The Best Restaurant Management Software in 2024

In the hospitality industry, the best restaurant software helps successful restaurants run more efficiently. This software supports various parts of the business, including reservations, point-of-sale (POS), inventory, staffing, and ordering.

For restaurants that want to increase their bookings or orders, choosing the right management system is key. These systems can also optimize operations by letting you set up templates, workflows, and integrate with customer relationship management (CRM) systems to streamline the entire sales process.

So, what are the best restaurant management software options in 2024? Let's explore some of our favorites.

Looking for specific restaurant management software? Jump there directly.

• Restaurant Reservation Software

• Point of Sale System

• Food Costing Software

• Inventory Management System

• Table Management System

• Waitlist Software

• Restaurant Accounting Software

• Cash Flow Management Software

• Online Ordering Software

• Restaurant Analytics Software

• Restaurant Menu Builder Software

• PMS Integration Software

• Website Builder Apps

• Additional Restaurant Management Software

Restaurant reservation software

For restaurants taking reservations, moving from the "pen-and-paper" method of restaurant booking to a restaurant reservation system can make an incredible difference.

Using restaurant reservation software simplifies daily operations and improves the experience for your guests. Instead of taking phone calls and manually entering details, guests can easily input their information through a website, mobile app, or web widget.

A good reservation system also includes an intuitive table management feature (more on this feature below). This helps restaurants handle bookings from various sources and visualize their seating arrangements hour by hour.

Useful features of a good restaurant reservation system include: 

• Sending custom reminders to reduce no-shows, such as SMS updates or timely push notifications.

• Enabling guests to easily book online.

• More efficient management of table inventory.

• Automating restaurant tasks to boost efficiency.

• Forecasting the stock needed for upcoming days.

• Allocating a specific number of tables for reservations to avoid overbooking.

• Storing guest information for future marketing efforts like emails or alerts for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

When selecting a reservation system, you can choose one that meets your specific needs. It should be user-friendly, requiring minimal training. The system should also be scalable to not only meet your current needs, but also adapt to future growth.

To add, it’s advantageous if the system stores all restaurant and guest data in the cloud, which can speed up interactions. For example, systems like Eat App are ideal for restaurants looking to improve their service quality and increase revenue.

Best restaurant reservation software in 2024

Here are top picks for restaurant reservation software, ideal for streamlining operations and improving customer satisfaction.

Eat App 

Eat App is your complete front-of-house management solution, designed to make every guest's visit memorable. This platform simplifies your restaurant's operations from the moment guests arrive to when they leave.

The restaurant management software includes easy-to-use tools like automated table management, online reservations, and detailed analytics to help you manage your space efficiently, accommodate more diners, and make informed decisions about your floor planning, reservations, inventory, and staffing.

Eat App is ideal for any restaurant, from small independents to large global chains, helping your team excel in service and turn every meal into a special occasion.

Pros

• Manage your staff, bookings, and guest interactions all in one place.

• Encourage repeat visits with automated email campaigns.

• Minimize no-shows through effective waitlist and seating management.

• Analyze trends and improve profitability with comprehensive reports.

• Enjoy excellent 24/7 customer support.

• Easily integrate with popular POS systems.

• Engage with guests using SMS and two-way WhatsApp messaging.

• Understand your guests better with detailed profiles.

• Increase earnings by selling event tickets and offering pre-order options.

• Automate sending booking confirmations through SMS and email.

• Allow direct bookings through social media integration.

• Customize your booking widget to align with your brand's look and feel.

Cons

• Only available to Eat App customers. Sign up for free today! 

I used this software for a client and have been amazed by the features. I don't know of any tool like this, helps greatly with anything restaurant-related like reservations, menus, seats, and all that good stuff.

Sven, Power Engineer in Croatia

What does the pricing look like?

• Plans start at $0 per month for restaurants that want a basic reservation system with more feature-rich packages available at $69, $139, or $239 per month depending on individual restaurant requirements. 

Sevenrooms

SevenRooms is a management system for restaurants in the hospitality industry. This software helps hotels and restaurants manage reservations, waitlists, guest communication, table arrangements, and online orders all in one place.

Pros

• Integrations with Google and social media

• Reports on reservations

• Software for gathering customer feedback

Cons

• The reservation system comes with a high cost

• Guests have had unpleasant experiences booking through the widget

OpenTable

OpenTable offers a complete management system for restaurants, including features for handling reservations and managing guests. It works on both office computers and mobile devices. The software automatically keeps track of table availability and provides key data, like the average spending per guest for each shift.

Pros

• Customer relationship management for guests

• Tools for reporting and analytics

Cons

• OpenTable applies a charge to restaurants for every booking made via their service, which can become expensive over time.

• Restaurants do not have ownership of customer data.

•  

  No options for upfront payments.

Point of Sale System (POS)

In the past, a good POS system was inexpensive, easy to use, and had one primary function – processing sales data and transactions.

Nowadays, restaurant POS systems are one the most powerful forms of a restaurant management system and software a restaurant can use.

Modern POS systems act as a computer/cash register hybrid, with the ability to process credit card payments, print receipts, display information on a user-friendly screen, and operate as a service station.

With advancements in technology, formerly bulky tabletop POS systems are moving towards tablets such as iPads for increased portability.

Features you need from your POS system are:

• Ability to calculate cash for each order entered throughout the day

• Make note of cash-in and cash-out

• Create sales reports for various periods

• Record payment methods of each guest

• Calculate payroll data

• Record check averages daily

• Keep track of sales metrics

• Record and store information on recurring customers

Each POS system is different from the other based on the software, applications, and hardware. When looking for a new POS system for your restaurant, make sure to do sufficient research based on the restaurant’s wants and needs.

Keep in mind most mobile POS systems and companies will allow you to try the system out for free before purchasing.

A few things to consider when choosing a POS system:

• Ease of use: A POS system that requires extensive training might not be the right one for you. This will lead to frustration from not only the employees but also customers who are left waiting for certain transactions to process.
  
  
• Price and quality: Make sure you know your business inside and out before purchasing a POS system. A modern system can be very costly and hence it should be able to handle your business volume and individual restaurant specifications to make it a worthwhile purchase.
  
  
• Necessary components: In addition to purchasing the software itself, do not forget to get the necessary hardware components. These include parts such as the screen monitor and any portable terminal that is linked to the main unit.
  
  
• Data tracking: Your POS system should contain all the programs required for not only the front-of-house calculations but everything related to the back of houses such as inventory reports and financial tracking.

Best POS systems in 2024

Check out some of the leading POS systems that can help your business handle sales and transactions more effectively.

Harbortouch

Your entire point-of-sale system, comprising integrated merchant services, hardware, and software, is called Harbortouch. Excellent for pubs, restaurants, shops, salons, small enterprises, and a lot more.

Pros 

• No cost for POS hardware.

• Helps manage cash flow.

• Combines payments and business management.

• Adapts to specific business needs.

• 24/7 help available.

Cons 

• Requires commitment, hard to leave.

• High fees to cancel the service.

• Some users report bugs and glitches.

• Possible extra costs for updates and services.

• Can be hard to learn and use.

Price

• $89 per month, per terminal.

micros by Oracle

A cloud technology provider that gives businesses worldwide access to software and computer resources to foster innovation, increase productivity, and improve efficiency.

Pros

• Trusted brand with advanced technology.

• Works well for businesses of any size.

• Syncs well with Oracle products and other apps.

• Offers comprehensive tools for management and analytics.

• Strong customer support worldwide.

Cons 

• Tends to be more expensive than other systems.

• Requires training due to its complex setup.

• Limited customization options.

• Performs best with Oracle's hardware.

• Some issues were reported with software updates.

Price

• Set-up cost starts from $5,000.

Square POS

A point-of-sale system designed to streamline and optimize your restaurant's operations, including pickup and delivery as well as back and front-of-house tasks.

Pros

• Easy to use.

• No monthly fees, competitive rates.

• Good for all business sizes.

• Includes inventory, sales, and customer management.

• Works well with other apps.

Cons 

• Costs per transaction can accumulate.

• High initial cost for hardware.

• Some concerns with support quality.

• Reduced functionality without internet.

Price

• $169 for hardware, and 2.75% per transaction.

Revel

You can customize an ecosystem of technologies using the platform to make it work best for your company.

You can choose top-of-the-line options to integrate industry leaders for features like loyalty, reporting and analytics tools, delivery, and more with the correct multi-location point-of-sale system for your business.

Pros 

• Offers extensive tools like inventory and employee management.

• Can be tailored to specific business needs.

• Excellent analytics and performance tracking.

• Works well with various third-party apps.

• Functions without internet connection.

Cons 

• More expensive due to advanced features.

• Requires training due to its complexity.

• Needs long-term commitment.

• Some issues with responsiveness.

Price

Around $139/month depending on restaurant size.

Toast

Toast is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed for restaurants of all sizes. It offers a wide range of features, including table management, order processing, and inventory control.

The system is used by over 40,000 restaurants in the United States and is known for its ease of use and scalability.

Pros 

• Customized specifically for the restaurant industry.

• Combines POS, online ordering, and staff management.

• Easy to use with an intuitive interface.

• Works with both proprietary and third-party hardware.

• Offers good service and assistance.

Cons 

• Needs a stable internet connection to function well.

• Can be costly, especially with add-ons and premium features.

• Setup can be intricate and time-consuming.

• While flexible, the best performance often comes with proprietary, costlier hardware.

• Some users report occasional software issues.

Price

From $0-$165. May also include hardware costs.

Expert tip

The POS market is one of the most fragmented software categories in the world. The above list focuses mainly on the USA, but as an operator you should explore local options as well.

Pro tip: Eat App integrates with most POS systems to help you streamline and optimize your entire guest journey. 

Pay-at-table software

A newer category in the restaurant management software space is Pay-at-Table software.

Designed to make it easy for guests to pay the bill faster, pay-at-table software connects to the restaurant POS software and allows the guest to see the bill by scanning a QR on the table.

Guests can then check out and pay the bill with their credit card at the end of their meal. Pay-at-table companies also claim that their systems can increase tip sizes by up to 22%.

Best pay at table software of 2024

Explore a few examples of pay-at-table software, created to streamline the payment process and improve your guests' dining experience.

Sunday App

Europe's preferred pay-at-table solution offering a seamless dining experience. Customers can easily order, split bills, and pay directly from their phones, reducing wait times and increasing customer satisfaction.

• Pricing: $29 per month + payment processing fees.

Bbot

Industry-leading pay-at-table software in the US, recently acquired by DoorDash. Bbot provides a robust platform for ordering, payment, and table management, helping restaurants streamline operations and improve efficiency.

• Pricing: Not available. Contact BBOT directly.

Stripe

A popular global payment processor offering comprehensive solutions for businesses of all sizes. Features include online and in-person payments, subscriptions, invoicing, and fraud prevention.

• Pricing: Transaction fees apply, with various pricing plans available.

Telr

A payment processor focused on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Offers solutions for online, mobile, and point-of-sale payments.

• Pricing: Transaction fees apply, with various pricing plans available.

Food costing software

As a restaurant operator, the number one priority is to ensure profitability. In the scope of a restaurant, the primary source of revenue is the food itself, and hence menu management needs to know the food cost of each menu item.

Recent surveys show that food cost is currently around 35% of all revenue for certain restaurants. Food costing software facilitates the entire process by automating all calculations.

A good food costing software will help keep track of your inventory in addition to providing detailed analytics for each dish.

Must-have features from your food costing software

• Understand the profit margins for each dish to assess the profitability

• Highlight the money-making dishes to increase demand

• Takes labor cost and fixed costs into consideration

• Allows you to experiment with different price points to achieve maximum profitability

Best food costing software in 2024

Discover a few examples of food costing software, ideal for managing your restaurant's expenses and maximizing profitability.

FoodCo

Offers seamless integration with your existing accounting software, streamlining data management and saving you time.

Its intuitive interface makes it user-friendly, even for those without extensive software experience.

• Price: Starting at $4,000.

Crunch time  

An enterprise-focused platform geared towards large restaurants and chains and quick service restaurants with complex needs.

It provides advanced food costing and inventory tracking features for comprehensive control over your operations.

• Price: Request demo only.

Alternatively, download this free food cost calculator excel sheet.

Inventory management software

A proper inventory management system gives restaurant operators a crystal clear image of the current state of their inventory.

This eliminates the need for regular inventory checks, which in turn reduces the number of human errors involved, especially in the back-house operations.

With software automating the process, restaurants have more time to focus on running their business rather than completing menial tasks and are guaranteed the right stock at the right time.

Must-have inventory management software features

• Improves the accuracy of inventory orders 

• Help keep the business organized

• Saves time by automating the inventory process

• Saves money by providing insight into which products are selling and which aren’t

• Can be integrated with POS and accounting software

When choosing an inventory management system, it is important to have a budget in mind as some products can be incredibly costly but unnecessary for your size restaurant.

It's also important to understand the inventory challenges you face in your restaurant before making a decision.

Best inventory management software in 2024

Here are some top examples of inventory management software, ideal for optimizing stock control and efficiency.

SimpleOrder 

Primarily a food cost control solution. It helps you track ingredient usage, calculate recipe costs, and monitor food waste.

SimpleOrder integrates with popular accounting software, streamlining data flow and reducing manual work.

• Price: $19 or $65 per month.

Orca 

A POS-compatible solution with integrated financial tracking. Orca helps manage orders, payments, and customer data while providing insights into sales trends and profitability.

• Price: $129/ month.

WISK

A specialized liquor inventory management app. WISK helps restaurants organize and optimize their liquor inventory, including ordering, forecasting, and cost control.

• Price: Starting at $124/ month. 

Best table management software in 2024

Explore leading examples of table management software, designed to optimize seating arrangements and improve dining experiences.

Eat App

Eat App is a widely used restaurant management system that assists restaurants in managing their tables. It offers cloud-based applications designed to improve efficiency and increase revenue for restaurants.

Pros

• Manages tables in real-time.

• Customizes floor plans; matches the layout of the restaurant.

• Tracks guest preferences.

• Integrates online reservations.

• Manages waitlists efficiently.

• Communicates with guests via SMS and WhatsApp.

• Enhances guest experiences.

• Improves operational efficiency.

• Provides valuable data insights.

• Accessible from mobile devices.

Cons

• All these features are only available to Eat App customers.

Plans start at $0 - Sign up for free today! 

Tock

Tock is a software platform focused on table and guest management for the hospitality sector. It allows restaurants to streamline their booking process, accept pre-paid reservations, and improve guest satisfaction. The platform also includes features for targeted promotions, gift card administration, and detailed analytics.

Pros

• The software focuses on pre-paid reservations.

• Maintains ownership of all guest data.

Cons

• More expensive than other table management systems.

NexTable 

NexTable offers a straightforward platform that simplifies reservation handling and table management for restaurants. Its easy-to-navigate interface and practical features help establishments efficiently schedule reservations, optimize table utilization, and enhance guest experiences.

The platform includes features like live updates, automated notifications, and detailed reporting to help restaurants streamline operations and deliver outstanding service.

Waitlist software

If you are running a popular restaurant, or just having a busy night, then you know the importance of implementing a waitlist system.

Waitlist software allows restaurant operators to quickly add guests onto a waiting list when a restaurant is full, which are then alerted when a table frees up.

This is achieved through either a portable buzzer that the guest carries or with more modern waitlist systems, an SMS is sent when a table is ready.

Must-have Features in your waitlist software:

• Automate the waitlist process

• Gain insight into your client base

• Quick SMS functionality to send alerts to guests

Best waitlist software in 2024

Explore leading examples of waitlist software, designed to efficiently organize guest queues and improve service delivery.

WaitWhile

A comprehensive waitlist management system with mobile creation and guest communication. You can create waitlists online or via the app, send automated SMS updates, and set up self-service check-in stations.

• Price: From $0-$149/month depending on restaurant volume.

Queupad

A simple and free waitlist app primarily focused on offline functionality. You can create waitlists on your phone or tablet, even without an internet connection.

• Price: Free

Waitlisted

Integrates with a multitude of other services. Allows guests to refer friends to move up the line. 

• Price: $60/year.

Restaurant accounting software

Running a restaurant can be one of the most exciting and rewarding endeavors, but this will come at a price.

It is easy to overlook one of the most important elements of restaurant operations – restaurant accounting. Without proper accounting practices set in place, restaurants are destined to fail.

But what do you do if your budget doesn’t allow you to hire a restaurant accountant?

Restaurant accounting software is often cheap (sometimes even free) and easy to learn how to use. In no time you’ll be balancing your books like a pro. It's a key piece of the restaurant software puzzle.

Must-have restaurant accounting software features

• Gives you real-time insights into your restaurant's finances

• Shows you both accounts payable and receivable

• Can connect with other restaurant software (POS and payroll system)

• Can be accessed easily from wherever you are

Best restaurant accounting software in 2024

Zipbooks

Designed for freelancers, solopreneurs, and small businesses with straightforward accounting needs.

Offers a user-friendly interface and free basic features, making it an attractive option for beginners.

• Price: Free

QuickBooks

The industry's leading accounting software, designed for small and medium businesses with complex needs.

Access it anytime, anywhere, and generate comprehensive reports to guide your financial decisions.

• Price: Starting from $5 per month (1-month free trial)

Cash flow management software

In the restaurant industry and food service industry cash is king and to keep a steady flow of money coming in to balance the money going out, you are going to need to manage your cash flow.

Just being profitable is not enough for a small restaurant, you’re going to need the right cash flow to make that a reality.

Despite it being one of the most important aspects of financial business stability, it’s often the first element restaurant owners overlook in favor of other business offerings.

If this is the case at your restaurant, find out how you can easily get your cash flow managed by using affordable cash flow management restaurant software.

Must-have cash flow management software features

• Multiple cash flow views to monitor flow on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis.

• Ability to connect to your accounting software for seamless viewing of data.

• Project future cash flow.

• Export data to process externally.

Best cash flow management software in 2024

Pulse

Pulse isn't just an accounting tool, it's an all-in-one cash flow solution designed to simplify your finances and boost your business growth. Seamlessly connecting to QuickBooks, Pulse offers a powerful suite of features to help you.

• Price: Starting from $30 per month (1-month free trial).

Online ordering software

In the post-COVID world, restaurants needed to rely on online ordering software more than ever.

With restrictions preventing regulars from visiting their favorite establishments, it's important to offer easy-to-use alternatives that still allow your guests to enjoy your offerings. 

As a result of the shift in consumer preferences, we've seen more online ordering software providers pop up that challenge the conventional approach to online ordering with all-in-one systems. 

If you're struggling to get customers through the door in 2024, it might be time to think about online ordering software at your restaurant. 

Must-have online ordering software features

• Website ordering

• Loyalty program

• Integrated marketing

• Order management

• POS integration

• Payment integration

Best online ordering software in 2024

UpMenu 

A-to-Z online ordering system with built-in loyalty, restaurant website builder, and branded restaurant apps.

• Price: Starting from $49 per month (7-day free trial)

Square

Restaurants can set up and customize their online ordering website to match their brand with Square, an online ordering software.

It offers practical features like order monitoring, menu administration, and integrated payment processing, making online ordering easy and effective for both the restaurant and its patrons.

• Price: Starting from $0 a month. 

Cloudwaitress

A platform for online reservations and ordering created especially for restaurants is called Cloudwaitress.

Restaurants can use it to handle online orders, bookings, pickups, delivery, and tableside ordering using QR codes.

Small business owners may develop customized menus and websites using this platform, giving them a distinctive and customized online presence.

• Price: Plans start from $39 a month.

Restaurant CRM Systems

A restaurant CRM system is like a tech toolkit for managing how a restaurant connects with its customers.

It's packed with features to track customer info, tailor marketing messages, handle reservations, gather feedback, and run loyalty programs. Here's why it's super handy:

• Better personalization: It helps figure out what customers like, so restaurants can make their experience really special.

• Smarter Marketing: By knowing the customers better, restaurants can send out promotions that people actually want to see.

• Keeping Customers Coming Back: Cool loyalty perks and messages that hit the mark keep customers hooked.

• Making Smarter Choices: All the customer data helps in deciding what to put on the menu, how to price things, and other big decisions.

• Everything in Sync: It brings everything from bookings to customer feedback into one place, making life easier for the restaurant team.

Eat App 

Connects guest data from reservations and walk-ins into a segmentable CRM that can used for marketing and better guest engagement. Most popular solution amongst restaurant owners, hotels, and hospitality groups. 

• Price: Pro tier is required for CRM at $239 per month.

Sevenrooms

A restaurant CRM targeted at groups, hotels, and enterprise hospitality.

• Price: around $700 per month.

Restaurant analytics software

Restaurant efficiency is the main driver of profitability in your business. Restaurant analytics software will help you identify different opportunities to improve efficiency.

Whether your goal is to sell more, improve employee productivity, cut costs, or even reduce fraud and deter theft, analytics restaurant software will allow you to deep dive into your restaurant to see all aspects of operations.

Important restaurant analytics software features:

• Creates a custom profile for each guest to help you understand your clientele

• Better understand your menu and make decisions based on the data

• Know what each server is doing and how well they are doing it

Best restaurant analytics software in 2024

Fishbowl

Fishbowl goes beyond basic inventory management, offering in-depth econometric pricing, digital menu optimization, and competitor auditing to help restaurants maximize profitability and stay ahead of the curve.

• Price: On request.

Restaurant menu-building software

A well-thought-out menu is one of the most crucial elements of any restaurant. Without a menu, there is no way for customers to know what other menu items they can order and at what price.

It is essential though to have a menu that not only follows menu engineering best practices but also accurately reflects the personality of the restaurant.

What do you do if you don’t have any restaurant menu design experience and can’t afford to hire a professional designer?

Lucky for you, the internet is full of both paid and free online restaurant menu makers that can easily do the job for you. 

Important restaurant menu-building software features

• Drag & drop menu builder

• Support for daily menus

• Fully customizable

• Promote special offers

• Support for QR code menu

Best restaurant menu-building software in 2024

iMenuPro

Online menu maker that lets you instantly create your restaurant menus like a pro.

• Price: Starting at $9.75 per month.

Restaurant PMS integration software

It's simple to see how every facet of labor management creates your operations and contributes to your success whether you own a hotel, motel, bed, and breakfast, or any other type of lodging property.

Guests are checked in and out quickly with a well-run front desk. Cleanliness and comfort are maintained in rooms by competent housekeeping staff.

Travelers can make reservations without issue thanks to a well-designed online booking agent. But just because you know how each of these components interacts with the others to enhance the guest experience doesn't mean the software you use to automate them does, too.

Your property management system (PMS) may be operating effectively enough to maintain the efficiency of your daily operations, but unless you integrate it with other tools, you won't be getting the full benefit.

Information is automatically shared between systems when a PMS is integrated, saving you time and removing problematic redundancies. 

Important Restaurant PMS Integration Software features

• Two-way communication between your PMS and your integration software

• Your integration collects key information about your guest: stay duration, number of guests, room number, and any special tags assigned on your PMS

• Easy-to-use guest-facing interface. Important to consider if you are integrating with a booking channel and want to maintain the guest experience

Best restaurant PMS integration software in 2024

Cloudbeds

This platform has over 500 third-party digital tool integrations in addition to end-to-end reservation management and accounting capabilities. The extensive list includes well-known programs like Google Docs, MailChimp, and Salesforce.

Eat App

Utilize Eat App's PMS integration to address some of the most significant issues facing hoteliers.

To give your guests the most memorable experiences possible, cut down on time spent on administrative tasks and connect the customer journey from check-in to check-out.

Website builder apps

Without requiring a lot of technical expertise, restaurant owners can create and modify their websites with the help of these user-friendly apps.

To create restaurant websites, these programs offer a plethora of customization choices, drag-and-drop capabilities, and ready-to-use templates.

Wix

Wix is a user-friendly web-building tool that is cloud-based and allows users to design and create restaurant websites.

Important elements like domain registration services, dependable website hosting, and website-building tools are all available to users with Wix.

Squarespace

Squarespace is a website builder application and hosting platform that gives customers access to a range of tools for website creation and management.

A variety of editable templates are available to users, providing a great foundation from which to create a unique website.

UpMenu

Restaurants can create websites with UpMenu, an amazing restaurant management solution.

With the help of this free software, restaurant owners can design and modify a website that is in line with their brand without needing any technological expertise.

To create a restaurant website, the user must select one of the premade templates that are available, add information and photographs, and then publish the website on their domain.

Additional systems

Employee management system

A simple and comprehensive solution to managing employees that takes into consideration everything from payslips to requesting time off.

Allows restaurant owners to ditch the old-fashioned Excel or paper-based method in favor of faster and most likely cloud-based service.

Customer satisfaction software

Allows restaurant owners to get valuable information from guests which in turn will help make strategic decisions to increase customer satisfaction.

Customer loyalty software

Gives guests an incentive to return to your establishment by providing them with discounts and free meals after a certain number of visits.

It also helps boost the restaurant's reputation through word of mouth.

The data we used to create the above list

There are many options available. To narrow them down, we analyzed data from 1 million online searches to identify the most popular products in each category.

We conducted thorough research on these products, including expert interviews at Eat App and hands-on testing where possible. We also examined detailed online reviews from sites like G2 and Capterra to provide an unbiased evaluation of the best restaurant software in each category.

One issue with existing guides is that they don't sort software by what it actually helps you with. For example, Capterra lists 570 products, but they serve different purposes, which can be confusing. We've organized our guide to address this issue.

FAQs

What is the POS system for restaurants? 

A POS (Point of Sale) system for restaurants is a combination of software and hardware that manages the transactions within the restaurant. It's where customers make payments for their food and services. Beyond just handling sales, modern POS systems for restaurants come equipped with various functionalities to streamline operations, improve customer service, and improve the overall efficiency of the business. 

Can you use Square for Restaurants?

Yes, Square for Restaurants is a widely used POS system that's suitable for various types of dining establishments, from small cafes to large, full-service restaurants. 

Is restaurant 365 a POS system? 

Restaurant365 is not primarily a POS system; it's an all-in-one restaurant management software that focuses on integrating back-office operations. It combines accounting, inventory, scheduling, and payroll into a single platform, which is particularly beneficial for restaurant chains or multi-unit operations that need a unified view of their business.

However, Restaurant365 does offer integrations with several POS systems. This means it can seamlessly collect sales and labor data from the POS system you choose to use and incorporate that data into its comprehensive management tools. These integrations allow for more accurate financial reporting, labor management, and inventory control, as everything can be managed from one centralized platform.