What is the best free POS software for cafes?
Pronto is a free, open-source POS software for cafes and coffee shops that includes offline checkout, a points-based loyalty program, customer records, retail inventory with barcode scanning and automated messages via Email, Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber. The self-hosted version is free forever with no limits. The cloud version has a free tier and paid plans starting at $19/month.
Does Pronto work without an internet connection?
Yes. The point of sale runs fully offline — you can ring up orders even if your WiFi goes down. Transactions sync automatically once the connection is restored, so a busy morning rush is never interrupted.
How does the loyalty program work for cafes?
Customers earn points on every purchase, tracked automatically against their phone number — no app to download, no physical card to lose. Once enough points are earned, a redeem option for a discount appears right in the checkout cart and staff apply it in one click.
Is Pronto an alternative to paid cafe POS systems?
Yes. Unlike POS platforms that charge monthly subscription fees or a percentage of every sale, Pronto charges zero commission. You own your customer and sales data completely. You can also self-host the entire system on your own server with no vendor lock-in of any kind.
Can I sell bagged coffee and merchandise alongside drinks?
Yes. Pronto lets you sell bags of coffee beans, mugs, pastries to go and any other retail product at the same checkout as drinks. Scan a barcode to add a product — stock updates automatically. Set minimum stock levels and get an automatic alert when you're running low. Everything invoiced together, zero commission on everything.
Can I track cafe inventory and get low-stock alerts?
Yes. Pronto tracks stock levels for coffee beans, milk, cups, syrups and any retail product you sell. When an item drops below your minimum quantity, an automatic alert is sent to the owner via Email, Telegram, WhatsApp or Viber.
Does Pronto work for bakeries and food trucks too?
Yes. Pronto works for any quick-service food or drink business — cafes, coffee shops, bakeries, juice bars and food trucks. The POS and inventory system adapt to any menu of items sold at the counter.
How do I install Pronto on my own server?
You need Docker on any Linux VPS, Windows or macOS machine with at least 1 GB RAM. Run
docker compose up -d and the full cafe management system starts automatically. No DevOps knowledge required. See the
documentation on GitHub for step-by-step instructions.