Head-to-Head Comparison
/Flipdish vs Epos Now: All-in-One Platform or Flexible EPOS? (2026)
An independent head-to-head for operators choosing between Epos Now's modular EPOS ecosystem and Flipdish's connected restaurant platform
Oliver Hartley · Published 14 July 2026
Flipdish vs Epos Now for UK takeaways and QSR in 2026 — flexible EPOS vs all-in-one direct ordering, marketplace orders, kiosks and total stack assembly.
Epos Now and Flipdish both sell to UK hospitality operators — but they sell different things. Epos Now is a flexible EPOS base with hardware choice, an app marketplace of more than 100 integrations, and quote-based packaging that suits pubs, cafés and independents who want to assemble their own stack. Flipdish is a prescribed restaurant platform that connects POS, branded ordering, marketplace orders, kiosks, KDS, CRM and operational tooling in one vendor.
The tension shows up when a takeaway owner asks: "Do I want maximum choice, or maximum connection?" Epos Now's freedom is real — you can run terminals, tablets or desktops and plug in the apps you already know. Flipdish's value is the opposite — fewer decisions, fewer suppliers, and one menu flowing to your till, website, app, kiosk and delivery tablets.
The decision you are actually making
Epos Now fits operators who want hardware flexibility, familiar reseller relationships and the option to keep existing ordering or marketplace tools. Flipdish fits takeaways, QSR and delivery-first restaurants that are tired of stitching apps together and want more direct orders from one reasonably priced platform.
The verdict
For UK and Ireland takeaways and QSR operators building toward direct ordering, marketplace consolidation and optional kiosk, KDS, phone AI and inventory in one vendor, Flipdish is the stronger choice. Epos Now remains better for pubs, cafés and independents that value device choice and app-marketplace flexibility over a single connected ordering platform.
Profiles: Flipdish · Epos Now. See also Best restaurant POS systems in the UK.
Independent comparison · Updated July 2026 · How we evaluate tools
/quick comparison
| Platform | Best for | Published pricing | Direct ordering | Marketplace orders | Stack flexibility | Bottom line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flipdish | Connected QSR and direct-order growth | From £119/site/month annually | Included — web, app, kiosk | Native aggregation | Prescribed all-in-one platform | One vendor; less hardware choice |
| Epos Now | Flexible hardware and app ecosystem | Hardware from £299; software quoted | Via apps and integrations | Via app marketplace | High — 100+ apps and device choice | Modular EPOS; you assemble the stack |
/head-to-head breakdown
01. Flipdish
Flipdish is designed for operators who do not want to be systems integrators. POS, Flipdish Pay, branded website and app ordering, kiosks, kitchen display, loyalty, CRM, marketing automation, staff scheduling, inventory support, health and safety tooling and native Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats visibility run as one connected platform.
For UK and Irish takeaways and QSR brands, the practical win is operational: one menu update propagates everywhere; one customer record follows guests from app to counter; one reporting view shows direct versus marketplace performance. Optional AI phone ordering, forecasting and upsell tools target the phone-and-peak-period pressure that defines takeaway service.
Pricing: Essential from £119 per site per month billed annually. Hardware and transaction fees quoted through Flipdish Pay.
Where Flipdish is weaker: Operators who already own Epos Now hardware, have a trusted reseller, or need Windows/desktop tills may prefer Epos Now's device flexibility. Flipdish is a platform decision, not a peripheral add-on.
- One vendor for POS, direct ordering, marketplace orders and marketing
- Branded web, app and kiosk ordering included
- Reduces middleware, menu sync and reconciliation work
- Optional KDS, phone AI, inventory and health and safety modules
- Built for UK and Ireland takeaways and QSR at scale
- Less hardware choice than Epos Now's terminal, tablet and desktop options
- Not ideal if you only want a till and plan to keep separate ordering tools
- Quote-based elements for hardware and payments
Best for: Takeaways, QSR and delivery-first restaurants that want more direct orders and one connected vendor at a reasonable total stack cost.
View full profile →
02. Epos Now
Epos Now is one of the UK's most widely deployed hospitality EPOS providers. It runs on dedicated terminals, tablets and desktops, advertises hospitality hardware packages from £299, and offers an app marketplace spanning inventory, bookings, loyalty, online ordering and delivery integrations.
That modularity attracts pubs, cafés and independents with varied layouts — fixed terminals at the bar, tablets on the floor, back-office desktops for reporting. If you already have relationships with Epos Now resellers or complementary apps, staying in that ecosystem can be the path of least resistance.
Where Epos Now is weaker for delivery-first operators: Direct ordering, marketplace management, kiosk, CRM and AI tooling typically arrive through separate apps with separate contracts. Public software pricing is less transparent than Square's or Flipdish's published tiers — buyers should request itemised quotes for every module they will need within 12 months. High-volume takeaways often discover that the "flexible" stack becomes expensive to maintain once ordering, middleware and marketing apps are all live.
Pricing: Hardware from £299; ongoing software, payments and apps quoted by package.
- Flexible hardware — terminals, tablets and desktops
- Large app marketplace for inventory, loyalty and ordering
- Familiar to UK pubs, cafés and reseller channels
- Ingredient-level inventory available through apps
- Direct ordering and marketplaces usually require separate apps
- Total cost and vendor count harder to predict upfront
- Less native connection between ordering, CRM and kitchen flow than Flipdish
Best for: Independent restaurants, pubs and cafés that want hardware choice and are comfortable assembling ordering, marketplace and marketing tools from the app marketplace.
View full profile →/verdict
Who should choose Flipdish?
Choose Flipdish if you run a takeaway or QSR in the UK or Ireland and want one vendor for POS, branded direct ordering, marketplace visibility, payments and optional kiosk, KDS, phone AI, inventory and health and safety — without negotiating which app from a marketplace covers which channel. Flipdish is the better bet when direct-order growth and operational simplicity matter more than hardware modularity.
Who should choose Epos Now?
Choose Epos Now if you need specific hardware form factors, already run Epos Now successfully, or want to pick best-of-breed apps for each function. Pubs with mixed food and wet service, or sites with unusual till layouts, often value that flexibility — provided they accept the ongoing work of keeping integrations healthy.
The honest middle ground
Some single-site takeaways on Epos Now with a working ordering app and Deliveroo tablet can operate fine for years. The migration case for Flipdish strengthens when you are adding a second site, launching an app, introducing kiosks, or spending manager time on menu mismatches and channel reconciliation every week.
How we compared these platforms
We assessed stack assembly effort, direct-ordering depth, marketplace handling, hardware flexibility, pricing transparency and fit for delivery-active UK QSR — not EPOS feature counts alone. Rankings are editorial. Vendors do not pay for placement. Read our review methodology and corrections policy.
Related guides
- Best restaurant POS systems in the UK
- Best takeaway POS systems in the UK
- Best online ordering systems for restaurants
- Flipdish profile · Epos Now profile
Sources
/frequently asked questions
Is Flipdish better than Epos Now for a UK takeaway?
For most delivery-active takeaways and QSR operators prioritising direct orders and one connected vendor, Flipdish is stronger. Epos Now is better when you want flexible hardware, reseller relationships and the freedom to choose separate apps for ordering and marketplaces.
Can Epos Now handle online ordering and Deliveroo?
Yes, through apps and integrations in the Epos Now marketplace. However, ordering, marketplace middleware and marketing are typically separate products with separate costs. Compare the full vendor list and monthly total against Flipdish's bundled platform before deciding.
Which platform has clearer pricing?
Flipdish publishes UK software tiers from £119 per site per month annually. Epos Now advertises hardware from £299 but software, payments and apps are usually quote-based. Request an itemised Epos Now quote listing every module you need for a fair comparison.
Does Flipdish support kiosks and KDS?
Yes. Flipdish offers self-service kiosks and kitchen display as part of its platform, with orders from web, app, kiosk, counter and marketplaces flowing into the same kitchen workflow.
