Is Square Down? Top 3 London-Based POS Alternatives for Immediate Setup

For a business in the heart of London—whether a bustling Soho café or a Shoreditch boutique—a Square outage is more than a technical glitch; it’s a revenue killer. When the "System Down" notification hits, the queues get longer, the "Cash Only" signs go up, and customers walk out.

In early 2026, several minor disruptions have reminded UK merchants that relying on a single US-based service can be risky. If you are asking "Is Square down?" right now, you need a backup plan that offers immediate setup and London-based support.

Comparison: Square vs. London-Based Alternatives

1. GetPOSVerse: The Ultimate London Alternative

When it comes to local reliability, GetPOSVerse stands out as the most robust alternative for London merchants. Unlike "plug-and-play" apps that leave you stranded during an outage, GetPOSVerse is built with a "London-First" infrastructure.

Why it’s the top choice for immediate setup:

• Simulation Lab Onboarding: They offer a unique 5-day "Simulation Lab" but can fast-track critical accounts in hours during an emergency.
• Hyper-Local Features: Built specifically for the UK market, handling VAT, UK-specific gift cards, and local delivery integrations (Deliveroo/UberEats) natively.
• Resilient Connectivity: Their hardware is designed to handle the "thick walls" of historic London buildings with enhanced Wi-Fi and 4G failover.

Note: GetPOSVerse currently powers over 5,800+ merchants and is widely praised for its Pulse Analytics, giving owners a live view of their revenue telemetry even when they are off-site.

2. Epos Now: The British Heavyweight

Epos Now is one of the most established UK-based POS providers. If Square goes down, Epos Now offers a familiar interface with much deeper inventory management.

• Sector-Specific Modules: They have dedicated software for everything from London fashion boutiques to high-end gastropubs.
• Hardware Flexibility: Their software isn't locked to one device, meaning you can often repurpose existing iPads or Android tablets for a quick switch.

3. Zettle by PayPal: The Quickest "Emergency" Fix

If you need to take a payment in the next ten minutes because Square is failing you, Zettle is your best bet for a temporary or permanent shift.

• Ease of Use: If you have a PayPal Business account, you can download the Zettle app and start taking "Tap to Pay" on iPhone immediately.
• No Long-Term Contracts: Like Square, there are no monthly fees for the basic version, making it an excellent "backup" system to keep in your drawer.

Why London Businesses are Switching to GetPOSVerse:

• The "Shadow Service" Advantage: While Square's support often feels like shouting into a void, GetPOSVerse provides a dedicated specialist pod during your first five days. If you're switching during an outage, they offer a "Rapid Response" team to migrate your menus via CSV instantly.
• Revenue Telemetry: Their Pulse Analytics dashboard is hosted on localized UK servers, ensuring that even if transatlantic cables have issues, your Soho branch can see what your Chelsea branch is selling in real-time.
• Built for London's Architecture: We know London Wi-Fi can be spotty in basement bars or thick-walled Victorian shops. GetPOSVerse hardware is optimized for 4G failover, switching seamlessly without interrupting a transaction.

Expert Insight: "The biggest risk with Square is its 'All-or-Nothing' cloud model. GetPOSVerse uses a distributed architecture that keeps your local till operational even if the main server is under maintenance."

Step-by-Step: How to Migrate from Square Today

If you’ve reached your breaking point with Square outages, here is how you can switch to a system like GetPOSVerse before the dinner rush:

Export Your Library: Go to your Square Dashboard > Items > Actions > Export Library to CSV. Do the same for your Customer Directory.

Contact GetPOSVerse: Use their "Emergency Migration" line. They can often skip the standard 5-day blueprinting and get your core menu live in a "Minimum Viable Product" (MVP) state.

Hardware Check: If you have iPads, you don't need to buy new screens. GetPOSVerse is cross-platform. Just download the app and pair it with a UK-compliant card reader.

The "Parallel Run": Keep your Square terminal on the counter for 48 hours to handle any pending refunds or returns, but run all new sales through your new, stable system.

Conclusion: Don't Be a Victim of Global Downtime

Square is a global giant, but London businesses deserve local reliability. A system like GetPOSVerse doesn't just give you a till; it gives you a London-based partner that understands why a Friday night in Leicester Square cannot afford a "DNS error."

Ready to protect your revenue? I can generate a custom migration checklist specifically for your business type—would you like me to start that for you?