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Restaurants · head to head

Epos Now vs Plate IQ

Epos Now logo

Epos Now

Restaurants

Cloud point of sale for hospitality and retail sold with hardware finance and attached payment processing

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Plate IQ logo

Plate IQ

Restaurants

Invoice automation for restaurants

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Epos Now hardware is often placed on a finance agreement with a third party, so cancelling the software subscription leaves the equipment payments running for the remainder of the term.; Plate IQ plate IQ has been rebranded to Ottimate, per the vendor: "Plate IQ, now Ottimate, began the journey to becoming the best AP automation AI"
  • They diverge on capability: Epos Now covers Cloud till software, Plate IQ covers Invoice capture.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Epos Now and Plate IQ actually diverge.

Attributes where Epos Now and Plate IQ differ
AttributeEpos NowPlate IQ
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, WindowsWeb, Ios, Android
FoundedUnknown2014

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Restaurants).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Epos Now

  • Cloud till software
  • Hardware bundles
  • Integrated payments
  • AppStore add ons
  • Stock and product management
  • Multi site reporting

Only in Plate IQ

  • Invoice capture
  • AP automation
  • Price tracking
  • Spend analytics
  • Vendor management
  • GL coding
  • QuickBooks
  • Xero

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Epos Now

  • A single site cafe or bar wanting a low upfront cost till system installed quicklynot Plate IQ
  • An independent needing basic stock, staff and sales reporting without an implementation projectnot Plate IQ
  • An operator running both a small retail line and a food offer on one systemnot Plate IQ
  • A business replacing a mechanical till that has no reporting or remote access at allnot Plate IQ

Plate IQ

  • Automating invoice processing and accounts payable for restaurantsnot Epos Now

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Epos Now

  • Hardware is often placed on a finance agreement with a third party, so cancelling the software subscription leaves the equipment payments running for the remainder of the term.
  • Software, hardware finance and card processing are three separate agreements with different notice periods, which makes a clean exit difficult and is the source of most published complaints.
  • The vendor makes its margin on payment processing, so the low advertised software price is offset by a card rate that costs far more across a year of trading.
  • Sales is telesales led and buyers report pressure to sign quickly, which is a poor fit for a decision involving multi year finance commitments.
  • Useful capability is spread across paid add ons in the application store, so the functional system a restaurant actually needs costs considerably more than the entry subscription.

Plate IQ

  • Plate IQ has been rebranded to Ottimate, per the vendor: "Plate IQ, now Ottimate, began the journey to becoming the best AP automation AI"

Pricing, plan by plan

Epos Now

On request
  • Epos Now$undefined/year
    • Software subscription quoted per till
    • Hardware frequently supplied under a separate finance or lease agreement
    • Card processing contracted separately and priced by negotiated rate

Plate IQ

On request
  • Pay per invoiceFree
    • Invoice processing
    • $0.99 per invoice
  • Unlimited$399/month
    • Unlimited invoices
    • Full features

Which should you pick?

Choose Epos Now if

  • You need cloud till software.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Windows.
  • You also want hardware bundles.
Epos Now review

Choose Plate IQ if

  • You need invoice capture.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want ap automation.
Plate IQ review

Questions people ask

Is Epos Now or Plate IQ better?
Neither clearly leads. Epos Now starts at On request and Plate IQ at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Epos Now or Plate IQ?
Epos Now starts at On request and Plate IQ at On request.
Does Epos Now or Plate IQ run on more platforms?
Epos Now runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows. Plate IQ runs on Web, Ios, Android.
What is Epos Now best used for?
Epos Now is most often used for a single site cafe or bar wanting a low upfront cost till system installed quickly, an independent needing basic stock, staff and sales reporting without an implementation project, an operator running both a small retail line and a food offer on one system, a business replacing a mechanical till that has no reporting or remote access at all. Of those, a single site cafe or bar wanting a low upfront cost till system installed quickly and an independent needing basic stock, staff and sales reporting without an implementation project are not what Plate IQ is typically brought in for.
What can Epos Now do that Plate IQ cannot?
Epos Now covers Cloud till software, Hardware bundles, Integrated payments, AppStore add ons. Plate IQ covers Invoice capture, AP automation, Price tracking, Spend analytics.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Epos Now: Is the hardware bought or leased?

Frequently financed through a third party agreement rather than bought outright. Ask explicitly which it is and read the term before signing.

Plate IQ: Is pricing published for Ottimate?

No. Ottimate uses a sales-led model and directs visitors to 'Book a Demo' to discuss pricing based on customer needs.

Source
Epos Now: Can I cancel the software and keep trading?

You can stop the subscription, but a separate hardware finance agreement continues to its own end date, and processing is contracted separately again.

Epos Now: Do I have to use their card processing?

It is the commercial basis of the pricing. Using another acquirer, where permitted, changes the software quote.

Epos Now: Is it suitable for a busy full service restaurant?

It handles straightforward hospitality service. Complex coursing, large table management and high volume kitchens are better served by restaurant specific systems.

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