Easy to Program Cash Register for Small Business

Featured Partners

Transaction Fee

$99 per month + $0.08 cents per transaction

Transaction Fee

$29 per month + 1% for debit cards

Transaction Fee

Starting at $79

Transaction Fee

2.6% + $0.10 per card-present transaction

The 4 Best Cash Registers For Small Businesses of 2022

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FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

Shopify Retail Kit

Price

$229 + $79 per month

(iPad not included)

Payment Processing

2.5% + $0.00 per in-person transaction

(mid-tier level)

Price

$229 + $79 per month

(iPad not included)

Payment Processing

2.5% + $0.00 per in-person transaction

(mid-tier level)

Why We Picked It

The Shopify Retail Kit is a nearly complete package that includes a stand for an iPad, charging docks and cables and a tap and chip reader for credit cards and contactless payments. It's one of the most affordable options to replace a traditional cash register, but it doesn't include an iPad to use as your terminal, cash drawer or receipt printer. However, you can purchase separate components, like the receipt printer and cash drawer, to complete your checkout experience.

As a POS system and cash register, Shopify provides all you need to accept payments for an online or brick-and-mortar store. The software is easy to use, and lets you track orders, inventory and even customer information. If you use Shopify for online and in-person orders, your inventory automatically syncs, so you can manage both in one place. Standard reports are also available so that you can see how sales are going, who your best salesperson is or run reports on taxes and payroll.

There are a few downsides to using Shopify as a cash register. You'll have to pay $79 per month for the software if you go with the Standard plan. If you prefer to use the merchant account you already have, you'll have to pay an additional fee to Shopify. Otherwise you can use Shopify Payments for payment processing.

Who should use it:
Retailers who want an affordable cash register terminal and POS system in one package should consider purchasing a Shopify Retail Kit. It's also a great choice for omnichannel retailers who also sell online or have multiple locations.

Note: As of publication the Shopify Retail Kit is currently sold out and will be back in stock in late 2021 or early 2022.

Pros & Cons

• Low-cost hardware
• Uses iPads as terminal
• Additional components available (receipt printer, cash drawer, etc.)
• Powerful POS software helps with business management
• Cloud sync for multiple retail/online locations
• Chip & tap reader accepts credit card and NFC payments

• Extra fee if you use a third-party payment gateway
• iPad not included in cost
• Stands are incompatible with Android devices
• Requires monthly fee for POS software

POS Features

iPad stand, mounting kit, cable, tap and chip card reader, inventory management, employee management, omnichannel sales, create discounts, analytics, accept credit cards, gift cards and NFC payments, sell at multiple locations

FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

Clover Station Duo

Price

$1,649

(or $549 per month + $39.95 per month)

Payment Processing

2.3% + $0.10 to 3.5% + $0.10

per transaction

Price

$1,649

(or $549 per month + $39.95 per month)

Payment Processing

2.3% + $0.10 to 3.5% + $0.10

per transaction

Why We Picked It

The Clover Station Duo includes two monitors, a touchscreen for entry and a smaller screen for customers to use, with a built-in credit card reader. There are also accessories such as a barcode scanner and cash drawer available, all tied into the Clover POS software.

At $1,649 it's a pricey choice for the bundle, but it includes the basics you need for a complete checkout. You can purchase Clover's cash register and POS system directly from Clover or one of its approved resellers, but the pricing may vary wildly—you may even be able to find it around $1,299. It's worth noting that you may not be able to use your preferred merchant services provider(MSP) because each seller has its own MSP as a partner.

The Clover Station Duo with the Clover POS software lets you manage everything from orders and inventory to employees and customers. The system includes features that let you run a retail store or restaurant with ease. Digital receipts are the default, but you can purchase accessories such as a receipt printer and kitchen display system separately. Clover lets you run basic reports, which help you make better business decisions based on your top-selling items, best salespeople and end-of-day numbers.

Who should use it:
Any business that wants an all-in-one cash register and POS system should consider Clover Station Duo. It's an expensive upfront cost, but the monthly fee for the software is reasonable. New businesses especially might want to take advantage of the built-in MSP, too.

Pros & Cons

• No need to purchase separate hardware
• Affordable monthly fee for POS software
• Complete retailer solution with payment processing
• Accept all forms of payments
• 60-day money-back guarantee

• Expensive hardware
• May not be able to use your existing MSP
• Lots of resellers, so you may see different pricing elsewhere

POS Features

Smart terminal, inventory management, employee management, analytics, accept credit card, NFC payments and gift cards, rewards program, send digital receipts, create discounts, process offline sales

FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

Square Register Kit

Price

$1,269

(or $39 per month)

Payment Processing

2.6% + $0.10

per transaction

Price

$1,269

(or $39 per month)

Payment Processing

2.6% + $0.10

per transaction

Why We Picked It

Square's Register Kit includes everything you need to get started with your retail shop or restaurant. You get an all-in-one system that includes a touchscreen terminal for you, a customer-facing display with built-in card reader and a receipt printer. There are plenty of Square-made accessories that you can connect, but they come at a high price ($119 for a USB barcode scanner compared with other brands that range from $13.99 to $69.99).

There's no monthly fee for the Square POS software, and you can use an app on your mobile device for additional checkouts when needed. You can manage inventory, get low stock alerts, handle customer management and create sales reports using their native apps. If you're operating a restaurant, you can use the Square for Restaurants plan to create menus, manage tables, take tips and handle other restaurant-specific needs.

Who should use it:
Square Register Kit works well for new businesses that need a system that's easy to set up and use, plus lots of accessory options (albeit pricey ones). You pay a flat percentage and cents-per-transaction fee, so there are no surprises with payment processing costs.

Pros & Cons

• Affordable all-in-one system
• Connect a variety of accessories
• Easy to use system
• Flat payment processing fee per transaction
• POS software included free
• Suitable for retailers and restaurants

• Payment processing is pricey compared to traditional MSPs
• Cannot use with other MSPs
• Square hardware accessories can be expensive

POS Features

Touchscreen checkout, customer-facing screen with built-in card reader, cash drawer, receipt printer (and paper), use POS on smartphone or tablet, inventory management, employee management, accept credit cards, contactless payments and gift cards, send email or text message custom receipts, create discounts, customer management

FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

eHopper All-In-One POS System

Price

$1,499, or $69.98 per month lease

(plus software subscription)

Payment Processing

2.5% + $0.15

per transaction

Price

$1,499, or $69.98 per month lease

(plus software subscription)

Payment Processing

2.5% + $0.15

per transaction

Why We Picked It

The all-in-one POS system by eHopper includes some of the basics you need to get started with taking payments for your retail store. You get a touchscreen monitor, a computer to run the POS software on, a customer display and a built-in receipt printer. Other necessities, like a cash drawer, credit card terminals and barcode scanners are sold separately (and they're a bit pricey). Typical payment processing can be on the steep side, but eHopper also offers a free option that charges customers the processing fee instead of the merchant. This can potentially save you hundreds of dollars per month, though it is a bit controversial.

The eHopper POS software comes at four different levels, and you'll need to choose the one that best fits your business type. Smaller businesses may be able to use the free version of the POS software, but you're limited to only 50 products and 300 transactions per month. When you upgrade to the Freedom plan, you pay $29.99 per month for unlimited inventory and transactions, and you get more features, such as low stock alerts, accounting integration and menu management. Restaurants will need to consider one of the high-tier plans ($39.99 and $49.99 per month) to get access to table management.

Who should use it:
Retailers and restaurants would do well with eHopper's all-in-one POS system with software for managing everything from inventory to customer relationships. It's a bit expensive for hardware, peripherals and software, but it's a feature-rich POS system that's hard to beat.

Pros & Cons

• Works well for any type of business
• Offers a free payment processing plan
• Core hardware included in package

• Cash register, barcode scanner and payment terminal sold separately
• Expensive payment processing

POS Features

Touchscreen monitor, customer display, stand, receipt printer, order management, inventory management, customer management, analytics, employee management, accept cash, credit cards and NFC payments, barcode scanner option

Forbes Advisor Ratings

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What You Need to Know About Choosing Cash Registers

Finding the right cash register for your small business comes down to the details in cost, components and features. One of the best reasons to choose a traditional cash register is that it has a low upfront cost. However, a basic cash register doesn't add much value to your business, which is why you should seriously consider buying a POS system that connects to a cash register.

Here's a bit more information on choosing the right cash register for you:

POS System vs. Cash Register: What's the Difference?

There are two big differences between a cash register and POS system: cost and features. A cash register makes it possible for you to accept cash payments, and with a connected payment terminal, you can accept credit cards. A POS system typically includes or connects to a cash drawer or register, so you can accept all forms of payments, as well. Additionally, POS software makes it possible for you to track sales, inventory, employee and customer information and taxes (most with automation).

Zero-Cost Credit Card Processing

An accepted unwritten rule of doing business is that operating costs include payment processing. Retailers and restaurants typically pay around 2% plus a flat fee (10-15 cents, usually) per transaction. Some merchant services providers (MSPs) are offering a zero-fee payment processing option which adds the cost of processing to customers' bills. These surcharge fees that pass on to customers might have a negative effect, so it's important to consider whether you'll lose customers over this additional cost.

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Methodology

To determine the best cash registers for small businesses, Forbes Advisor considered specific criteria important for most small- to mid-sized companies, whether they're retailers or restaurants. Online stores can use these cash registers too, because the POS software supports online payments.

We also looked at the cost of hardware and monthly fees (including payment processing). Every modern cash register that made the list includes POS software to help businesses track inventory, manage customer information and run end-of-day reports, at the very least. We omitted any competitor that doesn't support mobile payments or offer software integrations. All the best cash registers in our list are POS systems first and connect with cash drawers, making it easy for you to accept cash payments (along with credit card and NFC payments).

Here are the categories we considered when ranking the top cash registers:

• Ease of use. A modern cash register with a POS system must be easy to use or small businesses may struggle to adopt the new technology. We chose systems that are intuitive and easy to set up with touchscreen terminals and that support barcode scanners.
• Cost and fees. Most cash registers for small businesses are similar in price for the hardware, but there are a few differences. Most bundles include the basics, such as a touchscreen display and credit card reader, but require you to purchase accessories such as a cash drawer and receipt printer separately. The biggest difference is the Shopify Retail Kit, which has the lowest price point for hardware, but runs off an iPad that must be purchased elsewhere.
  We also considered payment processing fees, which typically average around 2.5% + 10 cents per transaction, but some POS systems with cash registers let you use your own merchant service provider, which makes it easier to get a better rate.
• POS features. All of the cash registers we chose include POS software that helps you manage inventory and customers. They include built-in payment processing, or at least offer a card reader you can connect. It's also important to choose POS systems with cash registers that include software integrations, such as accounting programs that help you run your business.
• Overall value. The least expensive option may not be the best for a business, which is why we also considered the overall value. For example, eHopper isn't the most affordable option, but newer businesses without a merchant account may want to use the free payment processing option to save on monthly costs.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What can I use instead of a cash register?

The best alternative to a traditional cash register is a POS system. Not every POS system is designed to work for every size or kind of business, though there are some that can be configured to work for multiple types of businesses. Read our comparison to find the best POS system for your business.

Are cash registers secure?

Yes, most modern cash register systems offer all the modern security features you'd expect of an online business platform. On a store level, most platforms also offer the option to lock your system's touch screen so that only authorized users can access the machine.

What types of cash registers are available?

There are two basic types of cash registers available for your business: electronic cash registers (ECRs) and point-of-sale (POS)-based cash registers. If you have a single brick-and-mortar business that only needs to take payments and ring up sales, an ECR is likely your best, most cost-effective option. If you have multiple locations, have an e-commerce presence, need credit card processing, want to have the ability to have the added functionality to read credit card and debit card chips or take payment via cellphones like Google Pay or Apple Pay, then a POS-based cash register will work better for your situation.

What is a cash register used for?

A cash register is a machine that, at its core, lets you add up sales by inputting prices, including taxes and printing receipts. Modern cash registers typically include POS software, which is helpful for managing your business from inventory to reporting. A POS cash register is especially important in the food insustry for menu and table management, for example. If you manage a restaurant be sure to compare the best restaurant POS systems.

What are some factors to consider when selecting a cash register?

Some of the things you want to consider when choosing a cash register for your small business include whether the cash register will work for both your brick-and-mortar store and online store if you have both, how easy the cash register is for you and your employees to learn to use and operate, if the cash register serves your needs and provides customers with a good shopping experience and if the cash register will help grow your business.

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Next Up In POS

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Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author's alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.

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Source: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/best-cash-registers-small-business/

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