Mobile point-of-sale (POS) systems are a better fit for businesses that require selling and accepting payments on the go and brick-and-mortar businesses looking for a more flexible POS setup. These systems use handheld hardware and often come with POS software that is compatible with smart devices. However, as there is never a one-size-fits-all solution, business owners considering a mobile POS should look into compatibility, cost-effectiveness, and scalability before signing up.
Top Mobile POS systems
Based on our evaluation, the following mobile POS systems offer the best solutions for a variety of business needs:
- Square: Best for small businesses and startups
- Toast: Best for full-service restaurants
- Shopify: Best for online businesses expanding into in-person sales
- Clover: Best if you have a preferred payment processor
- PayPal Zettle: Best for freelancers and occasional sales
- Loyverse: Best for small, quick-service restaurants
| Company | Square | Toast | Shopify | Clover | PayPal Zettle | Loyverse |
| Monthly POS Fee | $0–$89 | $0–$165 | $0 or $89 | $14.95–$185* | $0–$30 | $0–$25 |
| Mobile Hardware Cost | From $0 | From $0 | From $49 | From $49 | From $29 | Third party |
| Mobile POS Software | Android, iOS | Proprietary | Android, iOS | Android, iOS | Android, iOS | Android, iOS |
| Mobile Hardware Type | Android, iOS, Proprietary | Proprietary | Android, iOS | Android, iOS, Proprietary | Android, iOS | Android, iOS |
| Learn More | Visit Square | Visit Toast | Visit Shopify | Visit Clover | Visit PayPal Zettle | Visit Loyverse |
*Based on Fiserv rates
Overall Reviewer Score
4.27/5
Pricing
4.69/5
Mobile POS Hardware
4.25/5
Mobile POS Software Features
3.75/5
Support & Reliability
3.13/5
Ease of Use
5/5
Average User Review Scores
4.8/5
Pros
- Free POS software and merchant account
- Comes with a free mobile card reader
- Easy sign-up and setup
Cons
- Expensive payment processing for large-volume business
- Account instability
- Must use Square’s built-in payment processing
Why I picked Square
Square is our overall top choice for mobile POS systems because of its affordability, ease of use, and scalable features. As an all-in-one system, each Square account comes with a free POS plan plus a free mobile card reader that makes it easy for new and small businesses on a budget to start selling and accepting payments.
Overall Reviewer Score
4.12/5
Pricing
3.75/5
Mobile POS Hardware
3.75/5
Mobile POS Software Features
4.25/5
Support & Reliability
5/5
Ease of Use
3.75/5
Average User Review Scores
4.2/5
Pros
- Industry-specific POS features
- Industry-grade proprietary hardware
- Offers starter kit for $0 upfront cost
Cons
- Starter POS software only ideal for single-location restaurants
- Must use Toast’s built-in payment processor
- Standard 2-year long-term contract
Why I picked Toast
We chose Toast as our most recommended mobile POS for full-service restaurants because of its available features. The handheld POS terminal can be used independently, so larger establishments that offer catering for special events or run high-volume food trucks can make use of Toast’s advanced restaurant management tools.
Overall Reviewer Score
4.08/5
Pricing
3.75/5
Mobile POS Hardware
4/5
Mobile POS Software Features
4/5
Support & Reliability
4.38/5
Ease of Use
4.58/5
Average User Review Scores
3.75/5
Pros
- Leading ecommerce platform
- Omnichannel features
- Accelerated checkout option (Shop Pay)
Cons
- Charges commission for third-party payment processor
- Limited offline capabilities
- Poor rating for Android POS software
Why I picked Shopify POS
Shopify is an outstanding omnichannel POS and ecommerce platform with strong inventory, order fulfillment, and payment processing capabilities. Shopify’s free and paid POS options give users the flexibility to choose depending on the level of their in-person selling needs, making its mobile POS service a great choice for expanding businesses’ customer bases with in-person sales.
Overall Reviewer Score
4.02/5
Pricing
3.44/5
Mobile POS Hardware
4.25/5
Mobile POS Software Features
4/5
Support & Reliability
4.38/5
Ease of Use
3.33/5
Average User Review Scores
4.7/5
Pros
- Affordable software plans
- Option to purchase hardware in installments
- Can process payments offline
Cons
- Little oversight over third-party resellers
- Hardware tied to merchant account
- Contract length depends on payment processor
Why I picked Clover
Existing businesses will eventually need to upgrade their POS software and hardware to keep up with its growing activities. Clover’s POS software and hardware make it possible for businesses to handle larger sales volumes and more complex inventories while keeping its preferred payment processor’s discounted rates and fees.
Overall Reviewer Score
3.9/5
Pricing
4.38/5
Mobile POS Hardware
4.5/5
Mobile POS Software Features
3.75/5
Support & Reliability
3.13/5
Ease of Use
4.58/5
Average User Review Scores
3.05/5
Pros
- Free POS software and merchant account
- Offers one of the lowest flat-rate transaction fees
- First mobile card reader available at a discount
Cons
- Lacks industry-specific POS features
- Limited integrations and upgrades
- Low user review ratings
Why I picked PayPal Zettle
While it lacks industry-specific POS features, there are currently around 400 million consumers with a personal PayPal account. Freelancers and those that only sell occasionally such as to tourists, at farmers markets, and at art and craft shows can use PayPal Zettle to provide customers the option to pay for their in-person purchases using their PayPal wallets.
Overall Reviewer Score
3.89/5
Pricing
4.38/5
Mobile POS Hardware
4.25/5
Mobile POS Software Features
3.5/5
Support & Reliability
3.13/5
Ease of Use
3.33/5
Average User Review Scores
4.75/5
Pros
- Forever-free POS software
- Flexible hardware and payment processing options
- Highly-rated POS software
Cons
- Integration capabilities for a fee
- Live support only for paid plans
- Separate sign-up with payment processor
Why I picked Loyverse
Some restaurants may not require the robust features of Toast and should not have to pay for tools that small establishments do not need. With Loyverse, small and new restaurants (and even food retailers) can start with a free industry-specific POS software with an option to upgrade its inventory tools for a small monthly fee.
Benefits of mobile POS
Of the many POS system types, the mobile POS offers flexibility to both online and brick-and-mortar businesses.
Selling on the go
Not all businesses are online or tied to a brick-and-mortar shop. Some are freelancers, occasional sellers, and ecommerce merchants selling in-person to introduce their products who require a more portable/mobile POS system to reach more customers.
Faster checkouts for in-store customers
Brick-and-mortar shops can add a mobile POS as an extension of their checkout counters. This helps reduce customer wait times by accepting orders and payments tableside (for restaurants), curbside (for pickups), and anywhere around the store (for retailers).
Save with in-person transaction fees
In-person transaction fees are less expensive than when selling online or taking payments over the phone. With a mobile POS system, users who sell remotely can accept payments in person and enjoy cheaper transaction fees.
Added security on mobile smart device
Aside from your POS software and payment processor’s built-in security features, customers who pay with their smartphone are protected by additional biometric tools such as fingerprint and facial recognition.
Choosing the top mobile POS solution
The best mobile POS solutions should match your business requirements and available budget. It should also take into account the overall value for money of each provider.
Square ticks most of the boxes that small businesses and startups need, such as a free merchant account, out-of-the-box software and hardware, and an easy-to-use platform. It offers the most value out of a free POS plan, making it the best if you need a quick way to get your business off the ground.
For growing businesses, a versatile and scalable POS system is key. Shopify offers the best mobile POS for ecommerce merchants looking to expand their customer base via in-person sales. Clover’s compatibility with several payment processors makes it possible for businesses to upgrade their POS software and hardware seamlessly.
Meanwhile, PayPal Zettle offers the widest range of payment methods, including the ability for businesses to accept in-person payments from a customer’s PayPal account. Freelancers and seasonal sellers tend to benefit more from PayPal Zettle’s range of inventory and invoicing tools.
Lastly, if you are looking for industry-specific mobile POS solutions, you can always upgrade to Square’s industry-specific software, especially for retail. But for restaurants, Toast and Loyverse are the best budget-based alternatives.
