Owners usually ask about software first and hardware second, then get surprised when the printers, drawer and screens cost as much as the software. This guide lists the hardware a restaurant POS needs in Pakistan with rough market ranges, so you can plan a budget and know which questions to ask a seller.
These are rough price ranges to help you plan, not quotes. Hardware prices in Pakistan change often with the dollar rate, import duties and stock, and differ between markets, local dealers and online stores. Prices change, always check with local sellers before you buy.
What hardware a restaurant POS actually needs
A working restaurant POS in Pakistan needs five things: a device to bill on, a receipt printer, a way to get orders to the kitchen, a cash drawer, and power backup. Everything else, barcode scanners, customer displays, label printers, is optional and depends on how you serve. A takeaway counter can start with a single Android POS that has a printer built in. A dine-in restaurant with a grill, a tandoor and a bar needs a receipt printer at the counter plus a KOT printer or kitchen screen at each station.
Before you spend anything, check what software you are buying for. Some POS companies only work with hardware they sell. SureTill runs on Windows, Linux and Android and drives standard ESC/POS thermal printers over USB, LAN or Bluetooth, so you can buy from any local seller or reuse what you already own.
Thermal printer price in Pakistan
A thermal printer is the receipt printer at your counter. It prints with heat on special paper, so there is no ink or ribbon to replace. Most restaurants use 80mm printers because the wider receipt is easier to read; 58mm printers are cheaper and common on small counters and handhelds.
| Thermal printer type | Good for | Rough range (PKR) |
|---|---|---|
| 58mm basic thermal | Small counter, low volume | Rs. 5,000 to 12,000 |
| 80mm unbranded / generic | Most restaurants and cafes | Rs. 9,000 to 20,000 |
| 80mm branded, USB + LAN | Busy counters, long life | Rs. 30,000 to 60,000 |
| Bluetooth / portable | Waiters, delivery, events | Rs. 8,000 to 25,000 |
Pay attention to the connection. USB is simplest for one counter PC. LAN (Ethernet) lets several terminals share one printer and is the most reliable choice for a kitchen. Bluetooth suits tablets and handhelds. A printer with an auto-cutter saves your cashier a second on every receipt, on 500 orders a day, that adds up.
KOT printer price and the kitchen
A KOT (kitchen order ticket) printer sits at a kitchen station and prints what that station needs to cook. It is usually the same kind of 80mm thermal printer as the counter, connected over LAN so it keeps working wherever the station is. Next to a tandoor or a hot grill, some kitchens prefer an impact (dot-matrix) printer, because heat can darken thermal paper; impact printers cost more and are slower.
| Kitchen option | When to choose it | Rough range (PKR) |
|---|---|---|
| 80mm thermal KOT printer (LAN) | Most stations | Rs. 12,000 to 45,000 |
| Impact / dot-matrix KOT printer | Very hot or greasy stations | Rs. 35,000 to 80,000 |
| Kitchen display screen (monitor or tablet) | Busy lines, timing and routing | Rs. 20,000 to 70,000 |
A kitchen display (KDS) replaces paper at a station with a screen that shows live orders and timers. Many restaurants mix them: screens on the main line, a printer at the bar. Our kitchen display system guide explains when a screen pays for itself.
Cash drawer price
A cash drawer opens automatically when a cash bill is closed, usually through a cable that plugs into the receipt printer. Basic metal drawers with four or five note sections are the norm. Expect roughly Rs. 6,000 to 18,000 for a standard drawer; heavy-duty models cost more. Make sure the drawer's connector (usually RJ11) matches your printer.
Android POS and touchscreen terminal prices
The device you bill on is the biggest single item, and the one where reusing what you own saves the most. There are three common choices in Pakistan:
| Billing device | Best for | Rough range (PKR) |
|---|---|---|
| Handheld Android POS with built-in printer | Takeaway, kiosks, table-side orders | Rs. 30,000 to 80,000 |
| Android tablet (no printer) | Waiter ordering, extra terminals | Rs. 25,000 to 70,000 |
| All-in-one touchscreen POS terminal | Main counter, high volume | Rs. 60,000 to 180,000 |
| Existing Windows PC or laptop | Main counter on a budget | Already owned |
An Android POS machine is the cheapest way to get started for a small counter, because the printer is built in. For a dine-in restaurant, the usual setup is a touchscreen or PC at the counter, plus Android tablets for waiters. With SureTill these all connect to a server inside your restaurant, so they all keep billing during load-shedding, see how offline POS works.
The extras people forget
- UPS for the counter, router and printers: roughly Rs. 15,000 to 60,000 depending on load and backup time
- Thermal paper rolls: a recurring cost, check the roll width and core size your printer needs
- Network switch and cabling for LAN printers in the kitchen
- Barcode scanner (bakeries and retail counters): roughly Rs. 4,000 to 15,000
- Wall mounts and splash protection for kitchen screens
Example hardware budgets
Using the rough ranges above, here is how three common setups add up. Treat these as a planning starting point, not a quote.
One Android POS with built-in printer, a cash drawer and a small UPS. Very roughly Rs. 50,000 to 120,000.
Counter PC or all-in-one, receipt printer, one bar KOT printer or screen, cash drawer, UPS. Very roughly Rs. 90,000 to 250,000.
Counter terminal, two waiter tablets, three station printers or screens, drawer, UPS and networking. Very roughly Rs. 200,000 to 500,000+.
Software is a separate line item. For how the software fee, setup and running costs fit together, read our POS software price in Pakistan guide.
Send us a photo of your counter and kitchen on WhatsApp, or book a free demo. We'll tell you which of your existing devices and printers can be reused before you spend anything.
Book a free demoFrequently asked
What is the thermal printer price in Pakistan?
As rough market guidance, a basic unbranded 80mm thermal receipt printer is often around Rs. 9,000 to 20,000, and a branded model around Rs. 30,000 to 60,000. Prices change with the dollar and import costs, so check with local sellers before you budget.
What is a KOT printer and do I need one?
A KOT printer prints the kitchen order ticket at a station such as the grill or the bar. Most kitchens use a thermal printer; a hot, greasy station sometimes uses an impact (dot-matrix) printer instead. You need one per station unless that station uses a kitchen display screen.
What is the POS machine price in Pakistan?
It depends on the type. A handheld Android POS with a built-in printer is often roughly Rs. 30,000 to 80,000, an all-in-one touchscreen terminal roughly Rs. 60,000 to 180,000, and an ordinary PC you already own costs nothing extra. Check current prices with local sellers.
Can I use the hardware I already have with SureTill?
Usually, yes. SureTill runs on Windows, Linux and Android and drives standard ESC/POS thermal printers over USB, LAN or Bluetooth, so an existing PC, Android tablet or printer can often be reused. Send us the model numbers on WhatsApp and we'll confirm.
What is the total hardware cost for a small restaurant?
For one counter and one kitchen station, budget for a counter device, a receipt printer, one KOT printer or screen, a cash drawer and a UPS. Using the rough ranges on this page, that is very roughly Rs. 50,000 to 200,000 depending on brands and what you reuse.
Price ranges are rough market guidance for planning only, not offers or quotes, and are not SureTill prices. Prices change; check with local sellers before you buy.