Epos Now vs Vend: What’s the Best Choice of EPOS?

Over the last decade, the technology behind electronic point of sale (EPOS) systems has become increasingly sophisticated. The retail and hospitality industries have fully embraced these new ways of doing business. 

A powerful EPOS system can help you take your business to the next level but choosing one that works for you can be difficult. Epos Now and Vend, two companies that have emerged as major players in the market, offer two great services. 

In this blog, we’re going to give you a brief introduction to both companies, an overview of their services, and help you choose the right option for your business*. 

Background and overview 

Vend

Vend was founded in 2010 by software engineer Vaughan Rowsell. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the company has grown to employ over 400 people and serves customers around the world. In March 2021, Vend was bought by Lightspeed in a deal worth $350 million.

They currently offer the following services:

• Systems available on Windows, IOS, and Android 
• Compatible with tablets and computers
• Software and hardware bundles available 
• Cloud-based EPOS system 
• An integrated app store

Epos Now

In 2011, Epos Now founder and CEO Jacyn Heavens saw a gap in the EPOS market for an EPOS system that made business owners’ lives easier. With a guiding ethos of providing transformative and affordable technology to every business that needed it, Epos Now was born. Since its founding, Epos Now has expanded to 71 countries and serves over 40,000 customers worldwide. 

They currently offer their customers the following services:

• Epos Now’s software runs on Android, Windows, and IOS operating systems
• Compatibles with a range of devices including smartphones, tablets, and computers
• Hardware and software bundles available 
• A cloud-based system with seamless online/offline synchronisation
• Single software plans that include the core features for retail and hospitality 
• Customers have the choice of a range of third-party payment processors or Epos Now Payments
• Integration with hundreds of applications through their app store

It should be noted that Vend focuses on the retail industry and does not currently offer hospitality systems. If you’re a restaurant, cafe or bar owner, Epos Now is the only viable option out of these two companies. 

Analysis

Before you choose your new EPOS system, it’s important to understand exactly what each one does. We’re going to explore the different strengths and weaknesses of Epos Now and Vend in detail. 

Connectivity

Epos Now and Vend both operate on cloud-based systems. Cloud-based systems use remote servers to store sales data and other pieces of information in a secure location. This means that businesses don’t need to worry about reserving valuable office space for a server rack that could potentially be damaged or stolen. 

The risk that comes with some cloud-based EPOS systems is that if you suffer a power or internet outage, your till won’t work and you’ll lose your sales data. This isn’t the case with Epos Now or Vend systems as both companies offer an offline mode. 

For Vend, what’s accessible offline is dictated by whether you are using their computer system or their iPad system. While using a computer you will be able to access your selling page and your status pages. This means you can still process sales and collect sales data but nothing will be properly saved until you reconnect to the internet. If you are using their iPad system, you will only have access to your selling page. Both systems will have their features severely limited in the event of an outage 

Epos Now offer a seamless transition between offline and online modes. This means that even if your internet goes down, you will still be able to access all your devices using your local network. You will still be able to take mobile payments, card payments, and cash payments.  

In addition to this, no matter what system you use, your data will be stored locally without you having to pay additional fees for a server. No matter how poor your internet is on the day, you’ll always be able to access your invaluable sales data later. 

Cloud-based systems are renowned for their safety and security so you can rest easy knowing your data is protected. In this respect, both companies are good for security-minded business owners. Epos Now customers are also able to access their sales data remotely by logging into their EPOS terminal using a supported device like a phone or tablet.

Hardware 

Hardware is an important part of any EPOS system. While Vend doesn’t currently produce their own hardware, they do use partner companies to provide their customers with hardware. If a small business is content to run on an iPad and nothing else, this could be seen as a benefit. If your business has complex needs, this could mean you’ll have to pay additional start-up costs.

In contrast to this, Epos Now can provide their customers with an entire suite of hardware. The Epos Now complete solution comes with: 

• Epos Now Pro-C15W terminal with water-resistant touch screen and solid-state drive
• 80MM Thermal Epos Now GX receipt printer
• Secure all-metal cash draw 

In addition to the hardware listed, the complete solution includes Epos Now software and free installation, configuration, and installation.

In addition to the complete solution, Epos Now also have a selection of mobile devices that aim to streamline processes. The Epos Now Pro+ and the Countertop P400 operate as completely handheld EPOS system. This is an incredibly convenient option for businesses. 

Pricing
As Vend does not offer a complete solution, we will be comparing the prices of the companies’ respective software plans. 

Epos Now currently offer a £25 per month software plan that works across all devices and their own hardware. Their software is available across IOS, Windows, and Android operating systems so you can be assured that it’ll work no matter which tools you use to run your business. 

Vend has three tiers of pricing available for their software. They are as follows:

• Basic package - £69 per month
• Standard package - £89 per month
• Premium package - £139 per month. 

They also offer a tailored enterprise package for high volume customers. Each of these packages comes with a cash register. 

While Vend may offer a wider range of prices, their lowest price still costs more than double the standard Epos Now software package. 

What exactly do we get for the price of each companies’ standard packages? For Vend, the £89 per month software package includes: 

• An EPOS system
• Integrated payments
• Accountancy tools
• Ecommerce tools

In contrast to this, the £25 per month basic Epos Now package comes with:

• A leading EPOS system 
• Integrated payments
• Accountancy tools 
• Ecommerce tools 
• Loyalty programmes
• Sales Reports
• Remote access for owners

A clear winner 

In a competition between Epos Now and Vend, we believe there is a clearly better option. If you want your business to be the best it can be get in contact with our team today. 

Soon you’ll be able to enjoy the flexibility, superior hardware, and reasonable price of a system that works for you. 

*All details and prices are correct as of January 2022