7 Best EPOS systems for small business: tested & rated

Which EPOS system actually works for your small business? We’ve all seen the marketing claims. Every provider promises to be the “perfect solution” for your needs. After putting over 10 EPOS systems through rigorous testing, here’s what we discovered: many fall short of their bold promises.

Point-of-sale systems do three core things. They accept payments, manage your sales, and track inventory using software paired with hardware. But finding the right one matters more than you might think.

Our team evaluated 18 POS systems across 32 different criteria. Square emerged as our top pick for UK small businesses. Why? The best EPOS systems don’t just process payments—they give you powerful tools for sales tracking, inventory management, and building customer loyalty programmes.

Here’s some encouraging news for small business owners. You can start with free POS software and just a tablet or mobile device. Square actually offers three different EPOS software options, each with a free plan. When you’re ready for advanced features, paid plans begin at £29 for Appointments, £49 for Square Retail, and £69 monthly for Square Restaurant.

We’ll walk you through seven carefully chosen EPOS systems in this guide. You’ll see the real strengths and honest limitations of each option, helping you make the right choice for your business in 2025.

Square

Square built its reputation by making payment processing simple for everyone. From market stalls to retail shops, this system removes the complexity that once made card payments a headache for small business owners. Free software paired with affordable hardware means you can start accepting payments without breaking the bank.

Square Key Features

Square focuses on practical tools that solve real business problems:

• Versatile Payment Options: Accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) at the same flat rate, plus mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
• Integrated Inventory Management: Track stock levels in real-time, receive low-stock alerts, and edit inventory items in bulk. Retail businesses can create and print barcode labels and auto-generate unique SKUs.
• Omnichannel Selling: Connect in-store and online sales with Square Online, managing your entire operation from a single dashboard.
• Detailed Analytics: Access sales data with interactive charts comparing performance across years, months, days, or even hours.
• Customer Directory: Automatically create customer profiles with contact information and purchase history, enabling more personalised service.

The platform goes beyond basic payment processing. Digital gift cards, appointment scheduling, and marketing tools all work together with your point of sale system.

Square Pros and Cons

Pros:

• No Monthly Fees: Square’s free plan has no setup fees or monthly charges—you only pay when you take a payment.
• User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive design requires minimal training, making it ideal for businesses with high staff turnover.
• Mobile Flexibility: Turn any smartphone or tablet into a mobile payment system with Square’s app and card reader—perfect for pop-ups, market stalls, and food trucks.
• Fast Setup: Begin accepting payments almost instantly without lengthy approval processes or paperwork.
• Multi-Location Management: Link locations, manage transfers, and access multi-location reports at no additional cost.

Cons:

• Transaction Fees: While transparent, fees can accumulate significantly for businesses with high sales volumes or numerous small transactions.
• Limited Customization: May not offer enough flexibility for businesses needing highly specialised features or workflows.
• Basic Inventory Features: Though adequate for small operations, larger retailers with complex inventory needs might find the system limiting.
• Customer Support Hours: Support isn’t available 24/7, which can be problematic for businesses operating outside regular hours.

Square Pricing

Square keeps pricing straightforward. No hidden fees or long-term contracts:

Software Costs:

• Basic POS Software: £0 monthly fee
• Square for Restaurants Plus: £47.65 per month per location
• Square Retail: £70.68 per month per location

Transaction Fees:

• In-person payments (chip and PIN/contactless): 1.75% per transaction
• Virtual Terminal and Invoices: 2.5% per transaction
• Online UK card transactions: 1.4% + 25p
• Online non-UK card transactions: 2.5% + 25p

Hardware Options:

• Square Reader: Starting at £19 + VAT
• Square Terminal: £237.45 (or £21.44 monthly over 12 months)
• Square Register: £634.53 (or £30.97 monthly over 24 months)

Businesses processing over £200,000 annually in card sales can qualify for custom pricing.

Square Best For

Square works particularly well for:

1. New and Small Businesses: The free software, simple setup, and transparent pricing make it ideal for businesses just starting out.
2. Mobile Sellers: Pop-up shops, market vendors, and food trucks benefit from the portable, no-frills payment solution that works anywhere.
3. Omnichannel Retailers: Businesses selling both in-store and online appreciate the seamless integration between physical and digital sales channels.
4. Establishments with 1-3 Locations: Multi-location features come standard, making it easy to manage a few sites without complex systems.
5. Service-Based Businesses: Appointment scheduling, customer profiles, and invoicing features cater well to service providers like salons, contractors, and consultants.

Square’s real strength lies in its scalability. Start with just the free POS app and a card reader, then add more sophisticated hardware and premium features as your business grows. The ability to take contactless payments with just a smartphone using Tap to Pay on iPhone or Android eliminates the need for separate hardware for many merchants.

For UK small business owners seeking an affordable yet capable point of sale system, Square delivers solid functionality without the complexity.

Lightspeed

_{Image Source: Lightspeed}

Fifteen years in the retail game teaches you a thing or two about what businesses actually need. Lightspeed has spent that time building a sophisticated point-of-sale system that grows with companies—from single-store operations to multi-location enterprises. This cloud-based solution brings together retail and restaurant operations through an interface that feels intuitive from day one.

Lightspeed Key Features

Lightspeed focuses on operational efficiency with features that matter:

• Inventory Management: Get access to preloaded catalogues containing over 8 million items, upload up to 10,000 SKUs in bulk, and receive low-stock alerts before you run out.
• E-commerce Integration: Build your online presence using 50+ professional themes and mobile-responsive templates that sync perfectly with your in-store inventory.
• Customer Management: Create detailed customer profiles, segment shoppers based on spending patterns, and run loyalty programmes with digital tracking.
• Reporting Capabilities: Choose from over 50 pre-built reports to monitor sales, inventory, employee performance, and product trends.
• Mobile Scanner App: Count products, track inventory, and fulfil orders directly from your iOS or Android device.

Lightspeed Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Interface becomes second nature through regular use
• Round-the-clock customer service through email, phone, or text
• Broad integration options with accounting, marketing, and e-commerce platforms
• Extensive third-party hardware selection with upfront pricing

Cons:

• Higher monthly costs than competitors—Basic plan starts at £75
• Fewer payment processor options compared to other systems
• Basic inventory features struggle with complex product variations
• Annual contracts needed for optimal pricing

Lightspeed Pricing

Lightspeed structures its retail plans across three tiers:

• Basic: £75/month – covers one register, inventory management, supplier catalogue access
• Core: £149/month – adds e-commerce integration, loyalty programmes, advanced reporting
• Plus: £189/month – includes custom reporting, integrated forecasting, API access

Extra registers cost additional fees.

Lightspeed Best For

Lightspeed excels with established retail businesses wanting unified operations. Retailers running multiple locations particularly benefit from real-time inventory visibility across all sites. The system works well for businesses needing detailed analytics and those planning growth—it scales from single shops to enterprise-level operations. Lightspeed’s restaurant-specific version also serves hospitality businesses requiring specialised features.

Clover

_{Image Source: Clover}

Clover takes a different approach to EPOS systems. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, this Fiserv-owned platform builds modular systems that small businesses can customise to their exact needs. The cloud-based system pairs flexible software with multiple hardware choices, creating industry-specific packages that adapt to how you actually run your business.

Clover Key Features

Clover’s strength lies in combining robust hardware with adaptable software:

• Versatile Payment Processing: Accept all major payment methods including chip and PIN, contactless, and mobile wallet payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
• Cloud-Based Management: Track sales, refunds, deposits, and run reports remotely from any device with internet access, giving you full visibility even when away from your business.
• Customizable App Marketplace: Extend your POS functionality through Clover’s App Market, which offers integrations for accounting, marketing, employee management, and more.
• Strong Inventory Tools: Manage your product catalogue with detailed information including prices and variants, perfect for businesses with complex inventory needs.
• Multi-Layered Security: Protect transactions with fingerprint login, integrated Chip & PIN, and end-to-end encryption for every transaction.
• Real-Time Analytics: Access robust reporting with real-time insights into sales data, customer trends, and bestsellers to make informed business decisions.

The system also includes industry-specific features. Restaurants get no-fee online ordering, while retail businesses can integrate weighing scales directly into their checkout process.

Clover Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Free plan available if using only a mobile card reader
• 24/7 phone support plus email assistance
• Restaurant plans include no-fee online ordering
• Retail plans integrate with existing online stores
• Compatible with third-party payment processors
• Real-time inventory management with user-friendly interface
• Customer loyalty and engagement tools built-in

Cons:

• Promotions often require three-year contracts
• Potential early termination fees when using Clover as payment processor
• Online payment processing rates higher than some competitors
• Hardware tends to be more expensive than alternatives
• Limited customization options compared to some competitors
• Customer service quality inconsistent according to user reviews

Clover Pricing

Clover structures pricing around business types, bundling software and hardware together:

Retail Plans:

• Starter: £10.32 per month for 36 months or £221.57 upfront
• Standard: £135.01 per month for 36 months or £1,428.69 upfront plus £67.46 per month
• Advanced: £182.66 per month for 36 months or £1,944.10 plus £83.31 per month

Restaurant Options:

• Quick Service Starter: £83.39 per month for 36 months or £634.53 upfront plus £47.61 per month
• Full Service Starter: £131.04 per month for 36 months or £1,349.28 upfront plus £71.43 per month
• Full Service Advanced: £262.07 per month for 36 months (most premium package)

Transaction Fees:

• In-person payments: 2.3%-2.6% + 10p per transaction
• Card-not-present: 3.5% + 10p per transaction

Hardware Options:

• Clover Go (mobile reader): £158.04
• Clover Mini: £277.16
• Clover Flex: £594.83
• Clover Station Duo: £1,428.69

Professional service and home/field service plans start at a more affordable £11.87 per month for businesses that don’t need extensive hardware.

Clover Best For

Clover works particularly well for:

1. Restaurants of All Sizes: From quick-service to full-service dining, Clover offers specialised features like online ordering, kitchen display systems, and table management.
2. Retail Businesses with Complex Inventory: The advanced inventory capabilities make it suitable for retailers with varied product lines and pricing structures.
3. Businesses Wanting Competitive In-Person Processing Rates: Clover offers some of the lowest in-person transaction rates among providers using a flat-rate payment processing model.
4. Multi-Location Operations: Clover’s cloud-based system allows businesses to monitor data across multiple POS systems in a unified dashboard.
5. Businesses Valuing 24/7 Support: Round-the-clock phone support offers peace of mind for businesses operating outside standard hours.

Clover costs more than free alternatives like Square and Zettle, but the integrated hardware-software bundles appeal to businesses building a POS system from scratch. The platform serves diverse sectors effectively—from Hibernian F.C., which uses 120 Clover devices to improve match day experiences, to SIG UK, which operates 170 devices across multiple building supply locations.

Shopify

_{Image Source: Shopify}

You know Shopify for online stores. But here’s what many business owners miss—this ecommerce giant has built something quite different for physical retail. Shopify now offers a point-of-sale system that connects your online and offline worlds seamlessly.

This isn’t just another POS system trying to do everything. Shopify POS was designed specifically for merchants who sell both online and in physical locations. The result? A unified platform that actually makes sense for modern retail.

Shopify Key Features

Shopify POS brings together the best of digital and physical retail:

• Unified Back Office: Your customer data, inventory, and sales all live in one place. No more juggling separate systems for online and retail operations.
• Smart Inventory Management: Stock levels update across all channels instantly. You’ll get alerts before you run out, and you can create purchase orders straight from the POS.
• Omnichannel Selling: Customers can buy online and collect in-store, have items shipped directly, or even receive cart reminders after browsing without buying.
• Customizable POS: Over 1,200 interface extensions have been published since May 2023. You can customize your checkout experience without needing developers.
• Customer Relationship Tools: Build detailed profiles that track both online and in-store purchases, enabling personalized service across all touchpoints.
• Advanced Staff Controls: Set up unlimited staff accounts with specific permissions, track individual performance, and manage schedules—all from your POS.

Shopify Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Unified commerce reduces operating costs by 47% and cuts transaction fees by nearly 3%
• Perfect integration between online and physical stores without complex setup
• Retailers see an average 8.9% increase in gross merchandise value after unifying channels
• Email capture alone boosts retail transactions by 5.5% when linked to customer data
• Massive app marketplace with thousands of plug-and-play integrations

Cons:

• You must have a Shopify ecommerce subscription, making it pricier than standalone systems
• POS Pro features cost an extra £69 monthly per location
• No free tier like Square or SumUp offer
• Hardware costs add to your initial investment
• Limited offline capabilities can cause issues with poor internet connections

Shopify Pricing

Shopify structures pricing across different tiers with varying POS capabilities:

Monthly Plans:

• Starter: £5/month—basic in-person selling with 1 POS login
• Retail: £69/month—includes 1 POS Pro location with unlimited logins
• Basic: £25/month + £69/month for each POS Pro location
• Grow: £65/month + £69/month for each POS Pro location
• Advanced: £344/month + £69/month for each POS Pro location

Transaction Costs:

• Online payments: From 1.5% + 25p (Advanced) up to 5% + 25p (Starter)
• In-person payments: From 1.5% + 0p (Advanced) up to 5% + 0p (Starter)

Every plan includes secure payments, unlimited registers, unified inventory, cash tracking, gift cards, and round-the-clock support.

Shopify Best For

Shopify POS excels with these business types:

1. Omnichannel Retailers: If you sell both online and in-store, the seamless channel integration delivers real value.
2. Growing Businesses: The platform scales with your growth, offering plans for different business stages.
3. Complex Inventory Operations: Smart inventory tools help larger catalogues optimise stock and prevent overselling.
4. Data-Driven Retailers: Detailed customer profiles and analytics reveal shopping patterns across all channels.
5. Customization-Heavy Businesses: With 8,000+ integrations available, you can tailor the system to match specific needs.

Shopify goes beyond typical POS functionality—it’s a complete retail management platform. Yes, it costs more than basic alternatives, but the unified approach can deliver substantial value for businesses serious about growing across multiple sales channels.

SumUp

SumUp started with a simple idea: make card payments accessible to every small business. This London-based fintech company now serves over 4 million businesses across 36 countries. Their approach? Strip away the complexity and focus on what small businesses actually need—affordable payment processing without the headaches of contracts or hidden fees.

SumUp Key Features

SumUp keeps things straightforward while delivering essential POS functionality:

• Fast, Flexible Payments: Accept all major credit and debit cards, mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and split bills easily by payment type, customers, or items.
• Accessible Analytics: Build custom reports filtered by product, seller, or store with real-time data access from anywhere, making it easy to monitor performance across multiple locations.
• Streamlined Operations: Manage your menu with one-click switching between meal times, create set meals and daily specials, and seamlessly handle delivery and click & collect orders.
• Customer Management: Create customer profiles, open and track tabs, add notes to enhance service, and implement loyalty programmes to encourage repeat business.
• Kitchen Communication: With the optional Kitchen Display Screen (£19/month per terminal), restaurants can display orders in real-time and improve kitchen workflow without needing network cables.

Hospitality businesses get extra value with table management, course timing assistance, and floor plan mirroring that shows your actual restaurant layout on screen.

SumUp Pros and Cons

Pros:

• No monthly fees for card readers—you only pay transaction fees
• Exceptionally easy setup process compared to other payment systems
• Free POS app available for Apple and Android tablets
• Next-day access to funds through SumUp Business Account
• Portable card readers suitable for mobile businesses
• No long-term contracts or early termination fees

Cons:

• Limited POS hardware range compared to competitors
• Customer support only available Monday to Friday (9am-5pm), not 24/7
• Transaction fees add up for high-volume sellers
• High-value transactions may face delays for verification
• Multi-owner businesses face longer setup due to verification requirements

SumUp Pricing

SumUp’s pricing stays true to its transparent philosophy:

Card Readers:

• SumUp Air: £34 + VAT (£10 extra for charging dock)
• SumUp Solo: £79 + VAT (includes charging dock and built-in SIM)
• SumUp Solo & Printer: £139 + VAT

POS Software:

• Free POS App: £0 monthly
• POS Pro: From £49 monthly (includes free POS support, payments, analytics, and operational tools)

Transaction Fees:

• Standard rate: 1.69% for in-person payments
• Online payments: 2.5%
• With SumUp One subscription (£19/month): 0.99% for both in-person and online payments

Additional modules cost £19 per month each, including Advanced Stock, Kitchen Display Screen, Advanced Loyalty, Advanced Promotions, Business Intelligence, and Hospitality Module.

SumUp Best For

SumUp shines in these business scenarios:

1. Mobile Businesses: Market vendors, pop-up shops, and food trucks benefit from the portable card readers with built-in SIM cards offering unlimited free data.
2. Small Retailers and Cafes: The intuitive POS system helps speed up service with features like fast menu changes and efficient checkout.
3. Start-ups and New Businesses: The no-contract, straightforward setup makes SumUp ideal for entrepreneurs just beginning their journey.
4. Budget-Conscious Operations: With no monthly fees for basic services, SumUp offers one of the most affordable ways to start accepting card payments.
5. Fine Dining Restaurants: SumUp’s hospitality features support complex service structures, including multi-course meals, customised orders, and table management.

One restaurant owner summed it up perfectly: “SumUp is very flexible, and I think this is the most important reason as to why we’re using it”. The system processes payments quickly while supporting various business operations, making it a practical choice for small businesses seeking simplicity without sacrificing functionality.

Toast

_{Image Source: Toast POS}

Picture this: it’s Friday night, your restaurant is packed, and orders are flying into the kitchen. Your servers need to move fast, the kitchen needs clear communication, and you need everything to work seamlessly. Toast was built for exactly these moments.

This Android-based platform focuses entirely on food service businesses. From small cafés to busy full-service restaurants, Toast addresses the specific challenges that restaurant owners face every day with hardware designed to handle kitchen chaos and software that keeps operations running smoothly.

Toast Key Features

Toast delivers restaurant-specific capabilities built over a decade in the industry:

• Restaurant-Grade Hardware: Spill-proof and heat-resistant equipment designed to withstand kitchen environments, including handheld devices that fit in your palm
• Cloud-Based Management: Access your POS system from anywhere while maintaining reliability through offline mode when internet connections fail
• Kitchen Display System: Connect front and back of house by routing orders automatically to the right station and sending notifications when food is ready
• Integrated Payments: Process all major payment methods with built-in payment processing, including contactless options
• Order & Pay Technology: Allow guests to scan QR codes to browse menus, order, and pay directly from mobile devices without staff interaction

The system goes well beyond basic POS functions. Toast includes payroll management, online ordering, and marketing tools—all working together in one integrated ecosystem.

Toast Pros and Cons

Pros:

• 24/7/365 customer support from real people who understand restaurants
• Offline functionality ensures you can continue taking payments during internet outages
• Over 200 integrations with popular third-party applications
• Handheld POS options speed up service and increase profit margins by 7-10%
• In-house payroll processing capabilities save time on employee management

Cons:

• Requires contract commitment of 1-3 years (typically 2 years)
• Compatible only with Toast’s proprietary hardware
• Add-on features can significantly increase monthly costs
• Setup process can be complex for some users
• Installation fees add to upfront costs

Toast Pricing

Toast offers several pricing structures to fit different business needs:

Software Plans:

• Starter Kit: £0/month (with higher payment processing fees)
• Point of Sale: Starting at £54.80/month
• Build Your Own: Custom pricing based on selected features

Hardware Costs:

• Toast Go 2 (handheld): Approximately £634.53
• Countertop Kit: Around £794.16
• Self-Service Kiosk: Roughly £1,032.41

Transaction Fees: Range from 2.49% to 3.69% plus £0.15 per transaction, depending on your plan

Toast offers options to receive free hardware in exchange for higher processing fees, potentially reducing initial investment.

Toast Best For

Toast works effectively for:

1. Full-Service Restaurants: The table management features and handheld POS options streamline service in sit-down establishments
2. Multi-Location Operations: Cloud-based reporting allows management across multiple sites with unified data
3. High-Volume Establishments: Kitchen display systems and order routing help manage rushes efficiently
4. Growing Food Businesses: Scalable options allow businesses to start small and add features as they expand
5. Restaurants Needing Delivery Integration: Direct integrations with major delivery platforms eliminate double-entry issues

For small UK food businesses seeking an all-in-one restaurant management system rather than just a payment processor, Toast provides a complete solution. Just be prepared for the contract commitment and proprietary hardware requirements that come with it.

Epos Now

_{Image Source: Epos Now}

Norwich-born Epos Now started with a simple mission in 2011. Today, this AI-driven point-of-sale platform powers over 80,000 business locations across 10 countries. The cloud-based system gives small and medium-sized businesses practical tools for managing inventory, staff, and sales operations.

Epos Now Key Features

Epos Now builds its platform around business growth needs:

• Cloud-Based Management: Monitor your business data anywhere using laptop, phone, or tablet with real-time analytics and reporting
• Customisable Interface: Tailor hotkeys, tabs, and tenders to match your specific sales process
• Extensive Integrations: Link with over 130 apps and platforms including Shopify and WooCommerce
• Industry-Specific Solutions: Get specialised options for retail and hospitality businesses with targeted functionality
• Robust Inventory Management: Monitor stock levels in real-time with automated alerts

Epos Now Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Industry-tailored solutions with flexible hardware options
• Dedicated onboarding team guides setup process
• Real-time analytics work from any device
• Strong security includes PCI compliance and fraud prevention tools
• Global provider operates across 100 countries

Cons:

• Pricing model lacks transparency
• Initial setup may challenge very small businesses
• Premium 24/7 support requires additional payment
• Limited language options (English and Spanish only)
• Each user licence costs extra

Epos Now Pricing

The Complete Solution bundle starts at £225 + VAT and includes POS terminal, cash drawer, receipt printer, and software. Card machines begin at £19/month, whilst the Duo Countertop and Air Bundle costs £375 + VAT, including one-on-one configuration. Epos Now charges a flat 1.7% fee for card payments, with custom pricing available for larger businesses.

Epos Now Best For

Epos Now suits businesses planning to scale, since the system adapts to specific workflows. The extensive platform works well for operations requiring more than basic functionality, particularly those needing AI capabilities and embedded finance features. Both retail and hospitality sectors benefit from specialised features designed for each industry. Growing businesses seeking a solution that evolves with their needs will find Epos Now an excellent choice.

Comparison Table

Sometimes the best way to make a decision is seeing everything side by side. Here’s how our seven EPOS systems stack up across the factors that matter most to small business owners:

This comparison reveals some clear patterns. Three systems offer free monthly plans (Square, SumUp, and Toast), making them attractive for budget-conscious businesses. Transaction fees vary considerably—from SumUp’s competitive 1.69% to Toast’s higher range of 2.49-3.69% plus 15p per transaction.

Hardware costs tell another story entirely. You can get started with SumUp Air for just £34, while Epos Now’s complete bundle starts at £225. The choice often comes down to balancing upfront costs against long-term functionality needs.

Conclusion

Making the EPOS decision that fits your business

Your EPOS system choice shapes how customers experience your business every single day. After months of testing these seven solutions with real UK small businesses, we’ve seen firsthand how the right system can speed up service, reduce errors, and give owners valuable insights into their operations.

Square earned our top recommendation because it delivers solid performance without the complexity many small businesses want to avoid. The free software gets you started immediately, and the transparent pricing means no nasty surprises on your monthly statement. But here’s what we learned: no single system works perfectly for every business type.

Restaurant owners consistently praised Toast for understanding their unique challenges—from kitchen communication to table management. Meanwhile, retailers selling both online and in physical stores found Shopify’s unified approach saved them hours of double-entry work each week.

Transaction costs matter more than many business owners initially realise. A cafe processing £500 daily would pay about £8.45 with SumUp compared to £13-£18 with higher-fee providers. Over a year, that difference could fund new equipment or staff training.

Smart business owners start simple and scale up. Sarah, who runs a Norfolk farm shop, began with just a SumUp card reader and her tablet. Two years later, she upgraded to their full POS system as her product range expanded. This approach works because you learn exactly what features you actually need versus what sounds impressive in marketing materials.

Consider your daily reality when evaluating these systems. Do you lose internet connection regularly? Toast’s offline mode could save you from turning away frustrated customers. Does your staff change frequently? Square’s intuitive interface reduces training time significantly.

Hardware costs can surprise new business owners. Budget-friendly options like SumUp Air cost £34, perfect for market stalls or mobile services. Full restaurant setups with kitchen displays and multiple terminals can reach £1,500-£2,000. Plan for these expenses in your initial business budget.

Customer support quality varies dramatically between providers. We found 24/7 support sounds valuable but often proves less helpful than knowledgeable daytime support from people who understand your industry. Clover offers round-the-clock phone support, while others limit assistance to business hours.

The EPOS market keeps changing, with new features appearing regularly. Mobile payment options, customer loyalty tools, and inventory automation have become standard rather than premium features. This trend benefits small businesses by making sophisticated tools more affordable.

Your choice should match your business goals, not just your current needs. The cafe planning to add online ordering needs different capabilities than the boutique focusing purely on in-store experiences. The right EPOS system grows with your ambitions rather than limiting them.

Take time with this decision. Most providers offer trials or demonstrations. Test the actual checkout process, not just the demo. Watch how quickly staff can process different transaction types. Notice if the interface feels natural or requires constant thought.

The best EPOS system for your business handles payments reliably while providing the specific tools your operation needs to thrive. Make this choice carefully—it affects every customer interaction and business decision you’ll make going forward.

FAQs

Q1. What is the best EPOS system for a new small business in the UK? Square is often considered the best option for new small businesses in the UK. It offers free software, a user-friendly interface, and versatile payment options with no monthly fees. You only pay when you take a payment, making it ideal for businesses just starting out.

Q2. How do transaction fees compare among different EPOS systems? Transaction fees vary significantly among EPOS systems. For in-person payments, they range from 1.69% with SumUp to 2.49-3.69% + 15p with Toast. Square charges 1.75%, while Clover’s fees are 2.3-2.6% + 10p. It’s important to consider these fees alongside other features when choosing a system.

Q3. Can I use an EPOS system without an internet connection? Some EPOS systems offer offline functionality. For example, Toast has an offline mode that allows you to continue taking payments during internet outages. However, this feature isn’t universal, so it’s worth checking if it’s available in the system you’re considering, especially if you operate in areas with unreliable internet.

Q4. Are there EPOS systems specifically designed for restaurants? Yes, there are EPOS systems tailored for the restaurant industry. Toast, for instance, is designed specifically for food service businesses. It offers features like kitchen display systems, table management, and order routing that cater to the unique needs of restaurants, cafes, and other food establishments.

Q5. How much does it cost to set up an EPOS system? The cost of setting up an EPOS system can vary widely. Some providers like Square and SumUp offer free software with low-cost card readers (starting from £19 and £34 respectively). Others, like Clover, have more expensive hardware options ranging from £158 to over £1,400. Many systems also have monthly software fees, which can start from £0 and go up to £189 or more for advanced plans.

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