Pricing
freemium
Best For
Existing ShopKeep users who are happy with the current system and plan to migrate when required
Rating
7.2/10
Last Updated
Mar 2026
TL;DR
ShopKeep was once the go-to iPad POS for small retailers and quick-service restaurants who found Square too basic but Lightspeed too complex. Then Lightspeed acquired it in 2020. The brand still exists, but it's in maintenance mode — no major new features, with users gradually being encouraged to migrate to Lightspeed. If you're a current user, it still works fine. For new sign-ups, you're better off going straight to Square or Lightspeed.
What is ShopKeep?
A POS in Transition
ShopKeep had a good run. Founded in 2008, it was one of the first iPad POS systems on the market. Small bakeries, coffee shops, boutiques, and food trucks loved it because it was more capable than a cash register but simpler than the enterprise systems available at the time. Lightspeed acquired ShopKeep in 2020, and the trajectory since then has been predictable: gradual feature freeze, migration nudges, and diminishing investment.
What Made ShopKeep Special
The original appeal was simplicity with substance. ShopKeep had genuine inventory management (not just item counting), real sales analytics (not just totals), and reliable payment processing — all wrapped in an iPad app that felt like it was designed by people who actually worked retail. The BackOffice dashboard was particularly good: you could check sales, adjust inventory, and manage employees from your phone while you were away from the store.
The Current State of Affairs
As of 2026, ShopKeep still functions. The payment processing works. The iPad app is stable. Customer support exists. But the product hasn't seen meaningful feature updates in years. The integration ecosystem is stagnating. If something breaks, you'll get it fixed, but don't expect new capabilities. Lightspeed wants ShopKeep users to migrate, and the gentle pressure is increasing — expect migration deadlines within the next year or two.
Pricing in Limbo
ShopKeep's pricing structure has shifted since the acquisition. The basic plan with ShopKeep Payments processing is free — you pay only per-transaction fees (around 2.5% + 10 cents for in-person). Premium features and additional capabilities push you toward Lightspeed's pricing tiers. The unclear pricing future is another reason new businesses should look elsewhere.
The Honest Recommendation
If you're already on ShopKeep and it works for your needs, keep using it until the migration happens. When Lightspeed forces the switch, you'll likely get favorable migration terms as an existing customer. If you're considering ShopKeep as a new user, don't. Go to Square (free, simple, great ecosystem), Lightspeed (powerful analytics, multi-location), or Vend (the easier Lightspeed entry point). ShopKeep's best days are behind it.
Legacy Value
ShopKeep deserves credit for proving that small businesses would adopt iPad POS systems when nobody else believed it. The company helped push the entire industry toward mobile, cloud-based point of sale. That legacy lives on in every iPad POS system you see today, even if ShopKeep itself is fading.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simple and intuitive iPad POS that retail and food service staff can learn in under an hour
- Free basic plan with payment processing means zero upfront software cost for small businesses
- BackOffice mobile dashboard lets owners monitor sales and inventory remotely from their phone
- Proven reliability — the core system has been stable for years without major outages
- Part of the Lightspeed family provides a migration path to more advanced features when needed
Cons
- Product is in maintenance mode with no significant new features since the Lightspeed acquisition
- Migration to Lightspeed is inevitable — investing in ShopKeep as a new user makes little strategic sense
- Integration ecosystem is stagnating with fewer new app partnerships being added
- Limited to iPad — no Android, no web-based register option for flexibility
- Pricing and future roadmap are unclear, creating uncertainty for long-term planning
ShopKeep Pricing
Basic (with ShopKeep Payments)
- iPad POS app
- Inventory management
- Sales reporting
- Employee management
- Payment processing (~2.5% + 10¢)
- BackOffice dashboard
Premium
- All Basic features
- Advanced analytics
- Loyalty program
- E-commerce integration
- Priority support
- Lower processing rates
Pricing last verified: March 25, 2026
Who is ShopKeep Best For?
- Existing ShopKeep users who are happy with the current system and plan to migrate when required
- Very small shops and food service businesses wanting the simplest possible free iPad POS
- Businesses that plan to eventually move to Lightspeed and want to start with a simpler entry point
- Budget-conscious small retailers who need real inventory management without monthly software fees
Technical Details
The Bottom Line
ShopKeep scores 7.2/10. It stands out for simple and intuitive ipad pos that retail and food service staff can learn in under an hour. Best suited for existing shopkeep users who are happy with the current system and plan to migrate when required. Keep in mind that product is in maintenance mode with no significant new features since the lightspeed acquisition. There is a free plan to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on editorial analysis