A practical buying decision

SOLO POS vs Epos Now: what to check at the counter

Compare the current software, hardware and payment workflows. Use a real counter demonstration and an itemised quote to evaluate which setup fits your business.

Published by VCMP · Reviewed 14 September 2026

Start with a counter task, then ask for a quote

For a café, shop or service counter, a successful demo should cover the order, payment, receipt, stock movement and daily totals. Choose a typical sale with an option or modifier, then check a correction and a refund. Ask each supplier to show the same sequence using demonstration data.

SOLO POS is a separate product in the VCMP family. Its current public standalone software price is £37 per month; hardware, setup and payment-provider charges are separate, and VAT treatment should be confirmed in the quote. Solo’s website and booking subscription is a different offer. Ask for the current combination available to your business.

Compare the working setup

Hardware and setup

SOLO POS: SOLO POS presents proposed Samsung tablet, printer, stand and drawer configurations. Confirm exact compatibility, printing, drawer operation, setup and availability in your quote. Hardware is separate from the software subscription.
Epos Now: Epos Now promotes hardware bundles with a terminal, card machine and printer. Its displayed bundle offer carries subscription conditions. Confirm the exact devices, support and contract in the quote.

Card payment at the counter

SOLO POS: Today, a separate card terminal authorises payment and staff record the approved card payment in SOLO POS. Integrated card payments remain on the roadmap. The payment-provider relationship and charges remain separate.
Epos Now: Epos Now advertises integrated payment services. Check merchant eligibility, transaction charges, settlement, refunds and the required payment agreement for your setup.

Sales, costs and reporting

SOLO POS: SOLO POS records orders, products and sales and includes a Profit & Loss view based on recorded sales and costs. It is a management estimate; complete cost entries are needed to make the result useful.
Epos Now: Epos Now advertises inventory, sales and staff reporting, along with an app ecosystem that includes accounting integrations. Check which reports and integrations are included in your chosen plan.

Interruptions and support

SOLO POS: Prepared, authorised tablets can record sales within offline access limits and sync on reconnect. Card-terminal connectivity is separate. Demonstrate recovery and confirm what staff should do before clearing site data or switching devices.
Epos Now: Ask Epos Now to demonstrate the same interruption and recovery scenario and state what remains available without a connection. Confirm support hours and the applicable service plan in writing.

Compare the whole commitment

Ask for hardware, software, installation, support, integrations, card processing, tax and minimum term on separate lines. Epos Now’s promoted hardware price is subject to recurring-payment and support conditions; the upfront figure is not the total contract cost. Do not compare it directly with a software-only monthly subscription.

Show a sale with a product option, receipt and stock change.
Demonstrate a failed payment, a correction and a refund.
Show how recorded product, staff and overhead costs affect the management report.
Test the exact proposed printer, drawer and tablet configuration.
Explain data export, support and what happens when connectivity returns.

Do not buy on the assumption that a roadmap integration is already available. Confirm any combined Solo/POS offer and payment-provider arrangement before committing.

Discuss a SOLO POS demonstration

For the separate website and booking product, read Solo’s product and pricing facts.

Sources and next checks

This is VCMP’s own buyer guidance. Vendor descriptions were checked on the date above; this is not an independent review or a hands-on test of competing products. Confirm the current country, plan, tax and contract terms before purchasing.