Choosing the right epos system can feel a bit like trying to pick the best table in a crowded restaurant, everyone has an opinion, and what works for one person might not work for you. If you’re running a hospitality business in the UK, you’ve likely come across two heavyweights: Toast POS and Epos Now.
Both are industry leaders, but they approach the "perfect service" from very different angles. Toast is the sleek, high-end specialist designed exclusively for the foodservice world. Epos Now, on the other hand, is the versatile all-rounder that’s built a massive following across the UK for its flexibility and affordability.
In this guide, we’re going to break down which one deserves a permanent spot on your counter. Whether you’re looking for the best pos system for a Michelin-star bistro or the cheapest pos system for a high-street cafe, we’ve got you covered.
Why Your Choice of POS System Matters
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s be honest: your pos system is the heart of your business. It’s not just about taking payments anymore. It’s about managing stock, keeping the kitchen in sync with the front of house, and making sure your staff aren't pulling their hair out during a Friday night rush.
A bad system leads to cold food, grumpy customers, and even grumpier staff. A great system? It fades into the background and lets you focus on the hospitality.
Toast POS: The Foodservice Specialist
Toast POS has made a huge name for itself by being "built by restaurant people, for restaurant people." It’s an Android-based system that lives and breathes hospitality.
What We Love About Toast
If you run a complex operation: think multiple dining rooms, a massive wine list, and a kitchen that handles complicated modifiers: Toast is a dream. Their inventory management is incredibly granular. You can track every drop of spirits and every gram of steak, which is vital for maintaining margins in an industry where food inflation remains a challenge.
Toast also excels in customer engagement. Their built-in loyalty programs and reservation tools are seamless. You don't have to worry about clunky third-party plug-ins because everything is designed to work together from day one.
The Trade-offs
Toast isn't for everyone. First, it’s exclusively Android. If you were hoping to use your existing iPads, you’re out of luck. Secondly, it’s pricey. With software starting at around £80 per month, it’s a significant investment that might be a bit much for a small coffee shop or a startup bar.
Epos Now: The UK’s Versatile Favourite
If Toast is the specialist, Epos Now is the chameleon. It’s one of the most popular epos system choices in the UK for a reason: it fits almost anywhere. Whether you’re running a boutique hotel, a busy gastropub, or even a mixed retail-hospitality site, Epos Now can handle it.
We’ve spent a lot of time looking at their platform, and you can see our detailed thoughts in our full Epos Now till system review.
Why It’s a Top Contender for UK Businesses
What sets Epos Now apart is its sheer flexibility. Unlike Toast, which is strictly for food and drink, Epos Now works across sectors. This is a huge win if your business has a retail element: like a pub that also sells local produce or a hotel with a gift shop.
The hardware is also a standout. Their 15.6-inch HD touch screen is one of the clearest we’ve used, making it much easier for staff to navigate during busy shifts. Plus, for those of us worried about the unreliable British internet, their "Standalone Mode" (introduced in 2025) allows you to keep processing payments even if your Wi-Fi goes down.
Pricing and Value
When it comes to being the cheapest pos system that actually delivers quality, Epos Now is hard to beat. Their software starts from just £25 per month, and they often offer bundles where you can get the hardware for £0 upfront. This lower barrier to entry makes it much more accessible for small to medium-sized businesses compared to Toast.
Feature Face-Off: Toast vs Epos Now
Let’s look at how they stack up in the areas that actually matter to your daily operations.
1. The Kitchen Display System (KDS)
Both systems offer excellent KDS options, but we’d argue the Epos Now till system offers a slightly more intuitive workflow for UK kitchens. You can customise the views to show exactly what your chefs need to see, reducing the need for shouting across the pass.
2. Inventory Management
Toast wins on complexity here. If you need to track the exact cost of a garnish on a cocktail, Toast can do it. Epos Now is no slouch, though; its inventory system is robust and offers great "cost vs profit" analysis, which is usually more than enough for 95% of hospitality businesses.
3. Integrations
This is where Epos Now really shines. They have over 30 integrations with apps you probably already use: like accounting software (Xero, Sage), marketing tools, and delivery platforms (Deliveroo, Just Eat). While Toast has integrations too, Epos Now’s marketplace feels more tailored to the specific needs of a UK business owner.
Pricing Comparison: The Bottom Line
Let's look at the numbers. While prices can change based on current offers, here is how they generally compare:
| Feature | Toast POS | Epos Now |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Software Cost | ~£80 / month | ~£25 / month |
| Hardware Cost | High upfront or bundled | Often £0 upfront bundles |
| Transaction Fees | Quote-based | From 1.3% |
| Ideal For | Large, complex restaurants | Small to medium hospitality/retail |
| UK Support | Growing | Established UK-based support |
If you're on a tight budget, you might also want to look at our SumUp POS system review for a very simple entry-level option, but for a full-scale hospitality business, Epos Now offers a much better balance of features and price.
Which One is Right for You?
Choosing between these two really comes down to the "vibe" and scale of your business.
Choose Toast POS if…
- You run a high-volume, complex restaurant or a large chain.
- Advanced inventory and built-in guest management are your top priorities.
- You have a larger budget for monthly software fees.
- You're happy to use an Android-only ecosystem.
You can read more about their specific restaurant features in our guide on Toast EPOS for restaurants.
Choose Epos Now if…
- You want the best pos system for value without sacrificing power.
- You need a system that can handle both hospitality and retail.
- You want a UK-based company with a deep understanding of our local market.
- You prefer a larger screen and hardware flexibility.
- You’re looking for a cheaper epos system to help your margins.
Final Thoughts from What EPOS
At the end of the day, both Toast and Epos Now are fantastic tools. However, for the average UK hospitality owner: the person running a local pub, a busy café, or a boutique guest house: Epos Now usually comes out on top. Its combination of local support, offline capabilities, and a much friendlier price tag makes it hard to ignore.
If you’re still on the fence, we highly recommend checking out some of our other deep dives. For instance, if you’re heavily into e-commerce as well, our Shopify POS review might be worth a look.
But if you want a reliable, powerful, and affordable restaurant pos system, you really can’t go wrong with Epos Now. It’s built to scale with you, whether you’re opening your first site or your fifth.
Ready to upgrade your till? We recommend heading over to our full Epos Now review page to see their latest deals and get a free quote. It’s a quick step that could save your business thousands in the long run.
Don't forget, the right epos system shouldn't just be an expense: it should be the best member of staff you’ve ever hired. Choose wisely!