Written by Dan Barraclough Reviewed by Ruairi Shirlow Updated on 21 September 2023 On this page Getting Started The Features Hosted Services Support Plans and Pricing How We Reviewed Aloha POS Expert Verdict The Competitors FAQs Expand NCR used to be known as National Cash Register, back when cash registers were leading POS solutions. Times – and POS systems – have changed, and so has NCR. The Aloha Cloud POS system is NCR’s signature product for hospitality point of sale for businesses across the world. It’s a long way from the old-fashioned cash register, and that’s a good thing for food service.ReviewAloha Cloud POSRatingFeatures★★★★★Ease of Use★★★★Help & Support★★★★★Summary★★★★★ Getting Started with the Aloha Cloud POS systemIt doesn’t provide the flashiest user experience, but Aloha Cloud’s essential FOH (front of house) and BOH (back of house) functions are easy enough to pick up. That said, some users report having trouble setting up the system’s more complex reporting features.It’s fortunate, then, that NCR clearly understands the challenges involved with implementing POS solutions for the first time. To ensure smooth Aloha Cloud POS integration, they’ve partnered with Hospitality Control Solutions (HCS) to offer staff training at their facilities or yours. Aloha Cloud POS FeaturesAloha Cloud POS has an extensive range of features. Core features include:Front of house (FOH) terminals with order entry and payment processingBack of house (BOH) displays with prep instructions and special requestsGuest managementTakeout and delivery managementHR and inventory controlsMobile device functionalityLocal and cloud installation with several layers of redundancyCustomer engagementSecurity and theft preventionHigh degree of customizationExtensive reporting features Aloha Cloud Hosted ServicesIn addition to POS terminals, Aloha Cloud offers cloud-based “Hosted Services” that can augment your POS system and enhance your customers’ experience:PULSE Real-Time: Access analytics on server performance and customer behavior from anywhere with an internet connection.Aloha Stored Value: Gift card sales and management help new customers discover your business.Aloha Loyalty Program: Customize a loyalty program that keeps your customers coming back.Aloha Restaurant Guard: Loss prevention and scam detection can be built into your everyday workflow.Aloha Online Ordering: Integrate easy ordering with your existing website.Aloha Insight: Understand the data that drives your business.Customer Voice: Give your regulars the tools to evangelize for your business.Aloha Command Center and Network Security Services: Maximize the performance and safety of your Aloha Cloud system without compromising your sensitive data. SupportIn an industry where customer support is sometimes an afterthought, the Aloha Cloud POS system truly stands out by offering several modes of support. Phone support is available seven days a week, 8.00am to midnight. Aloha Cloud technicians are also available on-call during regular business hours for on-site troubleshooting.Aloha Cloud’s ‘Depot Service’ also deserves mention. With Depot Service, NCR provides same-day shipment of new or replacement hardware, equipment rentals, asset management, installation, and setup. Given that hardware issues tend to affect users of any POS system over time, same-day delivery of replacement modules can be a lifesaver. Plans and PricingHere’s a summary of Aloha Cloud’s pricing plans, and what they include: Swipe right to see more 0 out of 0 backward forward Package Starter Cost From $0/month Key features Payment processingMenu managementSite managementReportingEmail marketingLoyalty Aloha Cloud doesn’t limit you to the features that come with each plan. The following capabilities are also available as optional add-ons to any plan, so if your chosen package doesn’t already include them, you have the option to benefit from them anyway, for an additional cost:Online orderingAdvanced reportingInventory managementEmployee managementAccounting integrationKitchen productionDelivery marketplace integrationIf you’d like find out exactly how much your dream POS system is going to cost you, try our free quote comparison tool. Answer a few questions about your business and what you’re looking for, and we’ll match you up with trusted POS providers that can cater to your needs. They’ll be in touch directly with tailored, no-obligation quotes for you to compare. How We Reviewed Aloha POSThe Expert Market team rigorously assessed and tested 15 different POS systems to bring you this list. In total, we spent around 160 hours researching POS platforms, and over 20 hours testing them.During that time, we used our learnings to evaluate how each POS system fared in six categories that are important to hospitality businesses, broken down into up to 12 subcategories, in order to award an impartial ranking. Here’s what we looked at:POS software: The breadth of features included in the POS software, and how valuable they are to the average business, including inventory management, menu/product creation, customer engagement tools, and table management.Hardware/equipment: The variety of equipment available to purchase or rent, with special importance given to key items, such as physical terminals, customer displays, and accessories.Ease-of-use: How easy each system is to use, based on feedback from several average users who were assigned basic tasks to complete on each system, such as menu/item creation, accessing reports, or applying a discount.Help and support: How effective and reachable the customer support teams are, with bonus points given to POS systems with help centers and training modes.Costs: The price of the system, how it compares to competitors, and whether it's good value for money.User experience: Whether everyday users know and like the system, whether they’d recommend it, and what they say about it in online reviews.We gave each POS system a score in each of the above testing and research categories and combined them to produce an overall score, which was used to rank them. Expert VerdictFew in the tech space can boast a 130-year history. The Aloha Cloud POS hasn’t been around for quite that long, but its parent company has. NCR draws on its experience to deliver a top-notch hospitality solution. Whether you’re running a take-out pizza parlor or a high-end bistro, the Aloha Cloud POS system has a configuration to manage all your touchpoints. This is hardly the only hospitality solution available, but it should be on your shortlist. Aloha Cloud’s Competitors Revel POS Revel POS shares many features with Aloha Cloud, but boasts more integrations focusing on mobility. Overall Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Breadcrumb POS Upserve's tablet-based Breadcrumb POS competes well on price, functionality, and ease of use. Overall Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ FAQsHow much does an Aloha Cloud POS system cost?Aloha Cloud is available on three different pricing plans, the cheapest of which, Starter, is free. Aloha Cloud’s paid plans, Pro and Premium, start at $65 per month and at $140 per month respectively.What company owns Aloha Cloud POS?Aloha Cloud is owned by NCR, one of the world’s leading enterprise technology providers of software, hardware, and services for a variety of industries, including retail and restaurants. Written by: Dan Barraclough Dan’s a Senior Writer at Expert Market, specialising in digital marketing, web design, and photocopiers, amongst other topics. Reviewed by: Ruairi Shirlow Business Services Researcher Ruairi uses his 3+ years of research experience to uncover insights which can help Expert Market provide the best business solutions for their users. He has done this by meeting with business owners to find out what is important to them and what challenges they face on a daily basis. Ruairi specialises in tools that can be used to grow your business and has done research for a wide range of categories on Expert Market, such as EPOS, Website Builders, and Merchant Accounts.