First Essential
About First Essential, UK business technology done the essential way
First Essential helps UK businesses take payments, sell more and run smarter with connected business technology. One partner for the tech you run every day, from EPOS and card payments to AI, websites and First Essential One, with a UK team that actually answers the phone.
A UK business technology partner built for the way you work today
First Essential is led by co-founders Doncho Donchev and David Stefanov. Our team’s experience in software, AI and business technology goes back to around 2014, across earlier ventures. Today we are part of First Essential Holdings, a UK and EU group covering payments, software, AI and connected business technology, with real people behind everything you run.
Most businesses end up with a card machine from one company, a till from another, a website from a third and nobody who joins the dots. We thought that was backwards. So we built one team that handles the lot, from your EPOS and card payments through to self-service kiosks, AI, your website and our all-in-one platform, all reporting into one place.
What does First Essential actually do for a UK business?
First Essential is a UK business technology company helping businesses run the systems they depend on every day. Our business technology includes EPOS till systems, card machines, card readers, self-service ordering kiosks, AI that answers calls and messages, websites, apps and First Essential One, our all-in-one platform for capturing leads, following up and getting paid. The difference is that all of it comes from, and is supported by, one UK team, rather than five separate suppliers who each blame the other when something breaks.
The till and the payments
An EPOS system, your till and reporting, plus card machines and card readers for in-person, mobile and online payments, set up to work together from day one.
The self-service side
Self-service kiosks so customers can order and pay themselves, kitchen display screens for hospitality, and the integrations that tie it all back to your till.
The growth tools
AI that answers calls and messages around the clock, websites and apps built to convert, and First Essential One to keep your leads, follow-ups and payments in one place.
Technology that takes the hard work off your plate
We build practical business technology that makes the day to day simpler, so the tech handles the busywork and you get on with running your business. From payments to AI, everything connects into one clearer setup and reports into one place.
The aim is simple: business technology should make your working day easier, not more complicated. That is why we focus on connected systems, clear reporting and support from people who understand how your business actually runs.
How First Essential grew, from business software to a UK and EU technology group
The start
Our team began building business software through earlier ventures, with a simple aim: make the everyday running of a business easier. That experience became the foundation for the business technology we provide today.
From software to the whole stack
We added card payments, EPOS, self-service kiosks and web development, so a business could get the systems it runs on, and the support behind them, from one place.
Part of First Essential Holdings
We are now part of First Essential Holdings, a UK and EU group spanning payments, software, AI and business technology, with a growing reseller network and our own all-in-one platform, First Essential One.
More of the work, off your plate
We keep adding AI and automation so the tech handles more of the busywork, while a UK team stays on the end of the phone for the moments that need a human. The goal is practical business technology that keeps improving as your business grows.
A UK team that gets stuck in
Real people, real businesses and the everyday work we are proud to help run. We are not just a supplier. We are the team you call when you want it sorted, properly and fast, with UK support that picks up the phone.
What you can count on from First Essential
No buzzwords. Just the few things we hold ourselves to on every job.
One partner, not five
EPOS, card payments, kiosks, AI, your website and First Essential One, all from one UK team. One number to call when you need something sorted, and nobody passing the buck.
A human on the phone
When you call, you reach a UK person who knows your business, 7 days a week. Not a ticket number, not a queue overseas, not a bot you cannot get past.
Plain, honest pricing
We tell you what things cost and what is included before you commit. The questions other providers dodge, lock-ins, exit terms and settlement timing are the ones we answer first.
Everything your UK business needs, from one team
Each one stands on its own and works even better alongside the rest, all reporting into one place with real UK support.
Card payments
Card machines, card readers, Tap to Pay and online payments with next-day settlement.
Learn more about card payment solutionsEPOS and till systems
Smart EPOS tills that keep sales, stock and reporting in one tidy view.
Explore EPOS systems for UK businessesSelf-service kiosks
Let customers order and pay for themselves, and keep queues moving.
View self-service kiosk solutionsAI solutions
AI that answers calls and messages, books jobs and never sleeps.
Discover AI solutions for businessesApp and web development
Websites and apps built to convert, designed and run by our team.
See website and app development servicesFirst Essential One
Our all-in-one platform to capture leads, follow up and get paid.
Explore First Essential OneWhatever you run, we have a starting point
Start with one solution and add more as you grow. Here is where most businesses begin.
Retail and shops
EPOS, stock control and card payments that keep the counter moving and the till balanced.
See retailHospitality and takeaways
EPOS, self-service kiosks, kitchen display screens and card payments built for busy service.
See hospitalityService and appointment led
AI to answer calls and book jobs, a website that converts and First Essential One to follow up and get paid.
See your industryWhy work with us, instead of a single-product supplier?
We will not invent rival figures or pretend everyone else is terrible. Here is an honest comparison of how we tend to differ from the way many providers work, so you can ask the right questions of anyone you shortlist.
| What matters to you | First Essential | Some other providers |
|---|---|---|
| Range of products | EPOS, card payments, kiosks, AI, web and First Essential One from one team | Often a single product, so you juggle several suppliers |
| Support | UK based, real people, 7 days a week | Tickets, queues or call centres, sometimes overseas |
| Card rates | From 0.3%, rates vary by card type and business, confirmed at setup | Headline rates that can hide the full picture |
| Card machine cost | Free card machine when you take EPOS | Hardware fees or long minimum hire terms |
| Try before you commit | 14-day First Essential One free trial and a free AI demo | Sign first, find out later |
| The awkward questions | We answer lock-ins, exit terms and settlement up front | Often buried in the small print |
We compare ourselves to how the market often works, not to named rivals or invented numbers. Card rates from 0.3%, rates vary by card type and business and are confirmed at setup. Ask us anything, we will give you a straight answer.
Why UK businesses choose First Essential
When you need us, you reach a UK team who knows your business and picks up the phone. One partner for card payments, EPOS, kiosks, AI, websites and our all-in-one platform, with real support behind every one.
A partner you can build a business on
We keep to standards you can see, so you know you are in safe hands. As part of First Essential Holdings, with a growing reseller network behind us, you get the steadiness of an established UK business and the pace of a team that moves quickly.
Card payments are handled with the security standards the payments industry requires, and your data is looked after in line with UK GDPR. Want the detail on a specific accreditation or partner? Ask us and we will show you, in writing.
About First Essential, frequently asked questions
Who is First Essential?
What products and services do you offer?
Are you UK based, and is your support UK based too?
How much does it cost, and is there a long contract or lock-in?
How fast is card settlement, and is my data and payment processing secure?
I already use another provider. How hard is it to switch to First Essential?
What makes First Essential different from other business technology providers?
How do I get started with First Essential?
Let us help your business grow
Book a free, no-obligation demo and see how First Essential can take payments, sell more and run smarter for you, with one UK team behind it all.
Book a demo Talk to the team