Best Restaurant POS Software in Australia in 2026

Australian restaurants face mounting pressures, making the right Point-of-Sale (POS) system crucial for survival and growth. With so many options on the market, how do you pick a system that genuinely supports your business without breaking the bank? We suggest looking for a solution that scales with you, keeps compliance simple, and saves time for staff who are already stretched.

Top 6 POS Systems Comparison for Australian Venues in 2026

Australian restaurant operators heading into 2026 face a market where the right point-of-sale system isn't just about processing payments—it's about managing tight margins, evolving customer expectations, and operational complexity across one or multiple locations Hospitality Market Resilience. The hospitality sector recorded AUD 66.3 billion in turnover in the year ending June 2025, representing a 2.5% year-on-year increase despite cost-of-living pressures. However, behind that headline sits a challenging reality: profit margins remain thin, and operators are increasingly questioning whether their current tech stack is actually delivering value or just eating into already-squeezed returns Restaurant Profitability Guide.

This comparison examines the five systems dominating the Australian market—Eats365, Square, Lightspeed Restaurant, TouchBistro, and OrderMate—looking at how they perform across different business sizes, their approach to scaling, and where they genuinely deliver ROI versus where they fall short. The goal is to help you move past marketing claims and evaluate what each system actually costs over time, what it genuinely offers for daily operations, and how it supports (or constrains) your ambitions to grow.

 

Square POS: Best for Small Restaurants & Start-ups

Pricing: Various pricing tiers including a free option

Pros:

• Affordable with a free tier

Cons:

• Limited advanced features in the free tier

• Higher cost for additional features

• Higher processing fees as compared to other competitions.

 

Square POS has carved a niche for itself among small restaurants with its simple yet powerful features. One of the standout aspects of Square POS is its affordability, offering a free tier that makes it accessible for small food businesses. The flat-rate pricing model without hidden fees is a significant advantage, allowing for predictable costs. Square POS is also compatible with various existing hardware, such as iPads, kitchen printers, and receipt printers, allowing for easy integration into your current setup.

The free tier of Square POS does have some limitations. Essential features are included, but advanced functionalities like custom table plans and in-depth reporting require paid plans. Nevertheless, the affordability, essential features, and robust support make Square a top choice for small food businesses aiming to scale.

 

Read more: Restaurant POS System and Software | Square for Restaurants (squareup.com)

 

Lightspeed Restaurant: Best for Hotel Restaurants

Pricing: Starts with $189

Pros:

• Seamless integration with PMS

• Multiple integrations

Cons:

• Can be expensive

• Offline mode is to be charged extra

• More focused on retail and e-commerce

Lightspeed Restaurant excels in integration for complex businesses. Originally founded as a retail POS and ecommerce provider, Lightspeed now offers robust features tailored for both retail and hospitality industries. Some standout features include charge-to-room services, a specialized room service menu, and seamless integration with Property Management Systems (PMS). These capabilities make Lightspeed especially suited for establishments that blend restaurant and hotel operations.

While its extensive feature set can greatly benefit larger or multifaceted businesses, the platform’s pricing may be a concern for smaller restaurants that are budget-conscious. Additionally, the powerful tools and advanced functionalities can lead to a steeper learning curve for new users. However, for businesses seeking an all-in-one solution that integrates restaurant, retail, and hotel operations efficiently, Lightspeed Restaurant’s comprehensive approach makes it a compelling choice. Whether for larger hotels, multi-location operations, or businesses expanding into retail, Lightspeed provides highly customizable features designed to scale according to diverse needs.

 

Read more: Restaurant POS system and payments - Lightspeed (lightspeedhq.com)

 

OrderMate: Best for Comprehensive Management

Pricing: Tailored to requests

Pros:

• Adaptable for various venues

• Graphical table layout & management

Cons:

• Complexity could be overwhelming for small businesses

• Higher cost for full feature set

 

OrderMate is tailored for restaurants seeking a comprehensive management solution. Its adaptability suits various types of venues, from fine dining to fast food. The visual table management feature allows for easy graphical table layout customization, which aids in operational efficiency. Additionally, OrderMate’s integration with online ordering platforms streamlines takeout and delivery operations. OrderMate's integration with online ordering platforms allows for real-time management of online orders, ensuring that menu updates and customer demands are met effectively.

On the flip side, the extensive feature set of OrderMate might be overkill for smaller businesses, and its complexity can be overwhelming for those not well-versed in POS technology. Moreover, the full suite of features comes at a higher cost, which is something to consider when budgeting. Nonetheless, for those looking for a complete restaurant management solution, OrderMate is a strong contender.

 

Read more: POS System Features | Point of Sale Features | OrderMate

 

 

Revel POS (Shift4): Best for Scalable Restaurant Solutions

Pricing: Not specified.

Pros:

• Robust cloud-based POS with flexible integrations

• Enhanced payment processing via Shift4

Cons: 

• May require training for full feature utilization

• Premium features can increase costs

 

Revel POS, now part of Shift4’s commerce ecosystem, is tailored for Australian restaurants seeking a scalable and robust point-of-sale solution. Its cloud-based platform suits various venue types, from quick-service cafés to upscale dining establishments. The system offers intuitive inventory management, employee scheduling, and customizable reporting, all enhanced by Shift4’s secure payment processing capabilities. Revel’s seamless integration with third-party apps, including online ordering platforms, streamlines takeout and delivery operations, ensuring real-time menu updates and efficient order management.

However, the extensive functionality of Revel POS may require staff training to fully leverage its capabilities, which could be a hurdle for smaller teams. Additionally, accessing the full suite of premium features can come at a higher cost, a factor to consider for budget-conscious businesses. Nevertheless, for restaurants aiming for operational efficiency and integrated payment solutions, Revel POS under Shift4 remains a top-tier choice.

 

Read more: Cloud-Based POS System | iPad POS Software | Revel Systems

 

Eats365: Best Choice to Restaurants Aim for Growth

Pricing: Starts with $25 and includes a free option (Eats365 Biz only)

Pros:

• Cost-effective as the system grows with the business

• Suitable for restaurants of all size with special modular expansions

• Served various type of Asian restaurants

• Open API

Cons:

• Doesn’t do customization

• Can be overkill for very small restaurants

 

Eats365 is a flexible, cloud-based POS system that is designed to grow with your business. As one of the best restaurant POS systems, its modular approach allows restaurants to add various expansion modules, such as kitchen management and self-ordering, to customize their POS experience. This flexibility ensures that you only pay for the functions you need, making it a cost-effective solution as your business expands. Additionally, Eats365’s cloud-based nature allows for remote management and real-time updates, ensuring smooth operations even without internet access.

While Eats365 offers extensive modules and scalability, the company doesn’t do customization, as more customization can cause more loading on servers and eventually causes unstable system. However, since there’re already more than 100 extension modules in Eats365 universe, it’s not difficult for restaurants to find functions that fit their very needs. For small restaurants, the comprehensive nature of Eats365 might be more than necessary. For those aiming for growth and seeking a POS system that can adapt to evolving needs, Eats365 is an excellent choice.

 

Read more: Why Eats365 is the Best Restaurant POS in Australia? (eats365pos.com)

 

Essential Features to Consider When Choosing a POS System

Choosing the right POS system involves considering all the features that significantly impact restaurant operations. Here are some key aspects to keep in mind:

 

1. Cloud-based

Cloud based pos systems are crucial for modern restaurants, allowing remote management and real-time updates, ensuring operations are not hindered by location constraints. Integration capabilities with third-party applications are also important, as they enable seamless functionality across various platforms.

Read more: 10 Major Advantages of a Cloud-based POS System for Restaurants (eats365pos.com)

 

2. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Having a CRM to help keeping customer lists and customer loyalty programs are also critical, helping retain customers and encourage repeat visits through personalized rewards and targeted marketing.

 

3. Mobile Ordering / QR Code Menu

Mobile ordering and QR code menus enhance customer convenience and streamline the ordering process, especially popular in the post-pandemic era. They minimizes errors and waiting times, promotes hygiene, and boosts operational efficiency, ultimately elevating the overall dining experience.

 

Read more: Eats365 QR Code Ordering System & All-You-Can-Eat Features (eats365pos.com)

 

4. Menu Management

Effective menu management is vital to modern restaurant operations, especially when selecting a POS system. Features like tiered menu customization, all-you-can-eat buffet pricing, and real-time sync across platforms ensure flexibility, accuracy, and efficiency.

 

5. Reporting & Data Analytics

A good POS software should also offer robust reporting tools that provide insights into sales data, staff performance, and customer preferences, aiding in informed decision-making. Focusing on these features will help you choose a POS system that meets current needs and supports your restaurant’s growth and evolution.

 

Read more: 6 Important Restaurant POS Features That Are Often Overlooked (eats365pos.com)

 

Grow Your Restaurant Business with Eats365's Comprehensive POS Solution

Eats365’s comprehensive POS solution supports restaurant growth through its unique 3-level eco-system. This includes a core POS module, extension modules, and third-party integrations, streamlining daily operations and enhancing efficiency.

One of the key advantages of Eats365 is its suitability for all restaurant sizes, from single-store operations to multi-location franchises. The modular nature of Eats365 means that restaurant owners can choose only the functions they need and extend the POS functionalities as their business grows. This flexibility ensures that you are not paying for unnecessary features, making it a cost-effective solution.

Additionally, Eats365’s cloud-based system enables remote management, real-time updates, and seamless integration with various third-party applications. This integration capability helps create a cohesive operational environment, reducing the complexity of managing multiple systems.

With a focus on automation, big data, and cloud technology, Eats365 is a forward-thinking POS solution that adapts to the evolving needs of the food and beverage industry. By choosing Eats365, you can ensure that your restaurant is equipped to handle growth and meet the demands of the modern hospitality industry.

Consult our F&B expert and discover how Eats365 can revolutionize your restaurant operations today!

 

Read more: Why Eats365 is the Best Restaurant POS in Australia? (eats365pos.com)

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is a good POS system essential for restaurants?

A good POS system is essential for restaurants because it streamlines operations, manages orders effectively, and enhances customer satisfaction. By serving as a central hub for payments and inventory, it significantly improves overall operational efficiency.

 

2. Why modern restaurant pos systems are mostly cloud based?

Cloud-based restaurant POS systems offer real-time data access, seamless updates, and scalability while reducing hardware costs. Their centralized storage enhances security, simplifies maintenance, and allows remote management, making them ideal for dynamic and growing restaurant environments.

 

3. Do I need a POS software for my food truck?

Yes, a modern POS system is invaluable for a food truck. It not only streamlines in-person transactions and inventory tracking but also supports online ordering, delivery, and pickup. This digital extension enables your business to transition from offline to online, expanding customer reach and boosting revenue.

 

4. I'm a bakery owner, does a retail POS or restaurant POS fit my business more?

It depends on your specific needs. A retail POS is great for quick transactions and straightforward inventory management, ideal for a bakery focused on take-out sales. However, if you offer dine-in, delivery, or custom ordering, a restaurant POS may provide extra features to enhance customer service and streamline operations.

 

5. How can Eats365 support restaurant growth?

Eats365 supports restaurant growth by providing a modular POS system that scales with your business, allowing you to pay only for the necessary features. Its cloud-based platform also facilitates remote management and ensures real-time updates, empowering you to adapt as your restaurant expands.