Choosing the right epos system for your business can feel a bit like trying to pick a favourite child, if your children were all complicated pieces of software that handled your money, inventory, and staff rotas. Whether you’re running a bustling boutique in Manchester or a cosy café in the Cotswolds, the "till" isn't just a box where you keep the cash anymore. It’s the brain of your business.
We know how overwhelming the options are. You’ve got names like SumUp, Epos Now, and Shopify popping up everywhere. Each claims to be the "best pos system" on the market, but the truth is, the "best" depends entirely on what you’re doing behind the counter.
In this guide, we’re going to break down the big three. We’ll look at pricing, features, and who they’re actually for, so you can stop scrolling and start selling.
What Actually Is an EPOS System?
Before we dive into the comparison, let’s clear up the jargon. You’ll hear "POS" (Point of Sale) and "EPOS" (Electronic Point of Sale) used interchangeably. Essentially, an epos system is the combination of hardware (the screen, card reader, and drawer) and software that processes your sales.
But modern systems do way more than just take payments. They track your stock in real-time, manage customer loyalty programmes, and even tell you which of your products are flopping. If you're still curious about the nitty-gritty details, you can check out our guide on what is an epos system.
1. Epos Now: The All-Rounder Heavyweight
If you’re looking for a system that can grow as fast as your ambitions, Epos Now is usually our first recommendation. It’s a massive player in the UK market, and for good reason. It’s designed to handle the complexities of both retail and hospitality without making your head spin.
Why We Love It
What makes the epos now till system stand out is its sheer flexibility. Whether you need a restaurant pos system with table mapping and kitchen tickets, or a retail pos system that can handle thousands of SKUs, Epos Now handles it with ease.
The software is cloud-based, meaning you can check your sales figures from your phone while you’re sitting on the sofa at home. Plus, their AppStore is legendary: it lets you connect your till to things like Xero, Sage, and even Shopify (if you want to use Epos Now for your physical shop but Shopify for your website).
The Pros:
- Highly Scalable: Perfect for a single shop or a multi-site franchise.
- Industry Specific: It has dedicated modes for pubs, salons, and retail shops.
- Hardware Bundles: They offer some of the most competitive "all-in-one" hardware deals in the UK.
- 24/7 Support: Very important when your till decides to have a moment on a busy Saturday night.
The Cons:
- The Contract: You often need to sign up for a monthly subscription, which might be a hurdle for brand-new micro-businesses.
Want the full lowdown? Read our in-depth Epos Now review 2026 to see if it’s the right fit for you.
2. SumUp: The King of Simplicity
SumUp is the go-to for many small UK businesses, and it’s easy to see why. It’s arguably the cheapest pos system to get started with because there are usually no monthly fees if you just use their basic card reader.
Why We Love It
The sumup pos experience is built around simplicity. If you’re a mobile hairdresser, a market stall holder, or a pop-up coffee shop, you probably don’t need a massive 15-inch touchscreen. You just need something that takes a card payment quickly and doesn't charge you a fortune when you aren't using it.
The Pros:
- No Monthly Fees: (On their basic plan) You only pay a flat percentage per transaction.
- Portability: Their hardware is sleek, battery-powered, and fits in your pocket.
- Quick Setup: You can literally be up and running in minutes.
The Cons:
- Basic Features: It lacks the deep inventory management and advanced reporting that Epos Now offers.
- Transaction Costs: While there's no monthly fee, the transaction rate can be higher than others if you’re doing high volumes. You can find more details on how much SumUp charges per transaction here.
3. Shopify POS: The E-commerce Specialist
If your business started online, chances are you’re already using Shopify. Their shopify pos is designed to bridge the gap between your physical store and your online shop.
Why We Love It
The magic of Shopify is "The Unified View." If a customer buys the last pair of shoes in your physical shop, your website updates instantly so you don't accidentally sell them again five minutes later. According to industry reports from sources like Retail Gazette, omnichannel selling is the biggest trend for UK retailers right now, and Shopify is the master of it.
The Pros:
- Syncing: Perfect inventory sync between online and offline.
- Customer Profiles: You can see a customer's entire purchase history, whether they bought online or in-store.
- Familiarity: If you use Shopify online, the POS interface feels like home.
The Cons:
- Monthly Costs: You need a Shopify subscription, and the "Pro" version of the POS costs an extra monthly fee per location.
- Retail Focused: It’s not really built for restaurants or bars. If you’re pulling pints, you’re better off looking at a restaurant pos system.
SumUp vs Epos Now vs Shopify: The Pricing Battle
When you're looking for the best pos system, price is always going to be a massive factor. Let's break it down:
- SumUp: Best for those who want low upfront costs. If you sell £500 a month, SumUp is great. If you sell £20,000 a month, those transaction fees will start to hurt.
- Shopify: Best for retailers already on the Shopify platform. It consolidates your bills, but the monthly "Pro" fees can add up.
- Epos Now: The middle ground. You pay a monthly fee, but you often get much lower transaction rates, which saves you more money in the long run as you grow.
It's definitely worth getting a demo or a quote from Epos Now to see how their custom rates compare to the flat fees of SumUp.
Which System Should You Choose?
For the "Solopreneur" or Market Trader
Go with SumUp. It’s the cheapest pos system for low-volume sellers and offers total freedom with no contracts.
For the Growing Retailer or Restaurant
Go with Epos Now. Whether you're opening a shop in the UK or upgrading your café, the robust hardware and deep reporting make it the most "professional" choice. It’s our top-rated epos system for a reason.
For the Online Brand
Go with Shopify POS. If 70% of your sales happen on your website, don't overcomplicate things: stick with the Shopify ecosystem to keep your inventory in check.
Top Tips for Choosing Your Till
- Think about the future: Don't just buy for the shop you have today; buy for the shop you want to have in three years.
- Check the integrations: Do you use Xero? Make sure your POS talks to it. We love how Epos Now handles integrations like Zapier and accounting software.
- Offline mode: Does the till still work if your Wi-Fi goes down? (Epos Now and Shopify have great offline capabilities).
- Hidden fees: Watch out for "software maintenance" fees or mandatory "support" packages that aren't mentioned upfront.
The Verdict
Choosing between SumUp vs Epos Now vs Shopify doesn't have to be a headache.
If you want the most balance between features, price, and reliability: especially for UK-based hospitality and retail: Epos Now usually takes the crown. Their ability to handle complex inventory while remaining user-friendly is a tough act to beat.
If you’re still on the fence, we highly recommend reading our full Epos Now till system review. It breaks down every single feature, cost, and hidden detail you need to know before you tap that "buy" button.
Ready to level up your business? Check out the latest Epos Now deals here and see why it's our top-rated choice for 2026.
Finding the what is the best epos system in the uk is a big step, but once you’ve got it sorted, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. Good luck with the new system: we’re sure your business is going to smash it!