7 Best Cafe POS Systems in Australia for 2026

This article looks at seven best cafe POS systems used by Australian cafes: POSApt, Square POS, Lightspeed Restaurant, OrderMate, Impos, SwiftPOS, and Bepoz. Each system suits a different type of cafe and way of working.

The goal of this guide is simple. It is to help you choose a POS system that fits how your cafe actually runs, not how a sales demo makes it look.

There is no single POS system that works for every cafe. A small takeaway coffee shop has very different needs from a busy brunch cafe with table service. Some cafes want the simplest setup possible. Others need stronger reporting, staff controls, or room to grow.

What cafes really need from a POS system

Before looking at individual systems, it helps to keep real cafe conditions in mind. Speed during busy periods, clear modifiers, smooth payments, and easy reporting are the things that matter most day to day. Every cafe POS system on this list handles these areas differently. The sections below focus on how each system performs in real cafe environments.

7 Best POS Systems for Cafes in Australia

1. POSApt

Typical price range 

Usually low monthly software cost or no base software fee, depending on configuration. Hardware is extra. Monthly cost often sits at the lower end for small to medium cafes.

Service & support

Support by phone or email. Setup help and configuration assistance are provided to help cafes get running smoothly.

Key features

• Fast order entry screens
• Simple modifier buttons for milk, sizes and extras
• Clear takeaway vs dine-in handling
• Split bill support
• Daily and weekly sales reporting
• Basic staff management

Best for

• Small to medium cafes
• Counter service or mixed service
• Cafes that want ease of use and simplicity

Things to check

If you need online ordering, POSApt can also provide a fully branded WordPress website for your business, which can be used to support online orders, making it the best cafe POS system in Australia.

Learn More: POSApt for Cafes

2. Square POS

Typical price range

No monthly software fee for basic use. Costs come from card processing and optional paid plan tiers. Hardware is separate.

Service & support

Support includes a help centre and phone support during business hours. Paid plans add extended support options.

Key features

• Clean, simple user interface
• Quick item and modifier entry
• Split bills and tipping support
• Basic reporting dashboards
• Staff access controls
• Optional loyalty tools on paid plans

Best for

• New cafes
• Owner-operated venues
• Simple menus and counter service

Things to consider

Costs can rise with paid add-ons like loyalty, advanced reporting or kitchen display screens.

3. Lightspeed Restaurant

Typical price range

Monthly subscription fees, often in the mid to higher range for hospitality POS. Hardware is a separate cost.

Service & support

Support is offered by phone and online, with onboarding assistance available. Higher-tier plans include more support options.

Key features

• Detailed and customisable menu layouts
• Table service and table mapping
• Strong reporting and analytics
• Staff performance tracking
• Order routing to kitchen or coffee stations
• Integrated inventory tracking

Best for

• Busy cafes
• Brunch venues with table service
• Cafes planning to grow or add locations

Things to consider

Setup and training take longer than simpler systems.

4. OrderMate

Typical price range

Monthly fees depend on modules selected. Costs sit in the mid-range for hospitality POS systems.

Service & support

Guided setup and training are common. Ongoing support is available by phone or email.

Key features

• Custom menu and modifier setup
• Table tracking and covers
• Kitchen display or printing options
• Staff scheduling basics
• Reporting on sales, peak times and discounts
• Easy splitting of bills

Best for

• Cafes that want a hospitality-focused system
• Busy or multi-shift service environments

Things to consider 

Be clear on which features are included and which are extra.

5. Impos

Typical price range

Monthly subscription in the mid to higher range. Hardware is additional.

Service & support

Setting up support, training resources, and ongoing help via phone or email are typical.

Key features

• Flexible button layouts
• Staff management and access levels
• Loyalty add-ons (optional)
• Detailed daily sales and trend reporting
• Kitchen or bar routing for orders
• Promotions and pricing tools

Best for

• Established cafes
• Steady or mid-high volume venues

Things to consider

Make sure to ask about response times and support availability.

6. SwiftPOS

Typical price range

Monthly subscription fees with a higher starting point than basic POS. Hardware is extra.

Service & support

Strong local support options with phone help and setup assistance. Good for cafes with complex workflows.

Key features

• Table management and floor maps
• Multi-area service handling
• Custom modifier layouts
• Advanced reporting and staff tracking
• Order routing to kitchen and bar areas
• Split and group billing

Best for

• Large cafes
• Cafe/restaurant hybrids
• Venues with multiple service areas

Things to consider

This system takes planning and training time to set up properly.

7. Bepoz

Typical price range

Monthly subscription with costs based on terminals and features chosen. Hardware is extra.

Service & support

Support by phone and email. Many venues find this system reliable with regular updates.

Key features

• Customisable front-of-house screen layouts
• Fast order entry
• Staff performance and sales tracking
• Order routing options
• Promotions and pricing flexibility
• Inventory basics

Best for

• Busy cafes
• High-volume venues
• Cafes that want control over layout screens

Things to consider

Ensure the system is configured for cafe service rather than just large venues.

Best Cafe POS Comparison Table — Australia 2026

How to choose the right cafe POS without overthinking it

Choosing a POS system can feel overwhelming, especially when every provider claims to do everything. The easiest way to decide is to stop thinking about features and start thinking about how your cafe actually operates on a normal day.

Start with your service style

The way you serve customers should guide your choice.

If your cafe is mainly counter service, with takeaway coffee and simple food items, speed and simplicity matter more than advanced tools. You need a cafe POS that lets staff enter orders quickly without searching through screens.

If you run a brunch cafe with table service, you may need better table handling, split bills, and clearer order flow between the floor, coffee station, and kitchen.

If your venue is larger or more complex, with different service areas or busy peak periods, you will benefit from a system that offers more control and flexibility, even if setup takes longer.

Think about staff, not just yourself

Many cafés rely on casual or part-time staff, so the best cafe POS isn’t just easy after weeks of use—it’s intuitive enough that even someone on their second shift can use it confidently.

Ask yourself:

• Can a new staff member learn this in one shift?
• Are the buttons clear and logically placed?
• Can mistakes be fixed quickly without calling a manager?

If the answer is no, the system will slow your team down over time.

Be honest about how busy you get

Some cafe POS systems shine in small, steady environments. Others are built for pressure.

If your cafe regularly has lines out the door, the POS must handle fast ordering, quick payments, and smooth order flow. Even a small delay per order adds up during peak hours.

If your cafe is quieter or more predictable, you may not need advanced features and can focus on reliability and low cost instead.

Balance price with support

Cheapest is not always best.

A low-cost cafe POS can be great if everything works smoothly. But when something goes wrong during service, support becomes important. Think about:

• How easy it is to contact support
• Whether help is available during your busiest times
• If setup and training are included or extra

Sometimes paying slightly more for better service saves money in the long run.

Plan for the next two years, not just now

Your cafe may change. Menus grow. Service style evolves. Online ordering or loyalty programs might become useful later.

You do not need to buy the most advanced system today, but you should choose one that will not force you to change everything after a short time.

Ask whether the system can grow with you without becoming complicated.

Test real situations before deciding

Before committing, always test the POS with real scenarios:

• A busy coffee order with multiple modifiers
• A split bill with mixed payments
• A refund or void
• End-of-day reporting

If these feel awkward or slow during a demo, they will feel worse during service.

Which POS System Suits Your Type of Cafe?

Not all cafes work the same way. A small coffee cart has different needs from a busy brunch venue with tables and food orders. The best cafe POS system works with your flow — not against it. Here’s a guide to which system fits different cafe styles.

1. Small Takeaway or Counter-Only Cafes

Best Cafe POS:

• POSApt
• Square POS

Why these work well:

Takeaway and counter-only cafes focus on fast service and simple menus. Staff need to enter orders quickly. Most transactions are coffee with a few modifiers (milk type, size, extras). Complex features like table service or advanced reporting are less important.

What to look for:

• Quick order entry
• Simple modifier buttons
• Fast checkout
• Basic reporting

How these POS help:

• Staff learn them in a few minutes
• Little setup or training required
• Affordable ongoing cost

2. Small to Medium Cafes with Casual Dining

Best Cafe POS:

• POSApt
• OrderMate
• Impos

Why these work well:

If you have a small dining area or occasional table service, you need a system that handles orders from both the counter and the floor without slowing staff down. These best POS systems in Australia balance speed with useful features like split billing and simple table tracking.

What to look for:

• Floor/table management
• Split bill support
• Clear order routing to coffee/kitchen
• Useful daily reports

How these POS help:

• Support moderate service complexity
• Keep ordering straightforward
• Provide clearer insight into sales patterns

3. Busy Brunch Cafes with Table Service

Best Cafe POS:

• POSApt
• Lightspeed Restaurant
• OrderMate

Why these work well:

Brunch venues often have a flow of table orders, reservations, and peak rush periods. These systems provide stronger control over table layouts, staff tracking, and order timing. They also offer more detailed reporting to help understand busy periods and menu performance.

What to look for:

• Table service features
• Staff performance tracking
• Detailed sales/shift reports
• Order routing (coffee bar, kitchen)

How these POS help:

• Reduce order mistakes during busy service
• Give better visibility over performance
• Make table and dine-in flow smoother

4. Larger Cafes or Multi-Area Venues

Best POS:

• POSApt
• SwiftPOS
• Bepoz

Why these work well:

If your cafe has multiple areas or service points — such as a separate coffee bar and kitchen, lounges, outdoor seating, or high customer volume — you need a system that can handle complexity. These POS systems offer flexible layouts, advanced reporting, and strong staff management.

What to look for:

• Multi-area or floor mapping
• Advanced modifier setup
• Staff roles and access control
• Group and split billing options

How these POS help:

• Keep service organised across zones
• Support complicated ordering flows
• Provide deep reporting for management decisions

5. Cafes Planning to Grow or Add Features Later

Best POS:

• POSApt
• Lightspeed Restaurant
• SwiftPOS

Why these work well: 

If you expect your cafe to grow — more locations, more staff, or more complex service — choose a system that can scale. These POS platforms have stronger management tools that can support growth without forcing a complete system change later.

What to look for:

• Multi-location support
• Staff performance and roles
• Inventory tracking
• Integrated loyalty and reporting

How these POS help:

• Grow with your business
• Reduce pain points as service evolves
• Offer more insight as operations expand

Quick Summary

Final thoughts

There is no perfect cafe POS system—only the right one for your cafe.

For many Australian cafes in 2026, POSApt works well because it focuses on practical service and daily ease of use. That’s why it’s often considered one of the contenders for the best cafe POS system in Australia, particularly for venues that value simplicity and speed.

The other systems on this list suit different cafe styles and stages of growth. Ultimately, the best choice is the system that fits your workflow, supports your staff, and lets you spend less time fixing problems at the counter.