Best Small Business POS Systems

So much more than just a till, a POS (point-of-sale) system can help you in a myriad of ways – such as by handling card and cash transactions, offering flexible payment methods, tracking your inventory, and aiding communication between staff.

And now, amidst the Covid-19 outbreak, POS systems can help retail and restaurant businesses even further. How? By allowing restaurants to operate as takeaway businesses and retail businesses to effectively operate delivery and click and collect services. 

Incredibly popular within the retail and hospitality sectors, and sometimes referred to as an EPOS (electronic point of sale) system, there are a wide range of companies offering such a product and service, all with various different features and price tags – so picking the right one is crucial.

While the process of shopping around for the right solution for your store, restaurant, bar or market stall might feel overwhelming, thankfully, help is at hand. 

If you're looking for the easiest way to find the best POS system for your small business, you can always shop around through Startups.co.uk. We've designed our comparison tool to help you find the right providers for your needs based on your answers to a few simple questions. In 2020, over a thousand businesses used our comparison tool to find the right POS provider for them, so we're certain it can help you too!

We’ll also provide you with the factors to consider before purchasing a POS system, and compare the best retail, hospitality, and mobile EPOS systems in the UK. We’ll also take a detailed look into EPOS software – highlighting free and cheap packages you can use – delve into the hardware features, and look at different types of POS systems. 

The Best POS Systems for Small Businesses UK: At a glance

What is the best POS system for small business? Here are our top picks of UK providers by industry:

A Deep-dive into the Best POS Systems for Small Business UK

Our picks for the best point of sale systems for UK small business.

The best POS systems for retail businesses:

• EPOS Now complete POS – Good for growing businesses
• EPOS Now Retail System – Good for customer support and training function 
• Casio V-R7000/V-R7100  – Good for managing multiple stores
• Revel retail POS system – Good for high-stock retail businesses
• First Data retail – Good for in-store promotions in retail businesses

The best POS systems for hospitality businesses:

• Nobly POS – Good for working without wifi
• TouchBistro Restaurant and Hospitality POS System – Good for customisation and flexibility 
• Lightspeed hospitality POS – Good for restaurants, bars and clubs
• The Good Till Co hospitality POS – Good for coffee shops, bars and restaurants 
• PointOne hospitality POS – Good for restaurants, nightclubs, pop-ups and market stalls
• iZettle Food and Drink – Good for bars, cafes and restaurants
• iiko – Good for food and drink businesses

The best POS systems for mobile, pop-up or off-site businesses

• EPOS Direct Mobile System – Good for when having to work offline 
• VendHQ Mobile System – Good for growing and mobile businesses 

Best POS systems for retail

EPOS Now complete POS

Good for: Retail businesses – more systems can be added as required

Business size: S, M

Includes: Touchscreen terminal, retail software, receipt printer, cash drawer

Third party (card machine) integration: Paymentsense

The retail solution from EPOS Now comes as a package with everything you need, including the terminal, receipt printer, secure cash drawer, installation, configuration and training. Notably it comes with the specific EPOS Now retail software.

This is undoubtedly one of the best POS software options for small business that’s available for the retail market. You get a customisable dashboard with useful reporting, which integrates to a back office management system. The system offers barcoding and stock management. A booking system is also available.

EPOS Now Retail System

Good for: Retail businesses – more systems can be added as required

Business size: S, M

Includes: Touchscreen terminal, retail software, receipt printer, cash drawer

Third party (card machine) integration: Paymentsense

The retail solution from EPOS Now comes as a package with everything you need, including the terminal, receipt printer, secure cash drawer, installation, configuration and training. Notably it comes with the specific EPOS Now retail software.

This is undoubtedly one of the best POS software options for small business that’s available for the retail market. You get a customisable dashboard with useful reporting, which integrates to a back office management system. The system offers barcoding and stock management. A booking system is also available.

✔ With its tailored retail software and great customer service reputation, EPOS Now is a strong choice for retailers looking to bolster their delivery service during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Casio V-R7000/V-R7100

Good for: Retail businesses

Business size: S, M, L

Includes: Water and dust resistant display screen

Third party (card machine) integration:

The Casio V-R7000 and V-R7100 systems been designed specifically with retail use in mind.

The terminals include a 15.6-inch widescreen LCD display and work on an Android platform. The terminals have an IP53 rating, meaning they are resistant to dust and water. 

Printers and cash drawers can be connected to the terminals. In addition to the central terminal, there is the option to include a shop support system for managing sales, or tools to help assist managing multiple stores.

Additionally, the terminals have a sleek and stylish design, and are compact.

Revel retail POS System

Good for: Retail businesses with lots of stock

Business size: S, M, L

Includes: Inventory control and stock management

Third party (card machine) integration: Braintree, Stripe

The Revel POS system offers multiple features, including the option to create a loyalty programme, manage multiple locations, as well as offline functions and flexible payment options. It also offers inventory control, stock management, customer account management, and reporting.

The system is modular, so you can choose which elements will suit your retail business best, without paying over the odds for things you do not need.

The Revel System aim to bring you a customised package, making this a fantastic option for any retail business.

✔ Thanks to its sophisticated inventory management, Revel Systems is great option if you're looking to weather the Covid-19 storm by providing a delivery service.

First Data retail (now Fiserv)

Good for: Retail businesses who run in-store promotions

Business size: S, M, L

Includes: Customer loyalty features

Third party (card machine) integration: –

First Data offer a retail EPOS system, called Clover, that is suitable across a range of retail businesses. Clover is available in a variety of forms, including the Clover Mini payment terminal, the Clover Flex all-in-one device and the Clover Station, a complete business system. The Clover Go allows mobile devices to accept card payments. 

A rewards programme, sales analytics and mobile gift cards are also available. Additionally, all solutions are offered with the Clover Security package to maintain security and compliance standards.

Best POS systems for hospitality 

Nobly POS

Good for: Hospitality businesses

Business size: S, M, L

Includes: iPad POS software; hardware available

Third party (card machine) integration: Paymentsense, Barclaycard, SumUp, iZettle

Nobly POS offers an iPad based POS system, with prices offered on a quote basis. This system is more focused towards the hospitality sector, such as bars, coffee shops and restaurants.

Nobly’s POS back office logs all sales and stock information, and then presents business owners with the data, letting them make informed decisions about menu changes and stock updates. Working off an iPad, staff will find it easy to get to grips with the system, as it’s already running on hardware they are likely accustomed to. It also includes an inbuilt customer loyalty scheme.

One of Nobly’s main selling points is its ability to work offline, making it great for businesses on the move, such as food trucks, or establishments with unreliable wifi. Customers can decide which hardware they will need for their business — usually depending on their size — and Nobly will provide. These can include iPads, tills, receipt printers and card machines.

TouchBistro Restaurant and Hospitality POS System

Good for: Hospitality businesses, though may include more than some need

Business size: S, M, L

Includes: Software; hardware is available through partners

Third party (card machine) integration: –

TouchBistro is a restaurant POS system which has been refined by need. It combines speed and agility, with industry-specific features like tableside ordering and table management to help you run your business effectively.

The nature of the system is such that your staff can be as mobile as they need to be on a restaurant floor, able to relay information, and send orders, without errors. It’s even possible for your waiting staff to entice customers with images and menu displays.

Unlike some POS systems that struggle with the intricacies of restaurant businesses, the TouchBistro system is flexible and customisable, allowing you to match the floorplan to your own venue and customise receipts with your own branding.

As well as the interface of TouchBistro, the behind the scenes side of the system is useful too. You can use TouchBistro to manage inventory and staff schedules.

✔ Suitable for small, medium, and large business, and with integration to the Uber Eats delivery management system, TouchBistro is ideal for restaurants looking to get online quickly!

Lightspeed hospitality POS

Good for: Restaurants, bars and clubs

Business size: S, M

Includes: Features that can help during busy periods and monitor staff sales

Third party (card machine) integration:

Lightspeed offers a range of monthly subscriptions for its restaurant POS, which is an all-in-one complete system. It is a mobile hospitality EPOS system, which utilises cloud technology. Orders can be taken tableside and are sent directly from the waiting staff to the kitchen. This means that staff no longer have to wait for an open terminal to complete the order, cutting down the time between customers ordering and receiving their food.

In addition to its software, Lightspeed can also provide hardware, which is available as a kit or individually so that it can be customised to your needs. Lightspeed’s hardware components range from printers to scanners and cash drawers.

This is a POS system that looks to help businesses future-proof themselves. You can visit Lightspeed to learn more about how they aim to help businesses be “future-ready”, even in uncertain times for the hospitality industry.

The Good Till Co hospitality POS

Good for: Retail, food and drinks, sports and entertainment businesses

Business size: S, M, L

Includes: Third-party integration with brands like iZettle and Barclaycard

Third party (card machine) integration: Barclaycard, iZettle

The Good Till Co (also known as Goodtill) offer a tailor-made iPad hospitality EPOS software. As your package is completely tailor-made, this is a highly customisable option. Goodtill has an ‘excellent’ rating on Trustpilot.

The inventory management aspect of the software is great keeping track of light stock, as well as managing waste. It also offers clock in/out features to monitor staff schedules. Goodtill provides an online support portal, as well as email and phone support.

PointOne hospitality POS

Good for: Restaurants, nightclubs, pop-ups and market stalls

Business size: S, M, L

Includes: Fast transaction processing and tableside ordering functionality

Third party (card machine) integration: Fingopay, Paymentsense, Verifone, Global Payments

PointOne offers an excellent EPOS solution for restaurants and other hospitality businesses, particularly marked out by its tableside ordering functionality. The cutting edge Android EPOS solution features touch screen technology, allowing for fast transaction processing as well as intuitive navigation for both front and back of house uses. It is integrated with contactless Verifone chip and pin technology.

PointOne comes on a modular basis, with a range of available ‘add-ons’ including stock control, cloud reporting, online ordering, caller ID, driver and dispatch management, as well as CCTV integration and more. This is a scalable system that can be designed and built to suit your startup’s particular needs.

The PointOne Android EPOS solution has been specifically designed with casual dining in mind.

iZettle Food and Drink

Good for: Bars, cafes and restaurants

Business size: S, M

Includes: iZettle app 

Third party (card machine) integration: iZettle Reader 2 and other compatible card machines

iZettle Food and Drink offers a custom EPOS system targeted at bars, cafes and restaurants. It offers a cost-effective, space-saving system, with access to reporting and analytics. iZettle operates without lock-in contracts, offering your business greater flexibility. With industry-specific features that allow you to manage tables and payments, as well as being able to take orders offline and offer loyalty programmes. The iZettle app has a training mode to help your staff use the system.

iiko

Good for: Food and drink businesses

Business size: S, M, L

Includes: Software (offered on a subscription model, hardware also available)

Third party (card machine) integration: Unknown

iiko offers EPOS software aimed at food and beverage businesses. Its systems offers all-in-one front of house features, allowing you to manage table, counter and delivery services, for example. Real time data is available for inventory management and its sales forecasting function uses AI technology, offering 95-99% precision. The iiko system also provides automated purchasing, suggesting products that need to be bought to meet demand.

Best POS systems for mobile, pop-up or off-site businesses

EPOS Direct

Good for: Mobile or off-site businesses; retail, cafes, delis, takeaways, restaurants and bars

Business size: S, M, L

Includes: Mobile tablet, a thermal printer, a cash drawer, and Emperium EPOS software.

Third party (card machine) integration: VeriFone chip and pin solution

EPOS Direct offers three different POS packages: the stylish POS, the EPOS ED19 (which is new for 2019), or the all-in-one POS. The ED19 is the cheapest of the three, priced at £1,199 or £23.99 per week over 12 months. Following the same pricing structure, the all in one is available for £1,699 or £34.99 per week, while the stylish POS costs £2,299 or £44.99 per week.

All systems feature a touch screen display. EPOS Direct systems are marketed for retail, cafes, delis, takeaways, restaurants and bars.

EPOS Direct’s recommended option is the stylish POS system. The major selling point for this one is that it can work offline. The package also includes a touch screen display, a cash drawer, a thermal receipt printer, and is ready to use. Online training and a dedicated account manager are also provided.

Whichever system you choose, you will receive everything you need to get up and running with mobile payments quickly, including a mobile tablet, a thermal printer, a cash drawer, and Emperium EPOS software. Emperium is highly regarded as being a global leader in POS software for small business.

VendHQ Mobile System

Good for: Pop-up shops, market traders or food vans that sell at events or have stands at trade shows

Business size: S, M

Includes: Real-time inventory management, reporting, 24/7 online and phone support

Third party (card machine) integration: Paymentsense, Windcave, PayPal, Square, iZettle, SumUp

VendHQ has a scalable mobile POS system, which is ideal for small businesses that are seeking to grow. It offers a range of packages, the most basic of which is just £49 per month (billed annually), and ideal for a small business with up to £15,000 monthly turnover.

As a customer you get everything you need in the box, and can be up and running in just a few minutes. Suitable for business owners who’ll be selling on the shop floor or even at a trade show or an event, VendHQ uses an iPad technology-infused mobile system that can accept a wide range of payments. There is also some integral reporting which can be useful for managing your business, while support is available 24/7 online or via phone.

This system isn’t a package as such, so you may need to add a cash register, or Xero accounting, for example, for an additional cost. However, you can take a pick-and-mix approach to what you need.

EPOS Software

You’ll likely be purchasing both hardware and software features in your POS package – and what kind of features these are will largely depend on what sector you operate in, though the size and sales strength of your business will also be important to judge.

Though there are many POS software providers for a small business to choose from, there are likely to be some functions that are the same across the board.

Some of these functions are listed below, though it is important to remember that you will need to speak to suppliers for more detail on what they can specifically offer.

An example of selling products using Vend

Here are some main, common features of POS software for small business:

• Selecting products: Till systems allow staff to select the right products or services to charge for. Choosing products is an important part of all POS software, no matter the industry, though is particularly popular in the services sector.
• Order management: This function will vary massively depending on your industry. Restaurants can use POS software to take orders and specify requirements; retail staff can use POS software to order stock for customers or specify various specifications.
• Stock management: POS software will help your small business to manage stock effectively, automating various stages in the process.
• Cross-terminal use: Most POS softwares can be used on multiple terminals or hardwares. If you need your POS tethered to one location, this is possible; if you need to use an iPad POS, then this will also be a possibility.

This is what Vend’s retail dashboard looks like

• Sales reporting and analytics: Aside from helping you collect cash and chuck out change, a good POS system should provide you with insightful sales data that you can analyze and use for stock control and in-store promotions.
• Customer management: Keep track of your best customers and their spending habits so you can create loyalty programmes around their patronage.
• Ecommerce: Some POS systems can sync with your website or eBay account, giving you a more streamlined and integrated sales process.
• Access to support and customer services: While you’ll likely receive initial training on your POS machine, even the smallest mishap can leave you or your employees in big trouble if you don’t know how to rectify the situation. So, immediate and constant access to EPOS customer support could prove vital.

As the list above is by no means exhaustive, if there are any features that you think you might require, then you should speak to a supplier today to compare options.

Free POS Software

POS software is also available from some suppliers for free, though these options are not likely to provide all of the features that you may require.

When you use free POS software, you leave your company open to a range of issues; primarily, you will suffer from a lack of features, but secondarily, you may also suffer from higher security risk than you might find with paid-for small business EPOS.

If you are wary of your budget then a better option than free POS software might be to look for a cheaper option. The section below contains a little information about some of the cheapest POS systems available.

Cheapest POS software for small business

Often a small business without point of sale experience will aim to find the cheapest POS system possible to limit spending. Though this seems like a good idea, it is important to remember that POS is an investment – the better the software, the better the results.

Though it can be difficult to say which provider offers the cheapest POS systems, it is possible to provide information about some competitive plans. Many Point of Sale providers sell their services to different sized companies, and this often means that smaller budgets can be met as well as large budgets.

These providers all offer some of the cheapest POS software and systems to suit a small business.

Take a look at our full list of small business POS systems below or answer a few questions about your business's requirements to receive quotes directly from suppliers – helping you to make the right choice for your business's needs.

Small business POS hardware features

While hardware features can be bought first and POS software then purchased and integrated at a later date, if you’re buying a till from scratch you’ll need to consider what hardware features you’ll need also.

Lightspeed POS hardware

Some hardware POS features include:

• Touchscreens (either all-in-one units or terminal add-ons) – simply tap the screen to complete transactions or use the software
• Barcode scanners – read codes on products. For more information, read our barcode scanner essentials article
• Credit card readers – process card transactions with these devices
• Cheque readers – extra security when processing cheque payments
• Cash drawers – store cash safely and securely
• Receipt printers – print paper receipts
• PIN pads – allow PIN codes to be entered when processing card payments 
• Electronic cash register terminals – for digital payment processing
• Off-the-shelf personal computers – EPOS hardware for a set location
• Tablets – mobile payment processing
• Mobile phones – take payments wherever you are
• Checkout scales – weigh items for accurate payment 

Different types of small business POS systems

Once you have worked out what exact POS features your business will require, you should then have a better idea of what type of actual set-up you’ll need.

Generally, POS systems are divided into four categories; complete all-in-one, mobile, retail and restaurant, and hospitality.

While they’ll all share basic features, with the exception of the all-in-one system which will contain everything, each POS system will offer components suited to particular industries and operations.

For example, restaurant and hospitality systems will place a big emphasis on speed so kitchens and bars won’t experience a backlog of orders or keep customers waiting for their order, while a retail system will have special features for in-store promotions and consumer loyalty points.

The four different types of small business POS systems are:

1. Complete all-in-one POS systems – best for simple setup

POS systems are comprised of various components: you’ve got the software, the touchscreen, the scanner, and more. This is where things can seem complex for the small business owner. 

However, it is possible to both hire and buy complete all-in-one POS systems.These systems combine everything you need from your small business POS system in one handy package. You won’t get confused by needing to organise add-ons, or selecting which parts you need or don’t need.

The main benefit of the complete all-in-one POS system is that you get everything provided in one package, either on a plug-and-go basis, or with installation provided. Usually training or instruction is included, as is maintenance and upgrades, depending on your supplier. The downside is that you may be paying ‘over-the-odds’ for elements you don’t need, and may not use.

2. Mobile POS systems – best for taking payments on-the-go

Sometimes you’ll see mobile POS systems referred to as mPOS, meaning mobile point of sale. These systems utilise a smartphone or device to effectively perform the same functions that a cash register or EPOS system would do. These systems are useful when you need to be able to deliver payment functionality right to the customer’s hands, for example in a restaurant.

They usually include receipt printing and will link to your small business POS software and integrate with inventory management and stock control etc. The benefits of a mobile POS system are that they can enable you to get payment from your customer wherever they are, as long as you are connected to the internet or mobile network. This can create a more personalised sales service. Additionally, it hugely speeds up the logistics of the paying process. There won’t be any queues with impatient customers, and it’s therefore also harder for customers to attempt to leave without paying.

On the downside, customers can sometimes be concerned about the security of their payment. Connection failures can also sometimes be frustrating.

3. Retail POS systems – best for industry-specific features

A retail POS system is one specifically designed with retail businesses in mind. A typical system will include the computer, cash drawer, touch monitor, receipt printer, scanner and software. In addition, it should also include a debit and credit card reader. 

Fundamentally, a retail POS system could include the best POS software for small business, as well as the hardware needed. It should reduce errors, as well as allow valuable sales analysis. The disadvantages are similar to other POS systems in that you may have problems with connectivity, and initial outlay can be high. Choose the right system and you can mitigate these.

4. Restaurant and hospitality POS systems – best for specialist sector requirements

Restaurant and hospitality POS systems, designed specifically for the industry, differ significantly from those designed for retail.

As such, it can be immensely valuable for restaurant and hospitality businesses to select such specific systems, as opposed to businesses in other sectors, they need to operate accurately at speed. 

A specific restaurant and hospitality POS system will streamline the process between ordering and kitchen staff, as well as billing. It will also make management and accounting considerably easier. As with other POS systems, the disadvantages tend to come down to technology and connectivity issues – hence it is worth choosing your small business POS system carefully. 

Find out more about the prices and charges involved with these types of POS systems by visiting our point of sale system costs page.

Choosing the best pos system for small business (UK): Next steps

To sum up, when it comes to choosing a POS system in the UK, you have to consider what your business needs specifically: If you’re in retail, with one shop, your needs are going to be significantly different from a restaurant with several branches. What is important is that you choose the right EPOS system for your particular type of small business.

You need to evaluate the level of support you need, the customisation you'll want, and your budget. An EPOS system for a small business should bring with it a worthwhile return on investment.

And, with UK cardholders completing 1.5 billion transactions on their debit cards in August 2019, a 9.3% increase since August 2018, it reinforces how important it is for businesses to be able to accept card payments.

The best way to find the perfect fit is to request quotes directly from top suppliers based on your business requirements. You can significantly reduce the amount of time you need to spend researching EPOS systems by using our POS comparison tool. It only takes a minute to complete our quick and easy form. Once you're done we'll partner you with the suppliers that match your needs.