Epos Now vs Lightspeed Restaurant

Square Point of Sale

PayPal Point of Sale

Clover

Square Point of Sale is a POS solution for Android and iOS devices which includes tools for managing payments, digital receipts, inventory, reports, and more.

The PayPal Here app is a mobile point of sale (POS) software designed to help businesses securely process debit or credit card payments and generate invoices. The application enables retailers and manufacturers to create and organize product lists and add details including photos and descriptions.

Clover is an all-in-one platform designed to help on and offline retailers, quick service restaurants, and other service businesses manage their point-of-sale operations, with secure payment solutions and reliable business management features

owner

I signed up for their service based on their promise of no hidden costs, but****** ONE YEAR after using******their system, I was hit with an unexpected bill for services I never agreed to. When I tried to reach out to their customer service team to get it sorted, I was met with the same unhelpful and unresponsive service as before.

IT Support

There was no proactive communication, no structured transition, and limited effective support when issues arose.

Shop keeper

Very satisfied especially with customer service as they were there for immediate help when ever we needed them when we were first navigating the system.

Notary and DMV Agent

My overall experience has been a 10 out of 10 and I will never seek another option for this processing as long as EPOS's customer service and product remain as high quality as they are now.  

Epos Now’s retail POS system sits at the center of your operation. Manage your stock, staff, sales, data and payments from anywhere. Our cloud-based system is ready to grow alongside your business, and gives you access to POS apps for accounting, marketing, ecommerce and more!


Access Controls/Permissions

Accounting

Accounting Integration

Activity Dashboard

Barcode Recognition

Barcode/Ticket Scanning

Bar Tab Management

Billing & Invoicing

Cash Management

Clock In/Out

Consignment Management

Contact Management

Credit Card Processing

Customer Accounts

Customer Database

Customer History

Customer Management

Customizable Branding

Customizable Reports

Data Security

Data Synchronization

Debit/Credit Card Processing

Discount Management

eCommerce Management

Electronic Payments

Electronic Signature

Employee Management

For Bakeries

For Bars/Clubs

For Food Trucks

For Jewelry Stores

For Liquor Stores

For Restaurants

For Retail

Gift Card Management

In-Person Payments

Inventory Control

Inventory Management

Inventory Optimization

Inventory Replenishment

Inventory Tracking

Invoice Management

Item Management

Kitchen/Menu Management

Label Printing

Layaway Management

Loyalty Program

Mobile Access

Mobile Device Management

Mobile Payments

Multi-Channel Management

Multi-Location

Multiple Payment Options

Multi-Store

Offline Access

Online Ordering

Online Payments

Onsite Printing

Order Entry

Order Fulfillment

Ordering Automation

Order Management

Order Processing

Order Tracking

Payment Gateway Integration

Payment Processing

PCI Compliance

Performance Metrics

Point of Sale (POS)

Point of Sale (POS) Integration

Price/Margin Management

Pricing Management

Product Catalog

Promotions Management

Purchase Order Management

Purchasing & Receiving

Real-Time Analytics

Real-Time Data

Real-Time Reporting

Real-Time Updates

Receipt Management

Remote Access/Control

Reporting/Analytics

Reporting & Statistics

Reservations Management

Restaurant POS

Retail Inventory Management

Retail Management

Retail POS

Returns Management

Sales History

Sales Management

Sales Reports

Sales Tax Management

Sales Trend Analysis

Search/Filter

Separate Checks

Split Checks

Staff Management

By industry, Epos Now reviewers are most commonly professionals in retail (34%). The most frequent use case for Epos Now cited by reviewers is point of sale (38% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Some reviewers find Epos Now affordable and appreciate the initial savings, flexible pricing, and free trial. However, many users report hidden charges, costly add-ons, contract issues, and feel the value for money decreases over time.

Value for money

Epos Now is a retail POS system program offering key features such as sales reports, payment processing, and electronic payments, among others.

Epos Now

Web-based

iPad

iPhone

Windows

Android

SumUp Point of Sale

Toast POS

Shopify POS

Lightspeed Retail

Revel Systems

Lightspeed Restaurant

Shopify

Square for Retail

Odoo 

TouchBistro

ACCEO Smart Vendor

Complete Solution

Delayed and denied refunds

director

Having issues with getting a refund for £253 for several months, and still experiencing deductions from my bank account even after the contract has been terminated, after listening to the call records when this product was sold to me, is highly unacceptable.

100% of reviewers feel negative about Refund Issues. Users report significant difficulties obtaining refunds, even after returning equipment or providing proof of overpayment. They describe being passed between departments, experiencing long delays, and facing unresponsive customer service. Many reviewers mention ongoing unauthorized charges and a lack of clear communication regarding refund status. They feel frustrated by promises of refunds that are not fulfilled and express concern about the impact on small business finances.

Unreliable hardware integration

76% of reviewers feel negative about Printer and Barcode Issues. Users report frequent problems with printers and barcode scanners, including failed label printing, unscannable barcodes, and connectivity issues. They mention disruptions to business operations, such as being unable to print receipts or open cash drawers. Reviewers also highlight the lack of flexibility in printing options and the need for additional purchases to achieve basic functionality. These issues often lead to manual workarounds and frustration.

Perceived unethical practices

Still waiting on phone calls from them its a sad company that robs people of their money.

92% of reviewers feel negative about Scam and Fraud. Users frequently allege deceptive business practices, such as taking payments without delivering promised services or products. They describe feeling misled by sales tactics and unsupported after purchase. Many reviewers believe the company prioritizes collecting money over customer satisfaction, with some explicitly calling the experience a scam. They warn others about wasted time and financial loss, citing a lack of accountability and transparency.

Challenging contract termination

There is no debit order you can control, they cleverly use the same account ordering Transport for London use, they have access and take money from your account as they please and all you can do is close your whole account and block it against normal merchant use.

Owner

They locked us in for two years and won't let us cancel the service so we will be dealing with these horrible service for a while.

98% of reviewers feel negative about Cancellation Issues. Reviewers say canceling services is complicated, with unexpected fees and persistent charges even after requests to terminate. They report being locked into long-term contracts, difficulty reaching the right department, and continued billing despite account closure. Users express frustration at the lack of transparency around cancellation policies and the need to take extreme measures, such as closing bank accounts, to stop unwanted payments.

Unexpected and ongoing costs

Owner Manager

Contacted EPOS now invoice department for an overpayment of £48.00 that we have made when we have already informed them that we were closing and which they have acknowledged. Despite several attempts thru their web tickets, they have just ignored us and have not made any attempt to get in touch with us.

Manager

Then the costs started adding up...   there was an additional $25 charged each month for who knows what (I was told support - but that was a joke), another $50 a month just to connect to Xero, then upwards from $25 to use custom templates - a must as their standard design is pretty bad.  

71% of reviewers feel negative about Pricing. Users express dissatisfaction with hidden fees, unexpected charges, and the requirement to pay for essential features or support. They mention being locked into contracts with unclear terms and additional costs for add-ons, integrations, or warranty coverage. Reviewers also report billing discrepancies and difficulty resolving overcharges. Many feel the overall value does not match the ongoing expenses, especially when combined with service limitations.

Remote management flexibility

77% of reviewers feel positive about Back Office. Reviewers appreciate being able to access and manage the system from anywhere, which allows them to keep up with sales and inventory without being on-site. They find the back office interface user-friendly and effective for handling administrative tasks like updating products and running reports. Users highlight the convenience of real-time information and the ability to perform complex management functions remotely, which supports efficient business operations.

Comprehensive business insights

83% of reviewers feel positive about Reporting. Reviewers appreciate the variety and depth of reports available, including sales, stock, and labor data. They value being able to access real-time analytics remotely, which helps them monitor performance and make informed decisions. Users highlight the clarity and ease of extracting business information, saving time on administrative tasks. They also mention that the reporting features are flexible enough to suit different business types and sizes, providing valuable operational insights.

Streamlined initial setup

IOS Manager

Hardware and initial  setup was a breeze with the help of  our intergation manager.

78% of reviewers feel positive about Setup. Users indicate that getting started with the system is generally straightforward, with clear instructions and helpful support available during installation. They say the process is manageable for new businesses and that any initial challenges are quickly resolved with assistance. Reviewers find that once the system is set up, it is easy to make adjustments and updates as their business grows. Many mention that the setup experience is efficient, allowing them to get up and running quickly.

Accessible training resources

Baker

The ease of operating the system, the bundle I purchased comes with everything needed, the training is straight forward and the support I receive is great,

General Manager

I really appreciate the knowledge, patience and dedication from the rep Marcela who scheduled worked with my schedule to schedule time for a tutorial and walkthrough and not ending the call until she was sure I was comfortable.

77% of reviewers feel positive about Training and Learning Curve. Users report that training is thorough and tailored to their needs, with patient and knowledgeable support staff guiding them through the process. They value the availability of self-paced resources, such as video tutorials and guided walkthroughs, which help them and their staff learn at their own pace. Reviewers say that even those with little prior experience can become proficient quickly, and ongoing support is readily available for further questions.

Intuitive everyday operations

Adding products etc really easy and anyomne can do it

86% of reviewers feel positive about Ease of Use. Users say the system is straightforward for daily tasks like adding products and processing sales, even for those without technical backgrounds. They appreciate that learning the basics is quick, and ongoing support is available when needed. Many reviewers mention that once familiar with the system, routine operations become second nature, making it accessible for all staff. They find the interface user-friendly and efficient, which helps them focus on running their business rather than troubleshooting software.

Director

I closed my account in their till back office on the last day of the agreement, but they still charged me for the upcoming month. When I called their support to complain, they claimed I never sent them any notice to terminate my agreement, even though I had forwarded the email I sent to them over a month before and had also sent a letter via special delivery which they did confirm they had received.  

Coffee Shop

We signed up with Epos Now Payment Services (Account  [sensitive content hidden]) on a 12-month agreement, based on a quoted 0.55% card processing rate during the sales process.

I like that I can add employees or delete employees with ease. And each employee has their own security pin so there is no having to change the whole system.

They would make up anything to sell their product and would ignore any request to cancel your subscription then keep charging you even after your subscription has been cancelled.

As a result, we were left to manage the situation independently and, in order to continue trading at a basic level, we were required to place our card readers into standalone mode.

The thing I like the least about Epos Now is that it is set up primarily for food service, so we can't change some of the places in the machine that say food/drink, etc.  And also, we wish the time was able to be adjusted to 12 hour time instead of 24 hour.

co owner

Also glad to see that up grading the system to help business to have an easier time and be able to help more customers as well as being able to send more time with our families and less time doing reports or uploading items into the system.

Just 6 months in with eposnow and a very rocky start, eposnow have increased their payment processing fees for credit cards by 68% with the only justification being that this is allowed according to the contract.

Overnight, it appeared that a significant number of customers, including our own business, were effectively required to use EposNow hardware in order to continue processing card payments.

Has everything we need from categories and coloured buttons to easy add and adjust and the ability to find out all our stats and best sellers.

The system was generally functional when operating as expected and had been suitable for day-to-day EPOS and card payment processing prior to the incident.

Bookkeeper

sales and purchasing information is excellent on the back office and the ability to export reports and print is good.

Owner Operator

On the sales screen the button to finish a sale is located next to the button to review other sales such as completed, held etc.

Board member

Card machine when you take a payment it does not make any noise, you can only use one card machine to take transactions from the pos system

For several hours, we were unable to accept card payments while attempting to identify the cause of the issue.

Helps me to monitor for stock discrencies, great for extracting data for the accountant and much more

Company Director and Operations Manager

I use the app on my iPhone to check sales and staff hours, even when at home or out and about.

Partner

Epos Now has helped us streamline operations, improve reporting accuracy, and train staff with ease. While there’s a minor drawback around user permissions, the benefits far outweigh it.

Epos Now vs Lightspeed Restaurant Comparison (2026)

Epos Now

Lightspeed Restaurant

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives