Our Nerdy picks for
Free POS for industry-specific features
Loyverse4.0
NerdWallet Rating
Free POS software for payment processing fees
eHopperBest Free POS Systems
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Input your business’s monthly transaction details and we’ll help you sort from the best valueProduct | Cost Estimate | Payment processing fees | Cost Estimate | Learn more | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Square POS Learn more on Square POS's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 5.0/5 Best for Overall free POS system | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 and up. | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on Square POS's secure website |
Helcim POS Learn more on Helcim POS's secure website | 4.5/5 Best for Interchange-plus processing | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0.00 | Learn more on Helcim POS's secure website | ||
Toast POS Learn more on Toast POS's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Food trucks and cafes | 2.49% + $0.15 if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option. | $0.00 Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan. | Learn more on Toast POS's secure website | ||
SpotOn Restaurant Learn more on SpotOn Restaurant's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Restaurant add-ons | 1.99% + $0.25 For most cards in paid plans. | $0.00 and up. | Learn more on SpotOn Restaurant's secure website | ||
PayPal Zettle | 4.0/5 Best for Free POS software for mobile sales | In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 2.89% + $0.49 | $0.00 | |||
Loyverse | 4.0/5 Best for Free loyalty program | N/A Varies by processor. | $0.00 | |||
eHopper | Best for Free POS software with low processing fees | In-person: 2.5% + $0.10 | $0.00 And up. | |||
Nextar | Best for Cash-only businesses | N/A Included in Premium plan; not available in Free plan. | $0.00 Free plan; $19 Premium plan. |
Our pick for
Overall free POS system
Square POS
on Square POS's secure website
and up.
Pros
- Free plan option available.
- Offers helpful related services, like payroll, that integrate closely with its POS system.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- All plans include a free online store.
Cons
- Can’t run on Windows devices.
- Complex industries might prefer a more specialized system.
Our pick for
Interchange-plus processing
Helcim POS
on Helcim POS's secure website
Pros
- No monthly software fees.
- No long-term contract or termination fees.
- Offers volume discounts for businesses whose monthly credit card volume surpasses $50,000.
- Interchange-plus processing rates can help businesses save money.
Cons
- Some hardware, like barcode scanners and cash drawers, are only available through a third-party provider.
- No full POS register options.
Our pick for
Food trucks and cafes
Toast POS
on Toast POS's secure website
if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option.
Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan.
Pros
- Free plan available for restaurants with up to two POS terminals.
- 24/7 support via web messaging.
- Offers helpful related services, like payroll and team management software, that integrate closely with its POS system.
- Built specifically for restaurants with in-house delivery platform available, among other industry-specific features.
Cons
- Requires a two-year contract and charges early termination fees.
- Online payment processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Charges setup fee, and offline mode includes hidden cost of backup router.
- Online ordering is considered an add-on for all plans.
Our pick for
Restaurant add-ons
SpotOn Restaurant
on SpotOn Restaurant's secure website
For most cards in paid plans.
and up.
Pros
- Offers a free plan.
- Restaurants can customize plans by adding loyalty programs, reservation capabilities, online ordering or employee scheduling software.
- 24/7 phone support.
- No long-term contract or termination fees.
Cons
- Charges setup fee.
- Offline mode includes the hidden cost of a router.
Our pick for
Free POS software for mobile sales
PayPal Zettle
Pros
- No monthly software fees for accepting in-person payments.
- No long-term contract or termination fees.
- Accepts a variety of payment types, including Venmo and PayPal payments.
- Inexpensive card reader with a keypad, plus built-in payment processing and a free mobile app lets you quickly accept in-person payments on the go.
Cons
- Online transaction rates are difficult to parse out, and selling online may involve additional monthly charges.
- No offline mode.
Our pick for
Free loyalty program
Loyverse
Varies by processor.
Pros
- Can be used for a variety of businesses, including restaurants, cafes, bars, grocery stores, retail stores and boutiques.
- Integrates with several payment processors, including SumUp and Zettle.
- Can be used with other payment processors without an integration.
- Free software includes a loyalty program, which most competitors offer as an add-on with additional cost.
Cons
- 24/7 live chat support is only available with paid add-on subscriptions.
- Not all features are available with the free version, including employee management and integrations into accounting and e-commerce apps.
Our pick for
Free POS software with low processing fees
eHopper
And up.
Pros
- Paid plans work with a variety of processors.
- Customer support requests can be submitted through a ticketing system; support also includes videos, a chatbot and an online knowledge base.
Cons
- The free plan has limited features, including only one POS license to cover 50 products and 300 transactions per month.
- Certain integrations, such as with QuickBooks, are unavailable with the free plan.
Our pick for
Cash-only businesses
Nextar
Included in Premium plan; not available in Free plan.
Free plan; $19 Premium plan.
Pros
- Chat and email support are available.
- The free plan allows you to calculate sales commissions.
Cons
- To accept card payments, you need a paid plan.
- Doesn’t offer accounting or e-commerce integrations.
Square: Best overall free POS system
- $0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
- $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
- $60 for Square Restaurant Plus plan.
- $69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
- $89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
- $192 and up for Square Restaurant Essentials Bundle.
- Custom pricing for Square Retail Premium plan.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.
Helcim: Best for interchange-plus processing
- Interchange plus 0.4% and 8 cents per in-person transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
- Interchange plus 0.5% and 25 cents per online or manually keyed transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
- 0.5% plus 25 cents for ACH payments.
Toast: Best for food trucks and cafes
- $0 for Starter Kit plan.
- $69 Point of Sale plan.
- Custom plans available.
- 3.09-3.69% plus 15 cents per transaction, if you choose a pay-as-you-go plan.
- 2.49% plus 15 cents for card-present transactions, if you pay for hardware upfront.
- 3.50% plus 15 cents for card-not-present transactions, if you pay for hardware upfront.
SpotOn Restaurant: Best for restaurant add-ons
- $0 for Quick Start plan.
- $99 for Counter-service plan, plus $3 per employee.
- $135 for Full-service plan, plus $3 per employee.
- Custom pricing available as well.
- 1.99% plus 25 cents for most cards in the Counter-service, Full-service and Customizable plans.
- 2.89% plus 25 cents for Quick Start plan subscribers (this processing rate includes hardware and software costs).
- 2.99% plus 25 cents for reward, international, corporate and keyed-in cards.
PayPal Zettle: Best free POS software for mobile sales
- 2.29% plus 9 cents for in-person and QR code transactions.
- 3.49% plus 9 cents for manual-entry card transactions.
- 2.89% plus 49 cents for online card payments.
- 2.99% plus 49 cents for invoicing (payment made with card).
- 3.49% plus 49 cents for invoicing (payment made with PayPal).
Loyverse: Best free loyalty program
eHopper: Best free POS software with low processing fees
Nextar: Best for cash-only businesses
- $0 for the free version.
- $19 for the Premium plan.