Let's be honest, choosing an EPOS system for your UK business can feel overwhelming. You've got dozens of providers shouting about features, pricing structures that require a decoder ring, and sales teams promising the world. If you're running a restaurant, café, pub, or retail shop, you've probably come across three names that keep popping up: SumUp, Toast, and Epos Now.
So which one's actually right for your business? We're breaking down everything you need to know about these three popular systems, from pricing and features to who they're genuinely best suited for. No fluff, no sales pitch, just straight-talking advice to help you make the right choice.
What Are We Actually Comparing Here?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's quickly set the scene on what each of these systems brings to the table.
SumUp started life as a payment processor (you've probably seen their card readers about) but evolved into a proper POS system after acquiring GoodTill. They're now offering full EPOS functionality at competitive prices, particularly aimed at quick-service and counter-service businesses.
Toast is the American restaurant specialist that's made its way across the pond with a London office. It's a cloud-based system built specifically for restaurants, with everything from tableside ordering to kitchen display systems. It's definitely on the premium end of the spectrum.
Epos Now is the Norwich-based UK market leader that's been around since 2011. They're probably the most versatile of the three, serving everyone from quick-service restaurants and pubs to independent retailers and convenience stores. They've built a solid reputation for customer support and flexible hardware packages.
The Pricing Reality Check
Right, let's talk money, because that's probably what brought you here in the first place.
SumUp comes in at £49 per month per till. It's straightforward, transparent, and there's no mucking about with hidden fees or surprise costs. You know exactly what you're paying from day one.
Toast will set you back around £80 per month. Yes, it's pricier, but you're getting a comprehensive restaurant management platform rather than just a till system. Whether that extra £30+ a month is worth it depends entirely on your operation's complexity.
Epos Now starts from £25 per month for their restaurant package, which makes it the most affordable of the three. However, if you're in retail, you'll need to contact their sales team for a custom quote. Some folks find this annoying, but it does mean you can negotiate a package that fits your actual needs rather than paying for features you'll never use.
According to research from Hospitality Technology, the average UK restaurant spends between £50-£150 monthly on their POS system, so all three options sit comfortably within industry norms.
SumUp: The Budget-Friendly Quick-Service Champion
If you're running a café, coffee shop, or quick-service restaurant and want something that just works without breaking the bank, SumUp deserves your attention.
What We Like:
- Dead simple to set up and use: you don't need a degree in IT
- £49/month is genuinely affordable for small businesses
- Solid payment processing (it's literally what they started with)
- Decent inventory management for basic needs
- No lengthy contracts tying you down
The Downsides:
- It's really built for quick-service environments, not full-service restaurants
- Fewer advanced features compared to Toast or Epos Now
- Limited reporting compared to more comprehensive systems
- Customer support can be hit-and-miss according to some users
If you're flipping burgers, making sandwiches, or serving coffee over a counter, SumUp's going to tick most of your boxes. But if you need table management, complex menu engineering, or multi-location reporting, you'll quickly outgrow it.
Toast: The Full-Service Restaurant Powerhouse
Toast is what happens when a company decides to build an EPOS system specifically for restaurants and nothing else. Every feature, every integration, every design choice is made with hospitality in mind.
What We Like:
- Genuinely intuitive interface that new staff can learn in minutes
- Tableside ordering that actually works smoothly
- Kitchen display system integration is brilliant
- Cloud-based means you can check on your business from anywhere
- Loyalty programs and customer engagement tools built right in
- Menu management is incredibly flexible
The Downsides:
- £80/month makes it the priciest option here
- Probably overkill if you're running a simple café or takeaway
- Being American-focused originally, some features feel more US-centric
- You're paying for restaurant-specific features even if you don't need all of them
Toast makes sense if you're operating a proper sit-down restaurant where table management, course timing, and customer experience are crucial. The cloud-based accessibility is brilliant for multi-site operators or owners who want real-time visibility. But for a quick-service spot? You're probably paying for features you'll never touch.
Epos Now: The Versatile UK Market Leader
Here's where things get interesting. Epos Now has become the UK's leading hospitality POS provider for good reason: they've focused on flexibility, solid customer support, and competitive pricing.
What We Like:
- Excellent UK-based customer support (actually answers the phone!)
- Works brilliantly for both hospitality and retail
- Hardware packages are well-thought-out and reasonably priced
- Starting at £25/month for restaurants is genuinely competitive
- Handles quick-service restaurants, pubs, bars, and cafés with ease
- Inventory management is robust
- Reporting is comprehensive without being overwhelming
The Downsides:
- Retail pricing requires contacting sales (some people hate this)
- Not ideal for heavy eCommerce retailers who need advanced online features
- Interface isn't quite as slick as Toast's
- You can't migrate existing websites: need to use their platform
If you want a proper conversation about your needs before committing, Epos Now's your best bet. Their approach of custom packages means you're not paying for irrelevant features, and their customer service reputation is frankly miles ahead of most competitors. We've covered this in more detail in our comprehensive Epos Now review, which is definitely worth a read if you're considering them.
Who Should Choose What?
Let's cut to the chase with some real-world scenarios:
Choose SumUp if:
- You're running a coffee shop, sandwich bar, or quick-service café
- Budget is tight and you need something under £50/month
- You want simple, straightforward functionality
- You don't need complex table management or course timing
- You're a sole trader or very small team
Choose Toast if:
- You operate a full-service restaurant or bistro
- Customer experience and tableside service are priorities
- You want the best kitchen display integration available
- You're planning to scale to multiple locations
- Budget isn't your primary concern
- Cloud-based reporting and remote access matter to you
Choose Epos Now if:
- You value strong UK customer support above all else
- You run a pub, bar, quick-service restaurant, or independent retail shop
- You want competitive pricing with flexibility
- You need reliable hardware packages
- You're after the market leader with a proven track record
For most UK hospitality businesses: especially pubs, bars, and quick-service spots: Epos Now hits the sweet spot between features, price, and support. They've genuinely earned their market-leading position through solid performance and actually caring about UK businesses.
The Hardware Question
Here's something people often forget: you need actual physical hardware to run these systems, and costs can vary wildly.
All three providers offer hardware packages, but approach them differently. SumUp keeps it simple with their card readers and basic iPad setups. Toast packages comprehensive restaurant hardware including kitchen printers and customer-facing displays. Epos Now offers the most flexible approach, with everything from Android tablets to full touchscreen terminals.
Don't just focus on software costs: factor in your hardware investment. A basic setup might cost £300-500, while a full restaurant system could run £2,000-3,000+. Get clear quotes on everything before committing.
Integration Considerations
Your EPOS system doesn't exist in isolation: it needs to play nicely with your accounting software, delivery platforms, and booking systems.
Toast integrates beautifully with restaurant-specific tools like OpenTable and Deliveroo. SumUp covers the basics with Xero and QuickBooks integration. Epos Now offers a solid range of integrations across both hospitality and retail, including major accounting platforms and delivery services.
If you've got existing systems you can't live without, check integration compatibility before making your final decision. Nothing's more frustrating than discovering your shiny new EPOS system doesn't talk to your beloved accounting software.
Making Your Final Decision
Look, there's no universally "best" option here: it genuinely depends on your specific situation. But here's our straight-talking recommendation:
If you're a small café or counter-service spot with basic needs and a tight budget, SumUp's your answer. It does what it says on the tin without any fuss.
If you're running a proper full-service restaurant where customer experience justifies the premium, Toast delivers features that'll genuinely improve your operation.
But for most UK hospitality businesses: quick-service restaurants, pubs, bars, and many retailers: Epos Now offers the best balance of features, pricing, and crucially, UK-focused support. Their market-leading position isn't accidental: they've built a system that works for British businesses, backed by customer service that actually picks up the phone.
Whatever you choose, get a proper demo before committing. Test drive the interface, ask awkward questions about costs, and make sure it genuinely fits your workflow. Your EPOS system is the beating heart of your business: it's worth taking the time to get it right.
Want to dive deeper into what Epos Now can do for your business? Check out our detailed review where we break down every feature, cost, and consideration. And if you're still weighing up your options across the whole market, our complete UK POS systems comparison covers everything you need to know.