The 5 non-negotiable criteria
- Zero commission per sale. In Mexico there are still POS systems that take 1-3% of every transaction on top of your subscription. That is a hidden tax.
- Runs in the browser. If they require specific brand hardware (drawer, proprietary printer, exclusive terminal), you are paying 5-10x more on entry costs.
- CFDI 4.0 built in. Your customer will eventually ask for an invoice. If your POS does not issue it directly, you will pay for extra software every month.
- Digital points card. Acquiring a new customer costs more than keeping one who already knows you. If your POS does not help you retain, it is missing a leg.
- Real free plan, not a trial. A plan you can run on without pressure, not 14 days of demo before they push you into an annual contract.
Traps you will see in quotes
What it should cost (healthy 2026 range)
For an SMB in Mexico:- Free plan: $0/month. Must exist, no credit card required.
- Basic plan (1 location, 1 user): $300-500 MXN/month.
- Full plan (multi-user, reports, KDS): $700-1,200 MXN/month.
- Multi-location: $1,500-3,000 MXN/month depending on number of branches.
When you do NOT need “the best”
If you sell three things a day from home and have no employees, a notebook works. A POS earns its place when there is volume, several employees, moving inventory or recurring customers who want to come back.El Nido on this checklist
2-minute setup. 8,000+ sales processed, 0 in commission ever taken.
Try El Nido free for 14 days
Full Business plan. No contract. No credit card.