Best POS Systems for Small Restaurants in the UK (2026)
Discover the top POS systems for small restaurants in the UK, Compare the UK POS market.
Choosing the right POS (point of sale) system is one of the most important decisions a small restaurant makes. With tight margins, busy services and the need to keep guests happy, the right POS can be the difference between a smooth shift and a stressful one.
Below we run through the best POS systems for small restaurants in the UK in 2026 — a mix of trusted marketplace partners and other well-known names — so you can find a system that streamlines operations, improves service and protects your bottom line.
Whether you want user-friendly software, strong reporting or seamless integrations, there's an option here for you.
Top POS systems for small restaurants in 2026
Technology continues to reshape hospitality. For operators, getting the fundamentals right — POS, payments, CRM and inventory — is key. Here are our picks for 2026.
Square
Square remains the go-to POS for small restaurants that want to get up and running fast. There are no monthly fees on the free plan (you pay only transaction fees from around 1.75% per card payment), no long-term contracts and transparent pricing — ideal for smaller budgets.
The interface is famously easy to use, and the system scales as you grow, adding features and hardware as needed.
Square's best features
Payment processing: Cards, contactless and mobile payments built in.
Inventory management: Real-time stock levels with low-stock alerts.
Reporting & analytics: Clear insight into sales, guests and staff performance.
CRM & loyalty: Build customer profiles and run loyalty programmes.
Square's pricing
Free plan available (excluding transaction fees), with paid tiers for larger operations.
SumUp
SumUp is 2026's standout low-cost pick. A free software plan, low transaction fees and affordable terminals you can buy outright mean there's no long-term lock-in — perfect for cafés and small, independent restaurants.
SumUp's best features
Affordable hardware: Card readers and POS terminals you own, not rent.
Fast payouts: Quick access to funds with a SumUp Business Account.
Simple setup: Up and running in minutes with minimal training.
SumUp's pricing
Free software plan, with low per-transaction fees and one-off hardware costs.
Toast
Now operating in the UK, Toast is a purpose-built restaurant POS that's especially strong for fast-scaling pubs and restaurants, thanks to its industry-leading Kitchen Display System and ingredient-level tracking that helps cut food waste.
As a cloud platform, you can manage orders, sales and payments from anywhere, on spill-proof, restaurant-grade hardware.
Toast's best features
Online ordering & delivery: Commission-free channels for takeaway and delivery.
Kitchen Display System: Connect front and back of house to speed up service.
Menu management: Update menus instantly from anywhere.
Data & analytics: Detailed reporting on every key metric.
Toast's pricing
Tiered pricing from a Starter plan, scaling to custom quotes for larger, multi-device setups.
Lightspeed
Lightspeed is a fast, flexible and feature-rich POS trusted by ambitious hospitality businesses in over 100 countries. It's highly customisable, with real-time insights and strong inventory tools that track stock to the ingredient level.
Lightspeed's best features
Payment processing: Embedded payments to speed up checkout.
Online & QR ordering: Manage online orders and let guests order via QR code.
Inventory management: Ingredient-level stock control.
Kitchen Display System: Keep FOH and BOH in sync.
Lightspeed's pricing
Plans typically start from around £69 per month; book a free demo for a tailored quote.
Shift4 Dine (formerly SkyTab)
Now branded Shift4 Dine, this is an affordable, all-in-one restaurant POS with a huge global user base. It's built exclusively for hospitality, with sleek mobile hardware, advanced reporting and everything a growing small restaurant needs.
Best features
Reservation & table management: Cut no-shows and get more from your floor plan.
Loyalty: Reward repeat guests with discounts and vouchers.
Tableside ordering: Take orders and payments at the table.
Delivery management: Track drivers and manage online orders.
Pricing
Competitive monthly pricing (from around £/$29.99) with free hardware on qualifying plans.
Tebi
Tebi is a modern, all-in-one POS built for independent restaurants, cafés and bars. It combines point of sale, payments, bookkeeping and reporting in one clean system, with pricing designed to keep costs low for smaller operators.
Tebi's best features
All-in-one: POS, payments and accounting in a single platform.
Built for independents: Simple to set up and run day to day.
Real-time reporting: Live view of sales and performance.
TISSL
TISSL is a flexible, powerful EPOS platform built for UK hospitality, running on any device with no vendor lock-in. You pay per user rather than per device, making it a cost-effective option for single sites and growing groups alike.
TISSL's best features
Any device: iPad, Android, Windows or your existing hardware.
Flexible licensing: Pay per user, add tills and sites as you scale.
Built in: Integrated payments, mobile ordering and offline mode.
pointOne
pointOne is a reliable UK EPOS provider with a strong track record in restaurants, bars and pubs. It's known for fast, dependable software and hands-on UK support — a solid choice for small restaurants that value service.
pointOne's best features
Speed & reliability: Built to keep service moving.
Integrations: Connects with leading hospitality tools.
UK support: Local, responsive help when you need it.
Tabology
Tabology is an all-in-one EPOS designed with pubs, bars and small restaurants in mind, bundling POS, stock, loyalty and online ordering into one system with clear, all-inclusive pricing.
Tabology's best features
All-inclusive: POS, stock and loyalty in one price.
Online ordering: Take orders for collection and delivery.
Cloud reporting: Manage your venue from anywhere.
Redcat (Polygon POS)
Redcat's Polygon POS is an intuitive platform for cafés, bars and restaurants, working equally well for single sites and multi-site groups. It bridges front-of-house and back-office, so everything stays in sync as you grow.
Redcat's best features
Point of sale: Fast, reliable transactions built for hospitality.
Table & menu management: Get the most from your floor plan and menu.
Inventory control: Stay on top of stock.
Back-office reporting: Track every key metric.
WRS Systems
WRS is an award-winning, family-run business with over two decades of experience delivering bespoke ePOS solutions for hospitality. Its customer-first approach — full consultancy, installation, onsite training and ongoing support — makes it a great fit for small restaurants that want a hands-on partner.
WRS's best features
Point of sale: Fast and built for demanding environments.
Self-service: Let guests order for themselves.
Booking & table management: Control reservations and seating.
Integrations: Works with your inventory and CRM systems.
TouchBistro
TouchBistro is an iPad-based POS built specifically for restaurants, with an intuitive interface that makes staff training quick. It's portable, affordable and scalable — a popular choice for small restaurants.
TouchBistro's best features
Tableside ordering: Take orders at the table and send straight to the kitchen.
Easy to learn: Minimal training for new staff.
Reporting: Insight into sales, inventory and staff performance.
Clover
Clover is a versatile POS combining hardware and software for a range of businesses, including small restaurants. It's easy to learn, strong on CRM and loyalty, and offers flexible hardware and pricing options.
Clover's best features
Order management: Dine-in, takeaway, delivery and online orders.
Payment processing: Multiple payment options built in.
CRM & loyalty: Build guest profiles and reward repeat business.
Epos Now
Epos Now is a widely used UK POS with strong small-business credentials, UK-based support and integrations with over 100 apps including Xero and QuickBooks. Flexible hardware and Kitchen Display options make it a solid all-rounder.
Epos Now's best features
UK support: Local help and setup.
App ecosystem: 100+ integrations including accounting tools.
Flexible hardware: Options to suit different venues.
Final word
The right POS depends on your budget, menu and ambitions. Budget-conscious independents often land on Square or SumUp; venues that need serious kitchen management lean towards Toast; and operators who value a hands-on UK partner look to the likes of WRS, pointOne or TISSL.
Whatever you choose, a reliable POS means smoother service, happier guests and a healthier bottom line.
At Stacked, we help you stay up to date with the latest in hospitality and restaurant technology — from POS to CRM. Explore our marketplace to compare vetted partners.