Touchbistro
$69.00
jason.feemster
Touchbistro POS Review: Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons
Updated January 2026 • Verified Q1 2026
Table of Contents
TouchBistro is an iPad-based restaurant POS starting at $69/month with strong offline capabilities, intuitive table management, and built-in features that reduce third-party integration needs. The familiar iOS interface means faster staff training. The catch: annual contracts and TouchBistro Payments are required.
👉 Compare TouchBistro to other restaurant POS systems.
I’ve tested a lot of restaurant POS systems, and TouchBistro stands out for one simple reason: it uses iPads instead of proprietary hardware. That means your servers aren’t learning a whole new system — they’re using something that already feels familiar.
The offline capabilities are genuinely reliable, and the restaurant-specific features hit the right notes without overcomplicating things. It’s not perfect (more on that below), but it gets the fundamentals right.
🎥 Video Review
👆 Watch our hands-on walkthrough of TouchBistro’s interface, table management, and reporting features.
Pros & Cons
- Familiar iPad interface reduces training
- Reliable offline mode (full hybrid)
- Restaurant-focused features built-in
- 24/7 support availability
- Strong table and floor plan management
- Tableside ordering with mobile iPads
- iPad-only (no Android)
- Quote-based pricing lacks transparency
- Add-ons increase costs
- Annual contract required
- TouchBistro Payments required
- Mixed support/stability reviews
TouchBistro Pricing
TouchBistro uses a quote-based pricing model starting at $69/month for POS software. Costs vary based on your selected features and restaurant needs.
| Plan | Monthly Cost | What’s Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| POS Software | Starting at $69/mo | Menu management, floor plans, reporting, staff management, tableside ordering | Restaurants with existing hardware |
| Essentials Bundle | $99/mo ($0 hardware upfront) | POS software + hardware + integrated payments | New restaurants wanting an all-in-one package |
| Add-Ons | Quote-based | Online ordering, reservations, loyalty, KDS, inventory, gift cards, marketing | Restaurants needing specific features |
Key Features
Quick Specs
| Feature | TouchBistro POS |
|---|---|
| Best For | Full-Service Restaurants, Quick Service, Cafes, Bars |
| Starting Price | $69/month (software only) or $99/month (Essentials Bundle) |
| Hardware Platform | iPad-based (iOS) |
| Free Trial | Demo available (contact required) |
| Payment Processor | TouchBistro Payments (required for new customers) |
| Multi-Location Support | Yes |
| Offline Mode | Yes (hybrid system) |
| Contract Required | Yes (annual, auto-renew) |
Notable Features
- Tableside Ordering: Staff input orders directly at tables using handheld iPads, reducing trips to fixed terminals
- Floor Plan & Table Management: Drag-and-drop visual layout with real-time table status tracking
- Menu Management: Update prices, add items, or mark unavailable instantly across all terminals
- Hybrid Offline Mode: Full POS functionality during internet outages — orders, payments, and menu edits all work offline
- Kitchen Display System (KDS): Streamlines FOH/BOH communication (add-on)
- Online Ordering: Accept orders from your website with no third-party fees (add-on)
- Reporting & Analytics: Sales, menu performance, staff tracking, and inventory reports accessible from anywhere
- Integrations: QuickBooks, Xero, 7shifts, MarginEdge — plus built-in loyalty program
Hardware
TouchBistro runs on iPads — you can use existing compatible devices or purchase through them. Compatible peripherals include receipt printers, cash drawers, card readers, KDS screens, and customer-facing displays. Setup includes hardware verification and configuration assistance.
Real User Feedback
TouchBistro averages 3.8–4.1 out of 5 stars across review platforms. Users praise ease of use but report concerns about stability and support.
✅ What Users Like
- Easy menu management: “Very easy and quick to change products and prices”
- Intuitive interface: “iPad interface is intuitive for all staff levels”
- Reliable offline mode: “Excellent offline capabilities during internet issues”
- Visual floor plans: “Drag-and-drop floor plans are very helpful”
❌ What Users Don’t Like
- System stability: “System often crashes. Still no resolution in sight”
- Contract concerns: “Difficulty canceling subscription after 4 years”
- Hardware costs: “Thousands of dollars of Apple hardware required”
- Support quality: “Support lacks knowledge and reads from script”
TouchBistro vs Other POS Systems
| Feature | TouchBistro | Toast | Square | Clover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | iPad-Based Restaurants | Full-Service Restaurants | Small Cafes | Quick Service |
| Starting Price | $69/month | $0/month (free starter) | $0/month | $44.95/month |
| Hardware | iPad (iOS) only | Proprietary Android | Multiple options | Proprietary Android |
| Processor | TouchBistro required | Toast only | Square only | Multiple options |
| Offline Mode | Full hybrid | Limited | Basic | Limited |
| Contract | Annual (auto-renew) | 2-3 years | Month-to-month | Varies |
Who Should Use TouchBistro?
✅ Best fit for:
- iPad-comfortable restaurants wanting familiar technology
- Operations needing strong offline capabilities
- Restaurants wanting built-in features vs. third-party integrations
- Multi-location businesses seeking centralized management
❌ Not ideal for:
- Tight hardware budgets (Apple devices are expensive)
- Businesses wanting month-to-month flexibility
- Restaurants wanting to choose their own processor
- Operations needing extensive third-party integrations
FAQ
How much does TouchBistro cost?
Starting at $69/month for software, or $99/month for the Essentials Bundle (includes hardware). Add-ons are quote-based. Annual contracts required.
Can I use my existing iPads?
Yes, most recent iPad models are compatible. They’ll verify during setup.
Does TouchBistro work offline?
Yes — full POS functionality including orders, payments, and menu management. Data syncs when connectivity returns.
Can I use my own payment processor?
No. TouchBistro Payments (powered by Chase) is required for new customers.
Does TouchBistro require a contract?
Yes, annual contracts that auto-renew. No month-to-month option.
Does TouchBistro integrate with QuickBooks?
Yes, via MarginEdge and Shogo. Also integrates with Xero and Sage.
Verdict
TouchBistro delivers reliable, intuitive technology that doesn’t get in the way of service. The iPad-based approach leverages familiar technology while adding restaurant-specific functionality with strong offline capabilities.
Be aware of the trade-offs: Annual contracts are required, TouchBistro Payments is mandatory, and user reviews show mixed experiences with support quality and system stability. Get a demo and read recent reviews before committing.
Expert Rating: ⭐ 8/10 — A solid iPad-based restaurant POS with strong offline capabilities and intuitive table management. Annual contracts, required payment processing, and mixed support reviews keep it from ranking higher.
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: Touchbistro
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Videos: Touchbistro
Photos: Touchbistro
2 reviews for Touchbistro
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Using this at my bar since April and it seems to be a good system. It has a few kinks, but so far most have been user error. Customer service is mostly off-shore, and in my opinion, should be US or Canada based, but they are helpful and have resolved any issues in a timely manner. Waiting to set up for my soon to be open kitchen but expect the same results.
Constant glitches, several redundant aspects of table service, no signature line on credit card receipts, they made several unauthorized charges to my credit card for services I wasnt even able to use then I had to fight them for refunds, sales man lied to me about what the POS could and couldnt do to get me to sign on then another lengthy battle to get out of the contract. They claimed they cannot give refunds, which they can and did, and they claimed they never cancel contracts, which they can and did. Now Im just stuck in my main locations contract.