How to choose a restaurant POS.
Seven questions to ask before you buy.
Updated November 2026
A restaurant POS (point of sale) is the software and hardware you use to take orders, send KOTs to the kitchen, print bills and track sales. Choosing the wrong one is costly: staff need retraining, menus need rebuilding and you lose months of reports. Use these seven questions before you buy.
1. How fast is it at rush hour?
Ask for a live demo and bill a full table yourself. Count the taps. Look for short codes, search, keyboard shortcuts and one-tap KOT, bill and settle.
2. What happens when the internet goes down?
Switch off the Wi-Fi's internet during the demo. Can you still bill, print KOTs and settle? Software that runs on your own PC keeps working; many cloud systems slow down or stop.
3. Does it have a captain app and kitchen display?
Table ordering on a phone and a kitchen screen save time and reduce mistakes. Check whether they are included or need a higher plan.
4. Is GST handled properly?
You need GST per item, a CGST/SGST split on the bill and a GST report. See our guide to GST on restaurant bills.
5. What is the real yearly cost?
Add up the base plan, higher-plan features you need, per-terminal charges, installation, training and support. Compare the total, not the headline price.
6. Who holds your data?
With cloud POS, your sales, customers and menu sit on the vendor's servers. With software like QPOS, they stay on your own PC with daily backups. Decide which you are more comfortable with.
7. Who installs it and trains your staff?
Good onboarding matters as much as features. Ask whether someone sets up your menu, tables, printers and GST, and trains cashiers and captains.
Hardware you will need
Usually a Windows PC or touchscreen POS, a thermal printer and a Wi-Fi router. See our restaurant billing machine guide for prices.
Common questions
What is a restaurant POS system?
A restaurant POS system is the software and hardware used to take orders, send KOTs to the kitchen, print bills, take payments and report sales.
Cloud POS or PC-based POS?
Cloud POS stores your data on the vendor's servers and depends on the internet. PC-based POS like QPOS keeps data on your own PC and keeps billing during net outages. Many owners choose based on reliability and data ownership.
How long does it take to set up a restaurant POS?
With QPOS, about one day: we install it, set up your menu, tables, GST and printers, and train your staff.
More guides: all QPOS guides.
See QPOS running on your own counter.
We come to your restaurant, set up your menu and show you billing, KOTs and reports. No commitment.