7 Best Free POS Software For Small Business In 2024

Get Started With Square POS

Total Rating	4.9
Pricing4.9
Ease Of Use5.0
Features4.8
Customer Service4.7
User Reviews4.8

Pricing

$0/month

Contract

None

Equipment Cost

$49-$799

Get a free card swiper from Square at no cost when you create a free account. Claim your card reader.

Pros

Free and low-cost POS hardware
Free online store builder
Retail, restaurant, and appointment booking features
Social media sales and advertising capabilities

Cons

Limited support hours on free plan
Occasional account holds
Must use Square for payment processing

Why We Picked Square For Best Overall

Square Terminal handheld POS system, Square Register, and Square iPad stand. (Source: Square)

Square earned an impressive 4.9 out of 5 in our evaluation of POS systems because it offers free software plans for all business types, built-in flat-rate payment processing, low-cost POS hardware, and a free online store builder. We also like that Square is compatible with Android and iOS devices, has low-commitment contracts, and includes strong inventory management for free.

Related: Read our Square For Retail review for more information on one of our best retail POS systems.

Pricing

It costs $0 to install Square on an unlimited number of devices. Paid plans range from $29-$89+/month/location.

Payment processing fees:

In-Person Payments: 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction
Online Payments: 2.9% + $0.3o per transaction
Keyed-In & Card On File Payments: 3.5% + $0.15 per transaction

Square POS hardware costs range from $59 for a contactless card reader, $299 for a handheld POS system, and $799 for a starter countertop POS register setup.

Learn More: Read our Square POS hardware guide for more on your POS hardware options, pricing, and what we recommend for your business type.

Free POS Features

Accept swipe, chip, and contactless cards, digital wallet payments, and QR code payments
iOS and Android mobile apps
Free online store/ordering platform builder
In-store pickup and delivery
Free employee time tracking and scheduling (up to five team members)
Automated inventory updates
Google product listings and social media selling
Online appointment scheduling (Square Appointments)

Related: Read our Square Appointments review for more on one of our best salon POS systems.

When To Upgrade

You require advanced retail inventory management features
Your restaurant offers sit-down table service
You want more scheduling features for your salon

Loyverse: Best For Small Quick-Serve Restaurants

Loyverse

Get Started With Loyverse

Total Rating	4.5
Pricing4.3
Ease Of Use4.9
Features4.4
Customer Service4.7
User Reviews4.9

Pricing

$0/month

Contract

None

Equipment Cost

Pros

Free customizable loyalty program
Free kitchen display and customer display screen options
Free multilocation management
Offline mode

Cons

No built-in eCommerce
Advanced inventory management costs extra

Why We Picked Loyverse For Small Quick-Serve Restaurants

Loyverse iPad, iPad case, cash register, receipt printer, and barcode scanner. (Source: Loyverse)

Loyverse earned a 4.5 out of 5 in our evaluation. It's great for small quick-serve restaurants because the software includes free restaurant-specific features like a loyalty program, kitchen display system, and sales by weight for selling fresh food. We also like that Loyverse works offline, is compatible with several payment processors, and works with several POS hardware options.

Note: Loyverse does not offer an online ordering platform.

Pricing

Loyverse is free to download and use. Paid add-ons:

Advanced Inventory Management: $25/month
Employee Management: $25/month
Integrations: $9/month

Loyverse integrates with several payment processors, including PayPal Zettle, SumUp, and Worldpay. Card readers range from $20-$250.

Free POS Features

Free loyalty program including barcode loyalty card issuing
Offline payment mode
Manage inventory and loyalty program across multiple locations
Choose your own POS hardware and payment processor

Restaurant-specific features include:

Perishable and liquid inventory management
Free kitchen display system and kitchen printer order routing capabilities
Takeout and delivery sales options
Sales by weight, which is great for selling fresh food

When To Upgrade

You want an online ordering platform
You want to integrate Loyverse with third-party software
You want better team management features

PayPal Zettle: Best For Micro-Businesses

PayPal Zettle

Get Started With PayPal Zettle

Pricing

No monthly fee

Contract

None

Equipment Cost

$29 for your first card reader

Pros

Lower payment processing rates on in-person transactions
QR code payments
Low payment processing rates on small-ticket items
eCommerce and social media selling integrations

Cons

No offline mode
Not for high-volume sellers
Basic business management tools

Why We Picked PayPal Zettle For Microbusinesses

PayPal Zettle terminal and receipt printer

PayPal Zettle terminal with a built-in receipt printer. (Source: PayPal)

PayPal Zettle earned a 4.5 out of 5 because of its low-cost POS hardware, lower payment processing fees than competitors like Square for in-person transactions, QR code payment features, and connection to the rest of PayPal's business tools. We also like that PayPal offers Dynamic Micropayments, a payment processing program that automatically charges the lowest payment processing fees available for very small orders ($25 or less.)

Related: Compare Square vs PayPal to help decide which free POS system is right for your business.

Pricing

PayPal has no monthly fees.

Payment processing fees:

Card-Present & QR Code Payments: 2.29% + $0.09 per transaction
Online Payments: 2.99% + $0.49 per transaction
PayPal Checkout & Venmo Payments: 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction

Note: Business owners must apply for PayPal Micropayments to get special small ticket size payment processing rates.

Free POS Features

Dynamic micropayments program for automated lower payment processing rates
QR code payments for easy on-the-go payments
Tap-to-pay contactless payments on iPhone and Android devices
Print and email receipts
Built-in inventory management with barcodes
Apply item discounts
Generate business reports

PayPal Zettle also connects to the company’s suite of products including integrations with eCommerce store builders and invoicing.

When To Upgrade

You need more thorough inventory management
You want better online payment processing rates
You offer more niche products or services

Helcim POS: Best For Large & B2B Businesses

Helcim POS

Get Started With Helcim POS

Total Rating	4.2
Pricing4.1
Ease Of Use4.8
Features3.9
Customer Service4.5
User Reviews4.0

Pricing

Contract

Monthly

Equipment Cost

$99 - $329

Pros

Reduced payment processing fees for larger/B2B transactions
Free online store builder with B2C/B2B sales functions
Free invoice builder and virtual terminal
Strong inventory and customer management features

Cons

Very few third-party integrations
No built-in loyalty program
Basic multi-location management

Why We Picked Helcim For Large & B2B Businesses

Helcim POS on smartphone, tablet, and desktop, plus Helcim card reader. (Source: Helcim)

We awarded Helcim a 4.2 out of 5. The software earned the most points for its interchange-plus payment processing structure, strong invoicing features, B2B customer relationship management, and sleek but low-cost POS hardware. We also appreciate that Helcim offers a free online store builder, virtual terminal, and recurring payments. Business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) businesses will appreciate Helcim's AI-powered Level 2/3 transaction data capture tool, which also helps to lower payment processing fees on qualifying B2B/B2G transactions.

Learn More: Read our guide to B2B payment processing.

Pricing

Helcim is completely free.

Payment processing fees:

In-Person Payments: Interchange + 0.40% + $0.08 per transaction
Online & Keyed-In Payments: Interchange + 0.50% + $0.25 per transaction
ACH Bank Payments: 0.5% + $0.25 (maximum $6 fee per transaction)

Note: Payment processing fees are automatically reduced on qualifying B2B and B2G transactions processed through Helcim, one of our best payment processing companies.

Helcim card readers cost $99. The all-in-one mobile POS terminal costs $329.

Related: Read our Helcim Smart Terminal review.

Free POS Features

Mobile POS app for iOS and Android
Web-based app for desktop devices
Email and print receipts
Custom invoice builder
Online store builder
Virtual terminal for phone and mail-order payments
Tiered and wholesale pricing
Self-serve B2B/B2G customer portal
Retail inventory management
Recurring billing and customer house accounts
ACH payment processing
Automated Level 2 and 3 transaction data capture (e.g. freight information, tax ID) to improve transaction security and decrease payment processing fees from card-issuing banks

When To Upgrade

You run a high-risk business
You need more built-in third-party software integrations
You need more streamlined inventory management

Toast POS: Best For Full-Service Restaurants

Toast POS

Get Started With Toast POS

Total Rating	4.0
Pricing2.6
Ease Of Use4.7
Features5.0
Customer Service5.0
User Reviews4.1

Pricing

$0-$165 plus custom plan

Online Ordering

Yes

Equipment Cost

$0+

Pros

Excellent restaurant-grade hardware included
Free online ordering page with immediate and scheduled pickup/delivery
Free customizable loyalty program
Thorough inventory, menu, and POS interface customization

Cons

Long-term contract
Higher payment processing fees than competitors
Early termination fee

Why We Chose Toast For Full Service Restaurants

Toast online ordering on smartphone, Toast admin dashboard on PC, Toast KDS, Toast Go 2 handheld POS, Toast countertop POS. (Source: Toast)

Toast earned a 4 out of 5 in our restaurant POS system evaluation. While pricing overall is not one of Toast's strong suits, we appreciate that Toast offers a pay-as-you-go POS software and hardware plan with add-on options like a strong online ordering platform if you agree to higher payment processing fees. Toast has excellent table, tipping, and tableside ordering management, making it great for full-service restaurants.

Note: Toast requires you to sign a two-year contract and there is a substantial early termination fee, which is why we recommend Toast as a long-term restaurant solution.

Pricing

Toast’s free plan includes one to two POS terminals (countertop or handheld POS), in-person ordering and inventory management, and built-in payment processing.

Payment processing rates range from 3.09%-3.69% + $0.15 depending on the advanced software features you add to your plan. For example, the free plan with an online ordering platform and third-party delivery service integrations raises payment processing rates to 3.39% + $0.15.

Toast software works only with proprietary Toast’s proprietary Android-based hardware. Costs range from $494.10-$1034.10. You do not have to pay for your hardware upfront on the free plan.

Expert Tip: Because of Toast’s high payment processing fees, we recommend signing up for a paid plan ($69+/month) as soon as possible.

Free POS Features

Basic POS features:

Durable Android POS system hardware
Order firing with handheld restaurant POS system
Perishable inventory management
Extensive seat and table management
Automated/manual menu updates
Customizable tipping structure
Strong menu performance, labor, and shrinkage reports

Add-ons:

Online ordering platform and mobile ordering app
In-house delivery system or deliveries managed by Toast
Integrations with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub
Physical and eGift card sales with a strong gift card program
Highly customizable restaurant loyalty program
Email marketing campaign management
Catering and event management

Toast has one of the best POS loyalty programs for restaurants.

When To Upgrade

You want lower payment processing fees
You need more than two registers
You open more than one location

eHopper POS: Best For Free Payment Processing

eHopper POS

Get Started With eHopper POS

Total Rating	3.5
Pricing3.5
Ease Of Use3.5
Features3.0
Customer Service4.5
User Reviews3.8

Pricing

$0 - $69.99/month/device

Contract

Monthly, yearly

Equipment Cost

$69 - $1,450

Pros

Free card processing option
Works on Android and Windows
Free restaurant POS software
Free EBT payment processing

Cons

No online ordering platform on free plan
Very limited customer support on free plan
Must use eHopper Payments

Why We Picked eHopper For Free Payment Processing

eHopper countertop POS terminal and card reader. (Source: eHopper)

eHopper earned a 3.5 out of 5 stars because while the free plan offers several features, you must use eHopper for payment processing and you don't get an online ordering platform builder.

We like that eHopper offers businesses the option to start a cash discount program and avoid all payment processing fees, so it's a completely free POS option. We also appreciate that eHopper offers niche features like EBT payment processing and self-ordering kiosks on the free plan.

Pricing

eHopper’s free plan requires you to use eHopper for payment processing. The company advertises a payment processing rate of 2.5% + $0.10 per in-person transaction but you must get a quote for a custom rate. The company offers a free payment terminal with eHopper’s payment processing services. POS terminals cost $69-$1,450.

Paid plans range from $10-$69.99/month/device. You save 30%-40% on yearly plans but you don’t get a refund if you cancel early.

Free POS Features

Cash discount program
EBT payment processing
Works on Android and Windows devices
Full/split payments
Inventory and menu management
Table management
Email and print receipts
Exchanges
Product barcode manager
Basic loyalty program
Self-serve kiosk software

When To Upgrade

You want to sell online
You want a different payment processor
You don’t want to start a cash discount program

Odoo: Most Customizable Option

Odoo	Visit Site

Pros

Very customizable
Lots of niche POS hardware options
Excellent inventory management
Invoicing app included

Cons

Learning curve
Few third-party integrations
No built-in payment processing option available

Why We Picked Odoo For The Most Customizable Option

Odoo POS software on mobile, desktop, and laptop devices. (Source: Odoo)

We like that Odoo works on all device types, offers very versatile inventory management, and includes invoicing that directly connects to Odoo's accounting software app for free. You can run multiple brands under Odoo, create unlimited employee accounts, manage a B2C and B2B customer base, integrate with several payment processors, and create a custom POS hardware setup.

Pricing

The Odoo POS app is free. The company offers two paid plans ranging from $24.90-$46.80/user/month. Paid plans include access to all of Odoo’s apps.

You have to get payment processing through a third-party payment processor like Stripe, Authorize.Net, or PayPal. Fees usually start at 2.29% for in-person and 2.9% for online transactions.

Odoo software works on all devices. Payment terminals start at $249 for the Stripe Terminal.

Free POS Features

POS software works on all devices
Multiple compatible payment processors
Create multiple brands under one account
Highly customizable inventory management
Barcode label printing in custom sizes
Invoice builder with custom repayment terms
Integrate POS and invoicing with Odoo Accounting
B2B and B2C customer management
Compatibility with industry-standard registers, barcode scanners, weight scales, receipt printers, and RFID tag/key fob readers

When To Upgrade

You want to use all of Odoo’s apps
You want an all-in-one business management ecosystem
You want to use Odoo offline

Get Started With Odoo

Methodology

Merchant Maverick has been researching and reviewing POS providers since 2012. Our writers have tested over 100 different point of sale systems, evaluating pricing, features, ease of use, customer service, and user reviewers. Read more about how we rate POS providers.

When comparing different POS software systems, we consider many data points, including relative pricing, the depth of niche features offered, the price of hardware, and any associated payment processing fees. Our lists of the best providers include only apps we’ve deemed worthwhile from multiple vantage points. The POS vendors we pick share qualities such as widespread availability, accessibility, user-friendliness, and reasonable pricing. We also look carefully at niche features, such as check-splitting, inventory management, eCommerce, loyalty programs, gift cards, and more.

We spend an average of 10-15 hours researching and updating each one of our lists, making sure the providers included meet our internal standards for quality and reputation.

80+

Vendors evaluated

65+

Attributes assessed per vendor

20+

Features weighed

30+

Combined years of experience

What Is A Free POS System?

A free POS system is software you can install on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or other device that also connects to a credit card reader so business owners can take orders and accept payments.

While free POS software has no monthly fees, you may still be charged a payment processing fee, a per-transaction fee you pay to a vendor (such as Square or Clover) that facilitates payments between a customer and the bank you use to receive funding.

How To Choose A Free POS System For Small Business

Consider the following factors when you choose a free POS system.

Industry-Specific Software

Unless you’re selling just a few retail items or services, consider a POS system with industry-specific software features. For example, a retail business with a midsize or large inventory should consider one of our best POS systems with inventory management.

Restaurant-specific point of sale software like Square For Restaurants and Toast offers useful features such as table mapping and tipping, and there are free restaurant POS systems available.

Businesses with eCommerce or online ordering for pickup on their radar should get a POS system with eCommerce capabilities. Square offers a free website builder and Toast offers an online ordering platform if you pay a higher payment processing fee.

Software Plan Limitations

Many free software plans have product, monthly transaction, or user account limits. Very small business owners will not have a problem with these limitations, but if you plan to expand, look for a POS system that doesn’t have these limitations.

Also, consider feature limitations. For example, if you’re interested in starting a loyalty program to generate a dedicated customer base, look for a POS with loyalty features like Toast or Loyverse.

Web-Based Vs Mobile App

If you plan on taking sales at fairs or events, find a POS system that works with mobile devices. You can get a simple smartphone app for a compact POS system or a tablet POS system for a more detailed register interface. Square, Helcim, PayPal, Loyverse, and Odoo work on most devices.

If your business takes mostly invoices and over-the-phone payments, you can use your POS on a web browser or desktop POS system. This is our list of the best POS systems for Mac devices.

Payment Processing Costs

POS systems like Square and Toast require you to pay higher payment processing fees on free POS software plans. You should do some simple math to determine when getting a paid monthly subscription plan is more cost-effective than paying higher payment processing fees.

You can also avoid payment processing fees altogether by starting a cash discount program with a system like eHopper.

Alternatively, you can get POS software from a provider like Loyverse or Odoo and choose one of the cheapest credit card processors.

POS Hardware Options

If you run your own store, consider a full register setup with accessories like barcode scanners and receipt printers. You can pay for an all-in-one setup from a provider like Square or download software from Loyverse or Odoo to build your own setup with any hardware you want.

If you’re looking for durable hardware for your restaurant, consider a POS system with durable drop-proof and spill-proof POS hardware like Toast or Square.

Learn More: Read our POS hardware guide to help you decide what POS hardware you need to run your business.

Contract Terms

At some point, your business may outgrow the features offered by your POS provider, or you may want to try a different POS system. In either case, consider a POS system with flexible monthly plans or a forever-free app download.

If you want to choose one POS system and use it for the rest of your time in business, choose software that can grow with your business, or consider switching to a POS system with a more extensive paid plan.

Learn More: Read up on POS system costs to help you budget for POS software and hardware.

Final Verdict

After reviewing several POS software products, I recommend Square as the best free POS system in almost all cases. Square offers three well-developed software plans for different business types, predictable standard payment processing fees, unlimited user accounts, a free online store builder, and affordable POS hardware. Upgrade to an affordable advanced Square plan once you have steady sales and require more inventory and multi-location management.

FAQs: 7 Best Free POS Software For Small Business In 2024

How do I get a free POS machine?

You can get a free POS machine by signing up with a POS system provider that offers free POS hardware. Toast offers $0 upfront POS machines for restaurants. eHopper offers no-cost credit card readers if you sign up for a merchant account with the company.

What is the best free POS for Android?

The best free POS for Android is Toast for restaurants, Helcim for retail businesses, and Square for a more general Android POS system.

What is the best free iPad POS?

The best free iPad POS is Square for retail and restaurant businesses and Helcim for service-based businesses. Both POS systems offer well-developed iPad apps and industry-specific features.

How do I get free POS software?

Look for POS software that is free forever and not just a free trial, compare your available options, and sign up with your chosen provider. You’ll enter business and personal information on the provider’s site, then download your free POS software onto a compatible device.

Bio
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Nicolette Kier

Senior Staff Writer

Nicolette began writing on small business topics in 2020. After hundreds of hours researching, testing, and assisting small business owners with web building and point of sale software, she is now an expert on all things eCommerce and point of sale. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Pittsburgh and resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

View Nicolette Kier's professional experience on LinkedIn.

Latest posts by Nicolette Kier (see all)

Restaurant POS Hardware: 2024 Guide - March 12, 2024
What Is A KDS & How Do They Work? - March 7, 2024
How Much Does A Restaurant POS System Cost? - March 7, 2024
What Is A Restaurant POS System & How Do They Work? - March 4, 2024
How To Set Up An Online Ordering System For Your Restaurant - January 23, 2024

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1. Square POS

❮ ❯

Best overall free POS for all business types
$59 card reader
Monthly contracts, no cancellation fee

2. Loyverse

❮ ❯

Best for small quick-serve restaurants
$20-$250 card readers
Forever free download with no contracts

3. PayPal Zettle

❮ ❯

Best for solopreneurs
$29 or $199 card reader
Monthly contracts, no cancellation fees

4. Helcim POS

❮ ❯

Best for large & B2B businesses
$99 card reader
Monthly contracts, no cancellation fees

5. Toast POS

❮ ❯

Best for full-service restaurants
No upfront costs for hardware or software
Long-term contracts, early cancellation fees

6. eHopper POS

❮ ❯

Best for free payment processing
$69 or $350 card reader
Monthly contracts, no cancellation fee on free plan

7. Odoo

❮ ❯

Most customizable option
$249 card reader
No contract required