11 Best POS Systems for Small Businesses [Industry Favourites]

Epos Now is a versatile and comprehensive POS primarily catering to the retail and hospitality industries. The system allows businesses to customise it to fit their specific operational needs, and its sheer number of integrations makes it highly adaptable.

It uses cloud-based technology for real-time data access from any device. It also has an intuitive user interface that minimises staff training time. What I particularly like about this POS system is that it offers a variety of hardware options that integrate seamlessly with the software.

Furthermore, Epos Now’s commitment to providing responsive customer support enhances its appeal, ensuring businesses can operate smoothly and resolve issues quickly.

Epos Now Pricing:

Epos Now offers a complete solution with a countertop, air card machine, cash drawer, and free onboarding for a one-time payment of £199.

Square offers seamless omnichannel selling, allowing businesses to manage in-store and online sales from a single platform. It can sync inventory across multiple sales channels, ensuring real-time updates, whether a sale occurs offline or online. This integration minimises the risk of overselling items and provides a consistent customer experience.

I also like how it is flexible in accepting payments through various methods, including contactless, chip and PIN, or even remotely through invoices. This enhances its omnichannel capabilities since it considers how customers can pay across different selling environments, improving both the buying and selling experience.

Square POS Pricing:

Square is free to use, but the following essential costs need to be considered:

— POS hardware starts at £19—this is per Square Reader.

— 1.75% processing fee per contactless or Chip and PIN payment.

— 2.5% processing fee for Virtual Terminal and Invoices.

— 1.4% + 25p for online transactions with UK cards.

— 2.5% + 25p for online transactions with non-UK cards.

Shopify POS is a fully integrated solution that seamlessly connects a business’s online and offline sales channels. The standout feature is the synchronisation of inventory, customer data, and orders across all Spotify selling platforms, ensuring businesses maintain consistency and accuracy in their operations.

Shopify also has omnichannel capabilities, which allow merchants to manage their business from a single dashboard. It supports various payment methods, which is crucial for both in-store and online transactions.

Shopify POS Pricing:

Shopify POS has several pricing options, with the base prices stated below:

— Shopify POS Lite starts from £5/month but has limited features.

— Shopify POS Pro starts at £69/month.

— Card processing fees start from 5% + 25p GBP online, 5% + 0p in person, and 5% for 3rd-party payment providers.

Lightspeed Retail is a comprehensive POS tailored for businesses with complex stock needs. I found its real-time inventory feature useful for businesses that want to track their stock across multiple locations. It’s a good solution for retailers to manage diverse product lines or operate in omnichannel environments.

I like that Lightspeed Retail also includes inventory forecasting, low stock alerts, and the ability to create purchase orders directly from sales data. This ensures businesses never miss the opportunity to replenish their inventory.

The system’s ability to manage product variants, serial numbers, and matrix inventory gives businesses precise control over their stock. This way, they can reduce discrepancies while improving their efficiency.

Lightspeed POS Pricing:

Lightspeed has 3 pricing plans, as outlined below (all pricing is valid when billed annually):

— Basic: £75/month (for independent retailers)

— Core: £149/month (for growing retailers)

— Plus: £189/month (for large retail enterprises)

— Custom: Speak to sales

Zettle is a versatile POS system by PayPal that simplifies daily business operations, especially for small to medium-sized enterprises. I found that its all-in-one Terminal, which integrates payment processing and POS software into a single device, helps businesses cut costs by eliminating the need for external hardware like smartphones or tablets.

The POS is designed with mobility in mind, allowing sales anywhere. Businesses can even make sales without Wi-Fi through its preloaded SIM card. It can also accept contactless payments directly through a smartphone with Tap to Pay.

Zettle Pricing:

Zettle has no monthly charges, but businesses need to pay attention to the following costs:

— £29 for the first card reader, and £59 for additional units.

— The Terminal starts from £149.

— Bespoke POS setup starts from £189.

— 1.75% for major cards and mobile wallets.

Tide Card Reader is a mobile POS that streamlines card payments without the complexities of traditional POS systems. This makes it perfect for startups and new businesses. I like how it’s integrated into Tide’s business banking, providing a seamless experience when accepting payments and managing funds.

The POS also eliminates monthly fees and provides competitive transaction fees. I find its cashback rewards for businesses a good incentive for new users to start taking card payments immediately.

Tide Card Reader Pricing:

Tide Card Reader POS doesn’t require any monthly fee, but the following hardware and transactional costs need to be kept in mind:

— The initial purchase of the Tide Card Reader is £49.

— £79 for the Tide Card Reader Plus.

— Standard transaction fees are 1.5% for card transactions.

SumUp is an ideal solution for businesses focused on mobile payments. Its POS Lite device offers an out-of-the-box system that suits merchants who need mobility without compromising functionality. It also frees businesses from the burden of monthly fees since there are no subscription costs.

The POS Lite comes pre-installed with POS software, allowing businesses to accept payments, manage sales, and organise inventory from anywhere. This makes it perfect for markets, pop-ups, or any on-the-go selling scenario.

There is a one-time hardware purchase, and an interface designed for simplicity, ensuring quick setup and use even for those less tech-savvy.

SumUp Pricing:

If you’re thinking of becoming a SumUp customer, here is the relevant pricing information to take note of:

— POS App is free, with no hardware or monthly cost.

— POS Lite is available for purchase at £299, with the Solo card reader.

— POS Pro is available for purchase at £755, with a £49 monthly cost and 0.99% transaction fee.

— A flat rate of 1.69% per transaction is charged for card payments across POS App and POS Lite users.

— Custom plans are available for businesses processing over £60,000 annually.

Fondy is a comprehensive ePOS solution that stands out with its modern approach to payment processing. It allows businesses to accept offline and online transactions seamlessly with a mobile device, turning it into an ePOS terminal.

What impresses me is that it integrates the ease of accepting payments via QR codes, which customers can scan using their smartphones, offering a contactless and convenient payment option.

Fondy also eliminates the need for traditional POS hardware, providing a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers a single interface for managing both in-store and remote payments.

Fondy Pricing:

I’ve highlighted Fondy’s payment information below:

— Authorisation fees are £0.2 to accept payments.

— Fondy’s per-transaction fees start from 0.9% for card and digital wallet transactions.

— No monthly fees and hardware costs (since it’s an ePOS system).

Clover is a robust POS solution specifically for retail and service businesses, offering an ecosystem where all aspects of business management come together in a single platform.

The system offers several devices like Clover Flex, Mini, and Station, with costs varying from rental options to outright purchase. I like its customisable hardware and software options that cater to multiple business models, from small boutiques to larger retail chains.

Furthermore, Clover combines inventory management, customer insights, and employee oversight into one user-friendly interface. It has many apps available through the Clover App Market that allow businesses to extend functionality without needing multiple systems.

Clover also commits to providing dedicated UK-based customer support to ensure businesses can maximise the system’s use.

Clover Pricing:

Clover offers custom solutions for businesses. You’ll have to contact their sales team with your requirements for an exact quote.

Barclaycard POS is best for businesses that already have a relationship with Barclays, allowing them to take advantage of its banking services. It offers an all-in-one POS system that helps merchants manage sales across multiple channels with ease.

The POS includes next-day settlement of funds into Barclays accounts, which directly improves a business’s cash flow. It accepts all major payment types, including contactless and digital payments.

Businesses can pair the system with FreshBooks accounting software, worth £300 a year, for free with selected plans, significantly reducing administrative burden.

Barclaycard POS Pricing:

These are the 2 important costs to be aware of when dealing with Barclaycard POS:

— £29 monthly fee and 1.6% per transaction for card payments under £100K.

— £29 monthly fee and custom costs per transaction for card payments over £100K.

TouchBistro helps businesses streamline operations, from ordering to payment. It’s built to handle the fast-paced hospitality environment, including restaurants and bars, providing features like tableside ordering for faster service and a kitchen display system (KDS) for improved order accuracy and efficiency.

The POS features a hybrid cloud-local setup, allowing offline functionality in case of internet disruptions. It also has a user-friendly interface designed by restaurant professionals for restaurant professionals.

I like that TouchBistro focuses on enhancing the customer experience through loyalty programs, providing extra incentives and importance to longtime customers. It also offers online ordering capabilities and detailed analytics tailored to food and beverage sales.

TouchBistro Pricing:

Here are the relevant details regarding TouchBistro’s pricing:

— Starts at $69/month for 1 license (register), with different pricing for additional licenses based on business size.

— Additional fees for guest engagement features like online ordering, reservations, and loyalty programs, which range from $25 to $229/month.