MICROS vs PHP POS

Last Updated:

Our analysts compared MICROS vs PHP POS based on data from our 400+ point analysis of POS Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

MICROS Software Tool

Product Basics

MICROS is a robust POS software catering to the complexities of hospitality and retail businesses. Its feature set tackles inventory management, order processing, table service, employee scheduling, and even self-service kiosks. While its comprehensive nature suits large chains and complex operations, its modularity allows scaling down for smaller establishments. MICROS boasts of industry-specific features like table splitting, menu customization, and loyalty programs, enhancing guest experience and driving repeat business. Users praise its reliability and security, crucial for high-volume transactions. However, its learning curve can be steeper than simpler alternatives, and its pricing reflects its feature richness, often requiring per-user or per-terminal subscriptions.

Pros:
  • Reliable & Secure
  • Industry-Specific Features
  • Scalable & Modular
  • Strong Reporting
  • Improves Guest Experience
Cons:
  • Steep Learning Curve
  • Higher Pricing Point
  • Complex Interface
  • Limited Customization
  • Frequent Updates
read more...
PHP POS is an open-source point-of-sale system designed for small businesses and individual entrepreneurs. It offers essential POS features like product management, inventory tracking, sales recording, and basic reporting. Users praise its customizability and low cost, often opting for self-hosted installations to keep expenses minimal. However, setup and maintenance require technical expertise, making it less suitable for beginners or businesses needing extensive support. Compared to paid competitors, PHP POS lacks advanced features like multi-store management, employee permissions, and integrations with popular apps. While users appreciate its flexibility and cost-effectiveness, they also acknowledge the trade-off in terms of user-friendliness and functionality. Pricing varies depending on hosting and customization needs, but self-hosted installations start around $50, with additional fees for premium themes and plugins.

Pros
  • Free & open-source
  • Highly customizable
  • Low cost to self-host
  • Simple & intuitive interface
  • Basic features for most needs
Cons
  • Requires technical expertise
  • Limited advanced features
  • No multi-store support
  • Minimal customer support
  • Potential security risks
read more...
$55/Terminal, Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$8/Month, Freemium
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Streamlined Operations: MICROS centralizes key tasks like order processing, inventory management, and employee scheduling, eliminating manual processes and saving time. Imagine a single platform managing everything from table reservations to kitchen orders, freeing up staff for better customer service.
  • Enhanced Guest Experience: From split bills to customized menus and loyalty programs, MICROS empowers you to cater to individual preferences. Picture tableside ordering with tablets, dietary restrictions flagged automatically, and reward points accumulating with every purchase, fostering a more personalized and enjoyable dining experience.
  • Data-Driven Insights: MICROS provides comprehensive reporting on sales, inventory, labor costs, and customer behavior. Imagine detailed dashboards revealing peak hours, popular menu items, and staff performance, enabling you to make informed decisions about staffing, pricing, and marketing strategies.
  • Scalability and Flexibility: Whether you're a small cafe or a multi-location restaurant chain, MICROS adapts to your needs. Picture a system that grows with your business, supporting expansion with additional terminals, features, and even integrations with online ordering platforms or delivery services.
  • Improved Efficiency and Accuracy: MICROS minimizes errors with features like barcode scanning and automated order routing. Imagine fewer order mix-ups, faster service times, and reduced food waste, leading to increased profitability and happier customers.
  • Enhanced Security and Compliance: MICROS prioritizes data security with features like encryption and access controls. Imagine peace of mind knowing your customer information and financial transactions are protected, ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
  • Integration with Third-Party Systems: MICROS seamlessly connects with popular payment gateways, loyalty programs, and accounting software. Imagine a single system streamlining your entire operation, from taking orders to managing finances, boosting efficiency and reducing manual work.
read more...
  • Unleash Your Inner Tweak Master: PHP POS's open-source nature lets you customize it to your exact needs. Craft bespoke workflows, tailor reports, and even build custom plugins - the possibilities are endless.
  • Cost-Conscious Champion: Ditch the hefty price tags of closed-source POS systems. PHP POS is free to download and use, with minimal hosting costs and optional add-ons for advanced needs. Save your resources for what truly matters - growing your business.
  • Data Detective: Gain valuable insights into your operations with built-in reporting tools. Track sales trends, analyze inventory levels, and identify customer buying patterns to make informed decisions and optimize your business strategy.
  • Tech-Savvy Simplicity: Don't be intimidated by complex interfaces. PHP POS boasts a user-friendly design that makes it easy for anyone, from seasoned cashiers to tech newbies, to navigate and master the system quickly.
  • Community Connection: You're not alone in your POS journey. PHP POS has a vibrant community of developers and users offering support, sharing tips, and contributing to the ongoing development of the platform.
  • Future-Proof Flexibility: As your business evolves, so can your POS. PHP POS's modular design allows you to add new features and integrations as your needs change, ensuring your system stays relevant and adaptable.
  • Security in Your Own Hands: Take control of your data security. Self-hosted installations give you complete ownership and oversight, allowing you to implement your preferred security measures and customize access permissions.
  • Investment in Openness: By choosing PHP POS, you're not just investing in a POS system, you're investing in an open-source philosophy. Contribute to the development community, share your knowledge, and help shape the future of POS technology.
read more...
  • Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminal: The heart of MICROS, handling transactions, order entry, payment processing, and customer management. It runs on PC-based hardware, touchscreen tablets, or handheld devices.
  • Inventory Management: Track stock levels, automate purchase orders, generate alerts for low stock, and create inventory reports for analysis.
  • Menu Management: Create and customize menus with ease, including pricing, descriptions, modifiers, and images. Set up different menus for different day parts, seasons, or events.
  • Kitchen Display System (KDS): Send orders directly to kitchen displays for efficient preparation. Track order status, prioritize tasks, and streamline workflow.
  • Table Management: Manage floor plans, assign servers, track table status, and handle split bills and table transfers seamlessly.
  • Employee Scheduling: Create and manage employee schedules, track attendance, and calculate labor costs.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Access comprehensive reports on sales, labor, inventory, customer behavior, and more. Gain insights to make informed business decisions.
  • Payment Processing: Integrate with various payment gateways to accept credit cards, debit cards, mobile payments, and more.
  • Loyalty Programs: Create and manage loyalty programs to reward repeat customers and encourage customer engagement.
  • Self-Service Kiosks: Empower customers to place orders and pay independently, reducing wait times and enhancing convenience.
  • Online Ordering: Accept orders through your website or mobile app, expanding your reach and offering convenience to customers.
  • Cloud-Based or On-Premise Deployment: Choose the deployment option that best suits your needs, depending on your IT infrastructure and preferences.
read more...
  • Inventory Management: Count items, edit quantities, assign serial numbers, generate summaries, scan products, refill goods, view updates and more. Track inventory movement and avoid out of stocks with real-time updates. View reports and gain insightful access to sales data. 
  • Employee Management: Add new employees, grant permissions, create user-profiles and more with employee management tools. Record employee work hours using an integrated time clock. Access summarized information about recorded time in the form of reports. 
  • Offline: Skip internet connection hassles and work smoothly while offline. Log in and check the Offline Mode box to enable the functionality. Works only with a valid SSL certificate. Keep the browser open and log in to allow automatic sales screen sync. 
  • Reports: Use graphical, summary and detailed reports to provide insights into total sales, profit and loss, item totals, sum transactions, commissions, payments, customers and more. Generate custom reports to view stats for a specific category. 
  • Delivery: Accept orders, add customers, schedule delivery, manage shipping zones, process payments, send receipts, view status information, update details and control the complete delivery lifecycle using a flexible management system. 
  • Marketing: Create deals and promotions like "buy one get one free" and "flat 20% off" to strengthen customer loyalty and improve sales. Keep guests coming back for more using coupons, personalized rewards, gift cards and attractive offers. 
read more...

Product Ranking

#33

among all
POS Software

#175

among all
POS Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

76
71
67
33
59
78
100
100
Show More Show More
Employee Management
Reporting and Insights
Types of POS
Employee Management
Integration and Extensibility
Inventory Management
Items and Service Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

MICROS
PHP POS
+ Add Product + Add Product
Compliance And Security Customer And Loyalty Management Employee Management Inventory Management Items And Service Management Payment Transactions And Cash Management POS Hardware Reporting And Insights Sales And Marketing Management Store Management Types Of POS 67 59 100 65 83 78 78 100 52 82 91 33 78 100 98 90 78 46 75 60 56 54 0 25 50 75 100
67%
0%
33%
33%
0%
67%
60%
0%
40%
80%
0%
20%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
67%
0%
33%
100%
0%
0%
86%
0%
14%
86%
0%
14%
78%
0%
22%
78%
0%
22%
60%
0%
40%
10%
0%
90%
100%
0%
0%
75%
0%
25%
50%
0%
50%
50%
0%
50%
89%
0%
11%
44%
0%
56%
88%
0%
12%
50%
0%
50%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

60%
0%
40%
100%
0%
0%

User Sentiment Summary

Fair User Sentiment 94 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 304 reviews
61%
of users recommend this product

MICROS has a 'fair' User Satisfaction Rating of 61% when considering 94 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

94%
of users recommend this product

PHP POS has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 94% when considering 304 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites.

3.7 (25)
n/a
n/a
4.7 (304)
2.8 (69)
n/a

Awards

we're gathering data

PHP POS stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Streamlined Order Flow: Users praise MICROS' intuitive interface for fast order entry, table management, and split bill options. One server noted, "Orders fly through during peak hours, saving us valuable time and keeping customers happy."
Detailed Reporting & Analytics: Real-time sales data, inventory reports, and employee performance dashboards are lauded for providing actionable insights. A hotel manager shared, "MICROS helped us identify overstocked items and optimize staffing based on guest traffic patterns."
Customization & Integrations: MICROS' adaptability to unique needs is appreciated. A coffee shop owner said, "We easily customized menus for different locations and integrated with our loyalty program, boosting customer engagement."
Reliable & Secure: Users emphasize MICROS' stability and security features. A restaurant manager commented, "We've never experienced downtime during service, and the PCI compliance gives us peace of mind."
Show more
Simple and intuitive interface: Reduces training time and improves staff efficiency, especially for small businesses with limited tech experience. Many users praised the clean layout and logical workflow, allowing staff to focus on customer service rather than struggling with the POS system.
Streamlined inventory control: Real-time stock tracking, low-stock alerts, and barcode scanning minimize errors and prevent stockouts. Users reported significant reductions in inventory discrepancies and improved stock management, leading to fewer out-of-stocks and happier customers.
Adaptable to diverse needs: Wide range of features and integrations cater to specific industry requirements and business growth. From restaurant orders to appointment booking, many users highlighted the ability to customize the POS for their unique needs, eliminating the need for multiple software solutions.
Actionable sales reports: Gain valuable customer and performance insights to optimize marketing, staffing, and product offerings. Users appreciated the detailed reports and data analysis tools, enabling them to make data-driven decisions about promotions, staffing levels, and inventory.
Cost-effectiveness: Open-source option available: Free or affordable plans cater to various budgets and business sizes. Many users found PHP POS to be a budget-friendly alternative to proprietary POS systems, with options to scale as their business grows.
Show more
Complexity & Learning Curve: Some users find the initial setup and interface overwhelming, requiring significant training for staff. One reviewer commented, "The learning curve was steep for our team, especially for tasks beyond basic order entry."
Cost & Licensing: MICROS can be expensive compared to simpler POS systems, with complex licensing structures. A small business owner stated, "The upfront costs and ongoing licensing fees were a major hurdle for our limited budget."
Customization Limitations: While customizable, some users report difficulty achieving desired workflows or integrations. A retail store manager shared, "We struggled to integrate with our inventory management system, requiring additional workarounds."
Hardware Dependence: MICROS may require specific hardware setups, potentially increasing costs and maintenance needs. A bar owner noted, "We had to invest in proprietary tablets that weren't compatible with other POS systems."
Show more
Limited customization options: May require technical expertise for advanced configurations or integrations, potentially hindering user experience for non-technical users. Some reviews mentioned challenges customizing receipts or reports without coding knowledge.
Reliance on community support: Open-source nature may require users to seek help from online communities or forums for troubleshooting or feature requests, potentially leading to delays or dependence on external resources. Users reported waiting for solutions or workarounds from the community, impacting workflow.
Compatibility concerns: Integration with specific hardware or software might require additional effort or custom development, potentially increasing costs or implementation time. Some users encountered difficulties connecting older hardware or niche software, requiring extra workarounds.
Scalability limitations: Free or basic plans may have limitations on features, data storage, or user accounts, potentially restricting growth for larger businesses. Some reviews mentioned outgrowing the features or data storage capacity of free plans, requiring paid upgrades.
Security considerations: Open-source nature may require additional vigilance and proactive security measures compared to closed-source solutions, potentially increasing IT workload. Some users expressed concerns about managing server security or keeping the software updated, especially for businesses with limited IT resources.
Show more

User reviews of MICROS in the past year paint a contrasting picture. While its strengths like streamlined order flow, detailed reporting, and customization garner praise, its learning curve, cost, and limitations can be significant drawbacks. On the positive side, users rave about MICROS' efficiency. Orders fly through during rush hours, thanks to the intuitive interface and table management features. One server even mentioned saving valuable time and keeping customers happy. The reporting and analytics are another highlight, providing businesses with real-time sales data, inventory insights, and even employee performance dashboards. This helps optimize operations and identify areas for improvement, like a hotel manager discovering overstocked items and adjusting staffing based on guest patterns. Additionally, MICROS' adaptability is appreciated, allowing businesses to customize menus, integrate loyalty programs, and tailor workflows to their specific needs. A coffee shop owner mentioned easily customizing menus for different locations and boosting customer engagement through loyalty program integration. However, MICROS also faces criticism. The initial setup and interface can be overwhelming, requiring significant training for staff. Some users compared it to a "steep learning curve," especially for tasks beyond basic order entry. Furthermore, the cost can be a major hurdle, particularly for smaller businesses. The upfront costs and ongoing licensing fees are often cited as drawbacks, making MICROS less competitive against simpler POS systems. Additionally, while customizable, some users report difficulty achieving desired workflows or integrations. This lack of flexibility can be frustrating, as one retail store manager mentioned struggling to integrate with their existing inventory management system. Finally, MICROS' dependence on specific hardware setups can add to the overall cost and maintenance needs. In conclusion, user reviews of MICROS reveal a powerful POS system with undeniable strengths but also significant limitations. Businesses should carefully weigh the pros and cons, considering their specific needs, budget, and technical expertise before deciding if MICROS is the right fit for them.

Show more

The buzz around PHP POS is mixed, painting a picture of a POS system with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Users laud its intuitive interface, streamlined inventory management, and adaptability, often praising it as a time-saver compared to clunkier alternatives. This simplicity makes it a hit with small businesses and those new to POS systems, allowing staff to focus on customers rather than software struggles. However, PHP POS stumbles in its lack of extensive customization options. Power users and those with unique needs may find themselves hitting walls, yearning for the deep integrations and bespoke configurations offered by its pricier competitors. Additionally, the open-source nature presents a double-edged sword: while it keeps costs down, it also throws users into the arms of online communities for troubleshooting and feature requests, potentially leading to frustrating delays. Ultimately, PHP POS shines for its user-friendliness, affordability, and solid core features. But for businesses demanding extensive customization, robust integrations, and hand-holding support, its limitations might outweigh its charms. Remember, choosing the right POS is a balancing act – weigh PHP POS's strengths against your specific needs to see if it strikes the perfect chord for your business.

Show more

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in POS Software


Bindo

Clover

Epos Now

Erply

Helcim

Hike POS

KORONA POS

Lightspeed

Lightspeed Retail

NCR Silver

PHP POS

Rain POS

Revel POS

Shopify POS

SpotOn

Square POS

Toast

Related Categories

Head-to-Head Comparison

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings