If you’ve ever worked a Friday night shift in a busy UK restaurant, you know that the last thing you need is your technology slowing you down. When the tickets are piling up, the bar is crowded, and your kitchen staff are sweating, your epos system needs to be your best friend, not your worst enemy.
Choosing the right restaurant pos system is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for your business. Today, we’re looking at two of the heavyweights: Toast POS and Epos Now. Both are packed with features, but they approach the hospitality world quite differently.
Whether you’re a small café in Cornwall or a bustling bistro in Birmingham, we’ve broken down everything you need to know to decide which of these systems deserves a spot on your counter.
Understanding the Basics: Is it POS or EPOS?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, it's worth clearing up some jargon. In the UK, we often use the terms interchangeably, but there is a slight difference. A POS (Point of Sale) is where the transaction happens, while an EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) refers to the whole system, the hardware, the software, and the back-end magic.
If you’re still a bit confused about the terminology, it's definitely worth checking out our guide on what is the difference between pos and epos to get up to speed.
Toast POS: The Foodie Specialist
Toast is often described as a system "built for restaurants, by restaurant people." They don’t do retail, and they don’t do hair salons. They live and breathe hospitality. This specialization means their features are incredibly deep and tailored specifically to the chaos of a commercial kitchen.
What We Love About Toast
- Deep Menu Management: Toast allows for incredibly complex menu modifiers. If a customer wants a burger with no onions, extra pickles, and a gluten-free bun, Toast handles it without a blink.
- Kitchen Display Systems (KDS): Their KDS is top-tier. It helps bridge the gap between the front of house and the chefs, reducing the "where's my order?" shouting matches.
- Toast Go™ Handhelds: These are rugged, purpose-built handheld devices that let servers take orders and payments right at the table.
However, there is a catch for us in the UK. Toast is a US-centric company. While they have made strides into the UK market, some of their features can feel a bit "Americanised," and their pricing is often quoted in dollars first, which can be a bit of a headache when you’re trying to balance your British books.
Epos Now: The Versatile UK Favourite
On the other side of the ring, we have Epos Now. Founded in Norwich, this is a homegrown UK success story. Because they are based right here, they have a deep understanding of the UK tax system (VAT), local payment habits, and the specific needs of British business owners.
While Toast is hospitality-only, Epos Now is a versatile retail pos system as well as a hospitality powerhouse. This flexibility makes it a fantastic option if your business is a bit of a hybrid, perhaps a deli that also serves hot food or a farm shop with a busy tea room.
What We Love About Epos Now
- Local Support: Having a UK-based support team is a massive win. You aren’t waiting for a time zone shift in California to get an answer to your question.
- Affordability: In terms of the cheapest pos system that still offers professional-grade features, Epos Now is hard to beat. They often have entry-level deals starting from as little as £39 per month or £249 for a one-time hardware purchase.
- Ease of Use: The interface is incredibly intuitive. You can usually get a new staff member trained up on the epos now till system in about 15 minutes.
If you want the full deep dive into why this system is so popular, you really should read our Epos Now review 2026. It covers everything from the hardware feel to the software speed.
Pricing: Which Offers the Best Value?
Let's talk money. In a world of rising energy bills and food costs, your bottom line is everything.
- Toast POS: Generally starts at around $69 per month for the software. However, they often require you to use their proprietary payment processing, which can sometimes have higher transaction fees than you might find elsewhere.
- Epos Now: They are often much more flexible. You can frequently find deals that make them the best pos system for those on a tight budget. They also allow for more integrations with third-party payment providers, which can help you shop around for better rates.
If you’re specifically looking for the most budget-friendly options, we’ve actually put together a list of the cheapest pos systems for restaurants that is definitely worth a look.
Key Features Comparison
To make things easier, let's look at how they stack up in the areas that actually matter during a busy service:
| Feature | Toast POS | Epos Now |
|---|---|---|
| Industry Focus | Hospitality Only | Hospitality & Retail |
| UK Support | Growing, but US-centric | 24/7 UK-based |
| Ease of Setup | Moderate (Complex features) | Very Easy |
| Inventory Management | Excellent for recipes | Great for stock & retail |
| Offline Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Trustpilot Rating | Varies by region | 4.5/5 (High UK satisfaction) |
Hardware: Style vs. Substance
Toast hardware is sleek and specifically designed to withstand the spills and heat of a kitchen environment. Their handhelds are a particular highlight: they feel sturdy and professional.
Epos Now offers a wider variety of hardware configurations. Whether you want a large touchscreen terminal, a portable tablet-based system, or a simple setup using an iPad, they can accommodate it. They also integrate beautifully with other popular hardware like the sumup pos terminals, giving you even more flexibility on the floor.
If you're already using other software like Shopify for an online store, it's worth noting that while shopify pos is great for retail, it often lacks the deep "table management" features that both Toast and Epos Now offer for restaurants.
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
So, who wins the battle of the best pos system for your UK restaurant?
Choose Toast POS if:
- You run a high-volume, complex restaurant with very specific menu needs.
- You want the absolute best Kitchen Display System available.
- You are willing to pay a premium for a "hospitality-first" philosophy.
Choose Epos Now if:
- You want a UK-based system with local support and VAT compliance built-in.
- You are looking for the cheapest pos system that doesn't sacrifice quality.
- You need a versatile system that can handle both restaurant and retail elements.
- You want a system that is incredibly easy to train new staff on.
In our opinion, for the majority of UK small-to-medium restaurants, Epos Now is the winner. It offers a balance of price, local reliability, and ease of use that is hard for a US-based giant like Toast to beat on British soil. According to industry reports from sources like The Caterer, local support and ease of integration are the two biggest factors in restaurant tech satisfaction: and Epos Now nails both.
Ready to Upgrade Your Restaurant?
Don't let an outdated till system hold your business back. If you’re leaning towards the reliability and value of Epos Now, we’ve got you covered.
Taking the time to get a demo and see the software in action is always a smart move. After all, your epos system is the heartbeat of your restaurant: make sure you choose one that keeps the pulse steady even when the orders are flying in!
For more tips on running a successful UK business, why not read our guide on opening a shop in the UK? Whether it's retail or food, the fundamentals of great service remain the same.