Point of Sale Prices: Software Plus Payment Costs
Compare the subscription, hardware and payment processing on the same sales assumptions. Transaction fees can outweigh a small software saving. Include the number of transactions as well as revenue because a fixed charge per payment affects low-ticket businesses differently.
Shopify’s published POS pricing separates the underlying commerce plan from POS Pro, an additional $89 per location per month when billed yearly. That is one provider’s structure, not a universal POS charge. Confirm the current base plan and processing terms alongside any location upgrade.
Retail POS for Stock, Variants and Store Transfers
A shop selling sizes and colors needs a different inventory setup from a counter selling a few standard items. Ask the supplier to demonstrate receiving stock, exchanging a variant and transferring it between locations. Compare barcode hardware and catalog setup as part of the purchase.
Our retail POS inventory article looks at those costs in more detail. A useful system should make stock changes understandable to staff, not simply display a large product database.
| Option | Best fit | Price comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Retail POS | Stock and checkout | Variants, returns and inventory tools |
| Restaurant POS | Orders and payment | Modifiers, kitchen routing and bills |
| Mobile POS | Portable checkout | Reader, connectivity and receipts |
Restaurant POS and Mobile Checkout Options
Restaurants may need modifiers, split bills, kitchen routing and handheld ordering. Service businesses may need a compact reader, tips and digital receipts. Test the transaction you perform most often instead of choosing by the appearance of the terminal.
The mobile POS article explains how readers and apps can fit smaller operations. Businesses with a busy counter should also compare replacement equipment and support when a device fails.
Compare POS Systems With a Real Sales Month
Give providers a representative sales total, transaction count and mix of in-person and remote payments. Ask for a worked cost example that separates subscription from processing and optional services.
Get POS prices after deciding which checkout, stock and reporting functions matter. Compare the complete first-year cost and the renewal terms, not just an introductory hardware offer.