How much does a restaurant cash register cost in 2026?

The cost of a point-of-sale system for a restaurant in 2026 varies enormously depending on the solution chosen, the necessary hardware, and the options activated. From free solutions to complete systems costing over 150 euros per month, the differences are significant. This guide details the true costs, including hidden fees that publishers don’t always highlight.

At the bottom of the pricing scale, Square for Restaurants offers a free plan. You only pay commissions on card transactions (1.65%). For a restaurant that primarily handles cash or has a low volume of card payments, this is an interesting option. However, be aware that the free version is limited in functionality (no advanced table management, basic reports). The paid version starts at around €60 per month. The Square payment terminal is a one-time purchase (approximately €30 for the basic reader, €150 for the complete terminal).

Tactill positions itself as the affordable solution at €29 per month. It’s the certified NF525 cash register at the lowest price on the professional market. At this price, you have functional cash handling, product management, basic reports, and legal compliance. The necessary equipment is an iPad (starting at €400) and a cash drawer (approximately €80). Therefore, the initial investment is approximately €500 plus €29 per month.

Popina falls into the mid-range at €52 per month. This price includes all basic features plus offline mode, digital restaurant menus, and responsive support. The necessary hardware is similar to Tactill (iPad, cash drawer, thermal printer). The initial investment is around €700 with a ticket printer (approximately €200) in addition to the iPad and cash drawer.

Innovorder and Cashpad cost around €79 per month. At this price level, the solutions offer advanced features: KDS, production management, click & collect, and extensive integrations. Innovorder adds the possibility of ordering kiosks, but these represent a significant additional cost (€3,000 to €6,000 per kiosk). Cashpad stands out for its design interface and sophisticated hall management.

The addition is positioned at around €69 per month, while Lightspeed Restaurant starts at €119 per month (with an annual commitment). At this premium rate, Lightspeed offers a very complete solution with advanced analytics, detailed inventory management, a loyalty program, and an international integration ecosystem. The price-to-quality ratio justifies itself especially for establishments with high activity that fully utilize all the features.

Hidden fees are the main trap when choosing a cash box. Firstly, the materials: an iPad costs between 400 and 900 euros depending on the model, a thermal printer costs between 150 and 300 euros, and a cash drawer costs between 60 and 150 euros. Some solutions impose their own materials (more expensive) while others work with standard materials. Secondly, transaction fees: between 0.5% and 1.75% per card payment, depending on the solution and payment processor. On a turnover of 10,000 euros per month by card, this represents between 50 and 175 euros in fees.

Thirdly, the additional paid modules. Advanced inventory management, the loyalty program, detailed reports, and connection to delivery platforms: these modules are sometimes included, sometimes available as a paid option (between 10 and 40 euros per month each). Be sure to check what is included in the base rate before comparing.

Fourthly, the training and installation costs. Some solutions, such as L’Addition, involve local resellers who charge for installation and training (between 200 and 500 euros). Others, like Popina or Tactill, rely on self-training through online tutorials. Finally, don’t forget the commitment costs: a 24-month contract at 79 euros per month represents a commitment of at least 1,896 euros, even if the solution doesn’t suit you.

Our advice: calculate the total cost of ownership over 12 months (subscription + equipment + transaction fees + modules + installation) before comparing. And remember to include the cost of an order aggregator if you offer delivery. A tool like Fooderise, integrated with your POS system, can generate savings far exceeding its cost by optimizing your delivery orders and reducing errors.