6.5/10 (Expert Score)

Product is rated as #11 in category Bar POS Systems

NCR Voyix Aloha POS Review 2026

Updated: January 2026 • Verified Q1 2026

THE BOTTOM LINE: NCR Voyix Aloha is the restaurant industry’s legacy leader—more staff are trained on Aloha than any other POS. The flagship Aloha Essentials platform is a Windows-based hybrid system built for enterprise operations, with custom pricing and hardware running ~$1,000/terminal (or $0 upfront with subscription). Best for: mid-size to enterprise restaurants, chains, and complex multi-location operations. Not ideal for: small restaurants wanting simple, transparent pricing.

NCR Voyix Aloha is the granddaddy of restaurant POS systems. Founded in 1884 as National Cash Register, the company has evolved through 140+ years of payment technology. In October 2023, NCR Corporation split into two publicly traded companies: NCR Voyix (restaurants, retail, digital commerce) and NCR Atleos (ATMs). The Aloha POS brand stayed with NCR Voyix.

Today, Aloha powers over 75,000 restaurants worldwide—from local diners to chains like Chipotle, Firehouse Subs, and Wendy’s. More restaurant staff have been trained on Aloha than any other POS system, which creates a built-in familiarity advantage when hiring experienced workers.

Under new CEO James Kelly (appointed February 2025), NCR Voyix is working to shed its “legacy” reputation with a more customer-focused culture and modernized technology.

Looking for Aloha Cloud? NCR also offers a simpler, Android-based cloud option for independent restaurants. Read our Aloha Cloud review →

SHORT ON TIME?

Use our free POS comparison tool to get matched with the right system for your business in just a few clicks. Or check out our ranked list of the best POS systems for restaurants to see how Aloha stacks up against the competition.

Pros & Cons

PROS:

Industry standard — staff already know it
$0 upfront hardware option available
Robust enterprise features and scalability
200+ third-party integrations
24/7 support included in subscription
Strong offline mode and hybrid cloud
Handles complex multi-location operations

CONS:

Pricing not transparent — must contact sales
Must use NCR Voyix Payments
Proprietary hardware only
Mixed customer service reviews
Complex setup and steep learning curve
Reports of contract and billing issues

NCR Voyix Aloha Pricing

NCR Voyix Aloha Essentials is the flagship Windows-based platform designed for enterprise restaurant operations. Pricing requires a custom quote based on your specific needs.

Aloha Essentials

Component	Estimated Cost	Notes
Software	~$170/month per location	Industry-reported starting point
Additional Terminals	~$45/month each	Per extra terminal beyond first
Hardware (subscription)	$0 upfront	Hardware included in monthly subscription
Hardware (purchase)	~$1,000/terminal	Own your hardware, lower monthly fees
Handheld Devices	Quote required	8-10 hour battery, compact design
Kitchen Display (KDS)	Quote required	Integrated with POS

Aloha Essentials includes:

Windows-based hybrid cloud POS
Local server with cloud backup
Online ordering and gift cards included
More extensive customization options
380+ standard reports

Contract Terms:

Hardware: $0 upfront with subscription or ~$1,000/terminal purchased
Implementation: Billed separately (varies by complexity)
Support: 24/7 included in all subscriptions
Processing: NCR Voyix Payments required (no third-party)

Looking for the right POS?

Compare POS Systems

Key Features

Restaurant Operations

Order management: Fixed terminals and handheld devices for tableside ordering
Menu building: Easy customization with modifiers, combos, and forced selections
Tab management: Open, split, transfer, and merge checks with ease
Offline mode: Continue operations when internet goes down
Kitchen display: Integrated KDS for order routing and timing

Online & Delivery

Aloha Order Direct: First-party online ordering
Third-party integration: DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub orders flow directly to POS
QR code ordering: Contactless menu and payment options
Self-service kiosks: Customer-facing ordering stations

Analytics & Reporting

380+ standard reports: Sales, labor, inventory, and more
Mobile reporting app: Real-time data access from anywhere
Scheduled reports: Automatic email delivery
Export builder: Custom report creation

Employee Management

Time tracking: Clock in/out with labor cost reporting
Role-based permissions: Granular access controls
Payroll integration: Export to ADP, Millennium, and others
Mobile alerts: Notifications for irregularities

Customer Engagement

Loyalty programs: Points-based rewards
Email marketing: Built-in campaign tools
Gift cards: Physical and digital (Essentials plan)
Customer database: Track preferences and history

Integrations

NCR Voyix Aloha offers 200+ third-party integrations:

Accounting: QuickBooks, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics GP, ACCPAC
Payroll: ADP, Millennium
Delivery: DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub
Reservations: OpenTable, Yelp
Inventory: Various bar and restaurant inventory systems
Payments: NCR Voyix Payments (Clover integration available)

Payment Processing

NCR Voyix requires you to use their integrated payment processing—third-party processors are not supported.

Processing rates: Custom quote (not publicly disclosed)
Payment methods: EMV chip, tap-to-pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay
Funding: Next-day merchant deposits
Security: Point-to-point encryption, PCI compliant

Note: NCR Voyix implemented processing fee increases in April 2025 for existing customers, including a 0.25% increase to discount fees and up to $0.07 increase per authorization.

NCR Voyix Aloha vs. Competitors

Feature	NCR Aloha	Toast	Square	Rezku
Pricing	Custom quote	$0-$69/mo	$0-$60/mo	$99/mo (5 stations)
Hardware	Proprietary only	Proprietary	iPad/Square	iPad only
Own Processor	No	No	No	No
Best For	Enterprise/chains	Mid-size restaurants	Small/simple	Pizzerias, delivery
Industry Standard	Yes (most trained)	Growing	Limited	Niche

Customer Support

NCR Voyix provides 24/7 support included with all subscriptions:

Phone support: Available 24/7/365
In-app chat: Management app for quick support access
Knowledge base: Online documentation and how-to guides
Implementation team: Dedicated setup and onboarding
Training: In-person, online courses, and video library

Customer feedback is mixed: While NCR touts 35,000 employees globally and a network of value-added resellers, user reviews tell a different story for some customers. Common complaints include:

Difficulty reaching knowledgeable support
Slow resolution for complex issues
Contract and billing disputes
Small businesses feeling neglected

Enterprise customers with dedicated account managers generally report better experiences than small independent restaurants.

Who Should Use NCR Voyix Aloha?

✅ Best fit for:

Mid-size to large restaurants with complex operations
Multi-location chains and franchises
Restaurants hiring experienced staff (who likely know Aloha)
Operations needing robust reporting and analytics
Businesses wanting an industry-standard platform
Enterprise operations with dedicated IT resources

❌ Not ideal for:

Small restaurants wanting simple, transparent pricing
Businesses that prefer iPad or bring-your-own hardware
Operators who want to choose their own payment processor
Restaurants without technical expertise for setup
Budget-conscious startups

FAQ

How much does NCR Aloha cost?

NCR Aloha Essentials requires a custom quote based on your specific needs, number of locations, and features required. Hardware runs ~$1,000/terminal or $0 upfront with a subscription bundle. Contact NCR Voyix directly for pricing. For the simpler Aloha Cloud platform, see our Aloha Cloud review.

What's the difference between Aloha Cloud and Aloha Essentials?

Aloha Essentials (covered in this review) is a Windows-based hybrid platform with extensive customization for complex, enterprise operations. Aloha Cloud is a simpler Android-based system for independent restaurants—see our dedicated Aloha Cloud review for details.

Can I use my own payment processor with Aloha?

No. NCR Voyix requires you to use their integrated payment processing service. Third-party processors are not supported. Processing rates are provided as part of your custom quote.

Can I bring my own iPad or hardware?

No. NCR Aloha requires proprietary hardware. You cannot use iPads, Android tablets, or other devices. Hardware can be purchased (~$1,000/terminal) or included in a monthly subscription at $0 upfront.

What happened to NCR Corporation?

In October 2023, NCR Corporation split into two companies: NCR Voyix (restaurant, retail, and digital commerce) and NCR Atleos (ATMs). The Aloha POS brand is now part of NCR Voyix. In August 2024, NCR Voyix also sold its digital banking division for $2.45 billion to focus on restaurants and retail.

Is Aloha good for small restaurants?

Aloha Essentials is designed for enterprise operations and is generally not the best fit for small restaurants due to its complexity, custom pricing, and steep learning curve. Small restaurants should consider Aloha Cloud, Square for Restaurants, or Rezku for simpler alternatives.

How does Aloha compare to Toast?

Both are strong restaurant POS systems. Aloha has deeper industry roots (140+ years) and more staff trained on it, while Toast offers a more modern, user-friendly experience with transparent pricing. Toast has grown rapidly and is now the industry standard for mid-size restaurants. For enterprise operations, Aloha may offer more customization; for most others, Toast is likely a better fit.

Verdict

NCR Voyix Aloha remains the restaurant industry’s legacy leader—a position built on 140+ years of payment technology innovation. More restaurant staff are trained on Aloha than any other POS, which creates real operational advantages when hiring.

The 2023 corporate split into NCR Voyix and NCR Atleos, combined with new leadership in 2025, signals the company’s effort to modernize and compete with cloud-native competitors like Toast. The $0 upfront hardware option makes the platform more accessible than ever for enterprise operations.

However, significant concerns remain. Pricing is opaque (custom quotes only), you’re locked into NCR’s payment processing (which saw rate increases in 2025), and customer support reviews are mixed—especially for smaller businesses. The platform’s complexity also means longer setup times and a steeper learning curve than modern alternatives.

Rating: 6.5/10 — A powerful enterprise POS with unmatched industry presence, but opaque pricing, locked-in payment processing, mixed support experiences, and complexity hold it back from a higher score.

Recommendation: NCR Voyix Aloha Essentials is best suited for mid-size to enterprise restaurants that value industry-standard software and need robust multi-location management. The familiarity advantage—staff likely already know Aloha—is real. For small restaurants or those wanting transparent pricing and simpler operations, consider Aloha Cloud, Toast, Square for Restaurants, or Rezku instead.

Not sure which POS is best for you?

Start Your Free POS Match

About the Author

Jason Feemster
POS systems expert and founder of POSUSA.com, a trusted industry resource since 2011. With over a decade of hands-on experience testing and reviewing point-of-sale systems, he helps business owners choose solutions that actually fit their needs.

Specification: Aloha POS

Best For	Restaurants, Quick Service, Full Service, Bars
Business Size	Medium, Large
POS Type	Cloud, Windows
Software Type	Cloud/SaaS, On Premise (Windows)
Free Trial	Demo Only
Merchant Services	In-House Only
Pricing Model	Monthly Payment, Contract
Price Range	$$$$-$$$$$