Traditional Till vs Epos Systems: What’s Better for Your Business?

The Evolution of the Point of Sale

The way UK businesses manage sales has undergone significant evolution in recent years, and while traditional till systems have served businesses well for decades, more and more local businesses are turning to EPOS systems than ever before.

So, if you’re deciding between sticking with a standard cash register or upgrading to a modern EPOS system, then you’ve come to the right place. Our guide will help you weigh the pros and cons of both, and we’ll compare cost, features, usability, flexibility, and long-term value to help you choose the right solution for your business.

What is a Traditional Till System?

A traditional till (also called a cash register) is a mechanical or electronic device used to record sales and store cash and the systems will typically include:

A cash drawer
A receipt printer
Basic sales logging functionality

While these are known to be reliable and easy to use, they lack the advanced tools that modern businesses need for growth (such as inventory management or digital reporting).

What is an EPOS System?

On the other hand, an EPOS system is a largely digital platform that combines hardware and software to process sales and manage essential areas of your business! Modern EPOS systems include:

Touchscreen tills/tablets
Integrated card readers and payment gateways
Cloud-based reporting and analytics
Inventory & stock management tools
CRM, loyalty, & marketing integrations

Today, EPOS solutions are widely used across retail, hospitality, salons, takeaways, and even mobile businesses – it’s incredibly likely you’ve come across them on either side of the till.

EPOS vs Traditional Till: A Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Feature	Traditional Till	EPOS System
Sales processing	Basic cash/card handling	Multi-payment support incl. contactless, mobile & online
Inventory tracking	Manual or none	Real-time stock updates & alerts
Reporting & analytics	Limited daily totals	Advanced, real-time, customisable reports
Cloud access	Not available	Remote access via any device
Customer management	Not supported	Integrated CRM, loyalty schemes, and purchase history
Integrations	Not available	Integrates with accounting, eCommerce, marketing tools
Ease of use	Very simple interface	User-friendly with training and customisation options
Scalability	Fixed	Scales with business growth and multiple locations

Cost Comparison: EPOS vs Till Systems

While traditional tills may have a lower upfront cost (usually £100–£400), what they really lack is long-term functionality. EPOS systems, on the other hand, might require a monthly subscription (starting around £20–£50/month) and hardware costs (£150+), but we think they offer much more in return.

📌 If it helps, think of EPOS as an investment rather than a simple purchase — one that can improve efficiency, reduce errors, and support business growth.

Pros and Cons

Traditional Till Pros:

They have a low upfront cost
They are really easy to use
There is minimal setup required

Traditional Till Cons:

They don’t come with any digital integrations
You wo’t have any stock control or reporting tools
They are limited to physical, in-person transactions

EPOS Pros:

Enjoy advanced features for stock, reporting, and customer management
They usually can accept all modern payment types
You will generally have remote access and cloud backup
They can easily scale with your business

EPOS Cons:

They can have a higher initial cost or subscription
You might find there is also a learning curve during setup

Which Businesses Benefit Most from EPOS?

We think that EPOS systems are ideal for:

Retailers needing stock control and multi-site management
Cafés, pubs, and restaurants wanting table and order management
Salons and spas requiring appointment scheduling and CRM
Mobile businesses like food vans and market stalls needing portable sales tools

📌 If you’re aiming to grow, improve efficiency, or connect in-store with online systems, then we think that having an EPOS is the clear choice.

Our Final Verdict: Should You Switch to EPOS?

While we agree that traditional tills still have their place in ultra-small or cash-only businesses, we believe that the vast majority of modern UK businesses would (and do) benefit significantly more from an EPOS system. This is beacuse they give you flexible features, real-time insights, and integration capabilities, proving to us that EPOS technology is built for the demands of 2025 and beyond.

💡 Ready to upgrade your point of sale? Use our EPOS comparison tool to find the best system for your industry and budget — and take your business to the next level.