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Restaurant POS review

CAKE

Restaurant POS with no monthly software, hardware or add-on fees; its cost is built into a locked-in card processing rate that is not published. The term is set in your order and the early termination fee counts software and processing for the months left.

By CAKE (Mad Mobile)Parent company: Mad Mobile (private company)
  • Lowest cost to get started (tied). Among 12 POS systems whose upfront prices are published, for our reference restaurant.
  • Longest equipment warranty (tied). Among 17 POS systems with a published warranty on the main terminal.

RTC SCORE

5.3

#5 of 13 with enough data

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Not enough verified data yet

We've verified 7 of 10 key facts for this POS. Until we reach 80%, this page shows what we have, with sources, and it isn't a full review.

Our verdict

A $0-a-month model where the card rate pays for everything, so the rate is the number to get in writing. Check the term in your order and the 60-day renewal notice.

What we like

  • No monthly software, add-on or hardware leasing fees.
  • 24/7 US-based support, per CAKE.
  • Publishes its early termination formula.
  • Its pricing page promises equipment replacement for as long as you remain a customer, with limits it does not publish; its written warranty is one year unless your order says more, and covers defects only. The cost is built into its card rate, which is not published.

What to watch

  • The card rate that carries the cost is not published.
  • The early termination fee includes future processing, and renewals run 2 years.
  • Online ordering is not in the entry plan.

How the score breaks down

How the score of CAKE is built: 5.3 out of 10#5 of 13 with enough data. We could verify 79% of the scoring data. Cost to get started (reference restaurant): 25 of 25; Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant): 0 of 25; 36-month total cost (reference restaurant): No data; Own online ordering: 7.7 of 11; Hardware warranty included: 8 of 8; Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it): 5 of 5; 6 criteria in one bar: 0.8 of 6; Initial term: No data · Weight 2%; Early termination fee: Weight 2%; Exclusive processing commitment: Weight 1%; Trial or money-back period: Weight 1%; Length of automatic renewals: Weight 1%; Notice to avoid renewal: Weight 0%. No data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero. Points earned: 46.5 out of 78.5 verified, or 59.2%. Multiplied by the completeness factor (0.89), that gives 5.3 out of 10. Methodology v0.5.0.5.3RTC Score,out of 10CAKE#5 of 13 with enough dataData completeness79%We could verify 79% of thescoring dataMethodology v0.5.0How this score is builtEach bar is as long as the weight of its criterion.The filled part is what CAKE earned.70% of the RTC ScoreCost to get started (reference restaurant)25 of 25Strongest · $0 to get startedSwitching or signing bonus you qualify for(reference restaurant)0 of 25Weakest36-month total cost (reference restaurant)No data20 points not verified24% of the RTC ScoreOwn online ordering7.7 of 11StrongestHardware warranty included8 of 8StrongestSupport 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it)5 of 56% of the RTC Score6 criteria in one bar0.8 of 6The 6 criteria, enlarged1234561Initial termNo data · Weight 2%2Early termination feeWeight 2%3Exclusive processing commitmentWeight 1%4Trial or money-back periodWeight 1%5Length of automatic renewalsWeight 1%6Notice to avoid renewalWeight 0%Points earnedPoints possibleNo data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero46.5points earned÷78.5points verified=59.2%of the verified points×0.89completeness factor=5.3out of 10
How the score of CAKE is built: 5.3 out of 10#5 of 13 with enough data. We could verify 79% of the scoring data. Cost to get started (reference restaurant): 25 of 25; Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant): 0 of 25; 36-month total cost (reference restaurant): No data; Own online ordering: 7.7 of 11; Hardware warranty included: 8 of 8; Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it): 5 of 5; 6 criteria in one bar: 0.8 of 6; Initial term: No data · Weight 2%; Early termination fee: Weight 2%; Exclusive processing commitment: Weight 1%; Trial or money-back period: Weight 1%; Length of automatic renewals: Weight 1%; Notice to avoid renewal: Weight 0%. No data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero. Points earned: 46.5 out of 78.5 verified, or 59.2%. Multiplied by the completeness factor (0.89), that gives 5.3 out of 10. Methodology v0.5.0.05105.3RTC Score, out of 10CAKE#5 of 13 with enough dataData completeness79%We could verify 79% of the scoring dataMethodology v0.5.0How this score is builtEach bar is as long as the weight of its criterion. The filled part is what CAKE earned.0510152025points70% of the RTC ScoreCost to get started (reference restaurant)Strongest · $0 to get started25 of 25Switching or signing bonus you qualify for(reference restaurant)Weakest0 of 2536-month total cost (reference restaurant)20 points not verifiedNo data24% of the RTC ScoreOwn online orderingStrongest7.7 of 11Hardware warranty includedStrongest8 of 8Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it)5 of 56% of the RTC Score6 criteria in one bar0.8 of 6The 6 criteria, enlargedInitial termNo data · Weight 2%Early termination feeWeight 2%Exclusive processing commitmentWeight 1%Trial or money-back periodWeight 1%Length of automatic renewalsWeight 1%Notice to avoid renewalWeight 0%Points earnedPoints possibleNo data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero46.5points earned÷78.5points verified=59.2%of the verifiedpoints×0.89completenessfactor=5.3out of 10
Verified Oct 1, 2026Each data point and its source are under “All the data, with sources”, further down this page.How we score

Points by criterion

#5 of 13 with enough data

  • 70% of the RTC Score
    • Cost to get started (reference restaurant): 25 of 25 · Strongest · $0 to get started
    • Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant): 0 of 25 · Weakest
    • 36-month total cost (reference restaurant): No data · 20 points not verified
  • 24% of the RTC Score
    • Own online ordering: 7.7 of 11 · Strongest
    • Hardware warranty included: 8 of 8 · Strongest
    • Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it): 5 of 5
  • 6% of the RTC Score
    • 6 criteria in one bar: 0.8 of 6
    • Initial term: No data · Weight 2% · 1.5 points not verified
    • Early termination fee: Weight 2%
    • Exclusive processing commitment: Weight 1%
    • Trial or money-back period: Weight 1%
    • Length of automatic renewals: Weight 1%
    • Notice to avoid renewal: Weight 0%

No data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero

Points earned: 46.5 out of 78.5 verified, or 59.2%. Multiplied by the completeness factor (0.89), that gives 5.3 out of 10.

Methodology v0.5.0

RTC Score5.3out of 10

Methodology v0.5.0

Data completeness79%

We could verify 79% of the scoring data

Strongest points
Cost to get started (reference restaurant), Hardware warranty included, Own online ordering
Weakest point
Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant)

Score by criterion

  • Cost to get started (reference restaurant)Weight 25%Strongest10.0 out of 10

    $0 to get started

  • Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant)Weight 25%Weakest0.0 out of 10

    $0 in promotions our reference restaurant qualifies for

  • 36-month total cost (reference restaurant)Weight 20%No data
  • Own online orderingWeight 11%Strongest7.0 out of 10
  • Hardware warranty includedWeight 8%Strongest10.0 out of 10
  • Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it)Weight 5%10.0 out of 10
  • Initial termWeight 2%No data
  • Early termination feeWeight 2%2.5 out of 10
  • Exclusive processing commitmentWeight 1%0.0 out of 10
  • Trial or money-back periodWeight 1%0.0 out of 10
  • Length of automatic renewalsWeight 1%3.0 out of 10
  • Notice to avoid renewalWeight 0%7.0 out of 10

Cost to get started

The cash your restaurant puts in before it opens on the new POS, in our reference scenario ($30k/month in card sales, $35 average ticket, 2 terminals, 1 location, 36 months): equipment you buy up front plus one-time setup or installation fees. Same rows for every POS.

25% of the RTC Score

Terminals, upfront: POS terminal (included) (×2)$0
Total to get started$0

$0 up front: the equipment is loaned, rented or included with no upfront payment.

Left out and why

  • Monthly and yearly charges (rent, software, yearly fees per device) are part of the 36-month cost, not of the entry cost.

Switching or signing bonus

What the vendor's current promotions are worth to our reference restaurant ($30k/month in card sales, $35 average ticket, 2 terminals, 1 location, 36 months), an established restaurant switching from another company's POS.

25% of the RTC Score

Counted in the RTC Score

$0

No current switching or signing promotion. It counts $0.

Promotions end and change, so we re-check them: one with no end date comes down if we can't re-check it within 30 days, and an expired one stops counting the day after it ends.

Hardware warranty

The same rows for every POS: how long the main terminal is covered against defects when you get it a standard way (buying, leasing, renting, a subscription or a loan), the conditions, including what it leaves out and what keeping it costs, and the price to replace that terminal outside the coverage.

Hardware warranty includedLifetime, while your agreement is activeSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)The pricing page promises lifetime equipment replacement on every plan, with a footnote that limits may apply; those limits are not published. The written warranty is one year, or longer if your order says so. The equipment's cost is built into the card rate, so the coverage lasts while you remain a customer: the same rule we apply to every vendor whose coverage lasts while you keep the agreement that carries it.
Warranty conditionsThe written warranty (Hardware Return Policy and Limited Warranty, updated September 23, 2025) covers substantial defects for one year from purchase, or the longer period in your order, and only for equipment used with a CAKE service. Apple products carry only Apple's warranty, and batteries are not covered. Not covered: cosmetic damage, normal wear, theft, loss, acts of God, abuse, misuse, negligence, accidents and third-party hardware CAKE has not approved. Once a replacement is authorized, CAKE ships a new or refurbished unit by ground within 3 business days. You return the old unit within 7 days; if you don't, or if it turns out not to be defective or was damaged by abuse, you pay the equipment replacement fee ($1,199 for a POS terminal) plus return shipping. Proof of purchase is required. CAKE publishes no separate paid protection plan, although the contract says an order may offer paid warranty extensions.Source: CAKE (opens in a new tab)
Price to replace the main terminal$1,199 one-timeSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)A POS terminal on its own: CAKE's equipment replacement fee for a POS terminal, charged when a replacement is not returned or the damage is not covered. A terminal with a customer-facing display is $1,399; every plan lists a "POS Terminal w/ Customer Display", which may be that unit, but the page doesn't say. The same schedule lists $239 for the payment device and $279 for a thermal printer.

The RTC Score only counts how long defects are covered. What the coverage leaves out (accidents, theft, loss) and what it costs to keep are in the conditions. A protection plan sold separately doesn't count; if the vendor offers one, it's in the conditions. The replacement price isn't added to the 36-month cost, because there's no public data on how often equipment fails.

Trial or money-back period

Whether you can try the POS and leave, and what it costs you if you do. Same rows for every POS.

Trial or money-back periodNone publishedSource: CAKE (Mad Mobile) (opens in a new tab)We checked CAKE's pricing page and its legal agreements: no trial or refund window for the POS is published. The only "Trial Period" in the terms is for loaner equipment of Guest Manager, a separate product.
Trial periodN/ASource: CAKE (Mad Mobile) (opens in a new tab)CAKE publishes no trial for the POS.
Charges during the trialN/ASource: CAKE (Mad Mobile) (opens in a new tab)CAKE publishes no trial for the POS.
Trial conditionsNo trial is published. CAKE's terms say fees, including activation fees, can't be canceled or refunded. Unused hardware can be returned within 60 days of delivery, but setup and shipping aren't refunded, and hardware bought with Pay-as-you-Please or EZ Pay can't be returned.Source: CAKE (Mad Mobile) (opens in a new tab)

In the RTC Score the trial is part of the contract block, the lowest weight in the model: full points when you can try it with no software charges or get your money back, half when you can cancel without the early termination fee but the charges during the trial are yours.

All the data, with sources

Each value links to its source. "Not published" means the vendor doesn't disclose it; "Unconfirmed" means we looked and couldn't confirm it. Data points we have for fewer than four vendors are left out until we can compare them.

Software
Data pointValue
Software from$0/moSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)No monthly POS, add-on, hardware leasing or software subscription fees; the cost is included in the card processing rate.
Software billed perIncluded in the card rateSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)
Kitchen display (KDS) feeNot publishedSee my price for CAKE (opens the provider's site in a new tab)Source: CAKE (opens in a new tab)The kitchen display system is optional on Growth and Scale, with no published price.
Payment processing
Data pointValue
Who processes your cardsMust use the vendor's processingSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)
Pricing model for card feesFlat rateSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)CAKE advertises a locked-in processing rate.
In-person card rateNot publishedSee my price for CAKE (opens the provider's site in a new tab)Source: CAKE (opens in a new tab)
In-person fee per transactionNot publishedSee my price for CAKE (opens the provider's site in a new tab)Source: CAKE (opens in a new tab)
Online card rateNot publishedSee my price for CAKE (opens the provider's site in a new tab)Source: CAKE (opens in a new tab)CAKE publishes no card rate for any channel: the cost of the POS is built into a locked-in processing rate that is set in your order. Business News Daily reported 3% + 15¢ per in-person payment in March 2025.
Online fee per transactionNot publishedSee my price for CAKE (opens the provider's site in a new tab)Source: CAKE (opens in a new tab)CAKE publishes no card rate for any channel: the cost of the POS is built into a locked-in processing rate that is set in your order. Business News Daily reported 3% + 15¢ per in-person payment in March 2025.
Keyed-in card rateNot publishedSee my price for CAKE (opens the provider's site in a new tab)Source: CAKE (opens in a new tab)CAKE publishes no card rate for any channel: the cost of the POS is built into a locked-in processing rate that is set in your order. Business News Daily reported 3% + 15¢ per in-person payment in March 2025.
Keyed-in fee per transactionNot publishedSee my price for CAKE (opens the provider's site in a new tab)Source: CAKE (opens in a new tab)CAKE publishes no card rate for any channel: the cost of the POS is built into a locked-in processing rate that is set in your order. Business News Daily reported 3% + 15¢ per in-person payment in March 2025.
Annual fees per deviceUnconfirmedSource: CAKE (Mad Mobile) (opens in a new tab)We read CAKE's pricing page and every legal agreement: none names a yearly per-device, PCI or compliance fee, and the payment terms say your fees are the ones in your order.
Dual pricing or surcharge programNoSource: CAKE (Mad Mobile) (opens in a new tab)CAKE's only extra fee applies to every payment type, and CAKE says not to name it a credit card or processing fee. It publishes no dual pricing, surcharge or cash discount program.
Cards the program coversN/A()Source: CAKE (Mad Mobile) (opens in a new tab)CAKE publishes no dual pricing, surcharge or cash discount program.
Other fees in the contractActivation fees, which can't be canceled or refunded, and an installation fee per workstation when CAKE coordinates the installation, at the prices in your order. Equipment that isn't returned after a replacement, or that turns out not to be defective, is charged at the replacement fee schedule ($1,199 for a POS terminal). CAKE can change recurring fees with 30 days' notice, and collection costs on overdue amounts are yours.Source: CAKE (Mad Mobile) (opens in a new tab)
Hardware
Data pointValue
HardwareIncluded in the planSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)
Hardware works with another processorUnconfirmedSource: CAKE (Mad Mobile) (opens in a new tab)CAKE's terms don't say whether its terminals work with another processor. Its written warranty covers only equipment used with a CAKE service, and its standard plans require CAKE's processing.
Contract and exit
Data pointValue
Initial termQuote onlySource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)Set in your order; CAKE's own example uses 36 months. Business News Daily reported a two-year contract in March 2025.
Automatic renewal24 monthsSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)Renews for 2-year periods (§10.1).
Notice to avoid renewal60 daysSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)
How the early termination fee is calculatedFees left in the term, including future processingSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)
Early termination feePay-as-you-please plan: $150 times the months left. Other plans: 0.80 × (monthly software fees + average processing fees of the last 3 months) × the months left, per location (§6.2).Source: CAKE (opens in a new tab)
Exclusive processing commitmentYesSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)Leaving CAKE's processing counts as early termination.
Right to raise prices during the termCAKE can change recurring fees at any time with 30 days' notice (§6.9); if you don't accept the change you can end the agreement before it takes effect and pay only for the service up to your notice. Renewals are billed at the higher of the renewal rate in your order and CAKE's then-current pricing.Source: CAKE (Mad Mobile) (opens in a new tab)
Personal guarantee by the signerYesSource: CAKE (Mad Mobile) (opens in a new tab)CAKE's payment terms let it ask for a personal guarantee from an owner when you sign up or later; it is not automatic.
Online ordering and delivery
Data pointValue
Own online orderingIncluded in higher plansSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)Online ordering and loyalty come with the Growth plan and above, not with Core.
No per-order commission on own online orderingYesSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)
Delivery app integrationsDoorDash, Uber Eats, GrubhubSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)The integrations page details Uber Eats and DoorDash (DoorDash through the CAKE Marketplace); the site menu lists "Grubhub, Uber Eats, Doordash".
Features
Data pointValue
Kitchen display system (KDS)Paid add-onSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)The plan table marks the kitchen display system as not included in Core and "Optional" in Growth and Scale. CAKE does not publish its price.
Loyalty programIncluded in higher plansSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)
Support
Data pointValue
Support 24/7YesSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)CAKE advertises 24/7 US-based human support; Growth lists it as bilingual without naming the languages.
Language
Data pointValue
POS screen in SpanishUnconfirmedSource: CAKE University (opens in a new tab)We searched trycake.com, its legal agreements and CAKE University: none documents the POS, back office, kitchen display, tickets or receipts in Spanish. CAKE University doesn't load for automated readers, and the pricing page only says Growth support is "bilingual" without naming the languages.
Back office in SpanishUnconfirmedSource: CAKE University (opens in a new tab)We searched trycake.com, its legal agreements and CAKE University: none documents the POS, back office, kitchen display, tickets or receipts in Spanish. CAKE University doesn't load for automated readers, and the pricing page only says Growth support is "bilingual" without naming the languages.
Kitchen display in SpanishUnconfirmedSource: CAKE University (opens in a new tab)We searched trycake.com, its legal agreements and CAKE University: none documents the POS, back office, kitchen display, tickets or receipts in Spanish. CAKE University doesn't load for automated readers, and the pricing page only says Growth support is "bilingual" without naming the languages.
Language of kitchen ticketsUnconfirmedSource: CAKE University (opens in a new tab)We searched trycake.com, its legal agreements and CAKE University: none documents the POS, back office, kitchen display, tickets or receipts in Spanish. CAKE University doesn't load for automated readers, and the pricing page only says Growth support is "bilingual" without naming the languages.
Language of customer receiptsUnconfirmedSource: CAKE University (opens in a new tab)We searched trycake.com, its legal agreements and CAKE University: none documents the POS, back office, kitchen display, tickets or receipts in Spanish. CAKE University doesn't load for automated readers, and the pricing page only says Growth support is "bilingual" without naming the languages.
Support in Spanish (as declared by the vendor)Not publishedSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)The Growth plan lists "24/7 bilingual support" without saying which languages.
Website in Spanish for the USNoSource: CAKE (opens in a new tab)trycake.com/es opens the English home page, the site declares English (en-us) and lists no Spanish version.

More about CAKE

How we score