Top POS Software Review for the UK Market
Selecting the best Point of Sale (POS) software for your business in the UK can be daunting, given the variety of options available. After thoroughly analysing customer data, reviews, and features, I’ve rated and reviewed the top POS systems for restaurants available in the UK. Here is the comprehensive analysis starting with the best:
Square
Overview:
Square stands out as a highly versatile and user-friendly POS system. It’s suitable for various businesses, from retail stores to restaurants. Square provides a complete payment processing solution that effortlessly integrates with its set of business tools.
Pros:
Ease of Use:
- Intuitive interface that’s easy to set up and use. New users can get started quickly without extensive training.
- Comprehensive Features: Includes inventory management, sales reports, employee management, customer relationship management (CRM), and robust analytics.
- Cost-Effective: Free basic plan with affordable transaction fees. Transparent pricing structure with no hidden costs.
- Integrations: Seamless integration with other Square products and third-party apps. Extensive app marketplace to enhance functionality.
Mobility: Mobile POS capability allows businesses to process transactions on the go.
Cons:
- Limited Customer Support: Some users need more support to get support. Customer support is primarily available through chat and email, with limited phone support.
- Transaction Fees: Keyed-in transactions incur higher fees than swiped or tapped payments.
Customer Reviews:
Customers appreciate the system’s ease of use, comprehensive features, and overall value. The main criticism concerns customer support delays and higher transaction fees for manual entries.
Rating:
★★★★★ (4.7/5)
Lightspeed
Overview:
Lightspeed is a robust POS system known for its advanced features, making it ideal for larger retail stores and restaurants. It offers detailed analytics and a high degree of customisation to fit specific business needs.
Pros:
Advanced Inventory Management:
- Detailed tracking, multi-location management, bulk import tools, and reorder alerts.
- Customisation: Highly customisable to fit specific business needs, including custom workflows and reports.
- Excellent Customer Support: 24/7 support is available via phone, email, live chat, comprehensive training resources and onboarding support.
- Omnichannel Capabilities: Seamless integration between online and offline sales channels.
- Loyalty Programs: Built-in loyalty and rewards programs to enhance customer retention.
Cons:
- Cost: Higher price point compared to other POS systems, with significant costs for advanced features and add-ons.
- Complexity: Steeper learning curve due to advanced features and customisation options. It may require more staff training.
Customer Reviews:
They are highly praised for their powerful features and excellent customer support. Some users find it complex and expensive, but they appreciate the scalability and comprehensiveness of the tools.
Rating:
★★★★★ (4.6/5)
TouchBistro
Overview:
TouchBistro is explicitly designed for restaurants, offering features tailored to the food and beverage industry. It streamlines restaurant operations from order taking to payment processing.
Pros:
Restaurant-Specific Features: Include menu management, table management, staff scheduling, and kitchen display systems. The system supports splitting bills, transferring tables, and organising courses.
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy for staff to use with minimal training.
- Offline Functionality: Continues to work even without internet, ensuring uninterrupted service.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Tools to manage reservations, customer profiles, and loyalty programs.
- Analytics: Detailed sales reports and analytics to optimise operations.
Cons:
- Limited Integrations: There are Fewer integrations than competitors, though they cover essential restaurant management needs.
- Pricing: This can be expensive for smaller establishments, especially with add-ons for advanced features.
Customer Reviews:
Popular among restaurant owners for its specialised features and ease of use. Some users wish for more integration options, but overall satisfaction is high.
Rating:
★★★★★ (4.5/5)
Clover
Overview:
Clover offers a flexible POS solution with multiple hardware options for various business types. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools for managing sales, inventory, and employees.
Pros:
- Versatility: Suitable for retail, restaurants, and service-based businesses. Offers different hardware options like Clover Station, Mini, Flex, and Go.
- Hardware Variety: Different hardware options to fit business needs, including countertop and mobile solutions.
- App Market: Extensive app marketplace for additional functionality, allowing businesses to customise their system.
Ease of Use:
- A user-friendly interface with quick setup and minimal training is required.
- Customer Engagement: Built-in tools for customer loyalty programs, gift cards, and promotions.
Cons:
- Monthly Fees: This can get expensive with additional apps. Some features require separate subscriptions.
- Customer Service: Mixed reviews on customer support quality. Some users report slow response times and difficulty resolving issues.
Customer Reviews:
Praised for its versatility and hardware options. However, additional costs for apps and inconsistent customer support are common complaints. Users appreciate the system’s flexibility and ease of use.
Rating:
★★★★☆ (4.4/5)
Toast
Overview:
Toast is a POS system designed for the restaurant industry focusing on streamlining operations. It offers an end-to-end solution for restaurant management, including order processing, kitchen management, and customer engagement.
Pros:
- Restaurant-focused: Features like online ordering, delivery, kitchen display systems, and integrated payment processing that support complex restaurant workflows.
- Robust Reporting: Detailed analytics and reporting tools for sales, labour, and inventory management.
- User-Friendly: Easy for restaurant staff to navigate with an intuitive interface and minimal training.
- Guest Management: Tools for managing reservations, waitlists, and customer feedback.
- Offline Mode: Operates without internet connectivity, ensuring continuous service.
Cons:
- Pricing: This can be expensive with add-ons and advanced features—higher costs for premium plans.
- Limited to Restaurants: Not suitable for non-restaurant businesses, making it less versatile.
Customer Reviews:
Highly regarded for its restaurant-specific features and ease of use. The cost can be a downside for some, but the system’s efficiency and functionality are widely appreciated.
Rating:
★★★★☆ (4.3/5)
Revel
Overview:
Revel Systems is a feature-rich POS system suitable for both retail and restaurant businesses. It offers extensive customisation options and scalability, making it ideal for businesses looking to grow.
Pros:
- Feature-Rich: Comprehensive tools for inventory management, employee management, customer management, and advanced reporting.
- Scalability: Suitable for small to large businesses with multi-location support and enterprise-level features.
- Offline Mode: Operates without internet connectivity, ensuring continuous operation.
- Customisation: This software offers extensive customisation options to tailor it to specific business requirements, such as custom workflows and reports.
- Integration: The software integrates seamlessly with various third-party applications and payment processors.
Cons:
- Cost: High upfront costs and monthly fees. Premium features and customisation options add to the overall cost.
- Complexity: This may be too complex for small businesses or those without dedicated IT support. Requires training to utilise fully.
Customer Reviews:
Valued for its extensive features and scalability. Complexity and cost are noted as drawbacks, but businesses appreciate the robust functionality and customisation options.
Rating:
★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
Epos Now
Overview:
Epos Now offers a flexible and affordable POS solution focusing on ease of use. It caters to both retail and hospitality sectors, providing essential tools for business management.
Pros:
- Affordability: Affordable pricing and no lengthy commitments provide a cost-efficient option for small and medium-sized businesses.
- Ease of Use: Simple to set up and operate with an intuitive interface.
- Customer Support: Good customer service with 24/7 support is available, and training resources and onboarding assistance are provided.
- Flexibility: Suitable for various business types with essential inventory management, reporting, and customer engagement features.
Cons:
- Limited Features: Basic compared to other POS systems and lacks some advanced features offered by competitors.
- Customisation: Limited customisation options may not suit businesses with specific needs.
Customer Reviews:
Appreciated for its affordability and ease of use. However, some users feel it needs advanced features and customisation options. Customer support is generally well-rated.
Rating:
★★★★☆ (4.0/5)
Zettle by PayPal
Overview:
Zettle by PayPal offers a straightforward and affordable POS solution, particularly for small businesses and mobile vendors. It integrates seamlessly with PayPal, providing a reliable payment processing system.
Pros:
- Affordability: Low cost with pay-as-you-go transaction fees. There are no monthly fees, making it budget-friendly.
- Ease of Use: Simple setup and operation with a user-friendly interface.
- Mobile Friendly: Ideal for on-the-go businesses with mobile POS capability and supports various payment methods, including contactless and chip cards.
- Integration with PayPal: Seamless integration with PayPal for easy transaction management and access to PayPal’s extensive user base.
Cons:
- Limited Features: Offers basic functionality compared to competitors and needs the advanced features required by larger businesses.
- Scalability: Less suitable for larger businesses with more complex needs. Limited in terms of scalability and advanced management tools.
Customer Reviews:
Praised for its affordability and simplicity. Limited features and scalability are the main concerns, but it is well-regarded by small businesses and mobile vendors for its ease of use and reliable payment processing.
Rating:
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5)
Abacus POS
Overview:
Abacus POS has been created specifically for businesses in the hospitality and restaurant sector to provide various features customised for this industry. It provides tools for managing tables, customer loyalty, and reservations, making it ideal for restaurants and cafes.
Pros:
- Hospitality Focused: Features like table management, customer loyalty programs, reservations, and kitchen display systems support complex ordering and payment workflows.
- Customisable: Flexible to fit specific business needs with customisation options for menus, layouts, and workflows.
- Support: Good customer service with dedicated support teams and training resources.
Cons:
- Complexity: Setting up and learning can be challenging due to its complexity. Requires training to utilise its features thoroughly.
- Cost: Higher price point with added features. Premium plans can be expensive for smaller establishments.
Customer Reviews:
Hospitality businesses appreciate its tailored features and support. Complexity and cost are noted drawbacks, but it is well-regarded for its functionality and customer engagement tools.
Rating:
★★★☆☆ (3.7/5)
Related articles:
Revolutionising Restaurant POS
Best Restaurant Management System
Best Restaurant Inventory Management System
Conclusion
The article asked what is the Top Pos Systems For Restaurants in the UK, and we are happy to revealed based on customer data and reviews, Square is the best overall POS software for the UK market due to its flexibility, user-friendliness, and affordability.
For businesses seeking advanced features and support, Lightspeed and TouchBistro are excellent choices, particularly for larger retailers and restaurants, respectively. Clover and Toast also offer robust solutions but come at a higher cost. Revel, Epos Now, Zettle by PayPal, and Abacus POS provide reliable options for various business needs, with some features, complexity, and pricing trade-offs.
(FAQ’s) Frequently Asked Questions And Answers
Are there any downsides to using a POS system in a restaurant?
While POS systems offer numerous benefits, like streamlining operations and improving efficiency, there can be some downsides. These may include initial costs for hardware and software, potential technical issues or downtime, the need for staff training, and possible dependence on internet connectivity. Some restaurant owners may also find specific POS systems that could be more complex for their needs.
What POS system do restaurants use?
Restaurants use various POS systems depending on their specific needs and preferences. Some popular options include Toast, Square for Restaurants, Lightspeed Restaurant, Upserve, TouchBistro, Revel Systems, and Clover. Each system offers different features, pricing plans, and integrations, so restaurant owners must research and choose the best fit for their requirements.
How do you develop a successful POS system implementation plan?
Developing a successful POS system implementation plan involves several key steps:
- Assess your restaurant’s needs and goals to determine the features and functionalities required from the POS system.
- Research and select the appropriate POS system that aligns with your requirements.
- Create a timeline for implementation, including hardware setup, software installation, staff training, and data migration. It’s crucial to involve relevant stakeholders throughout the process and communicate clearly to ensure a smooth transition.
- Regularly evaluate the system’s performance and adjust to optimise efficiency and effectiveness.
What is the best POS system in the world?
Determining the “best” POS system depends on various factors such as the size and type of restaurant, specific needs and preferences, budget, and desired features. Some widely regarded POS systems known for their robust capabilities, user-friendly interfaces, and extensive integrations include Toast, Square for Restaurants, Lightspeed Restaurant, and Upserve. However, the best POS system for any restaurant ultimately comes down to individual requirements and how well the system meets them. It’s essential for restaurant owners to thoroughly research and demo different options to find the one that fits their business perfectly.
Unlock Success: Harnessing The Potential Of The Best Restaurant POS Systems