How Much Does A Restaurant POS System Cost?

Restaurant POS costs vary based on hardware, software, the number of devices or locations, payment processing, and optional features such as loyalty programs, online ordering, and advanced inventory tools.

Keep reading to learn what restaurant POS systems typically cost and how much your business should budget.

How Much Does A Restaurant POS System Cost?

Restaurant POS software typically costs $0 to $300+ per month, depending on the provider, plan, number of locations, and included features. Basic systems may offer free plans, while more advanced restaurant platforms use custom pricing.

Additional terminals, devices, or software licenses may cost extra, although some providers include unlimited devices or charge by location instead. Hardware can range from a few hundred dollars for a basic tablet-and-reader setup to several thousand dollars for a complete system with countertop terminals, handhelds, printers, and kitchen displays.

Restaurant POS Software Costs

Your monthly restaurant POS software costs generally include the base subscription, payment processing fees, additional device or location charges, and any optional features you add.

Typical costs include:

• Base POS software: $0-$300+ per location per month
• Additional registers or devices: $0-$100+ per month
• Payment processing: Usually around 2.4%-3.5% per transaction
• Online ordering: Free, bundled, or available for an additional monthly or per-order fee
• Loyalty and marketing: Often bundled or sold as a paid add-on
• Self-serve kiosks: Usually quote-based
• Kitchen display software: Around $30+ per screen per month
• Delivery integrations: Monthly, per-order, or commission-based pricing
• Reservations and waitlists: Usually quote-based or available as a separate subscription

A basic restaurant POS subscription generally includes order entry, menu management, employee permissions, and sales reporting. The total cost increases as you add locations, devices, advanced management tools, and customer-facing features.

Restaurant POS System Hardware Pricing

Restaurant POS hardware generally falls into two categories: front-of-house equipment used for ordering and payments and back-of-house equipment used to route and manage kitchen orders.

How Much Should You Spend On A Restaurant POS System?

Choose a restaurant POS system that covers your essential needs without paying for features you won’t use. Consider the total cost of software, hardware, payment processing, installation, and add-ons — not just the advertised monthly subscription.

Small restaurants and food trucks may only need one countertop or mobile POS setup with basic menu, reporting, and inventory tools. Square for Restaurants is a practical low-cost option.

Larger or more complex restaurants may need additional registers, handhelds, kitchen displays, advanced inventory, online ordering, and multi-location reporting. Strong options include Toast and Lightspeed Restaurant.

Costs do not always increase strictly “per register.” Some providers charge by device, while others price by location, software plan, or custom package. Purchase only the hardware and licenses your restaurant actually needs, and compare payment-processing costs before committing.

Read our guide on how to choose a restaurant POS system to help you figure out what you need for your restaurant and how much it may cost. Then, look into our best POS systems for small businesses to help you choose the right system for your business.