Cake POS Cost: $0 to $50 a Month and Card Fees

On this page

1. What is a Cake POS and What Does It Cost?
2. Monthly Software Fees: $0 to $50
3. Payment Processing Fees: The Other Cost
4. How to Compare a Commission App to a Flat Fee
5. Setup, Migration, and Support Costs
6. What to Test Before You Pay
7. A Worked Example: Costing a $300 Cake Order
8. Mistakes That Cost You Money
9. How to Pick the Right Cake POS

Understanding cake POS cost means looking beyond the monthly software fee you see. You must factor in transaction fees, setup costs, and the time it takes to run your shop. This guide breaks down the options so you can invest your money wisely. For more on the business side of selling, visit our selling hub.

What is a Cake POS and What Does It Cost?

A cake POS is software that helps you sell by listing cakes, taking orders, and getting paid. The cost comes in three parts: the software fee, payment processing fees, and sometimes a commission. Free apps are not always free because they often take a percentage of each sale. That commission can add up fast and eat into your profit.

Monthly Software Fees: $0 to $50

Most cake POS systems charge a monthly subscription that covers the software, your online shop, and customer support. Prices typically range from $20 to $50 for full features. Brevl costs one flat $20 a month with no commission on your sales. You get a customizable shop, recipe costing, and inventory, and we move your old shop over.

Payment Processing Fees: The Other Cost

Your cake POS cost includes payment fees, which are separate from the software fee. When a customer pays by card, processors like Stripe or Square usually charge 2.9% plus 30 cents. Some POS systems make you use their built-in processor, while others let you connect your own account. This setup works with your own processor, plus Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, and cash.

How to Compare a Commission App to a Flat Fee

A free app that takes 5% of each sale can cost more than a flat monthly fee. On $1,000 in monthly sales, that commission is $50, while a $20 monthly plan costs $20. The break-even point is $400 in monthly sales for that same 5% rate. Below that, the commission app may cost less, but above that, the flat fee usually wins.

Setup, Migration, and Support Costs

Setup and migration are part of your true cake POS cost, even if they are not on the invoice. Moving products and photos yourself takes time you could spend baking. Ask if the company will move your existing products, photos, and reviews over for you. Support speed matters too because you cannot afford downtime when an order is pending.

What to Test Before You Pay

Test the POS on both your phone and computer before you commit to a plan. You need a full desktop workspace to manage recipes, update your shop, and view reports. Check for offline mode if you sell at markets, and read the terms because some contracts lock you in for a year. Month-to-month plans offer more flexibility for a home bakery.

A Worked Example: Costing a $300 Cake Order

Let’s see how POS costs affect one order. You sell a wedding cake for $300. Your ingredient cost is $85, labor is $75, and overhead for packaging and power is $15. Your total cost is $175, leaving a pre-POS profit of $125 before you add POS costs.

With a free app taking 5% commission, the fee is $15, so your profit becomes $110. With a $20 monthly POS and your own processor at 2.9% plus 30 cents, the card fee is $9.00. If you sell 4 cakes that month, your per-cake software cost is $5, so total POS cost for this cake is $14. Your profit is $111, which is a 37% margin after ingredients, labor, overhead, and POS costs.

The flat-fee POS often wins as sales grow. For more on cake costing, see Cake Cost Breakdown.

Mistakes That Cost You Money

Choosing the wrong POS can shrink your margin in ways you may not notice at first. First, picking a free app without calculating the commission on your average order size can hurt. Second, not checking if the POS works well on both your computer and phone is a problem. You need a full desktop workspace, not just a phone app, and you should not overlook setup and migration help.

1. 1

   Calculate the true cost

   Estimate your monthly sales. Compare a 5% commission against a flat $20 fee. See which is cheaper for you.

2. 2

   Test on all your devices

   Try the POS on your phone and computer. You need to update your shop and check orders from both.

3. 3

   Ask about migration

   Before you commit, ask if they will move your existing products, photos, and reviews over for you.

4. 4

   Check support speed

   See how quickly they answer questions. You cannot afford downtime when an order is pending.

How to Pick the Right Cake POS

Your choice depends on your shop’s stage and how many cakes you sell each month. If you are just starting and sell a few cakes a month, a simple app might work. Once you sell consistently, a flat monthly fee with no commission saves money. Look for a POS that includes recipe costing and inventory, like recipe costing tools, and always choose a 14-day free trial to test it with real orders.

Consider how you get paid because you need to accept cards from your customers. A POS that integrates with your existing processor is simplest for your setup. Also check for offline mode if you sell at markets. Finally, read the terms because some contracts lock you in for a year, while month-to-month plans offer more flexibility for a home bakery.

• Cake Cost Estimator: How to Price a Cake and Keep a Margin
• Cake Pricing by Size (2026): Cost per Serving and Margin

Common questions

Is a free POS really free?

No. Most free POS apps for bakers make money by taking a commission on each sale, often 5% or more. This cost comes directly from your profit. A flat monthly fee is usually more affordable once your sales reach a few hundred dollars a month.

What is the biggest hidden cost in a cake POS?

Payment processing fees are the biggest variable cost. Card transactions typically cost 2.9% plus 30 cents. Some POS systems add their own fee on top. Always check if you can use your own Stripe or Square account to avoid extra markups.

Should I choose a POS that works only on my phone?

A phone-only app can be limiting. You will need a computer to manage recipes, update your shop, and view reports comfortably. Choose a POS that offers a full desktop workspace and a mobile app, so you can work from anywhere.

How do I know if a $20/month POS is worth it?

Calculate your average monthly sales. If a commission-based app would take more than $20 in fees, the flat-rate POS saves you money. Also factor in the value of your time saved by features like built-in costing and inventory management.

General pricing information, not a guarantee of specific costs. Payment processing fees are set by third parties like Stripe and Square.