Free POS software vs. free hardware: what is included?
Free POS software removes the software subscription named in the offer. It does not automatically include a tablet, card terminal, printer or free card processing. For an eligible US merchant, VoVi software is US$0 a month with VoVi’s processor, subject to approval, or US$99 a month per location with another processor. Hardware and processing are separate.
Put each use of “free” on its own line
A useful quote tells you which cost is zero, for how long, and under which conditions. Software, physical equipment, a trial period and payment processing solve different parts of the checkout. Treat each as a separate agreement until the seller confirms otherwise. A no-upfront-payment device may still carry recurring or return obligations; ask what happens when you stop using the service.
| Offer wording | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Free software | Monthly software price, required processor and qualifying locations. |
| Free hardware | Exact device, ownership, delivery charges, return rules and replacement costs. |
| Free trial | End date, what changes afterward and whether billing needs a separate choice. |
| No monthly fee | Whether transaction, hardware, add-on or support charges remain. |
The tablet and the card terminal have different jobs
The register creates the basket and records the sale. The card terminal handles the card payment through its processor. A device that opens your POS in a browser is not, by itself, evidence that a particular reader, printer or scanner works with it. Write down the device model, operating system, connection and required accessories before buying.
Provider rules can also tie a reader to a payment service. Shopify’s official reader guide, for example, distinguishes its supported readers using Shopify Payments from external readers. That illustrates why “I own a card reader” is an incomplete compatibility check; it does not imply that one provider’s equipment will transfer to another.
Build a counter list before requesting a bundle
Start with the equipment you have and mark each item as confirmed reusable, needs testing, or needs purchase. Include the ordinary small costs: stands, cables, receipt paper and a secure place for cash. If a receipt printer is optional for your workflow, keep it optional in the quote rather than letting a bundle decide for you.
- Register device: exact model and supported software version.
- Payment terminal: processor account, connection and refund workflow.
- Scanner and printer: test your actual barcode and a complete receipt.
- Ownership: purchase, rental or loan, with an exit cost for each.
Use the same total-cost question for both software options
Ask what your business would pay during a normal month and during the first year. Add the software charge, the complete processing estimate, equipment payments and any required extras. Put one-time purchases on a separate line. A lower monthly total may take time to recover the cash spent changing hardware.
For VoVi’s US offer, processor approval and its written terms are part of the decision. If keeping your present processor is better for the shop, use the US$99-per-location software option in the comparison. The free-software offer is not a claim that every business will have a lower overall bill.
Leave the conversation with a complete written offer
Keep the software terms, processing quote and equipment list together. Ask the seller to name every item that is included, optional or paid separately, and to identify who supports each device. Then perform a sale and a refund using the proposed setup. The goal is a counter you understand, with costs you can reproduce, before the first customer arrives.
Sources & verification
Provider details can change. Confirm your written quote and local requirements before signing.