7 best pub and bar POS systems right now Is your current POS system not up to the task of running your pub or bar efficiently? It's time to find a better solution. Written by Eddie Harris Reviewed by Ollie Simpson Updated on 19 June 2025 Our Research When judging the best POS systems, our writers work with expert researchers to focus on key features that matter most to small businesses. These include value for money – setup, hardware and transaction fees – help and support, plus the till, stock, and business management tools available. Written and reviewed by: Eddie Harris Reviews Writer Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive Startups.co.uk is reader supported – we may earn a commission from our recommendations, at no extra cost to you and without impacting our editorial impartiality. Keeping costs down, profits up, and customers happy can seem like a never ending struggle when you’re running a bar or pub. This is why you need a POS system that’ll help you run your beverage business smoothly – but choosing one can be a little more complicated than just looking for the best POS system for restaurants.To make things simpler, we’ll take you through our top choices specifically for pubs and bars, and the standout features they boast. We’ve recently conducted brand new research into the top POS platforms, and determined that Square is the top choice for pubs and bars thanks to its happy-hour-friendly, intuitive software, its great range of hardware, and its tailored kitchen display system to keep drink and snack orders flowing. Best pub & bar POS systems at a glance *Featured* Lightspeed: excellent tools for driving repeat businessSquare: overall best POS for pubs and barsClover: top of the range POS terminal and accessoriesSumUp: excels at speed and efficiency in a smaller environmentToast: best for multilocation pubs and barstakepayments: an all-in-one terminal to declutter your barEpos Now: extensive tools for managing a complex bar inventoryClick any of the links above to learn more about each brand and compare costs on a POS system for the needs and size of your own business How many POS terminals does your pub or bar need? Just 1 2-3 Over 3 Unsure Compare Costs Swipe right to see more 0 out of 0 backward forward FEATURED BEST ALL ROUND Epos Now Square Clover Lightspeed Restaurant SumUp Best for Extensive tools for managing a complex bar inventory Best for Overall best pub and bar POS Best for Top of the range POS terminal and accessories Best for Excellent tools for driving repeat businessLightspeed Restaurant Best for Excels at speed and efficiency in a smaller environment Pricing from Hardware: From £225Monthly subscriptions: From £25 per month Pricing from Free software, plus £149 + VAT for the Square Terminal Pricing from Currently £1 per month (on an 18-month contract), hardware is included Pricing from £109 per month Pricing from Free software, plus £249 for the POS Lite terminal Features In-depth sales reportingThird party app integrationsKitchen management functionality Features Powerful customer management softwareReal time in-depth reportsPay team members with team management Features Sales data reportingLoyalty programme managementBuilt-in fraud protection and multi-layered security Features Huge number of third party integrationsWork offline functionalityGreat customer service Features Great range of hardware and accessoriesInventory management tools with stock alerts and cost managementMobile and QR code ordering Compare Quotes Try Square Compare Quotes Try Lightspeed Compare Quotes 1. Square: overall best pub and bar POS 2. Clover: top of the range POS terminal and accessories 3. SumUp: excels at speed and efficiency in a smaller environment 4. Toast: adept at managing a complex inventory 5. Lightspeed Restaurant: excellent tools for driving repeat business 6. takepayments: an all-in-one terminal to declutter your bar 7. Epos Now: extensive tools for managing a complex bar inventory How we test pub and bar POS systems Buying guide: how to choose a POS system for your pub or bar I last updated this page on 19/06/2025: here's what's changed In May 2025, we conducted a brand new round of in-depth user testing to ensure our recommendations for the top POS systems for pubs and bars are as up to date and accurate as possible.Square remained comfortably in the top spot, and has even become easier to use than it was in 2024. Clover remained in second place, but SumUp moved up to third in our ranking due improvements to its front end usability.Toast is a newcomer to the list, coming in ahead of Lightspeed and cracking its way into our top five thanks to some impressive improvements to its POS software. We now rate it as the strongest software offering from all the POS we tested. 1. Square: overall best POS for pubs and bars Square POS 4.8 Starting software price: Free plan Transaction fees from: From 1.75% Great range of hardware as well as an iOS app Excellent employee management system Lets you efficiently manage multiple store locations Summary Square is headed up by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. Specifically designed for small to medium sized businesses, it leads the US market for POS systems, currently serving four million clients. Show moreless Suitable if: You want a low-cost option to start You want the option to upgrade to more advanced features Accessible help and support is a priority Not suitable if: You want a training mode for new staff You need detailed cost versus profit analysis You want to track ingredient usage Square provides a great range of hardware, including the handheld Square Terminal. Source: Startups.co.ukWhy did we pick Square?Square remains our number one recommendation for a pub and bar POS thanks to its feature-rich software, free starter plan, and comprehensive help and support. During our latest round of research, we noticed it was easier to use than it was in 2024, making it by far the easiest to use pub and bar POS we tested.Square’s free plan is still fairly comprehensive and great for smaller pubs and bars. However, if you’re scaling up, or you’re already managing a chain of pubs and bars, then you’ll find that Square’s paid plan comes with detailed inventory management tools that make managing a complex stock of beer, wines, spirits, and bar snacks a breeze. The discounts feature makes it easy to make quick changes during happy hour. Source: Startups.co.ukSquare also provides a dedicated, customised kitchen display system that seamlessly integrates with your front-of-house POS system. This means you can seamlessly send orders from the front of house to the kitchen, and speedily get drinks and pub grub out to happy customers.Are there any limitations?The most notable feature missing from Square is a comprehensive cost versus profit management tool – if you want to take a more granular look at your spending, take a look at Clover instead. We’d have also liked to have seen Square include a dedicated training mode to help onboard new staff.How much does it cost?PricingSoftwareFree plan: FreeSquare for Restaurants Plus plan: £69/month, per locationPremium plan (for businesses that process more than £200,000 per year): custom pricingHardwareSquare Reader: £19 plus VATSquare Stand (to turn your iPad into a countertop terminal): £99 plus VATSquare Terminal: £149 plus VATSquare Register: £599 plus VAT Transaction feesFree plan/Square for Restaurants Plus plan: 1.75% in person, 2.5% for virtual terminal and invoices, 1.4% + 25p for online transactionsPremium plan: custom ratesFree trial?30-day free trial of Square for Restaurants Plus Square is transparently and fairly priced. Its transaction fees are average to high, and the prices of its higher-end hardware are in line with its competitors, making it about average. You do have a low-cost option with Square, with the free app-based plan (which we also ranked as our top free POS platform!).Read more: Square was also our number one pick for the best takeaway POS system. What our researchers think Square is a great choice for any bar or pub thanks to the super friendly user interface. I found it so easy to create a floor plan. Which is great for tracking where drinks are going and being able to access it easily on either an iPad or their own devices. That means you can easily serve people and take payments on the go (which means less queuing). Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 2. Clover: top of the range POS terminal and accessories Clover 4.4 Starting software price: Currently from £1 per month (18 month contract) Transaction fees from: 1.49% Highly customisable customer display Exceptional POS hardware and accessories Speedy fingerprint login on the Clover Terminal Summary Clover is based in California and, as of 2020, processes $133 billion in card transactions annually. It’s owned by Fiserv, the largest merchant acquirer in the world. Show moreless Suitable if: You run a mid- to large-sized bar or pub chain You want to get an in-depth look at your analytics You don’t mind paying high upfront costs for excellent hardware Not suitable if: You run a pop-up bar or small pub You’re trying to avoid laying out big upfront costs You need automated tip sharing functionality Clover offers some of the sleekest hardware we tested. Source: Startups.co.ukWhy did we pick Clover?Clover’s excellent payment terminal impressed us with its sleek design and highly responsive 14″ HD display screen. We also appreciated the customisable customer display screen, which can really speed up payments, but the standout feature is the speedy fingerprint login for staff. We found that Clover excels in both its front end and back office equally. The intuitive front end would be ideal for a fast-paced bar or pub environment, while back office tasks like creating new categories and products were just as quick to complete.We found Clover’s POS software to be reassuringly user-friendly. Source: Startups.co.ukThe stock alert and profit tracking features were also a standout. Clover is a great option for pub and bar owners who want to take a more detailed look into their analytics, and keep overheads lean.Are there any limitations?If you run a small, single location pub or bar, you might find that Clover’s impressive array of terminals and accessories would be overkill for your needs. Square will be a better beginner friendly option. We did also note that Clover lacks automated tip sharing, which Toast can do.How much does it cost?PricingSoftwareCurrently from £1 per monthHardwareClover Mini: £450Clover Station Solo: Contact Clover for pricesClover Station Duo: £1,300Transaction feesFrom 1.49%Free trial?NoneBeing top of the range, the hardware does come with a hefty price tag, so it might prove too expensive for small pubs or bars that are just getting set up. You should take a look at Lightspeed Restaurant if you want to avoid laying out large upfront costs.However, Clover is currently offering a promotion where you can try it from £1 (a monthly service fee, which includes a device) for 18 months. This will also get you an affordable 1.49% card transaction fee. Another benefit of Clover is that it can offer you a bespoke quote that will be tailored to your needs.Read more: Clover is our number one choice for the best POS system for restaurants. What our researchers think I’d highly recommend Clover for both pubs and bars thanks to the sleek and professional hardware, which will give your customers a great first impression when they walk in. The customer facing screen can also take payments directly which we found helped to speed up payments as there’s less querying of orders, especially in louder environments. The hardware also felt really robust and could withstand people bumping into it, as well as drinks being spilled on it! Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 3. SumUp: excels at speed and efficiency in a smaller environment SumUp 4.3 Starting software price: Free Transaction fees from: 1.69% Superb range of hardware and accessories Mobile and QR code ordering Inventory management tools with stock alerts and cost management Summary In 2020, London-based payment service provider SumUp acquired GoodTill, an iPad-based POS software provider. Show moreless Suitable if: You run a small pub or bar You want customers to place mobile orders You want a bespoke loyalty programme for your customers Not suitable if: You run a larger chain of pubs or bars Your bar relies on an extensive reservation system You need seamless synchronisation between the front end and back end We really liked SumUp’s slick and friendly-looking order screen. Source: Startups.co.ukWhy did we pick SumUp?During our testing of SumUp’s POS Lite (the 13” HD tablet, which comes integrated with the free version of the POS software), we were impressed with how lightweight the hardware was, while still feeling sleek and professional. We felt this would make it a strong fit for small, single-location pubs and bars that need sleek, reliable hardware at a low price point.SumUp’s front end particularly stood out due to how easy and user-friendly we found it to navigate around. We’d say the learning curve here will be pretty short, so good for getting up and running quickly. We noted a marked improvement since 2024 on the front end design, with new additions like a “park order” function. The simplicity of SumUp’s POS platform makes it a good fit for smaller setups. Source: Startups.co.ukSumUp’s customer engagement tools will help you keep loyal regulars propping up the bar, including features like personalised promotions. With your own iPad, you can even get started on SumUp’s free POS plan, which is great if you’re running a new business with a limited budget.Are there any limitations?Despite the improvements to the front end since our 2024 tests, we unfortunately found that the issues we’d previously had with back end changes not syncing properly with the front end still persisted.Plus, while SumUp’s tools and free plan are a good fit for small bars and pubs, if you’re running a larger chain, you might be better off with Lightspeed Restaurant’s more advanced suite of features.How much does it cost?Pricing SoftwarePay-as-you-go: FreePayments Plus: £19/monthPoint of Sale Pro: £49/monthHardwarePOS Lite: One-time cost of £249POS Pro: Starting at £754.80Transaction feesPay-as-you-go: 1.69%Payments Plus: 0.99% per transaction, 1.99% for premium cards Free trial?7-day trial for Payments PlusSumUp has some impressive transaction rates considering it’s available on a free plan. You can also opt to pay for the Payments Plus plan, which will get you rock bottom fees.The SumUp POS Lite package was already very fairly priced considering you get a countertop terminal (comprised of a tablet and stand) and a card reader (this comes pre-installed with the free version of the software), and now you can get this for an even lower price than when we last tested SumUp.If you want access to a more serious selection of tools (including table management) you’ll need to opt for the POS Pro package. This comes with a monthly cost that’s pretty average, but an expensive upfront hardware fee. What our researchers think SumUp is a fantastic choice for pubs and bars thanks to their impressive range of tools that give you both a physical and online presence. You can easily create a website alongside integrating a POS system, which means you can take delivery orders as well as market yourselves to a wider audience. They offer both a physical terminal or an iPad app as well as smaller payment devices, and coupled with QR code ordering, this means your staff can focus on getting food and drinks out quicker! Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 4. Toast: best for multilocation pubs and bars Toast 4.1 Starting software price: £80 per month Transaction fees from: Quote-based Excellent inventory management tools Reservation tools built into the POS package Includes customer engagement tools that let you create a points system Summary Toast, Inc. is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with its POS system purpose built for the food and beverage industry. Toast's POS operates on Android, and is currently used by 140,000 restaurant locations. Show moreless Suitable if: You're running a medium-sized or larger pub or bar, or have multiple locations You have a complex inventory, like a vast array of wines and spirits, you need help to manage You want a forum to network with other pub and bar owners Not suitable if: You're looking for a low-cost system with no monthly fees You already have iPads you want to use to save on costs (Toast is Android exclusive) You're running a small pub or bar and you just have a basic stock to look after The Toast Flex is IP54 spill-proof rated, so you don’t have to worry about pints getting knocked over it. Source: Startups.co.uk Why did we pick Toast?Toast emerged as a top option thanks to its feature-packed software, which is particularly well suited to helping manage a chain of pubs and bars. Toast also includes cost/profit management features to help you see where your money’s going, which is crucial for owners managing multiple pubs or bars at once.It boasts some first-rate inventory management, including stock alerts, so you can be notified when your wine bottle count is low to avoid unhappy punters. The automatic tip sharing will also be a blessing for landlords who are concerned about the Tipping Act Laws.We found Toast really easy to get to grips with, especially with the help of its initial step-by-step tutorial. Source: Startups.co.ukWhen we tested Toast, we found that the back end was especially intuitive, and reassuringly easy to navigate around. We really appreciated the initial tutorial, which offers a clear guide to how to use the platform.Are there any limitations?A key point to be aware of is that Toast is specifically built for Android only. So if you’re looking to use a POS on an iPad, we’d recommend checking out SumUp instead. While Toast is loaded with tools, a small pub or bar might find the simplicity of Square’s free plan makes for an easier system to use.How much does it cost?PricingSoftwareStarter: from £80/monthEssentials: £150/monthCustom: custom pricingHardware From £749Transaction feesQuote-basedFree trial?NoneToast isn’t the cheapest option – in fact, it’s the most expensive on this roundup. For this reason, we wouldn’t recommend it to new pubs and bars that are just getting off the ground. But more advanced operations (including chains) may find the advanced inventory and customer engagement tools worth the steep monthly cost. 5. Lightspeed Restaurant: excellent tools for driving repeat business Lightspeed Restaurant 3.9 Starting software price: £69 per month Transaction fees from: Quote-based Offline functionality that syncs automatically when back online Brilliant customer engagement features Tablet-based system is easy to carry around Summary Based in Montreal, Canada, Lightspeed is a commerce platform that currently serves over 150,000 customer locations. Show moreless Suitable if: You don’t want to pay any upfront costs You want to expand your business You have a complicated inventory Not suitable if: You’d prefer to use a dedicated countertop terminal rather than a tablet You want to automate tip management You have a table plan that you change often This is how your POS home page will look when using Lightspeed Restaurant. Source: Startups.co.ukWhy did we pick Lightspeed Restaurant?Repeat business is key to survival for a pub or bar, and Lightspeed’s excellent customer engagement tools were some of the very best that we tested. Its automated marketing tools, loyalty reward programs, and promotional email and SMS notifications will help you make sure punters keep coming back to the bar.We found Lightspeed’s back end interface both easy to use and very reliable. We really appreciated how detailed and comprehensive the cost versus profit analysis tool was, and creating custom colour-coded floor plans was reassuringly effortless. You can even change the colours, so you can get a nice, clear visual representation of your bar layout.Lightspeed’s floor planning tool is easy to use. Source: Startups.co.ukLightspeed’s POS software is entirely app-based and designed to be used on a tablet, which has its pros and cons. Staff can easily carry it around, but some might prefer having a more rugged terminal (we all know how easy it can be to crack a tablet screen, especially if you’re rushing about!). If you’d prefer a more traditional dedicated countertop terminal, you should look at Clover instead.Are there any limitations?While we did find that changing floor plans was easy, just be aware that you only do this from the back end, so there might a lot of back and forth if you need to frequently change your table plan. We also found that Lightspeed was missing automated tip sharing, which Toast can do.How much does it cost?Pricing SoftwareBasic: £69 per month Core: £129 per monthPro: £219Lightspeed doesn’t publicly publish its hardware prices or transaction fees, but we can tell you that the software is reasonably expensive. It charges a triple-figure monthly starting price, and you’ll be locked into a 12-month minimum contract. It is a comprehensive system though, so if you’re running a well established pub or bar, or you have multiple locations, Lightspeed Restaurant could be well worth the investment. What our researchers think Lightspeed would be my number one choice if you’re looking to build a bigger community and customer base with your pub or bar. They have a great range of tools like automated marketing, customer segmenting and rewards programmes. As well as this, the iPad based platform means you can serve customers without going back to the till constantly, and their QR code system means your staff can focus on getting food and drinks out rather than serving! Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 6. takepayments: an all-in-one terminal to declutter your bar takepayments 3.9 Starting software price: £55 per month Transaction fees from: Quote-based Code scanners built into the front and back of the terminal User-friendly and simple front end balanced with a feature-dense back end The terminal comes with a built-in printer Summary takepayments is a UK-based company offering payment solutions including card terminals, online payments, and POS systems. It currently serves over 750,000 customers and is one of the fastest-growing card payment providers in the UK. Show moreless Suitable if: You run a smaller pub or bar with a basic inventory You want solid cost/profit management tools You want a system that's quick to get to grips with Not suitable if: Customer engagement tools are a priority You want to be able to create a floor plan for better table management You want to enhance or customise your system with app integrations The tPOS Counter comes with built-in scanners, a printer, and a customer facing display. Source: Startups.co.ukWhy did we pick takepayments?If you’re looking for an all-in-one terminal to declutter your bar area, takepayments’ tPOS Counter is packed with the essentials. It comes with code scanners built into the front and back, as well its own printer and a customer-facing display, so your patrons can see their order total.When we tested out the system, we felt it was particularly user friendly for POS novices, with a clear and intuitive onboarding process. If you do come across any technical mishaps, you can use takepayments’ remote support to quickly diagnose and solve the problem.takepayments’ back office reporting can give you a deeper look into your cost/profit management. Source: Startups.co.uktakepayments can also give you quick access to your sales and product reports. With cost/profit management tools and insights into your best selling items, the back end reporting tools are helpful in optimising profitability.Are there any limitations?While we found the back end of the system to be fast and simple, we did run into more issues with the front end. It could often be frustratingly slow, outdated, and a bit clunky. We also felt that it was missing some crucial features, such as floor plans, an app store, and a customer loyalty programme (like the excellent one offered by Lightspeed).How much does it cost?PricingSoftware/HardwaretPOS Counter: £55/month plus £250 setup feetPOS Complete: £65/month plus £250 setup feeTransaction feesQuote-basedFree trial?Nonetakepayments’ monthly prices are about average in the grand scheme of things, but just keep in mind that both plans have the same expensive setup fee. While it might not have a free plan like SumUp or Square, with takepayments, you do get the advantage of bespoke transaction fees for a more flexible payment structure. What our researchers think I loved how simple and easy to use the takepayments POS system was. The layout was really clearly divided into each section which minimised any confusion or mistakes when adding an order. I was also really impressed by their onboarding and support as they have someone to take you through the processes and they can also remotely log in (with your permission of course) so when you have a problem they can see exactly what is happening and fix it 10x quicker! Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 7. Epos Now: extensive tools for managing a complex bar inventory Epos Now 3.7 Starting software price: £25 Transaction fees from: 1.3% You can pay upfront for the software and hardware In-depth inventory management tools High quality terminal with a large 15.6" HD display screen Summary Based out of Norwich, Epos Now is a payment service provider and SaaS company, specifically focusing on providing POS systems to small and medium sized businesses. Show moreless Suitable if: You run a pub or bar of any size You need to manage a complicated inventory You want a sturdy, dedicated POS terminal Not suitable if: You want to automatically share tips You need a beginner-friendly POS system You want to avoid upfront costs Epos Now’s rugged, dual-screen terminal is excellent for streamlining orders. Source: Startups.co.uk Why did we pick Epos Now?When testing Epos Now, the back office management stood out as the strength of the system – especially its stock update tools, which are ideal for staying on top of a complicated inventory of drinks and snacks. The floor panning feature is satisfyingly simple, making planning out the layout of your bar or pub a doddle.We also found that accessing reports, including a helpful cost versus profit analysis, was incredibly simple. Epos Now also has a handy automatic offline mode, to avoid losing any payments if the signal drops out.We appreciated how easy it is to access our reports with Epos Now. Source: Startups.co.uk Epos Now also provides some excellent hardware, and the terminal’s 15.6-inch HD screen, along with its customer display, is an ace tool for streamlining orders – especially useful when those stressful queues start to pile up at the bar. The sturdy, well-built terminal is capable of standing up to the chaos of a Friday night at the local.Are there any limitations?We do have some mixed feelings about the software. While we were impressed by the powerful back office customisation, the level of complexity might a barrier for less tech-savvy users. Square is a more beginner-friendly option, especially if you’re new to POS systems.We would also have liked to see automated tip management, which Toast and Square can both do.How much does it cost?PricingSoftwareFrom £25 per monthHardwareFrom £225Transaction feesFrom 1.3%Free trial?NoneEpos Now’s pricing isn’t the cheapest, but its package isn’t a bad deal considering you’re getting the impressive terminal and customised software together. Just be aware that, with Epos Now, you’ll be locked into a year long subscription, and be charged an upfront cost. What our researchers think Epos Now is an excellent choice for both pubs and bars thanks to its impressive business centric approach. Not only does it offer great hardware but their software is reliable, meaning you can have a large inventory and never worry about it crashing. They also offer integrated payment solutions to keep everything under one roof and the portable payment device means your staff can take payments on the go. Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive How we test pub and bar POS systemsIn May 2025, our Senior Research Executive led a brand new set of analysis and fresh user testing of 11 of the top POS platforms in the UK.We conducted this new set of research to ensure our reviews are fully accurate and up to date, and also to provide more detailed and suitable recommendations to our readers.The research was carried out in the Startups London offices, with our dedicated Reviews Writer also engaging in hands-on user testing of both the front and back ends of the POS systems. This was based on a testing framework devised by our Senior Research Executive and Head of Research.This testing was combined with comprehensive analysis by the research team. The results were then rated on the six categories we determined to be the most relevant to UK pub and bar owners.These six main scoring categories, and their individual importance weightings, were:Usability (30%): This was given the heaviest weighting, as your staff will need an easy-to-use system during hectic rush hours.Software (25%): Features like bill splitting, inventory management, and customer engagement tools will be the backbone of your POS system, so this was the next most important category.Pricing (20%): A major consideration for small businesses, as running a pub or bar can have razor thin profit margins. We compared hardware costs, software costs, and transaction fees to rate whether you’re getting a good deal.Help and support (15%): A technical mishap during happy hour can be stressful. We evaluated the avenues of customer support that are available to pub and bar owners.Reputation (5%): We determined the overall reputation of the provider based on brand recognition, online comments, competitor reviews, and how likely our users were to recommend the platform after testing it.Hardware (5%): We analysed the POS terminals’ performance in terms of display quality and portability, and what accessories are available.The results of these testing categories is what determined our top seven recommendations. Buying guide: how to choose a POS system for your pub or barPOS systems aren’t skeleton keys that can fit in any scenario. The best POS systems for a retail business will be different to the best POS systems for the hospitality industry.Each profession will need features and tools that best suit their needs. These are the most important factors to look out for when shopping for a POS system for your pub or bar.Essential featuresThere are certain tools and features that are absolute must-haves for a bar or restaurant environment. You’ll need a system that can include bill splitting, inventory management, sales reporting, and swift and easy order entry.AdaptabilityBeing able to adapt on the fly is crucial to operating in a pub or bar environment. Things can get hectic. You’ll be operating in a noisy, busy environment and need to process a lot of orders quickly. You’ll need software and hardware that can keep up with the demands.Easy-to-use interfaceWhen the queue at the bar is spilling out the door, your staff will thank you for getting a user-friendly system. The last thing you want is a system with poorly designed UX that slows down your service.Trials and demosMany platforms offer free trials, or demos, of their platforms. We always recommend a test drive of the software before rubber hits the road and you’re actually taking payments. This is particularly crucial for a bar or pub system, as you need to know you can quickly and easily operate it.Price pointsWhen it comes to the overall cost of your POS system, it’s a bit more complicated than just buying a terminal. There are ongoing costs for the software, and transaction fees too. When buying a pub or bar POS, you should also be mindful of platforms that charge extra for features like loyalty programmes.Hardware compatibilitySpills and splashes are bound to happen when dealing with tipsy customers. Think tough, rugged and durable. You should also think about hardware that will be easy to carry around a pub floor, in which case, you can take a look at our top choices for iPad based POS systems.Reliable help and supportEmergencies are inevitable. You need a POS provider that offers fast and accurate customer support. Whether it’s a glitch during happy hour or a problem at closing time, having reliable support is a must-have.ScalabilityAs your pub grows or you build a chain of bars, your POS system needs to match those demands. Look for platforms that can scale with your business.SecuritySecurity is non-negotiable. Make sure you have a system that includes EMV compliance, data encryption, and frequent security updates to safeguard your business and your customers’ sensitive payment information.Seasonal supportRunning a pub or a bar can be highly affected by seasonal changes. For example, in the summer months, you might get an influx of tourists into your establishment, or see high footfall to your beer garden. Whereas, in winter, you might see a lower footfall, but be faced with higher heating costs.Look for POS systems with features that will have you covered for all seasons. You’ll need a user-friendly system so your staff can quickly process orders in the peak summer months, and detailed reporting features so you can see where you can cut costs in the slower winter season. Startups.co.uk is reader-supported. If you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Startups.co.uk to provide free reviews for our readers. It has no additional cost to you, and never affects the editorial independence of our reviews. Share this post facebook twitter linkedin Written by: Eddie Harris Reviews Writer Eddie is resident Reviews Expert for Startups, focusing on merchant accounts, point of sales systems and business phone systems. He works closely with our in-house team of research experts, carrying out hours of hands-on user testing and market analysis to ensure that our recommendations and reviews are as helpful and accurate as possible. Eddie is also Startups video presenter. He helps create informative, helpful visual content alongside our written reviews, to better aid customers with their decision making. Eddie joined Startups from its sister site Expert Reviews, where he wrote in-depth informational articles and covered the biggest consumer deals events of the year. And, having previously worked as a freelancer providing screenplay and book coverage in the film and television industry, Eddie is no stranger to the demands of the sole trader. Reviewed by: Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive After three years of refining my skills in data analysis, I transitioned to a role as a researcher to help understand our readers' preferences and needs. My professional journey started as a researcher in law enforcement, where I developed strong analytical abilities. Later, I moved into operations, strengthening my understanding of quantitative data. Now, I blend my quantitative analysis skills with qualitative research to explore both audience preferences and product nuances. Armed with a UX design diploma, I translate research findings into actionable insights that facilitate informed decision-making. Whether enhancing Startups offerings or delivering research presentations, I am driven by a relentless pursuit of improvement and results.