Looking for a new POS? Welcome to the jungle. Vendors market features you'll never use and price models whose costs only become clear after two years. This article cuts through.
Cloud or on-premise?
Cloud POS runs on vendor servers, reachable anywhere, auto-updates. On-premise runs in your shop, no internet needed — but higher maintenance. For 90% of restaurateurs, cloud is the right choice. Exception: businesses with unstable internet or special needs.
Which features actually matter?
- TSE compliance — non-negotiable in Germany
- Table management with split function
- Fast product selection (max 2 taps to booking)
- Tip function with service distribution
- Card terminal integration (payment by button)
- Exportable daily report (tax-advisor-ready)
Rent or buy?
Rental models look cheap: €49/month, all included. But after 5 years you've paid €2,940 and own nothing. A purchase costs €1,500–2,500 upfront and amortizes in 2–3 years. We recommend purchase for stable businesses, rental for seasonal operations.
The often-forgotten factor: support
A POS breaks Friday night. What happens? With some vendors: a ticket system and a Monday reply. With us: a technician from Bonn is typically on-site in 2 hours or remote-accessing the POS. Check response times and accessibility before signing.