UK BUYER’S GUIDE · 4 PRODUCTS
EPOS and retail management
Can staff complete a busy trading day, including returns and connection problems, while managers retain stock and cash control?
Compare checkout with the operational depth behind it: stock, purchasing, permissions, returns, online orders and accessible reporting.
YOUR SHORTLIST STARTS HERE
Compare the options.
Highest documented score first. Fit adds up the 20 feature checks below, including AI, across documented plans. Entry prices may exclude scored capabilities. The upper end of a range represents unverified points.
4 of 4 products · Highest documented score first
| Product / good fit for | Pricing context | Documented fit | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
Lightspeed Retail Lightspeed Retail Stock-intensive retailers managing variants, suppliers and several locations. | Request pricinglocation/month VAT basis not stated quote | 70–100/100 documented fit70% evidence coverage | Details ↗ |
Square Square Retailers combining simple payment processing with stock and shop operations. | £0.00location/month VAT not applicable free | 65–100/100 documented fit65% evidence coverage | Details ↗ |
Epos Now Epos Now Retailers wanting hardware-led deployment and stock synchronisation across selling channels. | Request pricingcomplete installation VAT basis not stated quote | 50–100/100 documented fit50% evidence coverage | Details ↗ |
SumUp SumUp Small merchants comparing pay-as-you-go acceptance with a fuller shop-management upgrade. | Request pricingtransaction VAT basis not stated usage | 30–100/100 documented fit30% evidence coverage | Details ↗ |
Prices retain their original currency, billing basis and VAT status. Check the evidence and plan requirements before buying.
| Capability & demo question | Lightspeed Retail70–100/100 documented fit | Square65–100/100 documented fit | Epos Now50–100/100 documented fit | SumUp30–100/100 documented fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Core workflowIntegrated checkout and payments5.0 points availableAsk in the demoScan an item, take payment and issue a receipt. | ✓ Supported Integrated payments. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Integrated payments and receipt hardware. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Integrated EPOS and payments. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported POS Pro integrates order and payment handling. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Core workflowProducts and variants5.0 points availableAsk in the demoCreate sizes or colours and scan the correct variant. | ✓ Supported Variants and product import. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Unlimited items and catalogue import. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Variant matrix and item bundles. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Retail catalogue verified; variants were not specifically established. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Core workflowLive stock tracking5.0 points availableAsk in the demoSell an item and inspect the resulting stock level. | ✓ Supported Stock across selling channels. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Basic and advanced inventory tiers. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Master inventory synchronises sales channels. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Real-time stock updates. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Core workflowSales and margin reporting5.0 points availableAsk in the demoCompare sales and profit for a product and trading period. | ✓ Supported Advanced sales, staff and inventory reports. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Sales, profit and sell-through reports. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Sales, margins, stock and staff reports. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Sales reporting verified; product-margin reporting was not established. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Core workflowCustomer records or loyalty5.0 points availableAsk in the demoAttach a sale to a customer and inspect its history. | ✓ Supported Connected loyalty programmes. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Customer profiles and groups. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Loyalty applications available. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Promotions and loyalty programmes. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Core workflowStaff management5.0 points availableAsk in the demoShow a manager view of staff activity and permitted actions. | ✓ Supported Staff reporting documented. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Rotas, permissions and time tracking. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Staff performance reporting. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm staff management. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Core workflowConnected online sales5.0 points availableAsk in the demoPlace an online order and show its effect on store stock. | ✓ Supported Linked Lightspeed ecommerce. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Square Online or website integration. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Online and marketplace connections. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Ecommerce integrations. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Workflow depthReturns and exchanges5.0 points availableAsk in the demoExchange a product from a previous sale and reconcile the stock and refund. | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm returns and exchanges. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ✓ Supported Cross-location returns and exchanges. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm returns and exchanges. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm returns and exchanges. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthMulti-location stock control5.0 points availableAsk in the demoInspect and move stock between two locations. | ✓ Supported Stock across locations. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Multi-location stock on paid retail plans. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Multi-location inventory synchronisation. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Multi-store management. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Workflow depthPurchase orders and replenishment5.0 points availableAsk in the demoCreate or trigger a purchase order from a stock shortage. | ✓ Supported Reorder points and purchase orders. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Automatic purchase orders in Plus. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Automatic purchase-order option. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm purchase orders and replenishment. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthStock counts and discrepancies5.0 points availableAsk in the demoCount a shelf and record a discrepancy with a reason. | ✓ Supported Inventory counting and adjustment reasons. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Counting tools and barcode support. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm stock counts and discrepancies. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm stock counts and discrepancies. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthCost-of-goods and inventory valuation5.0 points availableAsk in the demoChange a landed cost and inspect valuation or margin reporting. | ✓ Supported Freight and duty allocation across products. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Cost-of-goods reporting. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm cost-of-goods and inventory valuation. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm cost-of-goods and inventory valuation. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthRestricted discounts and refunds5.0 points availableAsk in the demoShow a cashier unable to perform a manager-only refund. | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm restricted discounts and refunds. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm restricted discounts and refunds. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm restricted discounts and refunds. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm restricted discounts and refunds. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthCollection or delivery fulfilment5.0 points availableAsk in the demoReceive a click-and-collect order and mark its handover. | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm collection or delivery fulfilment. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ✓ Supported Click and collect and delivery. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm collection or delivery fulfilment. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm collection or delivery fulfilment. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthDocumented offline operating behaviour5.0 points availableAsk in the demoDisconnect the till and demonstrate the documented limits and recovery. | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm documented offline operating behaviour. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm documented offline operating behaviour. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Fallback operation described; exact offline scope unverified. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm documented offline operating behaviour. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthAccounting integration5.0 points availableAsk in the demoTrace daily sales and payments into the chosen accounts package. | ✓ Supported Accounting integrations offered. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm accounting integration. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ✓ Supported QuickBooks integration listed. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Xero and QuickBooks integrations. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Workflow depthData export or reporting integration5.0 points availableAsk in the demoExport item and transaction data in a usable format. | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm data export or reporting integration. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm data export or reporting integration. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm data export or reporting integration. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm data export or reporting integration. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
AIAI product or promotional content5.0 points availableAsk in the demoGenerate a draft from catalogue data and edit it before publication. | ✓ Supported AI writes showroom product descriptions. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm ai product or promotional content. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm ai product or promotional content. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm ai product or promotional content. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
AIAI sales or stock insight5.0 points availableAsk in the demoAsk a sales question or inspect a model-driven stock recommendation. | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm ai sales or stock insight. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm ai sales or stock insight. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm ai sales or stock insight. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm ai sales or stock insight. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
AIHuman control of AI changes5.0 points availableAsk in the demoDemonstrate approval or editing before AI changes catalogue or trading decisions. | ✓ Supported Users refine the generated showroom with editing tools. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm human control of ai changes. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm human control of ai changes. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm human control of ai changes. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
“Not verified” means the recorded evidence does not settle this specific check. It does not mean the feature is absent. Read the scoring method.
Focus on up to three products →ASK BETTER QUESTIONS
Before you buy epos and retail management software.
What to look for
- Give a cashier and a stock manager separate demonstration tasks.
- Test a return at a different location and an interrupted connection.
- Ask for a complete three-year quote covering software, devices and processing.
What changes the cost
- Tills, sites, users and retail or hospitality modules.
- Card processing, equipment ownership and replacement cover.
- Online connectors, loyalty, reporting and installation.
What to watch out for
- Assuming an offline till can still authorise every card payment.
- Comparing a basic payment app with a full inventory edition.
- Treating all features shown on a vendor website as included in the entry plan.
Common questions
Is a card reader a complete EPOS system?
A reader accepts payments; verify catalogue, stock, reporting and staff workflows separately.
Can one product cover retail and restaurants?
Some vendors offer both, but editions and workflows differ. Demonstrate the version your business will buy.
Why include AI in a till comparison?
AI may help with catalogue content or analysis, but it should not outweigh reliable checkout and stock control.