When it comes to purchasing point-of-sale, or POS, hardware, most businesses will need a POS terminal, credit card reader and maybe a cash drawer, a barcode scanner and a receipt printer — all of which can add up to a significant business investment. And because so many options are available, it's often challenging for small-business owners to figure out which products are truly a good value.
Here's our list of recommended hardware brands and products and what you need to know to make the best choice for your business.
Our Nerdy picks for
POS hardware bundles
POS Nation Freedom Hardware BundleOur picks for
Countertop POS terminals
A point-of-sale terminal is the computerized device used to process payments. A countertop POS terminal may be a desktop computer, an iPad or tablet in a stand or a proprietary system, like our top picks below.
Square Register
Learn more
on Square Register's secure website
Payment processing fees
2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online.
Monthly fee
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
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
Learn more
on Clover Station Duo's secure website
Payment processing fees
2.3% + 10¢ or 2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 3.5% + 10¢ online.
Monthly fee
$15
$14.95 and up.
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 POS
Learn more
on Toast POS's secure website
Payment processing fees
2.99% + 15¢
if you pay for hardware monthly; 2.49% + 15¢ if you buy upfront.
Monthly fee
$0
Quick Start Bundle; $69 Core plan; $165 Growth plan. Custom plan also available.
Pros
- 24/7 phone, email and chat support.
- Free plan available for restaurants with up to two POS terminals.
- In-house payroll software available.
- Online ordering is included in some plans.
- In-house delivery platform available.
- Built specifically for restaurants.
Cons
- A two-year contract is required.
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
Learn more
on Clover Flex's secure website
Payment processing fees
2.3% + 10¢ or 2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 3.5% + 10¢ online.
Monthly fee
$15
$14.95 and up.
Pros
- Works with Bluetooth.
- Paid plans have good POS features.
Cons
- Requires monthly plan for advanced features.
PayPal Zettle Terminal
Payment processing fees
2.29% + 9¢
in-person; 3.49% + 49¢ online.
Monthly fee
$0
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 POS
Learn more
on Toast POS's secure website
Payment processing fees
2.99% + 15¢
if you pay for hardware monthly; 2.49% + 15¢ if you buy upfront.
Monthly fee
$0
Quick Start Bundle; $69 Core plan; $165 Growth plan. Custom plan also available.
Pros
- 24/7 phone, email and chat support.
- Free plan available for restaurants with up to two POS terminals.
- In-house payroll software available.
- Online ordering is included in some plans.
- In-house delivery platform available.
- Built specifically for restaurants.
Cons
- A two-year contract is required.
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
Learn more
on Square Reader's secure website
Payment processing fees
2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online.
Monthly fee
$0
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
Learn more
on Helcim card reader's secure website
Payment processing fees
0.30% + 8¢
plus interchange, in-person; 0.50% + 25¢ plus interchange, online.
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- Has volume discounts.
- Has robust POS software features.
Cons
- Might change processing rate if monthly transaction rate drops.
SumUp Plus
Learn more
on SumUp Plus' secure website
Payment processing fees
2.75%
in-person; 2.9% + 15¢ online.
Monthly fee
$0
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
0Payment processing fees
Quote-based.
Monthly fee
$149
and up.
Pros
- No long-term contract required with purchase of hardware bundle.
- 24/7 customer support.
Cons
- Less pricing transparency than some competitors.
Lightspeed POS
Learn more
on Lightspeed POS's secure website
Payment processing fees
2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 2.6% + 30¢ online.
Monthly fee
$69
and up.
Pros
- Offers robust inventory management.
- Good customer service offerings.
- Lots of integrations.
Cons
- High price.
- Annual contracts required for lower pricing.
Toast POS
Learn more
on Toast POS's secure website
Payment processing fees
2.99% + 15¢
if you pay for hardware monthly; 2.49% + 15¢ if you buy upfront.
Monthly fee
$0
Quick Start Bundle; $69 Core plan; $165 Growth plan. Custom plan also available.
Pros
- 24/7 phone, email and chat support.
- Free plan available for restaurants with up to two POS terminals.
- In-house payroll software available.
- Online ordering is included in some plans.
- In-house delivery platform available.
- Built specifically for restaurants.
Cons
- A two-year contract is required.
How to choose point-of-sale hardware
When shopping for POS hardware, there are a variety of factors to keep in mind to ensure you get something that makes sense for your business.
Compatibility
POS hardware works in conjunction with POS software to allow your business to run transactions. But POS hardware does not work with all POS software. Typically, POS companies make software that is only compatible with certain types of hardware. Clover software, for example, is designed only to run on Clover hardware, though the provider lists a limited number of third-party hardware accessories with which its system is compatible.
When shopping around for hardware, make sure you learn the kind of software it can integrate with. Your POS provider will normally sell all the hardware that is compatible with its POS software, but if you decide to buy from third-party vendors, you may run into some issues.
Price
Depending on what your business needs, you can acquire basic POS hardware for free, purchase it at a discounted price or pay as much as several thousand dollars. For example, a merchant that wants to sell products off its e-commerce website at a live event can sign up for Square and receive a free mobile card reader. Conversely, a merchant that owns a brick-and-mortar clothing store will likely need to buy a countertop terminal, barcode scanner, receipt printer and cash drawer — all of which can cost a lot of money depending on the provider.
Another thing to keep in mind when buying POS hardware is the cost you will pay for a hardware bundle. For example, the aforementioned brick-and-mortar clothing store owner may be able to buy a retail POS system from its POS provider at a lower price than it would have paid to purchase each product individually. On the other hand, sometimes it’s cheaper to buy your POS hardware from a third-party vendor — as long as it is compatible with your software. POS hardware providers also sometimes offer unique pricing models for their products. Square, for example, allows you to finance your POS hardware over 24 months.
The only way to find the best deal on POS hardware is to do your research. See what hardware your POS provider offers and then see if you can find other compatible hardware for cheaper on Amazon or eBay.
Usability
You’re going to be using your POS hardware a lot, so you need to find something that is easy to use and responsive to the needs of your business. For example, if you sell your wares primarily from events, pop-up shops or conventions, it might make sense to use a POS system that is cloud-based so you never risk losing your data. Other things to consider are whether the POS system can operate offline, the kind of Wi-Fi router the POS software needs to operate and the durability of the hardware (make sure your hardware comes with a warranty).
Many POS providers offer a money-back guarantee on their POS hardware products — so you should feel empowered to try out their hardware risk-free. Also check to see what level of support they offer (ideally you want free 24/7 support). Some POS providers also offer on-site installation and training on how to use their products.
Last, make sure the POS hardware fulfills the needs of your business. For example, if you operate a restaurant, you need a kitchen printer, and if you operate a grocery store, you likely need a weight scale. Make sure your POS provider either offers additional items your business needs or integrates with popular brands that do.
Understanding POS hardware products
The POS hardware products you will need depend on the nature of your business. Although not every business requires all these hardware options, most businesses will need at least some of these products.
POS terminal
A point-of-sale terminal will have an interface that the merchant uses to manage transactions. Some merchants use a desktop computer as their POS terminal, but it is much more common nowadays for an iPad or tablet to be used as the POS terminal. These are often paired with a stand to turn them into a countertop device. Keep in mind that some POS providers build their own proprietary POS terminals, such as the Square Register and Clover Station.
The POS terminal is often one of the most expensive components of a POS hardware kit. You’ll either have to pay the price of an iPad or tablet or the more expensive price tag on a proprietary terminal.
Credit card reader
There are three different ways a credit card reader can take payment:
Consider how your customers like to pay when selecting a credit card reader. Most people have a card with a magstripe, but many customers now more commonly prefer the more secure EMV payment method. Others don’t carry a credit card at all and use only a digital wallet to pay for products.
There are other features to consider when picking out your credit card reader, such as the ability to print or email receipts, suggest tip amounts or pay with a virtual terminal (punch in credit card information on the credit card reader’s pin pad). You may also want a credit card reader that works in conjunction with your mobile device in order to accept payments on the go.
Some POS providers sell their own proprietary credit card readers (such as Square and PayPal); others require you to buy one from your payment processor.
Accessories
In addition to the base hardware components listed above, your business will likely need some or all of the following accessories. Most POS providers will sell these hardware products.
- Cash drawer. Most businesses still need to accept cash payments, which means they need a cash drawer. The main thing to consider with a cash drawer is the locking mechanism, as you’ll want something that can’t be broken into. You’ll also want to find a cash drawer that is compatible with your POS software, as it should open every time you complete a cash transaction via a USB or Bluetooth connection. Other considerations are the size of the cash drawer and the number of slots and coin trays.
- Barcode scanner. Businesses that carry lots of inventory need a barcode scanner to help them keep track of stock and expedite the checkout process. Similar to cash drawers, you can have a USB-enabled barcode scanner or a Bluetooth barcode scanner — just make sure it is compatible with your POS software. Popular barcode scanner brands include Zebra, Motorola and Socket Mobile.
- Receipt printer. Although many POS providers now offer software that can send a text or email receipt to customers, it’s still necessary to offer a printed receipt option. Like barcode scanners and cash drawers, receipt printers can be connected to compatible POS software via USB or Bluetooth. Most receipt printers use thermal or ink printing. If you operate a food-service business, you may also want to invest in a kitchen printer, which syncs with your POS software to print tickets in the kitchen whenever an order is placed. Popular brands include Star Micronics and Epson.
Some additional products are specific to certain types of businesses. If you operate a restaurant, for example, you may also want to invest in a user-facing kiosk, digital menu board or kitchen display system. Other products that can be considered POS hardware include digital scales, kitchen buzzers, digital menu boards and customer-facing display systems. Most restaurant POS providers sell these items.
For a deeper dive on the different pieces of point of sale hardware and to see additional options, explore NerdWallet’s picks for:
Last updated on May 17, 2023