Restaurant POS Comparison
ShopKeep (by Lightspeed) vs Toast 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)Toast POS
Best for full-service, multi-location restaurants and bars with integrated payroll and loyalty.
$0/mo (pay-as-you-go)
Visit Toast POSQuick comparison
| ShopKeep (by Lightspeed) | Toast POS | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $69/mo | $0/mo (pay-as-you-go) |
| Processing fee | 2.5% + 10¢ | ~2.49% + 15¢ |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| G2 rating | 3.8 | 4.2 |
| Best for | cafe, quick-service, food-truck | full-service, multi-location, bar |
| Handheld | — | ✓ |
| Kds | — | ✓ |
| Loyalty | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline Mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online Ordering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Payroll | — | ✓ |
Our verdict
Pick ShopKeep for cafes, quick-service, or food trucks needing an affordable, offline-capable POS with simple pricing starting at $69/mo. Pick Toast for full-service, multi-location restaurants or bars that need integrated payroll, loyalty, and pay-as-you-go pricing starting at $0/mo.
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.
Toast POS pros & cons
- Integrated payroll and loyalty features.
- Handheld and offline mode available.
- Free pay-as-you-go plan option.
- Kitchen display system included.
- Processing fees can add up.
- Contract terms may be required.
- Advanced features cost extra.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pricing difference between ShopKeep and Toast?
ShopKeep starts at $69/mo with 2.5%+10¢ processing. Toast offers pay-as-you-go at $0/mo with ~2.49%+15¢ processing.
Do ShopKeep and Toast require long-term contracts?
ShopKeep typically requires a 3-year contract. Toast offers month-to-month or no long-term contract options.
What hardware is included with each POS?
ShopKeep sells iPad-based bundles. Toast offers proprietary terminals, handhelds, and kitchen displays.
Which POS is cheaper for a small restaurant?
For low-volume cafes, ShopKeep’s flat fee may be cheaper. For high-volume, Toast’s pay-as-you-go can be more cost-effective.