Running a restaurant is expensive enough. Your POS system should not add to the cost. Here is everything you need to know about using a free POS for your restaurant in 2026 — KDS, modifiers, splits, all of it.
The requirements
What a restaurant POS must have
Not every POS works for restaurants. You need a specific feature set, and missing any one of these will hurt your service.
- Table management — assign orders to tables, move between tables
- Kitchen Display System (KDS) — push orders to a kitchen screen
- Modifiers — "no onion", "extra cheese", "medium rare"
- Split bills — by item, by person, or custom amount
- Course firing — control when each course goes to the kitchen
- Tips — tip prompts at checkout
- Delivery integration — Uber Eats, DoorDash, Zomato, Swiggy
NexPOS for restaurants
Free plan features
- Unlimited orders and transactions
- Product categories (Appetizers, Mains, Drinks, Desserts)
- Customer database with order history
- Basic sales reports
- Multi-currency support (great for tourist areas)
- Works on iPad, Android tablet, or any phone
Essential plan ($4.99/mo) — restaurant must-haves
- Kitchen Display System (KDS)
- Product modifiers (customizations)
- Advanced analytics (peak hours, top dishes)
- Barcode scanning for retail items
- Receipt customization
Head-to-head
How other restaurant POS systems compare
| Feature | NexPOSWinner | Square Restaurant | Toast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $0 – $4.99 | $60/mo | $69/mo |
| Transaction fees | None | 2.6% + 10¢ | 2.49% + 15¢ |
| KDS | $4.99/mo | Included at $60 | Included at $69 |
| Hardware required | No — any device | Square Terminal | Toast hardware |
| Contract | None | None | 2-year commit |
Stop paying Toast $69/month
Run your restaurant on NexPOS — free, with KDS at $4.99/mo when you need it.
Start Free NowFrom a real restaurant owner
“We switched from Square to NexPOS and saved $120/month in fees alone. The KDS works great with our kitchen workflow.”
