Octopus POS vs. Shopkeep

The Octopus iPad app follows a fairly typical “block” format. Once users have logged in, they can access dedicated areas for processing sales, editing products, managing inventory, adding or modifying customer details, and creating reports.

Users should keep in mind that they will need to download separate apps to access the customer-facing display, catalogue (for browsing by customers or corporate clients in-store), and certain barcode scanning features. Users can also download a dedicated app for mobile devices.

The “Food POS” has a similarly straightforward and visually-attractive layout, with sections for managing tables, amending menu items, processing orders, and so on.

"This looks like a visually promising app….”

“This looks like a visually promising app….” “We decided to work with Octopus because they offer international support.”

“No import feature means you waste time re-entering your existing products.”

Shopkeep is extremely easy to use, and inexperienced retailers in particular will have no trouble managing their inventory and processing orders.

The register screen, which is designed to run on an iPad (although you can buy a stationary register from Clover which is compatible with Shopkeep) follows a standard format, with block item listings, a button for saving sales for later, and “cash” or “credit” options. Further functionality is available from a side menu. The back-office dashboard is also very intuitive. A left-hand sidebar displays tabs to dedicated areas for analytics, inventory (items), marketing tools, staff permissions, and settings. The home-page also provides a “birds-eye” view of your business and shows important metrics like sales and transactions.

The one downside on the usability front is that dedicated onboarding and one-on-one support isn’t available on all plans, although you may be able to add this to your package when you speak to Shopkeep (all subscriptions are on a custom basis). That said, user reviews tend to state that setting up was straightforward, despite the lack of tailored customer service.

"I know this sounds crazy but I really don't have any negatives with this system."

"It was fairly simple to set up and use and fairly easy to train people on the system."

"This software was very easy to set up, update and use. "

Octopus has a robust package of core features, and both retailers and restaurant managers will find everything they need to run an efficient point-of-sale system. The mid-range “Advanced” package allows for an unlimited number of sales transactions, products, and users.

Subscribers have access to a suite of inventory management, customer relationship management, analytics, and promotional tools. Notable features include credit notes, the option to offer customer-facing terminals, features for consignment and corporate sales, email receipts, employee permissions, stock transfer between outlets, and support for loyalty programs.

Users can also pay extra for “add-on” modules. These optional extras include an advanced analytics engine, ecommerce site-builder, and full customer management platform (CRM).

Keep in mind that integrations are only available on the top-tier enterprise plan.

Shopkeep offers more or less everything you would expect to find in a point-of-sale system. Features include inventory management, payment processing, barcode scanning, hardware packages, support for gift cards and loyalty programs, and discount options.

Both the browser-based back-office and iPad register dashboards are intuitive and easy-to-use, and set-up is generally very straightforward. This point has been confirmed by numerous user reviews online.

What’s more, Shopkeep offers in-depth analytics - though larger retailers may be looking for more advanced functionality - along with user permissions. There is no cap on the number of items or users that can be added to the system. Retailers can also take advantage of a “pocket” mobile app for keeping on top of sales.

Shopkeep is primarily an iPad system, so you will need to keep this in mind when thinking about your hardware set-up. That said, you can purchase a register kit from Clover, thus removing the need for an iPad, but this will incur additional costs.

The one big downside when it comes to features is the limited integrations library. Only three are provided - Quickbooks, Mailchimp, and BigCommerce. If you’re looking to build a fully-integrated tech stack, then you will have to look elsewhere.

Octopus doesn’t offer much in the way of integrations. If you want to build a fully-integrated tech stack, there are better solutions on the market (take a look at our reviews of Shopify POS, Clover and Vend). The enterprise package does include “custom integrations”, so it’s worth getting in touch to see if it’s possible to sync with your existing apps if you’re thinking about opting for this plan.

Octopus is best for retailers that are looking for a comprehensive “all in one” solution. It’s possible to supplement the point-of-sale system with an in-house ecommerce platform (for running your own online store), extensive analytics dashboard, and an advanced customer relationship management app (CRM). However, you will have to pay extra for these tools. If this set-up appeals to you, sign up for the free trial to give the software a test drive. If on the other hand, you would prefer to build a fully-connected suite of separate apps, then you should look for an alternative solution.

For larger retailers and restaurant chains, Octopus also offers its own-brand self-service kiosks and a queue management system.

There isn’t a great deal to discuss when it comes to integrations. Shopkeep offers far fewer connectors than competing platforms. If you’re looking for a point-of-sale system that syncs seamlessly with your existing tech stack, then you will have to look elsewhere. For brick-and-mortar retailers (and restaurateurs) that operate mostly out of a single or multiple stores, this is unlikely to be a problem. If, however, you have a large online presence and rely on several apps, you won’t find the functionality you need.

Furthermore, no intermediary apps are supported, so you won’t be able to connect up your stack by using third-party tools like Zapier.

The one exception to this is if you run your store on BigCommerce, and are happy to use this platform as your primary hub for integrations. Still, some manual data input may be required.

In terms of the integrations on offer, Shopkeep syncs with Quickbooks, MailChimp, and BigCommerce. Shopkeep stipulates that users can build their own “ecommerce store”, but you will have to purchase a separate BigCommerce package in order to take advantage of this feature.

If you are looking for a slimmed-down solution, however, and only need access to accounting and mailing list functionality along with your own store, then Shopkeep provides a straightforward, high-quality solution.

Evaluating value for money is a little difficult for Octopus. The entry-level plan “Basic POS”, which allows for unlimited users, is relatively well-priced at $49/month (with discounts for annual subscribers). Many users, however, will require the mid-range “Advanced POS” package. This is because some features which may be essential, such as advanced promotion tools and analytics, are unavailable on the basic option.

What’s more, add-ons, such as the ecommerce store-builder and customer relationship management platform, will incur extra costs. Information about payment processing is not published online, so you should check fees before subscribing.

Shopkeep works on a custom pricing model and you will need to get in touch with the company to discuss your needs. From our own research, we found that plans begin at around $49/month, with additional costs for extra registers. Remember that this is a solution tailored to smaller businesses.

Shopkeep has an in-house payment processing solution which charges 2.5% per transaction and an additional ten-cent processing fee. This isn’t bad by any means, but we would have liked to have seen greater support for third-party services. A free terminal is included in all plans.

Shopkeep also offers an iPad-compatible hardware kit. Like the POS plans, pricing is unique to each customer.

Octopus falters a little when it comes to help and support, especially when compared to other brands in the POS space. The online documentation could be more extensive, there is no English-speaking community of users, and customer service is only through support tickets on small business plans.

Enterprise users, on the other hand, will be given a dedicated account manager, personalized support, and access to staff training.

Shopkeep offers a streamlined but high-quality support package. Customer service is available 24/7, 365 days a year, via email. Extensive documentation and training materials are also offered to help users make the most of the platform.

While dedicated onboarding support isn’t advertised, it may be possible to purchase this when discussing your plan. No community support is provided.

Octopus isn’t the best solution on the market. But it’s not the worst, either. It offers a straightforward, robust package of features at a reasonable price-point. The ease of signing up for a free trial means that smaller retailers have no reason not to give it a test run. Keep in mind that, apart from the back-office, Octopus is run exclusively on iPads.

We recommend that larger retailers and restaurant chains book a demo to explore what’s on offer as part of the enterprise package. A number of features, such as corporate sales tools, advanced analytics, and assignment of a dedicated account manager, may make it an attractive proposition.

Overall, we were very impressed with Shopkeep. It’s a compact, well-designed, and cost-effective platform that’s aimed squarely at the small business market. Dedicated solutions for restaurants, food trucks, bars, and coffee shops, along with an option for retailers, make it an attractive solution to companies in these sectors.

The options to create an ecommerce store and sync up with Quickbooks and MailChimp are also added bonuses.

The one downside was the limited number of integrations. If you’re not looking for an extensive integrations library, then Shopkeep is definitely worth considering. If, on the other hand, you want a solution that will sync with your existing tech stack, along with providing the ability to use third-party payment processors, then you should consider alternatives.