Do I Need a POS Systemif I Already Use a Till?
The honest answer: maybe not. Here's how to know if you need a full POS upgrade or if there's a simpler way to get what you actually want.
Till vs POS: What's the Difference?
Traditional Till
A cash register that handles payments and basic sales tracking.
What it does:
- Accept cash payments
- Calculate change
- Print receipts
- Basic daily totals
- Card payments (need separate terminal)
- Online ordering
- Detailed reporting
POS System
Software that manages your entire sales and business operation.
What it does:
- All payment types (cash, card, digital)
- Track what's being sold
- Inventory management
- Sales reporting and analytics
- Staff management
- Integration with other tools
- Sometimes online ordering
Do You Actually Need a Full POS?
Ask Yourself: What Problem Am I Trying to Solve?
Many restaurant owners think they need a POS when what they actually want is online ordering, digital menus, or table ordering. These don't require replacing your entire payment system.
✓ You might NOT need a full POS if...
- Your till + card machine handles payments fine
- You want to add online ordering only
- You want digital menus for customers
- You're a small restaurant with simple operations
- You don't need complex inventory tracking
- Your accounting is handled separately
→ You probably DO need a full POS if...
- You need integrated inventory with auto-reordering
- You manage multiple locations centrally
- You need detailed menu engineering/costing
- You require staff scheduling and time clocking
- You need integration with accounting software
- Your current system can't accept card payments
The Third Option: Add What You Need, Keep What Works
If your till handles payments fine but you want modern features like online ordering, digital menus, or QR table ordering, you don't need to replace everything.
You can add an ordering platform alongside your existing setup.
How It Works: Servd + Your Existing Till
1. Customer Orders
Through your digital menu, QR code, or online ordering
2. You See the Order
On your Servd tablet/screen or kitchen display
3. Take Payment
On your existing till or card terminal
Result: You get online ordering, digital menus, and table ordering without replacing your payment system. Servd handles the ordering; your till handles the payment.
Cost Comparison
Full POS Replacement
£50-200/mo
- + Hardware: £200-2,000
- + Setup/training: £100-500
- + Transaction fees: 1.5-2.6%
- + Learning curve
- + Change in workflow
Keep Till + Add Servd
£19-39/mo
- + Use existing till
- + Use existing card terminal
- + No hardware needed*
- + Setup in under 1 hour
- + Keep familiar payment flow
*Works on any device you already have
Do Nothing
£0/mo
- ✗ No online ordering
- ✗ No digital menus
- ✗ No table ordering
- ✗ Miss modern customer expectations
- ✗ Competitors gain advantage
The Bottom Line
If you just want online ordering, digital menus, or table ordering:
Don't replace your till. Add Servd for £19-39/month and get these features without changing your payment setup. Start with a free digital menu and upgrade when you need ordering.
If you need full business management (inventory, staff, accounting):
Consider a full POS like Square, TouchBistro, or Toast. But be prepared for higher costs, new hardware, and a learning curve. Make sure you'll actually use the advanced features.
If your till is working fine and you just need card payments:
Just add a card terminal to your existing setup. SumUp and Zettle offer terminals from £29 with no monthly fees, just transaction charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
POS stands for Point of Sale. A traditional till just processes payments. A POS system is software that manages your entire sales operation: taking orders, processing payments, tracking inventory, generating reports, managing staff, and often integrating with other tools like accounting software or online ordering.
Want Modern Features Without Replacing Your Till?
Servd gives you online ordering, digital menus, and table ordering—all working alongside your existing payment setup. No expensive POS replacement required.
Start Free TodayFree digital menu plan. Works with any till or payment setup.