Choosing the right POS system for your UK business can feel like a minefield. You've got Shopify POS dominating the e-commerce scene, EPOS Now offering traditional retail solutions, and SumUp winning over small businesses with its simplicity. But which one actually deserves your hard-earned cash?
We've spent weeks testing all three systems, and in this honest 2026 comparison, we're breaking down exactly what each platform offers, no fluff, just the facts you need to make the right call for your business.
Quick Comparison: The Basics
Before we dive deep, here's how these three stack up at a glance:
| Feature | Shopify POS | EPOS Now | SumUp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Online retailers with physical stores | Traditional retail & hospitality | Small businesses & mobile sellers |
| Starting Price | From £5/month + subscription | From £50/month per till | From £5/month |
| User Rating | 4.6/5 | 3.7/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Learning Curve | Steeper | Moderate | Easy |
| Hardware Required | Shopify-specific kit | Compatible terminals | Compact card readers |
Right off the bat, you can see these systems serve different audiences. Let's dig into what makes each one tick.
Shopify POS: The E-Commerce Powerhouse
If you're already running a Shopify online store, Shopify POS is probably on your radar. And for good reason, it's basically designed to extend your digital empire into the physical world.
What We Like About Shopify POS
Shopify POS genuinely shines when it comes to omnichannel integration. Your inventory, customer data, and purchase history sync seamlessly across all channels. Sold a jumper online? Your in-store stock updates instantly. A customer returns an item they bought in-store? Your online inventory reflects it immediately.
This level of synchronisation is brilliant if you're running both online and offline operations. You can also access 73 features according to recent reviews, which is pretty comprehensive.
The Catch With Shopify POS
Here's where things get a bit pricey: you can't just buy Shopify POS on its own. You need an active Shopify e-commerce subscription first, which starts at around £19/month before you even add the POS functionality. For businesses that don't need an online store, that's money down the drain.
There's also a steeper learning curve compared to competitors. If you're new to POS systems or tech in general, expect a bit of a scramble while you get your head around it all.
Who Should Choose Shopify POS?
You're already selling online through Shopify and want to expand into physical retail without managing two separate systems. Simple as that.
If you're looking for other options with more flexibility, you might want to check out our EPOS Now review, it's particularly strong for businesses that need traditional retail setups without the e-commerce baggage.
EPOS Now: The Traditional Retail Champion
EPOS Now has been around the block, and it shows. This is a proper, robust EPOS system designed for small-to-medium UK retailers and hospitality businesses who want something reliable and feature-packed.
Why EPOS Now Stands Out
The back office functionality on EPOS Now is genuinely impressive. You get extensive reporting options that let you drill down into sales data, inventory movements, staff performance, basically everything you need to run a tight ship. The award-winning hardware is solid too, with terminals that can handle the daily grind of busy retail environments.
We also love how it integrates with over 100 third-party apps, from accounting software like Xero to loyalty programmes and marketing tools. It's definitely worth exploring if you want an epos system that grows with your business.
With a 4.5/5 Trustpilot score, customer satisfaction is generally strong, and the system is known for being user-friendly once you're up and running.
The Downsides of EPOS Now
Let's be honest: EPOS Now isn't the cheapest option. You're looking at £50/month per till as a starting point, plus 1.7% per card transaction (which adds up fast if you're processing a lot of payments).
The bigger issue? Many of the best features require paid add-ons. Want advanced reporting? That's extra. Need proper customer support beyond self-help resources? Yep, that costs more too. The basic plan is a bit barebones, so budget for those extras when you're doing your maths.
Who Should Choose EPOS Now?
If you're running a traditional retail store, café, or restaurant and want a powerful retail pos system or restaurant pos system with proper back-office tools, EPOS Now is worth serious consideration. Just make sure you factor in the add-on costs from the start.
For restaurants specifically looking for competitive pricing, we've also compared options in our guide to the cheapest POS systems for restaurants.
SumUp: The Small Business Favourite
SumUp has quietly become the go-to choice for small UK businesses, pop-up shops, and mobile sellers. And when you look at its 4.8/5 rating, the highest of the three, it's easy to see why.
What Makes SumUp Special
Simplicity is SumUp's superpower. The setup is dead easy, the interface is intuitive, and you can be up and running in minutes rather than hours. The Aircard reader accepts contactless, chip and pin, and even old-school magnetic swipe payments, all connected via Bluetooth for maximum flexibility.
Pricing is genuinely affordable too, starting from just £5/month. For a small business or side hustle, that's a no-brainer. You get 64 features, which covers most of what a smaller operation needs without overwhelming you with complexity.
The hardware-software integration is efficient, and it's brilliant for businesses that need mobility, think market traders, food trucks, or pop-up retailers.
Where SumUp Falls Short
If you're running a larger operation or need advanced inventory management and reporting, SumUp might feel a bit limited. It's designed for simplicity, which means it doesn't have the depth of features you'll find in EPOS Now or Shopify POS.
Multi-location businesses or those with complex needs (like detailed staff management or advanced loyalty programmes) will likely outgrow SumUp fairly quickly.
Who Should Choose SumUp?
Small businesses, freelancers, and mobile sellers who want a simple, affordable, and reliable pos system without any faff. If you're just getting started or run a lean operation, SumUp is hard to beat.
Pricing Breakdown: What You'll Actually Pay
Let's talk money, because that's what really matters at the end of the day.
SumUp is the clear winner for affordability. £5/month gets you the basics, and even if you upgrade, you're still looking at the most budget-friendly option. Perfect if you want the cheapest pos system that still does the job.
Shopify POS sits in the middle. You'll pay around £5/month for the POS Lite plan, but remember you need that £19+/month Shopify subscription too. So realistically, you're looking at £24+/month minimum. Not terrible if you're already committed to Shopify, but pricy otherwise.
EPOS Now is the most expensive at £50/month per till, plus transaction fees and add-ons. However, you're paying for a professional-grade epos now till system with serious capabilities. For established businesses, that investment often pays for itself in efficiency gains.
According to Square's 2024 research, the average UK business spends between £30-£100/month on POS systems, so all three options fall within or below that range depending on your configuration.
Which One Should You Actually Choose?
Here's our verdict after testing all three:
Choose SumUp if:
- You're a small business, market trader, or mobile seller
- Budget is your top priority
- You want something simple that works out of the box
- You don't need complex inventory management
Choose Shopify POS if:
- You already run a Shopify online store
- Seamless omnichannel integration is essential
- You're expanding from online to physical retail
- You're comfortable with a steeper learning curve
Choose EPOS Now if:
- You run a traditional retail store or hospitality venue
- You need robust back-office functionality and reporting
- You want a scalable system that integrates with loads of apps
- You're willing to invest in a professional-grade epos system
Final Verdict: Our Top Pick
If we had to choose just one? For most UK businesses reading this, we'd recommend starting with EPOS Now. Yes, it's pricier than SumUp, but the functionality, reliability, and scalability make it the best pos system for businesses serious about growth.
That said, if you're just starting out or run a smaller operation, SumUp offers incredible value. And if you're already invested in Shopify's ecosystem, their POS system makes perfect sense.
The right choice ultimately depends on where your business is now and where you want it to be in two years' time. If you're still unsure, it's definitely worth booking a demo with EPOS Now to see if their system fits your needs: they'll walk you through everything and give you a proper feel for how it works in practice.
Whatever you choose, make sure it's a system that works for you, not the other way around. Your POS should make your life easier, not complicate it.