Choosing the right POS system for your UK business can feel a bit overwhelming. With so many options out there, it's easy to get lost in feature lists and pricing tiers. Three names you'll hear time and time again are Epos Now, SumUp, and Shopify POS : but which one's actually right for you?
We've done the legwork so you don't have to. In this guide, we're breaking down how these three popular systems stack up against each other, covering everything from pricing and features to ease of use and support. Let's dive in.
Quick Overview: Who Are These Systems Best For?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here's the short version:
- Epos Now – Ideal for small-to-medium retailers and restaurants who want a traditional, feature-rich setup with room to grow.
- SumUp – Perfect for micro-businesses, pop-ups, and hospitality venues looking for affordability and simplicity.
- Shopify POS – Best suited for businesses already running a Shopify online store who need seamless omnichannel integration.
Now, let's unpack each one properly.
Epos Now: The All-Rounder for Growing Businesses
If you're running a retail shop, café, restaurant, or any business that needs a proper till system with all the bells and whistles, Epos Now is well worth a look.
Pricing
Epos Now starts from around £50 per till per month (excluding VAT), with card transaction fees sitting at 1.7%. It's worth noting that basic support isn't included in the standard package : you'll need to add that on for an extra £25/month. So, factor that in when budgeting.
Key Features
We love how Epos Now packs in a solid range of features:
- Smart inventory management with purchase orders and stock alerts
- Multichannel selling including self-service kiosks, table ordering, online sales, and delivery integrations
- Multi-site management for businesses with more than one location
- Detailed reporting you can download and analyse
- Integrated payment processing so everything stays in one place
The system is cloud-based, meaning you can access your data from Windows, iOS, or Android devices. It also plays nicely with barcode scanners, receipt printers, and time clocks : handy if you've got staff to manage.
The Downsides
In the interest of keeping things honest, some users have mentioned that Epos Now can take a bit of getting used to. It's not the most intuitive system out there, and the quality of support can be hit or miss depending on your plan. Plus, a lot of the more advanced features come as paid add-ons, which can make costs creep up.
That said, for businesses that need flexibility and scalability, it's still one of the best EPOS systems in the UK. If you want the full breakdown, check out our Epos Now Till System Review.
SumUp: Budget-Friendly and Dead Simple
If you're just starting out or running a smaller operation, SumUp is a fantastic entry point into the world of POS systems. It's affordable, easy to use, and gets the job done without any fuss.
Pricing
This is where SumUp really shines. You can get started for as little as £19 for a card reader, and their POS software plans start from just a few pounds a month. Transaction fees come in at around 1.69%, which is competitive for the UK market.
If you want to know exactly how much SumUp charges per transaction, we've got a detailed breakdown for you.
Key Features
Despite the low price, SumUp still offers over 64 features, including:
- Bar tab management (great for pubs and hospitality)
- Contactless and NFC payments
- Loyalty programmes to keep customers coming back
- Real-time reporting on sales and performance
- Multi-location support if you expand
- Mobile card reader compatibility for taking payments anywhere
It's cloud-based, incredibly user-friendly, and has earned a stellar 4.8/5 rating for ease of use.
The Downsides
SumUp was originally designed with hospitality in mind, so if you're running a pure retail operation, you might find it lacks some of the specialised features you need. It's also not the best choice if you're looking for deep integrations or complex inventory management.
For micro-businesses and those watching the pennies, though? It's hard to beat.
Shopify POS: The Ecommerce Champion
If you're already selling online through Shopify and want to add a physical retail presence, Shopify POS is the obvious choice. The integration between your online and in-store sales is seamless, which makes managing stock and orders a breeze.
Pricing
Here's the catch : Shopify POS requires you to have a paid Shopify ecommerce subscription first. So you're paying for both your online store and your POS system. If you're not already on Shopify, this can get pricey fast.
However, if you're already paying for Shopify anyway, the POS add-on makes a lot of sense.
Key Features
Shopify POS comes loaded with over 73 features, including:
- Full ecommerce integration with your Shopify store
- Meta for Business integration for social selling
- Comprehensive multichannel tools to manage online and offline sales
- Unified inventory management across all channels
- Customer profiles that sync between online and in-store
For omnichannel businesses, the experience is slick and well-designed.
The Downsides
If you don't already have a Shopify online store, this system simply isn't economical. You'd be paying for ecommerce features you might not use just to get access to the POS. In that case, you're better off looking at Epos Now or SumUp.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Here's a quick-glance table to help you compare:
| Feature | Epos Now | SumUp | Shopify POS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Small-medium retail & restaurants | Micro-businesses, hospitality | Shopify online + physical retail |
| Starting price | £50/till/month | From £19 (hardware) | Requires Shopify subscription |
| Transaction fees | 1.7% | 1.69% | Varies by Shopify plan |
| Ease of use | Moderate | High (4.8/5) | High (for Shopify users) |
| Support included | Limited (£25/month add-on) | Strong (4.4/5) | Included with Shopify |
| Best feature | Multi-site management | Affordability | Omnichannel integration |
So, Which One Should You Choose?
It really comes down to your business type and where you're at in your journey.
Choose Epos Now if:
- You're running a retail shop, restaurant, or hospitality venue
- You need robust inventory management and reporting
- You want a system that can scale as you grow
- You're okay with a bit of a learning curve
👉 Get the full details in our Epos Now review : it's definitely worth getting a demo to see if it's the right fit.
Choose SumUp if:
- You're a small or micro-business watching costs
- You need something simple and quick to set up
- You're in hospitality and want basic but effective features
- You don't need complex inventory tools
Choose Shopify POS if:
- You already run a Shopify online store
- Omnichannel selling is essential to your business
- You want unified stock management across online and physical sales
Final Thoughts
There's no one-size-fits-all answer here. Each of these systems has its strengths, and the best one for you depends on your specific needs, budget, and growth plans.
For most UK businesses looking for a solid, scalable solution, we'd say Epos Now hits the sweet spot between features and flexibility. It's trusted by thousands of businesses across the UK according to UK business tech reports, and while it's not perfect, it offers a lot of bang for your buck.
If you're still unsure which POS system is right for you, have a browse through our guide on the best EPOS systems in the UK for more options and comparisons.
Got questions? Drop us a message : we're always happy to help you find the right system for your business. 🚀