Point of Sale Guide • 2025 Edition
Best Affordable POS Systems in the Philippines (Full 2025 Pricing Guide)
Compare POS costs for sari-sari stores, cafés, restaurants, and salons. Includes monthly fees, hardware, hidden charges, timelines, and vendor picks Filipino MSMEs actually use.
Why this POS pricing guide matters
99.5% of businesses in the Philippines are MSMEs. Most owners start with notebooks or Excel until long queues, inaccurate inventory, and tax stress require a POS upgrade. The real blocker? Cost confusion. Monthly fees, hardware, payment processing, and “optional” add-ons can double the price if you’re not careful.
This 2025 guide breaks down realistic POS pricing in the Philippines, highlights affordable systems (Peddlr, Maya POS, UTAK, Tagrain), and shows which setup works by business size. Use this before you commit to a contract or swipe your card for hardware you don’t need.
POS Pricing Breakdown in the Philippines
Monthly Software Fees (₱0 – ₱5,000+)
- Entry level (₱1,500 – ₱3,000): sari-sari stores, small cafés, single-branch retail
- Mid-range (₱3,000 – ₱5,000+): growing restaurants, multi-terminal shops, multi-branch setups
- Free tiers: workable for basics but limited analytics and inventory depth
Hardware & One-Time Costs
- Tablet-based POS starter kit: ₱8,000 – ₱15,000
- Thermal receipt printer: ₱3,000 – ₱6,000
- Cash drawer: ₱2,000 – ₱4,000
- Proprietary/locked terminals: ₱20,000 – ₱40,000+
- Setup & installation fees: one-time (varies) or waived if self-install
One-Time vs Recurring
One-time: hardware, implementation, cabling, optional onsite training
Recurring: monthly POS subscription, payment processing %, add-ons (inventory depth, loyalty, integrations)
Popular Local Options
- Peddlr: free core POS, paid analytics
- Maya POS: bundled with digital payments
- UTAK: ₱1,500/month restaurant-friendly plan
- Tagrain: modular pricing; watch paid plugins
Top 4 Affordable POS Systems MSMEs Use
Peddlr – Free POS System
Best for micro retail & sari-sari stores
- Pricing: Free core POS, optional paid tiers
- Features: sales tracker, simple inventory, printable receipts
- Limitations: inventory depth and analytics are basic
- Setup: same day (mobile or tablet)
Maya POS – Mobile Payments + POS
Best for cafés & pop-ups that want cashless first
- Pricing: bundled with Maya Business accounts; varies per volume
- Features: QR + card payments, basic POS screens, digital receipts
- Best fit: café kiosks, event pop-ups, on-the-go selling
- Setup: 1–3 days (KYC + hardware delivery)
UTAK – ₱1,500/month Restaurant POS
Restaurants, cafés, small retail
- Pricing: starts around ₱1,500/month
- Features: kitchen routing, multi-user access, tablet POS
- Strength: balanced cost vs functionality
- Setup: 1–2 days including basic training
Tagrain – Modular POS with Plugins
SMEs that need flexibility & custom workflows
- Pricing: low base fee + paid add-ons per module
- Features: customizable workflows, multi-store inventory
- Watch out: extra cashiers, loyalty, or advanced reports cost more
- Setup: 2–5 days depending on modules
📊POS System Comparison (2025)
| POS System | Monthly Cost | Free Trial | Setup Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peddlr | ₱0+ (paid analytics optional) | Yes | Same day | Micro retail, sari-sari, pop-ups |
| Maya POS | Varies (bundled with processing) | Limited | 1–3 days | Cashless-focused cafés & retail |
| UTAK | ~₱1,500/month | Yes | 1–2 days | Small restaurants, multi-cashier retail |
| Tagrain | Low base + paid plugins | Yes | 2–5 days | SMEs needing modular features |
Hidden Costs Filipino SME Owners Should Watch
Common Surprise Fees
- Payment processing: 2.5% – 3.5% per card/QR transaction
- Extra cashier or staff accounts
- Priority or phone support locked behind higher tiers
- Discounted monthly rates only if you pay annually
- Mandatory add-ons for inventory, loyalty, or kitchen routing
How to protect your budget
- Request a written quote showing software, hardware, and payment fees separately
- Ask how many devices, branches, or staff accounts are included
- Clarify the lock-in period and exit fees
- Use the free trial during peak hours to test speed and offline mode
POS Setup Timeline (What to Expect)
Free Trial
14–30 days depending on plan
Basic Setup
1–3 days incl. app install & menu encoding
Inventory Encoding
1–7 days depending on SKUs
Staff Training
1–2 weeks (cashiers & supervisors)
Best Affordable POS by Business Type
Restaurants & Cafés
- UTAK: kitchen display, modifiers, multi-user
- Tagrain + restaurant modules: for multi-branch or franchised stores
- Maya POS: if cashless & delivery QR payments are priority
Retail & Sari-Sari Stores
- Peddlr: free tier for sari-sari, upgrade when inventory grows
- UTAK: reliable for single-branch boutiques
- Low-cost Android POS: tablet + Bluetooth printer for pop-ups
Salons & Service Businesses
- Tagrain: service-based modules and appointments
- UTAK: works if you need multiple staff logins + cash drawer
Growing Multi-Branch SMEs
- Pick a system with centralized reporting (Tagrain, UTAK enterprise tiers)
- Validate API/integration costs early
- Budget for hardware refresh every 2–3 years
Common POS Pain Points (and How to Avoid Them)
Real SME complaints
- Slow checkout during peak hours
- Inventory not syncing between terminals
- Customer support that disappears after installation
- Fees that suddenly jump when you scale
- No offline mode when internet drops
Prevent issues by:
- Stress-testing the POS during busy hours before paying upfront
- Documenting SLA/support channels in the contract
- Checking if offline mode still records sales + prints receipts
- Starting with monthly plans before committing annually
Free POS vs Paid POS (When to Upgrade)
Free POS (e.g., Peddlr Free Tier)
- Great for micro/sari-sari stores to learn digital selling
- Use when SKUs are low and reporting is simple
- Expect upgrades within 6–12 months once you add staff or inventory depth
Paid POS (UTAK, Tagrain, Maya POS)
- Required if you need kitchen printing, multi-branch reports, or user-level permissions
- Budget ₱1,500 – ₱5,000 per month per business (or per terminal) for serious operations
- Ask for bundle discounts if you roll out multiple stores
Affordable POS Features Checklist
Use this quick list before you finalize any POS subscription.
- ✅ Offline mode & cached sales
- ✅ Real-time inventory per terminal
- ✅ Accepts cash, card, QR, e-wallets
- ✅ Sales & BIR-compliant reports
- ✅ User roles & cashier logins
- ✅ Multi-branch scalability
- ✅ Exportable data for accounting tools
- ✅ Transparent add-on pricing
FAQ: Affordable POS Systems in the Philippines
What is the cheapest POS system in the Philippines?
Peddlr’s free tier is the most accessible for sari-sari stores and micro-retail. You only pay if you upgrade to pro analytics.
How much should I budget monthly?
Plan ₱1,500 – ₱3,000 for entry-level paid POS. Add ₱2,000 – ₱4,000 more if you need additional terminals or premium support.
Are there free POS systems?
Yes. Peddlr and some mobile POS apps offer free versions. They’re enough for testing but limited for multi-branch or inventory-heavy businesses.
How long does implementation take?
Most SMEs go live within a week—1–2 days for setup, another few days for encoding inventory, plus a week for staff training.
Do I need expensive hardware?
Not always. Tablets with Bluetooth printers work for small stores. Only invest in proprietary terminals if the vendor requires it for advanced features.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Choosing the best affordable POS for your Philippine business isn’t about picking the cheapest sticker price—it’s about knowing what costs repeat every month and what features actually save you time. Compare at least two vendors, insist on a full cost breakdown, and pressure-test the POS during your free trial before signing a multi-year contract.
Before you commit:
- ✅ Run the free trial during peak hours
- ✅ Request a live demo with your actual menu or inventory
- ✅ Compare hardware bundles vs BYOD (bring your own devices)
- ✅ Confirm offline mode, receipts, and BIR report formats
A POS should reduce stress—not add to it. Take your time, ask the hard questions, and only pay when the numbers make sense.