Commission-free ordering for pickup, delivery and dine-in — with your own free website included.
Australian-built restaurant POS — orders, payments, inventory and staff in one user-friendly platform.
Contactless table ordering. Customers scan, order and pay from their phone — no app required.
A loyalty program built into the till — one points balance across online, QR and the counter.
A restaurant reservation system in the till — your rules, your booking page, and guests who change their own bookings.
Cut queues and lift average order value with a touchscreen kiosk that runs your real menu.
Replace paper tickets — POS, online, QR and kiosk orders on one screen, routed by station.
Foodship-tested POS terminals, printers, kiosks and tablets — plug them in and they pair instantly.
Pass surcharges to your customer — keep 100% of every sale. Free terminal, Foodship-integrated.
Commission-free ordering for pickup, delivery and dine-in — with your own free website included.
Australian-built restaurant POS — orders, payments, inventory and staff in one user-friendly platform.
Contactless table ordering. Customers scan, order and pay from their phone — no app required.
A loyalty program built into the till — one points balance across online, QR and the counter.
A restaurant reservation system in the till — your rules, your booking page, and guests who change their own bookings.
Cut queues and lift average order value with a touchscreen kiosk that runs your real menu.
Replace paper tickets — POS, online, QR and kiosk orders on one screen, routed by station.
Foodship-tested POS terminals, printers, kiosks and tablets — plug them in and they pair instantly.
Foodship Team · 12 May 2025
POS systems cost anywhere from $40 to $20000+ depending on your business size & needs. Small businesses typically spend $3000-$5000 on initial setup & $40-$200 monthly for software. Restaurant POS systems cost more ($5000-$10000) due to specialized hardware. iPad POS systems offer cheaper alternatives starting at $600-$1200 for hardware plus $40-$100 monthly subscription fees. Major costs include hardware (terminals, printers, cash drawers), software subscription fees, installation, training & payment processing fees. This guide helps you understand all POS costs to avoid surprises.
“The biggest mistake I see small business owners make with POS systems is focusing only on upfront price tag. The real cost comes from ongoing fees, updates & support that add up over time.” – Maria Chen, Retail Technology Consultant
A POS (Point of Sale) system is where your customers pay for products or services. In the old days, it was just a cash register. Now, it’s a mix of hardware & software that does more than just take payments.
Modern POS systems can:
For a small business, picking the right POS system can be tough. There are so many options! And costs vary a lot.
POS systems come in different forms. Let’s look at the main types:
These are the old-school, fixed systems. They use specialized hardware and local servers.
Cost breakdown:
These systems cost more upfront. But they might be cheaper in the long run since you don’t pay monthly fees.
Cloud POS systems are newer. They store data online instead of on local servers. You can access your data from anywhere with internet.
Cost breakdown:
Cloud systems have lower upfront costs. But monthly fees add up over time.
These are super popular now. They turn tablets or smartphones into POS systems.
Cost breakdown:
iPad POS systems are great for small businesses that want something affordable and easy to use.
Let’s break down how much each piece of POS hardware costs:
| Hardware Item | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| POS Terminal/Computer | $300-$2,000 | Basic PC to specialized terminal |
| Tablet/iPad | $300-$900 | Depends on model and specs |
| Card Reader | $25-$500 | Basic magstripe to full EMV/NFC |
| Receipt Printer | $200-$500 | Thermal vs. impact printers |
| Barcode Scanner | $100-$500 | Handheld vs. countertop |
| Cash Drawer | $100-$300 | Manual vs. automatic |
| Customer Display | $200-$300 | For showing order details |
| Kitchen Printer | $300-$500 | For restaurant orders |
| Scale | $200-$800 | For weighing products |
Most small businesses need at least:
For a restaurant POS system, you’ll also need kitchen printers and maybe tablets for servers.
There are three main ways companies sell POS software:
“When evaluating POS costs, look at total cost of ownership over 3-5 years. The cheapest option upfront can end up being the most expensive long-term.” – James Wilson, Small Business Technology Advisor
Different industries have different POS needs and costs.
Restaurants need specialized features in POS system like:
A complete restaurant POS system costs $5,000-$10,000 upfront for hardware plus $100-$300 monthly for software.
A food ordering system integration will add another $40-$150 per month to your costs, but can increase sales by 20-30% according to industry data.
Retail stores need:
A complete retail POS costs $2,000-$5,000 for hardware plus $40-$200 monthly for software.
Bars need:
A bar POS system typically costs $3,000-$7,000 for hardware plus $100-$200 monthly for software.
The sticker price isn’t the only cost. You need to think about:
Sarah opened a small café last year. She chose a cloud-based POS system. Here’s what she spent:
Total first-year cost: $9,900
Sarah says: “I was shocked by the payment processing fees. That’s where they get you! Shop around for the best rates.”
Stop Overpaying For Your Restaurant POS Today!
Note: Foodship partnered with many provider with zero eftpos cost to merchant.
This is where many business owners lose money! Payment processing fees can be confusing.
Most POS companies charge:
Industry Secret: You can negotiate processing rates, especially if you have high sales volume. Many businesses save thousands by shopping around.
A QR code ordering system has become popular since COVID-19. These systems let customers scan a QR code to see a menu and order without a server.
Costs include:
While adding a QR code ordering system costs extra, restaurants report 15-25% higher average order values when customers order this way!
If you’re on a tight budget, here are some affordable POS options:
“For new businesses, I recommend starting with a simple system and upgrading as you grow. Too many features can overwhelm staff and lead to mistakes.” – David Lopez, Restaurant Consultant
Many companies offer “free” POS systems. But here’s the truth: they make money by charging higher payment processing fees.
Let’s compare:
The “free” option costs more per year!
Here are some insider tips to save money:
Follow these steps to find a good match:
Mike needed a simple POS for his convenience store. He compared options:
Option 1: Premium System
Option 2: Mid-range System
Option 3: Budget System
Mike chose Option 3 because it had the features he needed with reasonable long-term costs.
Technology changes fast. Here’s how to make sure your POS isn’t outdated soon:
Many business owners make these mistakes:
Signs it’s time for a new system:
Most businesses should evaluate their POS needs every 2-3 years.
A good POS system isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment. Here’s how to calculate ROI:
Studies show that modern POS systems can:
For a business doing $500,000 yearly, that could mean $50,000+ in additional profit!
“The right POS system pays for itself. I’ve seen businesses transform their operations and profitability just by having better data from their POS.” – Samantha Wright, Retail Business Coach
POS systems cost anywhere from $40 to $20,000 depending on your needs. Most small businesses spend $3,000-$5,000 upfront plus $40-$200 monthly.
Remember to consider:
The best POS system isn’t always the cheapest or the most expensive—it’s the one that fits your specific business needs and budget.
Take your time researching options. Ask other business owners what they use. And always try before you buy!
Q: How much should a restaurant expect to pay for a complete POS system?
A: $1,000-$5,000 upfront plus $40-$300 monthly for a full-featured restaurant POS system.
Q: Are there monthly fees for POS systems?
A: Most modern systems charge monthly fees ($40-$300), but some offer one-time purchase options.
Q: What’s the difference in cost between traditional and iPad POS systems?
A: iPad systems typically cost $600-$1,200 per station, while traditional systems cost $2,000-$5,000 per station.
Q: Can I use my existing hardware with a new POS software?
A: Sometimes, but compatibility varies. Always check with the provider first.
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