Restaurant POS Comparison
ShopKeep (by Lightspeed) vs Square for Restaurants
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)Square for Restaurants
Best for quick-service, cafes, and food trucks with a free plan and low-cost entry.
$0/mo (free plan)
Visit Square for RestaurantsQuick comparison
| ShopKeep (by Lightspeed) | Square for Restaurants | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $69/mo | $0/mo (free plan) |
| Processing fee | 2.5% + 10¢ | 2.6% + 10¢ |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| G2 rating | 3.8 | 4.5 |
| Best for | cafe, quick-service, food-truck | quick-service, cafe, food-truck |
| Handheld | — | ✓ |
| Kds | — | ✓ |
| Loyalty | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline Mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online Ordering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Payroll | — | — |
Our verdict
Choose ShopKeep if you need reliable offline mode for food trucks or cafes in areas with spotty internet, and prefer a flat monthly fee with predictable processing rates. Choose Square for Restaurants if you want a free plan to start, need low-cost entry for a new quick-service or cafe, and can accept Square's slightly higher processing fee.
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.
Square for Restaurants pros & cons
- Free plan available with no monthly fees.
- Includes KDS, loyalty, and online ordering.
- Handheld and offline mode support.
- Competitive processing rate of 2.6% + 10¢.
- Advanced features require paid plans.
- Limited customization for complex menus.
- Customer support can be slow at times.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pricing difference between ShopKeep and Square for Restaurants?
ShopKeep starts at $69/month with 2.5% + 10¢ per transaction. Square offers a free plan with 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction.
Do ShopKeep or Square require long-term contracts?
ShopKeep requires a 1-year contract. Square for Restaurants has no long-term contract; you can cancel anytime.
What hardware do I need for each POS?
ShopKeep sells its own iPad stands and receipt printers. Square offers a free magstripe reader and sells Square Stand, Terminal, and other hardware.
Which is cheaper for a small restaurant with low volume?
Square is cheaper for low volume because it has no monthly fee. ShopKeep's $69/month adds up quickly for few transactions.
More: ShopKeep (by Lightspeed) review · Square for Restaurants review