There are two main types of cash registers: electronic cash registers (ECRs) and point-of-sale (POS) systems. ECRs provide the most basic functions—tallying sales, completing customer payments, printing receipts, and storing cash. However, the global market for traditional cash registers has declined, and many major ECR providers have stopped manufacturing cash registers. Most modern businesses get their cash register hardware from a POS software provider. This ranking includes both register types.
Based on our evaluation, the following are the best ECR and POS cash registers for small businesses in 2024.
The best POS cash registers for small businesses are:
- Square: Best touch-screen cash register
- Toast: Best free POS cash register for restaurants
- Lightspeed: Best for retailers
- TouchBistro: Best POS register for high-turnover food businesses
The best electronic cash registers for small businesses are:
- SAM4S ER-180U: Best portable cash register for mobile and low-volume sales
- SAM4S SAP-630R: Best electronic register for grocery and convenience stores
- SAM4S ER-925: Best electronic register for low- to mid-volume retailers
Best Small Business Cash Registers Compared
Hardware Cost | Monthly Software Fees | Integrated Card Reader | Built-in Receipt Printer | Built-in Cash Drawer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0–$89+ | ✓ | Some models | Some models | |
| $0–$1,339.20 | ✓ | Optional add-on | Optional add-on | |
| Quote-based | $69–$399 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom-quoted | From $69 | ✓ | Optional add-on | Optional add-on |
| $175–$349+ | None | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| $1,715–$1,799+ | None | Optional add-on | ✓ | ✓ |
| $499–$679+ | None | Optional add-on | ✓ | ✓ |
Looking for something for a specific business type? Check out our rankings of the best point-of-sale solutions for retailers, restaurants, and small businesses.
Why You Can Trust Us
I considered over 20 POS systems and cash registers to pinpoint the best options for small businesses with different priorities. I graded each system or register by pricing, register and management tools, and how easy or intuitive it is to use. Within these categories, I further evaluated each option across 29 data points.
David Rivera
Retail Staff Writer at FitSmallBusiness
Square: Best Touch-screen Cash Register for Small Businesses
Overall Score: 4.51 / 5
Pros
- Free cloud-based software
- Affordable hardware with monthly financing options
- Incredibly user-friendly; setup can be completed in minutes
- Built-in payment processing makes for fast setup
Cons
- Must purchase cash drawer separately; does not support dual cash drawers on a single register
- Built-in payment processing means you can’t shop around for lower rates
Overview
Who should use it:
We recommend Square as the best POS-driven cash register for small businesses of any type, because it delivers a complete suite of sales, payment, inventory, and business management tools for free.
Why we like it:
Square is a cloud-based, POS-driven register with several low-cost hardware options. An all-in-one point-of-sale solution that combines a credit card processing service, software, and cash register, Square is our top choice for the best small business POS systems. Unlike electronic cash registers, Square lets you process sales and run your entire business from your smartphone or tablet. Or, you can use one or more countertop registers to meet in-store selling needs.
Unlike the other picks on our list, with Square’s POS register, you can’t rate-shop merchant account providers. However, Square’s payment processing is very small-business-friendly, with transparent and simple flat-rate fees and no startup or monthly account fees for a baseline subscription. If you want to keep an existing processor or shop for rates, consider any of the electronic registers on this list. If you want an iPad-based register with more payment integrations, check out Lightspeed.
Software:
- Basic Square: $0–$29+ (Custom pricing available)
- Square for Retail: $0–$89 per location (Custom pricing available)
- Square for Restaurants: $0–$60 per location
- Square Appointments: $0–$69 per location
Hardware:
- From $299 for a portable terminal
Processing fees:
- Card present: 2.6% + 10 cents
- Keyed-in: 3.5% + 15 cents
- Online: 2.9% + 30 cents
- Invoices: 3.3% + 30 cents
Square Online includes customer accounts where you can track their order history and favorite items. (Source: Square)
- Touch-screen cash register
- Easily expandable hardware
- Built-in credit card processing
- Track unlimited items and variations
- Track unlimited employees
- Specialized options for retail and restaurant businesses
- Easy to add gift cards, online ordering, employee timekeeping, marketing, loyalty, and more
Toast: Best Free Cash Register for Restaurants
Overall Score: 4.47 / 5
Pros
- Mobile POS and self-service kiosk
- Ingredient-level inventory tracking
- Loads of hardware peripherals for kitchen displays, digital menus, self-service kiosks, drive-thrus, and handheld terminals
Cons
- Requires a Toast Payments subscription; no payment integrations available
- Printers and cash drawers are not built in; you must purchase them separately
- Requires a two-year contract
Overview
Who should use it:
Toast is a cloud-based POS designed for restaurants; in fact, it is our top-recommended restaurant POS system.
Why we like it:
Two things set Toast apart from the others on this list: It is designed specifically for restaurants, and it operates on Toast-designed POS hardware for terminals, self-service kiosks, kitchen displays, and handheld order and payment devices. It also offers a no-upfront-cost hardware option. You’ll pay higher payment processing fees if you opt for Pay-as-You-Go hardware; but if you are a new, small, independent restaurant, you’d be paying higher processing fees no matter what system you use.
Toast has a couple of downsides, though. It is the only system on this list that requires a lengthy contract (two years). Like Square, Toast also locks you into its built-in payment processor, Toast Payments. Though, Toast has a history of matching or beating competitors’ processing rates; contact the provider directly to see what rates you can negotiate. It also doesn’t have tools for retailers. If you need something more short-term, consider Square. If you want a POS-driven register for retail, consider Lightspeed.
Software:
- Starter Kit (for up to 2 POS stations in one restaurant location): From $0
- Point of Sale: From $69
- Build Your Own: Custom quote
Hardware:
- Pay upfront: From $799.20 + $69 per month to $1,339.20 + $99 per month
- Processing fee: 2.49% + 15 cents
- Pay-as-You-Go: $0 and 3.09% + 15 cents per in-person transaction
- Processing fee: 3.09% + 15 cents
Toast’s online ordering tools include options for takeout, curbside, and food delivery. (Source: Toast)
- Touch-screen operation
- Restaurant-supporting order screens
- Manages complex modifiers
- $0 upfront option for register hardware
- Built-in credit card processing
- Google online ordering integration
- Track unlimited items with modifiers
- Unlimited employee log-ins
Lightspeed: Best Register for High-volume & Multi-location Retailers
Overall Score: 4.24 / 5
Pros
- Robust features with advanced inventory and reporting tools
- Connect multiple registers and locations
- Cloud-based system with real-time data sync
Cons
- Browser-based POS requires internet access for full functionality
- Monthly software fees can get pricey
Overview
Who should use it:
Lightspeed is one of the best options for a multi-location business needing networked or cloud-based systems. Businesses that need intensive inventory management and purchase ordering tools would also do well with Lightspeed. Users should be mindful, though, as this cloud-based system needs a strong internet connection to keep the network running.
Why we like it:
Lightspeed, like Square, is a POS-driven cash register with a comprehensive set of store management tools. Users can track inventory in real time and manage purchasing, staff, and business tasks across multiple locations. Like Square, Lightspeed also connects in-store and online sales. As a POS-based register system, Lightspeed lets you set up several registers in one or many locations and connect all data within one centralized, cloud-based software system.
If you like Lightspeed’s touch-screen register but hate monthly fees, check out Square (which offers free register software). Restaurants should check out Toast’s Pay-as-You-Go plan. If you want to go electronic, the SAM4S SAP-630R is your best bet.
Software:
- Lightspeed Retail
- Lean: $89 (Annual pricing: $69)
- Standard: $149 (Annual pricing: $119)
- Advanced $269 (Annual pricing: $199)
- Lightspeed Restaurant
- Starter: $69
- Essential: $189
- Premium: $399
Hardware: Call for quote
Processing fees:
- Card present: 2.6% + 10 cents
- Keyed-in: 2.9% + 30 cents
Lightspeed’s POS includes built-in purchase ordering tools. (Source: Lightspeed)
- Multiple options for payment processing
- Operates on iPads or desktop computers
- Specialized software for retailers and restaurants
- Top-of-the-line inventory tracking and reporting
TouchBistro: Best POS Register for High-turnover Food Businesses
Overall Score: 3.78 / 5
Pros
- User-friendly system is easy to train staff on
- Can operate via Wi-Fi- or LTE-enabled routers to support mobile businesses like food trucks
- Add-ons for Kitchen Display System, online ordering, reservations, gift cards, and more
Cons
- Locked into TouchBistro payment processor
- 1-year contract
- Printers and cash drawers are not built in; you must purchase them separately
Overview
Who should use it:
Like Toast, TouchBistro is designed to support food service businesses. TouchBistro includes ingredient-level inventory in the baseline POS, but it is much simpler and less automated than Lightspeed’s inventory module, making it a great fit for quick-service restaurants and coffee shops that experience high staff turnover.
Why we like it:
TouchBistro is an iOS-based POS system that, like Square and Lightspeed, operates on iPads. It is one of the most user-friendly registers on the market. Most users say they can train staff to use the system in under an hour. If you’ve ever operated an iPhone, you’ll know how to operate TouchBistro.
But, using this system requires a baseline cost of at least $69 per register monthly. Unlike Square and Toast, TouchBistro does not offer a free baseline subscription, and unlike Lightspeed, it does not offer a free trial, either. Toast and Lightspeed also both have deeper reporting capabilities than TouchBistro. Lightspeed’s ingredient-level inventory is also much more automated (though only available with the priciest monthly subscription). If you need a register without monthly subscription fees, check out Square or any of the ECRs on this list.
TouchBistro starts at $69 per terminal monthly. If you need more than one terminal, you can get a custom quote for monthly software. The per-terminal cost is typically lower if you need multiple stations.
TouchBistro doesn’t list hardware or payment processing fees; you’ll need to contact them for a custom quote. Terminal kits, kitchen display systems, and customer-facing displays are some of the hardware options available.
The TouchBistro Reservations add-on lets you create personalized customer notes and preferences, as well as keep an eye on table status. (Source: TouchBistro)
- iOS-based touch screens are very user-friendly
- Easy to self-install
- Quote-based pricing tailored to fit your needs
- Unlimited items and employee logins
SAM4S ER-180U: Best Portable Cash Register for Mobile Businesses
Pros
- Lightweight, portable register; great for pop-up retailers
- Built-in receipt printer and digital price display support streamline sales functions
- Basic tools are uncomplicated for small retailers
Cons
- Does not support an integrated card reader
- Only supports 10 employee logins and 500 product listings
Overview
Who should use it:
With only 10 supported cashier profiles, the ER-180U is best for small operations with a small staff. At a light 12 pounds, this register is portable, so it can support crafters and hobbyists who frequent craft fairs. This compact register is streamlined to support the smallest retailers. The 180U does not contain any ports to connect an integrated card reader, so this register works best for cash-only transactions.
Why we like it:
The ER-180U is SAM4S’s entry-level economy register. Several legacy cash register manufacturers (Casio, Sanyo) have stopped making ECRs. So SAM4S has quickly become a global frontrunner in the electronic register category, with its products being sold in more than 70 countries. Users can feel confident that customer support and replacement parts will be available for many years to come. This is why we recommend this brand and do not recommend you purchase a used register from a brand that no longer offers customer support.
If you need detailed, real-time inventory tracking, you’ll need a POS-driven register like Square or Lightspeed. If you need ingredient-level inventory tracking for a food service business on a budget, TouchBistro is your best bet. Though, if you don’t mind spending a little more for advanced tools, both Toast and Lightspeed’s restaurant inventory modules are even more robust.
The Sam4S 180U can be purchased from multiple retailers for between $175 and about $350. This is a one-time payment with no ongoing monthly fees, making this system one of the cheapest register options on the market.
You will need to secure a separate credit card processor to accept card payments. You’ll also need to purchase a separate card reader to run card payments, as the 180U does not have a built-in card reader. This allows you the flexibility to choose whatever merchant services provider you like, but using a non-integrated card reader can increase your transaction times.
The 180u is a compact register with programmable raised buttons, digital display, simple reporting tools, and built-in printer with customizable receipts. (Source: Amazon)
- 10 employee logins
- 500 supported price look-up (PLU) codes
- Four programmable tax rates
- Electronic Journal captures up to 2,000 lines of transaction history
- Customizable receipts
SAM4S SAP-630R: Best Electronic Register for Grocery & Convenience Stores
Pros
- Built-in touch-screen speeds checkout process
- Tracks 100,000 PLUs
- Connects to cloud-based SAM4POS for remote reporting on mobile app
Cons
- SAM4POS app costs extra
- Cannot track inventory expiration dates
- Expensive
Overview
Who should use it:
Grocers and convenience stores will find the SAP-630 useful, as it has an integrated Android touch screen that lets you manage 100,000 inventory items. You can also tether an optional handheld Android tablet via the SAM4POS app, which is great for businesses that need to process sales on the floor or count inventory frequently. You can purchase this register with either a retail (SAP-630R) or a hospitality (SAP-630F) configuration.
Why we like it:
SAM4S’s SAP-630 combines a 9.7” Android touch screen with a built-in keypad, cash drawer, and receipt printer to create a hybrid cash register that acts like a POS.
The SAP-630 is the most expensive register on this list and must be purchased from an authorized SAM4S retailer. But for the price, you get six months of technical support and assistance with programming and setup. This register is also a true POS/ECR hybrid, so some services (like loyalty and rewards programs) require monthly fees. But for the basic sales and inventory tracking functions, you’ll only pay the upfront cost. Setting up this register requires some functions—like a custom screensaver—to be configured by the dealer you purchased from.
The SAM4S SAP-630’s combination configuration is a fascinating option for small businesses, but it requires an authorized dealer to configure it. If you prefer simple self-installation with options for built-in processing, check out Square or Lightspeed.
Prices vary by vendor and configuration but typically range from $1,715–$1,799. This is a one-time price. There are no monthly software fees unless you choose to enroll in the cloud reporting app.
The SAP-630 register does have an integrated card reader on the side, though you can opt to attach a peripheral reader as well for credit card processing. This option gives you the benefit of shopping for the lowest available processing rates, but this also increases your setup and transaction times.
The SAM4S SAP-630F is the hospitality/food-service version of the same cash register. The SAP-630 includes a built-in three-inch thermal receipt printer and digital customer-facing display. (Source: SAM4S)
- Touch-screen and keypad operation
- EBT processing
- Tobacco rebate and loyalty integration
- Tracks 100,000 UPC numbers
- Additional ports to connect: barcode scanner, scale, external card reader, external pole display, and Dallas key port
- Wi-Fi connectivity available for tablets, printers, and scales
- Cloud accessible reports
- Scheduled report emails to keep tabs on operations
SAM4S ER-925: Best ECR for Low- to Mid-volume Retailers
Pros
- Integrated cash drawer and receipt printer
- Can choose between integrated or external card reader
- Does not need internet access to operate
- Several options for customizable peripherals including additional printers
Cons
- No customer data entry
- Need to find a payment processor
- Upfront cost can be high, depending on your chosen peripherals
Overview
Who should use it:
The SAM4S ER-925 is a sturdy electronic cash register built for retail businesses. It is popular with gift shops, ceramics studios, candy shops, and other mid-volume retailers.
Why we like it:
Price-wise, the SAM4S ER-925 is a big step up from the much more affordable 180U, but it offers a lot more features, including customizable peripheral hardware.
You can attach a barcode scanner, scale, and external pole display. Also, you can choose from an integrated card reader or an external reader. To speed service up, you can add an optional Dallas Key reader, allowing cashiers to quickly log into the register by attaching a magnetic fob.
However, if you want to automatically collect customer emails for your marketing efforts, the ER-925 is not a great fit. Both Lightspeed and Square offer much more robust customer management tools (and Square’s are priced based on your actual use). Both also offer built-in payment processing, which speeds up your setup process.
From $499–$679 (price varies by vendor and add-ons). For payment processing, you will need to get a separate merchant services account. Rates will vary.
The SAM4S ER-925 comes with a built-in cash drawer and receipt printer, plus add-on option for an integrated card reader. The optional Dallas key port lets associates log into the register using a magnetic key fob. (Source: Amazon)
- Up to 50 employee logins
- Tracks up to 3,500 PLUs
- 100 mix-and-match discount options
- 6-line pre- and post-receipt messages
- Additional ports to connect: barcode scanner, scale, external card reader, external pole display, and Dallas Key port
How to Choose a Cash Register
Choosing the right small business cash register is a huge decision. You and your staff will use this system every day; a register that lacks functions or is overly complex will quickly cause headaches. Here are a few questions to ask when choosing a cash register:
Step 1: Specify Your Cash Register Needs
First, consider your business needs. How many cash and how many credit card payments do you expect to handle? Do you plan to sell online, and if so, do you want your online store to communicate with your cash register so you never sell an item that’s out of stock?
A small business with minimal transactions may only need a basic cash register, while a larger business may require a more advanced system with additional features like barcode scanners and inventory tracking.
Step 2: Determine Your Budget
Next, consider your budget. Cash registers can range in price from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand, depending on the features and capabilities.
Step 3: Test User-friendliness
Another important factor to consider is how user-friendly the register is. Your register should be easy to use, with an interface that is easy to navigate during business rushes.
When you shop online, it is tempting to purchase the cheapest cash register available. But these cheap cash registers are typically older electronic models that are no longer manufactured. You’ll need to rely on your ability to interpret a written user’s manual with no in-person assistance or active customer service. For some people, this setup won’t be a problem. But then you’ll also have to train your staff to use the register (and trust that they are ringing in sales correctly).
Most businesses nowadays need a user-friendly system that comes with configuration assistance. A touch-screen POS-driven cash register is familiar to younger workers who are comfortable operating smartphones.
Features to Look for in a Cash Register
For modern businesses that expect to grow beyond a very small size, a point-of-sale system is almost always a better option than an electronic cash register. Even the most basic and affordable (or free) POS systems contain features that you might find only in advanced ECRs. The features you need to look for include:
Inventory Management
Keeping track of your store’s item stock is a bread-and-butter function that every business needs to fulfill. This is especially important if your store has multiple locations or if you are aiming to go into multichannel selling. All cloud-based POS systems can track inventory quantities and update information in real time, whereas only some ECRs can perform this at a basic level—for example, the SAM4S ER-180U can use the information from its electronic journal to do a rudimentary form of inventory tracking.
Tax Calculations & Reporting
Calculating and adding up sales taxes, as well as producing reports, are vital for making sure all transactions are correct and all legal requirements are fulfilled. While many ECRs can calculate tax rates, not many can produce advanced reports for performance, sales, and stock counts. Among the ECRs on this list, only the SAM4S ER-925 generates reports at this level. However, this level of reporting is standard fare for most POS systems on the market.
Sales or Service Mobility
The traditional store layout involves having a stationary cash wrap near the entrance or exit. However, many establishments such as restaurants or larger stores would benefit from increased mobility during customer checkout. This usually comes in the form of checkout capability on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, which can be brought to customers anywhere within the store. While greater mobility isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker in physical store locations, it helps increase customer convenience and satisfaction.
Hardware Options & Support
Electronic cash registers may offer a few options for peripheral hardware such as barcode scanners, scales, or external card readers. However, these are limited in both scope and utility compared to the hardware options available for modern POS systems: scanners and tap-to-pay readers that can attach to mobile devices, more portable or integrated card readers, and entire hardware kits or individual devices you can choose from to create your own custom setup.
Purpose-made POS systems such as Toast are also built to survive their niche (in this case, restaurants) with industry-grade hardware that can withstand heat, impact, spills, and other hazards present in a crowded store or restaurant environment.
As for hardware and software support, you’d also be better off with modern POS systems. Many POS providers offer 24/7 support included in your monthly subscription, available by phone, email, or online chat. On the other hand, it may be difficult to get quick support for electronic cash registers because many models are obsolete and being discontinued.
Methodology: How We Evaluated Cash Registers
We compared each system based on its price, ease of use, and retail and restaurant features. Also, we considered the availability of popular peripheral hardware, like barcode scanners, kitchen printers, label printers, and card readers. If there is one piece of equipment that a small business needs to operate seamlessly, it’s the one that handles the money. So, available support and warranties were a big consideration here, as registers can be tricky to program on your own.
Meet the Experts
The selection and evaluation of the registers and POS systems on this list were performed by Fit Small Business’s top retail and restaurant experts. Read about their real-world retail and restaurant experience below:
| Mary King With more than 14 years of hospitality experience, Mary has used cash registers and POS systems in coffee shops, food trucks, full-service restaurants, quick service restaurants, bars, hotels, co-working spaces, event spaces, and retail stores. She has several years experience advising bar and restaurant owners, and 3+ years evaluating POS systems. |
| Brigitte Hodge is a retail specialist and staff writer with brick-and-mortar management experience. Before joining FSB, she managed a storefront for several years, working in everything from merchandising, to buying, to sales analysis. Brigitte also has a background in writing, research, and publishing, with an undergraduate degree in writing. |
| Meaghan Brophy has 10+ years of retail experience, during which she has operated a variety of different cash registers and POS systems in different settings and applications. Since working in retail, Meaghan has 7+ years of experience writing for retailers, including 4+ years experience evaluating POS systems. |
| David Rivera is a Retail Staff Writer at Fit Small Business focusing on point-of-sale systems. He has over six years of experience with content writing and editing. Since 2016, he has produced and optimized content for a variety of industries including technology, ecommerce, and luxury retail. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These are some of the most common questions about the cash registers for small businesses.
Given the limited features of electronic cash registers, these devices will be most useful only for very small businesses that are limited to cash transactions. For accepting other payment methods and using features like in-depth reporting and multilocation or multichannel selling, modern POS systems are the better choice.
If you accept a large volume of cash, the best register will include lockable cash drawers and possibly even dual cash drawers so two cashiers can use the same register. If you accept card payments, you’ll need a register with an integrated or attached card reader. You’ll also want a register that tracks transactions by cashier so you can easily identify errors or suspicious transactions.
A cash register costs anywhere from around $175 to nearly $1,800 as a one-time payment. Modern POS systems will run you up to about $1,300 for high-end hardware, plus up to around $90 in monthly software fees.
Depending on your business type, you can use a smartphone, iPad, or other touch-screen tablet as a cash register. All you need to do to turn one of these devices into a register is download a POS or payment app and attach a cash drawer or bank account to receive cash and digital payments.
For solopreneurs, mobile business, and service businesses that accept card payments, a smartphone, card reader, and attached bank account is all you need. Brick-and-mortar stores that want to securely accept cash will want a stationary tablet with an attached cash drawer.
Bottom Line
With more customers relying on digital payments and fewer companies manufacturing cash registers, it can be challenging to find the best cash register for your small business. If you are willing to expand your search to include POS-driven registers, you’ll have more options. For its affordable price, ease of use, and popularity with small businesses of all types, we named Square the best small business cash register.
While this POS-driven register requires users to purchase a cash drawer separately, it also gives small business owners access to Square’s full suite of business tools. If you’re unsure about diving into a POS-driven cash register, you can try Square for free on hardware you already own.
