Epos Now vs SumUp 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
62/100
Free tier
Small businesses in Europe — like cafes, merch stalls, and field-service pros — that want a low-risk, pay-as-you-go card
★ Best
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
No monthly subscription required, pay only per transaction; hardware purchased separately.
Fee notes:
- Transaction fee: 1.69% per transaction (chip and PIN, contactless, mobile wallets) for standard card payments
- Transaction fee for manually keyed transactions: 2.55% + 0.10 USD
- Chargeback fee: 13.00 USD per chargeback
- Refund: no fee to refund if within same day; otherwise standard transaction fee applies
- No monthly fees, no setup fees, no cancellation fees
⚠ Watch for:
- Chargeback fee of 13.00 USD applies even if you win the dispute
- Refunds after the same day still incur the processing fee
- International cards and Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) may incur additional FX markup
- Hardware costs are not included; prices for card readers range from 29 to 79 USD depending on model
🔧 Features
✓ European✓ No Monthly Fee✓ Pay Per Tx✓ 4m Merchants✓ Smb✓ Free Tier
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Free POS software with no monthly fees or long-term contracts – This is a huge plus for small businesses and startups with tight budgets. Unlike competitors like Shopify POS (which costs $89/month for basic features) or Square (which has a free tier but pushes paid plans), SumUp's core software includes everything you need to take payments, manage products, and view basic reports at zero recurring cost. You only pay when you make a sale, which is ideal for low-volume merchants.
- Low-cost, portable card readers with reliable Bluetooth – SumUp’s hardware is among the most affordable on the market, starting at around €29 for the basic reader. The readers are compact, charge quickly, and sync easily with your phone or tablet via Bluetooth. The 3G/4G model lets you take payments anywhere, even without Wi-Fi, which is perfect for market stalls and delivery services. This hardware-first approach is a differentiator in a market where competitors like Zettle (iZettle) charge similar prices but might not offer the same range.
- Intuitive dashboard and simple product management – The software was clearly designed with non-technical users in mind. You can add products with photos, set prices, organize them into categories, and apply discounts in a few taps. The dashboard gives a clear overview of daily sales, transaction history, and customer data (if you collect it). This simplicity reduces training time and lets you focus on serving customers, not fumbling with software.
- Multi-currency and multi-language support for European merchants – Since SumUp is headquartered in Europe, it handles multiple currencies and languages out of the box. This is a lifesaver for businesses near borders or those that sell to tourists. The system automatically settles in your home currency, and you can switch languages easily. This localization is a competitive edge over US-centric competitors.
- Regulation-free setup – You can start using SumUp without a lengthy approval process. There's no credit check or extensive paperwork; you just download the app, verify your identity, and order a reader. You can even begin accepting card payments using the app’s “Card Payments” feature with a smartphone’s NFC (though it's slower than a dedicated reader). This immediacy is perfect for businesses that need to start selling quickly.
⚠ Watch out for
- Transaction fees are relatively high compared to competitors with subscription plans – While the free POS software is great, the per-transaction fee of 1.69% for card payments is higher than some competitors if you're doing high volume. For instance, Zettle (iZettle) charges 1.5% for Visa/Mastercard, and SumUp itself offers lower rates (1.49%) if you pay for the SumUp One plan. If you're processing more than €10,000/month, the cumulative fees might exceed what you'd pay with a flat monthly subscription like Lightspeed or Shopify POS.
- Advanced features are locked behind a paid SumUp One plan – The free tier only includes basic reporting, inventory, and single-user access. If you need multiple staff users (with different permissions), advanced analytics, or integrations with accounting software like Xero or QuickBooks, you'll need to subscribe to SumUp One (starting at €39/month). This effectively adds a recurring cost, undermining the “free” appeal for growing businesses.
- Hardware is proprietary and not compatible with third-party peripherals – Unlike open POS systems that allow you to connect any barcode scanner, cash drawer, or receipt printer, SumUp hardware is designed to work only with SumUp’s own accessories. This limits your ability to build a custom setup. For instance, you can't connect a standard cash drawer via USB; it must be a SumUp-compatible one (which they sell, but at an additional cost). This lock-in could be a dealbreaker for businesses with existing hardware.
- Customer support is limited – SumUp primarily offers support through email, a help center, and a contact form on their website. There's no phone support in many countries, and live chat is only available in certain regions. Response times can vary, with some users reporting delays of 24-48 hours. This might be frustrating if you encounter a payment issue during a busy sales period and need immediate help.
- No built-in loyalty program or CRM – While SumUp does allow you to collect customer emails and send promotional emails (via the free plan), there's no advanced loyalty program or customer relationship management (CRM) built in. You'll need to integrate third-party apps (often via the paid plan) to create points-based loyalty or targeted marketing campaigns. For businesses that rely on repeat customers, this could be a missing feature.
🎯 Best for
Small businesses in Europe — like cafes, merch stalls, and field-service pros — that want a low-risk, pay-as-you-go card payment solution without subscription fees.
🚫 Who should skip
Full-service restaurants, large multi-location retailers, and businesses that need deeply customizable POS software for complex workflows.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal — setting up the app and pairing a card reader is straightforward, and the interface is simple enough for staff to learn in a few minutes.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
SumUp POS is a fantastic choice for micro-businesses, pop-up shops, and mobile vendors who need a low-cost, no-contract payment solution with basic inventory and sales tracking. It's also ideal for businesses that want to start taking card payments without a significant upfront investment. However,
📊 Use Case Suitability
Higher score = better fit. Scores from editorial review.
Use CaseEpos NowSumUp 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
Pop-up retail shops and sidewalk stands—95
SumUp's portable card readers and no-monthly-fee pricing make it ideal for low-v
Salon and home-service payment collection—85
You can invoice clients and take card payment at their doorstep, though booking
Cafe counter checkouts—90
Simple order entry, inventory tracking, and quick payment suits counter service
🧭 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 SumUp POS if...
- You are: Small businesses in Europe — like cafes, merch stalls, and field-service pros — that want a low-risk, pay-as-you-go card
- 👍 Completely free POS software with no monthly fees or contract.
- 👍 Low-cost, portable card readers that sync to the app via Bluetooth.
- 👍 Trusted by millions of merchants across Europe, with localized payment processing for multiple curre
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Transaction fees are higher than some competitors if you need premium rate disco
❓ 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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