Epos Now vs Square POS
Side-by-side comparison — pricing, features, ratings, use cases. Find which Pos Systems fits you best.
🔍 Independently researched ·
📊 Data-driven
36/100
Free tier
UK-based small to medium-sized hospitality and retail businesses that want a single, integrated POS system with hardware
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
1 register, 1 user; includes basic reporting, inventory, and customer management; supports single location.
Starting at 36 € (hybrid)
Fee notes:
- EFTPOS/credit card processing: 1.6% per transaction (UK standard) or £0.016 per transaction for debit; varies by country and plan.
- Hardware bundles start at $599 (or £499) for starter kit including register, cash drawer, receipt printer, and scanner.
- Payment processing is optional; if you use Epos Now Payments, the terminal fee may be waived.
- Annual billing discount: 2 months free (i.e., pay for 10 months).
- Currency conversion: 0.5% above interbank rate.
⚠ Watch for:
- Early termination fee: 12 months contract required for hardware; cancellation fee equals remaining lease/loan balance.
- Hardware finance: if paying via installments, APR may be up to 19.9%.
- Integrated payments: if you use third-party processors, extra fees may apply.
- Overage fees for exceeding device/user limits on Essential/Standard plans.
🔧 Features
✓ Uk Origin✓ Hospitality Retail✓ 40k Customers✓ Hardware Bundles✓ Free Tier
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- All-in-One Bundles: Epos Now packages hardware and software together, including a touchscreen terminal, cash drawer, and receipt printer. This removes the headache of sourcing and integrating components separately. For a small business owner with limited technical expertise, this convenience is invaluable. You can be up and running in a day, and device compatibility is guaranteed because Epos Now selected the components.
- Integrated Payments and Fast Settlement: Using Epos Now's payment processing, transactions are automatically reconciled within the software, saving hours of manual admin. Funds can settle into your account quickly, sometimes within 24 hours, which improves cash flow. For businesses that rely on steady cash flow, this is a tangible benefit.
- Multi-Site Management: For growing chains, the ability to manage multiple locations from one dashboard is a differentiator. You can view real-time sales, track stock levels across sites, and compare performance. This centralisation is critical for operational efficiency and is not offered by all POS competitors at this price point.
- Industry-Specific Features: Epos Now tailors its software to hospitality and retail. For cafés, there's table management, split billing, and kitchen display integration. For retail, there's inventory management, purchase orders, and customer loyalty. This specialisation means the software aligns with your workflow better than a generic POS.
- Strong UK Presence and Local Support: With 40,000+ customers in the UK, the company has a robust local presence. Phone support is available, and for UK businesses, this local touch can be reassuring. Epos Now also offers industry-specific templates and integrations with popular UK services like Xero and QuickBooks.
⚠ Watch out for
- Pricing is Opaque: There is no public price list. You must request a quote, which varies based on hardware, contract length, and processing volume. This makes comparing costs between providers difficult and can lead to unexpected fees. Some users have reported significant price hikes upon renewal.
- Payment Processing Lock-in: To get the best software pricing, you are effectively required to use Epos Now's payment processing. If you opt for a third-party processor, your software fees increase, and you may lose features like integrated gift cards or loyalty. This lock-in can be a long-term cost liability.
- Inconsistent Customer Support: Reviews are polarised. While some users commend the support, many report slow response times and a lack of technical depth, especially on lower-tier plans. Over 24 hours for a response is not uncommon, and complex issues may take multiple contacts to resolve.
- Hardware Commitment and Cost: While the bundles are convenient, they can be pricey compared to sourcing your own components. Also, you're often locked into a contract, making it difficult to switch without penalties. For businesses that already own compatible hardware, this is a drawback.
- Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While basic operations are easy, mastering the more advanced features like reporting, stock transfer, and loyalty programme setup can take time. The system is not as intuitive as some competitors, and training resources are mostly webinars and a knowledge base, not personalised onboarding.
🎯 Best for
UK-based small to medium-sized hospitality and retail businesses that want a single, integrated POS system with hardware, software, and payments bundled together.
🚫 Who should skip
Large enterprises with complex customisation needs, vendors that want to keep their existing payment processor, or businesses that prefer transparent pricing and the flexibility to source their own hardware.
📚 Learning curve
Moderate — familiarising yourself with menu setup, inventory management, and tax configuration takes a few days, though basic till operation is relatively simple.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Epos Now is a solid choice for small to mid-sized retail and hospitality businesses that want a turnkey POS with integrated hardware and payments. The convenience of an all-in-one package and multi-site management are major pluses. However, the opaque pricing and payment lock-in mean you must read t
40/100
Free tier
Small to medium-sized retailers, restaurants, food trucks, and appointment-based service providers that want a free, eas
★ Best
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
Free app but pay standard processing fees (2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction).
Fee notes:
- In-person payments (card present): 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction (Free tier).
- Online/invoice payments (card not present): 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
- Keyed-in (manually entered) transactions: 3.5% + 15¢ per transaction.
- Lower rates available with paid plans: Plus 2.5% + 10¢, Premium 2.4% + 10¢ in-person.
- Chargeback fee: $25 per occurrence (bank fees may also apply).
⚠ Watch for:
- PCI compliance fee: $26/month if you don't use Square's hardware or software for payments.
- Chargeback fee: $25 each time a customer disputes a transaction.
- Instant transfer fee: 1.75% of the amount for immediate access to funds.
- Hardware costs not included (e.g., magstripe reader $49, contactless reader $99).
🔧 Features
✓ Block Owned✓ Free App✓ Retail Restaurant Appointments✓ Ecosystem✓ Free Tier
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- The core POS app is completely free with no monthly fees. You only pay per-transaction processing fees, which makes it incredibly accessible for startups, seasonal vendors, and small businesses with irregular cash flow. You can even accept payments using just your smartphone and a cheap card reader, which is perfect for pop-up shops and farmers markets.
- Seamless ecosystem integration: Square POS connects payments, inventory, customer management, payroll, appointments, and e-commerce all in one dashboard. This eliminates the need to juggle multiple systems and speeds up daily operations. For example, when you sell an item in-store, inventory is automatically updated on your online store and sales data appears instantly in reports.
- Quick and easy setup: You can download the app, create a product catalog, connect a card reader, and process your first sale in minutes. The interface is intuitive, so even less tech-savvy users can get up and running without a steep learning curve. You don't need a credit card to sign up or a long-term contract to start.
- Free online store: Unlike many competitors that charge for e-commerce integration, Square POS includes a basic online store with your free account. You can add products, set up shipping, and start selling online without paying extra for a website builder, making it a cost-effective omnichannel solution for small businesses.
- Transparent, predictable processing fees: Square charges a flat rate with no hidden costs, and you can see exactly what you'll pay per transaction. This simplicity is a relief for business owners who are tired of complex interchange-plus pricing models. Instant transfers to your bank account are available for a 1.75% fee, which is manageable for those who need cash quickly.
⚠ Watch out for
- Processing fees can be a burden for high-volume businesses: The card-present rate of 2.6% + 10¢ is higher than some interchange-plus rates offered by traditional processors, and keyed-in transactions at 3.5% + 15¢ are especially steep. A business processing $50,000 per month could pay over $1,000 in fees, whereas other providers might charge less, making it less competitive for large operations.
- The free tier is limited: Advanced features like payroll (starting at $35/month), advanced inventory (from $29/month), and location reporting require paid subscriptions. Businesses that need these tools will find the monthly costs add up, which can be surprising given the emphasis on the free app. For example, without a paid plan, you can't create purchase orders or run multi-location inventory reports.
- Hardware costs are not included: While the app is free, you must buy a card reader ($49) or a terminal ($299) to accept payments physically. This upfront cost is a hidden barrier for businesses on a tight budget, especially compared to competitors that sometimes offer free readers with a processing contract.
- Customer support is limited on free plans: You primarily get email support and a knowledge base; phone support is only available during business hours and may be reserved for paid users. If you have a time-sensitive issue, the lack of 24/7 live support can be frustrating, especially since your entire sales operation depends on the system.
🎯 Best for
Small to medium-sized retailers, restaurants, food trucks, and appointment-based service providers that want a free, easy-to-use POS with no monthly subscription and integrated payments.
🚫 Who should skip
Large enterprises with complex inventory management, multi-store chains requiring advanced reporting, or businesses in high-risk industries should avoid Square POS, as it lacks the depth and dedicated support needed for those operations.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal — the app is designed for quick setup and basic operation is intuitive, but discovering and configuring advanced features like inventory rules and appointment integrations takes a bit more time.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Square POS is the go-to choice for small retail, restaurant, and service businesses that want a free, easy-to-use system with low upfront costs. It's ideal if you're just starting out or have modest sales volume. However, if you process high volumes or need advanced inventory and payroll without pay
📊 Use Case Suitability
Higher score = better fit. Scores from editorial review.
Use CaseEpos NowSquare POS
Café and Coffee Shop POS85—
Epos Now offers menu modifiers, table/bar tabs, tip management, and integrated p
Boutique Retail Store Inventory Management78—
It provides barcode scanning, stock level tracking, purchase orders, and supplie
Multi-location Restaurant Chain82—
The multi-site dashboard allows centralised reporting, menu updates, and stock t
Independent Bar and Nightclub75—
It supports split bills, quick product lookups, and integrated payment terminals
Mobile Food Truck or Pop-up Stand70—
Epos Now offers portable card readers and tablet-based software, but the hardwar
Popup shops and farmers market stands—95
No monthly fees and easy setup on a smartphone make it ideal for temporary busin
Cafes and small restaurants—90
The free restaurant POS includes menu management, tip on-screen, and table logic
Boutique retail stores—88
Square POS provides robust item catalogs, discounts, and receipt options for ove
🧭 Which One Should You Pick?
Choose Epos Now if...
- You are: UK-based small to medium-sized hospitality and retail businesses that want a single, integrated POS system with hardware
- 👍 All-in-one bundles include hardware (terminal, cash drawer, printer) and software, making setup easy
- 👍 Strong UK market presence with over 40,000 customers, local phone support, and industry-specific fea
- 👍 Integrated payments allow fast reconciliation, and funds can settle quickly into your business accou
- 💰 From $39/mo
- ⚠ Trade-off: Pricing is not transparent — there are no public price lists, and quotes vary ba
Choose Square POS if...
- You are: Small to medium-sized retailers, restaurants, food trucks, and appointment-based service providers that want a free, eas
- 👍 Completely free app with no monthly fees — you only pay per-swipe processing fees, making it accessi
- 👍 Integrated ecosystem: payments, inventory, payroll, appointments, and ecommerce tools all work in on
- 👍 Easy setup: you can create a catalog, connect a card reader, and accept payments within minutes usin
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Processing fees can add up quickly — the card-present rate is 2.6% + 10¢, and ke
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Epos Now cost?
Epos Now does not publish public pricing; you must contact sales for a quote. Typical costs include a monthly software subscription (starting around £30–£50 per terminal) plus hardware purchase or rental, and payment processing fees are charged per transaction.
Is Epos Now better for hospitality or retail?
Epos Now supports both, but it has stronger hospitality-specific features like table management, menu modifiers, and kitchen display integration. Retail features such as barcode scanning, stock tracking, and multi-location inventory are solid but less specialized than tools like Lightspeed or Shopify POS.
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