Food truck POS cost 2026
A 1-terminal food truck needs offline mode and cellular failover. Square Reader + Square Free is the right answer for almost every truck under $30K monthly card volume.
A single-truck operation with $20K monthly card volume costs about $725-$800/mo all-in. SaaS $0 (Square Free). Hardware $0 (first magstripe Reader free) or $59-$899 one-time. Processing $724 at a $15 average ticket. Cellular data $40-$80/mo separately.
Right stack
Square for Restaurants Free + Square Reader is the default Square Reader · 2026-06-20. Reader is free with a Square account. No SaaS line. 2.6% + 15c processing.
Offline mode handles dropped cellular signal at festivals. Transactions queue and post when connectivity returns.
When to step up
Multi-truck fleet, kitchen-display needs at commissary, complex menu: step up to Toast Go ($69 Core + handheld hardware) Toast Go · 2026-06-20 or Clover Flex Clover Flex · 2026-06-20.
Cellular data and battery
Hotspot data plan $40-$80/mo. Battery pack for tablet/iPad $40-$120 one-time. Hardware ruggedization (case + ring stand): $50-$120.