Top 5 POS Systems for Restaurants (2026)
We compared the 5 most popular restaurant POS systems available in the UK. Here's how they stack up on features, pricing, and suitability for different types of restaurants.
The top 5 POS systems for restaurants in the UK (2026):
- Posso One — Best overall for restaurants & takeaways (from £499)
- Square for Restaurants — Best free option for small cafes
- Lightspeed Restaurant — Best for fine dining & analytics
- Zettle by PayPal — Best for pop-ups & market stalls
- TouchBistro — Best iPad-based system (US-focused)
Posso One
Best for: Restaurants, takeaways, and multi-site operations
Hardware From
£499 + VAT
Monthly Software
Included with hardware
Pros
- Built-in pizza builder, KDS, kiosk mode, and online ordering
- Works offline — take orders without internet
- Just Eat, Uber Eats, and Deliveroo integration
- Caller ID for phone orders with customer history
- 5 languages, delivery zone management, driver app
- Free setup, training, and UK-based support
Cons
- Smaller brand compared to Square or Lightspeed
- Currently UK-only
Verdict: The most feature-rich option for UK restaurants and takeaways. Ideal if you need kiosks, online ordering, delivery integration, and a pizza builder — all in one system with no monthly software fees.
Square for Restaurants
Best for: Small cafes and single-location restaurants
Hardware From
£0 (iPad required)
Monthly Software
Free plan / £69/mo Plus
Pros
- Free basic plan with no monthly fees
- Easy to set up — runs on iPad
- Built-in payment processing
- Good reporting and analytics
Cons
- Limited takeaway/delivery features on free plan
- No built-in kitchen display on free plan
- Transaction fees higher than dedicated providers
- No offline ordering capability
Verdict: A solid choice for small cafes that want a free starting point. However, growing restaurants will quickly hit feature limits and need to upgrade to the paid plan.
Lightspeed Restaurant
Best for: Fine dining and full-service restaurants
Hardware From
£59/month
Monthly Software
£59–£289/month
Pros
- Excellent table management and floor plan
- Advanced reporting and inventory
- Multi-location support
- Good integration ecosystem
Cons
- Most expensive monthly fees
- Complex setup — steep learning curve
- Hardware purchased separately
- No built-in self-order kiosks
Verdict: Best for upmarket restaurants that need deep analytics and inventory management. The monthly cost is high, making it less suitable for takeaways or small operations.
Zettle by PayPal
Best for: Pop-ups, market stalls, and micro-businesses
Hardware From
£29 (card reader)
Monthly Software
Free
Pros
- Cheapest entry point — card reader from £29
- No monthly fees
- PayPal integration
- Simple and intuitive
Cons
- Very basic — no KDS, no kiosks, no delivery
- No table management or floor plan
- Limited menu management
- Not suitable for busy restaurants
Verdict: Perfect for market stalls and pop-ups that just need to take card payments. Not a real restaurant POS — it lacks kitchen display, table management, and delivery features.
TouchBistro
Best for: iPad-based restaurants in North America
Hardware From
£55/month
Monthly Software
£55–£399/month
Pros
- Purpose-built for restaurants
- Good table management
- Staff scheduling built in
- Offline mode on iPad
Cons
- Limited UK support — primarily North American
- iPad-only — no Windows or kiosk support
- Add-on pricing for online ordering, reservations
- No self-order kiosk option
Verdict: A capable restaurant POS but primarily designed for the North American market. UK restaurants may find better local support and features with UK-based providers.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Posso | Square | Lightspeed | Zettle | TouchBistro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Order Kiosks | |||||
| Kitchen Display System | |||||
| Online Ordering Website | |||||
| Offline Operation | |||||
| Just Eat / Uber Eats / Deliveroo | |||||
| Caller ID Integration | |||||
| Pizza Builder | |||||
| Delivery Driver App | |||||
| Split-Sided Customisation | |||||
| Multi-Language (5 Languages) | |||||
| Free Setup & Training | |||||
| UK-Based Support |
Restaurant POS — FAQs
What is the best POS system for a small restaurant?
For small UK restaurants, Posso One offers the best value — you get a full POS with KDS, online ordering, and card payments from £499 + VAT with no monthly software fees. Square is a good free alternative but lacks features like kitchen display and delivery integration on the free plan.
What POS system do most restaurants use?
In the UK, the most common restaurant POS systems are Square, Lightspeed, Posso, and Zettle. Takeaways and fast food outlets tend to prefer systems with delivery integration (Posso, Square), while fine dining restaurants often choose Lightspeed for its advanced table management.
How much should I pay for a restaurant POS?
A professional restaurant POS in the UK costs from £499 to £4,500+ depending on your setup. A basic single-till costs around £499–£799. A full package with kiosks, KDS, printers, and online ordering is typically £3,000–£4,500. Finance is available from £24.92/week.
Do I need a self-order kiosk for my restaurant?
Kiosks are optional but highly recommended for fast food, takeaways, and casual dining. They increase average order value by 20–30% through smart upselling and reduce queue times. Most restaurants see ROI within 3–6 months.
Can I switch POS systems mid-contract?
Yes, though you should check your current provider for early termination fees. Posso offers free menu import and setup when switching — we can have you live on the new system within 24 hours while minimising disruption.
What features should I look for in a restaurant POS?
Essential features: touchscreen ordering, integrated card payments, kitchen display, receipt printing, and reporting. Valuable extras: online ordering, self-order kiosks, delivery platform integration (Just Eat, Uber Eats, Deliveroo), table management, and offline operation.
Get Your Free ePOS Demo Today
See how Posso can transform your restaurant or venue. Book a free, no-obligation consultation with our team and get a personalised demo of our ePOS systems, self-order kiosks, and more.
Free call — available Monday to Friday, 9am–5:30pm. Or email us anytime at info@posso.co.uk