Short answer: There isn’t one best POS for every business. A restaurant needs pay-at-table and a kitchen screen; a corner store needs fast debit and inventory; a salon needs a tidy front desk. Pick the system that fits how you sell, then pick the processing rate that fits your card mix, because over a year the rate usually costs more than the hardware. We place both Clover and Square, so this guide covers those two.
What to look for in a POS system
- Where you take payment. Only at a counter, at the table, at the door, or all three? That decides handheld vs countertop.
- What it needs to run besides payments: inventory, staff, a kitchen display, self-order, loyalty or gift cards.
- Connection. Devices with 4G/LTE or Ethernet keep working when the Wi-Fi doesn’t.
- Total cost: hardware plus monthly software plus processing on every sale. See the cheapest POS system in Canada for how these add up.
- Who answers when it stops. A person on the phone on a Saturday night is worth more than a feature list.
The best POS by type of business
| Business | Where we usually start | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and lounges | Clover Station Duo + Clover Flex, plus Kitchen Display | Customer screen for tips, pay-at-table with a printer, orders straight to the line |
| Pizza, wings and quick service | Clover Mini + Clover Flex Pocket, Kiosk for the rush | Fast till, payment at the door, self-order to shorten the queue |
| Retail, grocery and convenience | Clover Mini or Square Register | Inventory and reporting on the same device; small footprint |
| Cafés and bakeries | Clover Mini or Square Register | One compact register for a short line |
| Salons and services | Square Terminal or Clover Flex | One handheld with a printer keeps the front desk clear |
| Markets, pop-ups, mobile sellers | Clover Flex, or Square Reader with your own phone | 4G/LTE on the Flex; the lowest-cost start with a Reader |
These are starting points from the businesses we set up, not rules. A quote looks at your actual counter and card mix before we recommend anything.
Clover or Square?
Clover is the stronger pick when you need a full counter: kitchen display, kiosk, pay-at-table and built-in loyalty, with devices that run on 4G/LTE. Hardware can be bought or leased to own, and the Clover Flex can be rented. Square is the lightest, app-first setup and can use the phone or iPad you already own; the hardware is bought outright. The full comparison is in Clover vs Square in Canada.
What it costs
- Hardware: from a $69 Square Reader to a full Clover Station Duo. See card machines for the ways to buy, lease or rent.
- Monthly fees: none on any GT Payments plan.
- Processing: Square accounts through us are on the Fixed plan (2.50% credit, 0.75% + $0.07 debit, the same as Square’s published in-person rates). Clover can also go on Variable (interchange + 0.20% on credit, $0.05 debit) or Surcharge (2.40% paid by the cardholder where permitted). See our rates, Square fees and Clover pricing.
POS system questions
What is the best POS system for a small business in Canada?
The one that fits how you sell. For restaurants and busy counters we usually recommend Clover (Station Duo, Flex, Kitchen Display); for the lightest, app-first setup, Square. Retail and cafés do well on a Clover Mini or Square Register. Then choose the processing rate that fits your card mix.
Is Clover or Square better for a restaurant?
For full-service restaurants we usually start with Clover: a Station Duo at the bar or host stand, Clover Flex for pay-at-table and a Kitchen Display on the line.
How much does a POS system cost per month?
Through GT Payments there is no monthly fee. Your monthly cost is processing on each sale, plus lease or rental payments if you don’t buy the hardware outright.
Can you set up a POS outside Toronto?
Yes. We install in person across the GTA and set up businesses elsewhere in Canada by phone or video, with the same 24/7 support line.