Restaurant POS system with no monthly software fee
Short answer: Ser.vi is a restaurant POS with $0 monthly software. Staff-entered POS orders are 3.0% + 20¢, paid by the restaurant by default; you can pass it to customers with a cash discount program, and most of our POS restaurants do (see pricing). The same menu powers commission-free online ordering (the guest pays 5%; you pay 0% commission) and QR self-service. No software contract; hardware is separate and offered on terms.
Limited Inventory Items
Set limited QOH on items that auto sell out as you take orders
Gift Cards Issue and Redeem
Delight guests with gift cards that you issue or sell and redeem
Fast table side payments
Reduce trips to the table with tableside payment mobile app
What is a restaurant POS system?
A restaurant point of sale (POS) is the software and hardware your team uses to take orders, send tickets, take payment, and track what sold. An integrated restaurant POS also shares one menu with online ordering and QR order-and-pay, so you aren't updating separate menus.
Ser.vi POS covers counter service, table tabs, and bar tabs, with secure staff PIN login, comps and voids, split payments up to 8 ways, item variants and modifiers, gift cards, and tableside payments on our hardware.
What Ser.vi restaurant POS costs
"No monthly fee" means no software subscription. It doesn't mean zero card fees or free hardware.
| Ser.vi | Square for Restaurants (published) | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly POS software | $0 | Free $0 · Plus $49 · Premium $149 per location |
| In-person card processing | 3.0% + 20¢ per POS transaction, paid by the restaurant by default (cash discount available) | 2.6% / 2.5% / 2.4% + 15¢ by plan |
| Direct online ordering | 0% commission to you; the guest pays 5% at checkout | 3.3% + 30¢ (Free) or 2.9% + 30¢ (Plus, Premium) |
| Software contract | None | See Square's site |
| Hardware | Your existing iPad, or Ser.vi hardware on terms | Sold separately |
Ser.vi: our pricing page. Square: Square's restaurant pricing page, read October 18, 2026. Prices change. Square is a trademark of its owner; Ser.vi is not affiliated with Square. More: Square for Restaurants alternative · Toast POS alternative · Clover alternative · SpotOn alternative · iPad POS for restaurants · TouchBistro alternative · Lightspeed alternative · Is a free restaurant POS really free? · Cash discount vs surcharge
All Order Types In One System
One fast, clean interface your team can learn in minutes.
Counter
- Fast one order one payment
- Dedicated station mode
- Put guest names on orders
Table Tabs
- Open table tabs
- Transfer tables
- Split payments
Bar Tabs
- Supports name only and card retained tabs
- Support multiple bars per location
- Transfer tab to table when guest is seated
Secure Staff Pin login
Track orders and cash drawer opens for each staff
POS Staff Manager
Quickly add and edit staff pins as a manager
Multiple Service modes
Configure each device for specific service modes
Comp & Voids items on tabs
Track comp and voids track by servers
Split Payments
Take partial cash, credit or gift card payments up to 8 ways
Item options
Support variant (size) selection and required or optional modifiers
The POS runs on your existing iPad or on our hardware, on terms — ask about payment options.
Software has no monthly fee. Hardware is on terms — ask about payment options. Toast POS alternative with no monthly software fee · What a free restaurant POS really costs · Square for Restaurants alternative.
Counter terminals
Ser.vi hardware
Tableside & handheld
On terms — ask about payment options
Station hardware
Restaurant-grade terminals
Intuitive Software. Robust Hardware.
Everything you need to streamline your restaurant operations.
Easy to Use Software
- Access anywhere, anytime
- Minimal training required
- Runs on your iPad or Ser.vi hardware
Popular Payment Options
- Mobile or counter terminals
- Accept cash or credit card
- Supports chip, pin, tap & swipe
Built for Restaurants
- Rugged and spill proof
- Sleek aesthetics & lockable cash drawer
- Reliable receipt & kitchen printers
Customer Facing Display
- Tilt screen or dedicated second display
- Easy for customers to tip
- Enter phone for marketing & loyalty
The Connected Hub
Ser.vi sits at the center of your operation
Fast table side payments
Save back and forth trips to process payment and tip by using our mobile payment terminal for an efficient payment processing experience.
- Turn tables faster
- Auto process split payments
- Tip entry screen with custom tip
- Digital signature form
Issue and redeem gift cards
Delight guests with custom printed physical gift cards that promote your brand and restaurant to their friends and family.
- Issue custom printed gift cards in any denomination
- Redeem gift cards as a payment type
- Split payments with giftcards
- Add money to balances of giftcards
- One time or reusable physical cards
Take orders online with your Integrated POS
Easily take orders online when you use the Integrated POS. We have a superior online ordering system experience your guests will love.
- Single menu to manage
- Sales reporting all in one place
- Inventory automatically syncs
- Single payment processing account
Restaurant POS FAQ
Is Ser.vi restaurant POS really free?
The software has no monthly fee. Card processing still applies: 3.0% + 20¢ on staff-entered POS orders, paid by the restaurant by default, with a cash discount program available to pass it on. The POS runs on your existing iPad; Ser.vi hardware is optional. On online orders, the guest pays 5%.
Does the restaurant POS include online ordering?
Yes. POS, online ordering, and QR self-service run on one menu. Online orders are 0% commission to you; the guest pays 5% at checkout.
Is there a contract?
Online ordering and POS software have no contract. Hardware financing is a separate agreement if you choose it.
Can I pass POS fees to customers?
Yes, with a cash discount program, and most of our POS restaurants use it. Rules vary by state and card brand, so confirm your setup with your processor.
What hardware does Ser.vi POS run on?
Your existing iPad (iPadOS 15 or later), or Ser.vi hardware: counter terminals, tableside and handheld devices, and station hardware, offered on terms. Ask about payment options on the demo.
How do I see it before switching?
Request a free 20-minute demo. We'll walk through POS, online ordering, and QR self-service on one call.
More: No-contract restaurant POS · Request a free 20-minute demo
Ready to switch to a better POS?
No monthly software fee. No software contract; hardware financing is separate if you choose it. Just a powerful POS that works for your restaurant. Compare to Toast in our Toast POS alternative guide.