Pricing
subscription
Best For
Budget-conscious businesses that want to own their POS hardware outright with a one-time purchase
Rating
7.4/10
Last Updated
Mar 2026
TL;DR
Epos Now is a UK-based POS that's carved out a solid niche in both retail and hospitality, particularly across Europe. The standout feature? You can buy the hardware outright for a one-time payment ($349 for a complete system) instead of renting it monthly. The software is $39/month. It's not as polished as Square or as powerful as Lightspeed, but the combination of reasonable pricing, decent hardware, and 300+ app integrations makes it a viable mid-range option.
What is Epos Now?
The European Alternative
While Square and Toast dominate the US market, Epos Now has built a strong presence in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and increasingly North America. Founded in Norwich, England in 2011, it now serves 30,000+ businesses worldwide. The pitch is practical: a complete POS system with hardware and software at a reasonable price, without the proprietary lock-in of Toast or the processing fee dependency of Square.
The One-Time Hardware Deal
Epos Now's most compelling offer is the Complete POS System for $349 — that's a touchscreen terminal, receipt printer, and cash drawer. One payment. You own it. Compare that to Clover's $1,699 Station Duo or even Square's $799 Register, and the value is clear. The hardware isn't premium (it runs on a generic Android or Windows touchscreen), but it gets the job done. For budget-conscious businesses, this is the lowest barrier to a full countertop POS setup.
Software at $39/Month
The Epos Now Back Office subscription runs $39/month and includes inventory management, sales reporting, employee management, and customer profiles. The restaurant-specific add-on includes table management and kitchen printing. Compared to Lightspeed's $89/month starting price, Epos Now is significantly cheaper. Compared to Square's free plan, you're paying more for software but potentially less on processing fees if you shop for a competitive payment provider.
The Integration Ecosystem
With 300+ integrations in its AppStore, Epos Now connects to accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero, Sage), e-commerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce), marketing tools (Mailchimp), and loyalty programs. The breadth is impressive for a mid-tier POS. Like Vend, Epos Now doesn't force its own payment processing — you can choose from multiple processors and negotiate rates. This flexibility is underrated.
Where Epos Now Needs Work
The user interface feels dated compared to Square or Shopify POS. Navigation is functional but not elegant. The mobile app for remote management exists but lacks the polish of Square Dashboard. Customer support gets mixed reviews — UK-based customers generally report better experiences than US customers, possibly due to timezone-dependent support hours. The reporting, while adequate, doesn't approach Lightspeed's analytical depth.
The Verdict
Epos Now fills a gap: cheaper than Lightspeed, more capable than the cheapest options, with hardware ownership instead of rental. It's particularly strong for UK and European businesses where local support and multi-currency handling matter. For US businesses, it's worth considering if the one-time hardware purchase and payment processor flexibility appeal to you. But test the interface first — it's the weakest part of the package.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 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
Cons
- 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
Epos Now Pricing
Standard
- Cloud POS software
- Inventory management
- Sales reporting
- Employee management
- Customer profiles
- Access to AppStore
Premium
- All Standard features
- Priority support
- Advanced reporting
- Loyalty program
- Marketing tools
- Multi-location dashboard
Complete POS Hardware
- Touchscreen terminal
- Receipt printer
- Cash drawer
- Setup and installation
- One-time purchase — you own it
Pricing last verified: March 25, 2026
Who is Epos Now Best For?
- Budget-conscious businesses that want to own their POS hardware outright with a one-time purchase
- UK and European businesses that need local support, multi-currency, and VAT compliance built in
- Retailers and restaurants wanting payment processor flexibility to negotiate the best rates
- Mid-range businesses that need more than Square but find Lightspeed pricing too steep
Technical Details
The Bottom Line
Epos Now scores 7.4/10. It stands out for one-time hardware purchase at $349 for a complete system is the most affordable full countertop pos setup. Best suited for budget-conscious businesses that want to own their pos hardware outright with a one-time purchase. Keep in mind that user interface feels dated and less polished compared to square, shopify pos, or even clover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on editorial analysis