Buying vs leasing an EPOS system in the UK
Buy outright, spread it on finance, lease it, or take it bundled into a subscription — four ways to pay for the same till, with very different totals and very different positions when the term ends.
- The four ways to pay, side by side
- What to check in any lease or finance agreement
- Posso: buy from £499 + VAT or finance from £24.92 a week
Written by the Posso team in Leicester · Reviewed by Paul Robinson, Managing Director · Last reviewed
Short answer
Buying an EPOS system outright usually costs less over its life, because you pay once for hardware you keep; leasing or finance spreads the cost but adds interest or rental, and some agreements tie you to a long term. Either way the software is a separate monthly cost. With Posso, hardware is bought from £499 + VAT, software is from £25 + VAT a month, and finance is available from £24.92 a week.
Key takeaways
- Buying outright costs less over the life of the system; leasing spreads the cost and adds interest or rental.
- Software is a separate monthly cost whichever way you pay for the hardware.
- Posso hardware is bought from £499 + VAT, with finance from £24.92 a week over 12, 24 or 36 months, subject to status.
- Check any lease for the term, who owns the equipment at the end and what early exit costs.
Takeaway: Own the hardware if you can; the monthly software fee is the same either way.
What are the ways to pay for an EPOS system?
There are four: buy outright, spread the cost on finance, lease, or take the hardware bundled into a subscription. They differ in who owns the hardware during and after the term, and in what you pay in total.
Buying outright gives you an asset
You pay for the hardware once and own it from day one. The software is still a monthly fee, but there is no rental running alongside it, and the till is yours to keep if you change provider later.
Finance spreads the cost of buying
A finance agreement lets you pay for the hardware in instalments over a fixed term. You pay more in total than buying outright because of the finance charge. Check whether ownership passes to you during or at the end of the term.
A lease is rental, not ownership
The finance company owns the hardware and you rent it for a fixed term. At the end you may be able to keep it for a fee, rent it on, or hand it back — the agreement decides, so read that clause before you sign.
Bundled hardware is paid for in the subscription
Some providers discount or include the hardware in exchange for a minimum-term subscription. The upfront cost is low, but leaving early can mean paying off the remaining months, and the hardware may not be yours.
Buying vs leasing: which costs less?
Buying outright normally costs least in total, and leasing normally costs most, because rental and finance charges sit on top of the hardware price. Leasing and finance win on cash flow, not on total cost.
| Buy outright | Finance | Lease | Bundled subscription | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Highest | Low | Low | Lowest |
| Who owns the hardware | You, from day one | Depends on the agreement — check | The finance company | Often the provider — check |
| Total cost over the term | Lowest | Hardware plus finance charge | Rental, usually the highest | Depends on term and exit fees |
| Commitment | None beyond the software terms | Fixed term | Fixed term | Minimum subscription term |
| Usually suits | Established sites with cash to hand | New sites protecting cash flow | Businesses that want fixed rental | Short-term or trial set-ups |
When does leasing or finance make sense?
When cash flow matters more than total cost. A new takeaway spending on fit-out, stock and deposits in the same month may be better keeping cash in the bank and spreading the till over a year or two.
It makes less sense for an established site that can pay outright, because the finance charge or rental is money spent on nothing but time. If you do spread the cost, keep the term no longer than the life you expect from the hardware.
What should I check in a lease or finance agreement?
Check the total amount payable, who owns the hardware at the end, and what it costs to settle early. Those three numbers decide whether the agreement is good value.
The total payable, not the weekly figure
Multiply the payment by the number of payments and add any fees. Compare that with the outright price.
Ownership at the end of the term
Does the hardware become yours, is there a final fee to keep it, or must it go back? Get it in writing.
Early settlement
If you sell the business or change system, what does it cost to end the agreement in year one?
What the agreement covers
Is it hardware only, or does it also lock in the software or card processing? Keep those separate if you can.
How do you buy or finance a Posso EPOS system?
Buy the hardware outright from £499 + VAT for a single-screen POS with kitchen printer, receipt printer and cash drawer, or spread it on finance from £24.92 a week over 12, 24 or 36 months, subject to status. You own the hardware outright; software is from £25 + VAT a month.
Setup (menu build + configuration) is free; on-site installation for larger sites is priced on application. Systems are preconfigured and shipped plug-and-play. Hardware carries a two-year warranty and UK support runs Monday to Friday, 9am–9:30pm.
Every one-off and monthly cost is on the EPOS pricing page, packages are on POS system packages and quotes, and the EPOS system overview covers what the system does.
Tax treatment differs — ask your accountant
Buying, financing and leasing are usually treated differently for tax, and the right choice depends on your business structure and profits. This page is not tax advice; check with your accountant before you choose.
This is one part of the Posso EPOS system — the same till, kitchen display, ordering and card payments, set up for your type of venue. Every one-off and monthly cost is on the EPOS pricing page.
Buying vs leasing an EPOS — frequently asked questions
Is it better to buy or lease an EPOS system?
Buying is usually cheaper over the life of the system; leasing is usually better for cash flow. If you can pay outright without straining the business, buying normally wins on total cost.
Can I lease a POS system from Posso?
You can spread the cost. Posso offers finance from £24.92 a week over 12, 24 or 36 months, subject to status, and your quote sets out the agreement and who owns the hardware during the term.
Do I own the EPOS hardware if I buy it outright?
Yes. Hardware bought outright is yours from day one. The software is a separate monthly fee — with Posso, from £25 + VAT a month.
What happens at the end of an EPOS lease?
It depends on the agreement. Some let you keep the hardware for a final fee, some roll into a further rental and some require you to return it. Check the end-of-term clause before you sign.
Is an EPOS system tax deductible?
Business equipment and software are generally allowable costs for a trading business, but how buying, financing and leasing are treated differs. Check the treatment for your business with your accountant.
What do I get when I buy a Posso EPOS system?
A single-screen touchscreen till with kitchen printer, receipt printer, cash drawer and software, from £499 + VAT. Setup (menu build + configuration) is free; on-site installation for larger sites is priced on application.
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