Guide
Updated 12 November 2026
Takeaway EPOS vs online ordering system: which do you need?
By Arslan Munir
Updated 12 Nov 2026. Rival figures below are from each provider's own pages, read on 12 November 2026. Chefzi sells online ordering with a till on its top plan, so it is one of the options covered.
In short: an EPOS (electronic point of sale) is the till your staff use to take counter and phone orders, take payment and print tickets. An online ordering system is the website or app where customers order and pay themselves. If customers already want to order without walking in, start with online ordering. If handwritten tickets, cash-ups and kitchen mix-ups are the pain, start with the EPOS. Many busy takeaways end up needing both, so the real choice is usually one product that does both or two that are connected. If you decide the till comes first, see our takeaway EPOS system page for how the till, online ordering and delivery fit together.
What each one does
| Job | EPOS (the till) | Online ordering system |
|---|---|---|
| Who places the order | Your staff, at the counter or on the phone | The customer, on your website, app or a QR code |
| Where orders come from | Walk-ins and phone calls | Google, social media, your website, QR codes |
| Payment | Card terminal or cash at the counter | Online card payment as the order is placed, or cash on collection or delivery |
| Kitchen | Prints tickets and can drive a kitchen screen | Sends each order to a tablet, phone or printer |
| Records | Every sale by item, payment type and VAT rate, plus end-of-day totals | Each order with the customer's details and history |
| Cannot do on its own | Take an order from someone who is not in the shop or on the phone | Ring up a walk-in or take cash over the counter |
Signs you need an EPOS first
- More than one person takes orders, and you need to see who rang up what.
- Handwritten tickets cause mistakes: the wrong size, a missed extra, a meal deal charged as separate items.
- Your accountant wants takings split by payment type and VAT rate and you add up card slips by hand.
- You run, or plan to run, a second shop.
Signs you need online ordering first
- The phone rings out during the rush, or regulars order from a delivery app because it is the only way to order from you.
- You pay commission on orders from customers who already know you. See the Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo commission guides for the published rates.
- You want a customer list and a direct way to tell regulars about offers.
Three ways to set it up in the UK
| Set-up | Example from its own pages (12 Nov 2026) | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Till first, with ordering added | Square Online: a free plan, with Plus at £69 a month after a 30-day trial and an online card rate of 1.4% + 25p for UK cards | Counter-led shops that already like their till | Per-card fees on online orders and a web page rather than your own branded ordering site |
| A till bundle that includes ordering | ServeMate: £49 a month per shop covering the till, online ordering at 0% commission, a self-order kiosk and loyalty; cards through Dojo only | Shops replacing the till and the ordering system together | One supplier for everything, and card payments tied to one processor |
| Ordering first, till when you need it | Chefzi: ordering website and the Chefzi Orders app on every plan from £12 a month (£9 billed annually); the Chefzi POS browser till is on Pro at £49 (£39) | Shops that mainly need direct orders and a simple till later | The Chefzi POS is in beta, card sales at the counter use your own card terminal, and Chefzi does not sell kiosks |
For more provider detail, see the ServeMate alternative and Square Online comparison pages.
What it costs, in plain numbers
Our arithmetic from the published prices, excluding VAT and card processing:
| What you need | Provider | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ordering website only | Chefzi Starter | £12 (£9 billed annually) |
| Ordering with card payments and SMS and email marketing | Chefzi Plus | £22 (£19) |
| Ordering, loyalty, branded Android app and a till | Chefzi Pro | £49 (£39) |
| Till, ordering, kiosk and loyalty in one bundle | ServeMate | £49 |
| Ordering website on a free plan | Square Online | £0 (Plus is £69 after a 30-day trial) |
Chefzi prices are per location, with 0% commission, the first month free and no credit card to start. See Chefzi pricing.
Questions to ask before you choose
- Do online orders appear on the till and kitchen printer, or do I key them in twice?
- Who sets the card-payment rate, and am I tied to one processor?
- What happens to orders if the internet or tablet goes down?
- What do I pay per month, per order and for hardware?
- Can I leave with notice and take my menu and customer list?
Our questions to ask an ordering provider guide goes through each one. If you are looking at the till side, see takeaway EPOS and online ordering and the Chefzi POS.
Sources
- ServeMate pricing, servemate.co.uk/pricing, read 12 Nov 2026.
- Square Online, squareup.com/gb/en/online-store, read 12 Nov 2026.
- Chefzi facts and Chefzi pricing, chefzi.co.uk, read 12 Nov 2026.
Questions
What is the difference between an EPOS and an online ordering system?
An EPOS is the till your staff use for counter and phone orders, payments and receipts. An online ordering system is the website or app where customers order and pay themselves. One records sales made in the shop, the other creates orders from customers who are not.
Do I need both for a takeaway?
Not on day one. A small takeaway can start with whichever problem hurts most. Busy shops usually end up needing both, either from one provider or two connected ones.
Can online ordering replace an EPOS?
For taking orders from customers, yes. For ringing up walk-ins, taking cash at the counter and end-of-day reports, you still need a till or a till function. Chefzi's browser till is on Pro and is in beta.
Does Chefzi have a till?
Yes, the Chefzi POS browser till is on Pro (£49 a month, or £39 billed annually, per location, excluding VAT). It has kitchen display, split bills, a cash drawer and Z reports. It is in beta, and card sales at the counter go through your own external card terminal.
Does Chefzi offer kiosks or kitchen screens?
Chefzi does not sell kiosks or card machines. Orders arrive in the Chefzi Orders app on an Android phone or tablet you already own, and the Pro till includes a kitchen display view.
What is the cheapest way to take online orders?
Chefzi Starter is £12 a month, or £9 billed annually, per location, excluding VAT, with 0% commission. Square Online lists a free plan at £0. Card payments cost extra on every system.
Will I pay commission with an EPOS that includes ordering?
It depends on the provider. ServeMate and Chefzi state 0% commission on their own ordering. Delivery apps such as Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo charge commission on every order.