POS and point-of-sale systems in Quebec

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Frequently asked questions about POS

• How much does a POS cost?

  A POS system will cost between $50 and $300/month in Quebec in 2026, depending on features. This price includes the software subscription. Then there’s the hardware ($500 to $1,500 upfront, or $30 to $80/month rental) and card transaction fees (1.5% to 2.9% per sale for credit, $0.05 to $0.10 for Interac debit). Some providers, such as Square, offer the software free of charge, but charge 2.65% per transaction.

  *Prices may vary according to your business.

• What's the difference between a POS system and a cash register?

  A traditional cash register records sales and prints receipts – that’s all. A POS system is a complete platform that manages payments, inventory, sales reports, employees, tips and accounting. Modern POS systems also connect to your online store, loyalty tools and delivery platforms. For a Quebec business in 2026, a POS replaces the cash register, the Excel workbook and several separate software packages.

• What's the best POS system for a restaurant in Quebec?

  It all depends on your size and needs. For a restaurant with table service, TouchBistro (from $69/month) and Global Payments solutions with integrated terminal are the most popular. For fast-food and counter service, a tablet POS with countertop ordering is often all you need. The non-negotiable element in Quebec: your system must be MEV-Web certified by Revenu Québec for billing data transmission. Check this point before signing any contract.

• Can a POS system be used without the Internet?

  Yes, most modern POS systems offer an offline mode. Transactions are recorded locally on the terminal and automatically synchronized when the connection is restored. Please note: offline mode is generally not available for credit card payments (which require real-time authorization). Interac debit can work offline under certain conditions. For businesses in areas with unstable connections, opt for a system with a good offline mode and a backup LTE connection.

• Why choose GeasyPay, a Global Payments reseller?

  GeasyPay is your partner, not just a supplier.

  • Local expertise in Quebec and Canada.

  • Global Payments partner with several major brands: Ingenico, Desjardins, PAX, Vérifone

  • Fast, human support in both English and French

  • MEV / MEV Web compliant solutions.

  • Transparent advice: no forced contracts, no hidden fees.

  • Fast installation and personalized follow-up.

• What's the difference between a POS and a POS Cloud?

  A classic POS (on-premise) stores its data locally on the retailer’s computer or tablet. A Cloud POS (or SaaS POS) hosts its data on encrypted remote servers, accessible from any device with an Internet connection. Cloud benefits include automatic updates, continuous backups, remote access to reports, simplified multi-site deployment, and reduced up-front costs. The POS Global Payments solutions we deploy are natively Cloud-based, with a local degraded mode in the event of an internet outage. By 2026 in Quebec, over 80% of new POS deployments will be in the Cloud, because it’s faster to install, cheaper to maintain and more secure against data loss.

• What's the difference between a POS and a payment terminal (Interac machine)?

  The payment terminal (Interac machine) is the physical device that reads the customer’s card and processes the transaction. The POS system is the software and hardware that manages your entire business: sales, inventory, reports, employees. The payment terminal is a component of the POS system – it connects to it to process payments. You can have a single terminal (to accept payments only) or a complete POS (to manage your entire business).

• What payment methods do the terminals accept?

  Global Payments payment terminals support a wide range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, etc.), contactless payments, mobile applications and even online payments.

• Is a POS system mandatory in Quebec?

  The POS system itself is not mandatory. However, food service establishments and bars in Quebec must use a MEV-Web (Module d’Enregistrement des Ventes Web) certified by Revenu Québec to transmit their billing data. In practice, this means that your cash register system must integrate a certified MEV-Web module. Retail businesses are not subject to this obligation at present, but a POS is still strongly recommended for the efficient management of your business.

• How long does it take to install a POS system?

  Installation of a POS system generally takes between 1 and 5 working days, depending on complexity. A simple terminal for a small business can be up and running in a few hours. A complete system for a restaurant (including kitchen printers, server tablets and MEV-Web configuration) takes longer. At Geasy Pay, the process includes a diagnosis of your needs, physical installation, MEV-Web configuration if applicable, full testing and training of your team – without interrupting your sales.

• How do I migrate my old cash register to a POS in Quebec?

  Migration from a traditional cash register to a POS system in Quebec involves 4 steps: (1) audit of existing data to be transferred (inventory, customer file, sales history if relevant); (2) configuration of the new POS with your menu or product catalog, your taxes (GST and QST) and your users; (3) hardware installation (terminal, KDS screen if catering, kitchen printer, cash drawer) and testing in a real environment; (4) team training over 1 to 2 days and switchover to production. With Geasy Pay, the entire operation takes 7 working days for an independent business and 2 to 3 weeks for a chain. The double entry period (old cash register and new POS in parallel) generally lasts 2 to 5 days to secure the transition.