01/Glossary · Restaurants
POS — Point of Sale
Point-of-sale system — records sales, processes payments, and sends kitchen orders in restaurants and retail.
02/Full definition
A POS (Point of Sale) is the central system that runs a restaurant, café, or retail store. It records each sale, processes payment (cash, card, SINPE Móvil), prints the receipt, sends kitchen orders, and generates daily close reports. In 2026 modern POS systems are web-first and accessed from a tablet or smartphone — no longer expensive dedicated hardware.
03/In Costa Rica context
In Costa Rica commercial POS systems usually charge USD 50–150/month per terminal — a cost that scales poorly if you have multiple registers. A custom-built POS (USD 2,500–4,500 one-time) pays for itself in 18–30 months depending on the terminal count. It also needs to integrate Hacienda e-invoicing (separate module) and work offline so you don't lose sales when internet drops.
04/Related reading on the site
05/Related terms
06/Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does a POS cost in Costa Rica?▾
Commercial POS systems charge USD 50–150/month per terminal. A custom web POS costs USD 2,500–4,500 one-time (no licenses) and pays for itself in 1.5–2.5 years depending on the number of registers.
Does a web POS work offline?▾
Yes, when properly built. Orders are saved locally and sync automatically when the connection returns. This is critical in CR where connectivity can be intermittent.
Do I need Hacienda e-invoicing integration?▾
Yes, if you issue invoices. The Hacienda integration is a separate module (USD 2,500–4,500) that validates, signs, and sends each electronic receipt to the Ministry of Finance ATV system.
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