Overview

Baresto Manager is a free, open-source restaurant system that brings guest menus, floor service, kitchen work, checkout, and reporting together. It is best suited to venues comfortable running software on their own network and handling a platform-specific setup. Its no-subscription model is compelling, but the installation requirements and shared-demo caveat deserve attention.

Key features

Floor service and kitchen coordination

Waiters can manage tables and floor plans, place mobile orders, send items to the kitchen, mark them delivered, and close tables with payment. The kitchen display groups tickets by table, tracks dish status, filters work by kitchen, bar, or grill station, and issues real-time alerts. Together, those workflows connect the dining room with preparation; venues wanting only a kitchen screen may not need the broader system.

Guest menus and checkout

Guests can view a Greek- or English-language QR menu with allergen and availability information, call a waiter, and use either a table-specific or shared QR code. Cashiers can close bills with cash or card and print receipts. These are useful core service functions, though the stated checkout options are limited to cash and card.

Roles and reporting

Password and four-digit PIN logins are available, with admin, manager, waiter, kitchen, and cashier roles. Managers can review revenue, orders, and top items, then export reports as CSV. A bilingual staff guide covers those same roles, which can help teams orient staff across different parts of the workflow.

Local operation and setup

Daily service runs on the venue’s LAN or Wi-Fi without an always-on internet connection; internet is still needed for downloads and updates. The software runs locally on port 8765. Windows setup uses a GitHub ZIP and launcher, while macOS and Linux require Python 3.11 or later. That local-first approach avoids dependence on continuous internet access, but the setup is a better fit for an operator able to manage the installation than for a venue seeking a turnkey hosted service.

The live demo is shared, and users are advised not to enter real customer data because it may be reset periodically. Optional paid installation support is available through the contact form, including help with Windows setup, networking, and initial configuration.

Pricing

Baresto Manager

The plan costs 0.00 USD per free. It is free to run, with no license fee or SaaS subscription, and the software is open source under the MIT license. That makes it an unusually direct fit for venues that want the described restaurant workflows without a recurring software charge. Optional paid installation support is separate.

There is no paid product tier described, so the trade-off is not a reduced feature package but the responsibility for local setup and operation. The shared live demo should not be used with real customer data.

Platforms

Baresto Manager supports Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. Deployment is on-premise, with a web-based display and local operation over the venue’s network. Windows uses a ZIP-and-launcher setup; macOS and Linux require Python 3.11 or later.

Who it's for

Baresto Manager is a strong candidate for restaurants that want table ordering, kitchen coordination, QR menus, cashier checkout, and basic management reports in one locally run system, particularly when avoiding a software subscription matters. It is less suitable for venues that need a hosted service, want a simpler installation path, or expect checkout options beyond cash and card.

Pros and cons

Pros: No license fee or SaaS subscription, with source available under the MIT license.
Pros: Waiter, kitchen, cashier, guest-menu, and reporting workflows are combined rather than split across separate tools.
Pros: Routine service can continue on the local network without an always-on internet connection.
Cons: Installation takes more technical preparation on macOS and Linux, which require Python 3.11 or later.
Cons: The shared demo is unsuitable for real customer data because it may be reset.
Cons: Cashier checkout is described for cash and card, limiting its stated payment coverage.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison of kitchen-display products, see Kitchen Display System Software.

Slant KDS is worth considering if a free plan capped at 100 orders per month, limited invoices, and email support is a closer fit, or if its paid option at 32.00 USD per year suits the budget.
Ordering.Tools offers a free plan capped at 20 orders per month with no commission; choose it if that order limit and its stated AI usage limits align better with your needs.
eat·orbit Kitchen Display System is an alternative with a free Starter plan for one restaurant and one staff account, including POS billing, table and menu management, daily sales summary, and thermal receipt printing.
HungerRush has a free Starter plan for one location and one POS terminal, subject to qualification criteria; consider it if those limits fit your operation.
UrbanPiper may suit readers seeking a paid option with a Hub plan at 79.00 GBP per month, unlimited orders, and no per-order charges or one-time setup fee.
ChefDesk is another paid alternative with pricing based on outlets and modules.
Odoo Restaurant has a free One App plan with unlimited users; consider it if that plan structure better matches your requirements.
Poscraft KDS offers a Windows-only free plan for one user, with paid plans at 20.00 USD per month and 45.00 USD per month; it may fit a Windows-focused KDS shortlist.

Verdict

Choose Baresto Manager if you want a broad set of restaurant service workflows without a license fee or subscription, and can take responsibility for local installation and operation. Its strongest case is the combination of floor, kitchen, cashier, QR-menu, and reporting functions on the venue’s network. Look elsewhere if you need hosted convenience, less technical setup, or payment choices beyond cash and card.

	Baresto Manager	ThaliPOS Kitchen Display System
Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Platforms	Linux, macOS, Web, Windows	Web
Free plan	Yes
Station routing	Yes	Yes
Order status tracking	Yes	Yes
Display platforms	web
Offline mode	Yes	Yes
Deployment	on_premise	hybrid
Expo screen		Yes

Baresto Manager vs ThaliPOS Kitchen Display System

Baresto Manager

ThaliPOS Kitchen Display System