Point of Sale Systems
Top Companies in 2024
Epos Now vs TouchBistro POS
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- Intuitive interface
- Live support and training
- Cloud-based POS
- Robust integration capabilities
- Easy to use
- Fast transaction times
- Real-time reports
- Complex pricing structure
- Limited design options and customization issues
- Software incompatible with some devices
- Complaints of lags
Epos Now is a leading global provider of payment and POS systems that cater to businesses of all sizes and types. The company was founded in 2011 by Jacyn Heavens, and its headquarters is in Norwich, United Kingdom. With their system, businesses can manage operations, process sales, and accept online and offline payments. The company's user-friendly approach to POS technology has been well-received by customers, improving their operational efficiency and customer service experience. Epos Now is renowned for its reliability and innovation, and it continues to enhance its offerings to satisfy the evolving demands of businesses worldwide. They offer a range of features designed to fulfill the needs of retail and hospitality businesses, including point-of-sale functions, inventory management, reporting, and staff management. The provider also offers table management, online ordering, e-commerce integration, loyalty programs, barcode scanning, mobile POS, and integrations with various third-party services. They have received accolades for their capabilities and leadership in the industry, including Best Capabilities for the best restaurant POS system in Money.com’s 2023's list, Frost & Sullivan's 2021 Global Competitive Strategy Leadership Award 2021, and "Leader" in the G2 Crowd Grid Report for Retail POS Systems (Fall 2023).
TouchBistro's POS system is a Toronto-based restaurant management solution that enhances operational efficiency and improves the guest experience. Since its launch in 2010, TouchBistro has become the choice for many dining establishments, small businesses, and large enterprises. The system is known for its simplicity, reliability, and comprehensive features, and its intuitive interface requires minimal training, saving restaurant teams time and resources. TouchBistro helps restaurateurs make informed decisions through robust reporting and analytics. The menu management feature allows restaurateurs to create and edit menus efficiently. The system's staff management enables owners to track employee performance and schedule shifts. TouchBistro's floor plan and table management features allow restaurant teams to visualize seating arrangements and monitor occupancy levels, while tableside ordering increases order accuracy and improves the guest experience. TouchBistro is considered one of the top POS systems for the restaurant industry because of its dedicated focus on meeting the unique demands of the sector. They have won several awards over time, and have received mixed but mostly positive customer feedback. However, they are not accredited by the BBB and have an F rating.
- Trustpilot Score : 4.4 out of 5
- Customer Experience : Good
- Transparent Pricing : True
- Pricing Model : Subscription-based model with add-ons
- BBB Rating : N/R
- Trustpilot Score : 3.8 out of 5
- Customer Experience : Good
- Transparent Pricing : True
- Pricing Model : Monthly contract, with add-ons
- BBB Rating : F
- Money-Back Guarantee : False
- Inclusive and specialized packages
- Accessible from mobile and desktop devices
- Regular software maintenance
- Cloud-based POS
- Supports all restaurant types
- Integrated Payment Processing
- Robust third-party integration
- Automated Payroll—Undisclosed
- Automated Tax Filing—Undisclosed
- Billing & Invoicing
- Cloud-Based Services
- Customizable Hardware
- Electronic Receipts
- Free Hardware
- HR Add Ons—Undisclosed
- Inventory Management
- Inventory Tracking
- Loyalty Program
- Mobile App
- Mobile Card Reader
- Real-Time Reports
- Third-Party Software Integration
- Time Tracking—Undisclosed
- Virtual Terminal
- Automated Payroll—Undisclosed
- Automated Tax Filing—Undisclosed
- Billing & Invoicing
- Cloud-Based Services
- Customizable Hardware
- Electronic Receipts
- Free Hardware—Undisclosed
- HR Add Ons—Undisclosed
- Inventory Management
- Inventory Tracking
- Loyalty Program
- Mobile App—Undisclosed
- Mobile Card Reader
- Real-Time Reports
- Third-Party Software Integration
- Time Tracking—Undisclosed
- Virtual Terminal
- EMV Compliant
- NFC
- Payment Fraud Protection
- PCI Compliance
- EMV Compliant
- NFC
- Payment Fraud Protection
- PCI Compliance
- Accounting Software
- Processing Services
- Productivity Software
- Accounting Software
- Processing Services
- Productivity Software
- Barcode Scanner
- Credit Card Reader
- Customer-Facing Display
- Display Screen
- POS Terminal
- Receipt Printer
- Self-Service Kiosk
- Barcode Scanner—Undisclosed
- Credit Card Reader
- Customer-Facing Display
- Display Screen
- POS Terminal
- Receipt Printer
- Self-Service Kiosk
- Android
- Cloud-Based
- iOS
- macOS
- On-Site Installation—Undisclosed
- Windows
- Android
- Cloud-Based—Undisclosed
- iOS
- macOS
- On-Site Installation—Undisclosed
- Windows
- Annual Subscription
- Free Trial
- Freemium—Undisclosed
- Monthly Subscription
- One-Time License
- Annual Subscription—Undisclosed
- Free Trial
- Freemium—Undisclosed
- Monthly Subscription
- One-Time License—Undisclosed
- Documentation
- In-Person
- Live Online
- Videos
- Webinars
- Documentation
- In-Person
- Live Online
- Videos—Undisclosed
- Webinars
- ACH Processing
- Cash Transactions
- Check
- Credit Card Terminals
- Electronic Signature
- Gift Cards
- In-Person Payments
- Mobile Payments
- Online Payment Processing
- ACH Processing
- Cash Transactions
- Check
- Credit Card Terminals
- Electronic Signature
- Gift Cards
- In-Person Payments
- Mobile Payments
- Online Payment Processing
- Demos
- FAQs/Forum
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile App
- Phone
- Social Media
- Demos
- FAQs/Forum
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile App—Undisclosed
- Phone
- Social Media—Undisclosed
Epos Now vs. TouchBistro
Shopping for a new POS system for your hospitality business can be challenging. Therefore, it is paramount to compare some of the industry's best and most prominent names, including Epos Now and TouchBistro.
Both offer affordable and reliable systems that can help simplify your day-to-day operations. Despite their many similarities, the differences are quite significant.
Given that no two businesses are alike, what works for one might not work for another. A significant factor in these differences is the POS system each business employs. This comparison is designed to simplify your decision-making process by helping you identify the POS system that best suits your business requirements.
Service range and customization options
Epos Now and TouchBistro offer a range of features for POS services. They're tailored to meet the needs of various businesses, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors. Both platforms provide essential functionalities such as invoicing and invoice customization.
The main differences between Epos Now and TouchBistro lie in their specialization and integration capabilities. Epos Now is versatile, catering to retail and hospitality businesses with broader hardware compatibility and third-party integrations. They provide robust multi-channel sales management and detailed customer behavior analytics. On the other hand, TouchBistro excels in the restaurant sector, offering features tailored specifically for food service operations, including kitchen display systems, menu management, an integrated reservation system, and a payment processing system.
Epos Now offers flexible POS software for retail and hospitality businesses, compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. They feature inventory management, integration with QuickBooks and Shopify, and robust offline support for transactions without the Internet.
TouchBistro, tailored for the restaurant industry, includes tableside ordering, floor plan management, and real-time inventory tracking, all running on iPads. They also integrate with online ordering platforms and have a built-in reservation system.
Ease of use and integration
Epos Now and TouchBistro offer user-friendly interfaces and robust integration capabilities, making them ideal for modern businesses. Epos Now is a cloud-based POS system known for their flexibility, running on iOS, Android, and Windows. They offer comprehensive features like menu management, staff management, and reporting, with data accessible from any internet-connected device, enhancing mobility and convenience.
In contrast, TouchBistro is a hybrid cloud-based POS system targeting the hospitality and restaurant industries. They run exclusively on iOS, ensuring seamless integration with Apple hardware. This hybrid approach keeps the system operational without an internet connection, making reliable backup crucial for continuous restaurant service.
Epos Now supports a broader range of integrations, making it highly adaptable to various business environments. They integrate with over 100 third-party applications, including significant accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, and different payment processors. TouchBistro, although more limited in integrations, focuses on essential restaurant management tools, including accounting integrations with MarginEdge and Shogo and staff scheduling with seven shifts. TouchBistro’s iOS exclusivity and intuitive interface minimize training time for new staff. In contrast, Epos Now’s multi-platform support offers greater hardware flexibility and extensive integration options, appealing to businesses with diverse needs.
Security and compliance
Epos Now and TouchBistro prioritize security and compliance, integrating Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance into their systems to ensure the secure handling of payment information. They offer encryption and tokenization to protect transaction data, use safe payment gateways, and maintain robust measures for data protection, including regular software updates and antivirus protections. Additionally, both platforms provide real-time reporting and analytics to monitor transactions and detect suspicious activities promptly.
Despite these commonalities, Epos Now and TouchBistro handle security and compliance differently. Epos Now focuses on extensive integration capabilities, supporting various third-party applications and payment processors that can be customized to meet specific business needs. Their robust offline capabilities allow businesses to continue processing payments without an internet connection, enhancing security and operational reliability during downtimes.
In contrast, TouchBistro offers specialized features like tableside ordering, menu customization, integrated reservations, and loyalty program management directly within the system. This reduces the need for additional software that might introduce security vulnerabilities. TouchBistro’s built-in offline mode within the cloud-based system ensures continued service without extra hardware, simplifying restaurant security management and compliance efforts.
Pricing
Epos Now and TouchBistro offer POS systems with varying pricing models, though they differ significantly in transparency and structure.
Epos Now’s pricing, focusing on bundled hardware and software solutions, can be somewhat unclear. They offer a one-time discounted price of $349 for a complete system, but most options require contacting their sales team for a quote. Additionally, monthly plans start at $39, with a $79 monthly subscription for discounted hardware. Add-ons like KDS and online ordering incur extra costs typically not listed on their website.
TouchBistro, on the other hand, provides more detailed pricing information, starting at $69 per month per license for front-of-house solutions. They list add-ons separately with clear pricing: KDS at $19 monthly, profit management at $330 monthly, online ordering at $50 monthly, and reservation management at $229 monthly, among others. A quote is required for payment processing services and customer-facing displays.
Conclusion
Epos Now and TouchBistro are two prominent POS systems catering to different business needs. Epos Now, originating from the UK, offers versatile solutions for the retail and hospitality sectors. They support multiple devices and integrate with various third-party applications, making them ideal for businesses seeking flexibility and extensive integration options.
TouchBistro, developed in North America, specializes in the restaurant industry. They offer features like real-time inventory tracking and a built-in reservation system. These user-friendly iOS-based systems ensure continuous service with offline capabilities.
While Epos Now suits different businesses, TouchBistro shines at restaurant solutions. Due to their specialized features, TouchBistro is recommended for restaurants. However, Epos Now requires broader hardware compatibility and integration flexibility for businesses.
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