Introduction

When I first started running my small retail shop in the UK, I didn’t know much about EPOS systems. I was using a traditional cash register, and everything from sales tracking to inventory management had to be done manually. It was stressful, slow, and often full of errors.

So I decided it was time to switch. I began looking for the best EPOS system in the UK, and what I found changed the way I run my business forever.

What Is an EPOS System?

Before I share my journey, let’s quickly cover what an EPOS system actually is.

EPOS stands for Electronic Point of Sale. It’s a combination of software and hardware that helps businesses like shops, restaurants, salons, and cafes manage:

• Sales
  
  

• Stock/inventory
  
  

• Payments (card, contactless, mobile)
  
  

• Customer data
  
  

• Reports and analytics
  
  

Basically, it’s your all-in-one tool to run the front and back end of your store efficiently.

Why I Needed an EPOS System

Here are a few challenges I was facing before I switched:

• Manual record keeping took hours
  
  

• I had no idea which products were actually selling
  
  

• I couldn’t accept card payments easily
  
  

• I had no clear view of daily profits or customer trends
  
  

That’s when I began researching the best EPOS systems in the UK for small businesses.

How I Chose the Right EPOS System

When I started comparing different options, I focused on a few key features:

1. Ease of Use – I didn’t want anything too technical.
   
   

2. Affordability – My budget was limited.
   
   

3. Good Support – I needed help getting started.
   
   

4. Custom Features – Like stock tracking, receipts, and staff logins.
   
   

After looking at many providers, I shortlisted a few popular EPOS systems in the UK:

• Square
  
  

• Lightspeed
  
  

• Shopify POS
  
  

• Epos Now
  
  

• Zettle by PayPal
  
  

Trying Out the Options

I actually signed up for free trials with Square and Zettle first. Square’s POS app was super smooth and easy to install on my iPad. It also let me accept card payments through a small reader. But it didn’t have as many in-depth features as I needed.

Zettle was great for mobile setups, but I wanted something more focused on retail.

Eventually, I chose Epos Now.

Why I Picked Epos Now (My Honest Review)

Here’s why I personally found Epos Now to be the best EPOS system in the UK for my needs:

User-Friendly Interface

Even as someone who isn’t tech-savvy, I found it easy to set up and use. The dashboard is clean and everything is well-labelled.

Excellent Support

They offered onboarding and training, and I could reach support anytime through live chat and phone.

All-in-One Features

From stock alerts and till reports to staff performance tracking—it had everything in one place.

Affordable Pricing

The subscription was reasonable, especially considering how much time and money it saved me overall.

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How It Helped My Business

After using the EPOS system for just one month, here’s what changed:

• My sales process became faster and smoother
  
  

• I could see which products were selling best in real-time
  
  

• I was able to offer more payment methods, including contactless and Apple Pay
  
  

• My end-of-day reporting was done in 2 clicks
  
  

• I stopped running out of popular items because of real-time inventory alerts
  
  

Overall, my business felt more modern and professional.

Advice on How to Pick the Greatest EPOS System in the UK

If you're on the same journey I was, here are a few tips:

1. Know Your Needs – Are you in retail, hospitality, or mobile sales? Pick a system that fits your industry.
   
   

2. Test It First – Always use a free trial before paying.
   
   

3. Check Support Quality – Good support can save you stress later.
   
   

4. Avoid Hidden Fees – Ask about hardware costs, processing fees, and contract terms.
   
   

5. Read Reviews from Other UK Businesses – You’ll learn a lot from real users.
   
   

Final Thoughts

Moving to an EPOS system was one of the best business decisions I've ever made, I can say with confidence. It’s saved me time, reduced mistakes, and helped me grow. For anyone running a shop or small business in the UK, finding the best EPOS system isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a way to gain control, clarity, and confidence in how you manage your store.

If you’re still stuck with outdated systems, give modern EPOS a try. You won’t look back—I certainly haven’t.