Choosing a new retail POS system is one of those tasks that feels like it should be simple, but then you start looking at the options and realize it’s a bit of a minefield. You’re not just looking for a glorified calculator; you’re looking for the digital heartbeat of your business. It needs to handle sales, track your stock, manage your staff, and ideally, not cost you an absolute fortune in the process.
At What EPOS, we spend our days digging into the nuts and bolts of these systems so you don't have to. Two names that constantly pop up in the "best retail POS system" conversation are Shopify POS and Epos Now. Both are heavy hitters, but they approach retail in very different ways.
In this guide, we’re going to break down how they stack up against each other to help you decide which one deserves a spot on your shop counter.
Why Your Choice of EPOS System Matters
In 2026, the gap between "online" and "offline" shopping has basically vanished. Customers expect to see what’s in stock on your website and then walk into your shop to buy it. If your epos system doesn't talk to your website, you're going to spend half your life manually updating stock levels: and let's be honest, nobody has time for that.
Beyond stock, the right retail pos system should make your life easier. It should give you reports that actually make sense, help you set up a loyalty scheme without needing a degree in computer science, and be reliable enough that it doesn't give up the ghost during a busy Saturday rush.
Epos Now: The Versatile All-Rounder
Epos Now has been a staple in the UK market for years, and for good reason. They offer a dedicated epos now till system that is built from the ground up to handle both retail and hospitality. This versatility is one of their biggest strengths.
If you’re looking for a robust, standalone solution that doesn't necessarily require you to have a massive online presence to start with, Epos Now is often the first port of call. It’s frequently cited as one of the best pos system options for small to medium businesses because it’s incredibly easy to scale.
The Pros of Epos Now
- Dedicated Hardware: They offer sleek, purpose-built touchscreen tills that look professional and are built to withstand the rigours of a busy shop floor.
- Industry Specifics: Whether you’re running a boutique clothing store or a corner shop, they have specific modules designed for your niche.
- 24/7 Support: This is a big one. If your till goes down at 8 PM on a Friday, you can actually get someone on the phone.
- App Ecosystem: With over 80 integrations, you can connect it to your accounting software (like Xero or Sage), marketing tools, and more.
The Cons of Epos Now
- Learning Curve: Because it has so many features, it can take a little while to get your head around the back-office settings.
- Additional Costs: While the base system is affordable, some of the more advanced "apps" or integrations come with an extra monthly fee.
If you want to see if this is the right fit for your shop, we’ve put together a very detailed Epos Now till system review that breaks down the pricing and features in even more depth.
Alt text: A professional Epos Now till system hardware setup on a retail counter.
Shopify POS: The Ecommerce Giant
Shopify is the undisputed king of online selling. If you already have a Shopify store, using Shopify POS feels like a natural extension of your business. Everything is synced perfectly because it’s all running on the same engine.
However, there’s a catch: you can’t really use Shopify POS as a standalone system in the same way you can with Epos Now. You have to have a Shopify ecommerce plan to get the most out of it.
The Pros of Shopify POS
- Omnichannel Mastery: If you sell online and in-person, Shopify is arguably the best at keeping your stock, customers, and orders perfectly synced.
- User Interface: The app is beautiful. It’s intuitive, fast, and runs perfectly on an iPad or iPhone.
- Unified Payments: Using Shopify Payments makes life very simple, with transparent rates and no hidden monthly hardware fees for the card reader.
The Cons of Shopify POS
- The "Walled Garden": You’re tied into the Shopify ecosystem. If you ever want to move your website away from Shopify, your POS system goes with it.
- Cost of "Pro": The basic version of the POS is included in your Shopify plan, but for features like "buy online, pick up in-store" or advanced staff permissions, you’ll need the POS Pro add-on, which is about £60+ extra per month, per location.
For a deeper look at how the software feels to use, you can check out our Shopify POS review.
Head-to-Head: Hardware
When you're looking for the best pos system, the hardware is just as important as the software.
Epos Now typically provides a complete "out of the box" solution. You get the 15-inch touchscreen terminal, a thermal receipt printer, and a heavy-duty cash drawer. It feels solid and permanent. For many retailers, this "all-in-one" approach is exactly what they need. You can browse through different epos till systems to see the various hardware bundles available.
Shopify POS, on the other hand, is built around the iPad. While this makes it very "cool" and portable (great for boutique shops where you might want to take payment on the shop floor), it does mean you’re responsible for the hardware. You’ll need to buy the iPad, the stand, the printer, and the drawer separately or in a kit. It’s more modular, which is great for some but a bit of a faff for others.
Alt text: A comparison between a fixed Epos Now terminal and a portable Shopify POS iPad setup.
Inventory Management: The Retail Heartbeat
In retail, your inventory is your biggest asset and your biggest headache.
Epos Now’s inventory system is powerful. It handles variants (sizes, colours), stock alerts, and purchase orders very well. It also has a great "bulk import" tool which is a lifesaver if you're moving from a different system. We’ve found that for businesses with thousands of SKUs, Epos Now handles the load quite gracefully.
Shopify POS also excels here, but its real power is in the "unified" view. If a customer buys the last blue t-shirt on your website, it’s instantly removed from your shop's stock. This prevents the awkward "sorry, we actually just sold that" phone call to an online customer.
Pricing: Finding the Cheapest POS System
Let's talk money. Everyone wants the cheapest pos system, but "cheap" can be expensive in the long run if it doesn't do what you need.
- Epos Now: Often has very aggressive introductory offers. You can sometimes get the hardware for a very low upfront cost if you sign up for a 12-month software contract. It’s a great way to get a professional setup without a massive initial layout.
- Shopify POS: The software cost is tied to your web store. If you're already paying for Shopify, the basic POS is "free." However, the card processing fees can be higher than what you might negotiate independently with Epos Now’s partners.
If you’re strictly looking for the most budget-friendly way to start taking payments, you might also want to look at our SumUp POS system review. It’s often a top contender for the cheapest pos system for very small startups.
Alt text: A simple table comparing the monthly costs and transaction fees of Shopify POS and Epos Now.
Customer Support: Who Has Your Back?
We’ve all been there: a queue of three people, the internet goes wonky, and the printer starts spitting out gibberish. In that moment, support is everything.
Epos Now offers 24/7 phone support on their premium plans. Having a UK-based team to call can be a massive stress-reliever. We really value this "always on" approach for retailers who might be trading late or on weekends.
Shopify support is also very good, but it’s largely chat-based. While they are quick to respond, sometimes you just want to talk to a human being while you’re staring at a broken till.
Which One Should You Choose?
So, how do you actually choose the best retail POS system for your specific shop? It really comes down to your business model.
Choose Epos Now if:
- You want a dedicated, "fixed" till terminal that feels like a permanent fixture.
- You need a system that can grow from a single shop to a multi-site operation without being tied to a specific ecommerce platform.
- You value 24/7 phone support and a system that is incredibly easy for staff to learn quickly.
- You're looking for a great deal on hardware to get started. It's definitely worth getting a quote from Epos Now to see what their current offers are.
Choose Shopify POS if:
- You are already using Shopify for your online store (or plan to).
- You want a very modern, iPad-based setup that allows you to be mobile within your shop.
- Your primary focus is on "omnichannel" selling: making sure your web and physical store are 100% in sync at all times.
Final Thoughts
There’s no such thing as a perfect pos system, only the one that is perfect for you. Both Epos Now and Shopify offer fantastic tools that can transform how you run your business.
If you're still sitting on the fence, we’d suggest making a list of your top three "must-have" features. Is it stock syncing? Is it the price of the hardware? Or is it having someone on the end of a phone line when things go wrong?
For most independent retailers in the UK, the Epos Now till system offers the best balance of features, hardware reliability, and dedicated support. It’s a solid workhorse that won’t let you down.
Still got questions? Feel free to browse our other reviews or contact us directly. We’re here to help you navigate the world of EPOS without the headache!