Last updated: March 2026 · By Eric Chen, Restaurant Technology Editor · Former Multi-Unit Operator
Square
Epos Now
Square vs Epos Now — two of the most popular POS systems in North America. We tested both in real restaurant environments to give you the facts, not marketing spin. Which one is worth your money? (Spoiler: neither is the best option.)
Square vs Epos Now: Side-by-Side Pricing
Both systems lock you into their proprietary payment processing, which means you can't shop for better rates. For a restaurant processing $40,000/month, this processing lock-in alone costs thousands per year in unnecessary fees.
Square — 5.0/10
Pros
- Free basic plan lowers entry barrier for new businesses
- Clean, intuitive interface easy to learn
- Good ecosystem with Square Banking, Payroll, etc.
- Quick setup — can be running in minutes
Cons
- Not built for restaurants — generic POS adapted for food service
- Locked into Square payment processing with no negotiation
- Very limited offline capability — needs internet for core functions
- No built-in delivery management or driver dispatch
Epos Now — 5.5/10
Pros
- Affordable entry price
- Works for both retail and hospitality
- Cloud-based with decent reporting
- Good app marketplace for add-ons
Cons
- UK-based company — US support can be slow and inconsistent
- Locked into Epos Now Payments for best pricing
- Not restaurant-specific — generic hospitality POS
- Limited offline capability
Feature Comparison
Both Square and Epos Now share a critical weakness: neither offers open payment processing or true offline capability. These aren't nice-to-haves — they're essential for any restaurant that wants to control costs and avoid downtime.
Square vs Epos Now: Who Wins?
Epos Now edges out Square with a score of 5.5 vs 5.0, but neither system earned our recommendation. Both lock you into proprietary payment processing, both have limited offline capability, and both charge extra for features that should be included.
The Better Alternative: KwickOS (9.5/10)
While Square and Epos Now fight over a score difference of 0.5 points, KwickOS sits at 9.5/10 — and it's not hard to see why:
- Open payment processing — use any processor, save $2,000-$5,000/year
- True offline mode — everything works at 1ms speed without internet
- Zero-commission online ordering — keep 100% of your revenue
- 20+ modules included — no add-on pricing, no surprises
- 3-year total: ~$18,000 — vs $38,000+ (Square) or $35,000+ (Epos Now)
The math is simple. Stop comparing two overpriced options and look at the POS system that 5,000+ businesses already trust.
Ready to Stop Overpaying for Your POS?
KwickOS includes everything — POS, online ordering, loyalty, delivery, scheduling, KDS, CRM, and 15+ more modules — with zero hidden fees and zero commissions. Trusted by 5,000+ businesses across all 50 states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Square or Epos Now better for restaurants?
Epos Now scores slightly higher (5.5/10 vs 5.0/10), but both have significant drawbacks including locked payment processing and limited offline capability. KwickOS (9.5/10) outperforms both with open processing, full offline mode, and zero-commission online ordering.
How much does Square cost vs Epos Now?
Square costs $38,000+ over 3 years while Epos Now costs $35,000+. Both figures include software, processing fees, and common add-ons for a restaurant processing $40K/month. KwickOS costs approximately $18,000 over the same period with everything included.
What is the best alternative to Square and Epos Now?
KwickOS is the top-rated alternative, scoring 9.5/10. It offers open payment processing (use any processor), full offline capability, zero-commission online ordering, and 20+ integrated modules — saving restaurants $20,000-$34,000 over 3 years compared to Square or Epos Now.
Eric Chen
Restaurant Technology Editor · Former Multi-Unit Operator
Former restaurant manager turned tech journalist. 8 years running multi-location operations gave him the operator's perspective most reviewers lack. He's tested every POS system with real orders, real staff, real dinner rushes.
