Question 1

How much does a restaurant POS system cost per month?

Accepted Answer

Published software plans from major vendors run from $0 to $399+ per month, but that is not the full cost. Add hardware or financing, setup, add-ons, support, payment processing, and any contract-related fees. Use your own card volume and transaction count to estimate the real monthly total.

Question 2

Is a free POS system really free?

Accepted Answer

A free software plan can still require paid hardware, payment processing, and paid restaurant modules. Some lower-priced plans also have higher processing rates. Compare the full 12-month cost instead of treating $0 software as $0 total cost.

Question 3

How much are POS payment processing fees?

Accepted Answer

There is no single processing rate. Some published plans in this guide list in-person rates from 2.4% to 2.6% plus $0.15 per transaction, while other vendors use custom quotes. Your final rate depends on the plan, processor, card mix, payment channel, and sales volume. Ask for the effective rate based on a recent merchant statement.

Question 4

Do I own my POS hardware?

Accepted Answer

It depends on whether you buy, finance, subscribe to, or lease the equipment. Confirm when ownership transfers, whether you owe a balance if you cancel, and whether the devices can be reused with another platform.

Question 5

How long are restaurant POS contracts?

Accepted Answer

Restaurant POS terms can range from month-to-month to multi-year agreements. Check the initial term, auto-renewal window, rate-change rights, hardware balance, and exact termination formula. Get every term in writing.

Question 6

How much does it cost to switch POS systems?

Accepted Answer

There is no universal switching cost. Budget for any exit fee, unpaid hardware balance, new devices, menu rebuilding, data migration, training, and a short slowdown during launch. Review export and cancellation terms before choosing a system.

Restaurant POS System Cost in 2026: Pricing, Fees, Hardware, and Hidden Charges