What's Included in an EPOS and Card Payment Bundle?

A well-specified bundle typically combines hardware, software, and payment processing into a single, coherent solution. Understanding exactly what each component does helps you avoid buying more than you need — or missing something critical.

Core hardware components

• Touchscreen till terminal — the central unit running your EPOS software, typically a 15" or 15.6" capacitive touchscreen display
• Receipt printer — usually a 80mm thermal printer; look for USB and Ethernet connectivity for flexibility
• Cash drawer — a sturdy steel drawer triggered automatically by your software on cash transactions
• Barcode scanner — essential for retail; a 1D/2D handheld scanner speeds up checkout and stock-takes significantly
• Card payment machine — either countertop, portable, or mobile, depending on your setup

Software and connectivity

The software layer is where bundles differ most. Look for a cloud-based EPOS platform that handles sales, inventory, staff management, and reporting — and crucially, one that talks natively to the card terminal rather than relying on a manual key-entry workaround. You can explore EPOS Direct's full software suite to see how retail, hospitality, and specialist platforms are structured before committing to a configuration.

Why Buy Your EPOS System and Card Machine Together?

Many businesses purchase a till system and card reader from completely separate suppliers, then discover months later that the two don't talk to each other — meaning staff manually enter card sale amounts and reconciliation is a nightly headache. Buying a matched bundle eliminates that friction entirely.

The practical advantages

• Automatic transaction posting: the card amount is sent directly from the terminal to the EPOS software, eliminating double-entry errors
• End-of-day reconciliation: cash and card totals reconcile automatically, saving 20–40 minutes on a typical close-down
• Single point of accountability: one supplier owns any integration issue — you're not caught between a card processor and a software vendor blaming each other
• Faster staff training: one consistent interface means new starters learn the system in a single session
• Better reporting: payment method breakdowns, refunds, and voids are all visible inside one dashboard

For a deeper look at the mechanics of combined systems, our guide on card machine and till system combined solutions covers the technical integration in detail.

Bundle Options for UK Retail Businesses

Retail configurations vary enormously — a single-lane boutique has very different needs from a multi-terminal convenience store. Below are the three most common retail bundle tiers.

Starter retail bundle

Suited to sole traders, market stalls, and pop-up shops. A compact touchscreen terminal, integrated card reader, and cloud software licence. Stock management is basic (item count, low-stock alerts), and reporting covers daily sales by category. This is an ideal entry point for businesses switching from a traditional cash register — something covered in practical detail in our guide on upgrading from a cash register to a modern EPOS system.

Standard retail bundle

The most popular configuration for independent retailers: a full countertop terminal, thermal receipt printer, steel cash drawer, 2D barcode scanner, and a countertop or portable card terminal. Software at this tier typically includes full inventory management, supplier purchase orders, customer loyalty, and staff-level reporting.

Multi-lane retail bundle

For larger independents, supermarkets, and franchises operating two or more tills simultaneously. Includes a back-office management station, multiple terminal licences, centralised stock control, and wireless card machines at each lane. If wireless card processing is a priority, our guide to the best wireless card machines for small businesses explains the connectivity options in plain terms.

Ready to see what's available right now? Browse our current retail EPOS offers and filter by business size.

Bundle Options for UK Hospitality and Catering

Food service businesses have unique requirements: split billing, table management, kitchen display routing, and the ability to take card payments tableside. A hospitality bundle is not simply a retail bundle with a different logo — the software architecture and hardware configuration are meaningfully different.

Café and quick-service bundle

A compact countertop terminal, integrated card machine, and receipt printer. Software handles a menu-based product list, modifier options (e.g. milk type, shot count), and integration with a kitchen display screen or receipt printer in the prep area. Card payments are typically taken at the counter, so a countertop terminal with contactless suffices.

Full-service restaurant bundle

Table-mapped terminals, handheld ordering devices for floor staff, a kitchen display system, and portable or mobile card machines for pay-at-table. The software manages covers, courses, split bills, and allergen flagging — a legal requirement under UK food information regulations (see the Food Standards Agency guidance for full detail). You can take a hands-on look at this via the restaurant EPOS software demo.

Bar and nightclub bundle

Speed of service is the defining criterion. Fast-tab architecture, pre-authorisation card holds, and quick-fire drink modifiers reduce queue times. Portable card machines with Bluetooth connectivity allow transactions anywhere in the venue.

See current configurations and pricing on the hospitality and restaurant EPOS offers page.

How Card Payment Integration Works with Your EPOS Software

This is the question buyers most commonly underestimate. There are two fundamentally different integration models, and choosing the wrong one creates ongoing operational friction.

Semi-integrated (the inferior option)

The card terminal is connected to the EPOS system but transaction data must be manually confirmed or keyed at the terminal. Reconciliation is still partly manual, and there is a risk of the amounts diverging if a cashier mis-keys a figure. This model is common with cheaper third-party card readers bolted onto a system they were never designed to work with.

Fully integrated (the recommended standard)

The EPOS software sends the exact transaction amount directly to the card terminal via a secure API. The card terminal returns the authorisation result — approved, declined, or referred — back to the software automatically. No manual input, no discrepancies. All major card schemes (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and payment types (contactless, chip & PIN, Apple Pay, Google Pay) are handled through a single flow. This is the integration model used across EPOS Direct's bundles.

For a comprehensive breakdown of integration approaches and what to ask any supplier before signing, see our guide to EPOS systems with integrated card payments.

What Does an Integrated EPOS Bundle Cost?

Pricing in this market spans a wide range depending on hardware specification, number of terminals, software tier, and whether you buy outright or on a monthly plan. The following are honest, indicative UK market ranges — not quotes — to help you budget realistically.

All figures above are approximate UK market ranges for guidance only and do not constitute a quote. Actual pricing depends on hardware specification, software tier, contract length, and installation requirements. Card processing fees (charged per transaction by the payment processor) are separate and will vary by volume and agreement.

The buy-outright-versus-subscribe decision is worth thinking through carefully — our article on monthly EPOS subscriptions versus outright purchase sets out the genuine pros and cons for businesses at different growth stages.

Key Features to Look for Before You Buy

Not all bundles are equal. These are the criteria that separate a system you'll still be happy with in three years from one you'll be replacing inside twelve months.

• Native payment integration: confirm the card terminal is integrated at the API level, not semi-integrated or manually linked
• Cloud-based software: gives you real-time reporting from any device, automatic software updates, and secure off-site data backup
• Offline resilience: the system should continue processing sales and card payments during a broadband outage, syncing when connectivity is restored
• UK-based support: check that technical support is available during your trading hours and that you're not relying on a ticket queue with a 48-hour SLA
• PCI DSS compliance: your card processing solution must meet Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard requirements; ask for confirmation before signing
• Scalability: can you add terminals, users, or stock locations without switching platforms?
• Reporting depth: hourly sales, staff performance, margin by product, stock turn — confirm the reports you actually need are included in your software tier

How to Choose the Right Bundle Size and Specification

The right configuration comes down to four honest questions about your business.

1. How many points of sale do you need simultaneously?

A single-queue operation needs one terminal. A business with a dedicated returns desk or a bar separate from a dining room may need two or three. Each terminal requires its own software licence and, typically, its own card machine.

2. Do staff need to take payments away from the counter?

Tableside payment in restaurants, queue-busting in busy retail, or roving sales on a market — all require a portable or mobile card machine paired with a handheld or tablet EPOS unit. If this describes your operation, prioritise wireless connectivity and battery life in your evaluation.

3. Do you have specialist software requirements?

Pharmacies, for example, need PMR integration and age-verification prompts; off-licences need Challenge 25 workflows; hospitality businesses need allergen management. Ensure the software tier you're buying includes these features natively. The pharmacy EPOS software demo is a good illustration of how sector-specific requirements are handled at the software level.

4. What's your realistic budget for both hardware and ongoing costs?

Factor in hardware, software licence, card processing fees, and support contract. An outright purchase has a higher upfront cost but lower total cost over three to five years; a monthly plan preserves cash flow and typically includes hardware replacement. Run both scenarios before deciding. For small business owners weighing up options, our roundup of the best till systems for small businesses in the UK provides useful comparative context.

If you're unsure which configuration fits your specific situation, talk to an expert online — the EPOS Direct team works with UK businesses across retail, hospitality, and specialist sectors every day and can recommend a bundle based on your actual trading patterns rather than a generic template.

Ready to Find the Right Bundle for Your Business?

An EPOS system paired with a fully integrated card payment machine removes friction at every stage of the transaction — for your customers and your team. Whether you're opening a first shop, upgrading an ageing till, or expanding to a second site, the right bundle pays for itself through faster checkout, fewer errors, and the time you get back at end of day.

EPOS Direct UK works with independent retailers, restaurants, cafés, and specialist businesses across the United Kingdom, providing hardware, software, and integrated card payment solutions under one roof. Request a free demo to see the software in action with your own product data, or visit the EPOS Direct UK home page for more offers and information. You can also request a call back and a member of the team will walk you through your options with no obligation.

Written by the EPOS Direct UK team, who advise UK businesses on EPOS and integrated payment solutions every day. Hardware pricing ranges cited are indicative UK market guidance only and should not be taken as a formal quotation.