Find the Perfect POS System for Your Bar, Nightclub or Restaurant
Not all POS systems are created equal. We specialize in SmartTab and SkyTab, but we've researched the entire landscape to help you make the right choice.
Our commitment: We'll help you find the right fit. Your success matters more and we know Point Of Sale Systems.
Last updated January 2026 • No sales pressure, just honest guidance
Quick Comparison
Based on industry reviews, user feedback, and publicly available information
See detailed breakdowns for all systems in the Deep Dive section below.
Comparisons based on verified user reviews, industry publications, and vendor specifications.Updated January 2026
Ready to Make the Switch?
We handle everything: menu migration, staff training, parallel testing, and go-live support.
Average setup: 2-4 weeks • Zero downtime guarantee
Deep Dive: System by System
Click each system for detailed breakdowns based on industry research and user reviews
⭐ = Systems we personally install and support
Looking for alternatives? Compare: SmartTab vs SkyTab for bars • Aloha alternative for nightclubs • Clover vs SpotOn for restaurants • Best Toast alternative • Square replacement for full-service
✅ Key Strengths
- • Lightning-fast transactions—perfect for high-volume nightclubs
- • Rock-solid stability during peak hours
- • Intuitive UI that new staff picks up in minutes
- • Excellent bar-specific features (tab management, split checks)
- • Commission-free online ordering built-in
- • Strong handheld performance even on packed Friday nights
⚠️ Potential Drawbacks
- • Processing bundled (can't bring your own processor)
- • Less ideal for complex full-service dining with multi-course timing
- • Limited third-party integrations compared to Aloha
💡 Perfect For:
Nightclubs, sports bars, high-volume cocktail lounges, breweries, and any concept where speed and simplicity during rushes matter more than intricate menu complexity.
✓ We install and support SmartTab
Direct access to our team for setup, training, menu builds, and ongoing optimization.
🎯 When we recommend SmartTab:
High-volume bars, nightclubs, sports bars, breweries — anywhere speed during rush matters more than complex coursing.
🔄 When we recommend something else:
Fine dining with intricate multi-course timing → SkyTab. Counter-service cafe → Clover. Need your own processor → Aloha.
✅ Key Strengths
- • Balanced for both Quick Serve and full-service dining
- • Gorgeous, modern interface
- • Excellent KDS with coursing and timing controls
- • Strong reporting and analytics dashboard
- • Reliable handhelds with good battery life
- • Built-in loyalty and gift card programs
⚠️ Potential Drawbacks
- • Must use Shift4 processing (no processor choice)
- • Great for simple counter-service concepts
- • Slightly more complex setup
💡 Perfect For:
Full-service restaurants, casual dining chains, and any concept that needs strong kitchen management alongside bar functionality. The "goldilocks" system—not too simple, not too complex.
✓ We install and support SkyTab
Full-service setup, KDS configuration, handheld training, and personalized ongoing support.
🎯 When we recommend SkyTab:
Full-service restaurants, casual dining, upscale bars — anywhere you need strong kitchen management + bar functionality together.
🔄 When we recommend something else:
Ultra-high-volume nightclub → SmartTab. Simple counter-service → Clover. Marketing-heavy concept → SpotOn.
✅ Key Strengths
- • Industry standard with decades of proven reliability
- • Incredibly deep feature set and customization
- • Massive third-party integration ecosystem
- • Excellent for multi-location chains
- • Can run on your own payment processor
- • Strong labor management and scheduling tools
⚠️ Potential Drawbacks
- • Older interface feels dated compared to cloud systems
- • Can be sluggish, especially on legacy hardware
- • Complex setup—requires expert configuration
- • Higher upfront costs for software licensing
- • Online ordering usually requires third-party add-ons
💡 Perfect For:
Multi-location restaurant groups, franchise chains, and established concepts with specific integration needs. Best when you have existing Aloha infrastructure or need processor flexibility.
✓ We install and support Aloha
Direct access to our team for setup, training, menu builds, and ongoing optimization.
🎯 When we recommend Aloha:
Multi-location chains, existing Aloha infrastructure, need processor flexibility, complex labor scheduling requirements.
🔄 When we recommend something else:
New single-location setup → SmartTab or SkyTab (modern, cloud-based). Want faster interface → SkyTab.
✅ Key Strengths
- • Huge app marketplace for customization
- • Great for counter-service and quick-service concepts
- • Affordable hardware and transparent pricing
- • Easy inventory management
- • Strong customer-facing payment options
- • Good for retail/cafe hybrids
⚠️ Potential Drawbacks
- • Not built for full-service table management
- • Limited KDS functionality compared to restaurant-specific systems
- • Tabs and complex bar workflows feel clunky
- • App ecosystem quality varies wildly
💡 Perfect For:
Coffee shops, bakeries, quick-service restaurants, food trucks, and counter-service concepts. Also great for hybrid retail spaces. Not our first choice for full-service bars or sit-down restaurants.
✓ We install and support Clover
Direct access to our team for setup, training, menu builds, and ongoing optimization.
🎯 When we recommend Clover:
Coffee shops, bakeries, QSR, food trucks, counter-service cafes, retail/restaurant hybrids.
🔄 When we recommend something else:
Full table service → SkyTab. High-volume bar with tabs → SmartTab. Restaurant with serious KDS needs → SkyTab.
✅ Key Strengths
- • Best-in-class marketing tools (email, SMS, loyalty)
- • Strong online ordering and commission-free delivery
- • Review management and reputation monitoring built-in
- • Good for restaurants focused on off-premise sales
- • Solid reporting and guest insights
⚠️ Potential Drawbacks
- • Core POS features lag behind SmartTab/SkyTab for pure speed
- • Can feel overwhelming if you just need a simple POS
- • Pricing can creep up with all the add-on modules
- • Less battle-tested in ultra-high-volume nightclub environments
💡 Perfect For:
Independent restaurants and small chains that want POS + marketing + online ordering in one ecosystem. Great if you're serious about building a guest database and running targeted campaigns.
✓ We install and support SpotOn
Direct access to our team for setup, training, menu builds, and ongoing optimization.
🎯 When we recommend SpotOn:
Restaurants serious about marketing, building guest databases, running loyalty programs, email/SMS campaigns, off-premise sales focus.
🔄 When we recommend something else:
Just need a fast POS (not marketing) → SmartTab or SkyTab. High-volume nightclub → SmartTab.
✅ What Toast Does Well
- • Restaurant-specific platform with deep feature set
- • Strong online ordering and delivery integrations
- • Comprehensive reporting and analytics
- • Good KDS and handheld options
- • Large user community and ecosystem
⚠️ The Challenge with Toast
- • Support is their biggest weakness — you get whoever answers the phone
- • Long hold times, inconsistent tech knowledge
- • No dedicated account manager unless you're enterprise-level
- • Pricing can creep up with add-on modules
- • Contract lock-ins with early termination fees
💡 Our Toast Support Service:
Already on Toast and frustrated with their support? We offer dedicated Toast support so you can skip the random tech who answers the phone and get help from someone who actually knows your system, your menu, and your business. We don't sell Toast, but we'll support you like we do.
✓ We provide dedicated support for Toast users
Get the personal attention and expertise you deserve — menu changes, troubleshooting, training, and optimization without the hold times.
✅ What Square Does Well
- • Easy setup — plug and play out of the box
- • Low barrier to entry, no long-term contracts
- • Good for very simple retail or counter-service
- • Transparent pricing structure
- • Familiar interface for small businesses
⚠️ Why It's Not Built for Real Restaurants
- • Originally designed for flea markets and homemakers taking card payments
- • Has evolved, but still lacks serious hospitality features
- • Minimal table management and coursing capabilities
- • Support is generic — not restaurant-focused
- • Limited KDS, bar tab management feels bolted-on
- • Fine for a coffee cart, not ideal for a busy restaurant
💡 When Square Works:
Pop-ups, food trucks, farmers markets, very basic counter-service cafes. If you're running a sit-down restaurant or bar with table service, tabs, and a real kitchen operation, you'll outgrow Square fast.
⚠ We do not sell or support Square
If you're outgrowing Square, let's talk about a real restaurant POS that can handle your volume and complexity.
✅ What Lightspeed Does Well
- • Strong for retail/restaurant hybrid concepts
- • Cloud-based with good inventory management
- • Multi-location management capabilities
- • Decent reporting and analytics
- • International presence (especially Canada)
⚠️ The Dealer Partnership Challenge
- • Lightspeed brought all partnerships in-house — no longer works with dealers
- • You buy direct from Lightspeed now
- • This means less personalized local support
- • Can be more expensive than competitors
- • Not as bar-focused as SmartTab or SkyTab
💡 How It Compares:
Lightspeed sits somewhere between Clover and SkyTab in terms of capabilities. Good for retail-heavy concepts, but if you're running a pure bar or restaurant, SmartTab or SkyTab typically offer better bar/kitchen-specific features at a better price point.
ℹ️ Lightspeed sells direct only
We can help you evaluate whether Lightspeed is right for your concept, but you'll purchase directly from them. If you need hands-on support, we recommend systems we can personally back.
Bottom line: Toast has the features but terrible support. Square is too basic for real restaurants. Lightspeed went direct-only. If you want a powerful system with dedicated personal support, SmartTab and SkyTab are where we'd steer you.
Which One Fits Your Concept?
Every venue is different. Take our 2-minute fit quiz or schedule a free consultation.
No pressure, no sales pitch—just honest guidance.
Common Questions
Can I bring my own payment processor?
Aloha: Yes. SmartTab, SkyTab, Clover, SpotOn: No—processing is bundled. These days, having integrated payments with the provided processors offers significantly more functionality than having a third-party processor.
How long does a typical migration take?
Typically 2–4 weeks from kickoff to go-live. This includes menu build, hardware install, staff training, and parallel testing. We work around your schedule to minimize disruption.
What if I'm mid-contract with my current POS?
We help you review your contract for early termination clauses and buyout costs. In many cases, the savings from a better system (lower fees, higher efficiency) offset any exit fees within a few months.
Do you offer ongoing support after install?
Absolutely. Unlike corporate support lines with 2-hour hold times, you get direct access to us. Menu changes, troubleshooting, staff turnover training—we're here. That's the Pulse difference.
Can I test a system before committing?
Yes—we can arrange demos and trial periods for most systems. We'd rather you test-drive it and feel confident than rush into the wrong decision.