Epos Now vs Square POS: Complete Comparison 2026

An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.

Epos Now

7.4(7,200 reviews)

Cloud POS for retail and hospitality with one-time hardware purchase option and 300+ integrations. From $39/mo or $349 upfront.

8.6(48,500 reviews)

Free POS system with flat-rate processing at 2.6% + 10 cents. Works on iPad and Android with optional hardware from $49.

Aspect	Epos Now	Square POS
Best For	Budget-conscious businesses that want to own their POS hardware outright with a one-time purchase	Small businesses and solopreneurs who want a free POS with zero monthly commitment
Pricing Model	Subscription	Freemium
Starting Price	$39/mo	Free
Deployment	cloud	cloud
Platforms	WEB, IOS, ANDROID, WINDOWS	WEB, IOS, ANDROID
Rating	7.4/10	8.6/10

One-time hardware purchase at $349 for a complete system is the most affordable full countertop POS setup
Payment processor flexibility lets you choose and negotiate rates instead of being locked into one provider
300+ integrations through the AppStore connect to major accounting, e-commerce, and marketing tools
Software pricing at $39/month undercuts Lightspeed ($89/mo) and Vend ($69/mo) significantly
Strong presence in UK and Europe with local support, multi-currency, and VAT handling

User interface feels dated and less polished compared to Square, Shopify POS, or even Clover
US customer support gets mixed reviews, with UK-based customers generally reporting better experiences
Reporting and analytics lack the depth of Lightspeed for data-driven inventory decisions
The hardware, while affordable, uses generic touchscreens that feel cheap compared to Clover or Toast terminals
Brand recognition is lower in the US market, which can mean fewer local service partners and resellers

Genuinely free plan with no monthly fees — you only pay per-transaction processing costs
Hardware is affordable starting at $49, and you can use your own iPad or Android tablet
The ecosystem (Payroll, Banking, Online, Loyalty) connects everything under one roof
Setup takes under 15 minutes with no technical knowledge required
Next-day deposits are included free on all plans, same-day available for a small fee

Processing rates are non-negotiable — 2.6% gets expensive at high transaction volumes
Customer support has declined and relies heavily on chatbots for free plan users
Reporting lacks depth compared to Lightspeed or Toast for detailed business analytics
The free online store template looks basic without heavy customization work
Account stability issues — some sellers report sudden holds or terminations without clear explanation

Product	Pricing Model	Starting Price
Epos Now	subscription	$39/mo
Square POS	freemium	Free0

Choose Epos Now if...

Budget-conscious businesses that want to own their POS hardware outright with a one-time purchase

Choose Square POS if...

Small businesses and solopreneurs who want a free POS with zero monthly commitment

Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.