Choosing the right retail POS system can feel a bit like trying to pick a favourite child: you know they all have their quirks, and you just want the one that’s going to make your life easiest. Whether you're opening your first boutique in London or looking to upgrade a busy high-street shop, the till system you choose is the heartbeat of your business.
It’s not just about taking payments anymore. The best POS system for your retail store needs to handle inventory, track your staff, manage customer loyalty, and ideally, not cost you an absolute fortune.
Today, we’re looking at two of the biggest heavyweights in the industry: Shopify POS and Epos Now. Both are fantastic, but they cater to very different types of business owners. Let’s dive into the details and see which one deserves a spot on your counter.
Why Your Retail POS System Choice Matters
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the comparison, let’s talk about why this decision is so important. An epos system is more than just a glorified calculator. In 2026, it's your inventory manager, your accountant, and your marketing assistant all rolled into one.
If you pick the wrong one, you’ll find yourself stuck with manual stock takes, messy spreadsheets, and frustrated customers. But if you get it right? You’ll have more time to focus on what you actually love: running your business.
Alt text: A modern retail store counter with a sleek tablet-based EPOS system.
Epos Now: The Versatile All-Rounder
If you’ve been searching for the cheapest pos system that still packs a punch, you’ve likely come across Epos Now. We really like Epos Now because it’s incredibly flexible. It’s designed to work for almost any industry, but it really shines in the retail sector.
One of the biggest draws of an Epos Now till system is how easy it is to get up and running. It’s designed for small to medium-sized businesses that need a robust, reliable solution without a steep learning curve.
Why We Love Epos Now for Retail
Epos Now offers some of the most comprehensive inventory management tools we’ve seen in this price bracket. You can set up automated stock notifications so you never run out of your best-sellers, and the system can even generate purchase orders for you.
On top of this, their reporting is top-tier. You can see exactly which products are flying off the shelves and which ones are just gathering dust. For a retail business, that kind of data is gold.
It’s definitely worth checking out our full Epos Now till system review to see a deeper breakdown of the features and current pricing.
Shopify POS: The E-commerce Giant
Then we have Shopify POS. You’ve probably heard of Shopify as an e-commerce platform, and that’s where its biggest strength lies. If you already have a Shopify website, or if you’re planning on selling online as much as you do in person, this might be the best pos system for you.
The magic of Shopify POS is the "unified commerce" experience. Your online shop and your physical shop share the same inventory, the same customers, and the same reports. It’s a single dashboard for your entire empire.
The Trade-off with Shopify
The main thing to keep in mind is that you can’t really use Shopify POS as a standalone solution. It’s an add-on to their e-commerce plans. While it’s slick and very user-friendly, if you have zero interest in selling online, you might find you're paying for a lot of features you don't actually need.
Alt text: A shop owner using the Shopify POS app on an iPad to scan a product barcode.
Shopify POS vs. Epos Now: The Direct Comparison
When you're trying to choose between these two, it usually comes down to three things: price, features, and how you sell.
1. Pricing and Value
In terms of being the cheapest pos system, Epos Now often takes the lead, especially when they have their frequent hardware bundle deals. They often offer a complete till system for a very low upfront cost, which is a lifesaver for new businesses.
Shopify POS pricing is a bit more layered. You have your monthly Shopify subscription, and then if you want the "Pro" features (like advanced staff permissions or in-store pickups), there’s an extra monthly fee per location.
2. Ease of Use
Both systems are very intuitive. We’d say Shopify has a slightly more "modern" feel: it’s very Apple-esque. Epos Now is built for speed and efficiency in a busy retail environment. If you’re training new staff, both systems are simple enough that they’ll be ringing up sales in minutes.
3. Integrations
This is where both platforms excel. Epos Now has an extensive app store with over 80 integrations, covering everything from accounting software like Xero to loyalty programmes. Shopify, of course, has the legendary Shopify App Store, which gives you access to thousands of third-party tools.
What About the Other Options?
While we’re focusing on Shopify and Epos Now, it’s worth mentioning a few other players in the game. If you’re a tiny micro-business or a market trader, you might find a SumUp POS more your speed due to its simplicity and low entry cost.
On the other end of the scale, if you’re actually looking for a restaurant pos system, you might want to look at specialized tools like Toast POS or check out our guide on Toast EPOS for restaurants. However, for pure retail, Epos Now and Shopify remain our top picks.
Alt text: A comparison chart showing the logos of Epos Now, Shopify, SumUp, and Toast.
Which One Should You Choose?
So, after all that, how do you actually decide? Here’s our quick guide:
Choose Epos Now if:
- You want a dedicated, powerful retail till system without needing a complex online store.
- You’re looking for a great deal on hardware and software bundles.
- You need robust, built-in inventory and reporting tools.
- You value 24/7 customer support.
- Ready to see more? Read our Epos Now till system review now.
Choose Shopify POS if:
- You already run a Shopify online store.
- Selling online is a core part of your business strategy.
- You want the sleekest possible user interface.
- You want to offer features like "Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store" (BOPIS) effortlessly.
Alt text: A retail store owner smiling while looking at sales data on a tablet.
Final Thoughts from What EPOS
At the end of the day, both of these systems are industry leaders for a reason. They take the headache out of the "back office" stuff so you can focus on your customers.
If we had to pick a winner for a standard brick-and-mortar retail shop that wants a reliable, all-in-one solution, we often lean towards Epos Now. The fact that it's built specifically for the till environment, combined with their excellent UK-based support and competitive pricing, makes it a hard one to beat.
Whichever way you go, make sure you take advantage of any free trials or demos. It's the best way to see if the software "clicks" with the way you like to work.
If you're still undecided, feel free to browse our other pos systems reviews or check out our blog for more tips on running a successful retail business.
Choosing a retail pos system is a big step, but with the right info, it's a manageable one. Good luck with your search, and here’s to many happy sales!
Meta Description: Choosing the best retail POS system? We compare Shopify POS and Epos Now to help you find the best EPOS system for your business growth and budget. Discover which till system is right for your shop.