FloCafe KDS
FloCafe KDS: A free, open-source KDS for technical teams managing local restaurant operations. Ranked #21 of 49 in Kitchen Display System Software by our editors (7.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for technical teams wanting free self-hosted KDS.
At a glance
- Editor score7.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTechnical teams wanting free self-hosted KDS
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Station routingYes
- Founded2016
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free MIT-licensed software with no subscription fee
- Routes tickets by stations such as bar, grill, dessert, and pizza
- Supports statuses, timers, LAN pairing, and printer fallback
Where it doesn't
- Requires self-hosted, local deployment and operational management
- Best suited to teams already working within the FloCafe ecosystem
- Not designed for teams seeking AI-assisted kitchen workflows
Our verdict on FloCafe KDS
FloCafe KDS is the kitchen display component of FloCafe, an open-source restaurant POS. It is designed for restaurant teams that want local control over incoming tickets, preparation states, modifiers, notes, order types, elapsed times, and ready orders. Technical teams can run it on Windows, macOS, or Linux, with deployment available on self-hosted infrastructure. Dashboard and standalone KDS views support different kitchen workflows, while additional displays can pair over a local network.
Its strongest area is operational ticket handling. Teams can route categories to stations such as bar, grill, dessert, and pizza, then move tickets through new, preparing, ready, and completed states. Order-type badges, new-item badges, table names, timers, modifiers, and notes keep context visible at the point of preparation. Local-network pairing can use a LAN address or QR code, and KOT and kitchen-printer workflows provide a fallback or parallel process when a display is not the only kitchen output. The published plan is a single free open-source option, licensed under MIT, with no subscription fee and self-hosted control.
FloCafe KDS fits teams that value local operation, configurable station routing, and ownership of deployment. Its ecosystem includes Google Drive, WhatsApp, and external payment terminals, while the KDS itself remains centered on the FloCafe POS workflow. That local-first design is less suitable for restaurants seeking a hosted, vendor-managed service or a cloud-first operating model. It also places more responsibility on technical staff for deployment and ongoing administration. Choose FloCafe KDS when free self-hosting and kitchen workflow control matter most; consider another option when managed hosting or a broader platform approach is the priority.
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FloCafe KDS pricing
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FloCafe KDS fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Station routing | Yes |
| Order status tracking | Yes |
| Expo screen | Yes |
| Display platforms | Not verified |
| Offline mode | Yes |
| Deployment | On_premise |
| Maximum stations | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: Google Drive, WhatsApp, external payment terminals |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | flopos.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
FloCafe KDS integrations
FloCafe KDS lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- Google Drive
- external payment terminals
Alternatives to FloCafe KDS
- Epson TrueOrder KDSA focused on-premise KDS for Epson-centered routing, expo, printing, and analytics.9.3
- Oracle MICROS Simphony KDSA specialized KDS for coordinating complex restaurant production workflows.9.1
- Clover Kitchen Display SystemA Clover-focused KDS for routing kitchen orders and tracking fulfillment on dedicated displays.8.9
See all FloCafe KDS alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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