The Right Cash Register for a Small Business: Our Top Picks for 2024

If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for your small business, the cloud-based Square Register is a great option. In addition to a robust POS system that works on iOS and Android devices and Square’s proprietary hardware, it includes credit card processing, as well as inventory and employee management. The features available with this easy to program cash register for a small retail business are some of the most advanced on the market.

You don’t have to be tech-savvy to set up and use Square Register. It comes with a built-in credit card reader, so you can start taking payments right away. If you face any obstacles, you can turn to Square’s Support section, which offers featured articles on a range of topics, or connect with peers through the Seller Community section.

Square’s easy-to-use touchscreen registers support barcode item sales. You can purchase a barcode scanner and add it to the Accessory Hub, which has five USB ports. Meanwhile, its intuitive dashboard is accessible from every browser.

Aside from an intuitive touch screen, this cash register for a small business includes a robust POS system. It provides powerful analytics tools to help you track your sales and inventory and export data and reports. It also enables real-time tracking and provides quantity updates. If you’re running a restaurant, you’ll love the Square for Restaurants plan for creating menus, managing tables, taking tips, and more. Square also offers a customer loyalty program.

With Square Register, you’ll be able to accept credit, debit, contactless, and chip payments, as well as cash and gift cards. Sales can be accepted and processed even without an internet connection, but in those cases, you run the risk of accepting payments from declined cards.

Furthermore, you have the option to either print or send receipts via email and SMS. It goes without saying that knowing how to handle both receipts and invoices is an important part of any business.

On the flip side, if you’re struggling to choose the right cash register for your small business, keep in mind that this model doesn’t come with a cash drawer and printer.

When it comes to costs, Square Register is an expensive option. Be ready to part with $799 in one go or pay $39 in monthly installments for 24 months. Even though it charges 2.6% and an additional 10c per tap, dip, or swipe, there aren’t any monthly or hidden fees.

Similar to the SAM4s model, the Sharp XEA207 offers a more traditional approach to processing payments. It’s a perfect fit for small retailers or cafe and restaurant owners who are on a budget and don’t need extra features. In other words, this simple cash register for a small business covers the basics.

Sharp XEA207 features a sizable multi-line operator LCD display that comes with a one-line customer display. It has a quiet thermal receipt printer and a full-size cash drawer.

The user-friendly register is easy to operate. The product contains guided menu-based programming for easy set-up and a built-in SD card slot for program backup and easy data transfer, backup, and cloning.

Even though this cash register machine for a small business doesn’t have as many features as some of the other models on this list, Sharp XEA207 has the tools that help you run your business smoothly. The features include periodic transaction, clerk, PLU, and hourly reports. There is also an electronic journal for activity history.

It includes four programmable tax rates, automatic VAT calculations, and excellent credit card reader support. We love that there’s an option for QuickBooks Pro export with PC-Link software, which simplifies the accounting process.

Other key benefits include its ability to store 2,500 PLUs while supporting 99 departments and 25 clerks, making Sharp XEA207 the best cash register for a small retail business or a busy cafe.

This model works for both cash and check sales and has a terminal for credit cards that links directly to the cash register. When it comes to the price tag, Sharp XEA207 is one of the more affordable options and is available with some vendors for as little as $393.

If you’re on a hunt for an old-school and affordable cash register for a small business, the SAM4s ER-180U is a suitable model. Even though it’s not as advanced as some of the other options on our list, it’s perfectly capable of handling your basic needs.

This SAM4s model is by far the easiest to use. There is a simple price display, and the machine comes with clear instructions. Due to its simplicity, the ER-180U is not as scalable as some of the other options on our list. But small retailers will appreciate the simple tools.

This easy cash register for small business needs doesn’t offer a POS system. However, it has some useful features to streamline the sales process. For example, it has a built-in thermal printer that prints receipts automatically. It also comes with a drawer, which has a single port for storing cash.

Other than these hardware features, the SAM4s ER-180U offers four programmable tax rates and lets users track sales transactions in an electronic journal that captures up to 2000 lines. This model includes basic report options such as a financial report, sales by the cashier, cash declaration, and price code look-ups.

On the flip side, this basic cash register for a small business doesn’t have an option for inventory tracking. It allows for up to ten clerks or cashiers with separate report totals, which is generally enough for small retailers.

As the model doesn’t come bundled with an integrated card reader, you’ll only be allowed to accept cash payments. If you purchase an external reader, you’ll be able to track checks and credit cards as well. The good news is that the register lets you accept split tender payments such as cash and charge.

SAM4s is a cheap cash register for small business owners, and you can get one for as little as $249.95. Of course, prices vary depending on the vendor.

The Epos Now Hospitality POS System is the ideal hardware bundle for restaurants, cafes, bars, and delis. It includes a complete POS system, along with cash till and a thermal printer, which is pretty much everything you need to manage hospitality businesses. The price tag is a bit higher than some of the other options on our list, but it’s worth it for the features and quality you get.

Epos is an easy to program cash register for small business owners who want a system that can grow with their business. The software allows you to manage different aspects of your business, such as inventory, customers, employees, and more.

If you’re not sure where to start, Epos Now offers complete installation, configuration, and training on how to use the system and software. With a simple interface and one-touch ordering, training your staff will be effortless. Finally, it has a large, waterproof touchscreen that makes ordering and payments a breeze, and you don’t have to worry about accidental spills.

The Epos digital cash register for a small business comes bundled with an advanced restaurant POS software that synchronizes all your orders and payment processing. It facilitates online ordering options and allows you to get advanced inventory checking right down to the ingredients. The system is also a useful tool for driving repeat business and loyalty via CRM software and promotions.

Epos offers robust intelligent sales insights and employee management features, including a staff time clock. It also lets you integrate with more than a hundred third-party apps such as Xero, Sage, Deliveroo, Nettl, and Mailchimp.

With Epos Now, payment transactions are a breeze, as the register allows you to accept payments via card, chip, tap, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and gift cards. Top-notch cash register software for a small business has prices that are often too high for many retailers and restaurant owners. The Epos system isn’t exactly the most affordable option on the market, but it isn’t the most expensive either. It’s currently available for $499 or $39 per month.

Also, note that you’ll have to purchase a barcode scanner, as it’s not included in the bundle. Finally, all Epos Now Payment terminals are PCI compliant through its encryption technology.

Vendors who can’t afford to stay glued to the counter or sell their products through an eCommerce platform should go for the Shopify Retail Kit. The kit includes an iPad stand, a card reader, charging docks, and cables. To start processing payments, you’ll need an iPad, a receipt printer, and a cash drawer.

The Shopify retail bundle might be the best cash register app for a small business and is perfect for those looking for a modern solution.

The software is fairly easy to use, with a modern and intuitive interface. Should you have any problems, you can turn to Shopify’s onboarding resources or the customer service team that is available 24/7. The dashboard grants users access to critical performance metrics, while the most expensive package allows up to 15 staff accounts.

The Shopify Retail Kit combines hardware and a POS system with advanced features which give you the ability to manage your inventory, customers, employees, and orders all in one place. With Shopify’s cash register app for a small business, you can offer a smooth multichannel selling experience, take and fulfill online orders, email purchase reminders, attach QR codes to products, create discounts, and much more.

When it comes to sales reports and analytics, Shopify is in a league of its own. You can get daily, finance, cash flow, and discount reports, among many others. We love the fact that you can create customer profiles and reward their loyalty.

Finally, you can have more than 6,000 integrations with some of the most popular apps to better cater to your customers’ needs.

With this Shopify cash register for small retail business owners, you can accept payments via Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and gift cards. The Shopify software is $79 per month with the standard plan.

You’ll also have to buy a hardware bundle that’s around $200, depending on the components. Don’t forget that Shopify charges a rate for credit card transactions. Depending on your pricing plan, you may have to pay 2.4%, 2.5%, or 2.7% + 0¢ USD. You can test things out with a 14-day free trial.