⚖️ Our Verdict
For businesses taking £5,000+/month, EPOS Direct's flat fee almost always wins on total cost over 12–24 months. Square suits micro-businesses doing under £2,000/month.
Square vs EPOS Direct: At a Glance
| Feature | Square | EPOS Direct ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | £0 + 1.75% per transaction (no way to avoid) | From £549 one-time flat |
| Contract | No formal contract but transaction fees are permanent | No contract — flexible |
| Ownership | Never — you rely on Square forever | Own outright from £399 |
| Works Offline | Very limited — most features require internet | ✓ Full offline mode |
| UK Phone Support | Limited or chat only | ✓ 08000 336 888 |
✗ Square Weaknesses
- ✗1.75% per transaction adds up — £5,000/month turnover = £87.50/month in fees
- ✗Very limited offline functionality — you need internet to take most payments
- ✗No multi-site reporting without Square for Restaurants/Retail (from £60/month)
- ✗Limited integration with UK accounting software vs EPOS Direct
- ✗Hardware must be purchased separately — no all-in-one bundle under £150
✓ EPOS Direct Advantages
- ✓Flat monthly fee — no surprise transaction charges eating your margin
- ✓Full offline mode — take sales and card payments without internet
- ✓Complete system including till + card machine from £549 one-time
- ✓Own outright option from £399 — then zero ongoing software costs
- ✓Free UK-based phone support: 08000 336 888
Complete EPOS + Teya Card Terminal
£549 + VAT
One-time — or own outright from £399 — no monthly software fees ever
- ✓ Hardware + software included
- ✓ Teya card terminal (1% rate)
- ✓ No monthly software fees
- ✓ No long-term contracts
- ✓ Works offline
- ✓ UK-based support team
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Square free to use in the UK?
Square has no monthly fee but charges 1.75% on every card transaction. A business turning over £10,000/month pays £175/month in Square fees — more than EPOS Direct's flat £549 one-time.
Does Square work offline in the UK?
Square has very limited offline capability. You can take payments offline but they process when you reconnect, and most management features require internet. EPOS Direct works fully offline including all reporting and management.
Can I use Square for a restaurant or multiple tills?
Square for Restaurants starts from £60/month plus 1.75% fees. EPOS Direct's multi-till setup is included in the standard package with no per-till software fee.
What is the true monthly cost of Square vs EPOS Direct?
Square: £0/month + 1.75% per transaction. On £8,000 turnover that's £140/month. EPOS Direct: £549 one-time flat, no transaction fees on top. At most turnover levels above £2,000/month, EPOS Direct works out cheaper.