Best Cash Registers for Small Businesses in 2024

Why we chose Square Terminal

Square Terminal is the best cash register for small businesses because it offers an impressive balance of affordability, user-friendliness, and comprehensive features. At $299 with no monthly fees, it is the most competitive option on this list in terms of price. 

A breath of fresh air, Square keeps transaction fees simple and competitive. You’ll pay 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction, a straightforward structure that makes it easy to anticipate costs.

A must for modern cash registers, Square Terminal focuses on portability. With a built-in battery, you can process payments anywhere in your store, giving you flexibility that Clover’s more stationary devices can’t match. This mobility can be a game-changer for managing busy periods efficiently in any location.

Though the main focus of this guide is hardware, I’d be remiss to omit Square’s software. Square’s free POS software is packed with valuable features. You’ll benefit from comprehensive inventory management tools, customer engagement options, and real-time analytics. These features often come at an additional cost with other systems like Clover, Lightspeed, and Toast, but they’re included in your Square package.

For small businesses and startups, Square Terminal’s quick setup process and intuitive interface are major advantages. You can have your system up and running quickly, without the need for extensive training.

Why we chose Square Register

Square Register is a countertop POS solution that offers a powerful combination of comprehensive features.

Launched in 2017, this fully integrated system has become a stalwart in the POS market.

With a dual touchscreen display setup, this innovative design allows both you and your customers to view and confirm transactions, enhancing transparency and reducing errors during checkout.

The hardware itself is designed to enhance your checkout process. The 13.25″ HD seller-facing touchscreen gives you clear visibility and control over transactions. Meanwhile, the 7″ customer-facing display ensures transparency and engagement with your clients during the payment process.

Reliability is a key strength of Square Register. The system’s built-in software updates keep the POS current without any effort on your part. Moreover, the ability to process offline payments for up to 24 hours means your business can keep running smoothly, even during internet outages.

Square Register’s versatility is further enhanced by its seamless integration with Cash App and compatibility with various third-party accessories. This flexibility allows you to customize your setup to meet your specific business needs.

Why we chose Toast Countertop

With its restaurant-specific features like tableside ordering and real-time inventory tracking, Toast has carved out a significant niche in the food service industry. The system’s durable hardware, designed to withstand the rigors of a busy kitchen environment, has been a key selling point for many establishments.

This system is designed to enhance your operational efficiency and elevate the customer experience in ways that general POS systems or ECRs simply can’t match.

One of Toast’s standout features is its versatile ordering options. You’ll have access to self-serve kiosks, a dedicated TakeOut & Delivery app, and integrated online ordering. These tools allow you to streamline your operations, reduce wait times, and cater to your customers’ diverse preferences, whether they’re dining in, taking out, or ordering for delivery.

Durability is crucial in a busy restaurant environment. Toast’s hardware is built to withstand the rigors of high-volume service, ensuring your POS system remains reliable even during your busiest rushes. This robust construction can save you time and money on repairs and replacements in the long run.

Toast’s reporting and analytics capabilities are another major advantage. You’ll have access to detailed, real-time insights into your sales, labor costs, and inventory levels. These tools empower you to make data-driven decisions, optimize your menu, manage your staff more effectively, and control your costs.

Why we chose Clover Flex

For mobile commerce, Clover Flex makes a compelling case by mixing functionality with convenience. The compact device packs a powerful punch, featuring a generous 6-inch touchscreen that serves as a command center for various business operations. Its built-in receipt printer and barcode scanner eliminate the need for additional equipment, a significant selling point for mobile vendors.

The device caters to a wide range of consumer preferences, accepting traditional card payments alongside modern contactless options like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and more recently, CashApp and Venmo. It can accept these newer digital payments using QR code technology. 

Users have praised its easy integration with Wi-Fi and LTE networks. This ensures businesses can process transactions securely, regardless of their location. This feature is particularly valuable for mobile setups such as pop-up shops and food trucks, where reliable internet access can be unpredictable.

When compared to alternatives, Clover Flex offers distinct advantages for mobile businesses. Its built-in printing capabilities and superior mobile connectivity make it a more comprehensive solution for on-the-go operations. These features eliminate the need for separate printers and provide a more reliable connection in various environments.

However, potential users should consider a couple of factors. While the device’s 8-hour battery life is sufficient for many businesses, it may pose challenges for those with extended operating hours or who use the POS more than the average vendor.

Why we chose Toast Go 2

The handheld version of the Toast POS system, the Toast Go 2 has carved out a niche as the “go-to” solution for restaurants seeking to elevate their tableside ordering experience. 

With the Toast Go 2, you can manage the entire front-of-house experience from a single device. By allowing staff to take orders and process payments directly at the table, it significantly streamlines operations, reducing the back-and-forth between tables and fixed POS terminals. 

Similar to other Toast hardware, Toast Go 2 has a rugged, spill-proof design that ensures the device can withstand the rigors of daily use, from accidental drops to liquid spills. Coupled with a long-lasting battery, it’s built to endure even the busiest shifts without interruption.

With an impressive 24-hour battery life, the Toast Go 2 can operate throughout an entire day in busy restaurant environments without requiring a recharge. This extended battery life contrasts with the Square Terminal’s 14-hour capacity, which may necessitate recharging during long shifts or high-volume periods.

The Toast Go 2 also represents a significant advancement over its predecessor, the original Toast Go. It handles transactions up to three times faster than the original Toast Go, significantly reducing customer wait times and enhancing efficiency during peak hours. 

Moreover, the Toast Go 2 has kept up with evolving payment methods, supporting modern methods, including NFC and digital wallets. This versatility ensures that restaurants can cater to a wide range of customer payment habits.

Why we chose Lightspeed Retail

Lightspeed Retail POS, paired with its iPad hardware kit, is particularly strong at managing complex operations across numerous stores, offering a level of integration that’s crucial for growing retail enterprises.

At the heart of Lightspeed’s appeal is its top-notch multi-location inventory management. The system provides real-time visibility into stock levels across all locations. In other words, Lightspeed’s inventory management tools are far superior to what’s typically found in an ECR. 

When compared to POS alternatives like Square, Lightspeed still offers more comprehensive inventory management features. Its detailed location comparison reporting provides deep insights into store performance, allowing management to make data-driven decisions about resource allocation and strategy.

In addition to tracking inventory across locations, Lightspeed allows you to create customized pricing strategies across your different stores to cater to local market conditions. Lightspeed’s CRM features and loyalty tools are also accessible across locations and channels. 

Additionally, customizable workflows allow businesses to maintain operational consistency across locations while adapting to local needs.

In terms of the hardware itself, Lightspeed’s iPad hardware kit offers a user-friendly interface that’s easy for staff to master. This familiarity can lead to quicker adoption and reduced training time, which is particularly beneficial for businesses with high staff turnover.

However, potential users should consider that the higher cost might be a barrier for smaller businesses or those just starting out. Additionally, the system’s complexity, while beneficial for larger operations, might be overwhelming for single-location stores with simpler needs.