Epos Now vs Shift4

Square Point of Sale

Clover

PayPal Point of Sale

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.

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

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.

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.

Serve customers, take payments, and run your entire business from a single POS system! Epos Now POS hardware and software designed to work together in complete harmony, worth game-changing features all within a budget that suits you.

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 (33%). The most frequent use case for Epos Now cited by reviewers is point of sale (38% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Some reviewers appreciate Epos Now’s affordable pricing for startups and small businesses, and they find the core package comprehensive. However, many users report hidden fees, confusing billing, and frustration with unexpected charges for essential features and support.

Value for money

Epos Now is a retail POS system with key features that include debit/credit card processing, sales reports, payment processing, electronic payments, and more.

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

Complete Solution

Challenging refund experience

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.

97% of reviewers feel negative about Refund Issues. Users report significant difficulties obtaining refunds for unused or returned equipment, with some waiting months without resolution. Reviewers say customer service is unresponsive, often passing them between departments or closing tickets without action. Some users mention being charged after cancellation and facing obstacles returning products. They indicate frustration with unmet promises of refunds and lack of clear communication. Users feel the refund process is unnecessarily complicated and that their financial concerns are not addressed in a timely manner.

Unreliable printing and scanning

76% of reviewers feel negative about Printer and Barcode Issues. Users report frequent problems with printers failing, cash drawers not working, and barcode labels not scanning properly. Reviewers say these technical issues disrupt daily operations, sometimes forcing them to use manual workarounds. Some users mention difficulty connecting devices, rigid printing parameters, and inefficiency with high-volume printing. They indicate that support for resolving hardware issues is slow or inadequate. Users feel these recurring problems negatively impact business efficiency and reliability.

Concerns over trustworthiness

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

80% of reviewers feel negative about Scam and Fraud. Users report experiences where they feel the company prioritizes taking payments over providing promised services or support. Reviewers indicate frustration with unresolved issues, unfulfilled commitments, and a perception of being misled or scammed. Some users say they lost time and money, and they warn others about recurring charges and lack of accountability. They mention feeling that the company’s practices are deceptive, with repeated complaints about wasted investments and a lack of customer care. Users express significant distrust and disappointment.

Difficult cancellation process

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.  

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.

98% of reviewers feel negative about Cancellation Issues. Users report persistent problems when trying to cancel contracts or subscriptions, including continued charges after cancellation requests. Reviewers say customer service is unresponsive or unhelpful, often ignoring repeated requests to terminate agreements. Some users mention being locked into long-term contracts with high exit fees, forcing them to pay for unused services. They indicate that stopping payments sometimes requires drastic measures like closing bank accounts. Users feel the cancellation process is intentionally complicated and financially punitive.

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.  

68% of reviewers feel negative about Pricing. Users report unexpected charges, hidden fees, and costly add-ons that increase the total monthly bill. Reviewers say they are sometimes billed for services or features they did not request, and that support or integrations often require additional payments. Some users mention being tied into contracts with unclear or changing terms, and difficulties understanding or disputing charges. They indicate that the pricing structure can be confusing and financially burdensome, especially for small businesses. Users feel the value does not match the ongoing costs.

Comprehensive business reporting

Bookkeeper

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

81% of reviewers feel positive about Reporting. Users think the software provides detailed sales, stock, and labor reports, helping them gain valuable insights into business performance. Reviewers appreciate the ability to export and print reports, access data remotely, and analyze trends through clear dashboards and graphs. Some users say reporting options are flexible and suitable for various business types. They find the reporting tools user-friendly and helpful for monthly reviews, payroll, and inventory management. Users indicate that comprehensive reporting saves time and supports better decision-making for their operations.

Streamlined setup experience

IOS Manager

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

81% of reviewers feel positive about Setup. Users report that getting started with the system is straightforward, with helpful onboarding support available when needed. Reviewers appreciate being able to customize the setup for their specific business needs and say that adding products or configuring tills is simple. Some users mention that while there may be a learning curve initially, the process becomes easy with guidance. They find that hardware installation and initial configuration are quick, and ongoing management is uncomplicated. Users value the efficient setup process, which allows them to be operational rapidly.

Supportive 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,

80% of reviewers feel positive about Training and Learning Curve. Users think the training provided is clear, accommodating, and tailored to their needs, enabling them to quickly become comfortable with the system. Reviewers appreciate the availability of ongoing support, video lessons, and self-guided tools like the 'Guide Me' feature. Some users say the intuitive interface allows for fast staff onboarding and easy troubleshooting. They indicate that the training process is efficient, making it simple to teach others and adapt to new features. Users value the patience and responsiveness of trainers.

Efficient staff oversight tools

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.

78% of reviewers feel positive about Staff Management. Users think the system makes it easy to add or remove employees, assign security pins, and track staff hours. Reviewers appreciate that new staff can quickly learn the system, and managers find daily operations more organized. Some users say the interface helps streamline training and boosts staff confidence. They indicate that support staff are helpful and responsive, making it easier to resolve queries. Users report that features like time clocks and permissions simplify management, and they value the system’s reliability for both experienced and volunteer staff.

Intuitive and accessible system

Owner

Adding products etc really easy and anyomne can do it

89% of reviewers feel positive about Ease of Use. Users think the system is straightforward, user-friendly, and easy to navigate, making daily tasks simple for staff at all experience levels. Reviewers appreciate that adding products and managing transactions is uncomplicated, and they find the interface intuitive. Some users say helpful support and clear explanations make learning the system easier. They indicate that even those with limited technical skills can operate the software confidently. Users report that the system’s design minimizes complications and contributes to smoother business operations.

Business owner

We therefore can’t access our  emails and place orders which are essential day to day business tasks that our previous hardware was capable with. Despite asking for a return for the hardware we’ve been advised by customer service they won’t accept it back.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The hardware that we are using and purchased from EposNow is starting to fail and despite paying support they advised they no longer support this hardware and sold us a replacement monitor.

You need a WiFi signal for the card reader and to log on and close the till.

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.

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.

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.

Engraver

Call again and select option for billing query or complaints and prepare for outsourced call centres outside the Uk with limited knowledge unable to resolve a simple issue.

Payment processing is smooth, and the sales management tools make tracking performance easy.

Business Owner Director

Ability to have the option to print a customer receipt or not.

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.

Epos Now vs Shift4 Comparison (2026)

Epos Now

Shift4

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives