Restaurant POS Comparison
ShopKeep (by Lightspeed) vs SkyTab POS
A side-by-side look at pricing, fees, and features to help you pick the right system for your restaurant.
ShopKeep (by Lightspeed)
Best for cafes, quick-service, and food trucks needing affordable POS with offline mode.
$69/mo
Visit ShopKeep (by Lightspeed)SkyTab POS
Best for full-service, quick-service, and bar owners seeking a free POS with handheld and offline capabilities.
$0/mo
Visit SkyTab POSQuick comparison
| ShopKeep (by Lightspeed) | SkyTab POS | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $69/mo | $0/mo |
| Processing fee | 2.5% + 10¢ | custom |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| G2 rating | 3.8 | 4.3 |
| Best for | cafe, quick-service, food-truck | full-service, quick-service, bar |
| Handheld | — | ✓ |
| Kds | — | ✓ |
| Loyalty | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline Mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online Ordering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Payroll | — | — |
Our verdict
Pick ShopKeep for cafes, food trucks, and quick-service operations needing a low-cost, offline-capable POS with predictable pricing. Pick SkyTab for full-service restaurants and bars wanting a free POS with handheld ordering and offline mode, especially if you can negotiate favorable processing rates.
ShopKeep (by Lightspeed) pros & cons
- Offline mode ensures sales continue without internet.
- Built-in loyalty program to retain customers.
- Online ordering integration for pickup/delivery.
- Low starting price at $69/month.
- Processing fee of 2.5% + 10¢ is high.
- No free plan available.
- Limited advanced features for full-service restaurants.
SkyTab POS pros & cons
- Free plan available with no monthly fees.
- Handheld POS for tableside ordering and payment.
- Offline mode ensures uninterrupted service.
- Integrated loyalty and online ordering features.
- Custom processing fees may be high.
- Limited advanced reporting in free plan.
- Hardware costs not included in free tier.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main pricing difference between ShopKeep and SkyTab?
ShopKeep charges $69/month plus 2.5% + 10¢ per transaction. SkyTab is free monthly, with custom processing rates.
Do these POS systems require long-term contracts?
ShopKeep typically requires a 3-year contract. SkyTab offers month-to-month terms with no long-term commitment.
What hardware is included or required?
ShopKeep sells iPad-based bundles starting around $1,000. SkyTab provides its own handheld terminals and tablets, often included with processing.
Which is cheaper for a small restaurant?
SkyTab is cheaper upfront (free software) if you can accept custom processing rates. ShopKeep may be cheaper overall for low-volume cafes due to flat fees.