Here are the headlines from our perspective:
- Tower Systems offers locally developed and locally supported POS software made for local retailers.
- Tower Systems does not have a lock-in contract.
- Tower Systems does not require you to use any specific EFTPOS or other payments platform.
- Call Tower Systems and speak to a human.
- Connect with the software development team to make your software change suggestions.
- AI tools are embedded direct within the Tower software
If you are comparing Epos Now and Tower Systems: these two businesses are built for different markets.
Epos Now is a global POS company serving retail, hospitality and other sectors across multiple countries, while Tower Systems is Australian-made software built specifically for independent specialty retailers in very specific specialty retail markets in Australia and New Zealand.
That difference shapes everything from product design to support, integrations and customer feedback. For a local independent retailer, the real question is not which company is bigger or louder, but which system better matches the day-to-day needs of a stock-driven retail business.
Different business models
Epos Now presents itself as a broad, cloud-based POS platform for many business types, including retail stores, restaurants, hotels and other venues. Its messaging focuses on flexibility, packaged systems and the ability to work across different industries.
Tower Systems takes a narrower and more deliberate approach. The software is designed for independent specialty retail and supported locally in Australia and New Zealand, with a strong focus on inventory control, local workflows and the practical realities of running a shop.
For some businesses, a broad platform is appealing. But for many gift shops, toy stores, card shops, bike shops, jewellers and other specialty retailers, software designed for their type of business can remove friction and reduce the need for workarounds.
For a good comparison – check the contracts from each company, the duration especially. It’s critical you know the total cost of ownership.
Product focus
Epos Now highlights standard POS capabilities such as sales processing, inventory tracking, reporting, staff management, payments and access to a broad app marketplace. That makes sense for a vendor supporting many sectors and business models.
Tower Systems focuses more deeply on the operational needs of specialty retail. Features such as special orders, serial number tracking, bundled products, selling by weight or length, repairs management in relevant categories, self-checkout and tools to support mobile and shop-floor selling.
This matters because independent retailers often need more than a generic sales screen. They need a POS system that reflects how they buy, price, receive, replenish and sell stock in the real world.
Local integrations
Epos Now promotes a wide ecosystem of apps and integrations, including accounting tools, CRM platforms, online ordering and other add-ons. That broad ecosystem may suit businesses looking for a more international or multi-sector stack.
Tower Systems puts more emphasis on integrations used by Australian and New Zealand independent retailers. These include Xero, Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento, Tyro, Linkly Cloud, Smartpay and several industry-specific connections.
For local retailers, practical integration depth often matters more than the size of an app marketplace. A POS system that works well with local accounting, payments and retail workflows can save time, reduce duplicate entry and support better reporting.
Support and training
Support is one of the clearest differences in how the two companies present themselves publicly. Epos Now emphasises fast onboarding, broad availability and support for getting businesses running quickly.
Tower Systems highlights local support, one-on-one training, a large library of training videos and knowledge base articles, monthly open user meetings and a public software ideas process shaped by customer input. This points to a more relationship-based support model, which can matter a great deal for independent retailers who want practical advice as well as technical help.
For a small business owner, good support is not just about solving faults. It is about having access to people who understand retail and can help staff get more value from the system over time.
How customers rate them
Do your own research on the companies. Search online, including social media threads and Reddit.
Which one is likely to fit better?
Epos Now may suit a business that wants a generic solution.
Tower Systems is likely to be the better fit for independent retailers in Australia and New Zealand who want a POS platform built around specialty retail needs, supported locally, and connected to the systems commonly used in this market. That fit becomes even more important when inventory accuracy, category-specific workflows and accessible local support are central to day-to-day operations.
The choice is not simply between two POS systems. It is a choice between a broad global platform and a specialist local retail platform. For independent retailers who want software shaped around the realities of Australian and New Zealand specialty retail, Tower Systems makes a strong case.
Recent Comments