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Restaurants · head to head

Epos Now vs TouchBistro

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
TouchBistro logo

TouchBistro

Restaurants

All-in-one POS built for restaurants

From
$69/month
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.; TouchBistro requires annual contracts with no monthly billing option
  • They diverge on capability: Epos Now covers Cloud till software, TouchBistro covers iPad POS.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Epos Now and TouchBistro actually diverge.

Attributes where Epos Now and TouchBistro differ
AttributeEpos NowTouchBistro
Starting priceOn request$69/month
Pricing modelquoteUnknown
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, WindowsiPad
FoundedUnknown2010

Identical on both: 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 TouchBistro

  • iPad POS
  • Table management
  • Menu management
  • Staff scheduling
  • Inventory tracking
  • Customer relationship management
  • 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 TouchBistro
  • An independent needing basic stock, staff and sales reporting without an implementation projectnot TouchBistro
  • An operator running both a small retail line and a food offer on one systemnot TouchBistro
  • A business replacing a mechanical till that has no reporting or remote access at allnot TouchBistro

TouchBistro

  • Point of Salenot Epos Now
  • Order Managementnot Epos Now
  • Inventory Controlnot Epos Now
  • Staff Schedulingnot 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.

TouchBistro

  • Requires annual contracts with no monthly billing option
  • Add-on pricing for features like online ordering, reservations, loyalty programs is not transparent and requires custom quotes
  • Limited to iPad hardware, reducing flexibility compared to multi-device systems like Lightspeed or Clover
  • Mandatory use of TouchBistro Payments for new customers reduces payment processor options

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

TouchBistro

$69/month

No published plan breakdown. See the TouchBistro review.

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 TouchBistro if

  • You need ipad pos.
  • You work on iPad.
  • You also want table management.
TouchBistro review

Questions people ask

Is Epos Now or TouchBistro better?
Neither clearly leads. Epos Now starts at On request and TouchBistro at $69/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Epos Now or TouchBistro?
Epos Now starts at On request and TouchBistro at $69/month.
Does Epos Now or TouchBistro run on more platforms?
Epos Now runs on Web, iOS, Android, Windows. TouchBistro runs on iPad.
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 TouchBistro is typically brought in for.
What can Epos Now do that TouchBistro cannot?
Epos Now covers Cloud till software, Hardware bundles, Integrated payments, AppStore add ons. TouchBistro covers iPad POS, Table management, Menu management, Staff scheduling.

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.

TouchBistro: Can TouchBistro process payments offline?

Yes. TouchBistro has offline payment capabilities where you can accept payments and store credit card information when offline, with transactions processing once Internet is restored. However, you cannot dip or tap the card in offline mode; you must swipe instead.

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.

TouchBistro: Can I integrate TouchBistro with DoorDash or Uber Eats?

Yes. TouchBistro integrates with delivery platforms through Deliverect and UrbanPiper, which aggregate orders from DoorDash, Uber Eats, and other services directly into your TouchBistro POS, eliminating manual order entry.

Source
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.

TouchBistro: What are the minimum hardware requirements for TouchBistro?

TouchBistro runs on Apple iPads and works with compatible printers, cash drawers, and payment terminals. The system leverages iPad hardware you may already own, potentially reducing initial hardware costs compared to dedicated POS systems.

Source
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.

TouchBistro: Do I have to sign a long-term contract with TouchBistro?

Yes. All TouchBistro plans require annual contracts, and the system requires TouchBistro Payments (powered by Chase) for payment processing on all new customer accounts.

Source
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