The Best POS Systems for Restaurants in 2025
Get the low-down on Flyght, Toast, Aloha, SpotOn, and Micros in this comprehensive vendor comparison.
We conducted extensive research on every POS company we could find. We figured out what they offered, talked to their support, and we may have even made up some email aliases to get the info we needed from their sales teams.
With so many POS options out there, we’ve done the legwork for you, breaking down all the top providers and highlighting what actually matters: features, integrations, support and more!
What You'll Find Inside
So you’re trying to choose a point-of-sale system. Here at Flyght, we’re experts on this kind of stuff. We were born and raised in the technology space, and while we certainly know a thing or twelve about restaurants, we did our homework by talking to restaurant owners and POS vendors across the country. Then, we broke it down into the Top 5 POS vendors. Here's what's inside the report:
The difference between cloud and traditional POS vendors.
A comparison of hardware, software, features and support
A comparison of technology offerings and services
A look into common POS features and integrations
Real feedback from restaurant owners like you!
The Most Common POS Problems
We asked owners and their staff what they liked and didn’t like about their current systems. We also asked them what it would take to make the elusive “perfect point-of-sale system.” And we, of course, had to try all of their food in the process—for quality control, or something like that. The results were a little shocking (the food was great, though.) They told us—sometimes at incredible length—about all of their pain points. Here is what we discovered:
Outages During Peak Service Hours
Nothing kills a dinner rush faster than a POS system crashing mid-service. Owners told us horror stories of lost orders, angry customers, and frantic staff trying to scribble tickets on napkins.
Poor Customer Support
When something goes wrong, waiting hours (or even days) for a solution is not an option. Many users reported slow, unhelpful, or even non-existent support when they needed it most.
Limited Customization
Every restaurant operates differently, yet many POS systems force a one-size-fits-all approach. Owners expressed frustration with rigid settings that don’t adapt to their unique workflows.
Lack of Training
New hires shouldn’t need a tech degree to take orders. Many systems lack proper onboarding tools, leaving staff to figure things out through trial and error—at the customer’s expense.
The Key Ingredients of a Great POS System
After analyzing restaurant feedback, we identified the most crucial factors in choosing the right POS. Here’s what matters:
Seamless Payments
A POS should never get in the way of collecting revenue. Operators need secure, flexible payment processing that works with minimal downtime, ensuring customers can pay however they prefer—cash, card, contactless, or mobile.
Customization & Features
No two restaurants are alike, and neither should their POS be. Whether it’s custom menu configurations, online ordering support, or reservation management, adaptability is key to keeping operations smooth.
Fast & Dependable Support
When things go sideways, help should be a phone call away. A great POS provider understands the urgency of restaurant operations and offers real-time support when it's needed most (which is to say, after hours for most POS providers).
Take Your Restaurant Higher
Think Flyght might be a good match? There’s only one way to find out! Get a free technology audit and a demo of our solutions. Let’s see how we can improve your restaurant’s profitability—no pressure, no gimmicks
