Pub EPOS Systems in the UK 2026: Best Providers, Features, Costs & Buying Guide Quick answer
The best pub EPOS system in the UK depends on whether you run a wet-led pub, food-led pub, gastropub, sports bar, hotel pub or multi-site pub group.
For smaller pubs and independent venues, Square, SumUp, PayPal POS and Clover are good options to compare because they are relatively simple to set up and can support fast payments, basic reporting and straightforward till use.
For busier pubs, food-led venues and growing hospitality businesses, Epos Now, Lightspeed, TouchBistro, Zonal and Tevalis are stronger options because they can support table management, bar tabs, split bills, kitchen printing, stock control, staff permissions, reporting and multi-site visibility.
Best overall for low-cost pub EPOS: Square
Best for small pubs and simple payments: SumUp
Best for PayPal-linked payments: PayPal POS, formerly Zettle
Best for all-in-one EPOS and payments: Clover
Best for pub stock control: Epos Now
Best for busy food-led pubs: Lightspeed
Best for table-service pubs: TouchBistro
Best for pub groups and larger hospitality venues: Zonal
Best for larger multi-site hospitality: Tevalis
Pub 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, kitchen printers, 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 UK pricing starts from £79/month for the first terminal.
Compare pub EPOS quotes to find the best system for your venue, budget and service style.
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Contents
Pub Epos Systems Providers in the UK
Why EPOS Systems Are Useful for Pubs
How much does a pub EPOS system cost in the UK?
Best pub EPOS by budget
Best pub EPOS by feature
Key Features to Look for in a Pub EPOS System
How EPOS Systems Benefit Staff and Patrons
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
Pub EPOS systems need to support fast bar service, tabs, payments, stock and staff controls.
Small pubs may only need a simple POS app, card reader, cash drawer and basic reporting.
Food-led pubs should prioritise kitchen printing, table management, split bills and menu controls.
Wet-led pubs should prioritise speed, tabs, staff logins, drink stock control and payment reliability.
Multi-site pub groups need central reporting, permissions, stock visibility and strong support.
Card transaction fees can matter more than monthly software fees for busy pubs.
Compare the full cost of software, hardware, payment fees, installation, support and contract terms before choosing.
Best pub EPOS systems: quick comparison
EPOS provider Best for Typical pub fit Pricing style Main strengths
Square
Low-cost setup
Small pubs, taprooms, simple food venues
Free plan; paid restaurant plan available
Simple setup, payments, basic hospitality tools
SumUp Simple payments
Small pubs, event bars, pop-up bars
Low-cost hardware plus fees
Easy payments and low upfront cost
PayPal POS PayPal-linked payments
Small pubs, pop-ups, mobile sellers
Card reader/app-based setup
PayPal connection and simple POS tools
Clover All-in-one EPOS and payments
Pubs, cafés, small restaurants
Hardware and payment package
Till, payments, apps and staff tools
Epos Now
Pub stock and hospitality SMEs
Independent pubs, food-led pubs, small groups
Hardware/software packages
Stock control, reporting, payments, integrations
Lightspeed
Busy food-led pubs
Pubs, restaurants, hospitality groups
From £79/month for first terminal
Reporting, inventory, table service, integrations
TouchBistro
Table-service pubs
Gastropubs and food-led venues
Subscription/quote-based
Tables, tabs, menus and staff workflows
Zonal Pub groups and established venues
Pubs, bars, hotels and multi-site operators
Quote-based
Hospitality ecosystem, stock, bookings, loyalty
Tevalis Larger hospitality groups
Multi-site pubs, hotels, venues
Quote-based
Advanced hospitality EPOS and integrations
pointOne
Premium hospitality operations
Larger pub groups and venue operators
Custom pricing
Scalable hospitality platform and reporting
Which pub EPOS system is best for your venue?
Pub type Best providers to compare What to prioritise
Small independent pub
Square, SumUp, Clover, PayPal POS
Low setup cost, fast payments, simple reports
Wet-led pub
Epos Now, Lightspeed, Clover, Zonal
Speed, tabs, stock, staff permissions
Food-led pub
Lightspeed, TouchBistro, Epos Now, Zonal
Kitchen printing, table management, split bills
Gastropub
Lightspeed, TouchBistro, Zonal, Tevalis
Table service, course timing, stock, reporting
Sports pub
Zonal, Epos Now, Lightspeed, Clover
High-volume orders, staff logins, fast payments
Hotel pub
Zonal, Lightspeed, Tevalis, Epos Now
Room/venue integration, table service, reporting
Pub with events
Clover, Lightspeed, Epos Now, Square
Flexible tills, tabs, ticket/event sales
Multi-site pub group
Zonal, Tevalis, Lightspeed, Epos Now
Central reporting, permissions, stock, support
Mobile/event bar
SumUp, Square, PayPal POS
Portable payments and simple setup
Why EPOS Systems Are Useful for Pubs Pubs are fast-paced environments where quick service and accurate order processing are essential to a smooth customer experience. We think that these are some of the key benefits:
EPOS systems help speed up the ordering and payment process by allowing your staff to take orders directly from patrons or via mobile devices. With an EPOS system, your orders are automatically sent to the kitchen or bar , which minimises the risk of errors and ensures smooth communication between front-of-house and back-of-house staff. EPOS systems can track stock levels in real-time, helping you keep tabs on popular items and ensuring you don’t run out of key products during busy periods. Detailed reporting features allow you to monitor sales trends, track peak times, and understand which items are performing best (or worst!) You can accept a wide range of payment methods.
How much does a pub EPOS system cost in the UK? Pub 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:
Pub 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 pub/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 for Restaurants provides a useful low-cost benchmark because it has a free plan and a Plus plan at £69/month per location. Lightspeed Restaurant says its UK plans begin at £79/month for the first terminal.
What affects pub 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
Drink stock control
Stock tools help track alcohol, mixers, wastage and best sellers
Staff accounts
Larger teams may need permissions, logins and performance reports
Tabs and table service
Hospitality 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 pubs
Contract length
Check minimum term, renewal rules and cancellation fees
Transaction fees
These can outweigh monthly software fees for high-turnover venues
What is a pub EPOS system? A pub EPOS system is an electronic point-of-sale system designed to help pubs, bars and hospitality venues manage orders, sales, payments, staff, stock and reporting.
Unlike a basic cash register or standalone card machine, a pub EPOS system can help manage:
drink orders
food orders
open tabs
split bills
table service
staff logins
discounts and promotions
happy hour pricing
stock control
card payments
cash payments
receipts
refunds
sales reports
peak-time performance
kitchen or bar printing
multi-site reporting
For a small wet-led pub, a simple till and payment setup may be enough. For a busy food-led pub or pub group, a more advanced hospitality EPOS system is usually better.
Key Features to Look for in a Pub EPOS System
Feature
Fast checkout
Helps reduce queues during peak trading
Bar tabs
Lets staff open, manage and close customer tabs accurately
Split bills
Useful for groups, diners and table-service pubs
Table management
Important for food-led pubs and gastropubs
Staff logins
Tracks sales, refunds, discounts and performance by employee
Integrated payments
Reduces mistakes between the till and card terminal
Drink stock control
Helps monitor beer, wine, spirits, mixers and wastage
Low-stock alerts
Helps avoid running out of best-selling drinks or food items
Product modifiers
Useful for food, mixers, meal changes and custom orders
Happy hour/promotions
Supports timed pricing, offers and events
Cash drawer support
Useful if your pub still accepts cash
Kitchen/bar printing
Routes food or drink orders to the correct prep area
Reporting
Shows sales trends, peak times and staff performance
Multi-site tools
Useful for pub groups and hospitality operators
Offline mode
Helps keep trading if internet drops
Accounting integrations
Reduces bookkeeping admin
How EPOS Systems Benefit Staff and Patrons Implementing an EPOS system in your pub doesn’t just benefit your bottom line—it also improves the experience for both staff and patrons:
For staff: An EPOS system simplifies the order-taking process, reduces errors, and allows staff to focus on delivering excellent service. With mobile POS options, staff can spend more time interacting with patrons and less time running back and forth between the bar and kitchen.
Bonus : the ability to track sales and performance in real-time helps staff stay organised and accountable.
For patrons: EPOS systems enhance the overall customer experience by speeding up service, reducing wait times, and offering multiple payment options. Features like loyalty programs and personalised offers help foster customer retention.
Best pub 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 pubs, 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 pubs
Quote-based
Zonal, Tevalis, pointOne, larger hospitality packages
More tailored but needs careful comparison
Best pub EPOS by budget
Feature you need
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
Drink 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
Food-led pub EPOS
Lightspeed, TouchBistro, Epos Now, Zonal
Mobile/event bar payments
SumUp, Square, PayPal POS
Loyalty and customer tools
Square, Lightspeed, Zonal, Clover
Accounting integrations
Epos Now, Lightspeed, Clover, Zonal
Why trust our pub EPOS reviews? At Compare Your Business Costs, we review EPOS systems from a UK small business and hospitality buyer’s perspective.
That means we focus on:
who each system is best for
who should compare alternatives
likely pricing and contract considerations
card processing fees
pub-specific features
stock and staff management
hardware and support requirements
alternatives worth comparing
We do not recommend choosing a pub 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 pubs?
For small pubs, taprooms, event bars and simple wet-led venues, Square, SumUp and PayPal POS are good options to compare first because they are simple, low-commitment and payment-friendly.
For busier pubs and food-led venues, Lightspeed, Epos Now, Clover and TouchBistro are usually stronger because they offer better tabs, stock, staff tools, kitchen workflows and reporting.
For larger pubs, pub groups and hospitality operators, Zonal, Tevalis and Lightspeed are stronger options to compare because they offer more advanced hospitality workflows and multi-site control.
Bottom line: t
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FAQs: pub EPOS systems What is the best EPOS system for pubs in the UK?
The best EPOS system depends on your pub type. Square is strong for small pubs and low-cost setup, Epos Now is useful for pub stock control, Lightspeed suits busy food-led pubs, TouchBistro can work for table-service pubs, and Zonal is strong for pub groups and larger hospitality venues.
How much does a pub EPOS system cost in the UK?
A pub 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, kitchen printers, support and transaction fees can increase the total cost.
What is the cheapest EPOS system for a small pub?
Square, SumUp and PayPal POS are often good low-cost options for small pubs, taprooms and event bars. They work best when you need simple payments and basic reporting rather than advanced stock, tabs or multi-site tools.
Can pub EPOS systems manage tabs?
Yes. Many pub 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 pub EPOS systems track drink stock?
Yes. Many pub 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 pub EPOS systems support food orders?
Yes. Food-led pub EPOS systems can support kitchen printing, table management, split bills, modifiers and reporting. If food is a major part of your business, compare hospitality-focused providers such as Lightspeed, Epos Now, TouchBistro and Zonal.
Do pub EPOS systems work offline?
Some pub 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 pubs 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 pub EPOS system need?
A pub EPOS setup may include a till terminal, card reader, receipt printer, cash drawer, kitchen or bar printer, customer display and handheld ordering devices.
Is Square good for pubs?
Square can be a good option for small pubs, taprooms and simple hospitality venues. Larger pubs needing advanced stock, tabs, kitchen workflows and multi-site reporting may need a more specialist system.
Is Lightspeed good for pubs?
Lightspeed can be a strong option for busy food-led pubs and hospitality venues that need better reporting, inventory, integrations, staff controls and table service.
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 pub EPOS quotes before choosing?
Yes. Pub 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:
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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.
