Short answer
A cloud POS stores data online and runs on ordinary devices, with automatic updates and remote access. A legacy POS runs on a local server with licensed software and on-site support. Cloud is cheaper upfront, easier to maintain and better connected; legacy keeps working without internet. A cloud POS with real offline mode gives you the benefits of both.
Side by side
| Cloud POS | Legacy (on-premise) POS | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low; often hardware you already own | High; server, licences, installation |
| Ongoing cost | Monthly subscription | Support contract and paid upgrades |
| Updates | Automatic | Manual, often paid, sometimes years apart |
| Remote access | From any phone or laptop | Limited, or needs extra setup |
| Internet outage | Depends: from "stops" to "fully offline" | Unaffected (but no online orders either) |
| Server failure | Not your problem | Can take the whole POS down |
| Backups | Automatic | Your responsibility |
| Integrations | Usually open APIs and app connections | Limited, often costly |
| Multi-site | Built in | Usually separate installs |
| Hardware | Wide choice | Specific models |
Why restaurants are moving to cloud
Visibility. Owners want to check sales from home or another site without driving in. Online channels. Online ordering, QR codes and delivery apps need a POS that's connected. Maintenance. Nobody misses the back-office server that crashes on a Saturday. Cost. A cloud POS can start on a tablet you already own.
The offline question
The fair criticism of cloud POS has always been, "What happens when the internet goes down?" With some systems the honest answer is: you stop, or you take cash only.
That's why offline mode should be top of your checklist. In EvronDesk, each device saves orders and payments locally, keeps working for up to seven days, and syncs in the right order when the connection returns, with duplicates detected automatically. See offline mode.
Old, used and leased POS systems
You'll find used POS terminals and complete systems for sale cheaply. Before buying, check:
- Is the software still supported? Many older systems are end-of-life, with no security updates.
- Does the licence transfer? Software licences are often tied to the original owner.
- Is the hardware locked? Many terminals only run one brand of software.
- What will support cost? Finding a technician for an old system can be hard and expensive.
Leasing spreads the cost of hardware but usually costs far more over the term than buying, and the lease can outlast your interest in the system. If the POS runs on standard tablets, buying them outright is almost always cheaper.
When legacy still makes sense
- A very large venue with in-house IT and heavy customisation
- A location with no realistic internet at all
- A system that's working, fully supported, and paid for, where the switching cost outweighs the gain this year
When it's time to switch
- Your provider has announced end-of-life, or updates have stopped
- You can't add online ordering or delivery apps without a second system
- You can't see your sales remotely
- Your server or terminals are failing and replacements are scarce
- Your support contract costs more than a cloud subscription
Our guide to switching POS systems shows how to move without disrupting service.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cloud POS better than a traditional POS?
For most restaurants, yes: lower upfront cost, automatic updates, remote access to sales, easier integrations and no back-office server to maintain. The one historic weakness, internet dependence, is solved by cloud systems with proper offline mode.
What happens to a cloud POS when the internet goes down?
It depends on the system. Some stop working or only take cash. Others, like EvronDesk, keep taking orders and payments on each device and sync automatically when the connection returns.
Is it worth buying a used POS system?
Rarely. Used terminals are often tied to software that's no longer supported, licences may not transfer, and security updates may have stopped. A cloud POS on a new or used tablet is usually cheaper and safer.