F&BosAndroid suits most Indian restaurants: affordable devices, the widest choice of POS apps and easy local repairs. iPad suits premium cafés and fine dining where budget allows, at ₹49,900 for a base model. Windows suits busy counters with several printers, scales and scanners, or software that only runs on Windows. With a cloud POS, you can mix all three.
The device matters less than the software it runs, but it still decides your budget, your printers and how easily you can replace a broken screen on a Saturday. For the bigger picture, see our restaurant POS system guide.
iPad vs Android vs Windows: side by side
| Android | iPad | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical device cost | ₹18,000–24,000 (10–11 inch tablet); ₹28,000–38,000 (all-in-one terminal) | ₹49,900 (base iPad, Apple India price incl. taxes) | ₹38,000–45,000 (15 inch touch POS) |
| Restaurant POS apps in India | Widest choice | Fewer India-focused options | Many, especially older desktop software |
| Printer connections | Bluetooth, USB (adapter), LAN, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, LAN, Wi-Fi; USB limited | USB, serial, LAN; widest driver support |
| Durability and repairs | Easy to replace and repair locally | Durable; repairs costlier | Built for counters; serviced by POS dealers |
| Portability | Phones and tablets go anywhere | Light and portable | Fixed at the counter |
| Security updates | Depends on the brand and model | Long support from Apple | Regular Windows updates |
| Best for | Most Indian restaurants | Premium cafés and fine dining | Busy counters and Windows-only software |
Prices seen on 10 October 2026: Android and Windows from Indian retail and B2B listings, mostly before GST; iPad from Apple India, including taxes. See our restaurant POS machine price guide for sources.
Android
Why it suits most restaurants: devices at every price, from phones you already own to all-in-one counter terminals; the widest range of POS apps built for Indian billing, GST and UPI; and repairs or replacements available in almost every market.
What to watch: quality varies by brand, and cheap devices may stop getting security updates. Choose a well-known brand with a recent Android version. Our guide to restaurant POS apps for Android covers setup and printing.
iPad
Why some restaurants choose it: a polished, fast and reliable device that looks good at a host stand or café counter, with long software support.
What to watch: cost. Apple India raised the base iPad from ₹34,900 to ₹49,900 in June 2026, so it now costs roughly double a good Android tablet. Fewer India-focused POS apps support iPad, USB printer support is limited, and repairs cost more. Confirm your POS works well on iPad before you buy.
Windows
Why it still matters: Windows touch POS terminals are built for all-day counter use, with the widest support for USB and serial printers, cash drawers, scales and scanners. Some established restaurant software only runs on Windows, and many web-based POS systems run in a Windows browser.
What to watch: terminals are fixed at the counter, cost more than tablets, and need Windows updates managed outside service hours.
Which one for your restaurant?
| Restaurant | Recommended setup |
|---|---|
| Small café or kiosk | Android tablet or phone with a Bluetooth printer |
| QSR counter | Android all-in-one touch POS |
| Casual dining | Android tablet or all-in-one at the counter; Android phones for captains |
| Fine dining | iPad at the host stand or counter, if the budget allows; phones or iPads for captains |
| Sweet shop or bakery | Android all-in-one or Windows POS with a weighing scale and barcode scanner |
| Restaurant using Windows-only software | Windows touch POS |
| Cloud kitchen | Android tablet or all-in-one with a kitchen display |
Mixing devices
With a cloud POS, you don't have to pick just one. A Windows or Android terminal at the counter, Android phones for captains, a kitchen display on a tablet and the owner checking reports on an iPhone can all work from the same data. Our guide to cloud vs offline restaurant POS explains how sync works.
Before you buy any device
- Confirm your POS software fully supports the device and its operating system version.
- Check your exact printer, cash drawer and scale models work with it.
- Test offline billing on that device.
- Ask about local repair and replacement options.
- Budget for a stand, case, UPS and a spare for the busiest station.
For the full hardware setup, follow our POS hardware setup checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Is iPad or Android better for a restaurant POS in India?
For most Indian restaurants, Android is the better value: tablets typically cost ₹18,000–24,000 against ₹49,900 for a base iPad, more India-focused POS apps support it, and devices are easy to repair or replace. iPads suit premium cafés and fine dining where the budget allows and the chosen POS supports them well.
How much does an iPad for a restaurant POS cost in India?
As of October 2026, Apple India lists the base iPad (A16, 128 GB, Wi-Fi) at ₹49,900 including taxes, after a price rise from ₹34,900 in June 2026. Add a stand and a compatible printer.
Can I run restaurant POS software on a Windows PC?
Yes. Many restaurant POS systems run on Windows touch terminals or ordinary PCs, either as installed software or in a web browser. Windows has the widest printer driver support, which suits busy counters with several printers, scales and scanners.
Can I mix iPad, Android and Windows devices?
With a cloud POS that supports all three, yes. A common setup is a Windows or Android terminal at the counter, Android phones for captains and the owner checking reports on an iPhone. Check that every device you plan to use is supported.
Which platform has the best printer support for restaurants?
Windows has the widest driver support for USB and serial printers. Android works well with Bluetooth, USB and network printers through POS apps. iPads rely mainly on Bluetooth and network printers. Always confirm the exact printer model with your POS vendor.
Related POS guides
Restaurant POS app for Android
Run billing from a phone or tablet.
Read the guide → HARDWARERestaurant POS machine price in India
Terminals, printers and setup budgets in rupees.
Read the guide → PLATFORMSCloud vs offline restaurant POS
What works with Indian internet.
Read the guide →