domestic and international payment methods
- Affordable mobile card readers
Cons
- Limited industry-specific features
- App reliability ratings remain mixed
- Fewer advanced integrations
Why I chose PayPal POS
PayPal POS, formerly PayPal Zettle, is the best mobile POS for freelancers and occasional in-person sellers because it offers an easy, low-commitment way to accept payments on a phone or tablet. It earned strong scores for pricing, hardware, and payment flexibility, making it great for craft markets, pop-ups, festivals, tourist-heavy businesses, and side-gig sellers who don’t need a full POS system.
PayPal stands out over Square and Helcim when it comes to payment variety: it accepts cards, tap-to-pay, QR codes, PayPal, Venmo, BNPL, and even international cards, which is a major advantage for sellers who work in cashless environments or serve travelers. Its mobile card readers are inexpensive and quick to pair, and setup requires almost no onboarding.
Still, PayPal POS isn’t ideal for businesses that need deeper tools. If you want restaurant-specific features, Toast or Loyverse are better choices. Retailers with large inventories will find Lightspeed Retail more powerful, and merchants wanting the easiest, most complete free POS should choose Square. Businesses focused on long-term processing savings may also prefer Helcim.
- Monthly POS software: $0-$30
- In-person transaction fees: 2.29% + 9 cents
- Mobile POS hardware:
- $29-$79 for card readers
- $199-$338 for standalone POS terminals
- Chargeback fee: $20
- Setup fee: $0
- Cancellation fee: $0
Pricing is simple and transparent, making PayPal POS accessible for low-volume or seasonal sellers.
Accept payments your way
Supports credit cards, contactless payments, QR codes, digital wallets, PayPal, Venmo, and Buy Now, Pay Later — more options than most mobile POS systems.
Portable mobile hardware
PayPal’s compact readers and terminals are easy to carry and pair with smartphones or tablets, making them ideal for mobile and event-based selling.
Easy onboarding
Sellers can sign up and start taking payments the same day without underwriting requirements or long-term contracts.
Basic POS tools
Includes inventory tracking, customer profiles, employee permissions, barcode scanning, and simple reporting, sufficient for small setups.
Ecommerce integrations
Connects with platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, and BigCommerce.
Benefits of mobile POS
Selling on the go
Not all businesses are online or tied to a brick-and-mortar shop. Some are freelancers, occasional sellers, and ecommerce merchants selling in-person to introduce their products who require a more portable/mobile POS system to reach more customers.
Faster checkouts for in-store customers
Brick-and-mortar shops can add a mobile POS as an extension of their checkout counters. This helps reduce customer wait times by accepting orders and payments tableside (for restaurants), curbside (for pickups), and anywhere around the store (for retailers).
Save with in-person transaction fees
In-person transaction fees are less expensive than when selling online or taking payments over the phone. With a mobile POS system, users who sell remotely can accept payments in person and enjoy cheaper transaction fees.
Added security on mobile smart devices.
Aside from your POS software and payment processor’s built-in security features, customers who pay with their smartphones are protected by additional biometric tools such as fingerprint and facial recognition.
Learn more:What is a POS system?
How to choose the best mobile POS system
The best mobile POS system depends on where and how you sell. Before choosing a provider, consider your sales environment, device needs, payment preferences, and plans for growth.
Start by asking these questions:
Where will you use the POS?
If you sell at events, markets, or pop-ups, prioritize easy setup, reliable card readers, and offline payment options. If you run a restaurant, look for handheld ordering, tableside payments, kitchen display system compatibility, and tip management. Retailers should focus more on barcode scanning, inventory tracking, and customer profiles.
What devices and hardware do you need?
Some mobile POS systems run on iOS or Android smartphones and tablets, while others require proprietary handhelds or terminals. Consider whether you want to use existing devices or invest in dedicated hardware.
How much will payment processing cost over time?
A free POS app can still become expensive if transaction fees are high. Compare processing rates, monthly software fees, hardware costs, and any add-on charges for features like loyalty, advanced reporting, or ecommerce syncing.
Does the system support your growth plans?
Choose a mobile POS that can expand with your business, whether that means adding registers, locations, staff permissions, inventory tools, online ordering, accounting integrations, or customer loyalty features.
Related articles:
Which mobile POS should you choose?
For most small businesses and new sellers, Square is the best all-around mobile POS because it offers a free POS app, simple setup, and reliable mobile hardware. Toast is a better fit for restaurants that need tableside ordering, handheld payments, and kitchen coordination.
Shopify POS is best for ecommerce businesses expanding into in-person sales, while Clover is a strong option for businesses that want more payment processor flexibility. Loyverse works well for small quick-service restaurants that need free POS tools with built-in KDS and loyalty features.
For retailers with large or complex inventories, Lightspeed Retail offers stronger stock, supplier, and multi-location tools. Helcim is best for businesses focused on minimizing processing costs, while PayPal POS is ideal for freelancers, pop-up sellers, and seasonal merchants that need simple mobile payments with PayPal, Venmo, and QR code support.
Learn more:How to use a POS system
Frequently asked questions
Yes, a mobile POS software can work well on a smartphone, although you may also want to consider using a device such as an iPad or tablet for a larger screen if you need to view product images and reports.
All POS systems will charge one form of fee or another, but you can minimize these costs by working with providers like Square that offer a great free POS software plan and a free magstripe card reader. If your concern is about transaction fees, consider signing up for a payment processor that offers free credit card processing.
Toast is my best recommendation for full-service restaurants. Loyverse is a great alternative if you run a small quick-service restaurant. Both offer a free plan and a range of countertops and mobile POS setups.
A traditional POS system often refers to a countertop setup in brick-and-mortar shops with options to expand by adding stand-alone POS terminals for mobility. A mobile POS is designed to use the software from a smartphone, iPad, or tablet. The software is often free but can be upgraded with more advanced software features and hardware options.
