How much does a coffee shop POS cost in the UK?
Last reviewed 2026-08-05 · by the RetailPOS team
“How much is a till” is really a total of three things. This guide breaks them down for a single independent café so you can budget the first year, not just the sticker price.
The three cost parts
1. Software (monthly, in GBP). The plan fee per shop. RetailPOS Starter is about £23/shop/month (from the $29 plan) with every feature; no per-transaction fee on top.
2. Hardware (one-off). An iPad or Android tablet, a thermal receipt printer, and a card reader. Bought once, kept — no lease.
3. Card processing (per sale). A percentage on card payments paid to your own acquirer or processor. Bring-your-own lets you negotiate; bundled providers charge a fixed rate on every sale.
Worked example — one café, first year
| One-off | Per month | First year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software (RetailPOS Starter) | — | ≈ £23 | ≈ £276 |
| Tablet | ≈ £300 | — | ≈ £300 |
| Thermal receipt printer | ≈ £150 | — | ≈ £150 |
| Card reader (your processor) | ≈ £50 | — | ≈ £50 |
| Card processing | — | a % of card sales | varies with volume |
| Estimated total (ex-processing) | ≈ £500 | ≈ £23 | ≈ £776 |
Hardware prices are indicative 2026 UK street prices. Processing depends on your provider and card mix. Many small cafés reuse an iPad they already own and add a reader later.
Flat-fee vs bundled, over three years
Bundled UK providers advertise a low or £0 monthly fee but take a fixed percentage of every card sale for as long as you trade. At higher volume that percentage becomes the biggest line on the bill and never falls. Flat per-shop software plus bring-your-own processing typically wins on three-year maths once you are past very low volume — see the full breakdown in how much a POS costs in 2026.
Frequently asked
- Is there a per-transaction fee on top of the plan?
- Not on RetailPOS — the only per-sale cost is card processing, paid to your own provider. Some bundled tills add fees; always read the monthly invoice.
- Do I have to buy hardware from the POS company?
- No — RetailPOS runs on an iPad or Android tablet and a standard receipt printer you buy once, with a reader from your chosen processor. No proprietary lease.
- What VAT applies to a UK café?
- The standard UK VAT rate is 20%; hot drinks are standard-rated. Check any price with the VAT calculator (select United Kingdom).
Open your shop in 30 seconds.
No card. Free until your first 100 sales. Bring your own Stripe; keep your hardware.