POS system cost in Singapore: a complete breakdown (2026)

Key Takeaways

• POS system costs in Singapore split across three layers: one-time hardware, recurring software subscriptions, and variable payment processing fees.

• Singapore SMEs may offset up to 50% of qualifying POS software costs through the PSG grant, up to a cap of S$30,000 per grant year, but the application must be submitted before purchase.

• If you sell both online and in-store, Airwallex Payments helps you unify your payment processing on a single platform and reduce reconciliation work.

Wondering how much a POS system costs in Singapore?

The price can vary significantly depending on the hardware you need, the software features you choose, and how much your business processes in payments.

This guide breaks down the different costs to expect, including hardware, software, payment processing fees and PSG support, so you can work out the total cost of a POS system and compare your options more accurately.

3 cost layers of a POS system

Before you compare providers or start requesting quotes, it helps to understand how POS system costs are structured. There are three main cost layers, and each works a little differently:

• One-time costs: These are the upfront costs of getting your POS set up. Hardware is usually the biggest expense, including the terminal, card reader, receipt printer, cash drawer and other peripherals you may need. You typically pay for these once, although hardware will eventually need to be replaced.

• Recurring costs: These are the fees you pay to keep your POS running. Most providers charge a monthly or annual software subscription, which usually covers the software, updates and some level of support. Some providers also offer hardware on a rental basis, so you'll pay a monthly fee instead of buying the equipment upfront.

• Variable costs: These are the fees you pay each time a customer makes a payment. Payment processing fees are usually charged as a percentage of each transaction, sometimes with an additional fixed fee. They can seem small when you're comparing providers, but they can add up quickly as your sales volume grows.

A POS that is cheaper to buy upfront may end up costing more over time if it comes with higher monthly or payment processing fees.

The sections below break down each cost in more detail, including typical cost ranges for Singapore businesses in 2026.

POS hardware costs in Singapore

Hardware is usually the biggest upfront cost when setting up a POS system. Here’s what you need to know:

What hardware do you need?

A basic POS setup typically includes a terminal or tablet, card reader, receipt printer and cash drawer.

Retail businesses may also need a barcode scanner, while F&B businesses may need a kitchen display system (KDS) or kitchen order printer to send orders directly to the kitchen.

How much does POS hardware cost in Singapore?

As a rough guide, POS hardware costs can fall into these ranges:¹

If you're adding self-ordering kiosks, budget another S$2,000–S$6,000 per kiosk unit.¹

These are useful benchmarks rather than fixed prices. The final cost will depend on the hardware brand, number of terminals and any additional equipment your business needs.

Should you buy or rent POS hardware?

Buying your hardware outright means a higher upfront cost, but you won't have an ongoing hardware rental fee. Some providers instead offer hardware as part of a monthly plan, which can make it easier to get started without a large initial outlay.

You may also come across hardware-and-software bundles where the equipment is discounted in exchange for signing a longer contract.

If you go this route, don't look at the hardware price in isolation. Check the monthly subscription, payment processing rates and contract length as well, as these can have a much bigger impact on your total cost over time.

With Airwallex POS, you can choose whether to use dedicated POS hardware or accept contactless payments directly on a compatible smartphone or tablet with SoftPOS.

POS software subscription costs

Most providers charge a monthly or annual fee for POS software subscription, although the pricing model and what's included can vary quite a bit.

Common POS pricing models

In Singapore, you'll generally come across three pricing models:

The cheapest model isn't necessarily the cheapest overall. A transaction-fee model may work well when sales are low, but the fees can add up as your revenue grows.

Similarly, a free plan may become less attractive once you start paying for the features your business actually needs.

What's included in the software fee?

Basic POS plans commonly include features such as sales tracking, reporting, inventory management and staff management. More advanced features may cost extra, including loyalty and CRM tools, delivery platform integrations, advanced analytics and priority support.

If you have multiple outlets, pay close attention to how the subscription is priced. A plan that costs S$100 per month per outlet will cost S$500 per month once you have five locations.

It's also worth checking whether you get a discount for paying annually and what happens if you cancel before the contract ends. If you're considering a PSG-eligible solution, check the specific vendor listing to see which costs qualify for the grant before you sign up.

Payment processing fees: the cost that adds up

Once your POS is up and running, payment processing becomes an ongoing cost.

Unlike hardware or software subscriptions, you don't pay a fixed amount each month; the cost rises with your sales volume.

How payment processing fees work

Payment providers typically charge a fee for processing each transaction. This may be expressed as a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), which is usually a percentage of the transaction value.

Depending on the provider and payment method, there may also be a fixed fee per transaction.

The rate you pay can vary based on factors, such as:

• The payment method

• Your business type

• Transaction volume

• Whether you're accepting payments in-store or online

When comparing POS systems, don't just ask about the monthly subscription. Ask for the actual processing rates that would apply to your business.

Small differences can add up

Even a seemingly small difference in your processing rate can have a noticeable impact once you're processing tens of thousands of dollars in payments each month.

For example, if your business processes S$100,000 in payments each month:

A 1 percentage point difference in your processing rate would therefore cost an extra S$12,000 a year at this sales volume.

It's also worth checking the rates for the payment methods your customers actually use. If you accept a mix of cards, PayNow and digital wallets, calculate your expected blended processing rate across all of them rather than comparing a single headline rate.

Don't forget settlement timing

Processing fees aren't the only consideration. Check when you'll receive the money from your transactions, as settlement times can vary between providers.

For businesses with regular expenses such as payroll, rent and supplier payments, faster settlement can make cash flow easier to manage.

Total cost of ownership: what to budget in year one and beyond

The upfront hardware price and monthly software fee are usually the easiest costs to compare. But they aren't necessarily the full cost of running a POS system.

When budgeting for your first year, also check whether you'll pay for setup, training, integrations, support or additional hardware.

Costs to check before you sign

Ask each provider whether the following are included in the quoted price:

• Setup and installation: Some providers charge a one-off fee to configure the POS, connect peripherals and get your system ready to use.

• Staff training: Basic onboarding may be included, while additional or on-site training could cost extra.

• Integrations: Check whether connections to accounting software such as Xero, delivery platforms such as GrabFood or Foodpanda, or your eCommerce store are included.

• Support: Find out what level of support comes with your plan and whether phone, priority or on-site support costs extra.

• Additional hardware: If you add another terminal, printer, scanner or cash drawer later, check how much each item will cost.

• Contract costs: If you're signing an annual contract, check for minimum terms, renewal pricing and early termination fees.

What might a POS cost in year one?

The table below gives a rough illustration of how the costs can add up for different types of businesses. Processing fees assume a 2% blended rate and the monthly revenue shown.

These figures are illustrative; your actual cost will depend on your POS provider, number of terminals, software plan, payment mix and contract terms.

Note that at higher sales volumes, payment processing can account for a much larger share of your annual POS costs than the hardware or software subscription.

Reducing costs with the PSG grant

Singapore SMEs can offset part of their POS software cost through the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), administered by Enterprise Singapore. The grant covers up to 50% of qualifying costs for pre-approved digital solutions, capped at S$30,000 per UEN per grant year.

A few things worth knowing before you apply:

• Software and professional services only: The grant does not typically cover hardware. Budget for that separately.

• Apply before you buy: Purchases made before your Letter of Offer is issued are not eligible for reimbursement. Get approval first, then sign with your vendor.

• Pre-approved vendors only: You must select from the IMDA-approved list of POS solutions. Check the current list on the GoBusiness portal before engaging any vendor, as approvals are updated periodically.

• Basic eligibility: Your business must be Singapore-registered, have at least 30% local shareholding, and have an annual turnover not exceeding S$100 million or not more than 200 employees.⁷

For full eligibility criteria and to apply, visit the GoBusiness portal at gobusiness.gov.sg.

How payment processing costs vary by business model

The payment processing model that makes sense for your business depends mainly on how much you sell and how predictable your sales are.

Here’s a quick overview:

When a higher monthly fee can make sense

If your business processes a consistently high volume of payments, paying a monthly software fee in exchange for lower processing rates may work out cheaper overall. As your sales increase, even a small reduction in the rate you pay on each transaction can outweigh the fixed monthly cost.

You can estimate the breakeven point by comparing the monthly fee against the processing savings you would get from the lower rate. This gives you a clearer picture of which pricing model works for your actual sales volume.

When pay-per-transaction makes more sense

For newer businesses, seasonal operators or businesses with unpredictable revenue, keeping fixed costs low may be more important.

A plan with no monthly fee but a higher processing rate means you pay more when you make a sale, but less during quieter periods.

Don't overlook the cost of managing multiple payment systems

If you sell both online and in-store, there's another cost to consider: reconciliation time.

Running your online checkout and physical POS through separate payment providers can mean dealing with different dashboards, settlement reports and fee structures.

Airwallex POS brings online and in-store payments together on one platform, with unified reporting across channels. This reduces the manual work involved in reconciling transactions and settlements.

Why Singapore businesses choose Airwallex POS

If you're looking for a POS that can scale with your business, Airwallex POS stands out in two ways:

• One setup for online and in-store payments: Bring both payment channels onto the same platform, with unified reporting that makes reconciliation easier. You don't have to pull payment data from separate providers just to get a complete view of your sales.

• One provider across markets: Airwallex supports POS payments across Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, UK, Europe, and New Zealand. You can expand into new markets without having to integrate a new POS payment provider every time.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How much does a POS system cost per month in Singapore?

The monthly cost depends on which pricing model your provider uses. Software subscriptions typically start from around S$50 to S$100 per month for a single outlet, and can reach S$300 or more for multi-location plans. On top of that, you pay payment processing fees on every transaction, usually between 1% and 3% of each sale depending on the payment method. Hardware is a separate one-off cost.

Can I use the PSG grant to cover POS hardware costs?

Generally no. The PSG grant covers software licences and professional services for pre-approved solutions, not hardware. You will need to budget for hardware separately. Check the current GoBusiness portal for the exact scope of what is covered under your chosen vendor's approved package.

What is the cheapest way to set up a POS system in Singapore?

The lowest upfront cost comes from a tablet-based setup using your existing device, a Bluetooth card reader, and a POS app on a transaction-fee-only plan with no monthly subscription. This approach minimises fixed costs but tends to cost more per transaction, so it suits businesses with lower or variable monthly volumes.

Are payment processing fees included in my POS subscription?

Not always. Some providers bundle software and payment processing into one plan; others charge them separately. Before comparing plans, confirm whether the quoted monthly fee includes processing or whether MDR charges are on top. The all-in cost is what matters, not either figure in isolation.

What Singapore payment methods must a POS system support in 2026?

At minimum, your POS should accept Visa and Mastercard, PayNow via SGQR, and GrabPay. For businesses serving tourists or cross-border shoppers, support for Alipay and WeChat Pay is worth adding. Buy Now, Pay Later options like Atome are increasingly expected in retail, particularly for higher-value purchases.

Sources

1. suntoyo.com.sg/blog/pos-system-costs-in-singapore-based-on-features-industry-business-size-and-more/

2. hitpayapp.com/blog/pos-system-singapore

3. qashier.com/sg/mdr-rates