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We break down POS hardware and software costs and provider specialties by industry so you can easily determine which system is right for your business.
Point of sale system pricing depends on the software, hardware, payment processing, and transaction fees the payment processor charges.
In this article, we’ll discuss the basic factors that impact the price of a POS system. If you want specific numbers from vendors, recommendations, and comparisons, discover the best POS systems for small businesses.
Table of Contents
POS Feature | Pricing |
---|---|
Overall software | $0-$300+ per month |
Card reader | $49-$59 |
Mobile card processor | $199-$299 |
Standalone system | $799-$3000+ |
Kitchen Display System | $600-$1500 |
Loyalty program | $0-$49/month |
Payment processing | 1.9%-3.5% + $0.00-$0.35 per transaction |
Receipt printers | $180-$800 |
Scanners | $125-$250 |
Generally speaking, you can expect a point of sale system to cost anywhere from $0 to $300, but obviously, so much depends on what kind of features and add-ons your business might need.
There are a handful of great free POS options that do give you at least the basics in terms of inventory management and reporting, and there are all-in-one systems that give you access to extremely advanced tools and include useful features that you may otherwise be purchasing a la carte.
When it comes to POS hardware, the price can also differ dramatically depending on what you will be using it for. A simple chip reader, for example, will only set you back about $50. It will allow you to take card payments but not much else.
There are also mobile credit card readers that come with some basic POS tools and allow you to process payments tableside if you own a restaurant. These will generally start at around $300. And, if you’re looking for a countertop system that is an all-in-one POS system, they can run from $800 all the way up to $3000.
Most companies will also offer payment plans and leasing options, but we would recommend avoiding leases as much as humanly possible. (See our section below on avoiding fees to discover why.)
Extra features like loyalty programs, marketing, or pre-built online stores can add to your monthly expenses.
Here are some of the things that will impact your annual or monthly cost.
POS system software costs $0 to $300 per month or more, depending on the number of software licenses and software features you need. If you need something more than just the basics and have the budget for a paid plan, you can generally get access to features you need starting at around $70 with the ability to either scale up to additional plans or purchase add-ons.
Smaller companies can use a free POS system like Square, while larger businesses usually get custom pricing. You may pay monthly fees for third-party software integrations, too.
Credit card processing rates range from 1.5%-3.5% plus a flat fee per transaction. Keep in mind that fees for card-not-present and virtual terminal payments are higher because of the added risk for the processor. Smaller businesses should consider flat-rate payment processing. Businesses with a lot of small transactions or large average transaction volumes should consider interchange-plus processing for the best fee rates.
Our article on POS transaction fees breaks down the ins and outs of these sometimes complicated additional costs.
POS hardware costs $49-$1,000 for registers and card readers. Check out our guide to figure out what POS hardware you really need.
If you don’t want to purchase a separate piece of POS equipment, you can opt for a mobile POS system that allows you to take payments with your smartphone.
That being said, there are more hardware options for small business owners than ever before. Multiple companies, like Square, Clover, Toast, and Shopify, all have their own handheld devices that can help you take payments from just about anywhere and they also won’t break the bank, generally starting at around $200.
If you’re looking for larger, full-service countertop devices, like Square Register or Clover Station, they can range from around $800 up to $1500. Payment plans are generally available through most companies as well, along with basic support for setup.
Add-ons like barcode scanners, a Kitchen Display System (KDS), and receipt printers will increase your hardware costs. Some POS providers offer curated hardware kits for different industries or new businesses to keep these costs down.
Financing your equipment or getting a small loan to purchase your equipment is a better option in the long run. This is because you may end up paying higher monthly fees and higher interest rates if you lease your equipment.
Plus, with leasing, you don’t own your hardware. If you finance your equipment or get a small loan, you’ll own your POS hardware by the time you pay off your equipment.
These are the best small business loans and the best equipment financing companies to help you buy your POS hardware outright without relying on a lease.
Your POS system costs will vary depending on what your business needs now and what it will need as it scales up. If you have very little money to invest upfront, though, consider one of our picks for the best free POS systems.
To keep costs down, we recommend finding a POS system provider that offers several subscription plans and allows businesses to scale or a provider that offers one plan with all its features available.
Take advantage of all the free software trials available, test out the customer service, get feedback from employees who will be using the POS every day, and always be sure to read any merchant contracts before signing.
Get Your Free Credit Card Reader
Square |
---|
Square is an industry-leading point-of-sale and payment processing provider. Sign up for a free account and get a complimentary card reader for use with Square POS. Start For Free.
Get Your Free Credit Card Reader
Square |
---|
Square is an industry-leading point-of-sale and payment processing provider. Sign up for a free account and get a complimentary card reader for use with Square POS. Start For Free.
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The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.
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