uniCenta oPOS

Overview

uniCenta oPOS is open-source point-of-sale software for shops, restaurants and mixed-use businesses that need checkout alongside stock and multi-store tools. It is a strong fit for operators comfortable with a self-hosted system; its paid subscriptions add support, API access or managed hosting.

Version 5.0 is free to download under GNU GPL3. The maker describes it as commercial-grade software, but hardware support is third-party, so businesses should account for their own equipment choices and setup.

For broader comparisons, browse Point-of-Sale Software or Retail POS Software.

Key features

uniCenta covers both retail and hospitality workflows. Barcode scanning, customizable receipts, multiple payment methods and terminals, secure user logon, and dedicated restaurant and retail modes support a range of checkout setups. Table management and split receipts are useful for restaurant service; refunds and discounts add flexibility at the till.

Inventory management extends to multi-warehouse and multi-store functions, while sales reporting and employee permissions cover operational oversight. The breadth is useful for businesses managing stock and staff alongside sales, though third-party hardware support means the overall setup may require more coordination than a hosted, tightly bundled system.

WooCommerce can connect to retrieve customers, orders and products, supporting table-ordering and click-and-collect workflows. Customer, order and product APIs are intended for synchronizing data with other applications; BASE provides API access, while PLUS raises that to unlimited API access.

The maker advertises integrated EMV/PCI card payments in the UK, EU and USA. Subscribers get online support and a knowledge base, while community forum support is free but unsupported. The software continues working after a subscription expires, which reduces the risk of losing basic operation if a renewal lapses.

Pricing

The free download is the clearest starting point for businesses able to manage installation and support themselves. Paid subscriptions are billed monthly but charged yearly, so the monthly figure is not a month-to-month commitment.

• BASE — £6 per month, billed yearly (£72): Downloads and source code, update notifications, web reporting, standard forum support, user and developer guides, and API access. It suits self-hosting operators who want reporting and basic integration access without paying for unlimited API use or priority support.
• PLUS — £12 per month, billed yearly (£144): Includes BASE-style downloads, update notifications, web reporting and guides, plus priority forum support, limited developer support and unlimited API access. It is the better fit for businesses integrating multiple systems or needing a more responsive support channel, but it remains a downloadable option rather than managed hosting.
• HOSTED — £15 per month, billed yearly (£180): Everything on Plus, with cloud hosting, use on iPad and Android tablets and most browsers, a custom URL with HTTPS, daily backups, email support, a built-in web firewall and automatic upgrades. It suits businesses that prefer a managed deployment and browser access over arranging their own hosting.

The free version avoids subscription fees, but the paid tiers attach meaningful services to annual billing. Hosted costs £3 more per month than PLUS on the stated annual terms; that buys hosting and operational safeguards rather than just broader support or API access.

Platforms

Installers are listed for Windows, Linux and Apple Mac OS X. The maker also describes browser use on Android and iOS devices, while HOSTED specifically supports most browsers and iPad and Android tablets. The platform breadth is useful across mixed device environments, but it does not remove the need to consider third-party hardware compatibility.

Who it's for

Retailers, hospitality venues, mixed-use businesses and specialist operators can consider uniCenta when they need one system for checkout, stock and more than one store or warehouse. It is especially compelling for teams that value open-source software and can choose and manage their own hardware. Businesses wanting less operational responsibility should weigh HOSTED; those seeking a bundled hardware proposition should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Retail and restaurant modes, table management, split receipts and standard till functions make it relevant to more than one kind of venue.
• Pro: Inventory, multi-warehouse and multi-store tools pair sales operations with stock oversight.
• Pro: The GPL3 free download and continued operation after subscription expiry give self-hosting users room to avoid an ongoing subscription.
• Pro: HOSTED bundles cloud hosting, backups, HTTPS, firewall protection and automatic upgrades for operators who do not want to manage those services separately.
• Con: Hardware support is third-party, so equipment selection and compatibility remain the operator's responsibility.
• Con: BASE and PLUS are annual commitments billed yearly, and their forum support differs from HOSTED's email support.

Alternatives

RetailPOS is worth considering for a free, self-hosted open-source option under Apache 2.0, especially if that license is a priority.

Loyverse may suit businesses that prefer Android, iOS, web or API access and a free POS tier with a 31-day sales history; unlimited sales history is $5/month per store or $50/year.

Posnic POS is another freemium option, with a desktop application published under AGPL-3.0-only for readers prioritizing that open-source licensing route.

Heartland Retail starts at $89 per month and may fit readers comparing a paid starting-price option instead of uniCenta's low-cost annual subscriptions.

Open Source Point of Sale is a free web-based alternative for readers focused on browser access.

NCR Voyix POS is a paid option to consider for grocery, convenience and fuel, department, or specialty retail; contact the maker for pricing.

Runit RealTime is a cloud POS alternative with support and upgrades included in its monthly subscription.

Erply is a paid alternative for readers considering a listed Growth Plan at $1,000.00 per month, with three stores, 100,000 queries per month and unlimited users.

Verdict

Choose uniCenta oPOS if you need retail and hospitality checkout tied to inventory and multiple locations, and value a free GPL3 download or the option to add APIs and hosting by subscription. Its main drawback is the reliance on third-party hardware and the operational work that comes with self-hosting; HOSTED eases that burden, but businesses seeking a fully bundled hardware setup should compare other systems.