Level Up Your Business Today
Join the thousands of people like you already growing their businesses and knowledge with our team of experts. We deliver timely updates, interesting insights, and exclusive promos to your inbox.
Join For FreeBest Free POS Software For Small Business
These top free POS systems are functional, easy-to-use, and allow your business to perform basic tasks. They may not be as robust as paid software, but find out which free system is right for you.
-
WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY
Expert Contributor
Last updated onUpdated
-
REVIEWED BY
Lead Staff Writer
Our content reflects the editorial opinions of our experts. While our site makes money through referral partnerships, we only partner with companies that meet our standards for quality, as outlined in our independent rating and scoring system.
A free point of sale (POS) system allows you to take digital payment types, manage inventory, and track sales history for no monthly fee. I compared several of the best POS systems with free plans based on pros and cons, pricing for card readers and processing payments, and free features to help you find the right option for your small business.
Learn More About Our Top Picks
| Company | Highlights | Next StepsHighlights |
|---|---|---|
Square POS
 |
|
|
Loyverse
 |
|
|
PayPal Zettle
 |
|
|
Helcim POS
 |
|
|
Toast POS
 |
|
|
| Show More Options | ||
eHopper POS
 |
|
|
Odoo POS
 |
|
|
| Show Fewer Options |
Read more below to learn why we chose these options.
Table of Contents [hide][show]
- 7 Best Free POS Systems For Small Business
- Square POS: Best Overall
- Loyverse: Best For Small Quick-Serve Restaurants
- PayPal Zettle: Best For Micro-Businesses
- Helcim POS: Best For Large & B2B Businesses
- Toast POS: Best For Full-Service Restaurants
- eHopper POS: Best For Free Payment Processing
- Odoo POS: Most Customizable Option
- How To Choose A Free POS System For Small Business
- Final Verdict
Table of Contents
- 7 Best Free POS Systems For Small Business
- Best Free POS Software Compared
- Square POS: Best Overall
- Square POS
- Pricing
- Free POS Features
- Loyverse: Best For Small Quick-Serve Restaurants
- Loyverse
- Pricing
- Free POS Features
- PayPal Zettle: Best For Micro-Businesses
- Pricing
- Free POS Features
- Helcim POS: Best For Large & B2B Businesses
- Helcim POS
- Pricing
- Free POS Features
- Toast POS: Best For Full-Service Restaurants
- Toast POS
- Pricing
- Free POS Features
- eHopper POS: Best For Free Payment Processing
- eHopper POS
- Pricing
- Free POS Features
- Odoo POS: Most Customizable Option
- Odoo POS
- Pricing
- Free POS Features
- Retail POS Review Methodology
- How To Choose A Free POS System For Small Business
- Final Verdict
7 Best Free POS Systems For Small Business
- Square POS: Best Overall
- Loyverse: Best For Small Quick-Serve Restaurants
- PayPal Zettle: Best For Micro-Businesses
- Helcim POS: Best For Large & B2B Businesses
- Toast POS: Best For Full-Service Restaurants
- eHopper POS: Best For Free Payment Processing
- Odoo POS: Most Customizable Option
Best Free POS Software Compared
| Industries | Compatible Devices | Card Reader Cost | Payment Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square POS | Any | iOS, Android, web browser | $69 | 2.6%-2.9% |
| Loyverse | Any | iOS, Android | $25-$250 | Custom |
| PayPal Zettle | Retail, service | iOS, Android, web browser | $29 or $199 | 2.29%-3.49% |
| Helcim POS | Retail, service | iOS, Android, web browser | $99 or $329 | Interchange-plus |
| Toast POS | Restaurant | Proprietary Devices | $0-$494.10 | 3.09%-3.69% |
| eHopper POS | Retail, restaurant | Android, Windows, Poynt Devices | $69 or $350 | 0%-2.5% |
| Odoo POS | Any | Any | $249+ | Custom |
Square POS: Best Overall
Pricing Range
$0/monthContract Length
NoneEquipment Cost
$49-$799Get a free card swiper from Square at no cost when you create a free account. Claim your card reader.
Pros
- Free and low-cost POS hardware
- Free online store builder
- Retail, restaurant, and appointment booking features
- Social media sales and advertising capabilities
Cons
- Limited support hours on free plan
- Occasional account holds
- Must use Square for payment processing
Why We Picked Square For Best Overall
Square Terminal handheld POS system, Square Register, and Square iPad stand. (Source: Square)
Square earned an impressive 4.9 out of 5 in our evaluation of POS systems because it offers free software plans for all business types, built-in flat-rate payment processing, low-cost POS hardware, and a free online store builder. We also like that Square is compatible with Android and iOS devices, has low-commitment contracts, and includes strong inventory management for free.
Related: Read our Square For Retail review for more information on one of our best retail POS systems.
When To Upgrade
- You require advanced retail inventory management features
- Your restaurant offers sit-down table service
- You want more scheduling features for your salon
Loyverse: Best For Small Quick-Serve Restaurants
Pricing Range
FreeContract Length
NoneEquipment Cost
Varies depending on needPros
- Free customizable loyalty program
- Free kitchen display and customer display screen options
- Free multilocation management
- Offline mode
Cons
- No built-in eCommerce
- Advanced inventory management costs extra
Why We Picked Loyverse For Small Quick-Serve Restaurants
Loyverse iPad, iPad case, cash register, receipt printer, and barcode scanner. (Source: Loyverse)
Loyverse earned a 4.5 out of 5 in our evaluation. It's great for small quick-serve restaurants because the software includes free restaurant-specific features like a loyalty program, kitchen display system, and sales by weight for selling fresh food. We also like that Loyverse works offline, is compatible with several payment processors, and works with several POS hardware options.
Note: Loyverse does not offer an online ordering platform.
When To Upgrade
- You want an online ordering platform
- You want to integrate Loyverse with third-party software
- You want better team management features
PayPal Zettle: Best For Micro-Businesses
PayPal Zettle |
|---|
Pricing
No monthly feeContract
NoneEquipment Cost
$29 for your first card readerPros
- Lower payment processing rates on in-person transactions
- QR code payments
- Low payment processing rates on small-ticket items
- eCommerce and social media selling integrations
Cons
- No offline mode
- Not for high-volume sellers
- Basic business management tools
Why We Picked PayPal Zettle For Microbusinesses
PayPal Zettle terminal with a built-in receipt printer. (Source: PayPal)
PayPal Zettle earned a 4.5 out of 5 because of its low-cost POS hardware, lower payment processing fees than competitors like Square for in-person transactions, QR code payment features, and connection to the rest of PayPal's business tools. We also like that PayPal offers Dynamic Micropayments, a payment processing program that automatically charges the lowest payment processing fees available for very small orders ($25 or less.)
Related: Compare Square vs PayPal to help decide which free POS system is right for your business.
When To Upgrade
- You need more thorough inventory management
- You want better online payment processing rates
- You offer more niche products or services
Get Started With PayPal Zettle
Helcim POS: Best For Large & B2B Businesses
Pricing Range
$0Contract Length
MonthlyEquipment Cost
$99 - $329Pros
- Reduced payment processing fees for larger/B2B transactions
- Free online store builder with B2C/B2B sales functions
- Free invoice builder and virtual terminal
- Strong inventory and customer management features
Cons
- Very few third-party integrations
- No built-in loyalty program
- Basic multi-location management
Why We Picked Helcim For Large & B2B Businesses
Helcim POS on smartphone, tablet, and desktop, plus Helcim card reader. (Source: Helcim)
We awarded Helcim a 4.2 out of 5. The software earned the most points for its interchange-plus payment processing structure, strong invoicing features, B2B customer relationship management, and sleek but low-cost POS hardware. We also appreciate that Helcim offers a free online store builder, virtual terminal, and recurring payments. Business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) businesses will appreciate Helcim's AI-powered Level 2/3 transaction data capture tool, which also helps to lower payment processing fees on qualifying B2B/B2G transactions.
Learn More: Read our guide to B2B payment processing.
When To Upgrade
- You run a high-risk business
- You need more built-in third-party software integrations
- You need more streamlined inventory management
Toast POS: Best For Full-Service Restaurants
Pricing Range
$0/mo - $69/mo; with custom plans availableOnline Ordering
YesEquipment Cost
$0+ if you agree to a higher processing ratePros
- Excellent restaurant-grade hardware included
- Free online ordering page with immediate and scheduled pickup/delivery
- Free customizable loyalty program
- Thorough inventory, menu, and POS interface customization
Cons
- Long-term contract
- Higher payment processing fees than competitors
- Early termination fee
Why We Chose Toast For Full Service Restaurants
Toast online ordering on smartphone, Toast admin dashboard on PC, Toast KDS, Toast Go 2 handheld POS, Toast countertop POS. (Source: Toast)
Toast earned a 4 out of 5 in our restaurant POS system evaluation. While pricing overall is not one of Toast's strong suits, we appreciate that Toast offers a pay-as-you-go POS software and hardware plan with add-on options like a strong online ordering platform if you agree to higher payment processing fees. Toast has excellent table, tipping, and tableside ordering management, making it great for full-service restaurants.
Note: Toast requires you to sign a two-year contract and there is a substantial early termination fee, which is why we recommend Toast as a long-term restaurant solution.
When To Upgrade
- You want lower payment processing fees
- You need more than two registers
- You open more than one location
eHopper POS: Best For Free Payment Processing
Pricing Range
$0 - $35.99/month/device with a year-long subscriptionContract Length
Monthly, yearlyEquipment Cost
$69 - $1,450Pros
- Free card processing option
- Works on Android and Windows
- Free restaurant POS software
- Free EBT payment processing
Cons
- No online ordering platform on free plan
- Very limited customer support on free plan
- Must use eHopper Payments
Why We Picked eHopper For Free Payment Processing
eHopper countertop POS terminal and card reader. (Source: eHopper)
eHopper earned a 3.5 out of 5 stars because while the free plan offers several features, you must use eHopper for payment processing and you don't get an online ordering platform builder.
We like that eHopper offers businesses the option to start a cash discount program and avoid all payment processing fees, so it's a completely free POS option. We also appreciate that eHopper offers niche features like EBT payment processing and self-ordering kiosks on the free plan.
When To Upgrade
- You want to sell online
- You want a different payment processor
- You don’t want to start a cash discount program
Odoo POS: Most Customizable Option
Pros
- Very customizable
- Lots of niche POS hardware options
- Excellent inventory management
- Invoicing app included
Cons
- Learning curve
- Few third-party integrations
- No built-in payment processing option available
Why We Picked Odoo For The Most Customizable Option
Odoo POS software on mobile, desktop, and laptop devices. (Source: Odoo)
We like that Odoo works on all device types, offers very versatile inventory management, and includes invoicing that directly connects to Odoo's accounting software app for free. You can run multiple brands under Odoo, create unlimited employee accounts, manage a B2C and B2B customer base, integrate with several payment processors, and create a custom POS hardware setup.
When To Upgrade
- You want to use all of Odoo’s apps
- You want an all-in-one business management ecosystem
- You want to use Odoo offline
Retail POS Review Methodology
Merchant Maverick has been researching and reviewing POS providers since 2012. Our writers have tested over 100 different point of sale systems, evaluating pricing, features, ease of use, customer service, and user reviewers. Read more about how we rate POS providers.
When comparing different POS software systems, we consider many data points, including relative pricing, the depth of niche features offered, the price of hardware, and any associated payment processing fees. Our lists of the best providers include only apps we’ve deemed worthwhile from multiple vantage points. The POS vendors we pick share qualities such as widespread availability, accessibility, user-friendliness, and reasonable pricing. We also look carefully at niche features, such as check-splitting, inventory management, eCommerce, loyalty programs, gift cards, and more.
We spend an average of 10-15 hours researching and updating each one of our lists, making sure the providers included meet our internal standards for quality and reputation.
80+
Vendors evaluated
65+
Attributes assessed per vendor
20+
Features weighed
30+
Combined years of experience
How To Choose A Free POS System For Small Business
Consider the following factors when you choose a free POS system.
Final Verdict
After reviewing several POS software products, I recommend Square as the best free POS system in almost all cases. Square offers three well-developed software plans for different business types, predictable standard payment processing fees, unlimited user accounts, a free online store builder, and affordable POS hardware. Upgrade to an affordable advanced Square plan once you have steady sales and require more inventory and multi-location management.
Nicolette Kier
Expert Contributor
Nicolette began writing on small business topics in 2020. After hundreds of hours researching, testing, and assisting small business owners with web building and point of sale software, she is now an expert on all things eCommerce and point of sale. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Pittsburgh and resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
View Nicolette Kier's professional experience on LinkedIn.
Latest posts by Nicolette Kier (see all)
- Restaurant POS Hardware Guide - March 12, 2024
- What Is A KDS & How Do They Work? - March 7, 2024
- How Much Does A Restaurant POS System Cost? - March 7, 2024
- What Is A Restaurant POS System & How Do They Work? - March 4, 2024
- How To Set Up An Online Ordering System For Your Restaurant - January 23, 2024
We Want Your Feedback
Let us know how well the content on this page solved your problem today. All feedback, positive or negative, helps us to improve the way we help small businesses.
Give FeedbackRead Next
