Best Restaurant POS and EPOS Systems in the UK for 2026

The best restaurant POS system depends on how your business operates. Epos Now suits independent restaurants and cafés, while TouchBistro focuses on table service. Lightspeed Restaurant offers detailed reporting, and Zonal and Tevalis cater to larger hospitality groups. For takeaways and quick-service restaurants, pointOne and Till Tech are worth considering.

We will discuss the best restaurant POS and EPOS systems available in the UK, covering their features, suitability, costs and integrations.

A busy restaurant needs more from its till than just taking customer payments. Orders need to reach the kitchen, tables must be managed, stock needs updating and staff need to know which bills have been paid.

A restaurant EPOS system helps manage all of these together. The right setup can make service easier, whether you’re running a small café, a takeaway or multi-location restaurant.

What Features Should a Restaurant POS System Have?

Restaurant POS systems do more than taking orders and processing payments. Depending on type of the business setup, here are some of the features it should offer:

• Delivery platform integration: Orders from Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat can go straight into the kitchen’s order queue alongside dine-in orders.
• Allergen and ingredient tracking: Helps staff manage ingredient information and support Natasha’s Law labelling requirements for food prepacked for direct sale.
• Offline mode: Allow supported till functions to continue when the internet connection drops. Look out for features that remain available when offline.
• Kitchen display screens: Send orders directly to the kitchen and help staff keep track of preparation times.
• Multi-site reporting: Lets restaurant groups view sales, stock and staffing information across different locations.
• Pay at the table: Gives customers a way to settle their bill without waiting for staff to bring over a card machine.

In payment processing, some POS providers bundle payments with their own processing service, while others let restaurants choose a separate provider.

Atoa works alongside restaurant POS systems as a payment solution rather than a till system. Customers can pay using a QR code or make card payments through a terminal. Where a direct integration is available, the payment can also be recorded in the EPOS and the table closed automatically.

Restaurant POS systems compared

The table gives the shape; the profiles below give the detail. Pricing changes often and most vendors quote per site, so treat the pricing column as a starting point and confirm with the vendor.

Restaurant POS Systems Comparison

Take a look at the comparison of top restaurant EPOS systems in UK:

System	Best for	Pricing model	Atoa payments
Epos Now	Independents and small groups wanting an all-in-one system	Hardware bundle plus monthly software	Integrated
pointOne	Casual dining, takeaways and kiosks	Fixed monthly fee, no commission	Integrated, QR on receipt
Tevalis	Multi-site groups, pubs and leisure venues	Enterprise licence	Integrated
Till Tech	Takeaway-led, multi-location restaurants	Monthly subscription, hardware options	Integrated
Presto Express	Independent restaurants and takeaways	Monthly subscription, hardware options	Works alongside; direct integration in development
VDIT	Vietnamese-owned and community restaurants	Package with hardware	Works alongside; direct integration in development
Lightspeed Restaurant	Larger venues needing detailed analytics	Monthly per site	Works alongside (QR on any screen)
TouchBistro	Table-service restaurants using iPads	Monthly per site	Works alongside
Clover	Restaurants wanting flexible hardware packages	Monthly, tiered plans	Works alongside
Hike POS	Retail-focused hospitality and multi-site businesses	Monthly, cloud-based	Works alongside

Pricing models describe how providers structure their charges rather than specific subscription rates. Hardware, software features and contract terms may affect the final cost.

Epos Now is a cloud-based EPOS system used by independent restaurants, cafés, pubs and other hospitality businesses.

It supports dine-in and takeaway orders, kitchen displays, stock management and sales reporting. Restaurants operating across several locations can also use it to monitor stock and sales from one system.

Its app marketplace connects the till with accounting, ordering and other business software.

For restaurants that need a system covering everyday operations without moving immediately to a more complex setup, Epos Now is one option to consider.

Atoa also has a direct Epos Now integration, allowing supported payments to be recorded in the EPOS.

Lightspeed Restaurant

Lightspeed Restaurant is designed for hospitality businesses that want detailed information about their operations.

It offers reporting on sales, menu performance and staff activity, helping restaurant owners understand which items sell well and how different locations are performing.

The system also supports table management, kitchen workflows and stock-related functions.

Lightspeed may be suitable for restaurants that need more than basic order processing, particularly where managers rely on regular reporting to make purchasing and staffing decisions.

Zonal

Zonal is a UK hospitality EPOS provider serving restaurants, pubs and larger hospitality groups.

Its system supports centralised menu management, stock control, reporting and integrations with booking and ordering platforms.

For businesses operating several locations, central management can help maintain consistent menus and pricing while allowing managers to monitor individual sites.

Zonal is more relevant to established hospitality operations than businesses looking for a basic counter till.

Tevalis

Tevalis provides EPOS software for restaurants, pub groups, leisure venues and other hospitality businesses.

Its features include stock management, sales reporting, menu control and integrations with hospitality software.

The system supports different hardware arrangements, including fixed terminals and tablets, making it suitable for businesses with different service areas or multiple locations.

Tevalis also integrates directly with Atoa. Where supported, payments can be recorded against the relevant order or table within the EPOS.

pointOne

pointOne focuses on restaurants, takeaways, coffee shops and other hospitality businesses where order speed matters.

Its features include table management, reservations, menu controls, sales reporting and self-service kiosks.

Kiosks can be useful in busy takeaway or counter-service environments, allowing customers to place orders without waiting for staff at the till.

The Atoa and pointOne integration also supports QR code payments printed on receipts, allowing customers to approve payments through their banking apps.

TouchBistro

TouchBistro is an iPad-based POS system developed for table-service restaurants.

It includes floor plans, table management, order handling and course management. Staff can organise orders by table and send instructions to the kitchen.

TouchBistro also offers offline functionality for supported features, which may help restaurants continue certain operations during an internet outage.

Its focus on table service makes it relevant to restaurants where seating arrangements, courses and staff coordination are important.

Till Tech

Till Tech is suited to takeaway businesses, quick-service restaurants and operators managing several locations.

It supports online ordering, delivery integrations and different types of EPOS hardware, including fixed tills, handheld devices and self-service kiosks.

These features can help businesses manage orders arriving through several channels without treating each one as a separate workflow.

Till Tech also has a direct integration with Atoa for supported payment functions.

Clover

Clover offers POS hardware and software for businesses with different service requirements, including counter-service restaurants and cafés.

Depending on the package, features can include order management, staff time tracking, sales reporting and online ordering.

The available hardware ranges from compact counter setups to larger till arrangements.

Restaurants considering Clover should compare the hardware package, software subscription and contract terms together, rather than judging the system by the upfront equipment cost.

Presto Express

Presto Express is aimed at independent restaurants and takeaways that need to manage orders and delivery operations.

Its features focus on everyday restaurant requirements, including order processing and connections with delivery platforms.

It may be relevant to businesses looking for a straightforward EPOS setup without the reporting and management requirements of a large restaurant group.

Hike POS

Hike POS is primarily a retail-focused system, but it can also suit businesses combining retail and hospitality.

For example, a bakery with a café or a food shop with a small seating area may need to manage product sales and stock through one system.

Hike supports inventory management, reporting and multi-location operations, making it more suitable for these mixed business models than for restaurants needing advanced table-service functions.

How to Choose a Restaurant POS System

A restaurant POS system should fit the way orders are taken, prepared and paid for.

A takeaway may need strong delivery integrations, while a full-service restaurant may prioritise table plans and kitchen displays. Businesses operating several locations are more likely to need central reporting and stock management.

Below are the main areas to consider before choosing a restaurant POS System:

1. Compare Restaurant POS Cost Over Three Years

A monthly software fee is only part of what a restaurant pays for its POS system. Hardware, subscriptions, payment processing and additional integrations can all increase the total. Some providers charge per terminal or location, while others offer packages that include equipment and software. So,compare total cost over three years rather than looking only at the monthly subscription.

There are hidden costs of card machines like card terminal rental, minimum monthly charges and cancellation fees which also affect costs but may not be seen in headline price.

Support Omni Channel Payment Option

Taking payments through card machine at every table delays the payments and frustrates the customers. estaurants increasingly take payments in more than one place. Customers might pay at the counter, settle their bill at the table, order online or pay a deposit before arriving.

An omni channel payment option helps restaurants accept payments across different channels like QR code, online payment, or at the counter without relying on a completely one process.

For restaurants handling dine-in, takeaway and online orders, this can make a noticeable difference to daily administration.

POS Integration With Delivery and Accounting Software

Delivery orders are easier to manage when they appear in the same system as orders taken in the restaurant.

Integrations with Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat can reduce manual entry and help the kitchen maintain one order queue.

Accounting connections are useful for similar reasons. Integrations with Xero, QuickBooks or Sage can help businesses transfer sales information and reconcile payments.

POS Operation Without an Internet Connection

An internet outage can affect order taking, kitchen communication and payment processing.

Some restaurant POS systems have offline modes that allow staff to continue using certain functions until the connection returns.

However, offline support isn’t the same across every system. A till may continue recording orders while payment authorisation or delivery syncing remains unavailable.

How Much Does a Restaurant POS System Cost in the UK?

Restaurant POS costs based on three things:

1. Hardware: Till terminals, tablets, receipt printers, card machines and kitchen display screens.
2. Software: Monthly or annual subscriptions, sometimes charged per terminal or location.
3. Payment processing: Transaction fees charged when customers pay.

The amount varies depending on the restaurant’s size, hardware requirements and payment arrangements. Some providers combine hardware and software into a package, while others charge separately.

How Can Restaurants Accept Card and Pay by Bank Payments?

Card terminals remain useful for counter payments and customers who prefer to tap their card or phone. QR code payments provide another option for table service, allowing customers to pay without waiting for staff to bring a terminal.

With Atoa, restaurants can accept Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay through a card terminal, with card processing starting from 1.3%.

Pay by Bank is available starting from 0.7% plus VAT, in which the transactions aren’t subject to card-scheme chargebacks, although refunds and other applicable dispute procedures still apply.

FAQs

Which Is the Best POS System for Restaurants in the UK?

The best system depends on the restaurant’s size and service style. Epos Now is suited to independent restaurants, TouchBistro focuses on table service, and Lightspeed Restaurant offers detailed reporting. Zonal and Tevalis cater to larger hospitality groups, while pointOne and Till Tech are options for takeaway and quick-service operations.

How Much Does a Restaurant POS System Cost?

Costs depend on the hardware, software and payment processing arrangement. Some providers offer monthly subscriptions, while others provide custom quotes based on the restaurant’s requirements.

What Is the Difference Between POS and EPOS?

EPOS stands for electronic point of sale and is commonly used in the UK. POS is the broader international term. Both describe the hardware and software used to take orders, record sales and manage payments.

Can a Restaurant POS System Handle Online and In-Person Orders?

Yes. Many restaurant POS systems support both online and in-person orders, although the available features vary.

Sources

• UK Finance, UK Payment Markets 2026
• Food Standards Agency, allergen labelling guidance for food prepacked for direct sale (Natasha’s Law)