Choosing the right epos system can feel a bit like trying to pick a favourite child: you know they all have their strengths, but one of them is probably going to make your life much easier than the others. If you’re a UK small business owner, you’ve likely narrowed your search down to three big names: SumUp, Epos Now, and Shopify POS.
Whether you're opening a trendy cafe in Shoreditch or a boutique gift shop in the Cotswolds, the hardware and software you use to take payments will dictate how smoothly your day-to-day operations run. But with different pricing structures, hardware options, and feature sets, which one actually deserves a spot on your counter?
In this guide, we’re going to break down the pros and cons of SumUp, Epos Now, and Shopify POS to help you decide which is the best pos system for your specific needs.
The Contenders: An Overview
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of transaction fees and inventory tracking, let’s look at who these systems are designed for.
- SumUp: Known for being the cheapest pos system to get started with. It’s the king of simplicity, perfect for micro-businesses and those who just want to take a card payment without a monthly subscription.
- Epos Now: The powerhouse all-rounder. It’s an award-winning epos now till system that bridges the gap between simple payment processing and advanced business management. It’s particularly strong for both retail and hospitality.
- Shopify POS: The obvious choice if you already sell online. It’s built to sync your physical shop with your digital store, though it comes with a higher price tag if you want the "Pro" features.
Pricing Comparison: What’s It Going To Cost You?
Budget is usually the first thing on every business owner’s mind. Let’s be honest, you want to keep as much of your hard-earned profit as possible.
SumUp Pricing
SumUp is famous for its "no fixed contract" approach. You can get started with a free POS plan and just pay for the hardware.
- Monthly Fees: £0 (Free plan) or £49 for their "One" plan.
- Transaction Fees: Typically a flat rate of 1.69% for in-person payments.
- Best for: If you’re looking for the cheapest pos system and don't want to be tied into a monthly commitment.
Epos Now Pricing
Epos Now offers a bit more flexibility and depth. While they do have monthly fees, they often run incredible deals for new customers.
- Monthly Fees: Starts from around £25 per month.
- Transaction Fees: Competitive rates starting from 1.3%, which can save you a lot of money as you scale.
- Best for: Small to medium businesses that need a robust retail pos system or restaurant pos system with dedicated support. You can check out our full Epos Now review here to see the latest pricing deals.
Shopify POS Pricing
Shopify is a bit different because you must have a Shopify e-commerce subscription to use the POS.
- Monthly Fees: Shopify Basic (£25/month) + POS Pro (£69/month per location if you want advanced features).
- Transaction Fees: Varies based on your plan, usually between 1.5% and 1.7% + 0p for the basic tiers.
- Best for: Businesses where online sales are just as important as in-person sales.
Why Epos Now Often Takes the Crown for UK Businesses
While SumUp is great for the "man with a van" or a weekend market stall, and Shopify is brilliant for online gurus, Epos Now often hits the sweet spot for established UK small businesses.
One of the standout features of the Epos Now till system is its versatility. Unlike Shopify, which is very retail-centric, Epos Now has dedicated software modules for both retail and hospitality. This means if you run a pub, you get table management and split-billing; if you run a shop, you get advanced stock alerts and margin tracking.
We also love their hardware. Their main terminal features a massive 15.6" HD display, which is much easier to use during a lunch rush than squinting at a small iPad or a SumUp Solo screen. Plus, their offline mode is a lifesaver. According to the British Retail Consortium, digital payments now account for the vast majority of UK transactions: if your internet goes down and your POS doesn't work offline, you're essentially closed for business. Epos Now keeps you running regardless.
Feature Face-Off: Inventory and Reporting
If you're just starting out, you might think "I just need to take card payments." But six months down the line, you'll want to know which cake is your best seller or which member of staff is hitting their targets.
Inventory Management
- SumUp: It’s basic. You can add products and categories, but it’s not designed for businesses with thousands of SKUs or complex stock requirements.
- Shopify POS: Excellent for retail inventory, especially if you’re moving stock between your warehouse and your physical shop. It’s built for the "omnichannel" experience.
- Epos Now: This is where it shines. The stock management is incredibly detailed. It can track individual ingredients (great for a restaurant pos system) and send you automated alerts when you're running low on a specific item. For a deeper look at these features, have a read of our Epos Now till system review.
Ease of Use
If you’re hiring seasonal staff, you don’t want to spend three days training them on the till.
- Shopify POS is probably the most "app-like" and intuitive. If you can use an iPhone, you can use Shopify.
- SumUp is also very simple because it has fewer features to get lost in.
- Epos Now has a slightly steeper learning curve purely because it does more, but once it's set up, the interface is logical and very fast.
Suitability: Which One Fits Your Niche?
The Best POS System for Restaurants & Cafes
If you’re in hospitality, you need speed and specific features like kitchen display screen (KDS) integration.
- Winner: Epos Now. While Toast POS is a strong competitor in this space (you can read our Toast POS review here), Epos Now offers a more accessible entry point for UK independents. SumUp is a bit too lightweight for a busy restaurant, and Shopify POS lacks the table management features most eateries need.
The Best POS System for Retail
For a physical shop, it comes down to whether you sell online.
- Winner: If you are "Online First," go with Shopify POS. You can read our Shopify POS review to see how the sync works.
- Winner: If you are "Physical Shop First," we recommend Epos Now. The reporting and local support in the UK are top-notch.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
SumUp
Pros:
- No monthly contracts.
- Very cheap hardware.
- Easy to set up in minutes.
Cons:
- Lacks advanced reporting.
- Limited inventory features.
- No offline mode for payments.
Epos Now
Pros:
- Highly scalable for growing businesses.
- Excellent 24/7 UK-based support.
- Specialised software for retail and hospitality.
- Great hardware options.
Cons:
- Monthly fee required.
- Some advanced features require add-on apps.
Shopify POS
Pros:
- Perfect sync with Shopify online stores.
- Clean, modern interface.
- Great customer profiles and loyalty.
Cons:
- Can become very expensive with "Pro" features.
- Requires a monthly Shopify subscription.
- Not ideal for restaurants.
The Verdict: Which Is Better For You?
If you are a tiny start-up, a hobbyist, or just need to take a few payments a week, SumUp is your best bet. It’s the cheapest pos system to get off the ground without any stress.
However, if you are serious about growing your business, managing stock effectively, and having a system that won't let you down when the Wi-Fi blips, Epos Now is the clear winner for most UK small businesses. It offers the right balance of professional hardware, deep reporting, and local support that keeps your doors open and your customers happy.
Ready to level up your business? We highly recommend taking a look at the current offers available for the Epos Now till system. It’s a solid investment that pays for itself through better efficiency and clearer insights into your profits.
If you're still on the fence, don't forget to check out our other guides, such as our breakdown of the SumUp POS system, to see if it's the right fit for your budget.
No matter which way you go, getting a modern epos system is the best move you can make for your business this year. Happy selling!