Free POS software? In this economy?

Getting anything for free sounds suspicious already, and given just how essential a POS, or “Point of Sale” system is for any size of business in the retail or food industry, it’s hard to believe you can get a dependable service for free.

If you’re new to the world of POS software, this guide can explain how free POS software works, whether you should opt for one, and which free POS systems are the best options available today.

In This Guide

• • Is Free POS Software Really Free?
  • Pros and Cons of Free POS Software
  • Best Free POS Software for 2019
  • Conclusion

Is Free POS Software Really Free?

Most affordable POS systems on the market today are cloud-based. This means they are run by a company that hosts their software and licenses it out to businesses who then use it while connected to the internet. (If the internet goes out, most POS systems can operate offline temporarily, and synch back up once they’re online again).

Since these systems tend to make their money on a subscription basis, some offer a free tier: It allows them to gain brand recognition, and it creates a broad customer base that might eventually move up to a paid subscription plan. It’s a “freemium” plan: Free, but with a premium option for those willing to reach for their wallets.

Another type of “free” POS system is the type that takes a few percentage points of the revenue from each sale. While there’s no up-front cost, your monthly revenue will drop by around 2-3 percent. It’s not really free, but the price might be more acceptable for a small business that can’t depend on consistently meeting a budget.

Other free POS systems include those offered by companies as a no-strings-attached loss leader to boost their brand name and encourage sales of POS hardware or add-ons, as well as open-source POS software, which is created and maintained by online volunteers but is often clunkier and may be outdated.

Pros and Cons of Free POS Software

Pro: Cost. Getting a small business off the ground is a harrowing process, and even the best operations can easily spend years in the red. Saving 50 to 100 dollars a month on a POS system can make a huge difference for a tiny business.

Con: Hardware. While POS software can be free, no one’s giving away the hardware you’ll need. A tablet or smartphone may be the only essential hardware for a small operation, but card readers, iPad docks, or stand-alone touchscreen displays are all common POS hardware options, and will cost you. 

Con: Interfaces. Paid POS software always looks slick and feels intuitive. The interfaces on a free POS, however, can vary wildly. Some look like a text-based version of the old Oregon Trail game and others look like an early 2000s pop-up ad. Whichever you pick, you’ll have to stare at it day in and day out.

Con: Limited Functionality. Free POS systems will track sales and inventory, but may not have any options for managing employees or offering loyalty programs. This isn’t necessarily a con, however, as many small businesses wouldn’t benefit enough from these extra features to make them truly cost-effective.

Conclusion

Is a free POS system right for your business? It largely depends on the current size of your business and what you have planned for the future.

If you run a farmer’s market stall or a roadside kiosk and have no plans to expand, a free open source POS is likely best for you. If you run a single location and hope to continue growing the business, you should consider a freemium option that you can eventually upgrade.

Finally, if you need access to an expanded set of features and dependable tech support or training programs, you may want to consider a paid POS after all. If that’s the route you’re on, the next step is collecting quotes from the best POS vendors available today. TechCo’s simple form is a great way to get custom quotes with the least effort.