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When you’re choosing a point-of-sale system, you’re looking for something simple, reliable and flexible — software that helps you take payments anywhere and keeps your day-to-day running without surprise fees. But many POS providers charge monthly subscriptions, add hidden costs or lock key features behind premium plans. Finding a free POS system that still delivers real value can make a big difference for growing businesses.
Today’s POS technology is doing more than just ringing up sales. For example, 88% of Canadian restaurant leaders want solutions that help them streamline orders placed online, in person and through delivery apps, according to the Square Future of Restaurants 2025 report. Modern POS tech can help businesses do just that — along with offering tools that support operations like inventory management, sales performance, and even staff scheduling.
Free POS software like Square POS is built to meet the needs of modern businesses. Whether you’re running a one-person operation, managing a team, selling on the go, booking appointments or working remotely, it gives you the tools to stay on top of it all. And because it’s a POS without monthly fees, you can access the features that matter most without being locked into a subscription.
Here’s the lowdown on what’s included, how it works and why so many business owners choose Square to power their checkout.
More than 4 million merchants use Square free POS software
From local retailers and market stalls to service-based businesses and non-profits, millions of sellers use Square free POS software to help them run and grow their operations.
The core software is free — no setup charges, monthly subscription, hidden fees or long-term commitment required. You only pay a small transaction fee when you take a payment, with clear, flat-rate processing fees. And if you need extra tools as your business grows, like advanced features, hardware or add-ons, you can choose and pay for only what you need.
It’s easy to get started, and you don’t need a merchant account to accept payments. Here’s a snapshot of standard rates per transaction with Square:
- 2.5% for in-person payments
- 3.3% + 15¢ for manually entered card payments
- 2.8% + 30¢ for online store payments
- 2.8% + 30¢ for invoice payments
- Custom rates available for businesses processing over $250,000 annually
“I don’t have any formal background in business, so the fewer barriers I run into, the better. When we opened the store, I’d already had positive experiences with Square Reader. Once I saw all the features and integrations, I knew Square would make my life a lot easier,” said Brandon Shedden, owner of Cakeworthy.
Advanced features in the Square free POS system
Square’s free point of sale system does more than just process payments — it’s a powerful tool for managing sales, inventory and customer relationships in one place. Here are just some of the features included in the free plan:
- Sales reporting and analytics: Track top-selling items, monitor trends and view real-time performance.
- Inventory management: Stay on top of stock with alerts, modifiers and item-level details.
- Multi-location support: Manage sales and inventory across multiple sites from a single account.
- Flexible payment methods: Accept tap, dip, swipe and mobile payments like Apple Pay. Pair your POS with optional Square hardware to suit your needs.
- Virtual Terminal: Turn your computer into a web POS and take payments remotely.
- Receipts and tipping: Offer digital or printed receipts, and accept tips in-app or on paper.
- Offline payments: Keep making sales even when your internet connection drops.*
- Invoicing tools: Send one-time or recurring invoices straight from your phone or desktop.
- Card on File: Speed up checkout for your regular customers by securely storing their payment info.
- Split tender and open tickets: Easily manage group payments and running tabs.
“We needed a turnkey system that was all-in-one, where we didn’t need to buy different software or equipment. We wanted something that would be simple for both the customer and the guide, as well as for business administration purposes. We really wanted an easy system, and Square was perfect,” said Karl Magnone, president of Tite Frette Microbrew.
Robust point-of-sale software with no monthly fees
Square’s free POS software includes a wide range of built-in features to help you run your business, with no monthly subscription required. You only pay for what you use, like payment processing or optional add-ons. Here’s how the pricing breaks down by feature:
| POS Software Features | What You Get | Square’s Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Accepts all major credit cards |
Take payments from all major card brands — including Visa, Mastercard and American Express — with one simple, flat rate. No hidden card network fees; everything’s included in Square’s standard processing rate. | 2.5% per in-person transaction |
| No monthly software fee | No subscription costs, no lock-in contracts, no setup fees. The free plan includes everything you need to start selling in person, online, over the phone or out in the field. | Free |
| Sales reporting and analytics | View real-time sales data, top-selling items, trends and more from your mobile device or desktop. Customizable, easy-to-read reports help you make more informed business decisions. Explore Square Analytics. | Free |
| Invoicing and recurring billing | Send professional digital invoices from your phone or computer, with options for one-time or recurring payments. Get paid fast and track invoice status in real time. Get started with invoicing. | Free to send — pay 2.8% + 30¢ per paid invoice |
| Offline payment processing | Keep selling even if your internet goes down. Payments process automatically once you’re back online.* Learn more about offline payments. | Free to enable — standard rate of 2.5% applies |
| Phone orders and remote payments (card-not-present transactions) | Take payments over the phone or manually enter card details by using either Virtual Terminal on your computer or the free POS software, Square Point of Sale. | 3.3% + 15¢ per keyed-in transaction |
| Proactive fraud protection |
Transactions are automatically monitored by Square’s system, which adapts in real time to spot and stop suspicious activity. Discover how Square protects your payments. |
Free |
| PCI compliance | Square handles PCI compliance for you — no extra validation steps, third-party tools or added fees. Your customer data is encrypted and protected. What is PCI compliance? | Free |
| Customer support | Reach Square’s support team by phone, email or through the Support Center whenever you need help. | Free |
“We’ve seen an increase in customers of almost 15% to 20% since we got Square,” said Dimitri Chapuis, president and administrator of Papillote et Cie.
Affordable POS hardware to match
Free POS software gives you everything you need to start selling — and adding POS hardware can streamline checkout even further, helping you move faster, stay organized, cut down on lines and create a better experience for your customers. This is especially true in customer-facing or busy environments.
For example, Square Handheld is a slim, lightweight POS device that fits in your pocket — ideal for taking orders and payments anywhere on the sales floor or tableside. Staff can ring up sales, apply discounts and complete checkouts on the spot. Plus, it comes with a built-in barcode scanner and camera to help with cart building and inventory management.
“The first thing customers see when they come up to the counter is the Square Register. The design fits so well with our brand. People see the look of it and they trust that we know what we’re doing,” said Dallah El Chami, owner of Superbaba.
Whether you’re looking for something compact and mobile or a full countertop solution, Square offers user-friendly hardware designed to work seamlessly with your setup. See which hardware suits your business.
How Square builds the best point-of-sale system for small businesses
Square started with a simple idea: accepting payments should be simple and accessible for everyone. That’s why its POS software is designed to support businesses of all shapes and sizes with smart tools, reliable service and pricing that’s easy to understand.
As your business grows, Square grows with you — from marketing and loyalty programs to team scheduling and shift management — all integrated into the same POS system. Every new product and feature is shaped by the challenges businesses face day to day, helping to support your needs better.
“We felt in good hands when the time came to integrate our new inventory management solution. Their team listens very well and allows us to focus on what we do best: helping our clients bring out the best version of themselves,” said Louis-Charles Plante, general manager of Surmesur Men’s Clothing Boutique.
Ready to get started? It’s fast to sign up and start accepting payments with Square POS. Create your free Square account.
Free POS system FAQs
What is free point-of-sale (POS) software?
Free POS software lets businesses take payments, track sales and manage operations without paying monthly software fees. Square’s free POS includes a range of essential features such as inventory tracking, reporting and invoicing, all designed to help businesses run smoothly from day one.
What is the best free POS software in Canada?
There are several POS providers in Canada, and the best POS system for your business depends on your unique needs. Square consistently tops the list thanks to its comprehensive features, user-friendliness and transparent per-transaction pricing.
Are free POS systems suitable for small businesses in Canada?
Absolutely — and if you own a small business, you’re better off starting with a free solution that can grow with you. You keep costs as low as possible white still having access to more advanced tools when you need them.
Is a free POS system compliant with Canadian tax regulations (GST/HST)?
If you’re doing business in Canada, it should be. Square supports GST/HST tracking and integrates with popular accounting software to help you stay compliant with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requirements.
What types of Canadian businesses can use a free POS system?
Practically any. If you take payments from customers, you can benefit from using a free POS. From retailers and restaurants to beauty salons and mobile vendors, Square supports businesses of all types and sizes.
Can free POS systems handle tips?
Yes, a good free POS system includes tipping options at checkout, whether it’s an online or in-person transaction.
*Offline payments are processed automatically when you reconnect your device to the internet and will be declined if you do not reconnect to the internet within 24 hours of taking your first offline payment. By enabling offline payments, you are responsible for any expired, declined, or disputed payments accepted while offline. Square is unable to provide customer contact information for payments declined while offline. Offline payments are not supported on older versions of Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st generation – v1 and v2). Click here for help identifying your contactless reader. Learn more about how to enable and use offline payments here.
