Epos Now Pricing for Restaurants: What Does It Really Cost?

What Does Epos Now Cost for Restaurants?

Epos Now charges £39 per month per terminal for their restaurant POS software, with additional costs for hardware (typically £999-£1,299 upfront), payment processing (around 1.5-2.5% per transaction), and optional add-ons. Total first-year costs typically range from £2,500 to £4,000 for a single terminal setup.

This pricing structure can become expensive quickly for multi-location operators or restaurants requiring multiple terminals, as costs multiply per device. Understanding the full cost breakdown is essential before committing.

Epos Now Monthly Software Fees

The core software subscription costs £39 per month per terminal. This includes:

• Basic POS functionality
• Table management
• Menu management
• Basic reporting
• Cloud backup

However, this base price doesn't include everything most restaurants need. Payment processing, advanced features, and integrations often require additional fees or higher-tier plans.

For a restaurant with three terminals, you're looking at £117 per month just for software licenses before adding any other services.

Epos Now Hardware Costs

Epos Now typically bundles hardware with software contracts. Standard restaurant hardware packages include:

Basic Setup (£999-£1,299):

• Touch screen terminal
• Receipt printer
• Cash drawer
• Card reader

Full Restaurant Setup (£2,000-£3,500):

• Multiple terminals
• Kitchen printer
• Customer-facing display
• Handheld ordering devices

Unlike modern cloud-based systems, you're often locked into purchasing Epos Now's proprietary hardware rather than using standard tablets or existing equipment. This increases upfront investment significantly.

Payment Processing Fees

Payment processing represents a substantial ongoing cost. Epos Now partners with specific payment providers, and rates typically range from:

• 1.5% to 2.5% per card transaction
• Additional fees for American Express
• Monthly gateway fees (£10-£20)
• PCI compliance fees

For a restaurant processing £50,000 monthly in card payments at 2%, that's an additional £1,000 per month (£12,000 annually) in payment fees alone.

Some competitors, including Flipdish, offer integrated payments with more competitive rates and transparent pricing structures.

Contract Terms and Commitments

Epos Now typically requires:

• 12 to 36-month contracts
• Early termination fees
• Hardware purchase or lease agreements
• Automatic renewal clauses

This long-term commitment can be problematic if your business needs change or if you're dissatisfied with the service. Always read contract terms carefully and understand exit costs.

Hidden Costs and Additional Fees

Beyond advertised pricing, restaurants often encounter:

Integration Fees:

• Third-party delivery platform connections (£20-£50/month per platform)
• Accounting software integration
• Loyalty programme add-ons

Support Charges:

• Premium support packages (£20-£40/month)
• On-site technician visits
• Training sessions

Add-On Features:

• Advanced inventory management
• Customer relationship management (CRM)
• Multi-location reporting
• Staff scheduling tools

These extras can easily add £100-£200 monthly to your bill.

Epos Now vs Flipdish: Cost Comparison

When comparing total cost of ownership, Flipdish offers a more transparent and often more cost-effective solution:

Cost Component	Epos Now	Flipdish
Monthly software (per terminal)	£39	Included in platform fee
Hardware	£999-£1,299 upfront	Standard tablets from £300
Payment processing	1.5-2.5%	Competitive integrated rates
Contract length	12-36 months	Flexible, no long-term lock-in
Integration fees	Extra per platform	Included for major platforms
Multi-location management	Extra cost per location	Included in Restaurant Management System
Online ordering	Separate system/cost	Fully integrated

For a typical restaurant, Flipdish's integrated approach often delivers better value, particularly when you factor in online ordering, kitchen display systems, and order management capabilities that come standard rather than as expensive add-ons.

What's Included in Epos Now's Base Price?

The £39 monthly fee covers basic POS functionality:

• Order taking and payment processing
• Basic menu management
• Table layouts
• Staff login and basic permissions
• End-of-day reporting
• Cloud data storage

However, features that many restaurants consider essential often cost extra or require higher-tier plans.

What Costs Extra with Epos Now?

Common additional costs include:

Operational Features:

• Advanced inventory tracking
• Recipe management and cost control
• Detailed staff performance analytics
• Customer loyalty programmes
• Gift card management

Integration Capabilities:

• Delivery platform aggregation
• Accounting software connections
• Reservation system integration
• Email marketing tools

Multi-Location Features:

• Centralised menu management
• Consolidated reporting
• Head office oversight tools

In contrast, Flipdish's platform includes multi-location management, centralised reporting, and marketplace integration as standard features.

Is Epos Now Worth the Cost for Your Restaurant?

Epos Now may be suitable for:

• Single-location restaurants with straightforward needs
• Operators comfortable with longer contract commitments
• Businesses not requiring extensive third-party integrations

However, it's less ideal for:

• Multi-location operators needing scalable, centralised management
• Growth-focused restaurants requiring flexible contracts
• Digital-first businesses wanting integrated online ordering and delivery management
• Cost-conscious operators seeking transparent, all-inclusive pricing

For restaurants prioritising flexibility, integration, and growth, Flipdish's restaurant POS system offers a more comprehensive solution without the hidden costs and restrictive contracts.

Alternative POS Pricing Models

Modern restaurant technology has evolved beyond traditional per-terminal licensing:

All-Inclusive Platform Pricing: Systems like Flipdish offer unified pricing that includes POS, online ordering, kiosks, payments, and marketing tools in a single platform fee. This eliminates the complexity of multiple vendor relationships and unexpected add-on costs.

Usage-Based Pricing: Some providers charge based on transaction volume rather than terminal count, which can benefit smaller operations or those with seasonal fluctuations.

Modular Pricing: Pay only for features you actually use, though this can become expensive and complex to manage as you scale.

Total Cost of Ownership: A Realistic Example

Year One with Epos Now (single location, 2 terminals):

• Hardware: £2,000
• Software (£39 × 2 × 12): £936
• Payment processing (£50k monthly revenue): £12,000
• Integration fees: £600
• Support package: £360
• Training: £300
• Total Year One: £16,196

Ongoing Annual Costs (Year Two onwards):

• Software: £936
• Payment processing: £12,000
• Integration fees: £600
• Support: £360
• Total: £13,896 annually

For multi-location groups, multiply these costs significantly while adding complexity in management and reporting.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing Epos Now

Before committing to any POS system, clarify:

1. What's the total contract value including all fees over the minimum term?
2. What happens if I need to cancel early? What are termination fees?
3. Which features require additional payment? Get specifics in writing.
4. What are payment processing rates and can I use my own processor?
5. How much does it cost to add locations or terminals as I grow?
6. Are software updates included or do major upgrades cost extra?
7. What support is included and what costs extra?
8. Can I use my own hardware or am I locked into specific suppliers?

Why Flipdish Offers Better Value for Growing Restaurants

Flipdish delivers superior value through:

Transparent Pricing: No hidden fees or surprise charges. Clear pricing structure that covers your operational needs without constant add-ons.

Integrated Platform: POS, online ordering, kiosks, payments, and marketing work together seamlessly. No integration fees for essential features.

Multi-Location Ready: Built for scale from day one. Centralised menu management, consolidated reporting, and head office controls included, not extra.

Flexible Contracts: No long-term lock-ins. Grow and adapt without penalty.

Modern Technology: Cloud-native architecture, AI-powered features, and continuous innovation including AI phone ordering and automated marketing.

Competitive Payment Processing: Integrated payment solutions with transparent rates through Flipdish Pay.

For restaurant operators seeking a future-proof technology partner rather than just a till system, Flipdish represents the smarter investment.

Making Your Decision

When evaluating POS pricing, consider total cost of ownership over three to five years, not just monthly fees. Factor in:

• Growth plans and scalability costs
• Integration needs with delivery platforms and other tools
• Time spent managing multiple vendor relationships
• Opportunity cost of system limitations

For comprehensive restaurant technology comparisons and detailed reviews, visit restauranttech.co.uk where you'll find independent analysis of POS systems, payment processors, and operational tools.

The right POS system should enable growth, not constrain it with expensive per-terminal fees and restrictive contracts. Flipdish's modern platform approach delivers the flexibility, features, and fair pricing that today's restaurants need to compete effectively.

Ready to see how much you could save with a truly integrated restaurant platform? Explore Flipdish pricing and discover a better way to run your restaurant technology.