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ThePOS.co.uk

POS & Payment Provider Reviews

Plain-English reviews of the UK's main POS systems and card machine providers. Fees, hardware, contracts, payouts and who each one actually suits.

Last updated:
Square logo

Square

4.5

The strongest free POS software option. Tidy app, decent ecosystem, no monthly fee to start. Great for small retail, cafés and service businesses that want software without signing their life away.

CafésSmall retail
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SumUp logo

SumUp

4.4

The “just let me take payments” option. Cheap to start, portable, dead simple. Brilliant for low-volume and mobile sellers; you may outgrow it for a full restaurant setup.

Market stallsTradespeople
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PayPal Zettle logo

PayPal Zettle

4.2

PayPal-friendly card payments with a simple reader and no monthly software fee for basic use. Good for small retailers and mobile sellers already in the PayPal world.

PayPal usersSmall retailers
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Dojo logo

Dojo

4.1

Built for growing businesses that want faster payouts and hands-on, sales-led support. Strong in hospitality and higher-volume retail. Rates are quote-based — read the contract and monthly structure carefully.

RestaurantsPubs & bars
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Lightspeed logo

Lightspeed

4.1

A serious retail/hospitality POS with strong inventory and multi-location features. More advanced and more expensive — overkill if you only need basic card payments.

Multi-location retailHospitality groups
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myPOS logo

myPOS

4.0

Best when you want instant access to funds through a built-in business account. Handy for international/European payments. The fee structure is more complex, so watch card-type differences.

Instant access to fundsInternational payments
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Shopify POS logo

Shopify POS

4.0

The obvious choice if you sell on Shopify and want in-person to match your online store. Strong for ecommerce-led retail; less compelling if you're not already on Shopify.

Shopify merchantsOnline + in-person retail
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Tyl by NatWest logo

Tyl by NatWest

3.9

NatWest's payments arm, pitched at small and medium UK businesses with clearer pricing than some legacy acquirers and a community/giving angle. Solid all-rounder.

Small & medium UK businessesClear monthly pricing
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TouchBistro logo

TouchBistro

3.8

A restaurant-first POS built around table service, menus and floor plans. Strong hospitality features; not intended for retail or simple mobile card payments.

RestaurantsTable service
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Worldpay logo

Worldpay

3.7

A heavyweight acquirer aimed at established and higher-volume businesses. Can offer competitive bespoke rates, but pricing and contracts are quote-based and worth scrutinising.

Established businessesHigher card volumes
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Barclaycard Payments logo

Barclaycard Payments

3.7

A bank-backed acquirer offering card machines and online payments. Reassuring brand and support, with quote-based rates that suit established UK businesses.

Established UK businessesExisting Barclays customers
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Epos Now logo

Epos Now

3.6

A full till-system specialist for retail and hospitality, with strong hardware bundles. Capable, but review contracts, payment terms and add-on costs carefully.

Full till systemsRetail
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