Guide · Point of sale
What a POS system costs in South Africa.
Subscription, hardware, card fees, setup, support — the real total, in rands, with no surprises hidden in the fine print.
Updated 5 Sep 2026 · 5 min read · Written by the StoreStack team
For a small South African shop, expect R300–R1,500 per month per till all-in, plus a once-off R2,000–R8,000 if you need new hardware. Card fees (~2.5–3%) are always separate. Anything marketed as “free” makes its money on card fees instead.
The four things you actually pay for
POS pricing feels confusing because vendors quote different pieces. Break any quote into four parts and compare like with like:
| Cost | Typical in SA | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | R300–R1,500 /month per till | Features split into tiers; offline mode or scales sold as add-ons |
| Hardware | R0 (use your phone) – R8,000+ | Being forced to buy proprietary tills you don't need |
| Card acquiring | ~2.5–3% of card sales | Always separate from the POS — whoever you buy from |
| Setup & support | R0 – R3,500 once-off | Paid support tickets; “training” billed by the hour |
What you get at each price level
Free POS apps (R0/month). Usually bundled with a card machine. Fine for a one-person stall starting out. The catch: you pay card fees on everything, you typically get one till, basic reports, and no support when it matters. When the shop grows, you outgrow it in months.
Entry subscriptions (R300–R600/month). This is where most spaza shops, butcheries and takeaways land. You should expect multiple tills, proper cash-ups, stock reports, and — non-negotiable in South Africa — sales that keep working offline. Check whether that price includes VAT and every feature you need, because this is the tier where “from R299” quietly becomes R800 after add-ons.
Mid-tier (R600–R1,200/month). Adds scales and barcode flows, multi-branch reporting, staff permissions, loyalty integration. A busy butchery or mini-market lives here.
Upper tier (R1,200–R2,500+/month). Franchise-style features: integrations, accounting exports, advanced stock. Most independent shops never need this tier — don't pay for it out of fear.
What StoreStack POS costs (fully open)
We publish our prices because we're not ashamed of them:
- R499/month — starter: everything a single busy counter needs, offline included
- R899/month — growing shops: more tills and deeper reporting
- R1,499/month — multi-till, multi-counter businesses
- Once-off install is normally R3,500 — waived for the first five shops in an area
- Runs on Android, Windows and the web, on hardware you already own
No feature is held back for a higher tier, offline mode is not an add-on, and support happens on WhatsApp with a person who answers. See the exact price for your setup — it takes about two minutes.
How to compare two POS quotes honestly
- Ask for the total monthly cost of everything you need — every till, every feature, VAT included.
- Ask what happens when the internet or power drops. If sales stop, that downtime is a cost too.
- Ask what support costs when something breaks on a Saturday morning.
- Ask what happens to your data if you leave.
- Multiply the monthly cost by 12 and read it next to your monthly profit. A POS that saves one bad cash-up a week pays for itself.
How much does a POS system cost in South Africa?
Most small businesses pay between R300 and R1,500 per month per till. StoreStack POS starts at R499/month including VAT, with all features — no per-till feature tiers, no offline-mode surcharge.
Is there a free POS in South Africa?
Yes — card-machine companies bundle a free basic POS app with their card machines. They make their money on card fees (typically 2.5–3% of every card sale). Free is fine for testing, but growing shops usually hit the limits: one till, no scales, weak reporting, no offline mode.
What hardware do I need, and what does it cost?
A phone or tablet you already own is often enough. If you want dedicated hardware, budget roughly R2,000–R8,000 once-off for a tablet, and more for a screen-and-till setup. Label scales connect the same way whether bought new or used.
What hidden costs should I watch for?
Per-till and per-user fees, 'premium' features like offline mode or scales sold as add-ons, paid support, and once-off setup fees. Ask for the total monthly cost of everything you actually need — that number is the only one that matters.
Do I pay card fees on top of the POS subscription?
Yes — card acquiring is always separate from the POS, whoever you buy it from. Budget about 2.5–3% of card turnover. A good POS should tell you your cash-versus-card split so you can see what it's really costing you.
Want this working in your shop?
We'll set up your POS or loyalty programme, show you the numbers for your shop, and answer on WhatsApp — a real person, in plain language.