So, you’ve finally done it. You’ve got the keys to your first shop, the lease for your café is signed, or your online brand is ready to hit the local markets. First of all: congratulations! Starting a business in the UK is an absolute whirlwind, and honestly, we think it’s one of the most exciting things you can do.
But now comes the "boring" part that actually makes or breaks your daily life: choosing an epos system.
We know what you’re thinking. "I just need something that takes card payments, right?" Well, yes and no. A modern pos system isn't just a fancy cash drawer anymore. It’s your accountant, your stock manager, and your customer service assistant all rolled into one. If you pick the wrong one, you’ll be stuck dealing with buggy software while a queue of annoyed customers grows out the door.
In this guide, we’re going to break down the three heavy hitters for UK startups: SumUp, Epos Now, and Shopify. We’ll look at the costs, the quirks, and which one will actually help you grow.
Why Your Choice of EPOS System Matters for Your Startup
When you’re just starting out, every penny counts. You might be tempted to just grab the cheapest pos system you can find and call it a day. But think about it this way: your till is the heartbeat of your business. If it goes down during a busy Saturday lunch rush, you’re losing money.
According to the British Retail Consortium, the UK retail landscape is shifting rapidly toward digital-first and hybrid models. This means your startup needs to be agile. You need a system that can handle "Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store" (BOPIS), manage inventory across different locations, and: most importantly: keep your data safe.
Let’s dive into our top three picks and see how they stack up.
1. Epos Now: The Best All-Rounder for UK Growth
If you’re looking for a system that can grow as fast as your ambitions, we’d say the epos now till system is hard to beat. Based right here in the UK (Norwich, to be exact), they really understand the local market.
What we love about Epos Now is its flexibility. Whether you’re looking for a restaurant pos system or a retail pos system, they have tailored setups that actually make sense for your specific workflow.
The Highlights:
- UK-Based Support: This is a huge one. If things go wrong at 2 PM on a Tuesday, you want to talk to someone who understands your business. Epos Now offers 24/7 phone support.
- Offline Mode: If your Wi-Fi decides to take a nap, your business doesn't have to. You can keep taking payments and syncing them once you're back online.
- Deep Inventory Management: If you’re running a complex retail shop or a restaurant with a massive menu, their stock tracking is top-tier.
We’ve spent a lot of time testing their software, and it’s consistently one of our top recommendations. If you want the full deep dive into their pricing and features, it’s definitely worth checking out our Epos Now till system review.
Pricing:
Software usually starts from around £25 per month, and hardware bundles are often available at a discount for new startups. It's a solid investment that pays off in saved time.
Ready to see it in action? Check out our full Epos Now review here to see if it’s the right fit for your shop.
2. SumUp: The King of Simplicity and Low Costs
If your startup is a "one-man band" or a pop-up food truck, you might not need all the bells and whistles of a full-scale enterprise system. This is where SumUp pos shines. It is often touted as the cheapest pos system for those just getting their feet wet.
The onboarding process is incredibly simple. You can literally buy a card reader, download the app, and start selling in minutes.
The Highlights:
- No Monthly Fees (on basic plans): You can opt for a "pay-as-you-grow" model where you only pay a flat percentage on transactions.
- Ultra-Portable Hardware: Their card readers fit in your pocket, making them perfect for markets and events.
- SumUp One: If you start doing higher volumes, their £19/month subscription drops your transaction fees significantly, which we think is a great deal.
However, keep in mind that SumUp’s inventory management is quite basic. If you have hundreds of SKUs or need detailed table management for a restaurant, you might find it a bit limiting. You can read more about its strengths in our SumUp POS system review.
3. Shopify POS: The Omnichannel Giant
If you’re planning to sell online and in-person from day one, shopify pos is likely already on your radar. Shopify is the gold standard for e-commerce, and their POS system links your physical store directly to your website.
The Highlights:
- Unified Inventory: If someone buys your last jumper online, it instantly updates your till in the shop so you don't accidentally sell it twice.
- Customer Profiles: It tracks customer habits across both online and offline channels, which is brilliant for loyalty programmes.
- Global Ecosystem: There is an app for everything on Shopify.
The downside? It can get expensive. You need a Shopify monthly plan just to get started, and some of the best POS features are locked behind the "POS Pro" add-on. For a deeper look at the costs, have a look at our Shopify POS review.
Comparing the Costs: Which One Wins?
We know that for a startup, the bottom line is everything. Here is a quick breakdown of how these three usually compare on the wallet:
| Feature | SumUp | Epos Now | Shopify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Cost | £0 – £49/mo | From £25/mo | From £25/mo |
| Hardware Start | ~£25 | ~£249 | ~£239 |
| Transaction Fees | 1.69% (basic) | From 1.3% | Varies by plan |
| Support | Email/Chat | 24/7 UK Phone | 24/7 Chat/Email |
While SumUp looks the cheapest upfront, Epos Now often works out more cost-effective for businesses with a higher turnover because their custom transaction rates can be lower. Plus, the value of that UK phone support shouldn't be underestimated when you're in a pinch.
Don't forget to read our comprehensive Epos Now review for the latest deals and pricing updates.
Industry Specifics: Retail vs. Restaurant
Your industry changes what you need from an epos system.
For the Foodies (Restaurants & Cafés)
In a fast-paced hospitality environment, you need features like kitchen display screen (KDS) integration, table management, and split billing. While SumUp is fine for a coffee stand, a full-service restaurant would benefit more from a dedicated restaurant pos system. We often recommend looking at toast pos for high-volume eateries, but Epos Now’s hospitality module is also incredibly robust for UK-based pubs and bistros.
For the Shopkeepers (Retail)
If you’re in retail, inventory is your biggest headache. You need a retail pos system that can handle barcode scanning, returns, and stock alerts. Shopify is the leader for online-heavy retail, but for a traditional brick-and-mortar shop, the epos now till system provides excellent stock-taking tools that are very easy to use.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
So, after all that, which one is the best pos system for your UK startup? It really comes down to your business model:
- Choose SumUp if: You are a small startup, a pop-up, or a hobbyist who wants the lowest possible upfront cost and doesn't need complex stock management.
- Choose Epos Now if: You want a reliable, scaleable system with UK-based support and powerful features that work both online and offline. It’s the perfect middle ground for most British small businesses.
- Choose Shopify if: Your business is heavily focused on e-commerce and you want your physical store to be an extension of your website.
Setting up your first till can feel like a massive hurdle, but it’s actually a great opportunity to get your business organised from day one. We’ve seen hundreds of startups thrive by picking a system that supports their growth rather than just acting as a calculator.
If you’re still on the fence, we highly suggest taking a closer look at Epos Now. It’s a fantastic all-rounder that hits the sweet spot between price and performance.
Take the next step and read our expert Epos Now till system review to get all the details you need to make your final decision!
Still have questions? Feel free to browse our other reviews or get in touch. We’re here to help you get your UK startup off the ground with the right tech!