9 of the Best Cash Registers for Small Businesses
With so many cash registers and POS systems to choose from, choosing the best cash register for your small business may seem taxing. However, we know what it takes to find a system for receiving payments at your business or restaurant, and we’re here to help.
Let’s take a look at some of the very best cash registers and POS systems for small businesses.
Table of Contents
- 1 What to Look for in a Cash Register for Small Businesses
- 2 Best Cash Registers for Small Businesses: At a Glance
- 3 Best Manual Cash Registers for Small Businesses
- 4 1 – Sam4s ER 940
- 5 2 – Sharp XE-A207
- 6 3 – Sharp XE-A407 Thermal 99 Dept Cash Register
- 7 4 – ROYAL Consumer 39285K Alpha 1100ML Cash Register
- 8 Best POS Cash Registers for Small Businesses
- 9 1 – Square Register
- 10 2 – Clover Station Duo
- 11 3 – Toast Countertop
- 12 4. EPOS Now Hospitality POS System
- 13 5 – SumUp POS Pro
- 14 Final Thoughts
What to Look for in a Cash Register for Small Businesses
When you’re looking for the best cash register for a restaurant or another small business, there are many aspects to consider. Below, we’ll highlight some of the criteria that we look for in a cash register or a POS with a cash register.
- Size and capabilities – The best cash register for a small business doesn’t need to have all the bells and whistles. A larger business may require more robust features. When analyzing cash registers and POS systems, we check that the device or system has the size and capabilities required by the target business type.
- Security features – You want to ensure that your hard-earned money is safe once you place it within the register. We look for safety features like end-to-end encryption (for digital payments) and a locking cash drawer.
- Inventory tracking – In many cases, your cash register integrates with your point of sale system. We like to recommend devices that help you to track inventory as well.
- Receipt printing options – Customers expect receipts when they make a purchase, even from a small business. We always take a close look at the receipt printing options on offer to see that the device meets these needs.
- Ease of use – When you introduce a new device to your staff, it’s essential that they can learn how to use it quickly and efficiently. For this reason, we like to recommend devices and systems that are easy to use and don’t have too steep a learning curve.
- Cost – The best cash register for a small business needs to fit into the limited budget that businesses usually have at that size. We try to recommend devices that have an affordable budget.
- Brand reputation – While there are some good cash registers out there that don’t come from a well-known brand, the best cash register for your small business is probably going to be one from a brand with a good reputation.
These are just a few of the things we looked at when recommending the best cash registers for small businesses. Now, let’s take a closer look at the details involved.
Best Cash Registers for Small Businesses: At a Glance
We know that there’s a lot to take in, so we’ve created this useful chart with all the vital information about the best cash registers and POS systems.
Best Manual Cash Registers for Small Businesses
We all know and love manual cash registers. They’re reliable, stable, and can be really easy to use. In some cases, they even link to more modern solutions like POS systems and store management software. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the best manual cash registers for smaller businesses.
1 – Sam4s ER 940
This is, deservedly, considered the best manual cash register for restaurants, but it also works well for general retail applications. The ability to set various clerks and cashiers makes it perfect for small businesses with large staff.
Key Features
- Two-line alpha-numeric display
- Large programmable keyboard
- Thermal printing
- Electronic journal
- Up to 2,000 PLU’s
- Up to 50 clerks/cashiers
- Automatic tax computation
- Ten media keys
- Compulsory cash declaration
- SD card slot for backups
Pricing
This device will cost you around $400 to $600, depending on whether you buy new or refurbished.
2 – Sharp XE-A207
This model is one of the best for bars and small restaurants. It offers many excellent features, including a wide range of PLUs and the ability to program 99 individual departments.
Key Features
- Menu-based control system
- 2500 PLUs (price look-ups)
- 99 departments
- Thermal printing
- SD card slot
- PC Link software
- Direct credit card terminal connection
- Two lines display
- English/Spanish menu options
- QuickBooks Pro link
Pricing
Expect to pay around $500 for this machine.
3 – Sharp XE-A407 Thermal 99 Dept Cash Register
This is probably the best manual cash register for small retail stores. It has a wide range of features and allows you to add many employees and price look-ups. These features make it ideal for small businesses with many products.
Key Features
- Dual thermal receipt printing
- 7,000 price look-ups (PLUs)
- 99 departments
- 40 clerk IDs
- 3.7-inch LCD operator display
- Fast thermal printing
- PC Link (Via SD card)
- Graphic logo generator
Pricing
This device will cost you around $400-600.
4 – ROYAL Consumer 39285K Alpha 1100ML Cash Register
If you’re looking for a manual cash register for retail and small restaurants, then this is it. With its beautiful display and sales tracking abilities, you can easily keep track of who sells what and general progress.
Key Features
- Process cash and credit card payments
- 10-Inch LCD display
- Thermal receipt printer
- Sales tracking abilities
- Number of departments for sales analysis by category of merchandise
- Clerk ID system
- Alpha keyboard for faster programming
- Heavy-duty locking cash drawer
- Ability to connect with barcode scanners
- SD card slot for data transfer
Pricing
This device has a price range of between $200 and $300, possibly less if you buy a refurbished device.
Best POS Cash Registers for Small Businesses
While most people still think of manual cash registers when they think of receiving payments in their stores or restaurants, times are rapidly changing. In some cases, a digital POS system (with a cash register) may be more reliable or affordable than buying a manual cash register.
Below, we’ll discuss some of the best POS systems with cash registers for your small business.
1 – Square Register
The Square register gives you many great features, while still offering you the capabilities of a POS system. It can link into a range of other Square hardware to give you more versatility.
Key Features
- All-in-one system
- Dual touchscreens
- Payment processing
- Offline payments
- Point-of-sale software
- Ease of use
- Free software updates
- Inventory management tools
- Sales tracking abilities
- Customer management
- Integrates with other Square products
- Quick funds processing
- Mobile payments
- Inventory management
- Reporting tools
Pricing
You can expect to pay either $799 or $39 per month for this register.
2 – Clover Station Duo
The Clover Station Duo is an excellent choice for small restaurants and even retail, thanks to its two opposing screens, which make it easy for both customers and clerks to see the details.
Key Features
- All-in-one POS system
- 14″ HD merchant-facing touchscreen
- 7″ customer-facing touch screen
- High-speed thermal receipt printer
- Accepts chip, swipe, and contactless payments
- Dual 5mp cameras with scanning software
- WiFi and ethernet connectivity
- Includes a bill tray, coin tray, two keys, and a security cable
- Virtual keypad for PIN entry
- Inventory management
- Staff management
- Reporting
- Customer list building
- Loyalty programs
- Excellent scalability
Pricing
This POS system costs anywhere from $1,799 plus an additional $49.95 per month.
3 – Toast Countertop
The Toast Countertop POS and register is an ideal choice for small restaurants and cafes thanks to the large number of restaurant-specific features on offer. From kitchen display to menu management, it is uniquely suited for these industries.
Key Features
- Table management
- Menu management
- Kitchen display system
- All-in-one solution
- Cost-effective
- Durable and versatile
- Android terminal
- Toast Tap
- Software features
- Ideal for full-service restaurants
Pricing
When you use the Toast Countertop POS system, there are no upfront fees (on the Pay-as-You-Go plan). Instead, you pay a slightly higher processing fee (3.09% – 3.69% + 15¢), which covers the cost of the hardware.
4. EPOS Now Hospitality POS System
This particular POS system is excellent for any type of small restaurant, BnB, bar, or other form of hospitality business. It has many hospitality-specific features, which makes it one of the best cash registers for small hospitality businesses.
Key Features
- Complete POS system (touchscreen terminal, receipt printer, and cash drawer)
- Inventory management tools
- Table and menu management abilities
- Payment processing includes chip and pin, swipe, contactless, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
- Customer engagement tools
- Reporting and analytics tools
- Over 100 possible Integrations
Pricing
This system will cost you anywhere from $349 upwards.
5 – SumUp POS Pro
The SumUp POS Pro system is ideal for everything from small retail outlets to small restaurants and pubs.
Key Features
- All-in-one solution
- Easy orders
- Accept any type of payment
- Valuable data and reports
- Easy to use, Intuitive design
- Fully customisable
- Table management (restaurant)
- Send orders to kitchen (restaurant)
- Delivery app integrations (restaurant)
- Fast menu changes (restaurant)
- Real-time stock updates (retail)
- E-commerce integrations (retail)
- Multi-store management (retail)
- Powerful data and reporting
- Build a personalized hardware setup
Pricing
This POS system will cost you $799 once-off or $39 per month.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the best cash register for your small business, then this list is a great place to start. Whether you’re looking for a standard manual cash register or a POS tie-in that gives you all the advantages of a digital system, we’ve got you covered.
If you think that you’d like the benefit of a POS system, but you’re not 100% certain which system is right for you, try out our POS comparison tool. It’s 100% free, and will help you find what you need.
