Right, let's cut through the noise. If you're running a UK business in 2026 and you're trying to choose between Epos Now, SumUp, Toast, and Shopify POS, you've probably already spent hours scrolling through review sites and getting more confused by the minute.
Here's the thing: these four systems couldn't be more different if they tried. One's built for complex restaurant operations, another's perfect for startups on a shoestring, one's focused on retail empires, and the last one tries to do everything at once (with varying success).
We're going to break down exactly which pos system fits your business best, without the marketing fluff. Let's dive in.
The Quick Lay of the Land
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here's what you need to know about each contender:
Epos Now is your powerhouse option, highly customizable, brilliant for inventory management, and works across pretty much any device you can think of. It's the Swiss Army knife of epos systems, but that flexibility comes with complexity and a price tag to match.
SumUp is the budget-friendly underdog that's perfect if you're just starting out. It's got the basics covered and won't break the bank, but it does feel a bit… well, basic once you start growing.
Toast is the restaurant specialist that does everything from payroll to kitchen display systems. It's comprehensive but comes with a steep learning curve and locks you into their payment processor (which isn't ideal).
Shopify POS shines if you're already in the Shopify ecosystem or running a retail operation that sells both online and in-store. The integration is seamless, but it's definitely built with retailers in mind rather than hospitality.
Features & Complexity: Who Does What Best?
Inventory Management
If inventory tracking is make-or-break for you, Epos Now wins hands down. We're talking low-stock alerts, bulk uploads, cost vs. profit management tools, the works. It's brilliant for restaurants with complex ingredient tracking or retail shops managing hundreds of SKUs across multiple locations.
Shopify POS comes in second here, especially if you're managing products across online and physical stores. The inventory syncs in real-time, which means no more overselling or awkward "sorry, we're actually out of stock" conversations with customers.
Toast handles inventory well enough for restaurants, but it's more focused on menu management and ingredient-level tracking. It'll do the job, but it's not as robust as Epos Now.
SumUp? It's got basic inventory features, but don't expect anything fancy. You can track stock levels and get low-stock notifications, but that's about it. For a small café or pop-up shop, it's fine. For anything more ambitious, you'll outgrow it quickly.
Hardware & Device Flexibility
Here's where things get interesting. Epos Now works on literally everything, iPad, Android, PC, Mac, and even custom hardware. You can set up on the kit you already own, which is brilliant for keeping costs down.
SumUp and Shopify POS both run on iPads and Android tablets, which covers most businesses. However, SumUp doesn't offer handheld POS hardware or self-service kiosks, which might be a dealbreaker if you're running a busy restaurant or want to offer customer-facing ordering.
Toast runs exclusively on Android devices, and you'll need to use their proprietary hardware. It's not necessarily a bad thing (the hardware is solid), but it does limit your options and locks you into their ecosystem.
Payment Processing: The Hidden Cost Trap
This is where you need to pay close attention, because payment processing can make or break your budget.
Epos Now gives you the most flexibility. You can use their in-house payment solution (Epos Now Payments at £15 + VAT per month for card machines) or integrate with third-party processors like Worldpay, Paymentsense, or PayPal. This means you can shop around for the best rates or stick with a provider you already use.
Toast takes the opposite approach, you must use their payment processor. No exceptions. While this makes setup simpler, it eliminates your negotiating power. If you've already got a great deal with another provider, tough luck. According to industry analysis, Toast's payment rates aren't the cheapest on the market either.
SumUp recently updated their Solo terminal to process payments in under three seconds (genuinely impressive), and they offer competitive rates for small businesses. However, as you scale up, those rates might not be as competitive as what you could negotiate with a larger processor.
Shopify POS works best with Shopify Payments, obviously. The rates are reasonable, and the integration is seamless, but again, you're locked into their ecosystem. If you're already using Shopify for e-commerce, this is actually a benefit. If not, it's another thing tying you down.
Pricing: What Are You Actually Paying?
Let's talk money, because "affordable" means different things to different businesses.
SumUp is your cheapest option, especially if you're a startup or sole trader. You can literally get started for under £100 with their basic card reader. The SumUp POS system is perfect for testing the waters without massive upfront investment.
Shopify POS starts at £21 per month if you're on their Lite plan, but realistically, you'll need one of their main Shopify plans (starting at £24/month) to get the full benefits. Add in hardware costs, and you're looking at a few hundred quid to get properly set up.
Epos Now uses tiered pricing that varies based on your needs, with different tiers only revealed during the sign-up process. Users recommend thoroughly checking contract terms and potential hidden fees before committing. The Epos Now Trustpilot score sits at 4.5/5 as of 2024, which suggests most customers are happy once they're set up, but do your homework on the contract details.
Toast is the priciest option. Software costs are higher, hardware is expensive, and you're locked into their payment processing. Software Advice rated it 4.1 for functionality but only 3.7 for value for money, translation: it works brilliantly, but you're paying premium prices for it.
The Learning Curve: How Fast Can You Get Up and Running?
Time is money, and nobody wants to spend weeks learning a new epos system.
SumUp is the quickest to learn, you can literally be taking payments within minutes of unboxing. However, the interface is a bit clunky once you start digging into reports and more advanced features. The lack of a proper knowledge base means you'll be Googling solutions more often than you'd like.
Epos Now claims a 15-minute training time, and honestly, for basic transactions, that's about right. The drag-and-drop interface is intuitive, and the system guides you through setup. That said, unlocking the full potential (especially for complex inventory management) will take longer.
Shopify POS is straightforward if you're already familiar with Shopify. If you're new to the platform, expect a learning curve, but the documentation is excellent and there's a massive community to help you out.
Toast has the steepest learning curve of the bunch. It's packed with features, which is great, but the setup is genuinely complicated. Budget time for proper training, especially if you're rolling it out across multiple staff members.
Best Use Cases: Which System Fits Your Business?
Here's our honest take on who should choose what:
Choose Epos Now if…
You're running a large, multi-site operation (restaurant or retail) that needs complex inventory management, real-time cloud reporting across locations, and maximum customization. The Epos Now till system is brilliant for businesses that have outgrown basic systems and need something that can scale without limitations.
Choose SumUp if…
You're a startup, sole trader, or small food-and-drink operation wanting an affordable entry point without long-term contracts. It's the perfect stepping stone, you can start small and upgrade later when you've got more revenue coming in.
Choose Toast if…
You're an established restaurant that needs everything in one place, payroll, kiosks, advanced kitchen management, online ordering, the lot. The Toast epos for restaurants is unbeatable if hospitality is your game and you're willing to commit to their ecosystem.
Choose Shopify POS if…
You're a retailer selling online and offline and want inventory to sync seamlessly between channels. If you're already using Shopify for e-commerce, this is a no-brainer. If not, it's still worth considering if omnichannel retail is your focus.
The Verdict: What Should You Actually Do?
Look, there's no single "best pos system" that works for everyone. But here's what we'd recommend based on 2026's UK market:
For most growing businesses, especially in hospitality, Epos Now offers the best balance of features, flexibility, and scalability. Yes, it costs more than SumUp, but you won't outgrow it in six months. The ability to choose your payment processor alone could save you thousands over the long term.
If you're bootstrapping, go with SumUp. Get your business off the ground, start generating revenue, then upgrade when you're ready. There's no shame in starting small: it's the smart move.
Running a restaurant with complex needs? Toast is worth the investment despite the higher cost. Just make sure you factor in the learning curve and commit to proper staff training.
Already selling on Shopify? Stick with Shopify POS. The integration benefits outweigh the limitations.
Ready to Make Your Move?
Here's our advice: don't just read reviews (including this one). Book demos with your top two choices and actually test them out with your products, your workflows, your team. What works brilliantly for a café in Manchester might be completely wrong for a boutique in Brighton.
If you're leaning towards Epos Now (and honestly, for most UK businesses with growth ambitions, you probably should be), check out our comprehensive Epos Now review for the full breakdown of features, pricing tiers, and integration options.
The right epos system isn't just about features: it's about finding the one that fits how your business actually operates. Take your time, ask awkward questions, and make sure you're getting what you actually need, not just what sounds good on a spec sheet.
Good luck out there. You've got this.