Written by Dan Barraclough Reviewed by Ruairi Shirlow Updated on May 4, 2022 On this page Entry Level Cash Register Prices Mid Level Cash Register Prices High End Cash Register Prices How Much Does a Touchscreen Cash Register Cost? Which Cash Register is Best for Your Business? Cash Registers vs POS Systems Expand Our site is reader-supported – by clicking our links, we can match you with a potential supplier, and we may earn a small commission for this referral. The price of a cash register depends on its model, and the range of features that come with it. Cash registers with basic functionality start at $200 each, ranging to over $2,000 for a sophisticated touchscreen register. Read on, and we’ll explain what you can expect to pay, along with examples of real world cash register prices.The good news is that there’s a cash register available for every budget. That said, it’s important to understand that cash registers alone are only suitable for very small stores that don’t process many sales. Instead, we recommend investing in a top POS (point of sale) system, which can help you scale with features such as inventory management, sales reporting, staff management, and more. How much do POS systems cost per month? Square: $0 – $129Lightspeed: $69 – $199Talech: $0 – $99Lavu: $59 – $279 (plus add-ons)Click the links above to compare quotes or learn more about the provider. Entry Level Cash Register PricesThe Sam4s ER 380 is the best basic cash register you can buy for $329.Price range: Under $200 to $800 per cash registerEntry level cash registers come equipped with a simple display, keypad, receipt printer, and cash drawer. These are suitable for small businesses with few staff.Clerks have to manually key in prices, and printed receipts often only show basic information. Registers at this price lack advanced features such as employee numbers or advertisements.You can pick up an entry level register from most industry retailers, such as Sharp, Royal, and Casio. At this level, feature sets are similar, so price should definitely be your main focus. Mid-level Cash Register PricesThe Casio SE 3500 can handle any customer order, big or small – and all for $479.Price range: $300 to $800 per cash registerIf you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can get a model with better functionality. Cash registers in this tier tend to feature customer-facing displays and thermal receipt printers.Most mid-level models also include a laser barcode scanner to cut down on transaction time.The processing chips in these models enable them to remember product information. Price lookups – or PLUs – are the unique numbers that let you access product pricing details when there’s no barcode to hand. Naturally, you should look for a machine that can store enough PLUs for your stock line. Get personalized quotes from a range of trusted POS suppliers Get free quotes High End Cash Register PricesAt $2795.00, the SNCC Hisense HK570 isn’t cheap – but you get a lot for your money.Price range: $2000+ per cash registerA great example of a top-line cash register is the SNCC Hisense HK570. Retailing at just over $2,700, it’s perfect for retail and service industry use. It has an integrated magnetic card reader, a thermal receipt printer, and a touchscreen terminal. How Much Does a Touchscreen Cash Register Cost?The Casio V-R7100 for hospitality and retail starts from around $2,199.Touchscreen cash registers are a great choice for small businesses that have modest usage requirements – for example, small stores making a few sales per hour.A basic touchscreen cash register will cost around $350.Higher end models, such as those used in bars and restaurants, could cost around $1,200.An advanced touchscreen register, like the Casio VR 7100 (pictured above), will cost upwards of $2,000. This kind of device would best serve businesses with a constant flow of customers.A few brands to look out for are Sam4s, Sharp, Royal, and Casio. Their touchscreen cash registers range in price from around $800 to over $2000. Which Cash Register is Best for Your Business?Cash register costs vary from model to model depending on their feature set. You should invest in one that’s equipped to handle all of your point-of-sale needs.Smaller businesses like independent book shops or food service vehicles might not need laser scanners or thousands of PLUs. For these kinds of businesses, a basic machine is probably a better bet.Others, such as grocery stores, clubs and bars, may need fast machines that can power through lots of sales quickly. For these businesses, a more expensive register may prove the better buy. Cash Registers vs POS SystemsBy now, you should have a better idea of cash register prices.Still, you may find that a cash register only takes you so far. For one thing, cash registers can’t scale with your business, so when you need to upgrade, you have to buy completely new equipment.A more scalable solution is an electronic point-of-sale (POS) system. POS systems consist of easily upgradeable hardware and software. They’re typically available on a software-as-a-subscription (SaaS) model, which means you pay a supplier a monthly fee for access to their software. The best POS software can assist with everything from stock management to financial reporting.Questions to ask before you buy:RestaurantRetailService SectorCould portable payment terminals help me serve customers faster?Can my customers get the same in-store discounts as they would online?Can my front desk staff easily access bookings and customer account details?Do I ever run low on key ingredients at critical moments?Do we pre-schedule weekly and seasonal special offers?Do I have integrated in-store and online appointment booking?Do any of my competitors run electronic customer rewards schemes?Does reporting and budgeting take longer than an hour a week?Are HR processes more difficult than they need to be? If you answered ‘Yes’ more than ‘No’:A POS solution will help your company pull in more profits!Here’s our guide to POS system prices If you answered ‘No’ more than ‘Yes’:A cash register can probably cater to your needs!Best cash registers for small businesses Verdict Depending on the complexity of your needs for a cash register, you can pay as little as under $200 to $800 for a simple model, or upwards of $2,000 for a top of the range system.As we explained earlier, if you’re yet to invest in a cash register, we recommend you consider an electronic point-of-sale (POS) system as a more efficient and adaptable alternative. These systems are made up of versatile hardware and software that can be easily upgraded when necessary, since they are usually offered on a subscription basis. Top POS software can help with various tasks, including inventory management and financial reporting, on top of just taking payments.A POS system doesn’t need to break the bank. Some providers, such as Zettle, offer terminals as cheap as $199 with software included for no extra cost.If you’d like to explore the possibility of a POS system, you can compare quotes directly from the top providers. Simply answer a few questions about what you need, and we’ll match you up with the best POS providers for you. They’ll be in touch with tailored, no-obligation quotes for you to compare. Frequently Asked Questions What is the cheapest cash register available? Clover’s Station Pro and Station Duo are available online for around $120. Some other cash registers are available on Amazon for less than $100 if budget is your top priority. Should I buy or rent a cash register? When considering whether to buy or rent a cash register, both options have their benefits:Buy:If you plan to use it for longer than two years, buying a cash register is cheaper in the long run.You can own it outright and continue using it for as long as it works without making any ongoing payments.You get to choose exactly the features and options you need, and can even customize it with your own logo and pre-programmed items and pricesRent:Renting a cash register requires little upfront investment, as you just need to pay monthly fees.If there are any hardware or software issues, the rental company is responsible for fixing them.It’s easier to upgrade to newer models with more features.Renting is a good option if you only need a cash register temporarily, such as for events or pop-up shops.It’s also convenient if you need to scale up or down the number of registers you use.If you have an established business with ongoing needs, buying your cash register outright is often better value. However, if your needs are variable, or if you’re testing the waters with a cash register, renting may be the more flexible and cost-effective option. Do you have to buy cash registers and card machines separately? Several POS providers include cash registers and card machines as part of a complete POS system’s hardware, saving you from purchasing them separately. On top of that, you’ll receive a subscription to your provider’s software, sometimes for free. Of course, if you only need a cash register or card machine, you don’t have to subscribe to a complete POS system and incur unnecessary extra costs. How do I set up a cash register at my business? To set up a register system, purchase or lease the hardware and software, and have it professionally installed. Configure the software settings, train your staff, and install security features such as password-protected access levels, surveillance cameras, and secure cash drawer locks. 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.