Running a retail store or restaurant today is a high-wire act. You need to ring up sales quickly, keep customers smiling, and juggle in-store, online, and mobile orders at the same time. That means having the right tools – a point of sale system, reliable hardware, online ordering, loyalty, the works.
There is no shortage of “best POS systems” on the market, but many of them carry price tags that feel more Fortune 500 than Main Street.
For small business owners, every dollar counts!
The good news is that you can get a full-featured system without paying the premium.
In fact, your total point of sale cost can drop by as much as 90% if you know what to look for!
So, What Really Drives POS Cost?
- POS software – The brain of the operation. Good POS software should handle sales, inventory, staff, loyalty, and online orders in one dashboard.
- Hardware – POS hardware such as terminals, tablets, card readers, printers, cash drawers, and (for restaurants) a kitchen display or printer. Retail shops often add barcode scanners and label printers.
- Merchant processing – merchant processing is the cut that card networks and processors take on every swipe, dip, or tap. Even half a percent can eat thousands of dollars a year.
- Support and training – Onboarding, updates, and help when things go sideways. Many providers charge extra or force you into paid tiers.
- Add-ons – eCommerce sites, self-serve kiosks, gift cards, loyalty, QuickBooks integration, and advanced reporting. These often start as “nice to have” and end up as hidden line items.
Why Many POS Systems Cost More Than They Should?
- High base software fees – Sixty dollars per register each month is common. Need eCommerce? Add forty dollars. Kiosk? Another sixty. Loyalty? Forty more.
- Mandatory processing – Some companies refuse to work with your existing processor, locking you into rates around 2.6 percent plus ten cents per transaction.
- Proprietary hardware – If a terminal breaks, you can only buy the same pricey model from them. BYOD (bring your own device) is off the table.
- Paid onboarding – Want live training or menu setup? Pull out the card again.
- Industry silos – A retail-only system will not support tables and tips, while a restaurant-only system may struggle with barcodes and purchase orders. Running both means paying for two platforms.
Meet eHopper: All the Tools, Not the Overhead
eHopper flips that script.
Its Omnichannel Plan bundles the must-have features for just 35.99 dollars per month when billed annually. Compare that with a typical competitor below.
| Feature | eHopper Omnichannel | Typical Competitor |
|---|---|---|
| Self-service and easy setup | Yes | Training sessions required |
| Use your own credit card processor | Yes | Often locked |
| Works for retail, restaurants, services | Yes | Usually one niche |
| POS software | Included | $60+ |
| Mobile friendly eCommerce site | Included | $40+ |
| Self-serve kiosk | Included | $60+ |
| Inventory management | Included | Limited |
| CRM and loyalty | Included | $40+ |
| Digital signage | Included | $10+ |
| Integrated cash discount or surcharge | Included | $10 |
| QuickBooks integration | Included | $20 |
| Multi-store and multi-register | Included | Limited |
| Free onboarding, training, support | Included | Paid add-on |
| Bring your own hardware | Windows PC, Android | Proprietary only |
| Marketing and business apps | Included | $40+ |
| Table management and QR code menu | Included | $40 each |
| Merchant processing fee (US) | 0% option* | 2.6% + 10c |
| Total monthly software cost | $35.99 | $600+ |
*Zero-percent processing uses a built-in free processing program, so customers who pay by card cover the fee. Terms apply.
Hardware Freedom
Because eHopper supports standard Windows PCs, Android tablets, and certified all-in-one ECR terminals, you can reuse devices you already own or shop around for the best deal. Needed peripherals like printers, cash drawers, scanners, and kitchen displays are plug-and-play. No vendor lock-in means you spend less up front and upgrade on your schedule.
Industry-Ready Features
- Retail – Barcode scanning, label printing, inventory counts, and purchase orders.
- Restaurants – Table layout, modifiers, kitchen display, coursing, and tip management.
- Services – Appointment tracking, repeat billing, and customer notes.
Loyalty, CRM, and email capture run across every channel, so whether a shopper buys in store, on your website, or at a self-serve kiosk, rewards points and purchase history stay in sync.
Support That Does Not Cost Extra
eHopper includes onboarding, one-on-one training, and 24 by 7 live support at no additional charge. For owners who wear a dozen hats, that safety net is priceless.
Doing the Math: How 90 Percent Savings Happen
Consider a single location with two registers doing 40,000 dollars in card sales each month.
Typical provider
Software: $600
Processing: 2.6% + 10c ≈ $1,160
Total monthly: $1,760
eHopper with zero-percent processing
Software: $35.99
Processing: $0
Total monthly: $35.99
Annual spend:
Competitor: $21,120
eHopper: $431.88
That is a 97.9% percent reduction.
Even if you choose traditional processing at a negotiated 2.5 percent rate, you still save on software and hardware, landing near the 90 percent headline.
Low Cost Without Cutting Corners
A bargain POS is only a win if it performs on Saturday night during the dinner rush or Black Friday sidewalk sale. eHopper delivers:
- Cloud backup plus offline mode so you keep selling if the internet drops. Note: some features requires internet connection.
- Regular updates with new features typically at no extra charge.
- Open APIs so developers can build custom apps and reports.
- eHopper was recognized as the best POS for small businesses by Forbes Advisor.
How to Choose a Low Point of Sale Cost System
- Transparent pricing – Make sure must-have features and support are included.
- Processing flexibility – Shop rates or use a cash-discount model.
- Hardware options – Avoid systems that require proprietary gear.
- Omnichannel features – Unified inventory, loyalty, and reporting across store and web.
- Free training and support – Onboarding should set you up for success, not chip away at your budget.
- Risk-free trial – A money-back window shows the provider is confident in its product.
A modern POS should power growth, not drain your bank account.
With eHopper, independent retailers, restaurants, and service businesses get enterprise features for a price that feels more like lunch money.
Stop paying bloated software fees, hand-off processing margins, and hardware premiums.
Switch to a platform that keeps the cash in your pocket and your customers coming back.
Ready to see what a 90 percent lower point of sale cost looks like in real life?
Sign up for a free eHopper POS account today and run your business, not your bills!
Check this post: How to Choose the Best POS System for Restaurants and Retail [Download FREE POS Comparison Checklist]