Free POS for a Small Cafe: What's Included
Can a small cafe run on a free POS? What free plans from Pointbunny, Loyverse and Square include, what costs extra, and how to choose.
💡 Quick answer: A small cafe can run on a free POS. Pointbunny's Free plan has no monthly fee, and Loyverse and Square also offer free plans. Free usually covers checkout, your menu and basic sales numbers; you'll pay once you need staff tools, deeper inventory or long sales history. Check which of those you'll need in the next 6 months before you pick one.
Checked October 2026. Prices change, so confirm on each vendor's site. Disclosure: we make Pointbunny.
What "free" usually covers
Ringing up orders and taking payment
A menu with categories, sizes and add-ons
Receipts and basic discounts
A short window of sales data
What usually costs extra
Staff accounts and time cards, once you hire
Inventory with suppliers and purchase orders
Long sales history and full reports
Card processing fees, on any POS that processes payments
Free plans compared
Pointbunny | Loyverse | Square | |
|---|---|---|---|
Free plan | Yes, no monthly fee | Yes | Yes |
Loyalty | Pro ($19/mo) | Free | Check Square's plans |
Staff and time cards | Pro ($19/mo, includes time clock); Free has 1 staff account | $25/mo per store | Check Square's plans |
Suppliers and purchase orders | Pro ($19/mo) | $25/mo per store | Check Square's plans |
Sales history | Daily overview free; full reports on Pro | 31 days free; unlimited $5/mo | Check Square's plans |
Payments | Records payments; doesn't process them | See Loyverse's payment integrations | Built in, 2.6% + 15¢ in person |
Runs on | Any modern browser | iOS/Android apps + web Back Office | Square app or Square hardware |
Loyverse
Free plan includes the POS, 31 days of sales analytics, essential inventory and a loyalty program.
Paid add-ons are per store: unlimited history ($5/mo), employee management ($25/mo), advanced inventory ($25/mo), each with a 14-day trial.
Native mobile apps and a long track record.
A great fit if free loyalty matters most to you.
Square Free
No monthly fee; processing is built in at 2.6% + 15¢ per in-person card payment.
One company for payments and POS, with a large ecosystem.
A good fit if you want payments set up in the same place.
Pointbunny
Free: order taking, menu with option groups, discount codes, branded receipts and a daily sales overview.
Pro ($19/month, no contract): unlimited staff, time clock and timesheets, inventory with suppliers and purchase orders, loyalty and full reports, in one price.
Runs in a browser on the phone, tablet or laptop you have.
Newer than the others.
How to pick in 15 minutes
List what you need today and in 6 months (staff? inventory? loyalty?).
Price each POS for that 6-month setup, including add-ons and card fees.
Ring up your 10 best-sellers with modifiers on each free plan.
Choose the one your team finds fastest at the counter.
Signs you've outgrown a free plan
You've hired your first employee and need separate logins and time cards.
You're running out of milk or beans and want stock that updates with each sale.
You want to compare this month with last month, not just see today.
Regulars ask about a punch card or rewards.
When that happens, compare the cost of the upgrade on each POS, not just the free plan you started on.
Try Pointbunny free
Your POS shouldn't be a headache or a bill. Pointbunny is free, and we'll set it up for you. Create your free account.
FAQ
Can a small cafe run on a free POS?
Yes. Free plans usually cover ringing up orders, a menu with sizes and add-ons, receipts, basic discounts and a short window of sales data.
What does a free POS plan usually not include?
Staff accounts and time cards, inventory with suppliers and purchase orders, long sales history and full reports are usually paid. Card processing fees apply on any POS that processes payments.
When should I upgrade from a free POS plan?
Common signs are hiring your first employee, running out of stock you want tracked with each sale, wanting to compare months, or regulars asking about rewards. Compare the upgrade cost on each POS, not just the free plan.
How much does it cost to upgrade?
It varies: Loyverse charges per store for add-ons ($5/mo for unlimited history, $25/mo each for employee management and advanced inventory). Pointbunny Pro is $19/month and includes the time clock.
