The Best Food Truck POS Software for Mobile Businesses in 2025

When your business runs on wheels, you can’t afford to be slowed down by your point of sale (POS) system. A generic setup might work for a brick-and-mortar restaurant, but the best food truck POS software should help you manage a tight space, shifting locations, and a small, hourly team.

In this post, we’ll break down our top seven food truck POS systems for 2025, plus the features that’ll help your mobile kitchen keep the orders (and profits) flowing.

TL;DR: Food truck pos software

Here’re some key points to consider while shopping for a POS system for food trucks:

The seven best point of sale systems for food trucks:

• Square: Best food truck POS software overall
• Toast: Best food truck POS system for established chains
• Clover: Best professional hardware for food truck POS
• SpotOn: Best free POS system for food trucks (except for processing fees)
• SumUp: Best food truck POS software for marketing and customer loyalty
• Lightspeed: Best POS software for food trucks with retail sales
• Zettle by PayPal: Best for international food truck POS

What to look for in a POS system for food trucks:

• Offline functionality
• Portable and sturdy hardware
• Mobile and QR code ordering
• Flexible payment options
• Real-time reporting from your phone
• Integration with food truck management software
• A good match for your budget

Watch out for these common mistakes when choosing food truck POS software:

• Picking the cheapest option without testing offline mode
• Buying overly bulky hardware
• Not paying attention to team management features
• Not planning for business growth
• Skipping the free trial or demo
• Forgetting about customer support

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What is food truck POS software? (And why it matters)

Food truck POS software is a compact, mobile-friendly point of sale system that handles orders, payments, inventory, and team tracking. It helps you process cards and track sales so you can keep every part of your business connected no matter where you park.

Unlike traditional restaurants, food trucks have a few unique needs when it comes to POS:

• Offline capabilities for a business on the move
• Compact hardware to accommodate limited space
• Quick, reliable credit card processing for when peak hours hit
• Inventory tracking that keeps up with daily fluctuations
• Team scheduling and time tracking features for hourly crews with changing shifts

The 7 best food truck POS systems for 2025

Here the pros, cons, and key features of this year’s best food truck POS systems:

1. Square: Best food truck pos system overall

Who it’s best for: Square is best for food truck owners who want easy set‑up and flexible mobile operations.

Key features:

• Offline payments
• Easy-to-use for staff and customers
• Sturdy but lightweight hardware 
• Integrates with Homebase’s food truck management software

Pricing: Starts at $0/month plus 2.5% credit card fees, 0.75% + 7¢ per debit transaction fees, or 3.3% + 15¢ card-not-present fees.

Why food truck owners love it: When it comes to food truck POS software, Square is ol’ reliable. It’s simple to get set up, easy to learn, and can move with you from one event to another.

Potential drawbacks: Some customers find Square’s credit card fees to be on the higher end.

2. Toast: Best for established food truck chains

Who it’s best for: Toast POS is best for food truck owners scaling up to multiple trucks or seeking full‑service restaurant features.

Key features:

• Cloud-based POS with robust restaurant features
• Advanced real-time reporting
• Integrated payment processing
• Homebase integration for time-tracking and scheduling

Pricing: Starts at $0 USD 

Why food truck owners love it: Chains or multi‑truck businesses benefit from customizable, restaurant-grade features and strong backend tools.

Potential drawbacks: Compared to other providers, Toast’s customer support isn’t as strong.

3. Clover: Best professional hardware for food trucks

Who it’s best for: Clover is the best POS system for food trucks that want a reliable, all-in-one tool with unbeatable hardware.

Key features:

• Robust inventory management
• A variety of hardware options
• Promotion and loyalty programs
• Integration with employee management tools

Pricing: Contact for consultation. Credit card fees are as low as 2.3% + 10¢ per transaction.

Why food truck owners love it: The hardware is sleek and sturdy, which is ideal for all the bumps that come with food trucks.

Potential drawbacks: A higher upfront cost for hardware rental or purchase, and you can’t change it for free if it isn’t working for you.

4. SpotOn: Best for zero upfront costs

Who it’s best for: SpotOn is best for food trucks that have simple needs and want to save costs as they’re getting started.

Key features:

• User-friendly layout
• Affordable hardware add-ons
• Customer support tools
• Built-in loyalty tools.

Pricing: Starts at $0/month plus 2.89% + 25c transaction fees.

Why food truck owners love it: SpotOn keeps costs low at the outset, and performs simple functions well.

Potential drawbacks: As with any free POS system for food trucks, its features are limited, and you’ll need to upgrade to access things like offline modes or employee scheduling.

5. SumUp: Best for marketing and customer loyalty

Who it’s best for: SumUp is the best POS system for food trucks with dedicated customer bases who love their perks.

Key features:

• Customer database
• Customer rewards
• Fast payments and payouts
• Works without hardware for some newer phones

Pricing: Starts at $99/month, plus 2.6% + 10¢ fees for card-present or 3.5% + 15¢ fees for card-not-present transactions.

Why food truck owners love it: SumUp is a quality pos software that offers detailed loyalty tools for food trucks with a cult following. At higher cost plans, automated marketing tools are also available.

Potential drawbacks: Customer service is only available from 9am-7pm Monday-Friday, which can leave you in a bind if you have trouble during a weekend event.

6. Lightspeed: Best for food trucks with retail sales

Who it’s best for: Lightspeed is primarily a retail POS software, so it’s a great fit if your food truck also sells merchandise like branded cups or t-shirts.

Key features:

• Integrated payments
• Inventory management
• 24/7 chat support
• Homebase integration for scheduling and time-tracking

Pricing: Starts at $119/month.

Why food truck owners love it: One of Lightspeed’s best-known restaurant clients is Five Guys, so it’s suited for multi-location, quick-service settings. If you’ve got multiple trucks and lots of inventory to track, it could be a good fit.

Potential drawbacks: Lightspeed can come with lengthy contracts in exchange for lower pricing, so if you find it isn’t a good fit, you’re at risk of getting locked in.

7. PayPal POS (Formerly Zettle): Best for international food trucks

Who it’s best for: PayPal POS accepts all sorts of currency, which makes it the best food truck POS software for businesses that operate in multiple countries.

Key features:

• Multiple hardware options for different needs (including sticking to your phone!)
• Quick access to funds
• Lots of payment options for customers
• Detailed dashboard in the app

Pricing: Transaction fees between 2.29 - 3.49%. Hardware starts at $29.

Why food truck owners love it: If you’ve got a music festival in Washington state one weekend and a food festival in BC the next, you don’t need to worry about losing customers if you can’t accept their currency.

Potential drawbacks: PayPal POS doesn’t have menu features, which can limit you if you’ve got a wide variety of food options.

How to choose the best POS system for your food truck

To choose the best food truck POS software, you need to match your day-to-day needs with tools that make service smoother and more profitable.

Here’s what to look for when comparing POS systems built for life on the road:

Offline functionality is non-negotiable

No wifi? No problem. Service interruptions can cost hundreds in lost orders, so a POS system for food trucks has to keep running even when the internet doesn’t. 

When the internet drops, your POS software stores transaction data locally, then automatically syncs once you’re back online. That means your team can keep swiping cards and moving the line along without worrying about dropped connections or awkward “cash-only” signs.

Portable, durable hardware

In a food truck, every inch of counter space matters. Your food truck POS hardware should be lightweight and compact, but also tough enough to handle grease, vibration, and the occasional splash of fryer oil.

Look for handheld terminals or tablets with:

• Sturdy mounts to stick near the serving window or prep line
• Long battery life and fast charging
• Easy movability between multiple trucks

Mobile and QR code ordering

POS systems that offer mobile or QR code ordering let customers browse menus and pay from their phones while they wait in line. This can make a huge difference during busy events like festivals where hungry customers are looking for the shortest lines.

On top of shortening wait times, these features can improve order accuracy and free up your team to focus on cooking. Pair them with loyalty programs, and you’ve got yourself some repeat customers.

Payment flexibility

Cash, chip, tap, mobile wallet—your customers use all of them. A reliable POS for food truck setups needs to handle every type of payment quickly and securely.

When it comes to food truck credit card processing, look for transparent transaction fees and compatibility with your bank or payment provider. Nothing eats into profits faster than unexpected processing costs.

Real-time reporting from your phone

With a mobile business, your office is wherever you are. The best food truck POS software should let you check sales, inventory, and labor reports right from your phone.

This data gives you a quick look at which menu items are flying and which aren’t, helping you adjust pricing or prep in real time. This is especially useful if you’re managing multiple trucks and need a birdseye view of your business.

If you start noticing patterns with slow days, you can schedule fewer employees and run some social promos to boost sales.

Integration with food truck management tools

Running a food truck comes with a lot of hats to wear—chef, driver, accountant, HR manager.  The last thing you need is to be juggling a bunch of different tools. That’s why integration matters.

Your POS should sync seamlessly with all-in-one food truck management software that handles:

• Employee scheduling
• Time-clock tracking for hourly employees
• Timesheets and payroll processing

When your POS and scheduling software share and automatically update data, you get a clear view of labor costs versus sales. No more guessing who clocked in late or when to cut hours.

Budget considerations

Food truck POS software doesn’t have to break the bank. Many options are low cost, and there are even some free POS systems for food trucks—though they often have limited features or higher processing fees.

When comparing plans, look at the total cost of ownership, including:

• Hardware
• Software subscriptions
• Credit card fees
• Support features 

A slightly higher monthly plan that includes strong reporting and integrations can save you hours (and headaches) down the line. Remember, POS software isn’t just another expense, it’s an investment in smoother service and better margins. 

Food truck credit card processing: What you need to know

Understanding the details of food truck credit card processing is essential before you make any choices about POS software. It’s important that your software is trustworthy and reliable, but you also need to keep an eye out for hidden costs and fees.

Here’s what to understand before signing up for a processor:

Understanding transaction fees

Every swipe or tap comes with a small cost, even for the free software. Transaction fees usually range from 2%-3% of each sale, depending on your provider. It might not look like much, but when you’re operating on thin margins, that adds up fast.

Get clear on the fees so you can set your prices accordingly!

Card-present vs. card-not-present transactions

Credit card fees will look a little different depending on the type of transaction it is:

• Card-present transactions refer to when a customer pays right at your truck
• Card-not-present transactions are performed with online, mobile, or QR code orders

While online orders are a great way to speed up your line, they also come with a higher risk of fraud, even with PCI DSS compliant tools. Because of this, food truck POS systems typically have higher fees associated with card-not-present transactions. Before you set up mobile ordering, do the math on if it’s worth it.

Payment types to accept

Mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay are growing fast, especially among younger customers. Choose food truck POS software that supports tap-to-pay, chip, and swipe options so you never have to turn away a sale.

But don’t leave the cashbox behind! There are no fees associated with taking dollar bills, and your older customers will appreciate doing things the old fashioned way.

Tips for reducing processing costs

Every percentage point matters when margins are tight, and choosing the right food truck POS software impacts your bottom line.

Here are a few quick tips to reduce those processing fees:

• Batch credit card transactions daily to minimize per-transaction charges
• Avoid long-term contracts that lock you into high rates
• Look for built-in discounts for small business owners or seasonal vendors
• Closely compare processors to find what’s right for your business

Watch out for these common mistakes food truck owners make with POS systems

Before you invest in a food truck POS system, keep an eye out for pitfalls that can cost time, money, and momentum:

• Choosing the cheapest option without testing offline mode: Low-cost systems can cut corners on reliability. If your POS can’t take orders when wifi drops, you’re losing sales at peak hours.
• Buying hardware that's too bulky: Counter space is precious. Look for sleek, durable devices designed for the tight footprint of a mobile kitchen.
• Not planning for growth: Whether you add a second truck or start catering, scalable point of sale systems for food trucks save you from upgrading later.
• Skipping the free trial: Testing firsthand is the best way to know if a system fits your workflow. Take advantage of demos and free trials from the start.
• Forgetting about customer support: Look, glitches happen. Reliable and responsive help ensures your truck doesn’t get stalled by tech troubles.
• Ignoring team management features: Scheduling and time tracking aren’t extras—they’re essentials! A food truck POS that integrates with tools like Homebase keeps hourly staff organized and payroll accurate.

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Frequently asked questions about food truck POS software

What POS system is best for food trucks?

While there is no “best” food truck POS software, Square, Toast, and Clover are some of the highest-rated POS systems for food trucks. This is largely thanks to their ease-of-use, offline capabilities, and integrations.

Is there free POS software?

Yes, there is a free POS software. Some companies like Square, offer a free monthly tier, but you’ll still pay processing fees per transaction.

Is Toast POS good for food trucks?

Yes, Toast POS is good for food trucks. It works especially well for businesses owners with multiple trucks who are looking for more robust restaurant features.

What POS does Chick-fil-A use?

Chick-fil-A uses Ditto as their POS system after partnering with them in 2023.

How much does food truck POS software cost?

Food truck POS software typically costs anywhere between $0-$150 per month, plus 2%–3% in transaction fees. Pricing depends on features and hardware, so be sure you aren’t paying extra for perks you won’t use.

Can I use my phone as a food truck POS system?

Yes, you can use your phone as a food truck POS system. This is not true for all software, but with mobile apps like Square or SumUp, your smartphone can act as a full POS system for food truck transactions.

Working with point of sale systems for food trucks

To choose the best food truck POS software, you need to find the right features for your workflow. Think about where you serve, how your team operates, and what you need to get through the rush in style.

Want to manage your team as well as you manage orders? Homebase integrates seamlessly with POS software, and helps manage time tracking, scheduling, team communication, and payroll all in one mobile app.

Until January 2026, we’re offering 6 free months of our Plus plan with payroll software. Pair that with Square’s free plan, and you’ve got a free all-in-one system for your food truck.

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