When shop owners ask about the price of a POS system in Kenya, they often get quotes that bundle very different things. Here's how to break a quote down.
The three parts of a POS price
- Hardware: a computer or tablet, a receipt printer, a barcode scanner and a cash drawer. Many shops already own a phone or laptop that will do.
- Software: either a one-off licence installed on one machine, or a monthly subscription that runs online.
- Setup and support: installation, training, data entry and help when something goes wrong.
One-off licence or monthly subscription?
A one-off licence can look cheaper at first, but it usually lives on one computer: if that machine dies, so can your data, and updates often cost extra. A cloud subscription runs in the browser, keeps your data backed up online, and lets you check your shop from anywhere. You pay a small amount each month instead of a large amount up front.
Watch out for
- Setup fees for things you can do yourself, like importing a price list.
- Per-feature pricing, where credit, reports or extra users cost more.
- Long contracts that charge you even after you stop using the system.
- Hardware you don't need: a USB barcode scanner and an 80 mm printer are enough for most shops.
What Afritelligence costs
Afritelligence is KES 1,500 per branch per month, with every feature included: point of sale with M-Pesa, inventory, purchases and suppliers, customer credit, expenses, reports and Insights. Signing up is free, there is no setup fee and no contract; you pay with M-Pesa for each month you use. See pricing.
Run your shop on Afritelligence
POS with M-Pesa, stock, suppliers, credit and intelligent Insights — on the phone or computer you already have.
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