Free POS Systems for Coffee Shops, Drive-Thrus, and Mobile Coffee
Free POS Systems for Small Business
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395K Five-Star Reviews on Apple's App Store.
Coffee Management Series
Free POS Systems for Coffee Shops, Drive-Thrus, and Mobile Coffee
CSSU Advisors
Starting a coffee shop is an exciting venture, but it can come at multiple ongoing charges that can bleed your coffee business.
As a coffee shop owner, your job is to keep costs down at every turn. That's why choosing the right coffee shop point-of-sale system is important.
A free or affordable POS system – and which provides the features you need – is critical to protect your margins.
We believe having the right POS system is just as important as having the right espresso machine, grinders, and coffee beans as you start your coffee business.
That's why we've reviewed several Coffee Shop POS systems over the years. During our reviews, we've determined that only a few meet the standards we have for coffee shops.
But only one is the most affordable.
Square POS is, pound-for-pound, the most affordable POS system for coffee shops.
Skip ahead and explore Square POS pricing.
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Get Started Free |
Affordable POS Systems for Coffee Shops
How to Decide on a Café POS System
To run a successful coffee business, you need a few things:
- Reliable baristas
- Working coffee equipment
- Fresh inventory
- Consistent and accurate accounting
- A dependable POS system
In our coffee business blog, we have written how to address each of these. Today, however, we will focus on the last item – choosing the best POS system for your coffee shop. A powerful POS system empowers you as a coffee shop owner by giving you more control over your items, sales, and accounting.
A coffee shop owner should decide on a POS system based on the following:
- Affordability
- Reliability
- Numerous payments accepted
- Inventory management
- Ability to work offline
- Strong security features
- Marketing options
- Management controls
- Customer support
Square is perfect for emerging small businesses, allowing them to compete in a saturated retail coffee market. In order to grow, small and medium-sized businesses need an affordable and effective POS like Square.
Let's discuss the Square POS system and how to get started for free.
Skip to Square's Coffee Shop POS Free Features
Square Five Stars Learn More
395K Five-Star Reviews on Apple's App Store.
Free POS Systems for Coffee Shops
The Best and Affordable Point-of-Sale System
A Free POS System for Coffee Shops & Small Business
Square POS
Yes. You can set up a POS system for free.
Coffee shop owners want a secure, robust, and affordable POS system to manage their transactions.
Square offers an even better deal.
Square offers free POS software and free access to their powerful POS App – and offers a free credit card reader by signing up here.
Square's powerful POS software can turn any device into a register that processes multiple credit cards with a quick turnaround into your bank account.
Square offers:
- Free POS software download
- Free App usage
- Free Square POS credit card reader
- Free inventory management (basic)
You have no excuse if you want to dip your toes and try out Square's POS system. Compared to other POS systems, Square's solid reputation is top-notch, putting your customers and you at ease.
Without paying a single dime, you can set yourself to start accepting payments from a variety of methods. This is unlike most other POS systems that require you to sign a contract, pay a monthly charge, and for hardware to get started.
Affordable POS Systems
Get Your POS Started for Free
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Is there a free Coffee Shop Point-of-Sale System?
What POS Costs Are There?
With many POS companies, you're looking at spending monthly costs, hardware costs, and transaction costs. As mentioned, Square does not charge a monthly fee. This means you will only pay Square for the number of actual sales you had – nothing more.
Square provides a free credit card reader – which can also be replaced for about $10. Yet there are transaction charges. These charges are relatively nominal and competitive when compared to other POS systems
Why we love Square:
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Easy Pricing Breakdown Easy to Use Multi-channel and Multi-location Options Inventory Management
Marketing Preferences Fully Integrated Payment Real-Time Reporting Manage Taxes
Manual Discounts Easily Process Refunds Customer History Staff Management
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 Square POS Highlights:
| Recommended Coffee Shop POS:
Get Started Free |
Square Only Makes Money Only When You Make Money
If you're familiar with other POS systems, you know that many POS companies charge you a monthly fee ranging from $69 to hundreds of dollars per month, depending on your volume.
Why pay hundreds per month?
Most coffee shops and small businesses don't need all the bells and whistles that come with some POS systems.
While some companies can legitimately claim a reason behind this with nominal monthly charges, others go way overboard and charge as many as hundreds per POS terminal. I say, why bother with the costs?
Square POS has been putting downward pressure on the entire POS market.
If you decide to go further with Square, for an additional cost, you can get a paid Square plan with features like Square Payroll, Invoicing, Loyalty programs, etc. But to start with, get a zero-dollar plan to make sure that Square is the most convenient POS out there.
Skip to Square's Coffee Shop POS Features
Free POS Systems
Why Do You Need a POS System Anyway
Without a solid POS system, your business will grind to a halt. A majority of customers pay with their credit or debit card. If you cannot securely process these transactions – affordably – then you will hit a financial wall.
Instead, most coffee shop owners want to enjoy the ease of a solid POS system like Square – that quickly and safely processes transactions and then deposits them in your bank immediately.
Your customers will expect you to be able to “take cards” and process transactions with any number of methods, including contactless transactions.
Choosing an Affordable POS System
Using a Different POS and Want to Switch?
If you are an existing coffee shop owner using another POS system, you might consider switching.
Easily create items within your dashboard, track inventory, process orders and refunds, and generate receipts.
If your current Coffee Shop POS system can NOT do this affordably, it might be time to make the switch.
Square POS offers:
- No-to-low upfront costs
- Easy to set up, train, and maintain
- Low transaction fees (super competitive rates)
- No long-term contract
- No hidden fees
- If you don't make money, Square doesn't make money
The primary difference with Square:
Square's attitude and values are all about transparency. If you don't like their POS system or fee schedule, no contract needs to be broken. Simply stop using them and move on to another POS company.
The Square model really should remove all hesitation to try out their POS system. This no-hassle, no-contract partnership gives coffee shop owners the freedom they want at a comfortable price.
See Square's Features & Pricing
Free Point-of-Sale System for Coffee Shops
Square POS Evens the Playing Field
An Affordable POS Solution for Your Coffee Business
Square POS has revolutionized the point-of-sale industry – allowing small and independent companies to compete with larger companies.
Square evens the playing field.
Additionally, Square requires no commitment, no hidden charges, and accepts multiple payment types and no monthly subscription charges.
This is a long way from just a few years ago when securing a point-of-sale system for either your store – or your website – was a complete hassle. Big and small retailers were beholden to banks and institutions who checked everyone's credit and waited days for approval. You once needed to pay bank fees, monthly subscriptions, and other heavy charges to get a POS machine. And the costs were through the roof.
Square has really been the trailblazer in this POS space – and deserves a look. Today, paying with your card is often easier than with cash!
- Traditional Brick-and-Mortar
- Drive-Thru
- Mobile Coffee
Affordable Upgrades
While the free Square POS options are a great way to start, your coffee shop may need a little more power under the hood.
If this is the case, Square has got you covered. Square has a variety of solutions that will fit your needs.
When starting your coffee business, you might not need a large register, multiple registers, or additional add-ons for marketing or back-of-house support for larger cafes and restaurants.
However, it's good to know that Square POS can grow with you as your coffee business grows.
Affordable POS Hardware
Square POS offers reliable hardware and powerful software to run your entire coffee business.
Whether you operate a mobile coffee truck or a cafe or coffee shop, you'll likely find the right fit:
Point-of-Sale on a Budget
Best Free POS Software for Coffee Shops
Square's POS software is 100% free. The use of Square's POS App is also free.
But does free mean that it's not worth anything?
Absolutely not.
Square powerful software and app provide you with an easy way to set up your menu items, organize them in multiple ways, and see what is selling. You can use your free app to monitor multiple locations.
Real-time Data at Your Fingerprints
Whether you are on vacation or across town and your second location, Square allows you to see your transactions in real time.
The instant information a POS system provides coffee shop owners should give you the tools and knowledge you need to determine your financial success.
Choose a POS System that Works for You
Today's point-of-sale systems are hubs for all your data, including your sales, inventory tracking, staff management, and marketing – in addition to processing transactions safely.
Coffee shop owners are looking for low-cost POS options that provide them with what they need to process transactions.
Recommendation for Coffee Shop Owners:
The Square POS System – $0 Monthly Fee
Why we recommend Square POS for coffee Shops:
- No contracts
- No credit checks
- Low transaction fees
- Grows with you
- Quick turnaround
- Instant, next-day (standard) square checking
- Perfect for coffee shops and mobile coffee trailers
- Helps with chargebacks
- You can pay for add-ons (if you want them)
- Accept most payments & gift cards securely
- Easily add inventory and manage in real time
- Easily send digital receipts and
- Easily manage customer information
- Get your money the next day or sooner
- Real-time reporting and analytics
- Support through phone or email
- Sync online and offline orders.
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Square POS Highlights:
| Recommended Coffee Shop POS: |
Additional Questions:
Is Square POS really free?
A $0 Monthly Fee is the best and most affordable available POS.
Square offers free software download, POS App usage and setup, and a free credit card reader. There are no monthly charges or any hidden fees. Like most other POS systems, Square processes transactions for a small fee. With regular swipe or tap, the cost is 2.6% + 10 cent transaction charge.
Does Square POS work for multiple locations?
Yes. If you have two or more locations or need additional terminals, Square can work for you. All you need is multiple devices and whichever register works best for you.
What if I run a mobile coffee business? Is Square the right POS system for that?
Square is an excellent option for mobile coffee businesses. If you want to start a coffee truck and need a reliable POS system, Square should be on the top of your list. (It's on the top of our list!) We’ve created a review for mobile coffee shop POS options here.
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* The information on this page is for educational purposes only. We do not offer legal advice.
Coffee Shop Startups
Based in Seattle, Washington, USA, Coffee Shop Startups is dedicated to providing you with the most relevant information on how to start a coffee shop business successfully. Over the last 11 years, we've helped thousands of aspiring coffee business owners worldwide. We harness the experience, wisdom, and knowledge of many successful coffee shop owners to help you increase your chances of success and profits. We support business owners who want to start a coffee business by providing them with valuable information on starting their coffee business successfully.
