Running a café in 2026 involves far more than serving exceptional coffee. Owners now juggle fast-paced service, mobile and contactless payments, online orders, staff scheduling, and razor-thin margins — all while ensuring customers get a smooth, memorable experience.
That’s where the right café POS system makes a huge difference. A modern Point of Sale platform doesn’t just process transactions — it helps cafés work faster, cut costs, and simplify daily operations. From managing menus to tracking sales and customer orders, a good POS streamlines everything so you can focus on brewing great coffee.
This guide highlights the 6 best POS systems for cafés in the UK for 2026, based on value, reliability, hospitality-focused features, and ease of use for busy teams.
How We Chose the Best Café POS Systems
Cafés have unique needs that differ from restaurants and retail stores. Each POS on our list was evaluated using café-specific criteria:
- Speed and reliability during morning rushes.
- Ease of use for rotating or part-time staff.
- Menu flexibility for milk options, sizes, syrups, and add-ons.
- Support for dine-in, takeaway, and online orders.
- Affordable pricing and low transaction fees.
- Reliable UK support and GBP compatibility.
1. POSApt – Best Overall POS System for Cafés (2026)
Best for: Independent cafés, coffee shops, bakeries, and multi-location café brands.
POSApt tops the 2026 list as the best overall café POS system in the UK thanks to its unbeatable balance of speed, cost, and hospitality features. Designed specifically for food and drink businesses, it’s built to handle custom orders, online sales, and high-volume coffee service without lag or confusion.
Key café-focused features:
- Rapid order-taking and menu flexibility.
- Modifiers for sizes, milk types, and extras.
- Counter and table service modes.
- Kitchen and barista display screens.
- Ingredient-level stock tracking.
- Staff scheduling and performance analytics.
- Built-in online and QR ordering for pickup.
Pros:
- Tailored for hospitality operations.
- Lower transaction fees than major competitors.
- Intuitive interface for quick staff training.
- Scales smoothly for growing café chains.
Cons:
- Lesser-known brand in the UK compared to global names.
- Hardware options vary depending on preference.
Verdict: POSApt delivers professional-grade functionality at small-business prices, making it the ideal choice for independent café owners seeking simplicity without compromise.
2. Square – Best POS for Startups and Small Cafés
Best for: New cafés, independent coffee shops, and takeaway kiosks.
Square remains a favourite for café owners thanks to its minimalist setup and transparent pricing. With no required monthly software fees for the basic plan, it’s perfect for new or mobile cafés looking to start quickly with low upfront costs.
Key features:
- Free POS software with simple menus.
- Integrated card processing.
- Staff and tip tracking.
- Basic reporting dashboards.
Pros:
- Zero monthly fees on the basic plan.
- Seamless contactless and mobile payments.
- User-friendly for non-technical staff.
Cons:
- Lacks deep hospitality automation.
- Transaction fees (1.75%–2.5%) can compound for high-volume cafés.
Verdict: Square is an excellent entry-level POS for coffee shops that prioritise affordability and ease of use.
3. Lightspeed – Best for Data-Driven Cafés
Best for: Growing cafés focused on performance and analytics.
Lightspeed is a step up for cafés looking to make business decisions based on data. Beyond its quick service functions, it provides detailed insights into peak hours, best-selling drinks, and overall profitability.
Key features:
- Advanced analytics and performance tracking.
- Inventory and supplier management.
- Menu reporting for best-seller insights.
- Multi-location capabilities.
Pros:
- Excellent reporting and real-time dashboards.
- Scales effectively as cafés expand.
- Reliable cloud connectivity.
Cons:
- Higher monthly fees than simple POS systems.
- Slight learning curve for first-time users.
Verdict: Lightspeed is ideal for café chains or operators who want sophisticated reporting and multi-site control.
4. SumUp POS – Best Budget Café POS
Best for: Micro-cafés, takeaway counters, and pop-ups.
SumUp POS offers a low-cost, no-frills setup perfect for smaller coffee shops with straightforward menus. It connects seamlessly with SumUp’s reliable card terminals, helping cafés process sales quickly and affordably.
Key features:
- Plug-and-play POS setup.
- Straightforward menu and item entry.
- Mobile payment compatibility.
- Transparent pricing with no monthly contracts.
Pros:
- Affordable for startups.
- Mobile-ready hardware.
- Quick onboarding process.
Cons:
- Limited stock and sales analytics.
- Not designed for multi-staff cafés or high-volume sites.
Verdict: SumUp POS is great for new cafés prioritising low costs over complex features.
5. Epos Now – Best Customisable POS for Cafés
Best for: Cafés that want tailored systems or hybrid setups.
Epos Now provides flexible POS software for cafés of all sizes. You can enhance its core system with add-ons for inventory, staff reporting, or kitchen printing, making it one of the more adaptable options on the market.
Key features:
- Customisable modules and integrations.
- Stock tracking and supplier tools.
- Staff and role management.
- Hardware flexibility (works with existing equipment).
Pros:
- Flexible to customise for unique workflows.
- UK-based customer support.
- Works for both counter and table service cafés.
Cons:
- Costs increase with add-ons.
- Interface less modern than newer platforms.
Verdict: Perfect for operators who want full control over how their POS system works and integrates with other business tools.
6. Clover – Best All-in-One POS Hardware for Cafés
Best for: Cafés valuing simplicity and integrated design.
Clover offers polished POS hardware paired with café-friendly software. It’s ideal for owners wanting premium devices and an ecosystem that just works.
Key features:
- Purpose-built touchscreen terminals.
- Menu and order management.
- Staff, stock, and reporting tools.
- Access to Clover’s app marketplace.
Pros:
- Attractive hardware and clean design.
- All-in-one functionality for simplicity.
- Reliable and stable during high traffic.
Cons:
- Higher upfront hardware pricing.
- Limited flexibility beyond Clover’s ecosystem.
Verdict: Clover is ideal for café owners seeking an elegant, plug-and-play POS that covers all the essentials in one package.
Café POS Pricing in the UK (2026)
Café POS system costs depend on business size and features:
- Software: £0–£150+ per month.
- Hardware: £50–£1,500+ one-off cost.
- Transaction fees: 1.5%–3.5% per card transaction.
Because cafés process frequent, smaller payments, transaction fees can have a major impact — so choosing a system with low processing charges is crucial.
How to Pick the Right POS for Your Café
Before committing, ask yourself:
- How fast is your café’s service flow?
- Do you need table service or takeaway ordering?
- How complex are your menus and modifiers?
- Is staff turnover high — and do new hires need quick training?
- Do you prefer fixed monthly pricing or pay-as-you-go plans?
Your POS system should simplify operations, not slow them down. Pick one that reduces errors, speeds up your queue, and fits your long-term growth plans.
Final Verdict: The Best Café POS in the UK for 2026
- Best overall: POSApt
- Best for startups: Square
- Best for analytics: Lightspeed
- Most affordable: SumUp
- Most customisable: Epos Now
- Best hardware integration: Clover
For independent cafés across the UK, POSApt emerges as the leading option in 2026 — combining industry-specific tools, low fees, flexible ordering, and room to grow. Whether you’re a solo coffee shop or expanding chain, the right café POS can turn every order into an opportunity.