Best POS Hardware of April 2024

on Square Register's secure website

Monthly fee

$0.00

Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.

Square's fully integrated reader and countertop POS system accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments. Separate screens for business and customer use streamline the checkout experience. And for business owners wanting more robust POS features with their reader, the Square Register delivers.Read full review

Pros

Has two screens.
Can be mounted to a countertop.
Has advanced apps and software options.

Cons

Must be plugged in at all times.

Clover Station Duo

4.0

on Clover Station Duo's secure website

Monthly fee

$49.95

and up.

The Clover Station Duo ups the game with a combination of a 14-inch screen for you and a 7-inch screen for your customers.Read full review

Pros

Has fingerprint login.
Has fast processing speeds.
Has robust POS software options.
Has two screens.

Cons

Doesn't have a free monthly plan option.

Toast Flex

4.5

Payment processing fees

2.49% + $0.15

if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option.

Monthly fee

$0.00

Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan.

The Toast Flex POS terminal is a tap-to-pay device and router that comes with built-in software. You can add on additional hardware including a cash drawer, kitchen display screen and order printer. Payment processing is also built in and may come at lower rates with higher-priced plans. Delivery services can be added on to any plan.Read full review

Pros

Free plan available for restaurants with one POS terminal.
Live support is available by phone, email or chat.
Offers 0% interest financing, subject to approval.

Cons

Some features, like online ordering and the loyalty program, may cost extra based on the package.
Cash drawer not included.
Primarily for restaurants.
One- to three-year contracts.

Our picks for

Mobile POS terminals

Mobile POS terminals allow merchants to take payments and access POS software on the go, whether tableside at a restaurant, in a food truck, at a farmer’s market or elsewhere. They may also enable barcode scanning and receipt printing within small, handheld devices.

Clover Flex

4.0

on Clover Flex's secure website

Monthly fee

$14.95

and up.

The Clover Flex is a small but powerful handheld credit card reader. It accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments. It can also scan barcodes and even print receipts.Read full review

Pros

Works with Bluetooth.
Paid plans have good POS features.

Cons

Requires monthly plan for advanced features.

PayPal Zettle Terminal

4.0

Monthly fee

$0.00

With its compact design that resembles a smartphone, the PayPal Zettle POS terminal is a solid mobile POS option. It charges in under two hours and accepts all forms of payment: credit and debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, Venmo and PayPal as well as QR codes. It comes with a built-in barcode scanner, and you have the option to add on a combination charging dock and receipt printer.Read full review

Pros

Free POS app.
No long-term contract.
Accepts all payment types.
Includes barcode scanner and optional receipt printer.

Cons

POS features offer less functionality than some competitors.
Limited software integrations.

Toast Go 2

4.5

Payment processing fees

2.49% + $0.15

if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option.

Monthly fee

$0.00

Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan.

The Toast Go 2 allows you to submit orders at tables and accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.Read full review

Pros

Is designed specifically for restaurants.
Offers 24/7 support.
Is versatile and durable.

Cons

Requires quotes for advanced monthly plans.
Requires a contract.

Our picks for

Credit card readers

Some credit card readers are mobile and can take payments on the go, while others are attached to a POS terminal.

Square Reader

5.0

on Square Reader's secure website

Monthly fee

$0.00

Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.

Square doesn't charge a monthly fee for use of its basic point-of-sale system, which makes this low-cost reader and its software an affordable and efficient option for business owners.

Pros

Has a compact design.
Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.

Cons

Doesn't swipe credit cards.
Takes roughly two to three hours to charge.

Helcim card reader

4.5

on Helcim card reader's secure website

Monthly fee

$0.00

Helcim’s card reader accepts chip and contactless payments, and it provides POS software with well-developed features.Read full review

Pros

Has volume discounts.
Has robust POS software features.
Includes countertop stand, but is also portable enough to use on the go.

Cons

Processing rates may increase if monthly transaction volume drops.

SumUp Plus

3.5

on SumUp Plus' secure website

Monthly fee

$0.00

The SumUp Plus credit card reader works through Bluetooth with Apple and Android devices and promises more than 500 transactions on one charge.Read full review

Pros

Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Has a screen to display transaction details.

Cons

Has less robust POS software features than other card readers.

Our picks for

POS hardware bundles

Hardware bundles or kits typically include some of the following: POS terminal, receipt printer, barcode scanner and cash drawer. Bundles can make the hardware selection process quick and easy for businesses with simple setup needs.

POS Nation Freedom Hardware Bundle

Payment processing fees

N/A

Monthly fee

$149.00

and up.

POS Nation hardware is largely quote-based and dependent on each store’s specific needs. The company does, however, offer a hardware bundle that includes a widescreen touch PC, thermal receipt printer, barcode scanner, cash drawer and mini keyboard. Hardware is backed by a two-year warranty.

Pros

No long-term contract required with purchase of hardware bundle.
24/7 customer support.

Cons

Less pricing transparency than some competitors.

Lightspeed Hardware Kit

3.5

Monthly fee

$89.00

Lean plan; $149 Standard plan; $269 Advanced plan.

Lightspeed offers an iPad or desktop hardware kit for both retail and restaurants. (iPads and desktops must be purchased separately.) The company offers paid software plans for download on your device, which integrate with Lightspeed Payments for credit card processing. It’s ideal for managing inventory across multiple locations.Read full review

Pros

24/7 support.
Robust inventory management.
Integrations for accounting, marketing, payroll and more.
Free PCI compliance and fraud prevention.

Cons

IPad or desktop not included.
Higher cost for software, and no transparency on hardware cost.
Annual contracts required for lower pricing.
More expensive plans if you don’t use Lightspeed Payments.