ShopKeep Review 2026: An Intuitive POS System

Shopkeep used to be one of the top point-of-sale (POS) systems for small and mid-sized retailers in the States.

But after getting snapped up by Lightspeed back in 2020, the original platform got the axe and users were basically forced to migrate over to Lightspeed Retail.

So, why are people still searching for a “Shopkeep Review”? Honestly, it all comes down to the fact that many former Shopkeep users are still trying to figure out what's changed, and whether Lightspeed is still a good fit for their business – or if it even still exists as a decent option.

In this review, I'm going to give you the lowdown on what Shopkeep was all about, how it compares to Lightspeed today, the kind of business it best suits, and how it stacks up against the competition in 2026.

Why You Should Actually Trust This Review

I've spent the last five years reviewing a bunch of POS systems and ecommerce tools, including Shopify, Square, Clover, and others.

And on top of that, I've pored over feedback from actual verified users on G2, Capterra, Reddit, and Merchant Maverick, so I can give you a real, balanced, and up-to-date view of whether Lightspeed is even worth considering.

Whether you're running a retail store with an online component, or you're planning to open your next bricks-and-mortar store, this Shopkeep review is going to help you figure out if Lightspeed is still worth investing in.

Shopkeep Overview

Shopkeep Overview
Best For	Established retailers with complex inventory needs
Status	Retired (now Lightspeed Retail)
Rating	3.9 out of 5
Price	From $69/month
Free Trial	Yes, via Lightspeed

Pros

• Those inventory and reporting tools are actually pretty solid
• Great for integrating with hardware
• Perfect for multi-store businesses
• Existing users had a pretty easy time transitioning

Cons

• It was always a bit pricey compared to others in the market
• The learning curve was a bit steeper after the Lightspeed acquisition
• No ecommerce storefront features – you'd need to go elsewhere for that
• Not ideal for small ecommerce businesses or anyone looking for a simple POS solution

What Was Shopkeep, Anyway?

Shopkeep was a cloud-based POS system that small and mid-sized businesses – primarily retailers, restaurants, salons and spas, food trucks and cafes – used to manage their day-to-day sales.

One of the things that really drew people in was how easy it was to set up. It was simple to train staff and get everything running without needing a whole IT department on hand.

Here's a rundown of what Shopkeep actually offered before the transition to Lightspeed:

Feature	Description
POS register	Tablet-based checkout with touch interface
Inventory management	Real-time tracking, low-stock alerts, variants
Employee management	Time clock, permissions, sales tracking
Reporting	Daily summaries, top-selling items, shift reports
Payments	Integrated credit/debit processing, EMV compliance
Hardware support	Compatible with receipt printers, barcode scanners

At its peak, over 20,000 small businesses in the States were using Shopkeep. And the pricing started at around $49/month, but ended up creeping up to $69 in the final years.

The Lightspeed Acquisition

In November 2020, Shopkeep got snatched up by Lightspeed POS in a deal worth $440 million.

Not long after, the original Shopkeep platform got retired and existing users were basically forced to migrate over to Lightspeed Retail, which is a more advanced POS system built for growing and multi-location retailers.

What's Changed Since the Acquisition?

Lightspeed has added all sorts of new features, including:

• Multi-store inventory syncing
• Deeper reporting and analytics
• Ecommerce integrations (via the optional Lightspeed eCom add-on)
• Enhanced CRM tools
• More advanced staff and register controls

Here's a comparison of the old Shopkeep and the new Lightspeed Retail:

Feature	Shopkeep	Lightspeed Retail
User interface	Beginner-friendly	More complex
Ecommerce tools	None	Optional add-on
Pricing	$49–$69/month	$69–$199/month
Support	Email & chat only	24/7 support available
Custom reporting	Basic	Advanced filtering

If you're a former Shopkeep user, the Lightspeed system may feel like a step up – or a total hurdle – depending on how comfortable you are with all the new bells and whistles.

Who Should Actually Still Consider Shopkeep (Now Lightspeed)?

Shopkeep (as Lightspeed Retail) is actually pretty solid for:

• Established retailers who need to get their inventory in check
• Businesses with multiple locations who need to manage inventory across multiple channels
• Retailers who are already selling in person and online
• Users who are looking for strong reporting and analytics

It's not ideal for:

• Any solopreneurs or small ecommerce sellers who just want to keep things simple
• Online-only businesses
• Anyone looking for a super lightweight POS solution

If your business is scaling and you're managing inventory across several channels or locations, Lightspeed may offer the depth and control you're looking for.

But if you're running a small operation, it might feel like way too much complexity for your day-to-day needs.

Key Features of Lightspeed Retail

Let’s take a closer look at features you can expect when you sign up for Lightspeed (Shopkeep’s replacement)

Inventory Management – A Key Advantage

Lightspeed has one of the most advanced inventory systems for small to mid-sized retailers. Here are the key features you can expect:

• Product variants and matrices – track and manage all your products with ease
• Stock level alerts – keep on top of your stock levels and avoid running out of best-selling items
• Vendor catalogs and purchase ordering – streamline your supplier relationships and ordering process
• Serialized inventory and batch tracking – keep a close eye on your stock and detect any potential theft
• Multi-location syncing – keep all your stores in sync, even if you have multiple locations

The In-Store POS – Designed to Deliver

The in-store POS system is highly customizable and designed to make running your store as smooth as possible. Key features include:

• Customizable register workflows – create a workflow that suits your business
• Barcode scanning – make transaction processing a breeze
• Discount and loyalty tools – reward your loyal customers and increase sales
• Customer profiles with purchase history – get to know your customers and their buying habits
• Receipt customization and signature capture – professional looking receipts with every transaction

Reporting & Analytics – Get Insights to Drive Your Business

The reporting dashboard is packed with features that will give you a detailed overview of your business. You can expect:

• Real-time sales data – see how your business is performing in real-time
• Profit margin analysis – track your profit margins and make informed decisions
• Staff performance metrics – see how your staff are performing and identify areas for improvement
• Product sales by location – track sales by store and location
• Time-based comparisons (day/week/month/year) – track sales and performance over time

Employee Management – Easy to Use and Customizable

The employee management system is designed to make managing your staff as easy as possible. Key features include:

• Role-based permissions – control what your staff can do and see
• Time tracking and shift scheduling – make scheduling and tracking time easy
• Sales performance dashboards – track the performance of individual staff members
• User logins with activity logs – keep a record of all activity by staff members

This makes it easier to manage staff across multiple locations, monitor performance and control access levels. It's especially useful for businesses with larger teams, but may be more than you need if you have just a few employees.

Pricing Breakdown (2025 Update)

Lightspeed Retail now comes in three main tiers, each with different features and pricing:

Plan	Monthly Cost	Best For
Lean	$69	Basic POS and inventory tools
Standard	$119	Ecommerce integration and multi-location
Advanced	$199	Advanced reporting and loyalty tools

There's also an Enterprise tier with custom pricing if you're a high-volume retailer.

Additional fees to consider:

• Payment processing via Lightspeed Payments: 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction
• Hardware: iPad stands ($150+), printers ($200+), barcode scanners ($100+)
• Setup or onboarding services (starts at $300)

What I Like About Shopkeep (Lightspeed)

I've been using Lightspeed and here are the things I really like about it:

• Inventory tools are the best I've seen – especially useful if you sell across multiple retail locations or manage complex SKUs
• Multi-store syncing is seamless – stock updates in real time and you can transfer inventory between stores
• Reporting is detailed and useful – you get insights on trends, staff performance and top-selling items
• Hardware compatibility is solid – works well with a range of printers, cash drawers and iPads
• Omnichannel flexibility is great – you can connect your POS to Lightspeed eCom or integrate with Shopify

What I Don’t Like About It

While I like many things about Lightspeed, there are a few areas where it could improve:

• The learning curve is steep – if you're coming from Shopkeep or Square, it may feel like you're getting into over your head
• Pricing adds up fast – between add-ons and hardware, total monthly costs can exceed $200
• Ecommerce support is basic – Lightspeed eCom lacks the polish of Shopify or BigCommerce
• Customer service can be hit or miss – some users report long wait times and inconsistent support quality

Alternatives to Shopkeep

If you're not sold on Lightspeed Retail, here are a few alternatives worth looking at:

POS System	Best For	Starting Price	Key Strengths
Square POS	Small businesses, cafes, salons	Free	Easy to use, free tier, online tools
Shopify POS	Shopify store owners	$39/month	Seamless online + in-store sales
Clover	Retail + restaurants	Custom pricing	Hardware bundle options
Toast POS	Full-service restaurants	$69/month	Restaurant-specific features
Revel	Large multi-store operations	$99+/month	High customizability

Each of these systems is built with a different type of business in mind, so the right one for you will depend on your size, industry and growth goals.

If you're looking for simplicity and low cost, Square is a good place to start, while platforms like Revel and Toast are better suited for larger, more complex setups.

Real User Feedback

I checked out recent reviews from G2, Reddit and Merchant Maverick to see what actual users are saying about Lightspeed in 2025.

Positive Comments

• “Inventory syncing is lightning fast and accurate”
• “Our team transitioned from Shopkeep without too many issues”
• “Customer profiles and loyalty tools helped increase repeat sales”

Common Complaints

• “It's too complex for a single-store setup”
• “We had to hire someone just to handle onboarding”
• “Support doesn't respond fast enough during high season”

Final Verdict: Is Shopkeep (Lightspeed) Still Worth It?

If you're looking for a simple, affordable POS solution to run alongside your ecommerce store, Lightspeed might not be the right fit.

But when you're a growing retailer with multiple locations – and you've got a substantial product range – a large SKU catalog – and you're finding it tough to keep things running smoothly – then it’s definitely worth checking out what's on offer.

For those who've used Shopkeep before, Lightspeed represents a more powerful but also more complicated platform.

It's not the straightforward POS that small shops adored, that used to be your plug-and-play option. But – for the business that's outgrown its current setup – it does offer real benefits for getting to the next level.