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These top free POS systems are functional, easy-to-use, and allow your business to perform basic tasks. They may not be as robust as paid software, but find out which free system is right for you.
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.
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Nicolette KierNicolette 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.
Expert Contributor
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Matt has been helping small businesses make decisions since 2017. He has written reviews and articles across many different channels but specializes in the point of sale, payroll, and small business insurance categories and has been quoted in articles for Fox Business, Forbes, and other publications. Prior to joining Merchant Maverick, Matt was a journalist and editor for 14 years for a pair of weekly newspapers. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon and currently resides in Gladstone, Oregon.
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Matt ShermanMatt has been helping small businesses make decisions since 2017. He has written reviews and articles across many different channels but specializes in the point of sale, payroll, and small business insurance categories and has been quoted in articles for Fox Business, Forbes, and other publications. Prior to joining Merchant Maverick, Matt was a journalist and editor for 14 years for a pair of weekly newspapers. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon and currently resides in Gladstone, Oregon.
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A free point of sale (POS) system allows you to take digital payment types, manage inventory, and track sales history for no monthly fee.
We compared several of the best POS systems with free plans based on pros and cons, pricing for card readers and processing payments, and free features to help you find the right option for your small business.
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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
We chose Square as the best overall free POS system 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.
In addition to its free plan, paid plans are also available for additional features.
Payment processing fees:
In-Person Payments:2.6% + $0.10
Online Payments:2.9% + $0.30
Keyed-In & Card On File Payments: 3.5% + $0.15
Square POS hardware costs range from $49-$799, with options including a contactless card reader, handheld POS system, and 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)
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 is 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.
Loyverse Pricing
Loyverse is free to download and use. There are also paid add-ons.
Loyverse Extra Costs
Price
Employee Management
$25/month per store
Advanced Inventory
$25/month per store
Integrations
$9/month
Loyverse integrates with several payment processors, including PayPal Zettle, SumUp, and Worldpay. Card readers and other equipment costs vary by processor.
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
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 makes our list for 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.
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 makes our list 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.
If you need free in-person POS software, an online store builder, subscription manager, and/or customer account manager
Payment processing fees:
Helcim uses interchange-plus pricing. You can contact Helcim directly for a quote.
Note: Payment processing fees are automatically reduced on qualifying B2B and B2G transactions processed through Helcim, one of our best payment processing companies.
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
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
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.
Larger businesses looking to access the entirety of Toast’s features
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 are based 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. 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 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
$0 - $35.99/month/device with a year-long subscription
Contract Length
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
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.
While the free plan offers several features, you must use eHopper for payment processing and you don't get an online ordering platform builder.
Why We Picked Odoo For The Most Customizable Option
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.
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.
Weighted Rating Breakdown
Pricing 40%
Features 30%
Ease Of Use 15%
Customer Service 10%
User Reviews 5%
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
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, we 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.
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.
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We Recommend Square POS For Your Business 🏆User-friendly & feature-rich point of sale system with affordable pricing.Square POS is an intuitive and simple point of sale platform. It offers customizable tools and a variety of add-ons to fit your business needs and reach your goals.Get StartedNo credit card required
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The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.
We Recommend Square POS For Your Business 🏆User-friendly & feature-rich point of sale system with affordable pricing.Square POS is an intuitive and simple point of sale platform. It offers customizable tools and a variety of add-ons to fit your business needs and reach your goals.Get StartedNo credit card required
