Too many POS systems. Not enough clarity.

Some are free but limited.

Some cost a fortune and still lack key features.

And almost all of them promise the same thing.

 You run a restaurant.

You don’t have time to test every system.

This guide breaks down the 10 best restaurant POS systems in the UK -

✓ Which ones are worth the money

✓ Which ones are just hype

✓ Which one is right for your restaurant

Let’s save you time, cash, and mistakes.

How to Choose the Right Restaurant POS System 

When evaluating a POS, look for:

• UK-ready payment support (SumUp, Zettle, Stripe, Dojo)
  
  

• Integrated tipping & VAT tools
  
  

• Staff permissions and scheduling
  
  

• Mobile/QR/table-side ordering
  
  

• Guest loyalty & online ordering
  
  

• HMRC VAT compliance & MTD support
  
  

• Transparent pricing (beware of hidden fees!)

Free POS options are great to start, but you may need paid features as you grow, especially around team management, inventory, and integrations.

Quick Comparison Table of the 10 Best Restaurant POS Systems in the UK [Free + Paid]

Here’s a concise comparison table of the most talked-about restaurant POS systems:

1. UseTapp – Best Hardware-Free POS for Restaurants

What It Is

Tapp is a mobile-first POS and eShop solution designed for UK restaurants and small businesses. 

Unlike traditional POS systems, you don’t need a terminal.

Everything runs directly on your phone, from taking payments to managing bookings and online sales. 

Tapp also uses AI to optimize menus, highlight trends, and give you actionable insights for growth.

Key Features

• No terminals, no contracts – run your business entirely from your phone
  
  

• Tap to Pay – accept contactless cards and wallets without extra hardware
  
  

• Instant setup – AI builds your POS and eShop in 60 seconds
  
  

• Bookings & eShop – sell gift cards, products, and take reservations online
  
  

• AI insights – demand forecasts, sales trends, and smart upsells
  
  

• Fully UK compliant – PCI DSS, GDPR, and VAT-ready

Why It’s Great for UK Restaurants

For cafés, food trucks, salons, and small restaurants, Tapp is a game-changer.

You save on costly card readers and terminals, while still accepting secure payments. 

Plus, the AI insights help owners spot trends, reduce no-shows, and grow revenue without extra tools.

Tapp Pros and Cons

Pricing

• Starter – Free forever (1 location, 5 staff, unlimited transactions, fees from 1.49%)
  
  

• Pro – £29/month (up to 5 locations, 50 staff, lower fees from 1.29%)
  
  No setup costs, just a simple per-transaction fee.

Verdict

Tapp is best if you want to keep things lean and run your restaurant POS straight from your phone.

It cuts out terminals, saves costs, and adds AI-powered insights to help you sell more.

Perfect for small restaurants, food trucks, cafés, and solo owners. 

2. Square UK – All-in-One POS for UK Small Businesses

What It Is

Square is a flexible POS system designed for restaurants, cafes, and food businesses of all sizes.

What makes it stand out?

You can start for free, run it on a tablet or phone, and expand as you grow with no complicated contracts.

Key Features

• Free POS app with no monthly fee
  
  

• Tap-to-pay, online ordering, and QR code menus
  
  

• Instant payouts (optional with a fee)
  
  

• Add-ons for loyalty, payroll, and team management
  
  

• Works with Square hardware or your own device

Why It’s Great for UK Restaurants

If you're a small restaurant, café, or food truck that wants to get started quickly and scale later, Square is hard to beat.

It’s easy to use, comes with restaurant-specific features, and lets you expand into e-commerce or delivery without switching tools.

Square Pros and Cons

We went through user reviews and pulled out the most common pros and cons:

Pricing

• It starts free.
  
  

• Transaction fees: 1.75% (in-person), 2.5% (online/remote).
  
  

• Hardware optional - starts from ~£19 (contactless card reader).
  
  

• Add-ons like loyalty or payroll are paid.

Verdict

Square is perfect if you want something simple, trusted, and ready to grow with your restaurant.

It’s great for beginners and serious operators alike, but just keep an eye on the add-on costs as you scale.

SumUp – Budget-Friendly POS for Solo Sellers and Microbusinesses

What It Is

SumUp is a popular UK-based POS and payment solution made for small businesses, cafés, and restaurants.

It’s known for its simplicity, affordable hardware, and no-fuss setup, all with low transaction fees and flexible plans.

Key Features

• Card readers starting at just £39
  
  

• Tap-to-pay from mobile (no extra hardware needed)
  
  

• Free basic POS with paid options at £19/mo and £49/mo
  
  

• Fast payouts (as early as the next morning)
  
  

• Optional loyalty, online store, and delivery tools

Why It’s Great for UK Restaurants

SumUp is ideal if you're starting small or want something you can run from your phone or tablet.

You won’t be tied into long contracts, and you can upgrade features as your restaurant grows.

SumUp Pros and Cons

Based on what real users are saying, here’s what they liked and disliked most.

Pricing

 Free plan available.

Paid POS plans: £19/month (Essential), £49/month (Pro).

Transaction fees: 1.69% base, 0.99% with Payments Plus.

Hardware sold separately.

Verdict

Great pick for independent restaurants, pop-ups, or cafés that want low-cost, mobile-friendly POS and fast access to earnings.

Not the best for larger restaurants with complex needs but perfect for lean teams and growing setups.

Zettle by PayPal – Affordable POS With Simple Hardware Options

What It Is

Zettle by PayPal (formerly iZettle) is a lightweight POS and payment system built for small food businesses in the UK. 

It integrates with PayPal and offers mobile-friendly hardware and tools to help manage sales, inventory, and staff.

Key Features

• Direct PayPal integration with fast payouts
  
  

• Flat 1.75% card and wallet transaction fees
  
  

• Tap to Pay using your phone (no reader required)
  
  

• Free POS app for product, staff, and sales management
  
  

• Smart analytics and inventory tracking
  
  

• Optional card reader and touchscreen terminal

Why It’s Great for UK Restaurants

Zettle is ideal for cafés, food trucks, and small restaurants looking for an easy-to-use, low-cost POS system. 

It’s especially useful if you already use PayPal or need mobile payments without investing in complex hardware.

Zettle Pros and Cons

We analyzed reviews to highlight the top benefits and drawbacks.

Pricing

• Card fees: 1.75% per transaction
  
  

• Card reader: £29 (ex. VAT)
  
  

• Touchscreen terminal: from £149 (ex. VAT)
  
  

• POS software: Free basic plan

Verdict

Zettle works best for small teams that need fast, mobile-friendly sales tools with simple pricing. 

Not suitable for large, multi-location restaurants, but a reliable pick for quick-service setups and solo owners.

Clover – Flexible POS With Customizable Apps and Hardware

What It Is

Clover is an all-in-one POS platform designed for small to medium-sized businesses across restaurants, retail, and service sectors. 

While it's US-based, UK businesses can access Clover systems through authorised resellers like First Data/Fiserv.

Key Features

• Modular hardware options (Clover Station, Mini, Flex, Kiosk)
  
  

• Built-in tools for payments, inventory, loyalty, and staff management
  
  

• Real-time cloud reporting and analytics
  
  

• 24/7 customer support (via resellers)
  
  

• Access to an extensive App Market (e.g., Mailchimp, QuickBooks, Yelp)

Why It’s Great for UK Restaurants

Clover is flexible and powerful for busy restaurants needing customisable hardware, multi-channel payments (online + in-person), and CRM tools in one setup. 

The kiosk and table-side ordering features stand out for QSRs and fast-casual operations.

Clover Pros and Cons

Here’s a quick breakdown of the most mentioned pros and cons from user reviews.

Pricing

• Promo Offer: 1.49% transaction fee + monthly service fee from £1

Pricing varies by UK reseller, but typically includes:

• Hardware bundles: from £350+
  
  

• Software subscription: from ~£14.95/month
  
  

• Transaction fees: ~2.3% + 10p (may vary)
  
  

• 3-year contracts are common via providers like First Data

Verdict

Best for UK restaurants wanting a modern, scalable POS that includes loyalty and team management out of the box. 

However, it’s ideal to work with a trusted UK reseller for transparent pricing and proper onboarding. 

Great for growing hospitality brands or multi-location setups.

Epos Now – Scalable Retail & Hospitality POS With 150+ Integrations

What It Is

Epos Now is a comprehensive cloud-based POS system built for restaurants, bars, cafés, and food trucks. 

It offers all-in-one hardware and software solutions designed to streamline operations, manage inventory, and integrate payments across multiple channels.

Key Features

• All-in-one POS bundle (hardware + software + payments)
  
  

• Accepts Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Apple Pay, Google Pay
  
  

• Card machines: countertop, handheld (Air), portable (Link), and all-in-one (Pro+)
  
  

• Offline mode and 4G backup to avoid downtime
  
  

• Cloud access to manage your business from any device
  
  

• Real-time reporting on sales, staff, and inventory
  
  

• Integration with 100+ apps like Xero, QuickBooks, OpenTable, Deliveroo, and Shopify
  
  

• Table management, floor plans, tipping automation, and more
  
  

• Kitchen Display System (KDS) for seamless back-of-house communication
  
  

• Self-serve kiosks & mobile ordering support

Why It's Great for UK Restaurants

Whether you're running a single café or a growing chain of pubs or food trucks, Epos Now is highly scalable and designed to simplify complex operations. It’s especially strong in:

• Multichannel sales (in-house, takeaway, delivery)
  
  

• Real-time data visibility
  
  

• Automated inventory management (even to the ingredient level)
  
  

• Integrated payment processing with flat rates
  
  

• Flexible configuration for growing businesses

Epos Now Pros and Cons

We went through user reviews and pulled out the most common pros and cons.

Pricing

• Upfront Cost: From £249 (discounted from £899)
  
  

• Ongoing Subscription: From £54/month (includes payments, support, and care)
  
  

• Additional fees apply for premium features and integrations.

Verdict

Epos Now is a robust, full-stack POS system for hospitality businesses that want flexibility, data control, and scalability. 

With strong integrations and accessible support, it's a solid choice for growing restaurants, pubs, cafés, and food trucks that need more than just a simple till.

Dojo – Fast, User-Friendly Card Machines for Small Retailers

What It Is

Dojo is a modern UK-based payment and EPOS solution built specifically for hospitality businesses. 

It offers fast, reliable card payments, 400+ EPOS integrations, and next-day payouts, all wrapped in a sleek user-friendly platform.

Key Features

• Card machines with 4G/Wi-Fi and Tap-to-Pay support
  
  

• 400+ EPOS integrations for seamless operations
  
  

• Dojo Pocket & Go for mobile and on-the-floor payments
  
  

• Real-time reporting, reconciliation, and transaction tracking
  
  

• Pay by QR, loyalty rewards, and integrated table bookings
  
  

• Dedicated UK-based support and named account managers for high-volume businesses

Why It's Great for UK Restaurants

Whether you're running a fast-paced takeaway, food truck, or multi-location restaurant, Dojo helps cut queues, reduce admin, and speed up service, 58% faster than average. 

The app helps you manage everything in one place, and the payment hardware is built to handle busy shifts, even offline.

Dojo Pros and Cons

Pricing

• Starts at £39.99/month for small businesses
  
  

• Flexible plans for growing and enterprise businesses
  
  

• Hardware from £15/month or £179 one-time
  
  

• Platform fee included in plan or £10/month depending on tier

Verdict

Dojo is a great fit for restaurants that want fast, reliable payments, smooth POS integrations, and strong UK-based customer support. 

It’s especially appealing for businesses ready to scale or streamline daily ops with one provider.

Tevalis – Customisable POS for Enterprise Hospitality Chains

What It Is

Tevalis is a UK-based enterprise-grade EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) system built specifically for hospitality businesses. 

It supports restaurants, hotels, bars, visitor attractions, food halls, cinemas, and more. 

Unlike plug-and-play systems, Tevalis provides bespoke, scalable solutions tailored to large or multi-site operators with complex needs.

Key Features

• Fully customisable POS works on tills, kiosks, and handhelds
  
  

• Centralised cloud suite for stock, reporting, and multi-site control
  
  

• Mobile POS (TevX) supports iOS, Android, and Windows
  
  

• Real-time kitchen display with bump screens and prep tracking
  
  

• Stock dashboards with live data, recipe costing, and EDI
  
  

• 200+ real-time reports with visual dashboards
  
  

• Integrates with 150+ platforms (payments, loyalty, delivery, etc.)
  
  

• 24/7 UK-based multi-tier technical support

Why It's Great for Restaurants

Tevalis is designed for high-volume or multi-venue restaurants that need deep operational control, advanced analytics, and tight integration with other platforms. 

Its modular structure supports complex workflows like table service, handheld ordering, and multi-kitchen routing. 

Especially well-suited for groups scaling nationally or internationally.

Tevalis Pros and Cons

We analyzed reviews to highlight the top benefits and drawbacks.

Pricing

No public pricing is listed. 

Tevalis offers custom quotes based on system requirements, integration needs, and hardware setup. 

Pricing is custom-quoted depending on business size, hardware, integrations, and modules required. 

From reviews and industry reports:

• Setup Costs: Generally higher than small business POS (often £3,000+ for a multi-device setup).
  
  

• Ongoing Costs: Monthly subscriptions for enterprise modules (stock, analytics, loyalty, etc.) can range from £70–£150+ per device.
  
  

• Custom Quotes: Multi-site chains or enterprise rollouts get bespoke pricing after consultation.

Free on-site consultation is available.

Verdict

Tevalis is a strong choice for growing hospitality groups seeking enterprise-level performance. 

Not ideal for small operators who need fast, low-cost setup, but a standout for those who need depth, flexibility, and scalability.

Lightspeed Restaurant – Feature-Rich POS With Advanced Inventory Management

What It Is

Lightspeed Restaurant is a cloud-based POS system built for full-service restaurants, hotels, bars, and multi-location chains. 

It combines ordering, payments, CRM, inventory, and analytics, all in one place.

Key Features

• Fully customizable POS with menu and floor plan editor
  
  

• Advanced insights and real-time reporting dashboards
  
  

• Online ordering, QR code payments, and tableside POS
  
  

• Built-in CRM and loyalty program options
  
  

• Integrated payments and inventory tracking down to the ingredient level
  
  

• Kitchen Display System (KDS), order pickup screens, and handheld POS
  
  

• 150+ integrations, including PMS, delivery, accounting, and workforce tools
  
  

• Hardware options include iPad kits, printers, cash drawers, and mobile tap devices

Why It’s Great for UK Restaurants

If you're running a growing or multi-location restaurant, Lightspeed gives you control across every function- front of house, kitchen, delivery, and management. 

It’s especially powerful for restaurants that need deep analytics, efficient workflows, and integrations with hotel or inventory systems.

Lightspeed Restaurant Pros and Cons

Here’s a quick breakdown of the most mentioned pros and cons from user feedback.

Pricing

• Starts at $189/month (Essential),
   

• $399/month (Premium), and 
  
  

• Enterprise quotes available. 
  
  

• Hardware sold separately. Integrated payments at 2.6% + £0.10 (custom rates available).

Verdict

Lightspeed is ideal for ambitious restaurants that want full visibility into performance, smoother operations, and a modern guest experience. 

Best suited for mid-to-large businesses that value customization and real-time insights.

CAKE POS – Full-Service Restaurant POS With Built-In Ordering, Payments & Loyalty

What It Is

CAKE is a restaurant-first POS system that bundles hardware, software, payments, and customer engagement tools in one package. 

It's built for full-service restaurants, cafes, and chains that want end-to-end control from guest management to kitchen coordination.

Key Features

• Tableside ordering with handheld CAKEpop devices
  
  

• CAKE NEO AI assistant for staff and menu insights
  
  

• Integrated Kitchen Display System (KDS) with live bump screens
  
  

• Self-service kiosks and QR code ordering
  
  

• Fully integrated online ordering and delivery tools
  
  

• Built-in loyalty and guest marketing platform
  
  

• Reservation and waitlist management (CAKE Guest Manager)
  
  

• 20+ pre-built integrations (7shifts, DoorDash, QuickBooks, etc.)

Why It’s Great for UK Restaurants

CAKE works well for restaurants that want all the tech, POS, loyalty, online ordering, and guest insights without stitching together third-party tools. 

Its kitchen sync, CAKEpop devices, and AI dashboards help staff work faster, even during rush hours.

CAKE Pros and Cons

Here’s a summary table of the most commonly cited pros and cons of CAKE:

Pricing

• Starts around $69/month for software.
  
  

• Hardware bundles (terminals, KDS, handhelds) and payment processing are sold separately via EZ Pay (interest-free plans).
  
  

• Enterprise pricing is available for larger operations.

Verdict

CAKE is best for restaurant owners who want simplicity without sacrificing depth. 

It’s a well-rounded platform for full-service restaurants, especially those that value guest loyalty and efficient kitchen operations.

Which One Is Right For You? [Decision Guide]

Here’s a simple guide to help you choose the best restaurant POS system in the UK, based on your specific needs:

🏪 For Solo Operators or Food Trucks

Choose: UseTapp or SumUp

• Why: Low or no monthly cost, easy tap-to-pay, minimal setup
  
  

• Avoid: Systems that require complex hardware or subscriptions

🍳 For Quick-Service or Counter-Style Restaurants

Choose: Square UK, Zettle by PayPal, or Clover

• Why: Affordable hardware, quick transactions, order-and-pay functionality
  
  

• Avoid: Overbuilt systems like Tevalis unless you plan to scale fast

🍽️ For Full-Service or Multi-Location Restaurants

Choose: Lightspeed, Epos Now, or Toast

• Why: Advanced inventory, kitchen display systems, multi-site control
  
  

• Avoid: Basic tools like SumUp which lack depth for complex setups

🧑‍💼 For Growing Chains or Enterprise-Level Restaurants

Choose: Tevalis, CAKE, or Lightspeed

• Why: Powerful integrations, custom workflows, centralized reporting
  
  

• Avoid: Free or light POS systems—these won’t scale with your needs

📊 For Data-Driven Owners Who Love Reports

Choose: Lightspeed, Tevalis, or Epos Now

• Why: Deep analytics, live dashboards, and detailed reports
  
  

• Avoid: Zettle, SumUp—limited reporting capabilities

Conclusion

Not every restaurant needs an enterprise POS with 500 features. Likewise, free tools can cost more in time and limitations if you scale.

So pick based on fit, not hype.

• UseTapp: Best for solo operators, cafés, or mobile food stalls that want a hardware-free POS with AI insights.
  
  

• Square / SumUp: Perfect for fast setup, pop-ups, and small restaurants.
  
  

• Zettle: Great for PayPal users and minimalists who want to avoid subscriptions.
  
  

• Dojo: Ideal for UK-based restaurants focused on payments, speed, and a clean interface.
  
  

• Clover: Excellent for quick-service restaurants wanting loyalty programs + modern devices.
  
  

• Epos Now: Suitable for multi-channel restaurants needing strong reporting and integrations.
  
  

• Lightspeed / Tevalis: Best for growing, complex, or multi-site operations with deep inventory and reporting needs.
  
  

• CAKE: Ideal for full-service restaurants that want built-in loyalty, handheld ordering, and guest management.

FAQs

Is there a free POS system for restaurants in the UK?

Yes, UseTapp, Square, SumUp, and Zettle offer free plans. But extra features or lower fees may cost more.

Which POS is best for pubs or cafes?

Square, Zettle, and Dojo are easy to use and affordable. For busier pubs, go with Lightspeed or Tevalis.

Can I use SumUp or Zettle in a full-service restaurant?

Technically yes, but they’re limited. Full-service restaurants need tools like Lightspeed, Tevalis, or CAKE.

Do I need internet to use these POS systems?

Yes, most need internet. Some (like Square) work offline temporarily, but syncing and reporting need a connection.

Are these tools HMRC VAT-compliant?

Yes, most major UK POS tools support digital VAT invoices and MTD reporting. Always double-check before buying.