Picture this: It’s a busy Friday night. Every table is full, guests are ordering drinks left and right, and your servers are hustling back and forth to a crowded POS station. Orders are piling up. Mistakes happen. Guests wait longer than they’d like to pay.
Now imagine the same shift—but servers carry handheld POS devices. Orders are fired instantly to the kitchen. Guests pay right at the table. The server never runs across the dining room just to swipe a card. Service feels seamless, and tables turn faster without adding more staff.
That’s the power of handheld POS. In this blog, we’ll break down:
- What handheld POS is
- Why restaurants are moving beyond fixed terminals
- Features to prioritize
- How leading handheld POS systems compare
- Where Applova handheld POS shines for restaurants like yours
What is a Handheld POS?
A handheld POS (point of sale) is a portable device—about the size of a smartphone but built for restaurants—that lets staff:
- Take orders at the table or curbside
- Send orders directly to the kitchen display system (KDS)
- Accept payments (cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, tap-to-pay)
- Split checks or add tips on the spot
Think of it as a POS terminal in your pocket. Servers no longer have to jog back to a fixed station every time a guest asks for another round or wants to pay their bill.
Why Restaurants Are Moving Beyond the Counter ?
1. Faster Service = Faster Table Turns
Handheld POS devices let servers fire orders the moment they’re taken. That means entrées hit the grill faster and drinks show up quicker. When service is faster, tables turn sooner, and that directly boosts revenue.
2. Fewer Mistakes, Happier Guests
Miscommunication is the silent profit killer. A server writes “no cheese” on a pad, but the kitchen never sees it. Result? A comped meal. With handhelds, orders go straight to the KDS—no middleman, no errors.
3. Guests Pay Where They Sit
No more waiting for the check, then waiting for the server to return, then waiting again for the receipt. With handheld POS, guests can pay right at the table. That convenience boosts satisfaction and even increases tips, because the payment moment feels smoother.
4. Servers Spend More Time With Guests
Instead of running laps between tables and terminals, servers focus on upselling desserts, refilling drinks, and making guests feel welcome. That’s what creates repeat customers.
Handheld POS vs Fixed POS (Comparison Table)
Feature | Handheld POS | Fixed POS Terminal |
Order speed | Faster—direct from table | Slower—servers queue at station |
Guest experience | High—tableside payments | Medium—guests wait for checks |
Cost | Lower upfront (per device) | Higher (counter stations, cabling) |
Flexibility | Works anywhere (patio, curbside) | Stationary only |
Features to Look For in a Handheld POS
Not all handhelds are created equal. If you’re evaluating options, look closely at:
- Battery Life: At least 8–12 hours. No one wants mid-shift device swaps.
- Durability: Restaurant floors are slippery. Look for water- and drop-resistant hardware.
- Connectivity: Offline mode + Wi-Fi/4G support so service continues even if the network blips.
- Payments: Chip, swipe, contactless, digital wallets—all should be supported.
- KDS Sync: Orders must hit the kitchen/bar instantly.
The best POS is built for rush hour, easy to scale, and plugged into your kiosk + mobile app ecosystem—and Applova’s Handheld POS delivers exactly that.
How Applova’s Handheld POS Fits Different Restaurant Types
- Fast casual: Bust lines, speed up orders at peak times.
- Cafés: Easy mobile ordering for quick-serve setups.
- Casual dining: Table-side payments, smoother guest experience.
- Multi-location: Consistent menu + centralized reporting.
FAQ
Can handheld POS devices run offline?
Yes—Applova’s POS queue orders and sync when back online.
Are they secure?
Yes—devices use PCI-compliant payments with encryption.
Do you support dual pricing / cash discount?
Absolutely. We support compliant dual pricing/cash discount configurations so you can cut processing cost per order while staying above board.