CompareFairlyBest Point of Sale (POS) Systems for Small Businesses 2026
Our pick : Lightspeed POS (87/100) · Cheapest : Clover POS · Best value : SkyTab POS System
In short
This comparison of 13 point-of-sale systems across 12 criteria, including monthly pricing, payment processing fees, core features, reporting and analytics, inventory management, and scalability, places Lightspeed POS first with a score of 87/100, largely due to its perfect scores in customer support and core features, while Revel Systems ranks second at 84/100, excelling in payment processing fees, and Clover POS emerges as the most affordable option. The facts in this summary are computed from the table below; only the wording is generated.
Comparison table
| Criterion | Lightspeed POS | Revel Systems | SkyTab POS System | Shift4 Dine | Toast POS | TouchBistro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Pricing (USD) | 69 | 99 | 29.99 | 29.99 | 79 | 69 |
| Payment Processing Fees (%) | 2.6 | 2.5 | — | — | 2.49 | 2.5 |
| Core Features | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced |
| Reporting & Analytics | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced |
| Inventory Management | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Standard |
| Scalability | High | High | High | High | High | High |
| Mobile Access | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Customer Management (CRM) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third-Party Integrations | Extensive | Extensive | Extensive | Extensive | Many | Many |
| Customer Support | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Ease of Use | Moderate | Moderate | Easy | Easy | Moderate | Easy |
| Hardware Compatibility | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best POS systems for small businesses in 2026?
Lightspeed POS is highly rated at 87/100, with Revel Systems also being a strong contender. Our rankings are based on objective criteria like pricing, features, and user reviews.
How do Lightspeed POS and Revel Systems compare for small businesses?
Lightspeed POS excels in overall scoring, while Revel Systems is also a top choice. We compare them across monthly pricing, payment processing fees, core features, reporting, inventory management, and scalability.
What factors should I consider when choosing a POS system for my small business?
Key factors include monthly pricing, payment processing fees, essential features, reporting capabilities, inventory management tools, and the system's scalability as your business grows.
Is your POS system ranking influenced by paid placements?
No, our rankings are completely neutral and unbiased. We do not accept payment for placement, and all data used for comparison is sourced and verifiable.
Methodology and transparency
Ranking: options are sorted on measured, sourced criteria. No position is ever sold, and no advertiser pays to appear here.
Scope: this comparison is not exhaustive. It presents the options our sources document, not every offer on the market.
Earnings: some outbound links may be affiliate links that earn us a commission. This never affects the ranking, the scores or the data.
Data: every value is linked to its source and refreshed automatically; the collection date is shown.