The "free" POS doesn't exist: here's where the real cost hides
Spoiler: somebody always pays. The right question is who, and how much.
"Free POS forever" is one of the most clicked slogans in the payments industry. It's also one of the most misunderstood. The terminal really can cost you zero euros. But a business that generates revenue from every transaction, in a competitive sector like this one, always recovers its margin somewhere. Let's look at where to check before you sign.
What "free" actually means
In most cases, "free" refers to the device's monthly fee: you don't pay a fixed rental for the terminal.
What's often not free is the per-transaction fee, which can be higher than average to make up for the lack of a monthly charge.
Some providers apply a minimum contract term (12, 24, 36 months): if you switch earlier, you pay a penalty that wipes out your initial savings.
The three questions to ask before accepting
What's the percentage fee per transaction on debit and on credit cards? They're often different, and the gap matters if you work a lot with credit cards.
Is there a minimum contract term, and how much does it cost to cancel early?
What happens if your monthly volume drops below a certain threshold? Some "free with minimum volume" contracts apply a retroactive fee if you don't reach it.
When a free POS really is a good deal
If you're a micro-business with low, unpredictable volumes, avoiding a fixed monthly fee makes sense: better to pay a slightly higher commission only when you actually sell, rather than a fixed cost even in dead months.
If instead you have high, steady volumes, a small monthly fee with lower commissions almost always costs less over the year. Always calculate the total, not the single line item.
- "Free" usually only covers the device's monthly fee, not the per-transaction commissions.
- Always ask for the credit card commission, often higher than the debit card one.
- Check contract terms and early-termination penalties before signing.
- With high volumes, a small fee with low commissions often costs less than a "free" plan.
- Signing without asking for the credit card commission, not just the debit one.
- Ignoring the minimum contract term and early-termination penalties.
- Comparing two offers by looking only at the advertised monthly fee.
Frequently asked questions
They're rare and almost always limited to micro-businesses with very low volumes, or tied to time-limited promotions that then revert to the standard price.
Simulate a typical month for your business using your real transaction volumes and apply the stated percentage fee: that number, multiplied by 12, is the real cost.
No. Debit cards, credit cards, business cards, and foreign cards often have different commissions, and foreign cards can cost even more.
Clear fees, with no surprises on your bill
With Daevon you know exactly what you're paying from the first transaction. No hidden fees, no surprise penalties.
