The 3 best free POS software systems for small businesses Starting a small business can be a costly endeavour, so we’ve rounded up the best free POS options to keep your operations running smoothly and overheads low. Written by Eddie Harris Reviewed by Ollie Simpson Updated on 13 June 2025 Our Research When judging the best POS systems, our writers work with expert researchers to focus on key features that matter most to small businesses. These include value for money – setup, hardware and transaction fees – help and support, plus the till, stock, and business management tools available. Written and reviewed by: Eddie Harris Senior Reviews Writer Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive Startups.co.uk is reader supported – we may earn a commission from our recommendations, at no extra cost to you and without impacting our editorial impartiality. In May 2025, we worked alongside our dedicated research team to analyse 11 of the top UK POS systems across six key criteria, and found that Square is the best free POS software, thanks to its user-friendly software, impressive range of features, and reliable user support options. Get started with Square POS for FREE Square is our top-rated POS system. You can find out how easy it is to use for yourself on its free plan Visit Square Pay no monthly fees It might seem like setting up the best POS system for your small business will take a big bite out of your budget, but with certain systems you can actually get up and running free of charge. Free POS platforms aren’t just a great way to keep your overall costs low; they’re a great opportunity to trial a system with minimal risk before investing any money. Key takeaways Free, app-based, and user-friendly, Square is our best overall top free POS, and if you plan on scaling up your business in the future, Square offers feature-rich, paid software plans for different industries.SumUp charges the lowest transaction fees on its free plan at 1.69%. It’s also speedy and simple, making it great for POS beginners.Zettle is great if you just need a fast and simple POS that’s quick to learn, but more complex businesses and those looking to scale will need to check out SumUp or Square’s paid plans instead. Compare free POS software at a glanceIn the table below, we draw out some of the key features to consider, so you can quickly compare between providers: 0 out of 0 backward forward Overall Score Based on our in-depth research and user testing Pricing from Key benefits BEST OVERALL Square SumUp Zettle 4.8 4.2 3.6 Software: freeHardware: from £19 plus VAT Software: freeHardware: from £34 plus VAT Software: free Hardware: from £49 plus VAT Easy to use, and quick to setupReal time in-depth reportsA great range of hardware if it’s required Includes features like discounts and sales trackingMobile and QR code orderingFree Business Account Simple, and intuitive to useCustomer engagement toolsCustomisable gift cards I last updated this article on 13 June 2025 I've verified that all the pricing and information in this article is correct as of this date. However, given the rapidly changing nature of the payment processing industry, I always recommend confirming prices directly with the POS provider before making a buying decision. 1. Square: best overall free POS platform Square 4.8 Visit Square Square Review Starting software price: Free plan Transaction fees from: From 1.75% Great range of hardware as well as a free iOS app Quick to set up and easy to use Wide range of help and support options Summary Square is headed up by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. Specifically designed for small to medium sized businesses, it leads the US market for POS systems, currently serving four million clients. Show moreless Suitable if: You want a low-cost POS that doesn’t sacrifice usability You’re planning to scale up in the future You want to integrate with an online store Not suitable if: You’ll need tools like inventory management You’d like dedicated training to help onboard staff What do I need to know about Square’s free plan?As a result of our independent analysis, conducted in May 2025, we can recommend Square as our favourite option for a free POS system. The free software is quick and easy to use, and is particularly well suited to small shops, cafes and food trucks.Since we last tested it in 2024, Square has made further improvements to its usability, making it even more intuitive. You can download the free app directly to a smartphone or tablet, and if this is your first time using a POS system, you should be able to get up to speed in no less than an hour.We were left impressed by the range of support options that Square provides. Source: Startups.co.ukWhile I would say that the free app is great for small, single location businesses and solopreneurs, just be aware that you’ll be missing out on more advanced tools like inventory management and barcode label printing. So a business with more sophisticated needs might need to look at Square’s paid plans instead.What do I need to pay for?Transaction fees will be the main cost to worry about, which you can read about extensively in our dedicated guide to credit card processing fees. There are no set-up fees with Square’s free plan, and it charges an average (but very reasonable), 1.75% transaction fee for chip and PIN and contactless payments. This is the exact same as Zettle’s rate, but fractionally higher than SumUp’s.Square provides an excellent range of hardware if you need it, including its handheld POS device the Square Terminal. Source: Startups.co.uk While you can run the free app from a tablet or smartphone (which cuts out the need to buy any dedicated POS hardware, usually the largest upfront cost of a POS system), Square does provide the extremely cheap handheld Square Reader, which can accept chip and PIN payments.What are the limitations?Don’t choose Square’s free plan if…1. You need 24/7 supportWith the free plan, you get access to help and support from Square, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm GMT. So if you’ve hit a technical issue outside of normal working hours, or at the weekend, you’re out of luck. The Plus plans come with 24/7 phone support, so you’ll get a helping hand at all hours.2. You have a high volume of retail salesSquare for Retail Plus comes with a discounted 1.6% transaction fee. So if your business is already taking in a high volume of sales, it might be worth going for the paid tier to save you money in the long run.3. You run a restaurantIf you’re running a restaurant (anything more advanced than a basic coffee shop or bakery), then you’ll most likely struggle with the free plan. By paying for Square for Restaurants Plus, or SumUp Plus, you’ll get access to key features like floor planning. Try Square POS Get started with Square POS software for zero cost Try for free Our top-rated POS system for SMEs 2. SumUp: best free POS for a fast-paced environment SumUp 4.2 Get Quotes SumUp Review Starting software price: Free Transaction fees from: 1.69% Superb range of hardware and accessories Mobile and QR code ordering Inventory management tools with stock alerts and cost management Summary In 2020, London-based payment service provider SumUp acquired GoodTill, an iPad-based POS software provider. Show moreless Suitable if: You need a quick to set up, no-cost solution You want to use Tap to Pay You want the option to scale up in the future Not suitable if: You want to be able to split bills You want the fullest range of help and support available You want a handheld POS device What do I need to know about SumUp’s free plan?Since we last tested it in 2024, SumUp has made some improvements to its frontend. Its interface is simple and responsive, and I really liked the “park order” function so I could adjust items quickly during a transaction. I think SumUp’s speed and efficiency would make a great fit for small, fast-paced environments, like a coffee shop.For a free plan you’ll still get access to solid features like sales tracking, discount tools, and you can manage your catalogue of products. However, we did find its help and support wasn’t quite as extensive as Square’s. Unlike Square, it doesn’t provide any assistance through social media, and I would’ve liked to have seen SumUp include a forum.If you need a card reader, then the SumUp Air is quick and easy to setup. Source: Startups.co.ukWith SumUp’s POS, you also get a free Business Account, so you can track payments, manage your expenses, and upload receipts. If you do need to upgrade in the future, SumUp’s paid tiers and range of card readers, terminals and accessories offer some impressive options for scalability (a big reason the provider came out as the overall victor when we put SumUp head to head with Zettle).What do I need to pay for?With SumUp’s pay-as-you-go plan, you’ll only have to pay the transaction fees. SumUp charges 1.69% for in-person payments, which is cheaper than Square and Zettle’s 1.75%. In the grand scheme of things, this is roughly about average, but considering it’s a completely free plan, you’re getting a pretty good deal.Much like Square’s POS, you can use SumUp’s free POS app on just a tablet or smartphone. If you do want a dedicated card machine to take chip and PIN payments with, you can pick up the SumUp Air for a very reasonable upfront price of £34.What are the limitations?SumUp’s free plan won’t work for you if…1. You want to give your customers the option to split the billBeing able to bill split has become a common expectation from customers. Just be aware, you can only do this when you pay for SumUp Pro, the most expensive tier. However, you can do this with Square’s free POS (just not item splits, or split by seats).2. You run multiple locationsIt might seem like an obvious one, but it’s worth highlighting that the free POS can only support single location businesses. If you need multilocation management, you’ll need to pay for SumUp Pro.3. You want to offer online ordering and deliveryIf your business model relies on providing your patrons with online delivery/ordering as well as in-person sales, you’ll need to keep in mind that this is locked behind the SumUp Pro paywall. However, with Square you can get Square Online Ordering included with a free tier. 3. Zettle by PayPal: best POS for simplicity Zettle 3.6 Get Quotes Zettle Review Pricing from Free Transaction fees from 1.75% Free POS app Easy-to-read sales reports Zettle reader easily integrates with other POS systems Summary Swedish financial technology company Zettle (formerly known as iZettle) launched its first app in 2011, and in 2018 was acquired by PayPal. It now provides a range of tools for merchants to take payments, including card readers and POS systems. Show moreless Pros You need mobility from your POS platform You’re starting a new business and want a simple and easy to use POS You want to sell customisable gift cards Cons You want scalability Help and support is a priority You have an advanced inventory What do I need to know about Zettle’s free plan?Our sentiment towards Zettle has remained largely the same since our last testing in 2024: it provides a no-cost option that’s highly intuitive and exceptionally user-friendly. Almost everything is based around the till screen, including adding new products and discounts (you can also pre-set up the discounts, to really speed things up).I particularly liked the fact that you can add products for sale directly on your tablet or smartphone, so you can adapt on the fly. Zettle comes equipped with some decent inventory management for a free platform (although more established shops will need a more advanced inventory system) as well as features like customer engagement tools and gift card creation.We found that adding new products was a breeze with Zettle’s POS software. Source: Startups.co.uk Does your business use a POS system already? Yes No Save by comparing costs One thing to be aware of is that Zettle’s free plan is the only version of its software. This is fine if basic, user-friendly POS software is all you need, but if you think you will be rapidly expanding, you might want to look at a more scalable platform like Square instead.What do I need to pay for?With Zettle, all you’ll need to pay for is the transaction fee on each payment you take. It charges a flat 1.75% fee on all card transactions; the exact same as Square’s rate and marginally higher than SumUp’s.The small and lightweight Zettle Reader 2 has great haptic feedback. Source: Startups.co.ukAs with Square and SumUp, all you need to take contactless payments is the Zettle by PayPal app on a smartphone or tablet; no additional hardware is needed. But if you do also want to take chip and PIN payments, Zettle’s cheapest card machine is the Zettle Reader 2, which starts from £49 + VAT (so quite a bit more than the Square Reader or SumUp Air).What are the limitations?Don’t go with Zettle’s free plan if…1. You need to be able to create floor plansYou won’t be able to create a floor plan with Zettle’s free POS, so most restaurants will most likely need to look at either SumUp Plus or Square for Restaurants Plus. For more recommendations you can check out the full roundup of the best POS systems for restaurants.2. You want to offer your customers mobile and QR code orderingZettle doesn’t support any form of mobile or QR code ordering, so if this is an option you’ll want for your customers, you should check out Square or SumUp instead. This will be most relevant for those looking for the best takeaway POS.3. You want to set up a reservation systemEateries that want to be able to control the flow of guests won’t be supported by Zettle’s free POS. Zettle can’t support any reservation capabilities, whereas both Square and SumUp can do this by integrating with a third-party system. How to choose free POS softwareWhen choosing the right free POS software, remember to think hard about the three ‘S’s: scale, sector, and sales.ScaleYou’ll need a platform that can scale up with your business as it expands. Square offers different paid tiers, and a range of hardware, to accommodate for this. You might run a small pop-up shop or cafe now, and you can get by using simple free software. But what if your business starts to take off and you need to expand your inventory?If you develop a detailed sales strategy, introduce new payment options, and possibly launch online, you may need to start thinking about a more advanced software package that can help you manage these things, along with more expensive hardware, like a full till system.SectorMany POS systems provide tailored packages based on industry. For example, retail SMEs won’t need a table booking system in the same way that hospitality businesses do. Just keep in mind that sector-specific features will predominantly be found on paid tiers, as free POS software tends to present a more basic, one-size-fits-all approach.Consider whether the free POS software will be able to accommodate your needs. For example, if you’re running a larger restaurant, you may need the ingredient tracking or complex inventory management tools of a paid tier.SalesWe recommend you think about the functions you carry out around your sales strategy. Do you want monthly, annual, or quarterly sales reports? Have these answers ready before you sign any contracts.Also consider the amount you’ll be paying in card fees. For example, SumUp’s Payments Plus costs £19 per month, but it will unlock much cheaper transaction fees than on the free plan. So, if you’ll be taking in a high number of sales, a free plan might end up costing you more money in the long run. Methodology: how we ranked the best free POS softwareIn May 2025, our dedicated Senior Research Executive led a new round of POS system testing so we can be sure that our recommendations are both helpful and up to date.To find our rankings for the top free POS systems, our research team analysed providers that offer a free plan, and tested them across the six categories we felt were most important for a no-cost POS.This was based on a framework devised by our Head of Research, and involved our Reviews Writer and group of users conducting hours of hands-on testing in the Startups offices in London.Each of these separate categories was given a weighting based on importance, which then informed our overall scores to ensure that we were giving you the most relevant ranking possible. Our six judging categories: Usability (30%): we determined this as the most important category for a free POS system. We judged how easy it is to use the system based on extensive hands-on testing.Software (25%): this was the second most important category. We evaluated the systems based on the range of features and capabilities they provide.Pricing (20%): this was the third most crucial: how much you’ll be paying in transaction fees and the cost of any hardware that might be required, such as a card machine.Help and support (15%): the next most important factor. We investigated the range of support options the platform provided for users, and then tested the accuracy and responsiveness of the live chat and knowledge centres.Hardware (5%): what range of POS hardware, such as card readers and terminals, does the platform offer, if it is needed?Reputation (5%): the providers standing within the industry. This was determined by research into third-party reviews, online comments and our own user testing experience. Jump back up to any of our reviews: Free POS comparison table Square: best overall free POS platform SumUp: best free POS for a fast-paced environment Zettle by PayPal: best free POS for simplicity How to choose free POS software Methodology: how we ranked the best free POS software Startups.co.uk is reader-supported. If you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Startups.co.uk to provide free reviews for our readers. It has no additional cost to you, and never affects the editorial independence of our reviews. Share this post facebook twitter linkedin Tags News and Features Written by: Eddie Harris Senior Reviews Writer Eddie is resident Senior Reviews Writer for Startups, focusing on merchant accounts, point of sales systems and business phone systems. He works closely with our in-house team of research experts, carrying out hours of hands-on user testing and market analysis to ensure that our recommendations and reviews are as helpful and accurate as possible. Eddie is also Startups video presenter. He helps create informative, helpful visual content alongside our written reviews, to better aid customers with their decision making. Eddie joined Startups from its sister site Expert Reviews, where he wrote in-depth informational articles and covered the biggest consumer deals events of the year. And, having previously worked as a freelancer providing screenplay and book coverage in the film and television industry, Eddie is no stranger to the demands of the sole trader. Reviewed by: Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive After three years of refining my skills in data analysis, I transitioned to a role as a researcher to help understand our readers' preferences and needs. My professional journey started as a researcher in law enforcement, where I developed strong analytical abilities. Later, I moved into operations, strengthening my understanding of quantitative data. Now, I blend my quantitative analysis skills with qualitative research to explore both audience preferences and product nuances. Armed with a UX design diploma, I translate research findings into actionable insights that facilitate informed decision-making. Whether enhancing Startups offerings or delivering research presentations, I am driven by a relentless pursuit of improvement and results.