The POS is the tool your business uses most through the day. A wrong choice comes back as slower service, wrong bills and numbers that don't add up at closing. Before you decide, ask these seven questions.
1. What setup and devices does it need?
A cloud-based program opens in the browser and needs no special device or installation. Make sure you can start with the computer or tablet you already have.
2. How is the price made up?
With fixed packages you also pay for features you don't use. With an app-based model only the feature you add is charged. Also check whether prices are written down publicly; you should be able to work out the total cost without waiting for a quote.
3. Does it cover your order types?
Dine-in, takeaway and delivery orders should be managed in the same system. Orders kept in separate programs produce errors when they are merged at the end of the day.
4. How are the kitchen and printer flows?
An order should reach the kitchen without being retyped. Being able to send drinks and food to different stations, and multi-printer routing, matter for most kitchens.
5. Are there permissions and audit?
A system where every employee can do every action is risky. Look for role-based permissions, approval for discounts and cancellations, and an action log.
6. Are the reports ready at the end of the day?
Sales, the payment method split, discounts and cancellations should appear in one report at closing. If you want to see cost and profit, look for recipe and stock support.
7. Does it adapt as you grow?
Features you don't need today but may tomorrow (delivery, QR menu, loyalty) should be addable later, without making you change systems.
Tip: Before you decide, use the free trial on a real service day. The flow at the busiest hour should convince you, not showcase screens.