Short answer
The main types of restaurant POS systems are: cloud-based POS, legacy on-premise POS, tablet POS, mobile and handheld POS (mPOS), all-in-one proprietary terminals, self-service kiosks and open-source POS. Most restaurants now use a cloud POS that runs on tablets and handhelds, with kiosks or QR ordering added where they help.
1. Cloud-based POS
What it is. Software that runs in a browser or app on ordinary devices and stores your data online. Updates arrive automatically, and you can check sales from your phone.
Good for: almost every restaurant type, from cafés to groups. Watch for: what happens when the internet drops. A good cloud POS keeps working offline and syncs later. A poor one stops.
Examples include EvronDesk, Toast, Square for Restaurants, Lightspeed Restaurant and TouchBistro (which mixes local and cloud).
2. Legacy (on-premise) POS
What it is. The traditional setup: a server in the back office, software licensed per terminal, installed and maintained by a local reseller. Data stays on the server.
Good for: very large venues with in-house IT, or places with no reliable internet at all. Watch for: high upfront costs, paid upgrades, reliance on one technician, and no remote access without extra work. Many of these systems are now being retired by their makers. See cloud vs legacy POS.
3. Tablet POS
What it is. A POS app on an iPad or Android tablet, usually on a stand at the counter. Most tablet POS systems are cloud-based.
Good for: cafés, small restaurants, bars and food trucks that want low hardware costs. Watch for: iPad-only systems lock you into Apple hardware; systems that run in any browser give you more choice.
4. Mobile and handheld POS (mPOS)
What it is. The POS on a phone or small tablet that servers carry. Orders go to the kitchen from the table, and payment can happen there too.
Good for: full-service restaurants, beer gardens, terraces, stadiums and events. Watch for: Wi-Fi coverage in every corner where servers work, and battery life over a long shift. More in our handheld POS page.
5. All-in-one proprietary terminals
What it is. A POS company's own branded hardware, often with a built-in card reader and printer, that only runs their software.
Good for: owners who want one supplier for everything and are happy to use that supplier's payment processing. Watch for: you usually can't reuse the hardware with another POS, and processing rates are often fixed by the provider. Leases and multi-year contracts are common.
6. Self-service kiosks and QR ordering
What it is. Screens or guests' own phones used to place orders without a staff member. Kiosks sit at the counter; QR codes sit on tables.
Good for: quick service, food courts, cafés, bars and stadiums. Watch for: these are usually an add-on to a main POS, not a POS by themselves. Make sure their orders flow into the same kitchen queue.
7. Open-source POS
What it is. POS software whose code is free to use and modify, such as general-purpose systems with restaurant add-ons.
Good for: restaurants with a developer on hand who wants full control. Watch for: hosting, security, updates, kitchen display, delivery-app connections and support are all yours to sort out. The software is free; running it isn't. See free and open-source restaurant POS.
Comparing the types
| Type | Upfront cost | Monthly cost | Works offline | Remote access | Hardware choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud | Low | Subscription | Depends on system | Yes | Wide |
| Legacy on-premise | High | Support fees | Yes | Limited | Narrow |
| Tablet | Low | Subscription | Depends on system | Yes | Medium to wide |
| Handheld / mPOS | Low | Subscription | Depends on system | Yes | Wide |
| Proprietary terminal | Medium to high | Subscription plus processing | Usually | Yes | Narrow |
| Kiosk / QR | Low to medium | Usually included or add-on | Rarely | Yes | Medium |
| Open source | Low | Hosting and your time | Depends | Depends | Wide |
Which type should you choose?
Start from how your restaurant serves, not from the hardware:
- Counter service (café, QSR, food truck): a cloud tablet POS with a kitchen display, plus kiosks or QR ordering if queues are long.
- Table service: a cloud POS with handhelds, coursing, a floor plan and a kitchen display.
- Bars: a cloud tablet POS with tabs and fast repeat rounds, on durable stands.
- Delivery-heavy: a cloud POS that brings every delivery app into one kitchen queue.
- Groups and chains: a cloud POS with multi-location reporting and an open API.
EvronDesk is a cloud POS that runs as a tablet, handheld, desktop, kiosk and kitchen display system at once, so you don't have to pick just one type. Our guide to choosing a restaurant POS has a full checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of POS systems for restaurants?
The main types are cloud-based POS, legacy (on-premise) POS, tablet POS, mobile and handheld POS, all-in-one proprietary terminals, self-service kiosks and open-source POS. Many modern systems combine several, for example a cloud POS that runs on tablets, handhelds and kiosks.
Which type of POS is best for a restaurant?
For most restaurants today, a cloud-based POS that runs on tablets and handhelds and works offline gives the best mix of cost, flexibility and reliability. Large chains with complex needs sometimes still run legacy or hybrid systems.
What is the difference between a POS and an mPOS?
An mPOS (mobile point of sale) runs on a phone or small tablet rather than a fixed terminal. In restaurants, mPOS usually means handhelds used for tableside ordering and payment.