How much does a POS system cost in Kenya? (2026)
ShelfWise ·
A POS system in Kenya can cost anything from a few hundred shillings a month to over KSh 150,000 up front. The difference is mostly hardware and how the software is sold. Here is what you actually pay for, and how to keep the cost low.
The three parts of the cost
- Software: a monthly or yearly subscription (cloud POS), or a one-time licence (desktop POS) plus yearly support.
- Hardware: the device you sell on, and optionally a barcode scanner, receipt printer and cash drawer.
- Setup: installation, importing your products, connecting M-Pesa and training staff.
Software: what to expect
Cloud POS apps for small businesses in Kenya mostly charge between KSh 1,000 and KSh 6,000 a month, depending on how many branches, products and staff you have and which features you need. Desktop systems are usually sold as a licence of tens of thousands of shillings, installed on one computer, with a yearly support fee on top.
ShelfWise is a cloud POS: Starter is KSh 1,500 a month for one shop, Business is KSh 2,900 a month (online shop, bookings, tables and kitchen tickets, accounting, up to 3 branches) and Pro is KSh 5,500 a month (up to 10 branches). Paying yearly gives you 2 months free. See pricing.
Hardware: you may need less than you think
Many vendors sell a full terminal with the software. If your POS runs in a browser, the Android phone you already own is enough to start, and its camera scans barcodes. Typical prices in Nairobi shops (late 2026, they vary by seller):
| Item | Rough price | Do you need it? |
|---|---|---|
| Android phone or tablet | KSh 10,000 – 30,000 | Use the one you have |
| USB or Bluetooth barcode scanner | KSh 3,000 – 8,000 | Helps if you scan many items a day |
| 58mm or 80mm receipt printer | KSh 4,000 – 12,000 | Optional: receipts can go on WhatsApp |
| Cash drawer | KSh 6,000 – 12,000 | Optional |
| All-in-one POS terminal | KSh 40,000 – 120,000 | Rarely needed for a small shop |
Setup and hidden costs
- Installation visits and training charged per day.
- Paying again to move to a new computer, or to add a second till.
- Fees per M-Pesa transaction on top of Safaricom's own charges.
- Yearly 'support' or 'update' fees on a licence you already bought.
- Losing data when a desktop computer breaks with no backup.
With ShelfWise you set up yourself from your phone, import products from Excel, and connect your own Till or Paybill through Daraja. ShelfWise adds no fee per M-Pesa payment and never holds your money. If you'd rather not do the Daraja steps yourself, assisted M-Pesa setup is available for a one-time fee. See M-Pesa setup.
Examples
- A duka on one phone: KSh 1,500 a month, no hardware. Add a KSh 4,000 scanner later if you like.
- A restaurant with tables and a kitchen printer: KSh 2,900 a month, a tablet and an 80mm printer, roughly KSh 25,000 – 40,000 once.
- A salon taking bookings with deposits: KSh 2,900 a month on the phones the stylists already use.
Common questions
Is there a free POS system in Kenya?
Some apps have a free level with limits on products, users or reports. Check what happens to your data when you outgrow it, and whether M-Pesa matching is included.
Do I need a computer for a POS?
Not with a cloud POS like ShelfWise. It runs on an ordinary Android phone, a tablet or any computer with a browser.
Is it cheaper to buy a POS once than to pay monthly?
A licence looks cheaper over many years, but add support fees, new computers, backups and paying for updates. A monthly plan includes updates, backups and use on any device.
Read next
- How to choose the best POS system for a small business in KenyaA checklist for choosing a POS in Kenya: M-Pesa matching, offline sales, stock control, phone or computer, Kiswahili, support, price and questions to ask every vendor.Read
- POS system vs a notebook: which is right for your shop?Keeping sales in a notebook vs using a POS system in Kenya: cost, time, stock, M-Pesa, theft and what changes when you switch. An honest comparison.Read