There's no single 'best' POS for every restaurant. The right choice depends on your size, service style, budget, and what you need beyond order-taking. This guide covers what to look for, who the main UK players are, and how to evaluate them honestly.
Disclosure: this guide is published by TablePort, which is one of the providers mentioned. Information is based on publicly available data as at October 2026. Features and pricing change; verify with each provider before deciding.
Why operators pick TablePort
One platform
Many providers sell the POS separately from reservations, stock and scheduling. TablePort offers POS, reservations, KDS, stock and scheduling in one platform (reservations, staff scheduling and stock are priced add-ons): one dataset, one login, one place to look when something breaks mid-service.
Hardware freedom
No proprietary terminals are required. Use any iPad or Android device. Connect to your existing receipt printers, cash drawers, and card readers.
Direct line
Custom workflow? Ask the development team directly. We are a small team, and you talk to the people who build the product.
What's included
Modules
All-in-one
POS, reservations, KDS, stock, scheduling, loyalty, kiosk: one platform.
Onboarding
Self-serve start
Sign up, import your menu from a photo or pasted text, and start on your own device.
Terms
Month to month
No setup fee, no long-term contract, no proprietary hardware. Cancel any time.
TablePort vs the category
| Feature | TablePort | Most UK POS |
|---|---|---|
Hardware Run on what you already own, or buy from anywhere. | Any iPad or Android tablet | Varies by provider: some require their own hardware |
Reservations + floor plan Booking, walk-in, waitlist, linked to the POS. | Varies: included, add-on or separate vendor | |
Kitchen Display System | On any screen, no extra hardware | Varies: included, add-on or separate |
Staff scheduling + time tracking | Varies: built in, add-on or third-party tool | |
Stock + inventory | Varies: included, add-on or higher-tier plan | |
QR order & pay Guests browse, order, and pay without flagging staff. | Varies: included, add-on or separate product | |
Kiosk mode | Turn any tablet into self-service | Varies by provider |
Loyalty + gift cards | Built in, no per-customer fee | Varies: built in, add-on or third-party |
UK compliance VAT bands, tipping legislation, allergen labelling. | UK VAT, tipping law and allergen labelling supported | Varies by provider |
Contract | Month to month, cancel anytime | Varies: monthly and multi-year terms both exist |
Setup | No setup fee; migration help available | Varies by provider |
Custom development | Direct access to the development team | Varies by provider |
"Most UK POS" is a generalisation and does not describe any one provider. Individual platforms differ; see the head-to-head pages below for specifics, dated and sourced from each provider's own website.
Where we're honest
A buyer's guide that only flatters its publisher is marketing, not a guide. Here's where the larger platforms genuinely win.
Customer references at scale.
Toast states it serves 180,000 locations (Q2 2026) and Lightspeed over 150,000 (31 March 2026). If you need thousands of UK references before signing, we're not there yet.
Integration marketplaces.
Toast lists 65+ integration partners in the UK and Square lists 100+ technology partner integrations. Our marketplace is smaller; we build custom integrations where it matters.
Built-in financial services.
Toast lists payroll as part of its UK offering. We don't offer payroll, so you'll use a separate provider.
24/7 phone support.
We are a small team. If round-the-clock call-centre support is non-negotiable, a larger provider may suit you better.
Honest answers
Can't find what you're looking for? Talk to us.
30 days free. Cancel any time. Then month to month. We help bring your data across if you are switching.