How Much Does a Point Of Sale System Cost?

A smiling male barista wearing an apron serving a customer at a coffee shop counter

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POS systems typically have one of three pricing structures: monthly subscription fees, one-time purchases, or a combination of both. A standard POS subscription plan costs around $50-$150 per month, although a lot of providers will let you use their POS software for free. One-time purchases, on the other hand, can cost more than $1,200 in some instances.

The three main types of costs associated with top POS systems are software-use costs, hardware costs, and card processing fees. The cost of your POS system will depend on how feature-rich you want your POS software to be, transaction fees enforced by your provider, how extensive a hardware setup you need, and how many locations you need to sell at.

Some providers charge additional fees for software add-ons, renting out equipment, or setting up the system. If you’re working on a tight budget, however, you can combine POS software with a tablet, card reader, and receipt printer for relatively little cost. Such a setup will be good enough to meet the needs of most small retail and restaurant businesses.

How Much Do Major POS Software Providers Charge?

Use our cost comparison tool to find the best value service for your business.

How Much Do POS Systems Cost?

Most POS systems cost between $50-$150 per month, with the absolute top range being around $400. This fee typically covers the cost of using the provider’s POS software, although it can sometimes include one hardware kit (countertop terminal and card reader, for example).

If POS hardware is a separate charge from the software, you can expect to pay around $1,400 upfront for a full countertop setup, including a terminal, receipt printer, and card machine.

However, some POS providers don’t have monthly rates, and charge a single, upfront fee for both their software and hardware, in which case you can expect to pay between $1,200 and $2,000.

Other providers let you use their POS software for free, such as Square, while still charging for their hardware. Others still, don’t charge for either software or hardware, but instead let you pay for your POS system through transaction fees. Examples include SpotOn and Toast.

Here’s a table outlining the average costs associated with POS systems:

Type of expenseCost range
Software$0-$400/month
Terminal/countertop devices$349-$2,000/device (sometimes included at no extra cost with a POS software subscription)
Handheld POS devices$200-$600/device (sometimes included at no extra cost with a POS software subscription)
Card readers$20-$60/device (often built-into countertop terminals)
KDS$20-$30/month/device OR $600-$800 upfront payment
Card processing fees2.3% + 10¢-3.5% + 15¢ (often varies depending on payment method)
Add-ons (extra features)$10-$300/month

In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look at the three main costs associated with POS systems:

POS Software Subscription Fees

As we’ve covered, POS software subscription fees typically cost $0-$400 per month, depending on the provider and the needs of your business. This is quite a wide range, but most initial paid plans now cost somewhere in the region of $50-$150.

Providers will usually offer differently priced subscription plans, with the lowest-priced plans offering basis management features, suitable for small locations, and the most expensive plans offering more advanced features for large or multi-location establishments.

If the software subscription also includes a subscription to hardware, as is the case with SpotOn and Toast, then the lower-tier plans will include a more basic kit (a terminal and card machine), and the most expensive plans will include an extensive kit (added cash drawer, receipt printer, and even KDS).

Some providers also offer free plans – these won’t include very advanced features but are a good starting point for businesses who have straightforward needs.

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NCR Aloha

Square

Toast

Clover

SpotOn

Lightspeed

Shopify

Epos Now

Price

Custom

Price
  • Starter: from $0/month
  • Pro: from $65/month
  • Premium: from $140/month
Price

$0-$69/month

Custom pricing also available

Price

$0-$69/month

Custom pricing available

Price

$14.95-$129.85/month

Price

$0-$135/month

Price

$69-$399/month

Price

POS software: $89/month/location

(requires additional subscription to Shopify Online store for $39-$399/month)

Price

From $299 (one-off payment) then from $79/month

The plan you choose comes down to your business’s budget and the features you’re after. It will also depend on the industry you’re in, for example, a retail business will want a package with features that cater for that industry, such as email marketing and barcode scanners.

Did You Know?

Some providers give the option of paying for your POS software subscription on a yearly basis. This is typically 20-30% cheaper than paying month-to-month.

We know that finding a POS system for the right price can be a time consuming process, so let our free quote comparison service do the hard work for you. All you have to do is answer a few questions about your business, and we’ll match you with POS suppliers that suit your needs. They’ll then be in touch directly to provide tailored, no-obligation quotes.

POS Hardware Costs

Some POS providers charge a one-time fee for buying hardware, and others include one hardware kit or device in their software package, but charge extra for additional devices.

A step up from traditional cash registers, the great thing about a POS system is that you can make it as basic or as sophisticated as you want.

Here’s how much you can expect to spend on hardware based on your business’s size:

Size of businessWhat you’ll needOverall cost
Start-up retail unit or restaurant
  • Tablet stand
  • Card reader
$200-$300
Small
  • Countertop terminal
  • Card reader
  • Receipt printer
  • Cash drawer
$500-800
Medium
  • 2 countertop terminals
  • 2x card reader
  •  1 Printer
  • 1 Cash drawer
$1,400-$2,000
Large
  • 3x fixed POS countertop kits
$5,000-$6,000

To give you even more insight, here are the hardware prices of some of the best POS providers:

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Square

Toast

Clover

SpotOn

Lightspeed

Shopify

Epos Now

Hardware price
  • Card reader: $59
  • Handheld POS: $299
  • Countertop kits: $149-$1,389
  • KDS: $20/month/device
Hardware price
  • $0 when on free Starter Kit plan (pay in transaction fees)
  • Requires quote for all other paid subscriptions
Hardware price
  • Card reader: $49
  •  Handheld POS: $599
  • Countertop kits: $799-$1,999
  • KDS: $799-$899 + $25/month/device
Hardware price
  • Handheld POS: $200 (one included in retail software plans)
  • Countertop terminal: $750-$850 (one included in restaurant software plans)
  • KDS: $600
Hardware price

Only available by quote

Hardware price
  • Card reader: $49
  • Handheld POS: $299
  • Countertop kit: $459
Hardware price
  • Countertop terminal (with built-in printer), card machine and cash drawer (with software): $299
  • Android tablet system: $549
  • iPad system: $649
Want to Compare POS Hardware Costs?

POS providers are often flexible with their hardware packages, giving you the option to pay for the hardware on a monthly basis, or to purchase it outright. Most suppliers will also offer tablet stands, barcode scanners, and the option to purchase on-going supplies, such as receipt printer paper.

POS suppliers may also be able to provide discounts for companies that require a more sophisticated hardware package. Does that sound like your business? You can see whether our suppliers can offer your business some killer deals on hardware using our quick and free quote-finding tool.

Clover terminal, receipt printer, and Clover Flex card machine on desk
Clover's Station Solo hardware allows you to get to business out of the box with an all-in-one, easy setup POS system - Source: Expert Market

Credit Card Fees

Most POS suppliers double up as payment processors, which means they have a system that can process card payments for you. Others give you the option of having a separate payment processor.

As a rough guide, the standard credit card processing fee  for in-person payments in the US is usually between 2.3% and 2.5%.

Some POS suppliers also support online payments, sometimes through an integrated online store, as is the case with Square and Shopify. Online card processing fees are usually higher, around 3%, since it’s considered a more risky transaction.

Check out our credit card fee comparison table below for some of the most popular POS suppliers…

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Square

Toast

Clover

SpotOn

Lightspeed

Shopify

Epos Now

Card processing fees

2.6% + 10¢ to 3.5% + 15¢

Card processing fees

Variable

Card processing fees

2.3% + 10¢ to 3.5% + 10¢

Card processing fees

1.99% + 25¢ to 2.89% + 25¢

Card processing fees

2.6% + 10¢ (custom fees also available)

Card processing fees

2.4% + 10¢ to 2.9% + 30¢

Card processing fees

2.6% + 10¢

Additional POS Costs

There are a few additional costs to watch out for when purchasing a POS system, besides the three we’ve outlined above. These include:

  • Setup fees: some providers charge a fee for setting up your software and hardware. SpotOn, for example, charges around $1,000 for this service.
  • Add-on feature costs: some providers charge extra for features like marketing and loyalty tools, or reservation management. Square, for example, charges $15 per month for loyalty tools, while TouchBistro charges $330 per month for advanced profit management tools.
  • Multiple locations costs: POS providers that bundle their software with a hardware kit will charge you extra if you need additional hardware for other locations. Some providers will also increase the cost of their POS software if you need to use it at multiple locations. One example is Shopify.

POS Costs by Industry

POS system can vary slightly depending on your industry. For example, a POS system for restaurants tends to be more expensive than one for salons, since restaurants have bigger inventories and require extra equipment, like KDSs.

In this section, we’ll compare some of each industry’s most popular POS system packages, comparing the low, mid, and high-price range packages available. The prices shown are either a monthly subscription, or a one-off fee.

Bear in mind that the following costs are a rough guide and you should speak to a supplier to get the most accurate pricing.

Restaurant POS Systems Cost

As a restaurateur, customizing menus and table plans, and managing ingredients are just a few of your regular assignments.  Unspecialized POS systems just can’t handle the heat of the kitchen. Luckily, the best restaurant POS systems are designed with you in mind.

Here’s a look at the pricing of popular restaurant POS systems:

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Clover

Price
Price
  • Starter Kit: $0/month
  • Point of Sale: $69/month
  • Build Your Own: custom
Price

From $0-$135/month

Price
  • Starter: $105/month
  • Standard: $145/month
  • Advanced: $200/month
Hardware price
  • Card reader: $59
  • Handheld POS: $299
  • Countertop kits: $149-$1,389
  • KDS: $20/month/device
Hardware price
  • $0 when on free Starter Kit plan (pay in transaction fees)
  • Requires quote for all other paid subscriptions
Hardware price
  • Countertop terminal: $750-$850 (one included in restaurant software plans)
  • KDS: $600
Hardware price
  • Handheld POS: $599
  •  Countertop kit: $1,699
Card processing fees

2.6% + 10¢ to 3.5% + 15¢

Card processing fees

2.49 + 15¢ in-person, standard pricing
From 3.09% + 15¢ in-person, pay-as-you-go pricing
3.5% + 15¢ not-present

Card processing fees

1.99% + 25¢ to 2.89% + 25¢

Card processing fees

2.3% + 10¢ to 3.5% + 10¢

Spice up your restaurant with a new POS system

No two businesses are truly the same, and so some will require fewer features. For example, if you need a POS system for your food truck, you won’t need to spend as much on your hardware. Alternatively, if you’re looking for the best hotel POS software, you’ll need a hospitality-focused system with the capabilities to manage reservations, bookings, and payments. 

Retail POS Systems Cost

Retail POS systems let you manage your inventory, set up automatic low stock alerts, and accept gift cards, all with the tap of a touchscreen. Some also integrate with online stores.

The best solutions even use advanced analytics and reporting to shed valuable insight into your best and worst selling products. Here’s how much the best retail POS systems cost:

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Square for Retail

Clover

Shopify

Price
  • Free: $0/month
  • Plus: $89/month
  • Premium: custom
Price
  • Starter: $14.95/month
  • Standard: $49.95/month
  • Advanced: $69.90/month
Price

POS software: $89/month/location

(requires additional subscription to Shopify Online store for $39-$399/month)

Hardware price
  • Card reader: $59
  • Handheld POS: $299
  • Countertop kits: $149-$1,389
  • Barcode scanners: $119-$229
Hardware price
  •  Handheld POS: $599
  • Countertop kits: $799-$1,999
Hardware price
  • Card reader: $49
  • Handheld POS: $299
  • Countertop kit: $459
Card processing fees

2.6% + 10¢ to 3.5% + 15¢

Card processing fees

2.3% + 10¢ to 3.5% + 10¢

Card processing fees

2.4% + 10¢ to 2.9% + 30¢

Grow your grocery store with the perfect POS system

Salon POS Systems Cost

The more time you spend pampering your customers, the more money you’ll make from their repeat business. But it’s easier said than done when you’ve got lots of payments to process and appointments to manage, especially during peak hours.

POS systems designed for salons help you manage bookings with ease, reschedule appointments, and take requests for new ones. Here’s what you can expect to pay:

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Square Appointments

Clover

Price
  • Free: $0/month
  • Plus: $29/month
  • Premium: $69/month
Price
  • Starter: $14.95/month
  • Standard: $49.95/month
  • Advanced: $49.95/month
Hardware price
  • Card reader: $59
  • Countertop kits: $149-$1,389
Hardware price
  • Handheld POS: $599
  • Countertop kit: $799-$1,799
Card processing fees

2.6% + 10¢ to 3.5% + 15¢

Card processing fees

2.3% + 10¢ to 3.5% + 10¢

Compare quotes to save money on your next shiny salon POS system

Bar POS Systems Cost

As a bar owner, you no doubt keep close tabs on hourly, daily and seasonal trends that affect drink prices. If you serve food, you probably also juggle ticket orders, food preparation and section seating.

Here’s how much the best bar point of sale systems cost:

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Square

Clover

Price
  • Free: $0/month
  • Plus: $69/month
  • Premium: $165/month
Price

From $0-$135/month + custom pricing

Price
  • Starter: $59.95
  • Standard: $59.95
  • Advanced: $79.90
Hardware price
  • Card reader: $59
  • iPad stand: $149
Hardware price

Countertop terminal: $750 (included in counter-service plan)

Hardware price
  • Handheld POS: $599
  • Countertop kit: $1,799
Card processing fees

2.6% + 10¢ to 3.5% + 15¢

Card processing fees

1.99% + 25¢ to 2.89% + 25¢

Card processing fees

2.3% + 10¢ to 3.5% + 10¢

Brighten up your bar with a new POS system

How Much Do iPad POS Systems Cost?

iPad POS systems can be cheaper than standard ones if you already own a tablet, since you’ll have less hardware to buy.

It also makes it cheaper to switch to a different iPad system, since you won’t be buying new countertop terminals, you’ll just be switching software. That’s why many small businesses prefer them.

Here’s how much iPad POS systems cost on average:

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Square

Clover Go

Lightspeed

Price

$0-$69/month

Custom pricing also available

Price
  • Payments: $49 (one-off fee)
  • Essentials: $14.95/month
Price

$69-$399/month

Hardware price

iPad stand (with built-in card reader): $149

Hardware price

Card reader: $49

Hardware price

Only available by quote

Card processing fees

2.6% + 10¢ to 3.5% + 15¢

Card processing fees

2.6% + 10¢ to 3.5% + 10¢

Card processing fees

2.6% + 10¢ (custom fees also available)

How did we find the best POS systems?

The Expert Market team spend 160 hours researching and 20 hours testing POS systems to find the best ones. During that time, we used our learnings to evaluate how each POS system fared in six categories that are important to businesses, broken down into between four and 12 subcategories, in order to get an impartial ranking.

For more information on each POS system, and to learn details about how we evaluated them, head over to our page: Best POS Systems for US Businesses.

Expert Verdict

By now, you should have a better idea of the general POS costs. To summarize, POS system costs depend on three main factors:

  1. Industry: From multi-location retail to independent eateries, different POS solutions target different niches
  2. Hardware: The amount of hardware you need usually depends on the scale of your business
  3. Software features: Software pricing usually depends on the number of features you need

Bear in mind that POS solutions are no longer one size fits all. It’s now possible to invest in a POS system that is completely tailored to the needs of your business. This means the cost of a POS system should be completely tailored, too.

We know that finding a POS for the right price can be a time consuming process, but our quick, easy, and free comparison service does all the hard work for you. To receive tailored quotes from trusted suppliers, simply tell us about your POS desires and they’ll be in touch.

Written by:
Headshot of Expert Market Senior Writer Tatiana Lebtreton
Tatiana is Expert Market's resident payments and online growth expert, specialising in (E)POS and merchant accounts, as well as website builders.
Reviewed by:
Oliver Simpson - senior researcher - headshot
After three years in operational B2B data analysis, Oliver became a business insight specialist in 2022 and now focuses full-time on understanding small business preferences and needs. He blends his quantitative skills, forged by his experience working as a law enforcement researcher, with qualitative exploration, to ensure robust and nuanced results.