Sunday, March 23, 2025

The Reality About POS System Prices, Backed by G2 Information Insights


Buying a point-of-sale (POS) system isn’t so simple as shopping for one other product on your retail or restaurant enterprise. A variety of thought and analysis goes into choosing the fitting PoS software program, {hardware}, and options distinctive to your corporation operations. 

Once you suppose you’ve figured all the things out, the pricing will shock you. These techniques have complicated pricing, overlaying the price of software program, {hardware}, customers, transactions, and processing charges. In the event you’re not conscious of those value overheads, such surprises can rapidly flip into shocks.

Need to skip straight to the comparisons? Try our pricing insights for prime POS techniques.

 Let’s take a deep dive into the PoS system and weigh among the finest PoS options in the marketplace. By the tip, you’ll know what drives their prices, find out how to consider pricing buildings, and confidently negotiate with distributors.

What are the elements that affect POS system value?

A number of elements affect POS system value. Let’s break them down:

  • {Hardware}: PoS techniques want high quality bodily units comparable to terminals, card readers, printers, money drawers, and scanners. Investing in quick and sturdy {hardware} drives up the system’s total value.
  • Software program: A PoS system integrates varied software program to handle gross sales, stock, and buyer knowledge. For instance, fee gateway prices. Corporations spend on these integrations to ship a memorable buyer expertise (CX). In the end, the fee you pay accounts for these integrations too. 
  • Customization: PoS techniques typically require modifications to match a enterprise’s distinctive wants. Builders tailor options and experiences to particular industries or practices, and these customized modifications enhance the pricing.
  • Set up: Organising a PoS system entails skilled set up and configuration. Technicians be sure that {hardware} and software program work collectively correctly; their experience often comes with an set up price.
  • Coaching: The employees should discover ways to use the PoS system effectively. Companies pay for coaching classes and supplies, which assist staff function the system appropriately and cut back errors.
  • Help: Ongoing technical help and upkeep are crucial for a easy operation. Distributors provide customer support, troubleshooting, and system updates that shield the funding, contributing to recurring prices.

POS system value and pricing fashions

POS techniques are utilized in many companies, like retail shops, cafes, and eating places. Primarily based on the kind of enterprise, the best way it’s used differs. 

In a grocery retailer, barcode scanning {hardware} is related to expedite billing and replace stock (by integration). In a restaurant or a restaurant, the PoS helps to enter meals orders, generate invoices, and report gross sales. Most significantly, it permits the kitchen employees to optimize the order queue. 

It’s one POS system with a number of use instances. Characteristic and {hardware} necessities fluctuate based mostly on the use instances, and the pricing follows this variation.

Observe: Primarily based on G2’s Grid Report, Quickbooks Level of Gross sales ought to ideally be the third software program on the checklist, however it has been discontinued. Due to this fact, it isn’t on the checklist.

POS system pricing mannequin and prices: What to anticipate

Software program

Pricing mannequin

Value

Sq. Level of Sale

Subscription-based pricing + processing charges + transaction charges

Begins without cost and goes past $89 monthly.

Shopify POS

Subscription-based pricing + processing charges and per-transaction value

Prices between $39–$89 monthly. 

SpotOn

Subscription-based plans (Mounted month-to-month value + per-employee month-to-month value)

Plus, processing charges and per-transaction value 

Begins without cost and goes past $135 monthly.

Heartland Retail

Subscription-based pricing. First six months free

Begins at $89 monthly.  

Stripe Terminal

Flat charge pricing

Prices between $59 and $249, plus processing charges. 

ConnectPOS

Subscription-based pricing

Begins for free and goes past $89 monthly.

How clear is POS system value, and the way a lot do they cost for implementation?

Owing to the POS system’s pricing complexity, some distributors transparently showcase it on their web site, whereas some give a quote after understating the characteristic requirement. 

Primarily based on analysis, we discovered some distributors to covey pricing upfront, making it simpler to match prices. Conversely, some distributors maintained medium transparency, giving a ballpark for some plans and inspiring a purchaser to get in contact for the entire breakdown of prices. 

Excessive transparency means pricing plans are listed upfront for simple comparability, whereas medium transparency gives some particulars however requires contacting gross sales for full pricing. Low transparency signifies the product didn’t explicitly point out pricing, so we’ve used third-party sources to share the prices beneath. 

Right here’s a fast breakdown of POS system value transparency and the related prices: 

Software program

Transparency stage

Implementation + {hardware} prices*

Sq. Level of Sale

Medium transparency

{Hardware} prices. Wherever from $149 to $799 per unit. 

Shopify POS

Medium transparency

{Hardware} prices vary from $219 to $999 per unit

SpotOn

Excessive transparency

Personalised implementation and coaching prices of $1000, excluding {hardware} and delivery expenses.

Heartland Retail 

Low transparency

One-time setup price ranging from $299 to $499, relying on the plan chosen. 

Stripe Terminal

Low transparency

{Hardware} prices are as follows

  •  $59 for Stripe Reader M2
  • $249 for BBPOS WisePOS E-card reader
  • $349 for Stripe Reader S700 

ConnectPOS

Low transparency

Small companies usually count on implementation prices to vary from $1,000 to $5,000, whereas bigger enterprises might incur prices upwards of $50,000 or extra. 

*Implementation prices are bills incurred when introducing a brand new system, coverage, or course of into the enterprise. {Hardware} prices are bills incurred to arrange the required bodily units to run the POS system. 

Amongst these distributors, SpotOn’s pricing was extremely clear, making it simpler for consumers to plan their expectations and budgets.

POS System value insights: Elements, sudden prices, and reductions

The common preliminary value of establishing a POS system ranges from $0 to $2000. The PoS software program alone can value you between $0 and $200.  Various factors affect software program pricing for the main distributors in the marketplace. Let’s examine them out.

1. Sq. Level of Sale 

  • G2 score: 4.7/5 based mostly on 810 critiques
  • Pricing plan: Free plan + processing charges starting from 2.6% + 10 cents to six% + 30 cents. The Plus plan is $89 monthly per location and provides you a reduced processing price. Customized plans can be found on quote with customized processing charges.
  • Prime options: Helps contactless, bank card, reward card, and computerized financial institution funds. Presents custom-made checkout and facilitates offline funds.
  • Elements influencing pricing: Add-ons comparable to Afterpay, loyalty applications ($25), textual content message advertising and marketing, and full-service payrolls include their pricing. 
  • Surprising prices: Begins at $15 month-to-month for crafting and monitoring e-mail advertising and marketing campaigns inside the Sq. POS system. In the event you want to take up worker administration, it prices $5 per worker monthly
  • Advantages: Improved stock instruments and experiences, automated buy orders, print barcode labels, and limitless worker time monitoring. 

Sq. additionally gives a complete retail platform, Sq. for Retail. It’s an all-in-one POS answer for retail manufacturers and gives extra superior options that assist retailers run their companies extra effectively. The free plan is obtainable, and the plus plan prices $89 monthly per location. In Sq. for Retail, you get superior stock instruments and the flexibility to print barcode labels, amongst different issues. 

Insights on Sq. Level of Sale based mostly on G2 critiques:

These insights are based mostly on 24 critiques submitted by the G2 person group for Sq. Level of Sale between September 6, 2024, and February 14, 2025.

  • Pricing: 16.67% of customers appreciated Sq. Level of Sale’s pricing, typically highlighting its affordability and cost-effectiveness. In distinction, 4.17% of reviewers had been dissatisfied, with considerations primarily revolving round excessive prices or sudden charges.
  • Who makes use of it? Sq. Level of Sale is extensively adopted by companies of assorted sizes, with small companies making up the vast majority of customers. Almost 45.83% of reviewers come from corporations with 2-10 staff, whereas 29.17% are solo entrepreneurs. Mid-sized companies additionally discover worth within the platform, with 16.67% of customers from corporations with 11-50 staff. A smaller share of customers come from bigger organizations, with 4.17% every representing companies within the 51-200 and 201-500 worker vary.
  • Ease of use, efficiency, and reliability: Sq. Level of Sale’s strongest side is its ease of use, with 45.83% of reviewers praising its intuitive and user-friendly interface. Efficiency is one other appreciated issue, with 20.83% of customers noting its velocity, effectivity, and easy operation. Whereas reliability is talked about much less steadily, 4.17% of customers particularly commend its stability and dependability.
What G2 customers take into consideration Sq. Level of Sale pricing:

“I dislike the service charges and the totally different charges for every cost kind.”

 

Sq. Level of Sale Overview, Future E.

General, Sq. Level of Gross sales comes at a low entry value, however there are processing expenses and separate prices for added options. If we evaluate it with the typical PoS software program value, it offers a aggressive entry charge.

2. Shopify POS

  • G2 score: 4.4/5 based mostly on 322 critiques.
  • Pricing plan: $5 monthly starter plan for promoting on socials and a $89 monthly retail plan + Cost processing value ranging from 2.4%-5% plus 10-30 cents per transaction.$0.There are additionally superior plans starting from ~$25-$349 monthly with an extra value of ~$80 per location. There are additionally reductions on annual funds alongside a 3-day free trial.
  • Prime options: Omnichannel promoting, sensible stock administration, reporting and analytics, and extra funds.
  • Elements influencing pricing: Further options like additional stock places, precedence help, additional employees accounts, and checkout capability affect the full value of the software program.
  • Surprising prices: These are prices of the POS terminal, money reader, receipt printer, or barcode scanner. Nevertheless, they rely upon if and the way you select to make use of them. 

Insights on Shopify POS based mostly on G2 critiques:

These insights are based mostly on 19 critiques submitted by the G2 person group for Shopify POS between March 3, 2024, and February 21, 2025.

  • Pricing: 5.26% of customers appreciated the affordability, whereas 10.53% expressed dissatisfaction, typically citing considerations about excessive prices and the pricing construction.
  • Who makes use of it? Shopify POS is a go-to selection for small and mid-sized companies, with 47.37% of customers coming from corporations with 11-50 staff. One other 36.84% come from small companies with 2-10 staff, and mid-sized corporations (51-200 staff) make up 10.53% of customers. Lastly, round 5.26% are solo entrepreneurs who additionally profit from the platform.
  • Ease of use, efficiency, and reliability: 26.32% of reviewers discover it easy to make use of, highlighting its intuitive structure and hassle-free navigation. 21.05% point out that it is quick and dependable, whereas one other 15.79% reward its characteristic set, citing integrations, customization choices, and helpful functionalities that improve their expertise.
What G2 customers take into consideration Shopify POS pricing:

“Nobody likes to pay transaction charges, however they’re essential, so we will not keep away from them. In any other case, there is not something I dislike”.

 

Shopify POS Overview, Jamie Jesurun H.

Shopify POS software program gives a comparatively cheap base plan. The medium and higher-level plans additionally evaluate moderately to the typical POS software program pricing.

3. SpotOn

  • G2 score: 4.4/5 based mostly on 125 critiques
  • Pricing plan: Subscription-based plans for eating places vary from $0 to $135, together with a customized plan with extra options and a customized processing price. Small companies may select between a terminal system and a terminal system plus a web site plan at $25 monthly and $90 monthly, respectively. Carries the identical processing charges as restaurant plans. Contains an extra $200 and $200+ setup price of $175, respectively.
  • Prime options: Inexpensive {hardware} add-ons for in-person promoting and computerized offline performance with out an web connection. 
  • Elements influencing pricing: {Hardware}, on-line ordering and supply, worker administration, visitor engagement, and reservations. 
  • Surprising prices: There’s clear pricing, and the corporate avoids hiding charges. Transaction charges apply, usually relying on the fee technique. For add-ons, you must pay additional. 
  • Advantages: Versatile {hardware}, native fee platform with auto-offline performance

Insights on SpotOn based mostly on G2 critiques:

These insights are based mostly on 48 critiques submitted by the G2 person group for SpotOn between November 7, 2024, and March 1, 2025.

  • Pricing: 4.17% of customers appreciated the pricing, mentioning affordability or worth, whereas 2.08% expressed dissatisfaction, typically citing considerations about value or pricing construction.
  • Who makes use of it? SpotOn is very widespread with small and mid-sized groups. 16.67% of customers come from small companies (2-10 staff), whereas 43.75% fall into the 11-50 worker vary, making it the biggest group. Mid-sized corporations (51-200 staff) account for 33.33% of customers. Bigger organizations aren’t omitted both, with 4.17% from 201-500 staff and a couple of.08% from 501-1000 staff discovering worth within the platform.
  • Ease of use, efficiency, and reliability: SpotOn makes a powerful impression with its ease of use, as 29.17% of customers discover it easy and intuitive to work with. Efficiency is one other space the place it delivers, with 25% appreciating its responsiveness and effectivity. Whereas fewer customers explicitly point out reliability, 2.08% acknowledge its stability in on a regular basis operations.
What G2 customers take into consideration SpotOn pricing:

“I heard that Toast gives a restricted quantity of help earlier than charging. With Spot On, help has been limitless. When the system is related correctly, the one help I’ve wanted is on my finish, like updating my menu or pricing, and many others. They do all of it for you, if you happen to’re tremendous busy. Simply e-mail them, and earlier than you realize it, these modifications have been made.”

 

SpotOn Overview, Podium F.

SpotOn is just a little bit on the premium value aspect of POS software program. Nevertheless, it does provide a free plan restricted to eating places.

4. Heartland Retail

  • G2 score: 3.1/5 based mostly on 5 critiques.
  • Pricing plan: Subscription-based plan beginning at $89 month-to-month or $80 monthly on a yearly plan per station. Funds and payroll value additional. A free trial of Heartland Retail can also be accessible.
  • Prime options: Customizable reporting, adaptable menu administration with on-the-fly performance, and cellular fee system.
  • Elements influencing pricing: {Hardware} prices vary from $195 to $1895. Integrations and add-ons come at an additional value. 
  • Surprising prices: Interchange processing prices, service and regulatory mandates, and value-added companies (reward playing cards, instantaneous deposits, and many others.) add to additional charges.
  • Advantages: It gives an intuitive and customizable UI whereas facilitating simplified transactions with built-in fee choices.

Insights on Heartland Retail based mostly on G2 critiques:

These insights are based mostly on 198 critiques submitted by the G2 person group for Heartland Retail between February 26, 2018, and August 28, 2024.

  • Pricing: 1.01% of customers had optimistic suggestions on Heartland Retail’s pricing, highlighting affordability or worth, whereas 4.55% voiced considerations, typically pointing to excessive prices or the pricing construction.
  • Who makes use of it? The most important group of customers for Heartland Retail comes from corporations with 11-50 staff, making up 37.37% of its person base. Small companies with 2-10 staff comply with carefully behind at 29.29%, whereas 22.73% of customers come from mid-sized corporations with 51-200 staff. Bigger organizations are additionally represented, with 3.03% every from companies with 201-500 and 501-1000 staff, exhibiting the platform’s adaptability throughout totally different firm sizes.
  • Ease of use, efficiency, and reliability: 57.07% of customers respect the instruments’s intuitive interface and simple performance. 17.68% of reviewers point out efficiency, noting its effectivity and responsiveness in day by day operations. Reliability additionally will get a nod, with 3.03% of customers mentioning its stability and dependability.
What G2 customers take into consideration Heartland Retail pricing:

“It’s important to use Heartland as a fee processor, and you’ll’t actually negotiate the price of the fee processing. It is a smaller value for an all-in-one system, and their pricing is fairly honest”.

 

Heartland POS Overview, Verified Consumer in Monetary Companies

The price of Heartland Retail is just a little bit increased than common retail POS software program pricing.

5. Stripe Terminal

  • G2 score: 4.4/5 based mostly on 15 critiques.
  • Pricing plan: “Consists of transaction charges for each on-line and offline funds. Stripe’s on-line fee charges are 2.9% + 30 cents per accomplished cost. In-person funds are at 2.7% + 5 cents per transaction. There are {hardware} prices as well as. 
  • Prime options: No month-to-month software program charges or termination charges, 24/7 chat help, and help for greater than 135 currencies.
  • Elements influencing pricing: Customized area, {hardware}, and fee processing charges.
  • Surprising prices: There are no hidden prices related to its commonplace pricing mannequin, however Stripe has different add-ons, comparable to Stripe Billing, Stripe Join, and Stripe Radar, that add to the prices. Furthermore, additional charges is likely to be charged for worldwide playing cards and forex conversions. 
  • Advantages: Utterly customizable with a software program growth package, gives Europay, MasterCard, and Visa (EMV)-certified card readers, and provides aggressive pricing on transaction charges.

Insights on Stripe Terminal based mostly on G2 critiques:

These insights are based mostly on 15 critiques submitted by the G2 person group for Stripe Terminal between November 23, 2019, and August 11, 2022.

  • Pricing: The pricing appears to divide opinions evenly — 6.67% of customers point out it positively, whereas one other 6.67% spotlight it as a downside. Some discover it cheap, whereas others really feel it might be higher.
  • Who makes use of it? Stripe Terminal has a noticeable presence amongst small companies, with most critiques from corporations with 2-10 staff (46.67%) and 11-50 staff (26.67%). Bigger organizations additionally use it, as 13.33% of critiques come from corporations with 1001-5000 staff, whereas 13.33% are from solo customers.
  • Ease of use, efficiency, and reliability: Consumer suggestions highlights ease of use as a key power, with 46.67% of critiques mentioning its simple interface and seamless performance.
What G2 customers take into consideration Stripe Terminal pricing:

“It is a superb developer instrument with a predictable flat-rate pricing.”

 

Stripe Terminal Overview, Verified person in Eating places

General, Stripe Terminal is probably not a complete POS. Nevertheless, it does characteristic free software program that saves cash. The {hardware} can also be cheaper, beginning at simply $59.  Stripe Terminal is on the extra reasonably priced aspect of the spectrum in comparison with the typical value of POS software program. 

6. ConnectPOS

  • G2 score: 4.8/5 based mostly on 19 critiques.
  • Pricing plan: Subscription-based plans value between $39 and $89. There’s additionally an possibility for an enterprise plan. You’ll be able to increase a customized quote to get extra particulars on enterprise pricing. 
  • Prime options: Actual-time synchronization, availability of offline mode, customizable choices, and knowledge safety. 
  • Elements influencing pricing: Add-on options comparable to forex converters and a number of checkout currencies can affect ConnectPOS pricing.  Loyalty applications and employees administration options might be factored in as nicely.
  • Surprising prices: It gives clear pricing, however customization comes at an additional value.
  • Advantages: Straightforward {hardware} setup, help for a number of fee choices, and availability of sturdy reporting instruments.

Insights on ConnectPOS based mostly on G2 critiques:

These insights are based mostly on 15 critiques submitted by the G2 person group for ConnectPOS between March 26, 2024, and February 20, 2025. ​

  • Pricing: Whereas particular pricing particulars aren’t extensively mentioned within the critiques, 20% of customers really feel there’s room for enchancment in value, with some mentioning {that a} lower cost or decreased renewal charges would improve the worth.
  • Who makes use of it? ConnectPOS is a well-liked selection for small companies, with 73.33% of customers coming from corporations with 2-10 staff. It additionally sees adoption amongst rising groups, as 13.33% of customers work in organizations with 11-50 staff. Whereas most customers come from smaller corporations, the platform additionally serves mid-sized companies (51-200 staff) and bigger organizations (201-500 staff), every making up 6.67% of the person base.
  • Ease of use, efficiency, and reliability: 13.33% of ConnectPOS customers say that the platform is simple to make use of. Efficiency stands out probably the most, with 40.00% of reviewers praising its velocity and effectivity. Whereas reliability isn’t particularly talked about within the critiques, the sturdy efficiency suggestions means that customers typically discover the system reliable.
What G2 customers take into consideration ConnectPOS pricing:

“Pricing would have been higher if it was cheaper.”

 

ConnectPOS Overview, Binakadara J.

The ConnectPOS software program is cost-effective when in comparison with the typical value of a POS system. 

POS system value: How do prime options evaluate total?

This comparability reveals how quickly you may count on ROI after implementing a POS system. The insights are from person critiques on G2 and are grouped to derive an total person sentiment.

Software program

High quality of help

Meets requirement

Ease of setup

Sq. Level of Sale

89%

95%

95%

Shopify POS

88%

87%

90%

SpotOn

88%

92%

92%

Heartland Retail 

88%

87%

82%

Stripe Terminal

88%

94%

N/A

ConnectPOS

97%

93%

92%

Make your negotiation stronger

These insights will enable you be ready for the pricing negotiations you’ll have with distributors. Greater than that, it offers you a transparent approach to decode the complicated pricing gives by totally different POS distributors. Evaluating costs turns into extra easy and saves time you’d in any other case spend weighing your choices.

Let these insights help vendor negotiations and enable you discover the very best offers on your firm. Able to slim down choices and speak to distributors of your selection?

Join with the prime POS distributors in the marketplace and enter negotiations confidently.



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