Restaurant POS Comparison
ShopKeep (by Lightspeed) vs TouchBistro
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)TouchBistro
Best for full-service restaurants, cafes, and bars needing an all-in-one POS.
$69/mo
Visit TouchBistroQuick comparison
| ShopKeep (by Lightspeed) | TouchBistro | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $69/mo | $69/mo |
| Processing fee | 2.5% + 10¢ | custom |
| Free plan | No | No |
| G2 rating | 3.8 | 4.0 |
| Best for | cafe, quick-service, food-truck | full-service, cafe, bar |
| Handheld | — | ✓ |
| Kds | — | ✓ |
| Loyalty | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline Mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online Ordering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Payroll | — | — |
Our verdict
Pick ShopKeep if you run a cafe, quick-service, or food truck and need an affordable POS with reliable offline mode. Its flat-rate processing is simple and low-cost for high-volume, low-ticket transactions. Pick TouchBistro if you run a full-service restaurant or bar needing an all-in-one system with table management, menu customization, and offline capability. Its custom pricing can be more cost-effective for higher-ticket, lower-volume operations.
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.
TouchBistro pros & cons
- Integrated kitchen display system (KDS) for efficiency.
- Built-in loyalty program to retain customers.
- Handheld ordering speeds up table service.
- Offline mode ensures sales continue without internet.
- No free plan available.
- Processing fees are custom and not transparent.
- Online ordering may require additional setup.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main pricing difference between ShopKeep and TouchBistro?
ShopKeep charges $69/month plus 2.5% + 10¢ per transaction. TouchBistro also starts at $69/month but processing rates are custom-quoted.
Do both systems require a long-term contract?
ShopKeep typically requires a 3-year contract. TouchBistro also uses contracts, often 3 years, but terms vary by negotiation.
What hardware is needed for each system?
ShopKeep offers an iPad-based setup with a bundled terminal. TouchBistro also uses iPads but requires separate payment hardware purchase.
Which is cheaper for a small restaurant?
For a small cafe with many low-ticket sales, ShopKeep's flat rate is cheaper. For a small full-service restaurant, TouchBistro's custom rates may be lower.