1. The software subscription
Most POS software is now paid for by monthly subscription. According to a survey from July 2026 (France), prices range from around €15 to €150 a month depending on the features. To compare, check what the price covers:
- per location, per till or per user: with a large team, a per-user price climbs quickly;
- the modules included: booking, loyalty, stock or staff scheduling are sometimes charged extra;
- the commitment period: monthly, or 12 to 36 months.
2. Hardware
A complete touchscreen till costs €800 to €2,500, a tablet-based solution €200 to €2,000 depending on the equipment. Many recent programs run on a tablet or computer you already have. You may also need:
- a card payment terminal, often rented from your bank or a payment provider;
- a receipt printer, now optional for many French businesses since receipts are no longer printed automatically (see our guide on receipts);
- a cash drawer if you take a lot of cash, and a barcode scanner if you sell barcoded products.
3. Set-up
Installation, setting up items and VAT rates, importing your catalogue, training the team: some publishers include it, others charge for it. Ask what is included and how long it takes.
4. Payment commissions
Card payments at the counter are charged by your bank or terminal provider. For online payments, providers take a commission per transaction: at Stripe in France, for example, 1.5% + €0.25 for a standard European Economic Area card. Beware: some booking software adds its own commission on every online sale. Over a season, the difference quickly runs into hundreds of euros.
5. Costs you discover too late
- extra users or tills;
- paid support or updates;
- exporting your data or cancellation fees;
- no proof of compliance, which in France exposes you to a €7,500 fine per software concerned (see NF525 or publisher’s certificate).
6. Compare over three years
To compare two offers, add up over three years: the subscription, hardware, set-up, the options you will need and the estimated commissions on your volume of online payments. Often the offer that is cheapest per month costs the most overall.
Questions to ask before signing
- Is the price per location, per till or per user?
- Which modules are included, and which are optional?
- Is there a commission on online payments or bookings?
- What is the commitment period, and how do I cancel?
- Does the software run on my current hardware?
- Can I get my data back at any time?
- Does the publisher provide a certificate or attestation of compliance?
And with Lago?
Lago displays its prices: €29 excl. VAT per month for the Essential plan, €59 excl. VAT per month for the Complete plan with the compliant POS, online booking and payment, and €49 excl. VAT per month per additional location. Users are unlimited, there is no Lago commission on your online sales, set-up is free and so is the first month, with no commitment. Lago runs on the tablet, computer or phone you already have. See detailed pricing.
Sources: La Fabrique du Net, cash register prices (July 2026, in French), Stripe, France pricing. Prices given as a guide; always ask for a detailed quote.