Meta Description: Searching for the best EPOS system for your UK business? We compare SumUp, Toast, and Epos Now to help you find the perfect match for retail or hospitality.
Choosing the right epos system for your business can feel like a bit of a minefield, can't it? Whether you’re running a bustling coffee shop in Manchester or a boutique retail store in the heart of London, your till system is essentially the heartbeat of your daily operations. It’s not just about taking payments anymore; it’s about managing your stock, keeping your staff in check, and making sure your customers leave with a smile.
In 2026, the market is more competitive than ever. We’ve seen some huge leaps in technology, and today we’re going to dive deep into three of the heavyweights: SumUp, Toast, and Epos Now. Each has its own quirks and strengths, so let's figure out which one deserves a spot on your counter.
What Should You Look for in a POS System?
Before we jump into the comparisons, it’s worth thinking about what actually makes the best pos system for your specific needs. From our experience, we’ve found that most UK business owners care about three things: cost, ease of use, and features that actually save time.
If you’re a small startup, you might be hunting for the cheapest pos system to keep those initial overheads low. However, as you grow, you might find that "cheap" becomes expensive if the system can't handle your inventory or lacks the integrations you need for accounting.
Alt Text: A modern retail shop interior with a sleek EPOS system on the counter.
Retail vs. Hospitality
Your industry makes a massive difference. A retail pos system needs robust inventory management and perhaps a loyalty programme to keep shoppers coming back. On the flip side, a restaurant pos system needs table management, kitchen display integration, and the ability to handle split bills without causing a headache for your waitstaff.
SumUp: The King of Simplicity
If you’ve ever visited a local craft fair or a pop-up market, you’ve definitely seen those little white SumUp pos card readers. SumUp has built a massive reputation by being the go-to for micro-businesses and those who want a "no-strings-attached" relationship with their hardware.
Why We Love SumUp
The biggest draw here is the entry price. SumUp offers a free EPOS software plan, which is incredible for anyone just starting out. You just buy the hardware and pay a transaction fee.
- Transaction Fees: Usually around 1.69% for in-person payments. If you process a lot of volume, you can join "SumUp One" for about £19 a month to drop those fees to 0.99%.
- Ease of Use: You can set it up in minutes. It’s very intuitive, and you won’t need a degree in IT to figure out how to add a new product.
- Portability: Their handheld devices are perfect for market stalls or table-side payments in a casual cafe.
The Downside
While it’s often the cheapest pos system to get started with, it can be a bit basic. If you have complex needs: like tracking the exact amount of flour used in every pizza or managing a massive multi-location retail chain: SumUp might feel a bit lightweight. It also lacks a true offline mode, meaning if your Wi-Fi drops, your ability to take payments might drop with it.
Toast: The Restaurant Specialist
Moving over to Toast pos, we’re entering the world of dedicated hospitality. Unlike other systems that try to do everything, Toast is built exclusively for foodservice. If you aren't running a restaurant, pub, or cafe, you can probably skip this one.
Why It’s Great for Hospitality
Toast is widely considered one of the best choices for a restaurant pos system because it understands the chaos of a professional kitchen.
- Advanced Features: We’re talking ingredient-level tracking, native reservation tools, and highly customizable kitchen display systems (KDS).
- Customer Loyalty: Their built-in loyalty programmes and digital gift card options are top-tier, helping you turn one-time diners into regulars.
- Offline Mode: Toast has a very reliable offline mode, so the orders keep flowing even if the internet goes down.
However, Toast can be a bit pricier and more complex than SumUp. It’s designed for established businesses that need those deep analytics to squeeze every penny of profit out of their menu. If you want to see how it compares to others, check out our Toast EPOS for restaurants guide.
Alt Text: A busy restaurant kitchen with a Toast EPOS screen showing active orders.
Epos Now: The All-Rounder We Highly Recommend
Now, let’s talk about Epos Now. This is a brand we've followed closely for years, and for good reason. They manage to strike a fantastic balance between being feature-rich enough for big businesses but accessible enough for independent retailers and cafes.
If you are looking for a reliable, UK-based solution, the epos now till system is hard to beat. They currently hold a solid 4.5/5 on Trustpilot, which tells you a lot about their customer support and software reliability.
The Best of Both Worlds
Whether you need a retail pos system or something for a pub, Epos Now has specific configurations for both. Their hardware bundles usually start around £300 (though keep an eye out for their frequent promotions), and the software starts at roughly £40 per month.
- Integrations Galore: One of the main reasons we suggest Epos Now is their AppStore. You can link your till to Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, and even delivery platforms like Uber Eats or Deliveroo.
- Scalability: It grows with you. You can start with one till and easily expand to ten locations without losing your mind.
- Hardware Quality: Their 15.6" HD touchscreens are responsive and look great on a counter. Plus, they come with a high-speed printer and cash drawer as standard in most bundles.
If you're serious about upgrading your business, we’ve written a very detailed Epos Now till system review that covers everything from hidden costs to the best hidden features. It's definitely worth a read before you sign any contracts!
Is it right for you?
We think Epos Now is the "Goldilocks" of the EPOS world. It isn't as basic as SumUp, and it isn't as hyper-specialized (or potentially restrictive) as Toast. It’s flexible. For many, it's the best pos system because it handles the "omnichannel" world: selling in-person and online: seamlessly.
Comparing the Costs
Budget is usually the deciding factor, so let's break it down simply.
| Feature | SumUp | Toast | Epos Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | Very Low (£0 – £100) | Moderate | Moderate (~£300) |
| Monthly Fee | £0 – £49 | From ~£60 | From £40 |
| Transaction Fee | 1.69% (standard) | Variable | Fixed rate |
| Best Industry | Micro/Small Biz | Hospitality Only | Retail & Hospitality |
| Integrations | Basic | Moderate | Extensive (30+) |
Alt Text: A comparison chart showing SumUp, Toast, and Epos Now side-by-side.
What About Shopify POS?
It would be a mistake not to mention shopify pos in this conversation, especially if you already have an online store. If you’re a retailer first and foremost, Shopify’s integration between your website and your physical shop is world-class. However, for pure hospitality businesses, it often lacks the specific "table management" features that make Epos Now or Toast so effective. If you want to know more about the retail side, you can see our Shopify POS review for the full lowdown.
Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?
At the end of the day, the "best" system is the one that stays out of your way and lets you focus on your customers.
- Choose SumUp if you are a very small business, a sole trader, or a mobile vendor who needs the cheapest pos system with no monthly commitments. You can read more in our SumUp POS system review.
- Choose Toast if you run a high-volume, complex restaurant or bar and need specific hospitality tools like ingredient tracking and floor plan management.
- Choose Epos Now if you want a powerful, scalable, and highly supported system that works for almost any UK business type.
In our opinion, for the average UK shop or cafe owner, Epos Now offers the best value for money and the most flexibility. Their system is incredibly robust, and the ability to add apps as you grow is a total game-changer.
If you're ready to take the next step, we highly recommend checking out our full Epos Now till system review. It’ll give you a much deeper look at the software in action and help you decide if it’s the right fit for your counter.
Still not sure? Feel free to browse our EPOS till systems category to compare even more options. Choosing a system is a big step, but with the right info, it doesn't have to be a stressful one!