When launching or growing a small business in the UK, one of the first tech decisions you’ll face is:
Should I stick with a traditional cash register or invest in an EPOS system?
A traditional till will definitely seem cheaper and simpler on face value, but today’s EPOS systems offer far more than just a way to take payments – in fact, for most UK retailers, cafes, salons, and market traders in 2025, a modern digital POS system can deliver more efficiency, insights, and control than ever before.
🧾 What Is a Traditional Till?
A traditional till, also known as a cash register, and is a straightforward standalone machine that typically includes:
- A cash drawer
- Basic receipt printing
- Manual price entry or preset keys
- Basic sales totals at the end of the day
You’ll likely know that these systems have been used for decades, especially in small shops, corner stores, and market stalls.
💻 What Is an EPOS System?
An EPOS system on the other hand is a more modern, digital, cloud-based platform that combines hardware (like a tablet or touchscreen till) with software that does much more than record sales. It can:
- Track inventory
- Manage staff shifts
- Integrate with card machines
- Link to online stores
- Offer loyalty programs
- Provide real-time reporting and analytics
Some EPOS systems are app-based, running on iPads or Android tablets, while others are all-in-one touchscreen units.
🔍 EPOS vs Traditional Till: Our Comparison
| Feature | Traditional Till | EPOS System |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Recording | Manual entry | Automatic, itemised |
| Stock Management | ❌ Not included | ✅ Real-time tracking |
| Reporting | Basic daily totals | Advanced reports & dashboards |
| Customer Management | ❌ Not available | ✅ Loyalty, CRM, purchase history |
| Hardware Requirements | Cash register only | Tablet, till, or all-in-one terminal |
| Integrations | None | Payment, accounting, eCommerce, etc. |
| Cloud Access | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (manage from anywhere) |
| Cost (Upfront) | Lower | Slightly higher (but scalable) |
| Cost (Long-Term) | Can lack features | Offers better value over time |
💷 Cost Comparison in 2025
Traditional Till:
- Hardware cost is usually around £100–£300
- You won’t have any monthly fees
- But you also won’t have any integrations or extras
EPOS System:
- Hardware will set you back from £0–£500+ (iPad-based or bundle)
- Monthly fees can be anywhere between £0–£79/month depending on features
- Included extras can include support, analytics, loyalty, inventory tools
🛠️ It’s useful to know that some EPOS providers (like Square or Zettle) offer free basic plans with only transaction fees.
✅ Pros and Cons
✔️ EPOS Pros
- They speed up transactions with barcode scanning
- You can track sales trends and top products
- They work across multiple locations or online
- Helps with VAT, accounting, and reporting
- Great for loyalty and customer retention
❌ EPOS Cons
- You can have a higher upfront learning curve
- A lot of the time a monthly subscription required for full features
- You’ll probably need reliable internet (though many have offline modes)
✔️ Traditional Till Pros
- You will have a much lower cost and they are far simpler to use
- Doesn’t require internet
- Familiar for some business owners
❌ Traditional Till Cons
- No stock tracking or reporting
- No CRM or loyalty tools
- Limited to basic cash/card handling
🏪 What’s Better for Your Small Business?
If you’re a small business owner in the UK today, here’s our recommendation:
We suggest you choose a traditional till if:
- You run a very small, cash-only business (e.g. occasional market stall)
- You don’t need inventory tracking, reports, or loyalty programs
- You want something simple and low-cost with no monthly fees
and you should choose an EPOS system if:
- You want to track performance and stock in real time
- You accept card payments or run an online shop
- You want to grow your business with data and customer insight
- You want remote access to your till from anywhere
We Think That Digital Is the Future
Overall though, we think there’s no doubt that EPOS systems offer significantly more value than traditional tills—especially as small businesses become more digital and data-driven ! This allows you to be more customer-focused, and therefore make smart business decisions and make more sales.
Yes, a cash register might still work just fine for some—but for most UK retailers, cafés, and salons, we think that investing in a modern EPOS is a smart investment that will only ever pay off in time, efficiency, and sales.