In 2025, running a retail business without a reliable EPOS system is like running a marathon with your shoes untied and having the right EPOS system can help you manage sales, inventory, staff, and customer relationships—all from one sleek interface.
But with so many systems available, which EPOS is best for your retail business? Let’s find the best fit for your shop floor.
🛒 What Makes a Great Retail EPOS System?
Before we dive into provider comparisons, here what we think you should look for in a modern retail EPOS:
✅ a fast/user-friendly interface – so you can minimise staff training and queue times
✅ Reliable inventory management – so you can track stock across multiple locations
✅ Customer profiles and loyalty tools – so you can encourage repeat business
✅ Hardware flexibility (depending on what you need)
✅ Payment integrations (i.e. mobile wallets)
✅ Cloud-based access – so that you can seamlessly manage your business from anywhere
⭐ Best EPOS Systems for UK Retailers in 2025
1. Square for Retail
Great for small independent shops and market traders
Pricing: Free basic plan, £79/month for advanced
Hardware: iPad-based with optional Square Register
our favourite features:
- You can set up inventory tracking with low stock alerts
- If you get the right hardware you can add barcode scanning and custom labels
- They come with built-in payment processing (1.75% per transaction)
- and free online store integration
✅ Why choose Square?
we like that they are super simple to set up, great value, and perfect for solo traders, boutiques, and gift shops.
2. Lightspeed Retail
We think they are great for both growing multi-location retailers and fashion/retail stores
Pricing: From £79/month per register
Hardware: Works on iPads or desktop setups
our favourite features:
- You can choose multi-location inventory management
- It comes with a fantastic built-in CRM and loyalty
- eCommerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce)
- Supplier catalogue syncing for stock ordering
✅ Why choose Lightspeed?
We think they offer a powerful all-in-one EPOS for scaling retailers who want more automation and insight.
3. Epos Now
Suitable for high street retailers, convenience stores, and franchise models
Pricing: From £25/month, or custom pricing for bundles
Hardware: Offers complete POS kits, touchscreens, printers
features:
- Real-time reporting
- They offer staff shift and performance tracking
- you can choose to add on loyalty and promotion tools
- they integreat really nicely with accounting tools like Xero and QuickBooks
✅ Why choose Epos Now?
We love that they have UK-based support, their systems offer flexible setup, and good value for larger teams or busy shops.
4. Vend (by Lightspeed)
Great for stylish retail environments/iPad-based tills
Pricing: From £69/month
Hardware: Cloud-based, compatible with iPads and receipt printers
features:
- We like their smart inventory control
- They have layby and store credit functions
- You can choose to add customer loyalty tracking
- They have a nice and easy Shopify integration
✅ Why choose Vend?
We like their polished UI most of all! We think that makes them brilliant for shops that really want to focus on customer experience and visual merchandising.
5. Zettle by PayPal (Zettle Go)
Perfect for pop-up shops, mobile vendors, very small stores
Pricing: No monthly fee, just 1.75% per transaction
Hardware: Zettle terminal + optional iPad stand and printer
features:
- Nice product library with images
- They offer basic but still useful inventory tools
- You can offer receipt and refund support
- Seamless PayPal and online payment integration
✅ Why choose Zettle?
We love that they are super low commitment, their systems have truly minimal setup and this makes them ideal for seasonal or part-time retailers.
🧾 Retail EPOS System Comparison Table
| Provider | Best For | Monthly Price | Free Plan? | UK Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square | Small shops, markets | £0–£79 | ✅ Yes | Yes |
| Lightspeed | Growing retailers | £79+ | ❌ No | Yes |
| Epos Now | Busy shops, multi-stores | From £25 | ❌ No | Yes |
| Vend | Premium retail experience | £69+ | ❌ No | Yes |
| Zettle | Mobile and seasonal shops | £0 (1.75% per txn) | ✅ Yes | Yes |
💡 Tips for Choosing the Right Retail EPOS in 2025
- always try before you buy – Most providers offer free trials or demos
- remember to look for integrations – With your card machine, ecommerce platform, or accounting software
- try and choose cloud-based – So you can manage your store from home or on the go
- Consider the support they offer – UK-based support can make a big difference when things go wrong
- Factor in scalability – Choose a system that grows with your business
Remember that the Right EPOS Boosts Sales and Saves Time
The best EPOS system for your UK retail business in is largely going to vary business to business and depend on your size, setup, and customer needs. Rest assured though that there’s an affordable, user-friendly solution to suit you!
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