Introduction
When you are running a hospitality business in the United Kingdom it is really important to choose the point of sale and payment solution. A lot of people like using Square but many restaurants, cafes and takeaways are now looking for options that can offer better prices more features for hospitality or more control over how things are run.
With the cost of transactions going up and more people wanting systems that can do everything, businesses are looking for solutions that go beyond taking payments. This guide will look at the 7 best Square POS alternatives for starting with a platform designed specifically for hospitality.
Why Look for Alternatives to Square Point of Sale in the UK?
Square is well known for being easy to use and not costing a lot to get started. However, as businesses get bigger, some limitations become more obvious.
If you are doing a lot of transactions, the cost of using Square can add up for busy restaurants. Some features, like loyalty programs and marketing tools, cost extra. Also Square is mainly a payments- platform, which means restaurants often need to use other tools for delivery, customer engagement and operations.
This is why many hospitality businesses in the UK are switching to integrated and cost-efficient alternatives.
1. Grafterr POS
Key Features
- Grafterr combines point of sale, payments, online ordering, QR table ordering and delivery management into one system, which lets businesses manage everything without needing a lot of tools.
- It has features like tracking inventory down to the ingredient level, managing staff and tracking drivers in real time which helps make workflows more efficient and reduces mistakes.
- It also has built-in loyalty programs, marketing tools and customer engagement features, which lets businesses increase sales without needing software.
- You can manage locations from one dashboard and get reports from all of them which makes it great for businesses that are growing and have many outlets.
Pricing
- It starts at £55/month for 2 point of sale licenses. You can process as many orders as you want whether they are in-store online or on a mobile device.
- The Pro plan is £75/month. Adds loyalty programs, reservations, marketing tools and table management. Features that usually cost extra with other companies.
Pros
- Grafterr offers a system that goes beyond just payments, which reduces the need for other apps and makes running the business easier.
- It is a value for the money because it includes advanced features like delivery, loyalty and marketing which are usually extra.
Cons
- It might have many features for businesses that just need a simple way to process payments.
- It takes a bit time to set up compared to systems like Square that you can just plug in and use.
2. Stripe
Key Features
- Stripe is a platform for payments that developers like. It lets businesses create their own checkout experiences for online and mobile payments.
- It supports currencies, subscriptions and payment methods from around the world which makes it great for businesses that are expanding globally.
- The platform has APIs and integrations that let you customize it deeply across apps, websites and point of sale systems.
- Stripe Terminal also lets you use it for in-person payments, which makes it a flexible alternative to Square.
Pros
- It is very flexible. Can grow with your business, which makes it great for companies with complex payment needs or custom workflows.
- It is good for businesses because it supports international payments and transactions in many currencies.
Cons
- You need to know about technology or have a developer to fully use it and customize it.
- It is not as easy to use as Square for hospitality businesses.
3. SumUp
Key Features
- SumUp is made for businesses that need simple and mobile-friendly payment solutions that are easy to set up.
- It supports payment links, QR code payments and invoicing which lets businesses take payments in person and remotely.
- You do not need any hardware to use it which makes it very flexible for vendors who are always on the move and for pop-up shops.
- The reporting tools are built in. Let you track sales right from the mobile app.
Pros
- It is very affordable and easy to set up which makes it great for startups, food trucks and small cafes.
- It is flexible because it is mobile-first, which reduces the need for hardware.
Cons
- It does not have features like detailed analytics, inventory management or tools for multiple locations.
- It is not suitable for businesses that are growing and have operational needs.
4. PayPal Zettle
Key Features
- Zettle lets businesses take card and PayPal payments easily which makes it great for businesses that already use PayPal.
- It has a point of sale app with basic reporting, inventory tracking and payment processing features.
- The system is made for setup and mobile use which makes it great for small retailers and hospitality vendors.
- Payments go into your PayPal account, which lets you get your money faster.
Pros
- PayPal is a trusted brand. It is easy to manage payments and cash flow with Zettle.
- It is easy to set up and use, which lets businesses start taking payments
Cons
- You cannot customize it much. It does not have many advanced features compared to larger point of sale systems.
- The customer support and advanced tools might not be as good as what you would get with a solution.
5. Lightspeed
Key Features
- Lightspeed has tools for managing inventory, which lets businesses track stock, suppliers and orders in real time.
- The analytics are advanced. Give deep insights into sales performance, customer behavior and how well the business is running.
- It supports managing locations with centralized reporting and control across all outlets.
- It can integrate with accounting, delivery and eCommerce platforms.
Pros
- It is great for businesses that make decisions based on data and need insights into inventory and analytics to run the business well.
- It can grow with your business, which makes it great for hospitality businesses with locations.
Cons
- It can get expensive because you need to pay for ons and integrations to get all the features.
- It is more complex to set up compared to platforms like Square.
6. Toast
Key Features
- Toast is made for restaurants and has tools like tableside ordering and kitchen display systems.
- It integrates ordering and delivery channels, which helps businesses manage both in-person and off-premise sales.
- It has tools for managing staff and scheduling which helps optimize the workforce and reduce issues.
- The platform has hardware designed for restaurants, which makes it more reliable during times.
Pros
- It is made for hospitality. Has features that directly improve service speed and order accuracy.
- It integrates well between the front and back of the house, which improves efficiency.
Cons
- You have to use its payment system, which limits your flexibility in choosing providers.
- It can get expensive with features and hardware.
7. Clover
Key Features
- Clover has hardware options from handheld devices to full point of sale systems, which lets businesses choose what works best for them.
- It supports payment processors, which gives businesses more flexibility compared to Squares closed system.
- The platform has app-based customization, which lets businesses extend its functionality as needed.
- It has built-in tools for inventory, staff management and reporting which provides a point of sale solution.
Pros
- It is flexible because it lets businesses choose their payment processors and avoid being locked into one provider.
- It has hardware options, which makes it adaptable for different hospitality environments.
Cons
- The pricing can be complex. Vary depending on vendors and integrations.
- Some advanced features require apps or subscriptions.
Conclusion
While Square is a starting point for businesses that just need simple payment processing it often falls short as hospitality operations get more complex and need more than just transactions. Many alternatives offer improvements in areas but they often require multiple integrations to work as a complete system.
Grafterr on the hand is made specifically for hospitality from the ground up. It goes beyond point of sale by combining payments QR ordering, online ordering, delivery management, kiosks and customer engagement tools into one platform. This eliminates the need for third-party apps, reduces friction and creates a seamless experience for both staff and customers.
With pricing starting at £55/month built-in features like loyalty programs, live delivery tracking and multi-location management Grafterr offers exceptional value while remaining scalable for growing businesses. Whether you are running a takeaway or managing multiple locations it has everything you need to streamline operations and maximize profitability.
Ultimately if you are looking for a point of sale that simplifies your technology and enhances the customer experience Grafterr POS is the complete and practical alternative to Square.
