Starter software stack for a small bar
A lean setup for a single bar or taproom: take payments, count the bottles, schedule the team.
These are starting points picked from tools we list, not paid placements. Prices are what vendors published when we checked (Oct 2026); confirm on their pages. How we make money.
POS & payments: Square for Restaurants
Why: Square Free is $0/mo and can take payments without hardware (Tap to Pay, invoices). Watch the keyed-in and online card fees.
POS, payments and online ordering popular with bars, cafes and small outlets.
Pros & cons
- Square Free plan at $0/mo
- Can take payments without hardware (Tap to Pay, invoices, virtual terminal)
- Keyed-in card fees 3.5% + 15¢; online 3.3% + 30¢ on the Free plan
- Instant transfers cost a fee (next-business-day is free)
Bar inventory: Backbar
Why: Bar-focused counting and drink costing with a free plan for 1 location (10 recipes); paid plans are published per location.
Bar inventory app with drink and recipe costing, purchasing and POS-linked reports; free plan for one location.
Pros & cons
- Free plan (1 location, 10 recipes)
- Web and mobile counting with POS integrations
- Food inventory not highlighted (bar-focused)
Scheduling: Sling
Why: Free scheduling for up to 30 users; paid tiers are per user if you need more.
Shift scheduling and labor cost tools (by Toast).
Pros & cons
- Free plan for scheduling up to 30 users
- Paid tiers from $2.00/user/mo ($1.70 billed annually)
- Payroll and tip management not highlighted
Free calculator and matching templates
Free calculator · Bar Par Tracker ($19) · Cocktail Costing & Spec Book ($17)
Other stacks: Small restaurantSmall hotel