What is ShopKeep POS?
This ShopKeep POS review explores one of the most popular point-of-sale systems designed specifically for small retail stores and cafes. ShopKeep, now part of Lightspeed, helps business owners manage sales, track inventory, and understand customer buying patterns through an easy-to-use iPad interface. If you’re running a coffee shop, boutique, or restaurant, you’ve probably wondered whether this POS system is worth the investment.
In this detailed shopkeep pos review, we’ll walk through everything you need to know – from actual pricing (not just “starting at” promises) to real-world performance in busy retail environments.
We’ve tested the system hands-on and gathered feedback from actual store owners who use it daily. You’ll discover whether ShopKeep’s inventory management actually saves time, if the reporting features help you make better business decisions, and whether the customer support lives up to its reputation.
We’ll also compare it against competitors like Square and Clover so you can make a smart choice. Whether you’re opening your first store or switching from an outdated cash register, this review gives you the honest details you need to decide if ShopKeep fits your business.
Small retail store owners, Coffee shops and cafes, Boutique owners , Restaurant owners , iPad-first businesses , Multi-location retailers
Key Features
Inventory Management System
Track every product in your store automatically. When someone buys a t-shirt, ShopKeep immediately updates your stock count. Set up low-stock alerts so you get notified before you run out of popular items. Create purchase orders directly from the system when you need to reorder from suppliers. Works great for stores with 100-10,000 different products.
Sales Analytics Dashboard
See which products make you the most money, what times of day are busiest, and which employees sell the most. The dashboard shows real numbers - like "$1,247 in sales today" instead of confusing percentages. Export reports to Excel if your accountant needs them. Track sales by hour, day, week, or custom date ranges.
Employee Management Tools
Give each staff member their own PIN code to log in. See exactly who sold what and when they clocked in or out. Set different permission levels - managers can process refunds, while regular staff can only ring up sales. Track commission automatically if you pay employees based on their sales performance.
Payment Processing Integration
Accept all major credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Chip card readers meet all security requirements. Customers can tip on the screen before paying. The system handles tax calculations automatically based on your location and product types.
Barcode Scanning
Scan product barcodes for instant checkout instead of tapping through menus. Generate and print barcode labels for items that don't come with them. Import products by scanning their UPC codes - the system looks up product info automatically for thousands of common items.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Super easy to learn - New employees can start ringing up customers after just 15-20 minutes of training, no thick manuals required
- Works offline - If your internet goes down, you can still process cash sales and the system syncs everything once you're back online
- Inventory updates in real-time - You always know exactly what's in stock without manually counting shelves
- Fast checkout speed - Customers spend less time waiting in line because the iPad interface responds instantly to touches
- Excellent reporting - See your best-selling items and slow movers with simple charts anyone can understand
Cons
- Payment processing lock-in - While you can technically use other processors, ShopKeep's payment option is pushed heavily and switching is complicated
- Monthly cost adds up - At $69 per register plus payment processing fees, smaller stores might spend $1,000+ per month
- Limited customization - You can't heavily modify the interface or add custom features without expensive enterprise plans
- Expensive hardware bundles - The "recommended" hardware kits cost $1,500-$1,800, much more than budget alternatives
- No free plan - Even tiny businesses must pay $69/month minimum, while competitors offer free starter tiers
Pricing Plans
Basic retail plan
- Single register system
- Unlimited products and sales
- Inventory management with low stock alerts
- Basic sales reporting and analytics
- Employee management with PIN codes
- Email support during business hours
- iPad POS app included
- Customer receipt options (email/print)
Multi Location Plan
- Everything in Basic Plan
- Multiple store management dashboard
- Centralized inventory across locations
- Advanced reporting with location comparison
- Employee performance tracking per store
- Priority phone support Inventory transfer between locations
- Consolidated end-of-day reports
Enterprise plan
- Everything in Multi-Location Plan
- Dedicated account manager
- Custom integrations and API access
- Advanced employee permissions and roles
- Custom hardware packages
- Custom reporting and analytics
- 24/7 priority support
How It Compares
Toast POS
ShopKeep works better for retail and boutique stores while Toast focuses heavily on restaurants. More affordable hardware options since ShopKeep uses regular iPads instead of proprietary terminals. Simpler pricing structure without hidden fees. Better for businesses that sell physical products rather than food service. ShopKeep's inventory tracking handles product variants and sizes more elegantly.
Vend POS
ShopKeep costs less for single-location stores at $69 vs Vend's $99 minimum. More responsive customer support with shorter wait times. Simpler interface that doesn't overwhelm new users with too many options. Better offline functionality for areas with unreliable internet. ShopKeep's employee management is more straightforward for tracking sales performance and commissions.