Running a café in 2026 means keeping up with much more than great coffee and friendly smiles. The way customers order and pay is changing quickly and the right point of sale solution can make all the difference. Choosing between the latest options might feel overwhelming with each one promising faster service or easier management. Some focus on making payments simple while others offer helpful reports and tools for staff. As cafés continue to adapt to trends and customer needs the search for a point of sale system that fits just right becomes even more important. What tools might help your café thrive next year
Table of Contents
EZEEPOS
At a Glance
EZEEPOS is the leading Android POS built specifically for cafés, bars, restaurants and fast-casual venues in the UK. It combines local installation and accredited UK support with a single, feature-complete platform that handles countertop sales, table service, kiosks, mobile catering and kitchen displays. In short: it is the obvious choice for operators who want a reliable, scalable system without tiered limitations.
Core Features
EZEEPOS integrates point-of-sale hardware (countertop terminals, handhelds, kiosks and kitchen screens) with a cloud-based back office for menus, inventory, sales reporting and staff management. It includes seamless integration with Teya card terminals, dynamic screens and promotion tools, and native support for multiple service styles such as counter, table, mobile and self-service.
Pros
- All features included in one subscription: every function is available without tier limitations, simplifying budgeting and roll-out.
- Local UK installation and support: accredited providers handle setup and troubleshooting, reducing downtime and travel delays.
- Unified multi-service support: the same platform manages countertop, table service, kiosks and mobile catering, avoiding fragmented systems.
- Easy staff training: a touch-friendly interface speeds induction and reduces order errors during busy shifts.
- Robust back-office reporting: cloud-based inventory and sales tools give clear day-to-day oversight and meaningful analytics.
Who It’s For
EZEEPOS suits hospitality businesses that need a robust, all-in-one POS with local support — from single-site cafés to multi-site chains wanting a consistent, scalable system across different service modes.
Unique Value Proposition
What sets EZEEPOS apart is its combination of complete feature access and UK-based, accredited installation and support. Sophisticated buyers favour it because it removes tier confusion, centralises hardware and software, and ensures fast, local service when problems arise. That mix of commercial clarity and hands-on local support is rare and highly valuable for busy venues.
Real World Use Case
A café chain uses EZEEPOS for countertop sales, table ordering and inventory control across several sites; local providers install hardware and train staff, cutting onboarding time and improving throughput during peak hours.
Pricing
Pricing varies by hardware and plan: Mobile (£89 upfront + £29/month), Tablet (£249 upfront + £45/month), Counter Top (£299 upfront + £45/month), Self-Service Kiosk (£1195 upfront + £45/month). Additional hardware costs apply.
Website: https://ezeepos.co.uk
Toast POS
At a Glance
Toast POS is a cloud-based restaurant point of sale platform that centralises order, payment and reporting workflows into one system. It suits cafés and restaurants that need reliable front-of-house order handling paired with back-office analytics. Powerful for decision-making, but it relies on a steady internet connection and can be relatively costly for very small operators. Overall: capable and comprehensive, but not the cheapest entry-level option.
Core Features
Toast provides an order management system, integrated payment processing, menu management, employee scheduling and reporting tools. These capabilities work together so you can take orders at the counter or table, accept contactless payments, update menus in real time and pull sales and labour reports to inform stock and staffing choices.
Pros
- Cloud-based access allows you to check sales and reports remotely from anywhere, which is handy when you aren’t on site.
- Brings multiple restaurant operations into a single platform, reducing the need for several disjointed systems.
- The interface is user-friendly, making it quicker to train new staff during busy shifts.
- Provides detailed analytics that help you make evidence-based decisions about menu changes and staffing.
- Supports contactless payments, meeting modern customer expectations for speed and hygiene.
Cons
- It requires a reliable internet connection to function effectively, so outages can disrupt service.
- It can be costly for small cafés, with pricing tailored to venue size and needs rather than a fixed low-cost tier.
- Some users report a learning curve for new staff, particularly when using advanced reporting and management features.
Who It’s For
Toast is best suited to café and restaurant owners who want an all-in-one system that grows with their business and provides robust reporting to optimise operations.
Unique Value Proposition
Toast combines front-of-house order handling with back-office analytics in a single cloud platform, simplifying operations and giving clearer insight into sales and labour performance.
Real World Use Case
A mid-sized café uses Toast to process orders, manage menus across shifts, schedule staff and analyse sales data to decide which morning pastries to promote.
Pricing
Pricing varies by restaurant size and specific requirements and is typically provided on request by Toast.
Website: https://pos.toasttab.com
eposnow POS System
At a Glance
eposnow POS System is a cloud-based till platform that suits small to medium retail and hospitality businesses needing real-time sales and stock visibility. It bundles inventory, staff and customer management with reporting tools to give a single view of operations. Accessible from any internet‑connected device, it speeds decision-making — but it does depend on a reliable connection.
Core Features
The system offers a cloud-based POS platform with inventory management, staff management, and customer relationship management (CRM). It includes reporting and analytics tools, multi-channel sales support and integrations with payment providers and other business tools. These components work together to centralise sales, stock levels and customer data so you can manage shifts, promotions and reorder points from anywhere.
Pros
- Accessible from any device: You can access sales and reports from a tablet, laptop or mobile as long as you have internet access.
- Real-time data updates: Stock and sales update instantly across devices, helping prevent stockouts during busy service.
- Comprehensive management tools: The platform combines inventory, staff rotas and CRM so you reduce the number of separate systems to manage.
- User-friendly interface: The till layout is straightforward, which reduces training time for new team members.
- Secure cloud storage: Data is stored remotely, lowering risk from local hardware failures.
Cons
- Dependent on internet connection for operation: If your venue has unreliable connectivity, tills may be disrupted.
- Pricing details not explicit on the website: You must request a quote, which makes quick price comparisons harder.
- Potential learning curve for new users: Some features require time to master before you get the full benefit.
Who It’s For
eposnow is best suited to UK cafés, small restaurants and retail outlets wanting a single cloud platform to manage sales, stock and staff without investing in complex, enterprise systems.
Unique Value Proposition
Its strength is a unified, cloud-first approach that brings sales, inventory and customer data together so you can make faster, data-driven decisions — ideal for busy café owners who need clarity across service and stock.
Real World Use Case
A boutique retail shop uses eposnow to track sales, monitor stock levels in real-time and analyse customer purchase patterns to inform reorders and promotions — reducing overstock and improving turnover.
Pricing
Pricing details are available upon request via the website’s contact form; you will need to contact eposnow for a tailored quote.
Website: https://eposnow.com
Square
At a Glance
Square is an all-in-one payments and business management platform that suits small to medium cafés seeking a single system for tills, inventory and customer engagement. It pairs flexible hardware with software for in-person and online payments, plus optional payroll and banking services where available. Transparent fee structures make costs clear, although small-ticket margins can be affected by transaction fees. Overall, it’s a versatile choice if you want a single supplier for payments, stock control and loyalty.
Core Features
Square lets you take payments both in person and online, manage inventory and orders, run marketing and loyalty programmes, and handle staff scheduling and payroll. It also offers financial services such as Square Banking and Square Capital in select regions, and provides developer APIs and third-party integrations to extend functionality.
Pros
- All-in-one platform integrating payments, business management and financial services makes day-to-day operations simpler for busy café teams.
- Flexible hardware options cater to counter service, mobile setups and compact tills, so you can match kit to your space.
- Industry-specific solutions and resources provide templates and tools relevant to hospitality and retail.
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees helps you forecast costs and compare margins more accurately.
- A strong ecosystem of developer APIs and third-party integrations means you can add specialised tools as you grow.
Cons
- Pricing varies and can be costly for small transactions, which may squeeze margins on low-value items.
- Some features require additional costs or subscriptions, so the platform can become more expensive as you add functionality.
- Certain financial services are limited by region, so banking and loan options may not be available for every UK operator.
Who It’s For
Square is aimed at small to medium-sized cafés and coffee shops that want an integrated solution for payments, inventory and customer loyalty, with the option to add payroll or banking as needed.
Unique Value Proposition
Square’s strength is its breadth: hardware, payments, management tools and financial services in one ecosystem, reducing the friction of dealing with multiple suppliers.
Real World Use Case
A local coffee shop uses Square Register to process in-person sales, track stock levels, run targeted marketing campaigns and reward repeat customers through loyalty programmes.
Pricing
No fixed monthly fee for basic payment processing; hardware prices vary; subscription plans for advanced features such as payroll and marketing are available.
Website: https://squareup.com
YUMA POS
At a Glance
YUMA POS is a cloud-based EPOS designed for hospitality venues that want an integrated toolset for orders, inventory, loyalty and online sales. It combines front-of-house EPOS with back-office management and mobile ordering, so you can run several service modes from one platform. It’s comprehensive and scalable, but the breadth of features may be more than a micro café needs. Consider it if you plan to expand or run multiple sites.
Core Features
YUMA POS brings together EPOS and back-office management, online ordering and a mobile app, loyalty programmes and marketing campaigns, inventory control, multi-location management, split bills and varied payment options, food and inventory analytics, self-service kiosks and digital queue systems, plus hardware integration and ready-to-go bundles. In short: front-end sales, customer engagement and stock control live in one cloud platform.
Pros
- All-in-one approach: You get POS, online ordering, loyalty and inventory in a single platform, reducing the need for multiple vendors.
- Cloud-based access: Remote access and regular updates mean you can manage operations and view reports from anywhere.
- Multi-location support: The system is structured to handle several sites, which simplifies roll-out for small chains.
- Flexible hardware options: Ready-made hardware bundles and integrations mean quicker set-up on site.
- Support and training included: Comprehensive onboarding reduces the burden on your team during implementation.
Cons
- Opaque pricing: Full pricing requires enquiry, which means extra time to get clarity before committing.
- Feature overload for very small cafés: The platform’s scope could overwhelm operators seeking a simple till.
- Cloud dependency: Core cloud features rely on internet connectivity, so outages can disrupt some functions.
Who It’s For
YUMA POS suits hospitality businesses aiming to scale or operate multiple locations, including cafés that want integrated online ordering and loyalty without stitching systems together.
Unique Value Proposition
It promises a single, cloud-managed ecosystem that covers sales, customer engagement and stock control, cutting integration friction for expanding hospitality operators.
Real World Use Case
A small restaurant chain could use YUMA POS to centralise orders, manage inventory across sites, run loyalty campaigns and deploy kiosks at busier venues, keeping reporting unified.
Pricing
Monthly plans start from £35 per month for one licence, with additional licences at £10 each; there are also USD options — $65 per month for one licence and $20 for additional licences.
Website: https://yumapos.com
3S POS
At a Glance
3S POS is a seasoned EPOS provider with over 20 years supporting hospitality and retail. It bundles tills, kiosks, online ordering and kitchen displays into a single, omni‑channel platform backed by 24/7 support — useful if you need a single supplier to grow with you. It can feel feature‑heavy for a tiny café, but for multi‑site operators it offers genuine scale and integration depth.
Core Features
3S POS delivers EPOS till systems for in‑store point of sale alongside QR code ordering, an online ordering system, handheld ordering terminals, self‑service kiosks, kitchen display systems, an all‑in‑one restaurant app and its payment service, 3S PAY. The suite is designed to cover sales, order flow and customer touchpoints while centralising reporting and integrations.
Pros
- Extensive industry experience: Over 20 years in hospitality EPOS means solutions have been refined against real‑world challenges.
- Omni‑channel breadth: The platform covers tills, kiosks, handhelds, online and kitchen systems so you can consolidate vendors.
- Sector versatility: It supports cafés, restaurants, bars, bakeries and catering, which simplifies rollout across mixed sites.
- Robust support offering: 24/7 customer service reduces downtime risk during busy shifts.
- Strong integrations: The system connects with multiple platforms and services to streamline payments, delivery and reporting.
Cons
- Pricing not transparent: Specific costs are not published, so budgets require a demo and bespoke quote.
- Can overwhelm smaller operators: The extensive product range may be more than a small, single‑site café needs and add unnecessary complexity.
Who It’s For
3S POS suits hospitality operators who plan to scale or already run multiple sites and need an integrated EPOS stack with localised support. If you run a busy café and expect growth, the platform gives room to expand without swapping systems.
Unique Value Proposition
A single vendor for tills, online ordering, kiosks and kitchen displays plus 24/7 support — making 3S POS a one‑stop solution for operators wanting cohesion across front and back of house.
Real World Use Case
A restaurant chain unifies sales across sites with 3S POS tills, adds online and table ordering for convenience, and uses consolidated reporting to spot menu and staffing trends.
Pricing
Not specified on the website; interested customers are encouraged to request a demo for customised pricing details.
Website: https://3s-pos.com
Lightspeed POS & Payments Platform
At a Glance
Lightspeed is a unified POS and payments platform built to power in-person commerce across retail, restaurant and golf sectors. It is highly customisable and scales from single sites to multi-location operations, with strong onboarding and round-the-clock support. For cafés, it offers the core tools to speed up service, track inventory and link online and in-store sales, though getting the most from its richer features can require training.
Core Features
Lightspeed combines point of sale and payments with industry-specific templates, inventory management, order fulfilment and e-commerce integration. It includes customer management and loyalty programmes, data analytics with real-time reporting, API access for bespoke integrations, multi-location oversight and hardware support for varied retail setups, backed by 24/7 customer support and professional onboarding.
Pros
- Comprehensive industry-specific solutions mean you get templates and workflows tailored to hospitality and retail without starting from scratch.
- Scalability makes it suitable whether you run a single neighbourhood café or a small local chain.
- Robust reporting and analytics let you analyse sales trends and stock movement in real time to reduce waste and optimise menus.
- Strong support and professional onboarding help teams get live quickly, which is vital in busy service environments.
- Extensive integrations and hardware options provide flexibility to match your counter, tablet or kiosk setup.
Cons
- Pricing can vary and may be expensive for small businesses, especially once hardware and add-ons are factored in.
- The breadth of features adds complexity, so full utilisation often requires time and training.
- Some users report a learning curve with platform customisation, which can slow initial roll-out.
Who It’s For
Lightspeed suits cafés that expect growth or operate multiple sites and need a unified system to manage sales, inventory and customer loyalty. If you value deep reporting and localised onboarding, this platform is a sensible fit.
Unique Value Proposition
Its strength is a single, integrated ecosystem for in-person and online commerce with industry-specific functionality and end-to-end support, reducing the number of separate tools you must manage.
Real World Use Case
A multi-site coffee chain uses Lightspeed to centralise inventory control, process payments at busy counters and analyse customer purchase patterns to optimise opening hours and staffing.
Pricing
Subscription plans start from EUR 99 per month for Basic, EUR 149 per month for Core, and EUR 229 per month for Plus, with additional costs for hardware, integrations and advanced features.
Website: https://lightspeedhq.com
Point of Sale Systems for Cafés and Restaurants – Comparative Overview
The following table presents a detailed comparison of six different point of sale (POS) systems tailored for hospitality businesses, summarizing features, pros, cons, target audiences, and pricing to help operators make an informed choice.
| POS System | Core Features | Pros | Cons | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EZEEPOS | Comprehensive POS support for various service styles, localized UK assistance | All-inclusive subscription, robust reporting | Costs can vary based on hardware needs | Innovative payment solutions, varied upfront and subscription prices |
| Toast POS | Order and inventory management, cloud-based access | Detailed analytics, integrated operations | Internet dependency, smaller operators face cost challenges | Custom pricing based on business size |
| eposnow | Cloud-based POS, real-time updates | Accessible from any device, user-friendly | Pricing details not transparent, requires a strong internet connection | Pricing provided upon request |
| Square | Integrated payments and business management | Transparent pricing, hardware versatility | Fees for small transactions, limited region-specific features | Basic processing with additional plans for features |
| YUMA POS | All-in-one platform for loyalty, inventory, and mobile ordering | Multi-location capabilities, included training | Feature overload for small cafés, unclear pricing | Starts at £35/month with additional licensing fees |
| 3S POS | Omni-channel support, extensive integrations | Reliable support, scalable for multi-site operations | High complexity for small businesses | Custom pricing available upon inquiry |
| Lightspeed POS | Unified POS for sales and e-commerce | Strong analytics, tailored solutions | Requires onboarding and training for advanced use | Subscriptions from EUR 99/month with extras |
This table serves as a concise overview of the choices, assisting business owners in identifying the most suitable POS system for their unique requirements.
Unlock Seamless Café Operations with EZEEPOS
Choosing the right point-of-sale system is crucial for cafés aiming to streamline service while managing inventory and staff effortlessly. The article highlights common challenges such as unreliable internet dependencies, tiered pricing confusion and the need for multi-service support that cover everything from counter sales to mobile catering. EZEEPOS addresses these pain points with a local UK-supported Android-based platform that includes every feature without limitations, simplifying budgeting and training for busy hospitality teams.
By integrating hardware like countertops, kiosks and handheld devices with a cloud-based back office, EZEEPOS empowers cafés to operate smoothly across table ordering, self-service and fast casual environments. Its accredited local installation ensures rapid support to reduce downtime and keep service flowing during peak hours. Explore how our tailored solutions can transform your business by visiting EZEEPOS main site and learn about our compatible EFT terminals that work seamlessly within the ecosystem.
Ready to upgrade to a reliable, all-inclusive point-of-sale system built specifically for UK cafés? Discover why operators trust EZEEPOS for scalable, user-friendly hospitality technology. Visit our retail solutions page or go straight to EZEEPOS.co.uk and take the next step towards simplifying your operations today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a Point of Sale solution for my café?
A good Point of Sale solution should offer easy inventory management, robust sales reporting, and seamless integration with payment systems. Evaluate solutions based on user interface, customer support, and scalability to ensure they meet your café’s needs as you grow.
How can a Point of Sale system help improve my café’s efficiency?
A well-implemented Point of Sale system can streamline order taking, reduce wait times, and enhance inventory tracking. Focus on systems that allow quick access to sales reports and customer data, enabling you to make informed decisions within days of implementation.
Are there specific features that all café Point of Sale systems should have?
Key features to look for include multi-service support for counter and table service, mobile ordering capabilities, and integrated payment processing. Ensure the solution you choose also provides detailed analytics to track sales performance and customer preferences over time.
How much should I expect to pay for a Point of Sale system in 2026?
Costs for Point of Sale systems can vary widely based on features and hardware needs. Prepare for initial setup fees along with ongoing monthly subscriptions, which might range from £30 to £250 depending on the functionalities required for your café.
How long does it typically take to set up a new Point of Sale system?
Setting up a new Point of Sale system can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the complexity and the café’s size. Plan for around 30–60 days for training staff and integrating the system into your operations smoothly.
Can a Point of Sale system track customer loyalty and preferences?
Yes, many modern Point of Sale systems include built-in loyalty program features and customer relationship management tools. Identify systems that allow you to collect and analyse customer data to tailor promotions and improve engagement effectively.
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