Best Free EPOS Software in the UK (2026): Top Options, Pros, Cons & Hidden Costs Quick answer
Free EPOS software can be a good starting point for new businesses, pop-ups, market traders and small shops that only need basic sales tracking, payments and simple inventory tools.
However, “free EPOS” does not usually mean free to run. Most free EPOS systems make money through card transaction fees, paid hardware, premium add-ons, limited support, advanced reporting upgrades or payment processing fees.
If your business is busy, has staff, manages stock, runs a restaurant, needs table management, uses barcode scanning or wants proper reporting, a paid EPOS system can be better value than a free one.
Compare EPOS systems today and see whether a free or paid EPOS setup is best for your business.
Need a proper EPOS system for your business? Free EPOS software can work for very small setups, but if you need stock control, payments, reporting, table management, bookings or support, compare paid EPOS quotes u sing out EPOS caculator.
Contents
Best Free EPOS Software Options
Best Free EPOS Software Providers
Free EPOS Software Considerations
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: July 2026
Free EPOS software at a glance
Best for Not best for
Start-ups testing a new business idea
Market stalls and pop-ups
Very small shops
Businesses needing advanced stock control
Mobile traders
Businesses with lots of staff permissions
Low-volume sellers
Hospitality businesses needing table plans
Businesses happy to use basic reports
Companies needing phone support or SLAs
Businesses wanting no monthly software fee
Growing businesses that need integrations
Key Takeaways
Free EPOS software is best for start-ups, small businesses and low-volume sellers.
Most free EPOS systems still charge card transaction fees.
You may still need to pay for hardware, card readers, receipt printers, barcode scanners or cash drawers.
Free EPOS systems often limit reporting, integrations, staff permissions and support.
Square, Loyverse, SumUp and PayPal Zettle are some of the most popular low-cost or free EPOS options in the UK.
Free EPOS software may not be suitable for busy restaurants, retail stores, bars, pubs, pharmacies or multi-location businesses.
A paid EPOS system can be better value if it saves time, reduces mistakes or gives you better stock and sales data.
The best option depends on your business type, sales volume, hardware needs and growth plans.Not sure whether free EPOS is enough? Compare EPOS quotes based on your business type.
What Is Free EPOS Software? Free EPOS software is point-of-sale software that lets your business process sales and manage basic operations without paying a monthly software subscription.
Most free EPOS systems run on a tablet, smartphone or basic card terminal.
They can help you:
Take payments
Track sales
Manage basic products
Record simple stock levels
Send receipts
View basic reports
Add products and categories
Manage simple customer records
Connect to a card reader
For very small businesses, this can be enough.
For busier businesses, free EPOS software can become limiting quite quickly.
Is free EPOS software really free?
Free EPOS software can be free in the sense that there is no monthly software fee.
But that does not mean there are no costs.
You could likely still pay for:
Card transaction fees
Card reader hardware
EPOS terminals
Tablets or iPads
Receipt printers
Cash drawers
Barcode scanners
Kitchen printers
Paid add-ons
Premium support
Advanced reporting
Staff management
Multi-location features
Integrations with accounting software
Online ordering or ecommerce tools
So, the better question is not:
Is this EPOS free?
It is:
What will this EPOS system actually cost once I start using it properly?
Best Free EPOS Software options in the UK Square POS -Best all-round free EPOS for retail & hospitality
Loyverse POS
SumUp POS – Simple setup with upgrade options as you grow
PayPal – Best for PayPal users and mobile payments
Open-Source EPOS (like Floreant , Openbravo , Chromis ) – More control, but requires technical setup and support
Best Free EPOS Software Providers
Provider Best for What is free? Main costs to check Best fit
Square
Small businesses wanting simple POS and payments
POS software with no monthly fee
Transaction fees, hardware, add-ons
Retail, cafés, pop-ups, mobile sellers
Loyverse
Small retailers and cafés wanting free POS features
Basic POS features
Paid add-ons, integrations, hardware, payment provider costs
Small shops, cafés, grocery, markets
SumUp
Businesses wanting simple payments and upgrade options
Basic payment/POS tools vary by product
Hardware, transaction fees, paid POS Pro
Small sellers, hospitality, growing businesses
PayPal
PayPal users and mobile sellers
POS app with no monthly software fee
Transaction fees, card reader, terminal hardware
Mobile sellers, small shops, events
Open-source EPOS
Technical users wanting control
Software licence may be free
Setup, hosting, support, maintenance, hardware
Free EPOS software pros and cons
Pros Cons
No monthly software fee on basic plans
Transaction fees still apply
Good for start-ups and low-volume sellers
Hardware can still cost money
Easy to test before committing
Advanced features are often paid
Useful for pop-ups and mobile businesses
Can run on smartphones or tablets
Reporting is usually basic
Lower upfront commitment
Simple enough for small teams
Integrations may be limited
Good way to start taking payments quickly
Can become expensive if transaction fees are high
FAQs Is EPOS software really free?
Some EPOS software is free in the sense that there is no monthly software fee. However, you may still pay transaction fees, hardware costs, paid add-ons, support fees or integration costs.
What is the best free EPOS software in the UK?
Square and Loyverse are two of the most popular free EPOS options for UK small businesses. Square is often best for simple payments and sales tracking, while Loyverse can be useful for small retailers and cafés wanting inventory and loyalty tools.
Is free EPOS suitable for a restaurant?
Free EPOS is usually not the best choice for a busy restaurant. Restaurants often need table plans, kitchen printing, modifiers, staff permissions, split bills and stronger support, which are usually found in paid EPOS systems.
Is free EPOS suitable for retail?
Free EPOS can work for very small retailers with simple stock needs. Retailers with lots of products, barcode scanning, supplier management or multiple locations usually need a paid EPOS system.
Does free EPOS include card payments?
Many free EPOS systems connect to card payments, but transaction fees usually apply. You should compare the payment processing costs before choosing.
What are the hidden costs of free EPOS?
The main hidden costs are transaction fees, hardware, paid add-ons, premium support, integrations, reporting upgrades and the time spent managing a limited system.
Can free EPOS handle inventory management?
Most free EPOS systems include basic inventory tools. Advanced stock control, supplier management, forecasting, multi-location inventory and barcode tools often require paid upgrades.
Does free EPOS include customer support?
Free EPOS systems usually include limited support, such as help centres, email or chat. Phone support and priority support are often reserved for paid plans.
Is Square POS free?
Square POS has a free basic software plan with no monthly software fee, but businesses pay transaction fees when taking payments.
Is Loyverse POS free?
Loyverse offers free basic POS features, with paid add-ons available for businesses that need more advanced tools.
Is SumUp POS free?
SumUp offers simple payment and POS tools, but more advanced POS products such as SumUp POS Pro have a monthly fee.
Is PayPal Zettle free?
PayPal Zettle’s basic POS app does not usually have a monthly software fee, but card transaction fees and hardware costs apply.
When should I upgrade from free EPOS software?
You should upgrade when your business needs better reporting, stronger stock control, staff permissions, integrations, phone support, table management, kitchen printing or lower effective payment costs.
Is paid EPOS better than free EPOS?
Paid EPOS is usually better for busy, growing or complex businesses. Free EPOS can be enough for start-ups, pop-ups and low-volume sellers.
How do I compare free and paid EPOS systems?
The easiest way is to compare systems based on your business type, sales volume, hardware needs, staff setup, stock requirements, payment costs and growth plans.
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:
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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.
