So, you’re in the market for a new epos system. Maybe you’re opening a brand-new boutique in Manchester, or perhaps you’re trying to modernize a busy café in the heart of London. Either way, if you’ve done even five minutes of Googling, you’ve definitely come across the Epos Now till system.
Sales reps for these companies are great, aren't they? They’re charming, they’ve got a slick demo ready to go, and they make it sound like their hardware will solve every single one of your business woes overnight. But let’s be real for a second. A sales rep’s job is to sell. Our job here at What EPOS is to make sure you know exactly what you’re signing up for before you part with your hard-earned cash.
We’ve spent a lot of time digging into the Epos Now till system review data to find the bits that don't always make it into the glossy brochures. Here are the secrets they might not mention during that first "discovery call."
1. The "Cheap" Hardware Hook
We’ve all seen the ads: "Get an entire pos system for just £1!" or some other eye-catching figure. It sounds like a dream, especially when you’re opening a shop in the UK and every penny counts.
Here’s the secret: that hardware is often a "loss leader." The company is happy to give you the screen and the cash drawer for next to nothing because they know they’ll make it back on the monthly software subscriptions and the payment processing fees. If you decide to leave after six months because you found a cheapest pos system elsewhere, you might find those "cheap" hardware terms have some very expensive exit clauses.
Before you sign, always ask what happens if you want to cancel. If the deal seems too good to be true, it’s usually because you’re committing to a long-term software contract that costs way more than the hardware is worth.
Alt Text: A modern Epos Now hardware setup on a wooden counter, showing the sleek touchscreen design.
2. The Hidden Costs of the "App Store" Model
One of the best things about Epos Now is its flexibility. It’s built a bit like a smartphone; you have a base system, and then you add "apps" for things like Xero integration, loyalty programmes, or Shopify syncing.
Sales reps love to talk about Epos Now integrations because they make the system incredibly powerful. And they’re right, it is powerful. But what they might gloss over is that many of these apps come with their own monthly fee.
Want to connect your retail pos system to your online shop? That might be an extra £10–£20 a month. Want a fancy kitchen display screen for your restaurant pos system? There’s another app fee. When you’re trying to find the best pos system for UK businesses, those "small" monthly add-ons can quickly turn a budget-friendly till into a major overhead.
3. Transaction Fees vs. Subscription Fees
This is where it gets technical, but it’s vital to understand. There’s a big difference between what you pay for the software and what you pay every time a customer taps their card.
Some providers, like SumUp, have very low (or zero) monthly fees but higher transaction rates. Epos Now usually has a monthly subscription but offers competitive transaction rates through their own payment gateway.
A sales rep will often highlight the low monthly software fee but might not be as vocal about the card processing percentage. If you’re a high-volume business, even a 0.2% difference in transaction fees can save you thousands over a year. It's always worth checking how much SumUp charges per transaction to see how it compares to the Epos Now offer you’ve been given.
4. The "Free Demo" Isn’t Always the Full Picture
When you get a demo of the epos now till system, you’re seeing it in a "perfect" environment. The Wi-Fi is fast, the products are already loaded, and the rep knows exactly which buttons to press.
What they don’t show you is the learning curve for your staff. While it’s one of the more user-friendly systems out there, any new epos system takes time to master. You’ll need to figure out how to add upsell products and manage your inventory.
We always recommend looking at an Epos Now review for 2026 to see how actual business owners are finding the day-to-day usability after the "honeymoon phase" of the demo is over.
Alt Text: A close-up of a person using a POS system interface, highlighting the menu options and ease of use.
5. Support Tiers Matter
Imagine it's a Friday night, your restaurant is packed, and the till suddenly stops communicating with the card machine. You need help, and you need it now.
Epos Now offers different levels of support. Some packages include 24/7 phone support, while others might lean more heavily on tickets or web chat. A sales rep might tell you that "support is included," but you need to know what kind of support. If you’re running a busy hospitality business, being stuck on a web chat with a bot while a queue forms at the door is a nightmare.
Always check if you're getting "Premium Support" and what that actually covers. For some, it’s better to pay a bit more monthly to know a human will pick up the phone in 30 seconds.
6. Comparison: Epos Now vs. The Competition
Sales reps won't spend much time talking about their rivals, but we will! Depending on your business type, Epos Now might not be the absolute best fit.
- SumUp POS: Great if you’re a micro-business or a mobile trader who needs simplicity and no fixed contracts. (See our SumUp vs. Toast vs. Shopify comparison).
- Shopify POS: If your business is 80% online and 20% in-person, Shopify POS is almost unbeatable for inventory syncing.
- Toast POS: If you’re a high-end restaurant, Toast POS offers features specifically built for the kitchen that Epos Now sometimes needs extra apps to replicate.
It’s worth looking at Epos Now vs SumUp vs Shopify POS to see which one truly aligns with your workflow.
7. The Hardware "Lock-In"
This is a big one. Some EPOS companies use proprietary hardware. This means the software only works on their tablets and their stands. If you decide to switch software providers in two years, your expensive hardware might become an expensive paperweight.
Epos Now is actually better than most here, as their software can run on various devices (including iPads and Android tablets), but if you buy their specific "Pro" terminals, you are effectively locked into their ecosystem. If you’re looking for a cheap pos system, consider whether you can use hardware you already own.
Alt Text: A comparison chart or visual showing various POS hardware options including tablets and dedicated terminals.
8. Negotiating is Possible
Here is the biggest secret of all: the price on the website isn't always the final price.
Sales reps often have "end-of-month" targets to hit. If you’re a larger business or you’re looking to kit out multiple locations, there is almost always room for negotiation on the hardware price or the monthly subscription. Don't be afraid to ask for a discount, or better yet, ask them to throw in a specific app or an extra year of premium support for free.
If they want your business, they’ll usually find a way to make the deal sweeter.
What is the Difference Between POS and EPOS Anyway?
We get asked this a lot. A sales rep might use the terms interchangeably to sound more technical. Essentially, POS (Point of Sale) is the place where the transaction happens. EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) is the whole system: the hardware, the software, and the back-end data. You can read our full breakdown of the difference between POS and EPOS if you want to stay one step ahead of the jargon.
Is Epos Now Still a Good Choice?
After reading all of that, you might think we’re trying to put you off. Quite the opposite! We think the Epos Now till system is one of the best epos systems for UK businesses. It’s robust, it scales beautifully, and the reporting features are some of the best in the business.
However, we believe you should go into a purchase with your eyes wide open. Don't just take the sales rep's word for it. Do your own research, compare the cheapest pos systems for restaurants, and make sure the "hidden" bits: like app fees and support tiers: work for your budget.
Alt Text: A happy business owner serving a customer using a modern EPOS system, representing a successful implementation.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a pos system is a big decision. It’s the "brain" of your business. If it works well, everything from stock takes to staff management becomes a breeze. If it’s a bad fit, it’s a constant headache.
If you’re still on the fence, we highly recommend reading our ultimate guide to epos systems. It covers everything from hardware specs to the nitty-gritty of UK tax compliance.
And remember, the "best" system isn't the one with the flashiest advert: it's the one that makes your life as a business owner easier every single day.
Ready to see the full breakdown? Head over to our complete Epos Now till system review to see the pros, cons, and final verdict from our experts.
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