Choosing the right epos system for your shop can feel a bit like trying to pick a favourite child, if your children were all complicated pieces of software that controlled your livelihood. Whether you’re a tiny boutique in the Cotswolds or a fast-growing high street brand, your retail pos system is the heartbeat of your business. It handles your sales, tracks your stock, and (if it’s a good one) makes your life a whole lot easier.
But with so many options like Shopify POS, Epos Now, and SumUp on the market, how do you actually decide? We’ve spent a lot of time testing these systems, and we’ve seen where they shine and where they occasionally stumble. In this guide, we’re going to break down the big three to help you find the best pos system for your specific needs.
Why Your Choice of POS Actually Matters
In the old days, a till was just a box where you kept the cash. Today, a modern pos system is a data powerhouse. If you pick the wrong one, you might find yourself manually updating stock levels at midnight or, worse, losing sales because your card reader decided to take a nap during the Saturday rush.
When we look at the UK retail landscape, we see a massive shift toward "omnichannel" selling. According to Retail Gazette, customers now expect a seamless experience whether they are buying online or popping into your physical store. This is why your choice of software is just as important as the hardware sitting on your counter.
Shopify POS: The King of Unified Commerce
If you already have a Shopify website, then Shopify POS is probably already on your radar. It’s widely considered one of the best pos system options for retailers who want to bridge the gap between their online store and their physical shop.
The Good Bits
The biggest win here is synchronization. When you sell a jumper in-store, your online stock levels update instantly. No more "sorry, we actually sold out of that an hour ago" emails to disappointed customers. We love how user-friendly the interface is; it’s clean, modern, and very easy to train staff on.
The Trade-offs
Shopify can get expensive. While the basic app is included with your Shopify plan, if you want professional features like "buy online, pick up in-store" or advanced staff management, you’ll need to pay for the POS Pro subscription (around £60+ per month per location). If you’re a brick-and-mortar store first and don’t care much about ecommerce, you might find better value elsewhere.
Check out our full Shopify POS review for a deeper dive into the costs.
Epos Now: The Versatile All-Rounder
When people ask us about a solid, reliable epos system that works for almost any UK business, we often point them toward an Epos Now till system. They have a massive presence in the UK, and for good reason.
Why We Recommend Epos Now
What sets Epos Now apart is its sheer flexibility. Whether you need a simple retail pos system or a more complex restaurant pos system (they do both!), the software can be tailored to fit. It’s a very robust platform that handles massive product catalogues without breaking a sweat.
One of our favourite features is their AppStore. You can integrate it with everything from Xero for your accounting to Mailchimp for your marketing. It’s built to scale with you. If you’re looking for a system that can grow from one store to ten, this is it.
Getting the Best Value
Epos Now often runs incredible hardware deals, sometimes offering the full till system for a very low upfront cost when you sign up for a contract. It’s worth checking their latest prices because they are often the most competitive for mid-sized businesses.
Ready to see why it's a top pick? You can read our incredibly detailed Epos Now review here to see if it’s the right fit for your shop.
SumUp: The Cheapest POS System for Small Sellers
If you’re just starting out: maybe a market stall, a pop-up, or a tiny boutique: you might not need a full-blown desktop till. This is where SumUp POS shines.
Simple and Affordable
SumUp is often the cheapest pos system for those who want to avoid monthly fees. Their card readers are iconic (those little white squares), and their basic POS app is free to use. You only pay a flat percentage on the transactions you take. It’s straightforward, honest, and very easy to set up.
The Limitations
While SumUp is great for basic sales, it lacks the deep inventory management and detailed reporting that bigger retailers need. If you have thousands of SKUs or need complex staff permissions, you’ll likely outgrow SumUp quite quickly.
For the micro-business, it’s a dream. For a growing retail brand? You’ll probably want to look at our SumUp POS system review to see exactly where those limits are.
Comparing the Key Features
| Feature | Shopify POS | Epos Now | SumUp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Ecommerce-heavy retailers | All-round retail & hospitality | Small startups & pop-ups |
| Ease of Use | Very High | High | High |
| Inventory | Excellent (Omnichannel) | Excellent (Massive Catalogues) | Basic |
| UK Support | 24/7 (Online) | 24/7 (Phone & Online) | Online/Email |
| Hardware | Sleek, Tablet-based | Robust, Traditional & Mobile | Compact & Portable |
Hardware: Tablets vs. Traditional Tills
In 2026, the trend is definitely moving toward tablet-based systems. They take up less space on your counter and look a lot sleeker.
- Shopify and SumUp are almost entirely tablet-based (usually iPads). This is great for portability, allowing you to take payments anywhere in the shop.
- Epos Now offers both. You can get a solid, fixed-screen terminal that feels "proper" and durable, or you can opt for their mobile POS tablets. We think the fixed terminals are better for high-volume shops where the till is going to be used constantly all day.
A Word on "The Other Guy": Toast POS
While we are focusing on retail today, you might have heard of Toast POS. It’s a massive name in the industry, but it’s worth noting that Toast is almost exclusively a restaurant pos system. If you’re running a clothing store or a gift shop, Toast isn't going to have the inventory tools you need. However, if you’re a "hybrid" business (like a bookstore with a cafe), it’s definitely worth a look at our Toast EPOS guide.
Which One Should You Choose?
It really comes down to your "business stage."
- The New Starter: If you’re keeping costs low and just need to take payments, go with SumUp.
- The Online-First Brand: If your website is your main source of income, stay in the ecosystem with Shopify POS.
- The Serious Retailer: If you want a dedicated, powerful retail pos system with local UK support and the ability to scale, Epos Now is the clear winner.
Choosing an epos now till system gives you that peace of mind that comes with a system designed specifically for the UK market. They understand the VAT requirements, the local hardware preferences, and the 24/7 nature of retail.
Final Thoughts
There is no "perfect" system, only the perfect system for you. We’ve seen businesses thrive on all three of these platforms. However, if we had to pick one that offers the best balance of power, price, and local reliability, we’d suggest taking a serious look at Epos Now.
Don't make a blind choice! Head over to our complete Epos Now review to see a full breakdown of their latest hardware and pricing plans. It could be the best five minutes you spend on your business this week.
If you’re still undecided, feel free to browse our other epos till system reviews to compare even more brands. Happy selling!