Meta Description: Looking for the best restaurant POS system? We compare Toast, Epos Now, and SumUp to help you find the perfect EPOS for your business. Discover the pros, cons, and costs of the top restaurant EPOS systems in 2026.
Choosing the right pos system is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a restaurant owner. Whether you’re running a bustling bistro in London or a small independent coffee shop, the "brain" of your business: your EPOS: can literally make or break your daily operations.
It’s not just about taking payments anymore. The best pos system for your restaurant needs to handle inventory, manage floor plans, keep the kitchen in sync, and even help you with marketing. But with so many options out there, how do you know which one actually delivers?
In this guide, we’re going to look at three of the biggest names in the game: Toast, Epos Now, and SumUp. We’ve spent a lot of time testing these systems, and we’re here to give you the honest lowdown on which one might be your new favourite team member.
Why Your Restaurant Needs a Specialist EPOS System
If you’re still using a basic cash register or a generic card reader, you’re likely leaving money on the table. A dedicated restaurant pos system is designed to handle the unique "chaos" of hospitality. We’re talking about splitting bills, managing modifiers (like "no onions" or "extra spicy"), and ensuring the kitchen gets the order the second you press "send."
Using a tailored restaurant EPOS allows you to:
- Reduce Wait Times: Faster ordering means quicker table turnover.
- Prevent Waste: Real-time inventory tracking tells you exactly what’s selling and what’s going in the bin.
- Improve Accuracy: No more deciphering handwritten tickets or forgetting to charge for that extra side of fries.
Alt Text: A busy restaurant server using a modern EPOS system to take a customer order.
1. Toast POS: The Feature-Packed Powerhouse
If you’ve looked into Toast EPOS for restaurants, you’ll know it’s often called the industry standard. Originally hailing from the US and now a major player in the UK, Toast is built by restaurant people for restaurant people.
Why we like it:
Toast is incredibly robust. It’s an all-in-one platform that handles everything from handheld ordering (Toast Go) to advanced kitchen display systems (KDS). If you run a high-volume, full-service restaurant, Toast’s reliability is hard to beat.
The catch:
It’s not the cheapest pos system. While they offer a "Starter Kit" with no upfront costs, they often make that back through higher payment processing fees and long-term contracts (usually two years). It’s a serious investment for a serious business.
2. Epos Now: The Best All-Rounder for UK Businesses
When it comes to flexibility and value, we often find ourselves recommending Epos Now. It’s a fantastic middle ground that suits everyone from small takeaways to large multi-site restaurants.
One of the reasons we think it’s often the best pos system for many is the sheer level of customisation. You aren't locked into one way of working; you can add apps and integrations as your business grows. Whether you need to connect to Sage for your accounting or Deliveroo for your takeaways, Epos Now makes it happen.
Why it stands out:
Their inventory management is top-tier. For restaurants with complex menus or large drink selections, Epos Now tracks every drop and crumb. Plus, their hardware is sleek and built to survive the heat and spills of a professional kitchen.
If you want to see if this is the right fit for your till, you should definitely read our in-depth Epos Now till system review. It covers everything from the software interface to the latest hardware bundles.
Alt Text: An Epos Now till system displayed on a bar counter, showing the user-friendly interface.
3. SumUp POS: The King of Simplicity
You might know SumUp for those little white card readers, but their SumUp POS system is a surprisingly powerful tool for smaller venues.
Why we like it:
It’s incredibly easy to set up. If you’re a "non-techy" person, you’ll love how intuitive the interface is. It’s also very transparent: usually, you buy the hardware and pay a flat monthly fee with no hidden surprises. For cafes or pop-up eateries, it’s arguably the cheapest pos system that actually works well.
The catch:
If you’re a large, fine-dining establishment with 50 tables and complex coursing, SumUp might feel a little "light." It’s built for speed and simplicity, not for managing a massive enterprise.
Head-to-Head: Which One Wins?
| Feature | Toast | Epos Now | SumUp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Large, complex restaurants | Growing SMEs & Retail | Cafes & Small venues |
| Ease of Use | Moderate (Steep learning curve) | Very Easy | Easiest |
| Inventory | Excellent | Industry-Leading | Basic to Moderate |
| Price Point | High / Contract-based | Mid-range / Great value | Low / Affordable |
| UK Support | Growing | Excellent | Good |
When you're looking for a restaurant pos, you have to weigh up these factors. We’ve found that while Toast has the "bells and whistles," many UK owners prefer the support and ease of the epos now till system.
Alt Text: A comparison chart showing different features of restaurant EPOS systems.
Key Decision Factors: How to Choose
Still not sure? Here’s a quick checklist to help you narrow it down:
1. Your Budget (Upfront vs Monthly)
Don't just look at the initial cost. Some systems give you "free" hardware but charge 3% on every card transaction. Others have a higher upfront cost but much lower monthly fees. If you're looking for the cheapest epos options, do the math on your expected monthly turnover first.
2. Operational Complexity
Do you need "Tableside Ordering"? (Toast and Epos Now excel here). Do you need to manage multiple sites from one laptop at home? (Epos Now is great for this). If you just need to take a quick payment for a coffee, SumUp is your friend.
3. Hardware Durability
Kitchens are messy. Ensure your pos systems come with hardware that can handle grease, steam, and the occasional dropped plate. Epos Now and Toast offer purpose-built hardware, whereas some "cheaper" systems rely on consumer-grade iPads that might not last as long in a high-pressure environment.
Alt Text: A waterproof kitchen display screen showing active food orders.
Our Verdict: Why We Recommend Epos Now
While Toast is brilliant for big operations and SumUp is great for your local bakery, we think Epos Now hits the "Goldilocks" zone for the majority of UK hospitality businesses.
It's scalable, the reporting is fantastic, and it doesn't break the bank. Most importantly, it's reliable. When the Friday night rush hits, you need a system that isn't going to lag or crash. In terms of value for money, it's consistently one of our top picks.
If you’re ready to upgrade your till, it's definitely worth checking out the latest deals. You can find more details in our Epos Now till system review to see the current pricing and features.
Final Thoughts
Choosing an epos system is a big step, but it doesn't have to be a nightmare. Think about where you want your restaurant to be in two years, not just where it is today. You want a system that grows with you, supports your staff, and makes your life as an owner just a little bit easier.
Whether you go for the power of Toast, the simplicity of SumUp, or the balanced excellence of Epos Now, make sure you get a demo first. Seeing the software in action is the best way to know if it feels right for your team.
Got questions? Feel free to contact us or browse our other EPOS reviews for more advice!