Written by Dan Barraclough Reviewed by Ruairi Shirlow Updated on 2 August 2022 On this page Average Cost of a POS System EPOS price guide How to minimise EPOS cost Expand The cost of an EPOS system varies based on the size of your business, and the software and hardware add-ons you want.EPOS systems can be super affordable with free software and low-cost hardware. For larger businesses, you might need a more comprehensive system with hardware costing anywhere from £400 to £1000+. You also need to take software costs into account, which are a monthly fee costing from £0 to £100+.Hardware costs are typically a one-off fee, whereas software fees are typically charged monthly or annually. Average Cost of a POS SystemLet’s make things simple. You can expect to pay:EPOS SystemTotal Expected SumSoftware Costs (monthly)Hardware Costs (upfront)Entry-Level System£1,000£0 – £30/month£16 – £300Mid-Level System£1,500 – £2,000£30 – £50/month£400 – £1,000Advanced System£3,000+£60 – £100+/month£1,000+ Did You Know? In February 2022, the average fall in cash withdrawals across the UK was around 40 percent.There’s never been a better time to invest in an EPOS system, so you can take and process card payments quickly and efficiently. EPOS price guideOf course it may not be necessary for all businesses to invest in an advanced point of sale system. For an independent coffee shop, a single terminal with a receipt printer and card machine may be enough.But before investing in a package deal, consider whether it would be more cost effective to purchase each component separately. We spoke to a range of suppliers and here’s what you can expect to pay…EPOS hardware pricesEPOS terminal£149+Cash drawer£59+Barcode scanner£74.99+Thermal printer£150+Card reader£16+EPOS hardware will often be the most expensive part of your EPOS system. The prices above reflect the lower-end of the spectrum, EPOS hardware can get much more expensive and cost your business over £1,000+ to purchase the necessary hardware.The good news is that there are lots of options that suit various budgets, so you can kick-start your EPOS system with an affordable card reader, and cloud-based software.Read our card machines – and simply fill out the form at the top of the page to receive quotes from up to four suppliers.EPOS software pricesSquare £0 – £49 per month Vend From £39 per month Talech From £29.99 per month Lightspeed From £69 per monthShopify From £19 per month We’ve listed the starting prices of some popular EPOS systems so you have a clear idea of how much it costs to use EPOS software.There are made-to-measure packages available for a range of different industries like pub and bar EPOS systems. These come with industry-specific features such as tools for table management and reservations, and, though costing a little more, offer a fully tailored experience.For tablet systems, there are now a large number of EPOS apps available. These tend to be cheaper than traditional software packages and benefit from being cloud-based – so will automatically update and backup critical data when connected to the internet.Installation and supportMost basic systems are easy to setup: simply plug them in and off you go. For more complex systems with multiple, networked terminals it may be necessary to pay for specialist installation. Expect to pay £200, plus £40 for every extra terminal.Any reputable supplier will also offer training and support. This usually comes at an additional cost, though some do offer training as part of their fee for setup and installation.Read our in-depth guide EPOS installation to find out more about what’s involved and how much it costs.ConsumablesThe cost of consumables should be a consideration for small businesses. Paper and toner for printing receipts come in at £10 box and £15 respectively. Then there’s additional cabling for extended runs, an internet connection – it adds up, so make sure you budget accordingly. Save by Comparing EPOS System Prices Yes No Do you already have an EPOS system? How to minimise EPOS cost – what are my options?There are three ways to minimise your up-front costs:1. Rent or lease a systemThis is the most obvious option if you’re struggling to justify buying an EPOS system outright – but there are benefits that make renting or leasing attractive to any business. The system will be covered by warranty for the duration of the lease, so if anything breaks (and it wasn’t your fault) the supplier will fix it free of charge. In addition to this, free installation, support, and software updates come as standard.Worldpay’s Business Hub can be rented for £50 a month, with a one-off setup fee of £250. It includes an Android tablet with Worldpay app, integrated cash drawer and printer, and a card machine.Most rental agreements are available on a pay-as-you-go basis, meaning you can keep hold of the system for as long or short a time period as you like – one week, one month, one year. It’s entirely up to you. ▶ Read more: What are the top EPOS benefits? Finance agreements are typically offered at a fixed-rate on either 12 or 18 month contracts, after which you’ll own the system. Some suppliers will allow you to ‘opt-out’ early for a fee. Our handy guide to EPOS rental and leasing options explains everything you need to know.It’s worth remembering, though, that a rented system will cost you more in the long run than it would to buy one outright. You’ll also have limited options for customisation, as they tend to come with generic, rather than industry specific, software programs.2. Buy a second hand systemAnother way to minimise costs is to simply buy a used system. This can be done through a private seller – usually a merchant who has just upgraded their own system – or a refurbishment specialist.These suppliers buy used EPOS systems, recondition them, and sell them on. Buying from a commercial supplier means that a warranty, and sometimes support, will be included even if the system is second hand.3. Compare quotesIt’s remarkable how suppliers will often find a way to reduce their prices when they know you’re being offered a better deal elsewhere. It pays to compare quotes.And remember, EPOS is a competitive market, so don’t be afraid to play one supplier off against another to negotiate the best possible deal for your business.How do I compare quotes?Simply fill in this form and quickly and easily compare prices from suppliers. The questions asked are designed to help us understand your specific needs and match you with the most suitable supplier. The comparison is free and there are no hidden charges.So what are you waiting for? Compare EPOS system prices today and be confident in choosing the right one for your business. Written by: Dan Barraclough Dan’s a Senior Writer at Expert Market, specialising in digital marketing, web design, and photocopiers, amongst other topics. Reviewed by: Ruairi Shirlow Business Services Researcher Ruairi uses his 3+ years of research experience to uncover insights which can help Expert Market provide the best business solutions for their users. He has done this by meeting with business owners to find out what is important to them and what challenges they face on a daily basis. Ruairi specialises in tools that can be used to grow your business and has done research for a wide range of categories on Expert Market, such as EPOS, Website Builders, and Merchant Accounts.