This text is for those who want to figure out whether there’s a significant difference between a POS and a mobile POS (there is), whether they need the latter, and if so, which one. Plus, there will be some gossip about certain companies. Keep reading – things are about to get interesting.
First thing first.
A mobile POS (mPOS) is basically a POS system packed into a device the size of a smartphone. Handy? Yes. But here’s the thing – mPOS systems don’t always have the full range of features that a traditional POS offers. They’re built for speed and simplicity, making order-taking a breeze. That said, for businesses that move around a lot, have limited space, or thrive on direct customer interactions, an mPOS can be a solid choice.
Think food trucks, small cafés, takeout spots, or fast-food joints.
Many see mobile POS as the "little brother" of desktop POS. But the numbers it pulls are anything but small … Transaction value in the mobile POS payments market is projected to reach US$12.56tn this year, and the number of users is expected to amount to 3.55bn users by 2029.
We’ll dish the dirt on specific companies soon, but for now, here’s a list of things to consider when choosing a mobile POS:
Mobility: No contest – mPOS wins
You can walk around, take orders at the table, or ring up sales at an event – all with just a phone or tablet in hand. A desktop POS? Stuck at the counter.
Cost: Another win for mPOS
No need for expensive hardware or big upfront costs. Most mPOS systems run on a subscription model, so you pay as you grow. A desktop POS usually requires a bigger investment right away, which isn’t ideal for small or seasonal businesses.
Features: It’s a tie
Both options cover the basics – sales tracking, inventory management, and customer data.
But if you need advanced features like loyalty programs or employee time tracking, some mPOS systems might not have them.
Security: Desktop POS takes this one
Dedicated hardware and wired connections make it more secure. That said, cloud-based mPOS systems are catching up with encryption and secure payments.
Flexibility: Another point for mPOS.
Need to take payments outside? Run a food truck? Manage orders on the go? mPOS lets to work anywhere. Desktop POS is great, but it works better if your business stays in one place.
Usability: Depends on what you prefer
mPOS is built for mobile use, while desktop POS gives you a bigger screen and a physical keyboard. It’s really about what feels right for you.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If mobility and flexibility matter, mPOS is the way to go.
If security and advanced features are your priority, a desktop POS might be the better choice. It all depends on your business needs.
Since we’re talking about mobile POS, let’s keep going.
By the way, some companies produce only mobile POS systems, while many offer both desktop and mobile solutions. Today, we’re talking about the latter. So if you see "POS" in the examples below instead of "Mobile POS," just know it applies to both.
1. Offline Mode – The System Should Work Without the Internet
Sounds pretty obvious, but yet important to be reminded of.
If your POS system stops functioning the second Wi-Fi goes down, you're in trouble.
Like those guys last year …
TouchBistro might be a solution here, as they promise a strong offline mode, allowing restaurants to continue processing orders even when the connection drops.
2. User-Friendly Interface – Your Staff Shouldn’t Struggle to Use It
If it takes forever to train new employees or even experienced staff find it confusing, it slows down operations.
Look for an intuitive UI, minimal button clicks to complete an order, and fast training time.
3. Compatibility with Different Devices (iOS & Android Support)
Some POS systems force you to use only iPads (iOS) or Android devices, which means extra hardware costs if your business already runs on another system..
4. Quick & Secure Payment Processing
A slow or insecure payment system annoys customers and increases fraud risks.
You need a mPOS that accepts EMV chip cards, NFC/contactless payments (like Apple Pay), and mobile wallets.
5. Employee Management & Access Control
Not every staff member should have full access to sales data or refunds.
Look for a system that allows you to set different permission levels (e.g., cashiers vs. managers).
6. Seamless Integration with Other Business Tools
If your POS system doesn’t integrate with your accounting software, online ordering, or CRM, you’ll waste hours on manual work.
Choose POS systems that sync with QuickBooks, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and online ordering platforms.
7. Robust Reporting & Analytics
You need to know what’s selling, what’s not, your busiest hours, and how staff is performing.
A POS should provide real-time sales reports, profit margins, and custom analytics.
8. Reliable Customer Support
If your POS breaks down on a busy night, you need help immediately – not after a 3-day email response delay.Look for 24/7 customer support via phone and live chat, but remember there is almost never a 24/7 support.
But also this …
The two screenshots show pretty well that there’s no such thing as a perfect POS system, so chasing one probably isn’t worth it. What you should do is save this article to go through essential features when needed. Oh, and maybe be extra careful with the POS system mentioned below (the post was five times longer – we decided to go easy on them).
Square
Pros:
✅ Free POS software and built-in merchant account
✅ Comes with a free mobile card reader
✅ Quick and easy setup
Cons:
❌ Limited options for advanced inventory management
❌ Potential account stability issues
❌ Locked into Square’s own payment processing
Why we choose Square
Square is a complete POS system designed for retail, restaurants, and service-based businesses. It provides a free POS app compatible with iOS and Android, as well as its own handheld smart terminals. Small businesses and startups often choose Square because it’s easy to set up and offers a free plan that lets users start accepting payments within hours.
We picked Square as our top mobile POS choice because it’s budget-friendly, simple to use, and offers flexible scaling options. The fact that every Square account includes a free POS plan and a complimentary mobile card reader makes it a great option for new and small businesses looking to get started with minimal costs. Compared to other providers, Square offers the best value in a free all-in-one POS solution.
Worth noting: Square requires you to use its built-in payment processor, Square Payments. If you already have a preferred payment provider and want to keep it, you might want to look at Clover instead.
Clover
Pros:
✅ Affordable software plans
✅ Option to purchase hardware in installments
✅ Can process payments offline
Cons:
❌ Limited control over third-party resellers
❌ Hardware is tied to a specific merchant account
❌ Contract length depends on the payment processor
Why We Chose Clover
Clover is a POS software and hardware provider owned by Fiserv. Like Square, it offers a variety of hardware options, including a mobile card reader that works with smartphones running Clover’s mobile POS software.
What sets Clover apart is its compatibility with multiple payment service providers, which is why we included it in this guide. Businesses that want to upgrade their POS hardware without switching their current payment processor will find Clover to be the best choice.
As businesses grow, they often need to upgrade their POS systems to handle increased sales and more complex inventory management. Clover’s software and hardware make that transition smoother while allowing businesses to keep their existing payment processor’s discounted rates and fees.
That said, it's worth noting that Clover’s third-party resellers set their own pricing, and Clover itself has little oversight over this. While this flexibility can be beneficial, we’d recommend Clover primarily for businesses that already have a preferred payment processor or understand how merchant accounts work to ensure they get the best rates.
Loyverse: Best for Small Quick-Service Restaurants
Pros:
✅ Forever-free POS software
✅ Flexible hardware and payment processing options
✅ Highly-rated POS software
Cons:
❌ Integration capabilities available for a fee
❌ Live support only included in paid plans
❌ Requires a separate sign-up with a payment processor
Why We Chose Loyverse
Loyverse is a mobile POS system designed for restaurants and food-based retailers. It works with Worldpay, SumUp, and Zettle, giving users the same level of flexibility in hardware and payment processing as Clover. While it doesn’t have as many advanced features as some competitors, its basic POS software is completely free and even includes a built-in kitchen display system – perfect for small quick-service restaurants. Businesses can also upgrade to advanced inventory management, employee tracking, and integrations for an additional fee.
Loyverse made our list because of its affordability and the consistently high ratings from real users. We appreciate how scalable it is, allowing businesses to start with a free plan and only pay for extra features when they actually need them. Not every restaurant requires the full feature set of systems like Toast, and small establishments shouldn’t have to pay for tools they won’t use. Loyverse gives small and new restaurants (as well as food retailers) the option to begin with free industry-specific POS software and upgrade inventory management tools for a small monthly cost.
However, while Loyverse provides flexibility in hardware and payment processing, it lacks comprehensive built-in support. Unlike Square, it’s not a one-stop-shop solution. Although Loyverse does recommend partners on its website, businesses will need to sign up for a merchant account and purchase hardware separately.
The KitchenHub blog features other articles on POS, virtual kitchens, delivery platforms, and more—useful for resellers, restaurant owners, staff, and beyond.
