Epos Now Review and Pricing

Why We Chose Epos Now for Integrations

When we researched and tested Epos Now, we found it to be one of the most comprehensive and integrative POS systems on the market. The software is feature-rich but can integrate with hundreds of third-party applications, which helps businesses streamline critical functions. In contrast, many other POS solutions we analyzed offer integrations with only about 50 to 70 other applications.

Epos Now’s integration capabilities stand out significantly in a competitive market where Square dominates with 27.97 percent market share and Toast follows with 24.40 percent, according to 6sense data. While these leading platforms focus primarily on their core functionalities, Epos Now differentiates itself through its exceptional third-party integration ecosystem, making it particularly valuable for businesses requiring extensive software connectivity.

We love that Epos Now integrates with third-party payment processors, particularly since many of its competitors require you to use their in-house processors. This robust payment processing integration is ideal for those who want the freedom to choose a payment processor that best suits their needs. We also appreciate Epos Now’s hardware flexibility. Unlike with some rival vendors, you can purchase hardware separately or as a bundle. While Epos Now works well for the retail and hospitality industries, many other sectors will also find this POS platform a versatile option.

Ease of Use

We like that Epos Now offers flexible POS systems for retail (apparel stores, convenience stores, electronic stores, gift shops, vape stores, liquor stores, etc.) and hospitality businesses (restaurants, bars, cafes, quick service, bakeries, etc.). This means business owners can rest assured they’re getting features relevant to their industry, simplifying operations and making the solutions easier to implement.

We found Epos Now’s usability to be competitive with other POS systems. It was easy for us to learn how to use the software, though there can be a small learning curve depending on your chosen integrations. Unlike rival systems with more complicated interfaces, Epos Now is ideal for companies that want to get things up and running quickly or train new staff with a short ramp-up period. We like that you can set permissions and add modifications to the software so your staff gets the best and most user-friendly experience possible.

The growing POS market, which Fortune Business Insights projects will reach $110.22 billion by 2032 with a 16.1 percent compound annual growth rate, increasingly favors user-friendly solutions that minimize training time and implementation complexity. Epos Now maintains that most businesses can train their employees to use the system in just 15 minutes, which positions it favorably against competitors like Toast and Lightspeed, which typically require more extensive onboarding processes for their feature-rich platforms.

Features

Top POS providers go to great lengths to offer an array of valuable POS features at an affordable price. Epos Now delivers on both fronts. Here’s a look at the features that make this solution appealing for companies prioritizing integrations alongside traditional point-of-sale functionality.

Third-Party Integrations

Epos Now shines against the competition when it comes to third-party software integrations. With over 100 options, this system is compatible with more third-party applications than many other POS systems we reviewed. Integration capabilities are essential for customizing your POS system to meet your business’s unique needs and grow efficiently. We were pleased to discover how well Epos Now delivers on this front.

According to Fortune Business Insight research, business owners — especially those in the retail and restaurant industries — are increasingly seeking cloud-based, AI-driven POS solutions. Epos Now’s extensive integration library addresses this trend by enabling businesses to connect with specialized tools that use cutting-edge AI technology for inventory management, accounting, marketing and customer relationship management.

Some popular integrations Epos Now supports include: 

• QuickBooks
• Xero
• Sage Business Cloud Accounting
• Mailchimp
• Shopify
• WooCommerce
• BigCommerce
• Workforce.com
• Uber Eats
• Doordash 

The vendor also offers in-house integrations like Epos Now Delivery and Epos Now Order and Pay, which are useful for food and beverage establishments. We especially like that APIs are available to add custom integrations to the system, while thousands more are possible via Zapier. As a result, you can extensively expand your POS system’s functionality. 

Third-Party Payment Processing

While many of the other POS providers we reviewed require you to use their internal payment processing systems, Epos Now gives you the flexibility to partner with a third-party provider if you don’t want to use its Epos Now Payments option. Epos Now integrates with major payment providers, including EVO Payments and International Bancard, so you can choose one that’s right for you and negotiate your processing rate. 

We like this aspect of Epos Now because customers benefit from increased convenience, flexible payment options and a streamlined transaction process. When you’re locked into an in-house payment processor, those advantages sometimes aren’t available. Before deciding whether to use Epos Now’s payment processor or a third-party solution, thoroughly understand how payment processing works and the associated fees.

Reporting and Analytics

When we tested Epos Now, we liked that the dashboard gives you a real-time sales overview and lets you run essential POS reports on the spot. We appreciate that you can customize reports to display the information that matters most, such as top-performing products, employees who ring up the most sales or the customers who spend the most. You can display transactions by day, hour, week or month and pinpoint the products and brands with the best profit margins. You can also export these reports into your accounting software for a clearer picture of your business’s financial health.

Customer Management and Loyalty Programs

Epos Now has a built-in customer management system comparable to other POS platforms we reviewed. It lets you amass information about your customers and personalize loyalty programs, which is crucial for both steady revenue and growing your top line. With marketing integrations like Mailchimp, you have access to tools that will help you attract customers to your restaurant or retail store.

When testing the software, we noticed an especially nice customer management feature: Users can add a points element to customer profiles. As customers earn points over time, they can use them to pay for products or services. This is an innovative way of operating a customer rewards program.

Epos Now’s additional customer loyalty integrations add versatility, again demonstrating how you can customize the solution to do more without having to pay for a fancy setup. We also liked that the software sends customer invoices, which you manage on the system’s back end.

Inventory Management

Epos Now’s inventory management tools are on par with the industry standard. The software lets you track inventory, automate the ordering process and receive control alerts when stock is getting low. These functions prevent you from running out of hot-selling items, no matter how many stores or restaurants you operate. We liked that you can manage everything from the same platform even if you have multiple locations.

For food and beverage businesses, Epos Now offers competitive restaurant inventory management features like real-time floor plan management, time-at-table tracking and integrations with major restaurant management system apps. When testing the software, we also noticed an impressive kitchen management tool. The kitchen display software lets kitchen staff control orders digitally instead of using printed tickets. This is great for reducing paper costs, managing cook times and increasing restaurant profits.

Pricing

Epos Now offers retail- and hospitality-centric POS systems with varying plans and costs. According to a RestaurantOwner.com survey, the average upfront cost for restaurant POS systems has decreased from over $13,000 in 2017 to nearly $9,300 in recent years, though monthly costs have risen to around $380. Epos Now’s pricing structure offers competitive alternatives to these industry averages.

While there is limited pricing information on the Epos Now website, here’s a look at the vendor’s POS charges and fees based on our research:

Additional costs

• Care and Support Plan: $59/month (required for discounted hardware subscription plan)
• Payment processing: 2.6% + 10 cents per transaction (if using Epos Now Payments)
• Custom payment processing rates available for larger businesses

Epos Now plans include installation, configuration and training assistance, which is valuable for those who need to get their POS system up and running quickly. Contracts typically range from one to five years, suitable for businesses in various growth and maturity phases.

Interested businesses should expect to speak with Epos Now’s sales team to confirm pricing and move forward; this may be a turnoff for business owners with limited time for the buying process. If you prefer a vendor with transparent online pricing and more plan options, check out our review of Clover and our Lightspeed review.

Implementation and Onboarding

The Epos Now implementation process is relatively quick once you determine which software and hardware combination works best. First, you’ll need to set up the software to match your company’s needs. For example, if you own a restaurant, you’ll want to add your food items to the program’s inventory and create a floor plan that mimics your establishment’s physical layout. Then, you’ll need to connect your Epos Now or third-party hardware. Lastly, you’ll want to connect your desired integrations and customize the solution to your liking.

Since the POS software includes role-based user management, the implementation process includes assigning employee permissions based on organizational roles. For example, you can restrict a cashier’s accessibility to only the till. Each worker is assigned a PIN code or a swipe card to sign in, and the software logs the employee’s access and tracks their activity on the register. The software also has a built-in time clock and staff scheduling tools. 

After using the system ourselves, we believe businesses will find training employees on the software straightforward and quick. We appreciate that the vendor offers personalized onboarding and product training, so you can always reach out for assistance.

Customer Support

Epos Now sells a monthly paid customer support plan with 24/7 phone and chat support for $59 — a service that some rivals provide for free. If you don’t want to pay for the premium support, you will be limited to contacting the company via chat between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Although the vendor is a U.K.-based company, we spoke with an Epos Now representative and confirmed that the company offers international support regardless of your location.

While Epos Now hosts a few support resources on its primary website, there’s also a separate support website with extensive resources for self-help. Along with phone and chat support, Epos Now offers:

• Email support
• Support tickets
• Written support guides
• YouTube videos
• Community support

Businesses concerned about setting up their POS solution and ensuring staffers know how to use it will appreciate Epos Now’s free onboarding support. Some competitors charge an extra fee for this customer service.

Limitations

If you sign up for the discounted POS solution, Epos Now requires you to purchase its customer support plan for $59 per month. While this support plan includes helpful resources, including 24/7 phone and chat support, it’s an extra monthly fee you must consider. If you’re a food and beverage business looking for one of the best restaurant POS systems that includes extensive customer support at no additional cost, check out our TouchBistro review.

We also noticed that Epos Now offers one-year to five-year contracts only. Annual and multiyear contracts are relatively standard among many of the POS systems we reviewed, but they’re not ideal for a business that isn’t ready to make a long-term commitment. In comparison to leading competitors, Toast requires two-year contracts but offers more comprehensive restaurant-specific features, while Square provides month-to-month flexibility and extensive plan options for non-restaurant businesses. Epos Now’s contract requirements position it between these alternatives, offering more commitment flexibility than Toast but less than Square.

Methodology

We researched and analyzed dozens of POS systems to identify the top solutions on the market, with a special focus on those that help businesses grow. We looked at: 

• Pricing
• Contracts 
• Hardware
• Platform compatibility
• Software features
• Payment processing
• Reports
• Integrations
• Usability

We watched product videos and got hands-on experience with each solution we evaluated. When looking for the best POS system for businesses prioritizing integrations, we paid close attention to each service’s options for native integrations, third-party integrations and API access. We sought a solution that would allow businesses to easily expand the value of their POS platform and streamline operations by connecting other business software.

Bottom Line

We recommend Epos Now for …

• Businesses that want robust software integrations.
• Companies that want a scalable, customizable POS system.
• Organizations that want to choose their own payment processor.

We don’t recommend Epos Now for …

• Businesses that want extensive customer support at no additional cost.
• Companies that need month-to-month contracts.

Quinn Springett contributed to this article.