Choosing the right EPOS system for your UK business can feel a bit overwhelming when you're staring at dozens of options. You've probably come across SumUp, Toast, Epos Now, and Shopify POS in your research: and for good reason. They're all solid choices, but each one shines in different situations.
Let's cut through the noise and figure out which pos system actually makes sense for your business. We're going to keep this practical and straightforward, so you can make a decision without spending hours down a rabbit hole.
The Quick Overview: What Makes Each System Different?
Before we dive into the details, here's what you need to know upfront about each epos system.
SumUp is your budget-friendly option that's brilliant for small cafés, market stalls, and startups. It's straightforward, won't break the bank, and gets you up and running quickly.
Toast is built specifically for restaurants and comes as a complete package with hardware included. It's a US-based system that's making waves in the UK hospitality scene.
Epos Now is the customizable powerhouse that works for pretty much any business type. It's particularly strong if you're running multiple locations or need specific integrations. You can read our full Epos Now review here for the complete breakdown.
Shopify POS is your go-to if you're already selling online or planning to. It's designed for retailers who need their physical and online shops to work together seamlessly.
SumUp: The Affordable All-Rounder
SumUp has quietly become one of the most popular choices for small UK businesses, and it's easy to see why. The system starts at £80+VAT per month for their Starter package, which is genuinely affordable compared to many competitors.
What we love about SumUp is its simplicity. The interface is intuitive with a 4.6 out of 5 rating for ease of use, meaning you won't need a computer science degree to train your staff. It works both online and offline, so you're not stuck if your internet goes down during the lunch rush.
The customizable layout means you can set it up how you want, and it plays nicely with third-party integrations. For card payments, you'll need to get a custom quote for their card machine, but it integrates well with various payment providers.
Best for: Independent cafés, food trucks, small retailers, and market traders who need something reliable without the hefty price tag.
Toast: The Restaurant Specialist
Toast is a bit different from the others because it's purpose-built for restaurants, bars, and hospitality venues. It's a US system that's been expanding in the UK, and it comes with everything bundled together: hardware and software in custom packages.
The system is user-friendly, though it can be more complex than something like SumUp because it's designed to handle everything from table management to kitchen display systems. If you're running a full-service restaurant, this depth of features is actually what you want.
Pricing is custom-quoted based on your specific needs, so you'll need to chat with their team to get exact figures. This can be a positive or negative depending on how you look at it: it means you're not paying for features you don't need, but it also means less transparency upfront.
Best for: Full-service restaurants, bars, and hospitality businesses that need comprehensive features and don't mind a slightly steeper learning curve.
Epos Now: The Flexible Favourite
Epos Now sits in a sweet spot for growing businesses. With a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating, it's proven itself across thousands of UK businesses. What makes it stand out is the level of customization and the smart inventory management features.
The system claims you can learn it in about 15 minutes, which we'd say is fairly accurate for basic operations. Of course, mastering all the advanced features takes longer, but your staff can start taking payments almost immediately.
Epos Now offers multichannel selling, detailed reporting, and works brilliantly for businesses with multiple sites. The card machine rental starts at £15+VAT per month, or you can integrate it with payment providers like Verifone, Worldpay, or PayPal if you've already got equipment.
One thing to note: some users report occasional support issues, and it's definitely worth checking the contract terms carefully before committing. That said, the flexibility and feature set make it a strong contender, especially if you're planning to grow. Check out our detailed Epos Now till system review to see if it's right for your business.
Best for: Growing businesses, multi-location operations, and anyone who needs a highly customizable retail pos system or restaurant pos system.
Shopify POS: The Omnichannel Champion
If you're selling both online and in-person: or planning to: Shopify POS is hard to beat. It's got the highest ease of use rating at 4.8 out of 5, and users consistently praise how everything just works together.
The system starts at around US$99 per month (approximately £79 depending on exchange rates), and it comes with over 64 features out of the box. Your online and physical inventory sync automatically, which is a massive time-saver and prevents the nightmare of overselling products.
Shopify POS is particularly brilliant for retail businesses. Whether you're selling clothing, gifts, electronics, or pretty much anything else, the system handles it smoothly. The reporting is solid, and the integration with Shopify's e-commerce platform means you get a complete picture of your business.
The main limitation? It's really designed for retail rather than hospitality. If you're running a restaurant, you'd be better off with Toast or exploring the best restaurant pos systems.
Best for: Retailers who sell both online and in physical locations, anyone with a Shopify e-commerce store, and businesses focused on omnichannel retail.
The Pricing Reality Check
Let's talk money, because this often matters more than fancy features you'll never use.
SumUp is the most transparent and affordable, starting at £80+VAT per month. You'll get a custom quote for hardware, but you can often start with a simple card reader and build from there.
Shopify POS sits around £79-£99 per month depending on the plan you choose and exchange rates. Hardware costs extra, but the pricing is straightforward.
Epos Now doesn't publish standard pricing publicly, which can be frustrating. You'll need to request a quote based on your specific requirements. Hardware rental starts at £15+VAT per month for card machines.
Toast also uses custom pricing packages. This means you need to speak with their sales team to get an accurate quote for your restaurant setup.
According to UK Finance, contactless and digital payments now account for over 85% of transactions in the UK, so whichever system you choose, make sure it handles modern payment methods smoothly.
Making Your Decision: Which System Should You Choose?
Here's our straightforward take on who should choose what.
Go with SumUp if: You're just starting out, running a small operation, or working with a tight budget. It's the best pos system for businesses that need reliability without complexity. Learn more about what is an epos system if you're new to this.
Choose Toast if: You're running a full-service restaurant or bar and want everything bundled together. The system is built for hospitality, and it shows.
Pick Epos Now if: You need flexibility, plan to grow, or run multiple locations. The customization options and robust feature set justify the slightly higher complexity. Understanding how to use features like upsell products can significantly boost your average transaction value.
Opt for Shopify POS if: You're a retailer who already sells online or wants to start. The seamless integration between online and offline sales is worth its weight in gold.
The Bottom Line
There's no single "best" epos system for every UK business: it really depends on what you're selling, how you're selling it, and where you want to be in a year or two.
For most small businesses just starting out, SumUp offers brilliant value and simplicity. If you're in hospitality, Toast is worth exploring for its restaurant-specific features. Retailers with online ambitions should seriously consider Shopify POS for the omnichannel capabilities.
But if we're honest, Epos Now often strikes the best balance for growing UK businesses. It's flexible enough to adapt as you expand, powerful enough to handle complex operations, and proven across thousands of businesses. The key is requesting a demo and seeing it work with your specific products and workflow.
Don't overthink this decision: every system we've covered can handle the basics brilliantly. The differences come down to your specific needs and future plans. Get demos of your top two or three choices, actually try them out with your products, and trust your gut. You'll know which one feels right for your business.
Whatever you choose, you're making a smart move by investing in a proper epos system. The efficiency gains and insights you'll get will pay for the system many times over.