10 Best Square Alternatives and POS Competitors Worth Switching To for More Profits

Square’s a household name—but that doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for every restaurant. Between rising POS system costs, limited customization and clunky reporting, more owners are looking for smarter alternatives.

In this guide, I’ll break down the top Square alternatives. You’ll see how they stack up on pricing, features, flexibility and real customer feedback so you can find the one that works best for your business.

We’ve helped thousands of independent restaurants make the switch from one-size-fits-all tools to purpose-built platforms that drive more direct orders and higher margins.

By the end, you’ll know exactly which Square competitor fits your goals—whether that’s lowering fees, owning your customer data or scaling without the tech headaches.

Overview of Square POS alternatives 

Even though Square is a popular and well-known POS system, there are plenty of options for restaurants to choose from. Depending on your restaurant’s needs, some alternatives may be a better fit.

Below, I’ll cover 10 of the best Square POS alternatives available, breaking down exactly how they compare to Square and where they outshine it.

1. Owner.com

Best for: Growing online orders 

How Owner.com measures vs. Square: Unlike Square, Owner.com is a comprehensive digital platform designed to drive direct online sales, improve SEO and foster customer loyalty for restaurants.

Owner.com isn’t a direct Square competitor, but restaurants can use this platform alongside a POS system to grow their online orders and improve their digital image. Unlike Square’s broad POS system with restaurant applications, Owner.com gives restaurants the tools they need to create a more sophisticated, branded online presence.

Both Square and Owner.com are valuable tools for restaurants, but Owner.com outshines Square as one of the best online ordering systems for restaurants, allowing businesses of any size to maximize direct revenue without paying third-party commissions.

Key features 

• Zero-commission online ordering
• Branded mobile app
• AI-powered email marketing automations
• SEO-optimized website builder

Where Owner.com shines: 

Owner.com's strength lies in its comprehensive approach to direct online sales and customer retention, providing restaurants with tools often reserved for larger brands like restaurant loyalty programs. It empowers restaurants to make more money with zero commission fees by driving customers to their own branded online ordering platform and mobile app. 

Where Owner.com can improve: 

Owner.com is primarily focused on the online presence and marketing aspects for restaurants, rather than acting as a full-fledged POS system itself.

Real customer reviews for Owner.com

As of publishing, Owner.com has a 4.8 rating on G2. Here’s what customers are saying: 

Customers like: 

“The Owner.com platform is very user-friendly and intuitive. It is easy to use, from website design and editing to email marketing. The whole platform works well. 

When you need help, they quickly respond to your needs and listen to your issues. I was nervous switching back to Owner from Toast, as they don't directly integrate, however, the team helped very quickly with the 3rd party Otter integration, and the setup went smoothly.

For our customers, they have always said how modern and up to date our apps and website is. They love that we can be on the same level as big chains.”—Sami H., Owner.com G2 review

Customers don't like: 

“Just a recommendation is that they should have a [Photoshop] analyst that helps improve menu pictures of many different menu/food products.

I understand that it is our job (as a small business) to take the best pictures of menu items then email them to a support team that gets them uploaded, but I feel Owner.com can use those pics and digitally enhance them using AI, and other software at their disposal.”—Paul S., Owner.com G2 review

2. Shopify 

Best for: Square alternative for small businesses

How Shopify measures vs. Square: Shopify is a robust e-commerce platform that has expanded to in-person tools, while Square offers both in-person and e-commerce functionality.

Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform, allowing businesses to create and manage online stores. While it’s not built specifically for restaurants, its versatile POS system, Shopify POS, is one of the best POS systems for small businesses.

This system extends Shopify’s capabilities to physical locations, making it a contender for restaurants looking to consolidate online ordering and in-person dining, as well as retail sales of branded merchandise and packaged goods. 

While Shopify POS might not have native table management for full-service restaurants, it excels in quick-service environments and cafes. It may also offer more robust online store customization, integrated merchandise sales and online marketing tools compared to restaurant-specific features.

Key features 

• Integrated online store and in-person POS
• Flexible menu management
• Advanced retail capabilities
• Third-party app integrations

Where Shopify shines: 

Shopify excels for restaurants focused on e-commerce, such as cafes selling roasted beans or bakeries offering pre-ordered cakes, by unifying all sales channels. A robust online ordering system allows ample customization, and the platform is well-supported and generally easy to use.

Where Shopify can improve: 

Shopify may not be ideal for traditional full-service restaurants that need table management or split checks. For restaurants with a lot of in-person transactions, using Shopify POS might require complex workarounds or reliance on costly external apps.

Real customer reviews for Shopify

As of this writing, Shopify has a 4.4 rating on G2. Here’s what customers are saying: 

Customers like: 

“Shopify was easy to put together. Before Shopify, I was going live on Facebook to sell my jewelry & depending on writing claims with pen & paper, then invoicing thru PayPal or square. After an easy set up process, I was able [to] get my large inventory uploaded for my customers to shop anytime. Customer support was just a phone call away & was always helpful.

Now I love hearing the cha-ching sound multiple times a day because Shopify also offers marketing emails & my store [integrates] easily with all social media channel's shops. I get sales & ship every day thanks to Shopify.”—Taryn C., Shopify review

Customers don't like: 

“I'm not a big fan of their fee structures. Aside from order processing fees which can be up to 4%, there are other fees like built-in apps and themes you need to pay to access features you need”—Keyan S., Shopify review

3. Lightspeed

Best for: Growing restaurants

How Lightspeed measures vs. Square: Lightspeed offers more in-depth inventory management, multi-location oversight and advanced reporting for complex restaurant operations than Square's more generalized tools.

For growing restaurants, Lightspeed is one of the best options out there. This cloud-based POS system provides comprehensive tools for front-of-house operations and back-of-house management. Its in-depth reporting is especially beneficial for restaurant accounting and marketing purposes.

Key features 

• Granular inventory management
• Table layout and reservation integration
• Multi-location management
• Advanced reporting and analytics

Where Lightspeed shines: 

Lightspeed focuses on helping restaurants streamline workflows and optimize inventory as they grow, with centralized management of menus and reporting to make it easier for restaurant groups to get a complete picture of their operations.

Where Lightspeed can improve: 

Because Lightspeed is fairly comprehensive, the upfront cost of hardware and software may be prohibitive compared to alternatives. Some users have also expressed concerns about the frequency of major software updates and challenges with certain third-party integrations. 

Real customer reviews for Lightspeed

As of this writing, Lightspeed has a 4.3 rating on G2. Here’s what customers are saying: 

Customers like: 

“Smart and [easy to] use software for all of our staff. No need to buy exclusive hardware, all hardware can be bought off the shelf and is easy to set up. Customer support is always available and we have a dedicated account manager who looks after our portfolio.”—Nathan R., Lightspeed review

Customers don't like: 

“It has been quite some time since we received a significant update for this software. Since the company ventured into the stock market, the pace of innovation seems to have slowed down considerably. We heavily rely on the Marketman and Xero integrations, but we've encountered numerous problems on the Lightspeed side.

Furthermore, we've been working on developing a survey app that integrates seamlessly with Lightspeed. Unfortunately, in the initial stages, we've faced API failures that have hindered our progress.

What's truly frustrating is that we've noticed a significant number of users in the forums grappling with the same issues, and it appears that the company is not adequately addressing these problems.”—Jordi Andrés G., Lightspeed review

4. SpotOn

Best for: Add-on options

How SpotOn measures vs. Square: SpotOn provides a more integrated suite of marketing, loyalty and customer engagement features directly within its platform than Square.

SpotOn extends beyond a basic POS system to include marketing, loyalty programs, online ordering and reputation management functionality.

Using SpotOn means having a unified platform to manage operations, engage customers and drive growth. This makes SpotOn a potentially more cohesive solution for restaurant analytics, with a focus on building strong customer relationships and using data for targeted promotions.

Key features 

• Handheld POS devices
• Integrated marketing and loyalty
• Commission-free online ordering
• Kitchen display systems (KDS) and order routing

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Where SpotOn shines: 

SpotOn combines essential POS functions with powerful customer engagement tools for an integrated restaurant experience. Not only does the SpotOn system improve front-of-house and kitchen efficiency, but also fosters customer relationships through built-in marketing and loyalty tools.

Where SpotOn can improve: 

While SpotOn offers widespread integration, some of its functionality could use improvement. Some users cite issues with report customization, which are limited especially in regards to areas like payroll and other financial matters. 

Real customer reviews for SpotOn

As of this writing, SpotOn has a 4.3 rating on G2. Here’s what customers are saying: 

Customers like: 

“One of the things I appreciate most about SpotOn is how easy the POS system is to use. Having worked as a server myself, I know how important it is to have a system that's intuitive and efficient during busy shifts—and SpotOn delivers just that.

The back-of-house features are also user-friendly, making it easy to manage operations smoothly.”—Gabriela R., SpotOn review

Customers don't like: 

“The reporting is missing functionality to customize reports needed for HR functions of pulling hours in a chosen time range without work arounds that are frustrating. Inability to follow what ticket same day refunds are attached to. Inability to have in house managers refund tickets/tips after closing.

Duplicate Teamwork profiles created when TM work at multiple locations causing clock in errors. Inability to update min wages in a streamlined fashion.”—Catherine S., SpotOn review

5. TouchBistro

Best for: Front-of-house operations

How TouchBistro measures vs. Square: Both offer online ordering, but TouchBistro's in-house features for dine-in service may be more specialized than what Square offers.

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TouchBistro is an iPad-based point-of-sale system specifically designed for restaurants, bars and cafes. With a strong emphasis on efficiency, TouchBistro offers table management and server-specific tools to improve server performance and enhance the dining experience.

Key features 

• Intuitive iPad interface
• Table management and reservation functionality
• Staff and table management tools

Where TouchBistro shines: 

TouchBistro's strength lies in its user-friendly interface, which streamlines front-of-house operations for servers and bartenders. Robust table management features, including visual floor plans and easy seat management, make it easier for front-of-house staff to optimize seating and service flow in busy dining environments. 

Where TouchBistro can improve: 

Some users might find TouchBistro's back-end features, like inventory management or payroll, less comprehensive compared to other all-in-one solutions.

Real customer reviews for TouchBistro

As of this writing, TouchBistro has a 4.2 rating on G2. Here’s what customers are saying: 

Customers like: 

“I love how user-friendly and intuitive the TouchBistro platform is. It requires very little training, and I can often find what I need quickly by using the help function.”—Stephanie L., TouchBistro G2 review

Customers don't like: 

“The customer service is horrible. The tablets [lose] and delete orders. Menu categorize randomly change so our steaks randomly started reporting as alcohol.”—Becky S., TouchBistro G2 review

6. Toast

Best for: Dine-in restaurants 

How Toast measures vs. Square: Toast is purpose-built for restaurants, offering features like table management and KDS that can surpass Square's more general offerings

Toast is a popular cloud-based POS made specifically for the food service industry. This specialization sets it apart from many of Toast’s competitors, and it provides an end-to-end solution for managing everything from front-of-house order taking to back-of-house functions like kitchen display systems, inventory and payroll. 

Key features 

• Restaurant-specific POS hardware
• Advanced menu management
• Table management and floor plans
• Integrated KDS

Where Toast shines: 

As a restaurant-specific POS, Toast is built with the features that most restaurants need, as well as several add-ons and customizations to suit the unique needs of each restaurant.

Integrated KDS streamlines communication between the front and back of the house, ensuring accurate and timely order preparation.

Where Toast can improve: 

While Toast's integrated ecosystem is a major advantage, committing to Toast for restaurant management may make it harder to break ties later. If you go all-in on Toast, you’ll likely have to pay more out of pocket to invest in all-new technology, including handheld, and switching to another system down the line may mean spending more money to get the equipment you need.

Real customer reviews for Toast

As of this writing, Toast has a 4.2 rating on G2. Here’s what customers are saying: 

Customers like: 

“We use Toast for all of our restaurant needs. This includes POS, Payroll, Marketing and Invoices/Inventory. The way the system integrates everything is so nice and we have so much information at our fingertips. Crucial for running in a low margin industry.”—Craig W., Toast review

Customers don't like: 

“Toast hardware is terrible. We are always having issues with specifically our S1 handhelds. Sent at least 5-6 back on warranty replacement however now that we have just passed a year and I have 3 handhelds that have stopped working properly and they are just outside of the warranty period. It screams of planned obsolesce.”—Jed B., Toast review

7. Revel Systems

Best for: Cafes, coffee shops and quick-service restaurants

How Revel Systems measures vs. Square: Revel offers more in-depth inventory management, employee scheduling and reporting than Square’s more generalized tools.  

Revel is an iPad-based, cloud-native POS platform suited for quick-service restaurants and multi-location enterprises. A great POS for cafes and other smaller shops, Revel offers a comprehensive suite of features to streamline order fulfillment, inventory control down to the ingredient level and employee management.

Revel is built to scale with your business, making it perfect for growing restaurants that may need to handle higher volumes of transactions. 

Key features 

• User-friendly iPad-based POS
• Detailed inventory management
• Enterprise-ready features
• Offline mode accessibility

‍Where Revel Systems shines: 

Revel offers precise ingredient inventory tracking and comprehensive reporting for high transaction volumes. This iPad-based interface is generally user-friendly for front-of-house staff, so they can quickly enter orders and send them off to the kitchen. The system's offline mode can be a lifesaver, ensuring business continuity during internet disruptions.

Where Revel Systems can improve: 

While powerful, Revel could improve the accuracy of its reporting and customer service responsiveness. Users should also be prepared to face a learning curve and prematurely determine how much support they need.

Real customer reviews for Revel Systems

As of this writing, Revel Systems has a 4.1 rating on G2. Here’s what customers are saying: 

Customers like: 

“Mostly Good for a QSR. Easy POS front end. [Simple] design setup.””—Drew S., Revel Systems review

Customers don't like: 

“Pretty much everything else was horrible. Reporting was inaccurate, customer service was next to zero, adding products and modifiers was a nightmare. Getting issues resolved was also a nightmare--usually I was on the phone so long that I ended up figuring out a workaround or how to solve the issue myself before the Revel rep ever figured it out.”—Jeanne C., Revel Systems review

8. Upserve

Best for: Quick-service operations

How Upserve measures vs. Square: Upserve focuses on restaurant operations, excelling in data analytics and payment processing for quick-service restaurants, while Square provides broad POS solutions.

Upserve, now part of Lightspeed, is a cloud-based POS system and restaurant management platform. It's designed to streamline operations for quick-service restaurants, cafes and bars by integrating POS, payments and analytics.

Restaurants can gain deep insights into sales data, trends and server performance to make better decisions and grow their profitability.

Key features 

• Integrated payment processing
• Robust analytics and reporting
• Server performance tracking
• Menu optimization suggestions

Where Upserve shines: 

Upserve is particularly strong in its analytical capabilities, offering valuable data on sales trends, popular menu items and even individual server performance. These data insights can be crucial for optimizing menu pricing and catching inefficiencies.

Where Upserve can improve: 

While Upserve excels in analytics, some users might find its inventory management features lacking compared to other specialized restaurant POS systems. Businesses with complex inventory needs, such as fine dining or multi-location restaurants, might require additional integrations or manual tracking.

Real customer reviews for Upserve

As of this writing, Upserve has a 4.1 rating on G2. Here’s what customers are saying: 

Customers like: 

“Software is intuitive and easy to learn!”—Jack U., G2 review

Customers don't like: 

“Sometimes there are connection failures and payments have to be made again - especially the swipe function does not always work.”—Lara R., G2 review

9. Clover

Best for: Customizable features

How Clover measures vs. Square: Clover has an extensive app marketplace and diverse proprietary devices, which can provide more specialized solutions and customization for restaurants compared to Square.

Even though it isn’t designed exclusively for restaurants like Toast, Clover offers versatile POS systems and payment processing solutions for various restaurant models. It provides a range of proprietary hardware devices, from mobile units like the Clover Flex to comprehensive countertop terminals, all integrating seamlessly with its software.

Clover's platform also features a robust app market, allowing restaurants to add specific functionalities as needed.

Key features 

• Extensive hardware options
• Robust app marketplace
• Integrated payment processing
• Customizable order flow

Where Clover shines: 

Clover stands out for its array of hardware options, allowing the selection of devices that perfectly fit different restaurant service models. The Clover App Market enhances the hardware and software, allowing total customization over features like loyalty programs or advanced table management.

Where Clover can improve: 

While highly customizable, some new users might find Clover's interface and the process of integrating various apps complex, leading to a steeper learning curve. Apps may require additional fees, increasing the total cost beyond initial expectations.

Real customer reviews for Clover

As of this writing, Clover has a 3.8 rating on G2. Here’s what customers are saying: 

Customers like: 

“I appreciate the versatility that Clover provides for my clients. If you are a restaurant, retail store, service industry it's great for you. If you need to manage customers or clients or employees, there are tools for all!”—Jason W., Clover review

Customers don't like: 

“If you don't have any prior experience with web architecture or security scans, the interface can be a little difficult to understand. More robust help files and better click-paths would be a huge help.”—Adam R., Clover review

Why customers like Square 

Restaurants and other businesses appreciate Square for its straightforward setup and ease of use. Its appeal lies in its accessibility, often providing complimentary POS software and a magstripe reader, making Square a cost-effective entry point for new ventures.

With a user-friendly dashboard and quick inventory management, Square is a great choice for first-time business owners, small shops and restaurants looking for an easy-to-use system.

Beyond restaurants, Square for Retail is a widely known and popular option for businesses of varying sizes. The transparent pricing structure with no long-term contracts is a significant draw for many small businesses, allowing them to manage costs without hidden fees. But the simplicity and lack of specialization are what make users seek out Square alternatives for small businesses.

Why customers don’t like Square 

While Square is widely used, some restaurant owners find that its generalized approach can fall short for specialized needs. Common complaints often revolve around a lack of in-depth features for complex restaurant operations, as detailed by multiple users on the Square Seller Community. 

For instance, some users report issues with online ordering integration and the reliability of advanced restaurant-specific features like “Auto-86” and “busy mode,” as seen in a Square for Restaurant reviews thread.

Other significant concerns include Square's payment processing policies, with some businesses experiencing withheld funds or abrupt account closures, as discussed on a Reddit thread.

Even though Square offers a simple POS solution, restaurants may look for other apps like Square that better address their unique needs.

What to consider when looking at Square competitors

If you're thinking about switching from Square, evaluating a new tool requires more than just a quick glance at its features. The right Square POS competitor can significantly impact your bottom line and how efficiently you run your restaurant.

Before you make your decision, consider the following factors to make sure you choose the POS system that will elevate your business, not hold it back.

• Total cost of ownership: Look beyond the monthly subscription. Some tools hit you with sneaky processing fees, hardware requirements or add-on charges that balloon your costs fast.
• Online ordering that actually works: Many Square POS competitors claim they support online orders—but how well? Make sure your new system can handle direct orders, upsells, modifiers and delivery zones without breaking.
• Customizability and control: Square keeps things simple—but too simple means less control. Look for a tool that lets you own your branding, edit your menu quickly and adapt to how you run your shop.
• Customer data and marketing tools: Your POS provider shouldn’t own your customer list—you should. The best alternatives give you access to customer data, email/SMS tools and built-in loyalty programs that drive repeat orders.
• Integration with your current systems: Switching is painful if your new POS doesn’t play nice with what you already use. Look for tools that integrate with your accounting, delivery, inventory and employee management systems.
• Support that actually supports you: Square’s self-serve support can leave you hanging when things break. Choose a provider that offers real human support—ideally with restaurant-specific expertise. 

Find the alternative that better fits your goals 

Choosing the right POS system isn’t about chasing trends or settling for what’s popular. It’s about finding a tool that fits how you actually run your restaurant—one that helps you sell more, simplify your operations and keep customers coming back.

This guide broke down the top Square competitors in 2025, including the key features, real customer reviews and where each one shines (or falls short). Whether you’re looking for better online ordering, more control over your data or a system that actually drives repeat orders, the right fit is out there.

Round out your POS system with robust online ordering features, and try a demo of Owner.com. Let us show you how we can help restaurants grow their sales and thrive.

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Square alternatives frequently asked questions

Who is Square’s main competitor? 

Square competes with several POS systems across industries, including:

• Toast
• Stripe
• Shopify
• Owner.com
• Lightspeed

What can I use instead of Square?

Many alternatives offer similar or specialized services, including:

• Toast and Owner.com for restaurants
• Shopify for e-commerce
• Clover for customizable hardware and app options
• Lightspeed for robust inventory
• SpotOn for integrated marketing tools

Is Square the cheapest option? 

With free basic software and low-cost hardware entry points, Square appeals to small businesses and startups as an affordable POS system. For higher sales volumes or specific industry needs, its flat-rate processing fees and the cost of advanced features may make other specialized solutions more cost-effective overall.

What are the best alternatives to Square and Stripe? 

Some of the top alternatives to Square and Stripe include:

• Shopify
• Toast
• PayPal
• Adyen
• Clover

Square for retail vs. Square POS: What’s the difference? 

Square POS is a general-purpose point-of-sale app suitable for a wide range of small businesses with simpler needs. Square for Retail is specialized for small and mid-size retailers, offering features like robust inventory management, multi-location support and detailed reporting.