Bar EPOS Systems in the UK (2026): Best Providers, Costs, Features & Reviews Quick answer
The best bar EPOS system in the UK depends on your venue size, drink menu, payment setup, stock control needs and whether you need tabs, table service, handheld ordering or multi-site reporting.
For small bars, cafés, taprooms and pop-up venues, Square, SumUp and PayPal POS are good low-cost options because they are simple to set up and work well for card payments and basic sales tracking.
For busier bars, pubs, nightclubs and hospitality venues, Epos Now, Lightspeed, Clover, TouchBistro, Zonal and Tevalis are stronger options because they offer more advanced features such as bar tabs, split bills, staff permissions, stock control, reporting, kitchen/bar printing and multi-site management.
Best overall for low-cost bar EPOS: Square
Best for busy bars and growing venues: Lightspeed
Best for pubs and hospitality groups: Zonal
Best for bar stock control: Epos Now
Best for all-in-one EPOS and payments: Clover
Best for table-service bars: TouchBistro
Best for simple payments: SumUp
Best for PayPal-linked payments: PayPal POS, formerly Zettle
Best for larger hospitality venues: Tevalis or Zonal
Bar EPOS systems can cost from £0/month for basic POS software to £50–£150+ per month for more advanced hospitality EPOS systems, before hardware, card processing, receipt printers, cash drawers, handheld devices and support are included.
Square for Restaurants has a free plan and a Plus plan at £69/month per location, while Lightspeed Restaurant says its UK pricing starts from £79/month for the first termina
Compare bar EPOS quotes to find the best system for your venue, budget and payment setup.
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Contents
Bar Epos Systems Providers in the UK
How much does a bar EPOS system cost in the UK?
Why EPOS Systems Are Useful for Bars
Best bar EPOS by budget
Best bar EPOS by feature
Key Features to Look for in a Bars EPOS System
How do we work?
Transparent, impartial, and data‑driven reviews made by a team of expert humans, never AI generated – here’s exactly how Compare Your Business Costs helps you find the best deals from trusted UK providers: click here
Authored by: Ally Cox (Business Technology & B2B Services Specialist 10+ Years’ Experience)
Reviewed by: James Ward (Telecoms Specialist, 12+ Years Experience)
Last Updated: May 2026
Key Takeaways
Bar EPOS systems need to handle speed, tabs, stock and payments during busy service.
Small bars may only need a simple POS app, card reader and basic reporting.
Busy bars and pubs should prioritise tabs, split bills, staff permissions, stock control and integrated payments.
Venues selling food should also compare kitchen printing, table service and order management.
Multi-site bars need central reporting, user permissions, stock visibility and stronger support.
Card processing fees can cost more than the EPOS subscription over time, so compare payment fees carefully.
Do not choose a bar EPOS system by headline monthly cost alone, so compare hardware, transaction fees, contract terms and support.
Bar Epos Systems Providers in the UK
EPOS provider Best for Typical bar fit Pricing style Main strengths
Square Point of Sale
Low-cost setup
Small bars, taprooms, pop-ups, cafés, quick-service venues
Free plan; paid restaurant plan available
Simple setup, payments, basic bar/restaurant tools
Lightspeed Restaurant
Busy bars and growing venues
Bars, restaurants, pubs and hospitality groups
From £79/month for first terminal
Reporting, stock, table service, integrations
Epos Now
Bar stock and SME hospitality
Bars, pubs, cafés, restaurants, takeaways
Hardware/software packages
Stock control, reporting, payments, hospitality tools
Clover EPOS and payments together
Bars, cafés, quick-service venues
Hardware and payment package
All-in-one till, card payments and apps
TouchBistr
Table-service bars
Cocktail bars, food-led bars, casual dining
Subscription/quote-based
Tables, tabs, menus and staff workflows
Zonal Pubs, bars and hospitality groups
Larger pubs, bars, hotels, multi-site venues
Quote-based
Hospitality ecosystem, stock, bookings, order and pay
SumUp Simple card payments
Small bars, mobile bars, pop-ups
Low-cost hardware plus fees
Easy payments and simple setup
PayPal POS PayPal-linked payments
Small bars, pop-ups, mobile sellers
Card reader/app-based setup
PayPal connection and simple POS tools
Tevalis Larger hospitality venues
Multi-site bars, restaurants, hotels
Quote-based
Advanced hospitality EPOS and integrations
pointOne Premium hospitality operations
Larger venues and groups
Custom pricing
Scalable hospitality and reporting tools
Which Bar System is Best for Your Venue?
Venue type Best providers to compare
Small bar
Square, SumUp, PayPal POS, Clover
Low setup cost, fast payments, simple reports
Cocktail bar
Lightspeed, TouchBistro, Epos Now, Clover
Tabs, modifiers, staff permissions, stock
Pub
Zonal, Epos Now, Lightspeed, Clover
Tabs, stock control, fast service, food/bar orders
Wine bar
Square, Lightspeed, Clover, Epos Now
Product categories, stock, customer data
Taproom
Square, SumUp, Epos Now, Lightspeed
Fast card payments, simple stock, reporting
Nightclub
Zonal, Lightspeed, Tevalis, pointOne
High-volume orders, staff permissions, reporting
Bar with food
Lightspeed, TouchBistro, Epos Now, Zonal
Kitchen printing, table service, split bills
Multi-site bar group
Zonal, Lightspeed, Tevalis, Epos Now
Central reporting, permissions, stock, support
Mobile bar or event bar
SumUp, Square, PayPal POS
Portable card payments and quick setup
How much does a bar EPOS system cost in the UK? Bar EPOS costs vary depending on the provider, number of tills, payment terminals, software features, stock tools, installation, support and contract terms.
As a broad 2026 guide:
Bar EPOS cost Typical UK cost
Basic POS software
£0/month, plus transaction fees
Simple card reader
Around £19-£100+ upfront
Tablet-based POS setup
Around £100-£500+ upfront
Full EPOS terminal
Around £300-£1,000+ upfront
Receipt printer
Around £100-£300+
Cash drawer
Around £40-£150+
Kitchen/bar printer
Around £150-£300+
Basic EPOS software
£0-£50/month
Advanced bar/hospitality EPOS
£50-£150+/month
Multi-site hospitality EPOS
£100-£300+/month
Card transaction fees
Often around 1.5%-2.5%+ depending on provider and payment type
Square’s restaurant POS pricing gives a useful low-cost benchmark, with a free plan and a Plus plan at £69/month per location. Lightspeed Restaurant starts at £79/month for the first terminal, and Epos Now has previously promoted POS bundles from £249, although package terms and promotions should be checked before signing.
What affects bar EPOS pricing?
Cost factor Why it matters
Number of tills
More tills usually mean higher hardware and software costs
Payment terminals
Integrated card terminals may be bundled or charged separately
Stock control
Advanced drinks stock, wastage and ingredient tracking may cost more
Staff accounts
Larger teams may need permissions and staff reporting
Tabs and table service
Hospitality-specific features may require a paid plan
Kitchen/bar printing
Needed if you serve food or route orders to different areas
Handheld ordering
Useful for table service but adds device costs
Multi-site reporting
Usually part of more advanced plans
Support level
Evening and weekend support may be essential for bars
Contract length
Check minimum term, renewal rules and cancellation fees
Transaction fees
These can outweigh monthly software fees for high-turnover venues
Why EPOS Systems Are Useful for Bars POS software for bars offers much more than just payment processing – they help streamline operations, manage tabs, track stock levels, and provide valuable insights into sales and staff performance. We know that a robust POS system can also handle multiple orders at once, ensuring no drinks are forgotten during peak times. Here’s why the best POS software is essential for bars:
You can process orders quickly , even during busy periods, ensuring customers aren’t waiting too long for their drinks. You can easily open, track, and close tabs for customers without confusion, reducing the risk of errors. You can monitor your stock in real-time, track usage trends, and receive alerts when it’s time to reorder. You can gain insights into sales trends, peak hours, and staff performance with detailed reporting and analytics. Using CRM , you can track regular customers, manage loyalty programmes, and offer personalised promotions.
Key Features to Look for in Bar EPOS Systems
Feature
Fast checkout
Helps reduce queues during busy periods
Bar tabs
Lets staff open, manage and close customer tabs accurately
Split bills
Useful for groups and table-service venues
Staff logins
Tracks sales, refunds, discounts and performance by employee
Integrated payments
Reduces mistakes between the till and card terminal
Stock control
Helps monitor alcohol, mixers, wastage and best sellers
Low-stock alerts
Helps avoid running out of popular products
Product modifiers
Useful for cocktails, mixers and custom orders
Happy hour/promotions
Supports timed pricing and offers
Cash drawer support
Useful if your venue still accepts cash
Kitchen/bar printing
Routes food or drink orders to the right prep area
Reporting
Shows peak times, sales trends and staff performance
Multi-site tools
Useful for groups with several venues
Offline mode
Helps keep trading if internet drops
Accounting integrations
Reduces bookkeeping admin
Best bar EPOS by budget
Budget Best options What to expect
Lowest setup cost
Square, SumUp, PayPal POS
Simple payments and basic POS tools
Under £75/month
Square, SumUp, PayPal POS, some basic packages
Suitable for small bars, taprooms and pop-ups
£75–£150/month
Lightspeed, Epos Now, Clover, TouchBistro
Better stock, tabs, staff tools and reporting
£150+/month
Zonal, Tevalis, advanced Lightspeed/Epos Now setups
Better for busy, multi-site or complex venues
Quote-based
Zonal, Tevalis, pointOne, larger hospitality packages
More tailored but needs
careful comparison
Best bar EPOS by Feature
Free or low-cost POS software
Square
Simple card payments
Square, SumUp, PayPal POS
Open tabs
Lightspeed, Epos Now, Clover, TouchBistro, Zonal
Split bills
Lightspeed, TouchBistro, Zonal, Epos Now
Bar stock control
Epos Now, Lightspeed, Zonal, Tevalis
Kitchen/bar printing
Epos Now, Lightspeed, Clover, Zonal
Staff permissions
Lightspeed, Epos Now, Clover, Zonal
Multi-site reporting
Zonal, Lightspeed, Tevalis, Epos Now
Pub EPOS
Zonal, Epos Now, Lightspeed, Clover
Mobile bar payments
SumUp, Square, PayPal POS
Loyalty and customer tools
Square, Lightspeed, Zonal, Clover
Accounting integrations
Epos Now, Lightspeed, Clover, Zonal
Why trust our bar EPOS reviews? At Compare Your Business Costs, we review EPOS systems from a UK small business and hospitality buyer’s perspective, which means we focus on:
who each system is best for
who should compare alternatives
likely pricing and contract considerations
card processing fees
bar-specific features
stock and staff management
hardware and support requirements
alternatives worth comparing
We do not recommend choosing a bar EPOS system based only on brand name or headline price. The right system depends on your venue type, order volume, payment setup, stock needs, staff structure and budget.
Our verdict: what is the best EPOS system for bars?
For small bars, taprooms, event bars and pop-ups, Square, SumUp and PayPal POS are good options to compare first because they are simple, low-commitment and payment-friendly.
For busier bars, pubs and food-led venues, Lightspeed, Epos Now, Clover and TouchBistro are usually stronger because they offer better tabs, stock, staff tools and reporting.
For larger pubs, bars, nightclubs and hospitality groups, Zonal, Tevalis and Lightspeed are stronger options to compare because they offer more advanced hospitality workflows and multi-site control.
Bottom line: the best bar EPOS system is the one that fits your service style, stock needs, payment volume, hardware setup and contract preferences.
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FAQs: bar EPOS systems What is the best EPOS system for bars in the UK?
The best EPOS system depends on your bar size and service style. Square is strong for small bars and low-cost setup, Lightspeed is good for busy bars and growing venues, Epos Now is useful for stock control, Clover offers all-in-one EPOS and payments, and Zonal is strong for pubs and larger hospitality venues.
How much does a bar EPOS system cost in the UK?
A bar EPOS system can cost from £0/month for basic POS software to £50–£150+ per month for more advanced hospitality software. Hardware, receipt printers, cash drawers, payment terminals, support and transaction fees can increase the total cost.
What is the cheapest EPOS system for a small bar?
Square, SumUp and PayPal POS are often good low-cost options for small bars, pop-ups and event bars. They work best when you need simple payments and basic reporting rather than advanced stock, tabs or multi-site tools.
Can bar EPOS systems manage tabs?
Yes. Many bar EPOS systems can manage open tabs, split bills, partial payments and table service. Check whether tab management is included in the plan you choose.
Can bar EPOS systems track stock?
Yes. Many bar EPOS systems can track drinks stock, monitor usage, identify best sellers and help reduce waste. More advanced stock control may require a paid plan or hospitality-specific system.
Do bar EPOS systems work offline?
Some bar EPOS systems offer limited offline functionality, but this varies by provider. Ask what happens to orders, tabs, card payments and reporting if your internet connection drops.
Do bars need integrated payments?
Integrated payments are useful because they connect card transactions directly to EPOS sales. This reduces rekeying, speeds up service and lowers the risk of payment mistakes.
What hardware does a bar EPOS system need?
A bar EPOS setup may include a till terminal, card reader, receipt printer, cash drawer, barcode scanner, kitchen or bar printer, customer display and handheld ordering devices.
Is Square good for bars?
Square can be a good option for small bars, taprooms, pop-ups and simple hospitality venues. Larger bars needing advanced stock, tabs and multi-site reporting may need a more specialist system.
Is Lightspeed good for bars?
Lightspeed can be a strong option for busy bars and hospitality venues that need better reporting, inventory, integrations and staff management.
Is PayPal POS the same as Zettle?
PayPal POS is the current name for what was previously known as Zettle by PayPal. PayPal says its POS is no longer called Zettle, though existing accounts continue to operate in the same way.
Should I compare bar EPOS quotes before choosing?
Yes. Bar EPOS costs vary depending on software, hardware, card fees, support, stock tools and contract terms. Comparing quotes helps you avoid overpaying and find the best fit for your venue.
Related EPOS Guides If you’re researching EPOS systems, the guides below cover costs, business types, providers, hardware and future trends in more detail.
EPOS costs & pricing
Understand how EPOS pricing works in the UK, including rental, software fees and hidden charges:
EPOS by business type
Different industries need very different EPOS features. These guides focus on sector-specific requirements:
EPOS hardware & technology
Learn how EPOS hardware, devices and system architecture affect performance and cost:
EPOS providers & software (full reviews)
Detailed, provider-specific reviews are covered separately to keep comparisons unbiased:
Integrations, data & advanced use
For businesses needing deeper integrations and reporting:
EPOS comparisons & future trends
Understand how EPOS systems are evolving and how to compare options fairly:
Compare EPOS systems Ready to narrow down your options?
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Hi, I’m Ally Cox , a senior copywriter and blogger at CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, the UK’s trusted platform for comparing business services.over a decade of experience in the B2B sector, I specialise in simplifying complex topics like leased lines, VoIP, business energy, HR and payroll solutions, accounting software, and EPOS systems .HR, copywriting, and business operations- from clocking-in systems to card machines and office technology .informed, confident decisions when choosing products and services that improve efficiency and save money.
