An independent guide to help UK retailers choose the right point-of-sale system — with verified pricing, real-world strengths and limitations for every product reviewed.
Square Terminal
Shopify Basic
Epos Now Air Card Machine
How I Evaluated These POS Systems
Before diving into my top picks for retail POS systems, it’s important to outline the criteria I used for the article. It included the following:
- Ease of Use: A straightforward interface is critical for the smooth running of your business. It allows your staff to process transactions and manage tasks efficiently.
- Feature Set: I examine the core functionalities like inventory management, reporting, and customer engagement features. These elements hugely impact your business operations and customer experience.
- Reliability: The system’s ability to perform consistently, without crashes or errors, is obviously fundamental.
- Scalability: I assess how well the system can adapt to your business as it grows, both in terms of adding new features and handling increased transaction volumes.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Understanding the total cost of ownership, including any hidden fees or long-term commitments, is key. I look for systems that offer good value for the features and reliability provided.
- Customer Support: Access to prompt and helpful customer service can be a lifesaver in resolving any issues or answering questions that may arise.
Our Verdict
Top Pick: Square for Retail
Square for Retail is the best retail POS for most UK small businesses in 2026. It’s free plan, 1.75% flat transaction rate, unlimited inventory, and built-in online store make it the most accessible full-featured system available — no contract, no setup fee.
Lightspeed Retail is the standout choice for multi-location or specialist retailers who need advanced inventory analytics. SumUp is the best option for mobile-first or low-volume sellers who want simplicity and no monthly fee. Shopify POS is the natural choice for businesses already on Shopify or those prioritising online-first omnichannel selling.
Quick Comparison Table
All pricing verified directly from official brand websites in February 2026. Prices shown exclude VAT unless stated.
| System | Best For | Monthly Software Cost | In-Person Fee | Free Trial / Plan | Contract | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square for Retail | Best all-rounder; free plan + omnichannel | £0 (Free) / £49 (Plus) / Custom | 1.75% (Free) / 1.6% (Plus) | Free plan; 30-day Plus trial | No contract | Visit Square |
| SumUp POS | Low-volume mobile & in-store sellers | £0 (PAYG) / £19 (Payments Plus) | 1.69% (PAYG) / 0.99% (Plus) | 7-day Plus trial | No contract | Visit SumUp |
| Shopify POS | Online-first retailers going omnichannel | £19+ (Grow from £49) + £69 POS Pro/location | 1.7% in-person (Grow plan) | 3-day free trial | Monthly or annual | Visit Shopify |
| Lightspeed Retail | Multi-location / specialist retail | From £75/mo (Basic) | 1.5% (Lightspeed Payments) | 14-day free trial | Annual recommended | Visit Lightspeed |
| Epos Now | Feature-rich established retailers | From ~£39/mo + hardware upfront from £225+VAT | 1.7% (Epos Now Payments) | No free plan; demo available | Contracts vary | Visit Epos Now |
| Takepayments tPOS | Independent UK retailers; bespoke pricing | From £45/mo + VAT (£250 setup fee) | Negotiated rate (bespoke) | No free plan; quote required | 12-month minimum | Visit Takepayments |
* Transaction fees apply when using each provider’s integrated payments. Third-party processors may carry additional fees. Always confirm pricing directly with providers.
The Best POS Systems for Retail
Every system in this guide was assessed against a consistent methodology across six dimensions. No provider pays for placement — selection is based entirely on the following criteria:
- Software depth and ease of use (25%): Core POS functionality, inventory management, reporting, and staff tools — assessed across free and paid tiers.
- Pricing transparency (25%): Monthly subscription cost, transaction fees at multiple plan levels, hardware pricing, and setup fees — all verified from official pricing pages.
- Usability (20%): Onboarding experience, quality of support documentation, and the learning curve for non-technical retail staff.
- Help and support (20%): Availability of phone, live chat, and email support; self-service resources; and whether support is UK-based.
- Hardware range and quality (5%): Availability and price of compatible terminals, card readers, receipt printers, and barcode scanners.
- Reputation and reliability (5%): FCA regulation status, PCI-DSS compliance, verified customer satisfaction data, and time in the UK market.
1. Square for Retail – Best Overall
| Overall Score | 4.75 out of 5 |
| Software Depth | 5 out of 5 |
| Pricing Transparency | 5 out of 5 |
| Usability | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Help & Support | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Hardware | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Reputation | 5 out of 5 |
Why choose Square for Retail?
Square for Retail is the strongest all-round retail POS for UK small businesses. The free tier is genuinely useful — it includes unlimited inventory items, a built-in online store, automatic inventory sync across in-store and online, customer profiles, basic sales reports, and a 1.75% flat transaction rate with no monthly fee and no contract. Most competitors either limit inventory on free plans, charge for the online store, or lock basic reports behind a subscription.
The Plus plan (£49/month per location) adds meaningful upgrades for growing retailers: advanced inventory management including purchase orders, vendor management, barcode label printing, smart stock forecasts, cost of goods sold (COGS) reports, and a reduced in-person transaction rate of 1.6%. The 30-day free trial of Plus is genuinely risk-free.
Square hardware is available without a rental model — you buy the devices outright, and they are yours. The Square Reader for contactless and chip starts from £19, and the Square Register (a dedicated all-in-one counter unit) is available from the Square hardware store, with pricing confirmed on squareup.com/gb/en/hardware.
Pricing (verified from squareup.com/gb, February 2026)
- Free plan: £0/month. In-person rate: 1.75%. Online rate: 1.4% + 25p (UK cards). Manual entry: 2.5%.
- Plus plan: £49/month per location. In-person rate: 1.6%. Online and manual rates unchanged.
- Premium plan: Custom pricing (requires processing over £200,000/year — contact Square sales).
- Clearpay (BNPL): 6% + 30p per transaction across all plans.
Limitations
Square is not the cheapest option for high-volume in-person sellers — at 1.75%, SumUp’s 1.69% PAYG rate is marginally lower, and SumUp’s Payments Plus plan (0.99% for £19/month) significantly undercuts Square once monthly card turnover exceeds approximately £2,700. Square also does not offer 4G-connected hardware; all devices require Wi-Fi or a tethered mobile connection, which can be a disadvantage at outdoor markets or events. Phone support on the free plan is limited, and some advanced integrations (like Square for Restaurants features) require separate add-on subscriptions.
- Free plan with no artificial inventory limits
- 1.75% flat rate — no surprise fees
- Built-in online store synced to in-store stock
- 30-day free trial of Plus plan
- No contract, cancel anytime
- Strong third-party integrations (Xero, QuickBooks, WooCommerce)
- No 4G hardware — Wi-Fi or phone tether required
- SumUp cheaper for high-volume in-person sellers
- COGS and advanced reports are Plus-only
- Phone support not available on Free plan
- No offline mode on some hardware
- Loyalty programme costs extra (from £25/month)
| Suitable if… | Not suitable if… |
|---|---|
| You’re starting out and want a capable free system | Your primary channel is high-volume in-person at a market or event |
| You sell both online and in-store and want one dashboard | You need guaranteed 4G connectivity away from WiFi |
| You want transparent flat-rate pricing with no contract | You need phone support on a free plan |
| You need multi-location inventory management on a budget | You require a full loyalty programme at no extra cost |
2. Lightspeed Retail POS – Best for Multi-Location and Specialist Retailers
| Overall Score | 4.4 out of 5 |
| Software Depth | 5 out of 5 |
| Pricing Transparency | 3.5 out of 5 |
| Usability | 4 out of 5 |
| Help & Support | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Hardware | 4 out of 5 |
| Reuptation | 4.5 out of 5 |
Why choose Lightspeed Retail?
Lightspeed Retail is the most functionally complete retail POS reviewed here. It is built for retailers who need serious inventory management: the platform handles multi-location stock transfers, detailed landed cost tracking (distributing freight and duty costs across product margins), integrated demand forecasting, custom reporting, and a direct connection to wholesale supplier catalogues via NuORDER by Lightspeed. These features make Lightspeed the standout choice for independent retailers in specialist verticals — jewellery, cycling, sporting goods, home décor, apparel — where margin management and supplier relationships are central to the business.
Lightspeed’s UK pricing (verified from lightspeedhq.com/uk, February 2026) starts at £75/month for the Basic plan, £149/month for Core, and £189/month for Plus — all billed annually. Each plan includes one register, integrated Lightspeed Payments (1.5% card-present rate), built-in eCommerce, inventory management, and 24/7 chat support. Phone support is available on Core and Plus plans.
The Plus plan adds custom reporting, integrated demand forecasting, custom user roles, API access, and workflow automation — making it particularly suitable for growing retailers who need to tailor the system to their specific operational processes.
Pricing (verified from lightspeedhq.com/uk, February 2026)
- Basic: £75/month (annual billing). Includes 1 register, integrated payments, inventory, basic eCommerce, and 24/7 chat support.
- Core: £149/month (annual billing). Adds full eCommerce, advanced reports, custom user roles, and phone support.
- Plus: £189/month (annual billing). Adds custom reporting, integrated forecasting, API access, and workflow automation.
- Lightspeed Payments in-person rate: 1.5% across all plans — the lowest flat rate confirmed in this comparison.
- Additional registers: Priced per register on top of the base plan — contact Lightspeed for exact per-register costs.
- Free trial: 14-day free trial available.
Limitations
Lightspeed’s pricing starts higher than Square’s and has no free tier, making it a poor fit for retailers who are just getting started or operating on thin margins. The entry-level Basic plan lacks phone support and the most advanced analytics — retailers who need these features must commit to the Core or Plus tier at £149–£189/month. Per-register pricing for additional terminals also adds cost complexity for multi-till environments. Lightspeed’s setup process has a steeper learning curve than Square or SumUp, and onboarding support is an additional service rather than included as standard on all plans.
- Most powerful inventory management in this guide
- NuORDER wholesale supplier network access on all plans
- 1.5% card-present rate — lowest in this comparison
- Demand forecasting and COGS tracking on Core/Plus
- Multi-location stock management built-in
- Strong specialist retail vertical support (jewellery, cycling, apparel)
- No free plan — minimum £75/month
- Phone support only on Core and Plus tiers
- Per-register cost adds expense for multi-till environments
- Steeper onboarding and learning curve than Square or SumUp
- Pricing can be harder to calculate without contacting sales
- Not ideal for retailers who don’t need advanced inventory depth
| Suitable if… | Not suitable if… |
|---|---|
| You run a specialist retail business with complex inventory (jewellery, cycling, home décor) | You’re a new or small retailer who wants a free plan to start |
| You manage two or more locations and need centralised stock control | You need phone support on the entry-level plan |
| You want the lowest flat transaction rate (1.5%) in this guide | You operate a simple single-register store with basic inventory needs |
| You need demand forecasting, landed costs, or supplier order management | You want a quick, low-configuration setup without a learning curve |
3. Takepayments tPOS – Best for Independent UK Retailers Wanting Bespoke Pricing
| Overall Score | 3.8 out of 5 |
| Software Depth | 3.5 out of 5 |
| Pricing Transparency | 3 out of 5 |
| Usability | 4 out of 5 |
| Help & Support | 5 out of 5 |
| Hardware | 4 out of 5 |
| Reputation | 3.5 out of 5 |
Why choose Takepayments tPOS?
Takepayments is a UK-based payments company that operates under the Global Payments umbrella, giving it the backing of one of the world’s largest payment processing businesses. Its tPOS system is designed specifically for independent UK retailers and hospitality businesses, and it is the only system in this guide that assigns a dedicated Payment Consultant to every customer — a person who visits your premises (or speaks with you by phone) to tailor a pricing package to your exact business.
tPOS comes in two hardware configurations: the tPOS Counter (a compact tablet-sized unit) and the tPOS Complete (a dual-display system with a built-in receipt printer and portable card machine). Both run the same cloud-based software, which includes real-time stock management with automated low-stock alerts and automatic purchase order generation, multi-user access, a management portal for remote access, integration with accounting software, and 7-day-a-week UK-based customer support.
The 7-day-a-week, UK-based customer support is a standout feature. Many competitors offer chat-only or bot-based support outside business hours; Takepayments’ award-winning customer service team is available across all seven days. Transaction fees are negotiated individually, which means high-volume retailers may be able to secure better rates than flat-fee competitors.
Pricing (verified from takepayments.com, February 2026)
- Software from: £45/month + VAT for retail tPOS plans. Exact pricing is tailored to each business.
- Setup fee: £250 (one-time, in addition to monthly fees).
- Transaction fees: Negotiated individually — no published flat rate. Businesses with higher volume may secure competitive rates.
- Minimum contract: 12 months.
- Hardware: tPOS Counter and tPOS Complete systems — hardware details and pricing provided on request.
- Settlement: Next day, settlement confirmed on takepayments.com.
Limitations
Takepayments’ bespoke pricing model creates evaluation friction — it is impossible to calculate total cost of ownership without speaking to the sales team, which disadvantages time-poor business owners who want to compare options quickly online. The £250 setup fee is the highest upfront commitment of any provider reviewed here. The 12-month minimum contract also reduces flexibility compared to Square, SumUp, or Lightspeed’s monthly options. Takepayments tPOS does not publish transaction fees, which makes it difficult to verify whether the negotiated rate you receive is genuinely competitive.
- Dedicated UK Payment Consultant assigned to every customer
- 7-days-a-week, UK-based customer support — best in this guide
- Automatic stock reorder and purchase order generation built-in
- Transaction rates negotiated — potential for competitive rates at volume
- Real-time remote management portal for multi-user businesses
- Backed by Global Payments — financially stable, enterprise-grade infrastructure
- £250 setup fee — highest one-time cost in this guide
- 12-month minimum contract required
- Pricing not transparent online — requires sales contact
- Transaction rate not published, making pre-sales comparison difficult
- Software depth below Lightspeed or Epos Now for complex operations
- Not suitable for businesses that want to trial the system before committing
| Suitable if… | Not suitable if… |
|---|---|
| You value UK-based, 7-day-per-week human customer support above all else | You want to compare costs transparently before speaking to sales |
| You want a dedicated Payment Consultant to set up and tailor your system | You want a free plan or no-obligation trial period |
| You are an established independent retailer willing to commit to a 12-month contract | You need a flexible, contract-free arrangement |
| You process high card volumes and believe negotiated rates may beat published flat fees | You are a new or early-stage business with uncertain volume projections |
4. Shopify POS – Best for Online-First Retailers
| Overall Score | 4.3 out of 5 |
| Software Depth | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Pricing Transparency | 4 out of 5 |
| Usability | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Help & Support | 4 out of 5 |
| Hardware | 4 out of 5 |
| Reputation | 4.5 out of 5 |
Why choose Shopify POS?
Shopify POS is the logical choice for any UK retailer who already uses Shopify for online sales, or who intends to launch and grow an e-commerce operation alongside a physical store. The core strength is unified commerce: inventory, customer profiles, orders, returns, and sales reports are all managed from a single back office, removing the need for time-consuming reconciliation between separate systems.
Basic in-person selling functionality is included with all paid Shopify plans at no extra cost, making it possible to use the POS app on an existing Shopify subscription without adding a separate retail software licence. For businesses that need the full retail feature set — including unlimited staff accounts, advanced inventory counting, purchase orders, and customer lifetime value reporting — the POS Pro add-on is £69/month per location (billed yearly), as confirmed on shopify.com/uk/pos/pricing.
UK plan pricing (verified from shopify.com/uk/pricing, February 2026): Basic starts at £19/month (annual billing), Grow at £49/month, and Advanced at £259/month. In-person transaction rates using Shopify Payments are 1.7% + 0p on the Basic plan and 1.6% + 0p on the Grow plan.
Pricing (verified from shopify.com/uk, February 2026)
- Basic: £19/month (annual). In-person rate: 1.7%. Online rate: 2% + 25p.
- Grow: £49/month (annual). In-person rate: 1.6%. Online rate: 1.7% + 25p.
- Advanced: £259/month (annual). In-person rate: 1.5%. Online rate: 1.5% + 25p.
- POS Pro add-on: £69/month per location (billed yearly) — required for full retail feature set, including advanced staff, inventory, and CRM tools.
- Retail plan: £69/month — a standalone Shopify plan specifically for in-person selling with advanced staff, inventory, and loyalty features.
- Third-party processor fee: 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow, 0.6% on Advanced — waived if using Shopify Payments.
Limitations
The total cost of Shopify POS can escalate quickly. A retailer on the Grow plan needing POS Pro features at two locations would pay £49 (Grow) + £138 (POS Pro × 2) = £187/month before transaction fees. Lightspeed Retail’s Core plan at £149/month would likely be more cost-efficient for that use case. Shopify’s pricing structure can also feel opaque — several features initially appear to be included, but then require POS Pro or specific plan upgrades. Shopify is also not ideally suited to retailers with no ecommerce ambitions; if you only need an in-store POS with no online store, Square or Lightspeed are a cleaner fit.
- Genuinely unified online and in-store back office
- Excellent ecommerce capabilities built in from day one
- World-class checkout with strong conversion rates
- Huge app ecosystem (thousands of integrations)
- Omnichannel features: BOPIS, endless aisle, buy online return in-store
- In-person rates competitive at Grow and Advanced plan levels
- Total cost can escalate with POS Pro add-on per location
- Basic plan online rate of 2% + 25p is above market average
- Third-party processor fees apply if not using Shopify Payments
- Not ideal for in-store-only retailers with no ecommerce plans
- Some advanced retail features require POS Pro upgrade
- Complex pricing structure — harder to calculate true TCO
| Suitable if… | Not suitable if… |
|---|---|
| You already sell (or plan to sell) online via Shopify | You need a unified inventory across online and physical stores |
| You need unified inventory across online and physical stores | You want the lowest transaction rate for pure in-person selling |
| You want omnichannel capabilities like click-and-collect or endless aisle | You need advanced POS at multiple locations without a high monthly bill |
| You sell across multiple social and online channels | You want simple, transparent pricing without multiple add-on layers |
5. Epos Now Retail POS – Best for Feature-Rich Established Businesses
| Overall Score | 3.9 out of 5 |
| Software Depth | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Pricing Transparency | 2.5 out of 5 |
| Usability | 3.5 out of 5 |
| Help & Support | 4 out of 5 |
| Hardware | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Reputation | 4 out of 5 |
Why choose Epos Now?
Epos Now is a UK-founded EPOS provider with a strong track record in both retail and hospitality. Its cloud-based platform includes real-time inventory management, customer CRM, a built-in loyalty programme, and an app store of over 100 integrations — including Xero, QuickBooks, Mailchimp, and WooCommerce. The platform is PCI-DSS and EMV compliant, with multi-factor authentication required for back office access.
Epos Now’s flagship hardware option is the Complete Solution bundle, priced from approximately £225 + VAT (verified from businessexpert.co.uk citing Epos Now’s pricing — Epos Now itself does not publish full pricing on its website and encourages direct quotes). The bundle includes a POS terminal, cash drawer, receipt printer, and Epos Now software. An iPad bundle and Duo Countertop and Air card reader bundle (from approximately £375 + VAT) are also available. The Epos Now Payments card-present rate is 1.7%.
Epos Now’s strength lies in its breadth of integrations and its suitability for businesses that want a structured, all-in-one solution with dedicated onboarding support. It has been recognised as a Fintech of the Year finalist at the UK Business Awards.
Pricing (based on publicly available information and Epos Now official channels, February 2026)
- Software subscription: From approximately £39/month — exact pricing requires a direct quote. Annual contract recommended for the best rate.
- Complete Solution hardware bundle: From £225 + VAT (includes POS terminal, cash drawer, printer, software).
- Duo Countertop and Air bundle: From £375 + VAT.
- Card machines: From £19/month rental; barcode scanners from £39; printers from £129.99.
- Epos Now Payments rate: 1.7% for standard card-present transactions; 2.5% for Amex, JCB, Diners, Discover, and UnionPay (from February 2024 for new UK customers).
- Epos Now Capital: Business funding available from £1,000 to £1,000,000 with no hidden fees or fixed monthly repayments.
Limitations
Epos Now does not publish full pricing on its website, which makes direct comparison difficult and creates friction in the evaluation process. Some reviewers and business owners report that the interface — while functional — has a steeper learning curve than Square or Shopify, particularly for more complex configurations such as bulk imports. Advanced features and some integrations may carry additional costs beyond the base subscription. The absence of a free plan means Epos Now is not suited to retailers who want to try before they commit. Customer support quality outside business hours has received mixed reviews, with 24/7 support via an AI chatbot supplementing phone and email.
- Breadth of integrations: 100+ apps available in the Epos Now App Store
- Strong hardware options including 15.6-inch countertop terminal
- Built-in loyalty programme and customer CRM included
- UK-founded, UK-focused business with local support teams
- Real-time multi-location inventory management
- Epos Now Capital for business funding
- Pricing not fully published — requires direct sales contact for a quote
- No free plan; upfront hardware cost required
- Interface less intuitive than Square or Shopify for complex tasks
- Advanced integrations and modules may carry additional fees
- Long-term contract often required for best pricing
- AI chatbot support outside business hours rather than live agents
| Suitable if… | Not suitable if… |
|---|---|
| You run an established retail business that needs a wide integration ecosystem | You want transparent, self-serve pricing before speaking to sales |
| You want a UK-founded provider with UK-based support | You are a new business wanting a free plan or low-risk trial |
| You need a complete counter hardware bundle with onboarding included | You need a simple setup with minimal training for new staff |
| You want a loyalty programme and CRM built into the core system | You require a contract-free arrangement |
6. SumUp POS – Best for Low Volume and Mobile Sellers
| Overall Score | 4.2 out of 5 |
| Software Depth | 3.5 out of 5 |
| Pricing Transparency | 5 out of 5 |
| Usability | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Help & Support | 4 out of 5 |
| Hardware | 4 out of 5 |
| Reputation | 4 out of 5 |
Why choose SumUp?
SumUp has built its reputation on simplicity and low-cost entry. There are no monthly fees on the standard PAYG plan — you buy the hardware outright and pay 1.69% per in-person transaction. For retailers who trade at irregular volumes, such as seasonal pop-ups, market stalls, and sole traders, this model is genuinely the most predictable and cost-efficient option available.
The Payments Plus subscription (£19/month, or £189/year) drops the in-person rate to 0.99%, which makes it the most competitive in-person transaction rate of any provider reviewed here. According to SumUp’s pricing documentation, the break-even point versus the PAYG plan is approximately £2,700–£3,000 per month in card turnover. Above that threshold, Payments Plus represents a meaningful saving.
SumUp’s 2026 hardware range — verified from sumup.com — includes the Solo Lite from £25 + VAT (replacing the discontinued Air), the Solo from £79 + VAT (with standalone 4G connectivity), and the SumUp Terminal from £135 + VAT (an all-in-one touchscreen terminal with a built-in printer). SumUp also offers a Retail POS Kit bundling the POS Lite terminal, a barcode scanner, printer, and cash drawer for £539 + VAT — useful for retailers wanting a complete countertop setup in one purchase.
Unlike Square, SumUp Solo and Terminal hardware includes built-in 4G connectivity, which is a significant practical advantage for mobile traders who cannot rely on venue Wi-Fi.
Pricing (verified from sumup.com, February 2026)
- Standard PAYG: No monthly fee. In-person rate: 1.69%. Online/invoice/QR code: 2.50%.
- Payments Plus: £19/month (or £189/year). In-person rate: 0.99%.
- Hardware: Solo Lite from £25 + VAT. Solo from £79 + VAT. Terminal from £135 + VAT. Retail POS Kit from £539 + VAT.
- Settlement: Next business day to an external bank; or by 7 am the following day (including weekends) via the free SumUp Business Account.
Limitations
SumUp is not designed for complex multi-location retail. Its POS software lacks the advanced inventory and reporting depth of Square for Retail or Lightspeed — there are no purchase orders, no COGS reports, and no staff scheduling tools in the core offering. Gift cards are not currently supported. The online rate of 2.50% is notably higher than Square’s 1.4% + 25p, so SumUp is a poor fit for businesses where a meaningful portion of sales is online. POS Pro and POS Lite add more software features but come with additional costs that can creep up if you need multiple add-ons.
- Lowest entry-level transaction rate in this guide (0.99% with Plus)
- No monthly fee on PAYG plan — ideal for low or variable volume
- 4G-connected hardware for mobile selling
- Simple, intuitive setup with no technical expertise required
- FCA-regulated; next-day payouts including weekends
- No long-term contracts
- Online payment rate of 2.50% is high — poor for ecommerce
- No gift card support
- No purchase orders or COGS reporting
- POS software is less feature-rich than Square or Lightspeed
- Customer support quality can be variable
- Processing fees not returned on refunds
| Suitable if… | Not suitable if… |
|---|---|
| You primarily take in-person payments at a physical counter or mobile | You sell significantly online and want a competitive online rate |
| You trade at markets, pop-ups, or events and need 4G hardware | You need gift cards or advanced loyalty features |
| You process £2,700+ per month and want to reduce transaction costs | You run multiple locations requiring centralised inventory control |
| You want no contracts and no monthly fee to start | You need COGS reporting or vendor management tools |
How to Choose the Right Retail POS for Your Business
With six capable systems reviewed above, selecting the right one depends on five key factors. Use this framework to narrow down your shortlist before requesting demos or trials.
1. Work out your monthly card volume first
Transaction fees are often more significant than monthly software costs over a 12-month period. At £5,000/month in in-person card sales: Square (Free plan, 1.75%) costs £87.50/month in fees; SumUp (PAYG, 1.69%) costs £84.50/month; SumUp (Plus, 0.99% + £19/month) costs £68.50/month total; Lightspeed Payments (1.5%) costs £75/month in fees (but requires a £75+ software subscription). Modelling your specific volume against each provider’s fee structure before signing up is essential.
2. Decide whether you need omnichannel
If online sales are part of your current or future business, Shopify POS is the strongest platform because your e-commerce store and physical shop share a single back office. Square for Retail is a close second — the free built-in online store is fully functional, with inventory syncing automatically between channels. If you sell exclusively in person with no e-commerce plans, Lightspeed, Epos Now, SumUp, or Takepayments may all offer better value for your specific needs.
3. Consider how many locations and terminals you need
Square and SumUp charge per transaction rather than per location — their costs scale with sales volume, not with the number of stores. Lightspeed and Shopify charge per location (and in Shopify’s case, per POS Pro location). If you run or plan to run multiple stores, compare the per-location cost carefully. For a two-location retailer, Lightspeed Core at £149/month may prove more economical than Shopify Grow (£49) + POS Pro × 2 (£138) = £187/month.
4. Evaluate hardware requirements honestly
If your business is at a fixed counter, any provider here will suit your hardware needs. If you take payments at markets, events, or outdoors, SumUp’s 4G-connected hardware (Solo from £79 + VAT, Terminal from £135 + VAT) is the most reliable option. Square, Shopify, and Lightspeed all require Wi-Fi or a tethered phone connection for card acceptance. Epos Now and Takepayments offer dedicated countertop solutions that are particularly well-suited to established, fixed-location retailers.
5. Factor in contract terms and exit flexibility
Three of the six systems in this guide operate without long-term contracts: Square, SumUp, and Lightspeed (month-to-month options available, though annual plans save money). Shopify plans are monthly unless you opt for the annual discount. Takepayments requires a 12-month minimum contract. Epos Now contract terms vary by package. If business certainty is low — for example, if you are a first-year retailer — starting with a contract-free provider and moving to a dedicated solution once your volume and requirements are established is a sensible approach.
Retail POS FAQs
What is the cheapest retail POS system in the UK?
Square for Retail offers the most capable free plan in this guide, with no monthly fee, unlimited inventory, and a 1.75% in-person transaction rate. SumUp’s PAYG plan is transaction-fee-only with no subscription at all, though it offers fewer software features on the free tier.
Which retail POS has the lowest transaction fees?
Lightspeed Payments has the lowest published flat card-present rate at 1.5%, though it requires a software subscription from £75/month. SumUp’s Payments Plus plan offers 0.99% in-person for £19/month — the lowest effective rate in this guide for pure in-person selling at volumes above approximately £2,700/month. Takepayments negotiates transaction rates individually and may be competitive for high-volume retailers.
Do I need a contract to use these POS systems?
Square and SumUp operate on a no-contract basis across all their plans. Lightspeed offers month-to-month or annual options. Shopify plans are monthly unless you choose annual billing. Takepayments requires a 12-month minimum contract. Epos Now contract terms vary — request full terms before signing.
Can I use these POS systems with my existing card reader?
Most systems in this guide use their own integrated payment hardware and processing, and using a third-party card reader is either not supported or incurs additional fees. Shopify charges third-party processor fees of 2% (Basic), 1% (Grow), or 0.6% (Advanced) if you do not use Shopify Payments. Epos Now states support for third-party processors but recommends Epos Now Payments. If you have existing equipment, confirm compatibility directly with the provider before committing.
Which POS is best for a small independent retailer?
For most independent UK retailers starting out, Square for Retail on the free plan is the best starting point: no upfront cost, no contract, 1.75% transaction rate, unlimited inventory, and a functional online store. If you want dedicated UK support and a personalised setup, Takepayments’ tPOS may suit you better, though it requires a 12-month commitment and a £250 setup fee.
