Retail POS system with scanner connection

When choosing a POS system for retail, you can opt for either a so-called “cash drawer,” an open cash register, or an electronic cash register.

These are the different features:

• With an open cash register, you use a lockable cash box or wallet, i.e., a cash register without any technical functions. Receipts are created manually (or not issued at all), as is the cash report at the end of the day.
• An electronic POS handles all records automatically and always in accordance with tax office requirements. All relevant data is also prepared (more) easily for tax consulting or sent in the correct file format at the touch of a button.

There are also different types of electronic cash registers: You can find all the details about open and closed as well as cloud- or hardware-based cash register systems in our blog article.

The cloud-based ready2order POS solution for retail is the most convenient option for you:

Our POS software runs on any compatible hardware.
We store all data in the cloud, which means you can access the POS and administration interface from anywhere.
If the tax office changes its requirements, we will install updates for you without any technical effort on your part, so that you can always work securely.

A POS system for retail costs between €30 and €70 per month. However, this amount can vary depending on the range of functions, provider, and industry. Complete systems including hardware (cash register, cash drawer, printer, scanner, terminal) usually have a purchase price between €800 and €2,500. Software licenses, updates, customer service, or hidden features can result in additional costs. Specialized industry solutions are also often more expensive. There are also rental or leasing models available. 

But before you look at the price, you should make sure that the POS system for retail complies with the legal requirements of the RKSV (Cash Register Security Regulation), is easy to use, and can be expanded with additional devices. 

At ready2order, we believe in transparency when it comes to pricing:

• All functions for retail are included in the POS system subscription.
• You can subscribe to our software on an annual or monthly basis.
• Our POS devices are a one-time purchase.
• Support and legal updates are free of charge.

The ready2order POS system for retail is priced in the mid-range at €34.90 for an annual subscription or €45.90 for a monthly subscription; plus the signature certificate for €130 per year or TSE for €14.90 per month. For this price, you get access to all functions; a cash book and digital receipt can be added as options. 

With ready2order, you have flexibility when it comes to hardware: if your existing computers, tablets, or smartphones (Windows and macOS, Android and iOS) are compatible with our system, you can use them as cash registers. Or you can opt for our in-house cash register devices. In this case, there is a one-time purchase fee of between $329 for the readyMini and $1,199 for the stationary readyMax.

Depending on the provider, customer support or updates/technicians often incur additional costs: With ready2order, both are included in the cash register subscription and are free of charge.

The most important aspects of a retail cash register are its range of functions and tax office compliance. You should ask the following questions: 

• Does the cash register meet legal requirements? In Austria, this includes the RKSV with individual recording and receipt issuance requirements; in Germany, TSE and KassenSichV. In addition, the provider should provide regular updates to keep your cash register software legally up to date.
• What functions does your store need? Important features include product import via CSV or Excel, merchandise management or warehousing, inventory alerts, sales statistics, inventory, discounts, and voucher management. In addition, there is data export for accounting, product variations, and customer and supplier databases. With ready2order, all of this is included in the POS subscription.
• Use existing hardware or new POS devices? If you want to use existing computers or smartphones, you need an open POS system for retail. This is possible, for example, with the ready2order POS software, which you can use on compatible devices or on our in-house POS hardware.
• What additional devices do you need? Depending on your requirements, the POS system should be expandable with a scanner, receipt printer, card terminal, customer display, etc., or already include these features.
• How much will it cost? Are you buying, renting, or leasing your POS system? Will you incur one-time or recurring costs? Are all functions immediately available, or do you have to activate them first (at an additional cost)? 
• Is there a support hotline? You should be able to get answers to your questions and problems during business hours. Ideally, this customer service should not cost extra. 

At ready2order, we believe in transparent offers:

• Our POS system subscription includes all the important functions for retail.
• You can optionally add a cash book and digital receipts.
• Barcode scanners, receipt printers, and card terminals are either already included in the POS hardware or can be connected. With our hardware, you can also sell “weighed goods.”
• Use our ready2order POS devices or your existing devices.
• Customer support and legal updates are free of charge with us.

With ready2order, you get everything you need for retail, with no hidden costs.

Yes, in Austria, open cash registers are permitted in retail stores if you do not exceed the turnover limits of €15,000 net annual turnover, of which at least €7,500 must be cash sales. Above these amounts, cash registers are mandatory and you must use an electronic cash register.

Below these amounts, an open cash register is permitted. However, strict guidelines apply for proper cash management: each transaction must be recorded individually, and the cash balance must match the balance recorded in the cash book. In addition, you are required to issue receipts if you, as an entrepreneur, accept payments by debit card, credit card, or other electronic payment methods, as well as vouchers, coupons, or gift coins. With an open cash register, you have to do everything by hand; an electronic cash register takes care of all this “paperwork” automatically.

Open cash registers are also still permitted in Germany. However, according to the coalition agreement of April 9, 2025, the CDU/CSU and SPD want to introduce mandatory cash registers for companies with annual sales of over €100,000 starting in 2027. This amount corresponds to an average of just €333 in sales per business day and thus affects almost all retail companies across the board.

Anyone in Austria who exceeds a net annual turnover of €15,000, of which at least €7,500 is cash turnover, is subject to the cash register requirement. Below this threshold, a so-called open cash register may also be used, provided that the principles of proper cash management are observed.

In Germany, there is currently no obligation to use cash registers, but according to the current coalition agreement between the CSU/CDU and SPD, this is set to change from 2027 for companies with a turnover exceeding €100,000.

Our POS system offers the most important functions for retail, with no hidden costs:

• Optional connection of a barcode scanner and integration of weighed goods
• Merchandise management for organizing product data and stock levels, stock alerts, suppliers, sales statistics, and inventory lists
• Discount and voucher management for customer loyalty campaigns
• Simple statistics for sales data; utilization and other KPIs are also clearly accessible
• Employee management with definable user rights and multi-login
• Customer data management with master data for invoices and comments
• All common payment methods: connection for a cash drawer as well as integration of cashless payment methods (ATM, mobile payment)
• Tax advisor access and data export for fast and secure accounting