Best Free POS Software For Small Business

The best free POS systems help small businesses accept payments, track sales, manage inventory, and run basic operations without monthly software costs.

Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.

• WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY

  Erica Seppala Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.

  Editor & Senior Staff Writer

  Last updated onUpdated June 30, 2026



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.

REVIEWED BY

Matt Sherman 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.

Expert Contributor

We compared POS systems with free plans based on pros and cons, pricing for card readers, processing rates, and features. These are our top picks.

Compare Our Top Picks

Provider	Best For	In-Person Processing Rate	Next Steps
Square POS 4.9 Compare	Best Overall Free POS	2.4% - 2.6% + $0.15	Read ReviewRead More ↓
Helcim POS 4.2 Compare	Best For Large & B2B Businesses	Custom	Read ReviewRead More ↓
Toast POS 4.3 Compare	Best For Full-Service Restaurants	Starts at 2.49% + $0.15	Read ReviewRead More ↓
Loyverse 4.5 Compare	Best For Quick-Serve Restaurants	Custom	Read ReviewRead More ↓
PayPal Point of Sale 4.4 Compare	Best For Micro-Businesses	2.29% + $0.09 (including QR code transactions)	Read ReviewRead More ↓
Show More Options
eHopper POS 3.4 Compare	Best For Free Payment Processing	Custom	Read ReviewRead More ↓
Odoo POS 3.8 Compare	Most Customizable POS	Varies by processor	Read ReviewRead More ↓
Show Fewer Options

Square POS

Best Overall

Best Overall Free POS

Compare

4.9/5Full Review →

Square is our best overall free POS system because it gives new and small businesses a flexible way to sell without upfront software costs.

Square combines free POS software, built-in payment processing, online selling, affordable hardware, and simple setup across retail, restaurant, service, and mobile sales. It’s easy to start and gives your business room to grow.

Industries

Any

Compatible Devices

iOS, Android, web browser

Equipment Cost

$0 - $799

PROS

• Free online store builder
• Industry-specific features
• Social media sales and advertising

CONS

• Limited support hours on free plan
• Occasional account holds

Read Full Review

Helcim POS

Best For Large & B2B Businesses

Compare

4.2/5Full Review →

Helcim is best for B2B and B2G businesses that want a free POS system with transparent payment processing.

Helcim includes POS software, invoicing, a virtual terminal, recurring billing, ACH payments, inventory tools, and affordable hardware. Its automated Level 2 and 3 data capture can also help qualifying businesses lower card processing costs on eligible transactions.

Industries

Retail, service

Compatible Devices

iOS, Android, web browser

Equipment Cost

$199 or $349

PROS

• Free invoice builder
• Free virtual terminal
• Strong inventory management

CONS

• Few third-party integrations
• No built-in loyalty program

Read Full Review

Toast POS

Best For Full-Service Restaurants

Compare

4.3/5Full Review →

Toast is best for restaurants that want a free starter POS plan with restaurant-specific tools.

Toast includes built-in payment processing, proprietary hardware, table management, handheld ordering, tipping tools, inventory features, and optional add-ons for online ordering, delivery, loyalty, gift cards, and marketing.

Industries

Restaurant

Compatible Devices

Proprietary Devices

Equipment Cost

$0+ if you agree to a higher processing rate

PROS

• Durable restaurant-grade hardware
• Free online ordering page
• Free customizable loyalty program

CONS

• Long-term contracts
• Early termination fees

Read Full Review

Loyverse

Best For Quick-Serve Restaurants

Compare

4.5/5Full Review →

Loyverse is best for small quick-serve restaurants that want free POS software with restaurant-specific tools.

Loyverse includes loyalty tools, offline mode, multi-location inventory, kitchen display/order routing, takeout and delivery options, sales by weight, and flexibility to choose your own POS hardware and payment processor.

Industries

Any

Compatible Devices

iOS, Android

Equipment Cost

Varies depending on need

PROS

• Free customizable loyalty program
• Free multilocation management
• Offline mode

CONS

• No built-in eCommerce
• Advanced inventory costs extra

Read Full Review

PayPal Point of Sale

Best For Micro-Businesses

Compare

4.4/5Full Review →

PayPal Point of Sale is best for microbusinesses that want a simple, low-cost way to accept in-person payments.

PayPal offers affordable POS hardware, QR code payments, tap-to-pay options, inventory tools, receipts, discounts, reports, and access to PayPal’s broader business tools. Its Dynamic Micropayments program can also help businesses with very small ticket sizes lower their processing costs.

Industries

Retail, service

Compatible Devices

iOS, Android, web browser

Equipment Cost

$29+

PROS

• QR code payments
• Low rates on small-ticket items
• eCommerce integrations

CONS

• No offline mode
• Not for high-volume sellers

Read Full Review

eHopper POS

Best For Free Payment Processing

Compare

3.4/5Full Review →

eHopper is best for businesses that want a free POS system with cash discounting and niche payment options.

eHopper’s free plan includes inventory and menu tools, table management, split payments, receipts, exchanges, barcode tools, basic loyalty, EBT payment support, and self-serve kiosk software. Businesses must use eHopper for payment processing.

Industries

Retail, restaurant

Compatible Devices

Android, Windows, Poynt Devices

Equipment Cost

$69 - $1,450

PROS

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

CONS

• No online ordering on free plan
• Limited support on free plan

Read Full Review

Odoo POS

Most Customizable POS

Compare

3.8/5Full Review →

Odoo is best for businesses that want a free POS system with flexible inventory and back-office tools.

Odoo works across device types and supports custom hardware setups, multiple payment processors, invoicing, accounting, barcode printing, B2B and B2C customer management, and multiple brands under one account. Paid plans unlock access to Odoo’s full app suite.

Industries

Any

Compatible Devices

Any

Equipment Cost

Varies

PROS

• Niche POS hardware options
• Excellent inventory management
• Invoicing app included

CONS

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

Read Full Review

Discover The Best Free POS Systems For Small Businesses

Frequently Asked Questions

• Bio
• LinkedIn
• Latest Posts

Erica Seppala

Editor & Senior Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick

Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.

View Erica Seppala's professional experience on LinkedIn.

Latest posts by Erica Seppala (see all)

• Employment Hero Review - June 11, 2026
• How To Start A Business - April 30, 2026
• Finix Review - April 7, 2026
• What Is Sam’s Club Point Of Sale By Clover? - September 8, 2025
• What Is Costco Merchant Services? - September 8, 2025