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Epos Now is a reliable POS system designed for retail and hospitality businesses. The POS offers a number of stand-out capabilities, including a dedicated training mode and an AI tool that helps sellers price competitively. It also offers robust hardware options, making it a great fit for most established and growing businesses.
However, we didn’t find the POS particularly intuitive in our user testing, and unlike some of the best POS systems for small businesses, the provider charges up-front fees in addition to monthly costs. This, combined with its absence of a free plan, will likely be a sticking point for smaller sellers wanting to keep overheads low.
This guide draws from our research and user testing, leaving no stone unturned, to help you decide if the POS system is a good fit for you. If you’re ready to start exploring different options, take our free questionnaire to get matched to a leading POS system, based on your businesses specific needs.
Key Takeaways
- Epos Now is a great POS solution for businesses looking to manage complex operations and take advantage of advanced features, such as a cost/profit management tool
- Customers are required to pay an upfront fee of $349 to get started with Epos Now’s Complete Solution package, on top of a $39 monthly fee
- While Epos Now offers stand-out features like profit-cost reporting, it does lack some hostpiality features, like automatic tip sharing
- Epos Now offers a range of flexible hardware options, including kitchen display systems and iPad-based solutions
- Epos Now offers 24/7 customer support via its AI chatbot, on top of phone and email support. It’s currently lacking any social media support
- We were impressed with Epos Now during testing, with simple tasks being straightforward and simple. However, our users struggled with more complex tasks, such as bulk imports
Pros
- Robust and granular inventory management tools
- Dedicated training mode to easily get staff used to software
- High quality hardware options available
Cons
- No option for automated tip sharing
- Can be confusing for users new to POS systems
- Hefty upfront fees
- Plans start at $39/month
- Additional registers are $24/month
- Hardware starts at $249/month
Who should go for Epos Now?
- Businesses with extensive or complex inventories
- Owners who want to minimize monthly overheads
- All restaurant/retail businesses from small to large
Who shouldn’t go for Epos Now?
- Owners who want to pay nothing up front
- Businesses using a POS for the first time
- Users who rely on social media for help and support
Test Summary (2025)
For the most part, logging orders and taking payments was straightforward with Epos Now. I was also impressed with how easy it was to add products to my inventory, as the system confirmed each time I added an item, providing an extra level of reassurance.
However, after spending a little more time with the software, I was faced with some limitations. For example, it took me a while to work out how to add discounts to products as the discounts tab was buried behind two clicks, and a lot of tasks required a few more steps compared with more intuitive systems like Clover. For example, working out how to split bills wasn’t immediately clear, and it took me a minute or so to figure it out.
The software was also laggy at times, and when I used the keyboard to add labels and name products, the console didn’t disappear by itself after I’d finished. For these reasons, I think Epos Now might pose difficulties for quick-service businesses with high customer footfalls.
Epos Now POS Review: Core Features
Epos Now has a strong suite of POS features, especially compared to lower-cost alternatives like Square and PayPal POS. Read on to learn more about what Epos Now is capable of in 2025.
Payment options
Vendors using Epos Now can accept a wide variety of payment options including chip and pin, tap and swipe, and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Epos Now also provides its own payment gateway, Epos Now Payments, which charges businesses a flat rate and processes payments up to three times faster than standalone devices. Since Epos Now doesn’t require a connection with a third-party processor, businesses know exactly how much they make on each sale, removing unnecessary guesswork.
Epos Now offers just about any payment feature you’d expect from a popular POS system. However, if you want to make your payment options as accessible as possible by offering Buy Now Pay Later services like Afterpay, we’d recommend opting for systems like Square or Clover instead.
Learn more about the free system in our Square POS review.
Inventory tracking
Epos Now’s stock controls are second to none. The POS gives you access to every tool you need to manage your inventory effectively, including bulk-importing and live updates.
While the features are impressive, several of our users did struggle during testing with bulk importing items. We found it confusing that you had to go into the app store in order to complete the task, and one user reported having to use the system’s help bot.
On the other hand, Epos Now’s AI assistant, Sidekick, lets you analyze the margins of your products. This advanced capability, which leverages internal and external data, allows businesses to price their products more competitively and potentially increase their long-term profits.
Epos Now let me sift through products via category, product name, barcode supplier, or SKU. Source: Tech.co testing
Epos Now also makes stocktaking a breeze. Users can handle the process through the backend or front till, and the POS also gives you the option to scan the barcodes of products if that would be easier than creating a physical list.
The system will also send you prompts when you’re running low on specific items. This makes the POS more capable than Toast at overcoming inventory shortages, as the Andoid-only system currently lacks this feature.
Insights and reporting
Epos Now gives users tons of ways to monitor the performance of their businesses. When analyzing sales data, users can filter results by transaction type, location, and server, among other categories, to gain an in-depth understanding of their financial performance. Epos Now also lets you easily track customer information, including purchases, sign-ups, and credits, to equip you with all the insights you need to encourage repeat buying.
Epos Now gave me a comprehensive view of my sales data, and let me filter it by location, device, and staff member. Source: Tech.co Testing
Epos Now even lets you access gratuity reports so you can have a record of how many employees have been tipped and when. Lightspeed and Clover don’t offer this feature, making Epos Now the preferable choice for businesses that rely heavily on tips.
During testing, one user described generating custom reports as “very smooth and intuitive”, and highlighted in particular the blue buttons used by the system that make everything “very clear and easy”. For another user, exporting an accounting report to Excel was even “done in one click”.
However, while we were very impressed by Epos Now’s reporting options, TouchBistro takes the crown in this category, with the POS offering over 50+ real-time reports.
Learn more about the restaurant-focused system in our TouchBistro POS review.
Table management
If your restaurant has a large or complex floor plan, keeping tabs on diners isn’t always easy. Fortunately, Epos Now helps restaurants streamline the table management process, by letting users customize the size and label of their tables and make changes directly through the POS – saving them the hassle of switching to the back office. Unlike lots of free systems, like PayPal POS, Epos Now also lets you track the status of each table, helping you to stay on top of customer orders and turn around tables as quickly as possible.
Creating floor plans was easy with Epos Now. Its drag-and-drop tool lets me customize the floor plan to match the design of my restaurant. Source: Tech.co Testing
When we tested Epos Now, we loved how easy it was to create a custom floor plan. All we had to do was add tables to the grid, before dragging them to the correct position. You can also separate your table plan into different areas in a couple of clicks, which will be useful for service businesses with multiple rooms like bars and outdoor terraces.
App store
If you happen to require a feature that Epos Now lacks, chances are you’ll be able to fill in the gaps using the provider’s extensive app store. Epos Now’s app store gives businesses access to hundreds of third-party integrations, making it easier to seamlessly manage processes like payroll and customer loyalty without switching between different software platforms.
Epos Now even integrates with major website builders like Wix and Shopify, which will be a huge boon if you’ve already got a site set up with the platform. These ecommerce apps also give Epos Now’s marketplace a competitive advantage over Toast, as the Andoid-only POS doesn’t currently let businesses integrate their POS with their online store.
Epos Now’s app store gives businesses a chance to integrate with a wide range of third-party software providers. Source: Tech.co user testing
What's New For Epos Now in 2025?
- More detailed analytics and reporting: businesses can now track sales trends, inventory turnover, and customer behavior more accurately
- New third-party integration options: there are now more options for connections with accounting, ecommerce, and CRM platforms
- Refined user interface: this includes updates to mobile and tablet compatability, which overall creates a smoother and more flexible user experience
- Improvements to inventory management: businesses have more granular control over stock levels, including automated restock alerts and real-time updates across multiple locations
How Much Does Epos Now Cost?
Unfortunately, Epos Now keeps its pricing model pretty close to its chest. So, for an accurate estimate of how much the POS could cost your business, we recommend contacting a member of its customer service team.
We do know that if you want Epos Now’s Complete System, you’ll have to pay an upfront fee of $349, plus a recurring fee of $39 per month.
If you only require a simple tablet setup, the Epos Now software-only plan is available for $39 per month or $499 upfront for a 12-month term.
The provider’s Enterprise package, which provides businesses with the POS’s full suite of features plus onsite support and account management, is priced according to your business’s specific needs.
| Plan | Price Monthly cost of the software. | Best for | Users | Benefits | Analytics | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service locations that need terminals, card readers, and software | Small, single location businesses that don’t need heavy-duty hardware | Large or complex full-service businesses | ||||
| Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | ||||
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Is Epos Now good value for money?
While Epos Now’s monthly fees are fairly representative of other POS systems, it’s a worse value than many of its competitors because it charges businesses upfront. If you’re a smaller seller who wants to keep overheads low and are willing to forgo premium features, we’d suggest using Square instead.
However, while Epos Now’s price tag is slightly larger than the industry average, you get what you pay for. Many of its features focus on expanding profit margins and identifying new areas for growth. Therefore, established and growing businesses will find Epos Now to be a great investment over time.
Does Epos Now offer a free plan?
No, Epos Now doesn’t currently let businesses get started for free.
If you’re serious about lowering monthly overheads, there are several POS providers that only charge businesses a fraction of each sale they make. Our research found that Square is currently the best POS system on the market that offers a free plan.
Check out our Square POS review to see if the provider is right for you.
Epos Now POS Hardware
Epos Now lets you build a hardware package in two main ways. You can opt for the provider’s “Complete Solution,” which includes a Countertop POS terminal with a 15.6″ full HD touchscreen and a built-in 80mm printer. This option will be the preferable choice for established retailers and counter-service hospitality businesses.
Epos Now’s 15.6″ Countertop POS terminal comes with a receipt printer and is easy to get started on. Source: Tech.co testing
Alternatively, if you’re able to make do with a simpler setup, you can choose the iPad POS system bundle. In this deal, you’ll get an Apple iPad (9th gen) 10.2″ tablet, fitted with Epos Now’s software solution.
You’ll also get a rotating stand, an 80mm receipt printer, and an Epos Now Payments card machine. There is also a similar bundle available for Android devices.
If you’re interested in increasing sales transparency, Epos Now also offers a customer facing display (CFD) option. The HD capacitive customer touchscreen is 10.1” , and businesses can customize it with their own branding to give it a professional edge. However, unlike alternatives like Clover and Square, the CFD can’t accept payments. You’ll have to connect a card terminal to handle this process separately.
Epos Now Countertop’s customer-facing display gives customers a preview of important sales information. Source: Tech.co
Epos Now also offers a range of POS hardware accessories, including external receipt printers, kitchen display systems (KDS), barcode scanners, card machines, and more.
Businesses can purchase these items separately or as part of a hardware bundle, depending on their individual requirements. This flexibility is one of Epos Now’s major strengths, as businesses can pay only for the hardware devices they need.
Epos Now’s receipt printer, located in its Countertop POS terminal. Source: Tech.co testing
During testing, our users praised the “sleek” and “modern design” of Epos Now’s hardware, and plenty enjoyed the “colorful interface” of the front-end terminal. Likewise, a clear layout made basic tasks feel straightforward for our users.
However, there were some front-end interactions described as “clunky” – especially when it came to carrying out functions such as splitting bills and applying discounts. Overall, our users recommended that businesses roll out a staff training scheme before implementing Epos Now.
Epos Now Setup and Customer Support
Epos Now lets you reach out for support through a variety of different channels, including phone and email. The provider also offers a useful Knowledge Base packed with guides, screenshots, and videos to help businesses get to grips with the software to prevent potential bumps down the road.
Epos Now also has a live chat feature that lets you connect to team members virtually from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a 24/7 virtual AI agent, SideKick. When we tested the in-person assistant, we found that its response times were faster than alternatives like Clover, suggesting that Epos Now will be the preferable option for businesses that need to sort out issues quickly.
However, Epos Now doesn’t currently let you access support via social media, so if this is a dealbreaker for you, we’d recommend using systems like Square or Shopify instead.
Epos Now’s new AI customer service Sidekick feature responded to my queries instantly. Source: Tech.co user testing
Epos Now will be capable of meeting the needs of most established retail and hospitality businesses.
However, if you want to know your options before committing, our pick for the best small business POS, across both hospitality and retail, is Square. In our research, we deemed Square the perfect all-rounder: advanced features, sleek hardware, and a free plan that allows businesses to get started selling immediately.
Clover is another top choice that stands out for its industry-leading hardware and affordable transaction rates, with perks such as customer loyalty features and a cost/profit management tool that our top choice Square is lacking. That being said, Clover’s monthly fees are on the pricier side, and it lacks a free plan, unlike Square.
If you’re after a hospitality-focused system, we’d recommend using Toast over Epos Now. The Android-based system will be a natural fit for full-service restaurants due to its advanced stock controls and customer engagement features, and its intuitive software is easy to get started on, too.
Take a look at how the best restaurant POS systems compare in our research-led guide or check out our comparison table below to see how Epos Now sizes up to the wider competition.
| Starting price The typical lowest starting price. The lowest price available for your business will depend on your needs. | Best for Tech.co's verdict to help you identify the most suitable choice for your small business | Additional costs Any additional costs you'll need to pay to get started | Lowest transaction fee The lowest possible fee that will be incurred with each transaction. | User limit | Get started | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST OVERALL | |||||||
| Free (with transaction fees) | Free (but transaction fees apply) | Free (but transaction fees apply) | |||||
| Scaling and growing your business | Restaurants with complex operations | Professional hardware | Speed, efficiency and data-driven sales insights | Simplifying staff scheduling and communication | Managing in-store and online sales | ||
| Marketing, customer loyalty, and employee management features cost extra | Digital ordering, third party delivery, email marketing, and catering/events cost extra | Accounting integrations cost extra | Customer loyalty programs cost extra | Loyalty programs cost extra | Shopify POS Pro is available for $89/location/month | ||
| 2.4% + 15¢ | 2.49% + 15¢ | 2.3% +10¢ | 2.6% + 10¢ | 1.99% + 25¢ | 2.6% + 10¢ | ||
| Unlimited — but each till requires a new license | Unlimited user limit | Unlimited — but each till requires a new license | Unlimited user limit | Unlimited user limit | Single user/license across all plans | ||
| Visit Square | Visit Toast | Compare Prices | Try SumUp | Compare Quotes | Try Shopify |
How Do We Research The Best POS Systems?
We take our impartial research and analysis seriously, so you can have complete confidence that we’re giving you the clearest, most useful recommendations. After identifying the most relevant, popular POS platforms on the market, we put them through their paces with hands-on testing to better understand their strengths and weaknesses.
In total, we put 16 POS systems to the test, with a vigorous research and testing methodology. In our testing sessions, participants were asked to carry out tasks on POS software and describe their user journey, to help us understand what it’s like to use the systems first-hand. In addition to first-hand testing, we developed a detailed methodology that focuses on six categories of investigation, including criteria like software features and help and support centers.
These categories were broken down into further subcategories, so we were able to drill down further into certain topics, to make our insights as granular and useful as possible. Here’s an overview of our main testing categories for POS systems:
- Software: The capabilities provided by the POS product. Includes general features like ordering and payment functionality, as well as industry-specific tools like KSU uploads, and inventory-level stock tracking KDS software.
- Hardware: The quality of a POS’s hardware selection. The presence of an own-brand terminal, as well as hardware accessories like kitchen display systems, receipt printers, and barcode scanners.
- Pricing: The cost associated with acquiring and using the POS system, such as the initial purchase cost, transaction fees, licensing fees, subscription plans, and any additional charges or ongoing costs.
- Usability: We test out the software to gauge how intuitive and easy to navigate it is. We also consider how easy the software is to navigate, and whether any errors took place during testing.
- Help & Support: The assistance and resources available to users when they encounter issues or need guidance while using the POS system, including documentation, tutorials, or knowledge bases.
- Reputation: The aggregate score from customer review sites like Trustpilot and TrustRadius, to understand how POS providers are viewed by their own customer bases.
When it comes to calculating a product’s final score, not all testing areas are weighted evenly, as we know some aspects matter more to our readers than others, For example, we’ll prioritize certain industry-specific features for specific reviews, like an offline mode when reviewing POS systems for food trucks, or kitchen display systems (KDS) when reviewing restaurant POS systems.
At Tech.co, we have a number of full-time in-house researchers who re-run this testing process regularly to ensure our results remain reflective of the present day.
Verdict: Is Epos Now POS Worth It?
Epos Now is a solid choice for small to large businesses. Its robust inventory management and reporting tools make it a great option, in particular, for businesses managing extensive or complex operations.
Likewise, it offers a diverse selection of hardware that fared impressively during testing, with our users pitting it positively against top systems such as Clover.
That being said, it isn’t the most affordable POS on the market, particularly because of upfront fees and a lack of free plan that can be avoided with other providers, such as Square. The system was also clunky and unintuitive at times, and many of our users recognized a steep learning curve.
If you’re still open to browsing other systems, you can take our quick and easy quiz to get matched to a POS provider based on your unique needs. It’s completely free, and there’s no obligation to move forward with any recommendation.
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