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Choosing a restaurant POS in the UK (2026): cost, hardware and kitchen display

Seven POS options, compared through the questions that shape a venue’s bill: software, equipment, billing terms and card fees. For Servio’s till, QR ordering and kitchen display, start on the restaurant POS systems page. We build Servio, so treat this as a supplier’s buying guide and verify each provider’s current offer against your own requirements.

By Amaan Tanveer, Co-founder · 16 Jul 2026 · Updated 7 Oct 2026 · 12 min read

Full disclosure: Servio is our product and appears first here. Current plan facts and historical model estimates serve different purposes. A dated estimate is not a current quote, and the equipment and feature assumptions must be checked before comparing totals.

The comparison at a glance

Servio plan facts and the Square Plus and Toast UK headline prices were checked on 7 October 2026. Equipment allowances below come from the older August model. Other plan details and prices need confirmation with each provider, including VAT, device charges and the required feature set.

The August model records monthly estimates of ~£999 (Servio Growth), ~£1,092 (Square), ~£1,015 (Zettle) and ~£1,002 (SumUp) at £40,000 of card sales and a £25 ticket. These retain historical equipment exclusions and module assumptions that need reconciliation. The newer October profile uses one reader and owned tablets, so it must be assessed separately. Read how we compare POS costs, the worked UK POS cost guide and the published Servio plans on the pricing page before applying any total.

1. Servio: connected tools on your own devices

Servio runs in the browser on suitable devices. QR ordering, loyalty, basic reporting and single-station KDS are included on the £89 Starter plan. Growth (£219/month) adds multi-station routing, tables, inventory, staff permissions and advanced analytics; prices exclude VAT. Monthly and annual billing are available. Stripe processes payments with zero default Servio platform markup; configured platform fees may apply. Menu import produces a draft to review, and optional setup help can support your preparation without promising a trading deadline.

Where it may not fit: check your required integrations, equipment and support arrangements before choosing. Integrated in-person payments need a compatible Stripe smart reader, while existing external readers are used separately and recorded manually. Consider Servio if you want till, QR ordering and KDS connected, with the plan or extras that cover your venue’s needs. Review the features on the comparison page and test the workflow you intend to run.

2. Square for Restaurants: assess existing kit and plan inclusions

Square offers a basic entry plan and Restaurants Plus at £69/month per location. If you already own compatible Square equipment, include that in the buying decision. Check the chosen plan’s hospitality features, payment fees, device charges and support before comparing it with a fresh installation elsewhere.

Restaurants Plus includes KDS and Team Plus, so do not add those again when building a quote. Check inventory, loyalty, ordering tools and any device-specific costs separately. The August equipment allowance is a historical model input, not a current kit quote. Our Square vs Servio page provides further comparison questions.

3. PayPal Point of Sale (Zettle): assess hospitality tools alongside the till.

Zettle’s free POS app is an option to consider for a short-menu counter, market stall or coffee cart. Before choosing it, list the ordering, kitchen and table workflows you need, and test which are covered by the app and which need separate tools.

The August model combines Zettle with external ordering and estimated loyalty costs, and uses a kitchen printer in the equipment allowance. A printer and an external ordering service are not equivalent to a native multi-station KDS. Confirm the actual third-party workflow, recurring charges and responsibility for support rather than treating the historical total as a matched current quote.

4. SumUp: compare reader and POS options

For mobile traders and simple counters, compare SumUp’s reader and POS options against the service you run. A fixed venue may also need ordering, stock and kitchen tools. Ask for the current UK tier and module list rather than relying on an old POS Plus price.

Check whether POS Plus and POS Pro overlap in the proposed setup, then price only the modules you need for ordering, kitchen screens, stock and loyalty. The August total retains the original assumptions and is an illustration to reconcile, not evidence that one provider is cheaper today. Check screen charges and included features in the written quote.

5. Epos Now: assess the supplied till and agreement

A supplied till bundle can suit a venue that wants equipment and software arranged together. Ask Epos Now for a current written quote showing the hardware contents, setup help, software features and processing costs. Historical promotional headline prices do not establish the ongoing bill.

Before signing, check the initial price, renewal price, billing term, notice period and any early-exit charges. Confirm whether QR ordering, kitchen tools and loyalty are included or separately priced. Assess the supplied equipment and agreement together, using the features and payment volume your venue needs.

6. Lightspeed Restaurant: assess more complex venue requirements

If you need detailed stock workflows or reporting across locations, include Lightspeed in a practical demonstration of those tasks. We have not verified a current UK sterling price for this comparison. Request a UK quote showing locations, features, devices and the billing term.

Check which tier covers your required ordering, kitchen and stock tools, and allow time to configure and train on the workflows you choose. Compare the total commitment rather than assuming the entry price covers everything. Further buying questions are on Lightspeed vs Servio.

7. Toast: published UK plans with quoted hardware and processing

Toast is an option for venues seeking a supplier-led combination of hospitality software and equipment. Ask to see your own order, preparation and payment workflow demonstrated, and confirm which hardware, setup services and support are included.

As checked on 7 October 2026, Toast UK publishes Starter from £80/month and Essentials at £150/month with KDS. Hardware and card processing require quotes. Confirm QR requirements, the agreement term and exit charges in writing rather than assuming every part is bundled. See Toast vs Servio for the detailed buying questions.

How to actually choose: a five-question checklist

1. What is the total at my card volume and payment mix? Include software, selected extras, equipment over a stated period and card fees. Ask for the assumptions in writing.

2. Will I need QR ordering or a kitchen display? Price the required workflow now, and check what is already included before adding another subscription.

3. Which equipment do I need to buy? Confirm suitable existing devices, compatible readers and any kitchen equipment, plus replacement and support costs.

4. What happens when I leave? Check notice, cancellation date and the remaining commitment. Servio cancellation takes effect at the billing-period end; monthly and annual terms apply.

5. What support is included? Read the support terms for your chosen tier, including how to report an issue during service.

How to choose

Build a shortlist around the venue’s actual workflow, existing equipment and support needs, then compare written totals. Servio’s connected tools include QR ordering and single-station KDS on every plan, with further capabilities by entitlement. Check the available Growth signup terms before choosing a billing option, and rehearse the service you plan to run rather than relying on a historical cost ranking.

Questions

What is the best POS system for a UK restaurant in 2026?

The best fit depends on your ordering, kitchen, table and stock workflows, suitable existing equipment and support needs. Build a shortlist, test those tasks and compare the total bill at your card mix. Servio is one option for connected till, QR ordering and KDS; no historical cost model establishes a universal winner.

What does a restaurant POS system cost in the UK?

Budget for software, selected extras, devices, readers, kitchen equipment and card fees. The August example on this page records £999-£1,092 per month at its stated venue profile, with equipment exclusions and module assumptions still to reconcile. Request current quotes for the features and equipment you actually need.

Do free POS systems work for restaurants?

A basic free app tier may suit a simple counter. Check whether it covers the ordering, preparation, table, stock and reporting tasks you need. Price any separate tools and equipment, and test the combined workflow before service.

Should I sign a long POS contract?

Compare the total commitment and any annual discount with the flexibility you need. Read renewal, notice and early-exit terms before signing. Monthly billing still has terms; cancellation timing and remaining charges depend on the agreement.

What card fees should a UK restaurant expect?

Fees depend on payment channel and card category. Stripe charges 1.5% + 20p for standard UK online cards, 1.4% + 10p for EEA cards presented in person and 2.9% + 10p for non-EEA in-person cards. Other online cards differ. Servio has zero default platform markup; configured platform fees may apply. Compare the processor quote against your actual payment mix.