Free plan, paid kitchen display
MinimalPOS vs Square for Restaurants
Square's plan starts at zero, but the kitchen display is charged per screen every month and card processing must be Square's. MinimalPOS includes the kitchen display and leaves your payment arrangements alone.
The verdict
MinimalPOS vs Square for Restaurants
MinimalPOS
- Kitchen display included
- Table management included
- QR ordering included
- Keep your current payment provider
- Multi-outlet support included
$0
MinimalPOS is free
Square for Restaurants
- Charged $30/mo for every screen
- Requires the $49/mo Plus plan
- Sold as a paid add-on
- Square processing required, 2.6% + 10¢
- Plans are priced per location
$30+
per month, one kitchen screen
Best for restaurants that want a kitchen screen and tables without paying per device, per plan, or switching payment provider.
Start freeSquare is worth a look if you want your point of sale and your card processing from one company on matched hardware, and are willing to move your processing to get it.
Why restaurants pick MinimalPOS over Square for Restaurants
- Your kitchen needs a screen and you would rather not pay per device for it
- You already have payment arrangements you intend to keep
- You want QR ordering and table management without moving up a plan
- You want the same features in every market, not a regional subset
Published pricing
What Square for Restaurants charges.
- Free plan
- $0/month
- Plus · per location
- $49/month
- Premium · per location
- $149/month
- Kitchen display app · per device on the Free plan
- $30/month
- Kiosk app · per device
- $50/month
- Card processing · in person
- 2.6% + 10¢
Where they differ
Only the rows that are not the same.
| Criterion | MinimalPOS | Square for Restaurants |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $0 / $49 / $149 |
| QR ordering | Included | Paid add-on |
| Kitchen display | Included | $30/device/mo |
| Table management | Included | Plus plan |
| Staff roles & permissions | Included | Plus plan |
| Multi-outlet management | Included | Per location |
| White label | Available | No |
| Card payments | Keep your current providerRecords any payment method; does not process cards itself | Square processing required |
| Delivery orders | Built into the order flowEntered as delivery orders; no automatic sync from delivery apps | Via partners |
| Repeat customers | History, feedback and bookingsNo points or cashback programme | Points programme |
| Add-ons and extensions | Core features built inNo third-party app marketplace | App marketplace |
What to weigh up with Square for Restaurants
- The point of sale is free but the kitchen display is charged per device, per month
- Table management requires the paid Plus plan
- Card processing must go through Square, at 2.6% + 10¢ in person
- Feature availability varies considerably between markets
In fairness: Square bundles payments and hardware in one stack, includes a branded online ordering page, and is a well-established name.
If you decide to move
Switch without disrupting your restaurant.
- 01
Set up your menu
Recreate your categories, items, variants, and add-ons in MinimalPOS.
- 02
Test before switching
Run MinimalPOS alongside your current POS and compare orders, reports, and daily totals before making the full switch.
- 03
Move when you're ready
Once your team is comfortable and everything checks out, move the remaining terminals and kitchen screens to MinimalPOS.
Hardware note: MinimalPOS runs in the browser, with browser-based printing. Hardware compatibility for printers, scanners, cash drawers, and other equipment depends on your setup, so confirm your equipment with us before switching.
Common questions
MinimalPOS and Square for Restaurants.
- Is the Square kitchen display included in the free plan?
- No. On the Free plan the Square KDS app is charged per device per month. MinimalPOS includes the kitchen display, and it receives QR orders automatically.
- Can I use my own card processor with Square?
- No. Square's plans require Square payment processing. MinimalPOS records custom payment methods, so the payment arrangements you already have stay as they are. MinimalPOS does not process card payments itself.
Other comparisons
Free POS for restaurants
Everything above, free.
Set up your menu, run a service, and see the reports for yourself before you decide.
Start free