Restaurant management Category leader
Square for Restaurants
Restaurant POS with a free plan, KDS, kiosks and online ordering
Key features
- Kitchen display
Our picks · 5 tools reviewed
Best Restaurant management software for 2026
Combines POS, ordering, kitchen display and operations tools for restaurants and cafes. Below: the names buyers expect to see, the newer tools gaining ground, and how their key features and prices compare. How we pick; nobody pays for a place here.
| Feature |
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | $69/mo | $69/mo | Free | $249/mo |
| Best for | Independent restaurants and cafes under about 20 staff that want a no-monthly-fee POS to start with. | Single and multi-unit full-service and quick-service restaurants that want POS, payroll and guest marketing from one vendor. | Full-service restaurants, bars and cafes with table service that want an iPad POS with tableside ordering. | Independent restaurants, cafes and food trucks that want a no-monthly-fee iPad POS and are fine paying through card processing. | Independent restaurants and pizzerias that want to grow direct online orders instead of paying delivery-app commissions. |
| Team size | 1–50 people | 2–500 people | 2–500 people | 1–50 people | 2–50 people |
| Restaurant POS | Not listed | Not listed | Yes | Yes | Not listed |
| Table management | Not listed | Not listed | Yes | Not listed | Not listed |
| Kitchen display | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not listed |
| Online ordering | Not listed | Not listed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Menu management | Not listed | Not listed | Yes | Yes | Not listed |
| Tip management | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Visit | Visit | Visit | Visit | Visit | Visit |
Category leaders
The best-known restaurant management tools: the ones most buyers shortlist.
Restaurant management Category leader
Toast
Restaurant POS with ordering, payroll, marketing and kitchen tools
Key features
- Kitchen display
Restaurant management Category leader
TouchBistro
iPad-based restaurant POS for full-service restaurants
Key features
- Restaurant POS
- Table management
- Kitchen display
- Online ordering
- Menu management
Rising picks
Newer tools with real traction and a clear difference from the leaders.
Restaurant management Rising
Avocado
POS, kitchen display, online ordering and loyalty in one system
Key features
- Restaurant POS
- Kitchen display
- Online ordering
- Menu management
Restaurant management Rising
Owner.com
Online ordering, website and marketing for independent restaurants
Key features
- Online ordering