ShopKeep's iPad POS software covers the core features of any retail or restaurant POS system. It's strengths lie in its mobile interface, which works both for staffers on tablets and for managers checking the latest analytics reports on their smartphones. Technical support options, however, may be more limited than comparable POS vendors.
- Established: 2008
- HQ: New York, NY, US
- Customer marketing features
- Third-party integrations
- Mobile-friendly
ShopKeep's iPad POS software is aimed at two biggest POS-reliant industries: retail and restaurants. Through the software system, a store's logged-in employees can accept cash or credit, email or print receipts, and track inventory alongside sales, all from an iPad or Android tablet. And, since the software is cloud-based, managers can easily access all the data from their own phones, even when not on location at their store.
The vendor also sells hardware options for businesses in need of more than just iPads, from barcode scanners to receipt printers.
In addition to retail and restaurant-specific services, Shopkeep offers POS systems designed for more granular industries with their own needs: Bars, coffee shops, food trucks and clothing stores are all catered to.
Looking for a specific price to guide your ShopKeep research? It's well worth comparing tailored quotes from all the leading suppliers using our quick and easy form.
Pros:
- Works on Android devices as well ShopKeep's proprietary register
- Clean, intuitive user interface
Cons:
- Support options vary by plan
ShopKeep POS: Core Features
Transactions and Payment Processing
ShopKeep's POS lets staffers quickly add or remove items, include sales tax, or specify item quantities with a tap. An “add notes” option allows them to further clarify any unique order details. The EMV-equipped service accepts cash, credit or mobile payments.
If using multiple registers, staff members can interact: They can open, update, split, merge, close or transfer checks between registers. They can change shifts easily, and can quickly create X- or Z-reports.
Staff Management
Managers can set individual-specific access levels to keep sensitive information secure. Shift reports let managers follow their employees' clocked hours and sales numbers at a glance.
By tracking the busiest hours of the week, managers can structure future shifts to take better advantage of customer trends.
Inventory Management
You can manage large inventories entirely through ShopKeep, which lets users upload thousands of stock keeping units (SKUs). Users can track product-specific profit margins, organize products by category and department, and can add modifiers to products to further differentiate them.
If you're running a restaurant, ShopKeep's raw goods tools allow you to track the individual ingredients that go into each food item you serve. And, if you're constantly updating your inventory, one of ShopKeep's hardware options is a bluetooth scanner that lets you scan and upload a new product immediately.
Reporting and Analytics
The manager's analytics dashboard crunches data to reveal insights as granular as average sale value, average items per sale, and average number of returns. Managers can track their monthly or yearly progress in these areas as well as overall foot traffic or transactions, and can understand which products sell best or which employees make the most sales.
As long as managers are using ShopKeep's mobile app, they can track sales and stay informed about their business even while out and about.
Customer Marketing Features
ShopKeep's email receipt options allows you to collect a customer emailing list that you can then use to give special offers or notify them on upcoming events. You can track your most common customers by number of visits or purchases, and use the data to inform which discounts will be the most effective. MailChimp is one of ShopKeep's third-party integrations, allowing managers to craft better email campaigns.
In addition, ShopKeep lets you sell your own business-specific gift cards through their POS.
ShopKeep Hardware Suite
ShopKeep's suite of hardware covers the basics with credit card readers and barcode printers, as well as a few handy non-essentials like personalized gift paper. This video introduces viewers to ShopKeep's range of hardware options, as well as explaining their one-year warranty and policy of overnighting replacements when needed.
Set Up and Customer Support
ShopKeep offers a free downloadable guide to POS systems in general, as well as a database of support articles for the ShopKeep POS specifically. These articles are divided into searchable categories including “Getting Started,” “Backoffice,” and “Hardware Setup.” Most FAQs can be sorted via these online answers.
ShopKeep customers can access their available technical support contact options by logging into BackOffice, which is ShopKeep's online customer portal, or by submitting a case through an email form on ShopKeep's website.
Support & Training
Support options
- Email: Through online form
- Phone: Depends on plan
- Online FAQs
Training options
- Online articles
- User guides
- Online videos
ShopKeep Plans and Pricing
The pricing for Shopkeep's POS software subscription plans comes in three options: Basic, Essential, and Advanced.
The Basic plan will cost you $49/month, and it's a great foundation to start. It allows you to manage employees, accept virtually all payment forms, and even comes with some solid reporting, which is rare for your starter plans.
The Essential plan will cost you $79/month, and is ShopKeep's most popular plan. It comes with all the features from the Basic plan, along with ecommerce and online ordering capabilities, vitally important for any retail functionality.
The Advanced plan will cost you $179/month, and comes with everything from the previous two plans. Additionally, it adds on some robust marketing tools, that will allow you to reach new customers. It also comes with a free hardware bundle, which will save you a hefty chunk of change right off the bat.
Note: Prices updated September 2020
The best option to fully understand how much ShopKeep will cost is to get a quote tailored to the number of users, registers, and locations specific to your business.
ShopKeep Alternatives
ShopKeep is a great POS option for businesses that need mobile-optimized services. However, there are a number of alternatives on the market that can offer similar mobile functionality, as well as a range of services.
So, should you choose ShopKeep, or one of the other leading providers on the market to be your business' POS system? Let's compare our top-rated providers:
| Best for... Tech.co's verdict to help you identify the most suitable choice for your retail business | Price from The typical lowest starting price. The lowest price available for your business will depend on your needs. | Free trial | iPad app Is there a version of the software made specifically for iPad use? | Android app Is there a version of the software made specifically for Android tablet use? | 24/7 support | Hardware | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST POS FOR RETAIL  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Square POS | Lightspeed | Shopify POS | Vend POS | ShopKeep POS | Erply POS | Talech POS | Revel POS | Clover POS | Epos Now |
Best all-round Retail POS System | Best for complex inventories | Best for integrating ecommerce | Best for third-party integrations | Best mobile app | Best for small franchises | Best for a cheap, intuitively simple plan | Best for customer relationship management | Best for those looking to expand from online-only operations | Best for growing businesses wanting an easy set up |
Free (but transaction fees apply) | $69/month | $29/month | $99/month | $49/month | $69/month | $29/month | $99/month | $9.99 but varies on hardware and users | $39/month |
Sold by Square, available separately or packaged with software. Works with most leading brands and has a great free trial. | Sold by Lightspeed, available separately or packaged with software. Works with most leading brands. | Sold by Shopify, but also works with iPads and Android tablets | Works with loads of third-party periperals | Offers cash drawers, card readers, printers, and more | Works with loads of hardware options | Available through third-party vendors | Offers a preconfigured POS terminal with an iPad and tablet stand, a router, a printer, and a cash drawer. | Sells everything from full cash stations to mobile card readers | Works with lots of third-party peripherals |
ShopKeep POS Review Verdict
Tech.co recommends ShopKeep for businesses that highly value a mobile POS service. ShopKeep's core features cover all the POS basics a business should need, and its customer marketing features in particular offer an additional value that you won't find in many other POS services.
You've made it too far to not get the pricing right now, which is why you should fill out our quick quotes form to get the full picture of how ShopKeep will impact your business. Additionally, you can read Tech.co's overview of average POS prices here, which will give you a better idea of what the entire industry costs for POS software.
Tech.co is reader-supported. Using Tech.co's comparison form, you can receive quotes from various suppliers, tailored to the needs of your business. If you enter into a contract with a provider, we may receive a payment for the introduction. Equally, if you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Tech.co to provide free advice and reviews. It carries no additional cost to you, and doesn’t affect our editorial independence.