Aug 7, 2025

Top SkyTab POS Alternatives for 2025

Best SkyTab POS alternatives: Mobile ordering, real-time reporting & customer management.

Top SkyTab POS Alternatives for 2025

Looking for top SkyTab POS alternatives that actually fit the way your restaurant operates? 

Today, more cloud-based and mobile-friendly POS systems are emerging with increasingly promising features. In fact, the global restaurant POS terminal market size for hardware and software is expected to reach $38 billion by 2030. 

As a result, restaurants are now ditching their outdated POS systems, favoring flexible, easy-to-use, and cost-effective POS platforms that do more than just ring up sales. 

Let’s break down the best SkyTab alternatives for 2025 based on user reviews, real-world performance, and third-party ratings to help you choose the best restaurant POS software for your business needs.

What is SkyTab POS?

SkyTab is a cloud-based POS system built specifically for hospitality businesses. It includes a sleek POS station, handheld devices, and mobile apps like SkyTab Air and InCharge.

Key features include:

  • Online ordering
  • Table-side payments
  • Contactless checkout
  • Menu customization
  • Detailed reports
  • Real-time analytics via its back-office platform, Lighthouse

Their POS is powered by Shift4, offering built-in payment processing, secure payment options, and support. This is good for various restaurant types, including full-service restaurants, quick-service spots, bars & nightclubs, coffee shops, and pizza shops, to name a few.

Despite these features, some users report challenges with third-party integrations, customization, and long-term pricing visibility, especially when locked into Shift4 processing.

SkyTab POS - Pros & Cons

Before you commit, here’s a quick look at what SkyTab gets right and where it might fall short for growing restaurants.

Pros:

  • $0 upfront cost
  • Lifetime hardware warranty
  • Built-in marketing & loyalty tools
  • Contactless ordering & payment
  • Cloud-based management with mobile access
  • 24/7 support

Cons:

  • Limited 3rd-party integration unless through their marketplace
  • Not the most intuitive UI for new users
  • Some features require extra setup or add-on fees
  • Long-term value depends on using Shift4 as the payment processor

Why Explore SkyTab POS Alternatives?

If you’ve outgrown your current system or feel boxed in by SkyTab’s features, there are a host of other POS solutions that can provide you with the speed, scalability, and control you need to drive more sales.

Modern restaurants need platforms that offer mobile access, deep guest insights, and hands-on support. This shift isn’t even about what your current system lacks. It’s about discovering what new innovative tools can offer greater long-term value for the success of your business.

SkyTab Alternatives Quick Comparison

The best POS system for your business streamlines the checkout process, reduces operational costs, and helps increase overall efficiency, all while fitting your budget.

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of how the top POS alternatives compare.

Read here if you’re looking for Lightspeed POS alternatives.

5 Best SkyTab Alternatives for Restaurants and Hospitality

With so many POS options available, we’ve hand-picked five great options that can help you run restaurant operations with less stress. 

These POS systems were chosen for their ease of use, integration into restaurant day-to-day operations, and ability to grow with your business.

1. Toast POS

Toast is an all-in-one system for restaurants with mid-to-large-scale operations or multiple locations. You get order management, menu customization, and guest loyalty features all in one place. It gives you control over your restaurant operations, from the front of house to the back office.

Toast is a good pick if you want to enhance guest experience and use a POS that can do it all.

  • Strengths: All-in-one system, reporting tools, and guest support.
  • Best for: Larger multi-location operations that need a scalable solution.
  • Notable Edge: Full-service features with online ordering and delivery, plus a customizable hardware setup.

2. Peppr

The Peppr POS system is a fast and simple platform that’s designed for independent restaurants. It’s a great upgrade if you want to speed up service and keep things running smoothly. Servers can take orders on the go using handheld POS systems, reducing wait times and improving staff productivity. 

Peppr has built-in payment processing, secure payment options, and supports contactless payments with multiple methods. You can also modify your menu at any time, review analytics, and access detailed reports. 

  • Strengths: Simplified, easy to learn design, real-time data insights, and new features added on a monthly basis.
  • Best for: Fast casual restaurants, full-service restaurants, bars, breweries, and more, looking for a user-friendly yet robust POS.
  • Notable Edge: Intuitive interface with seamless cloud-based management and real-time analytics to help brands make smarter decisions.

Peppr is perfect if you want a system that offers all-in-one functionality, with service, and can integrate with other systems like DoorDash, 7Shifts, and BevCheck.

3. TouchBistro

TouchBistro is a smart and affordable choice if you run a sit-down restaurant. It has offline functionality, which is ideal for restaurants that are a bit off-grid. TouchBistro also comes with a user-friendly interface and allows for menu and floor plan customization.

TouchBistro is a reliable choice for smaller or independent restaurants that want control without complexity.

  • Strengths: Easy-to-use interface, inventory and staff management tools, and offline functionality.
  • Best for: Full-service restaurants and cafes that need a simple yet powerful system.
  • Notable Edge: Ability to operate without an internet connection.

4. Lightspeed 

The Lightspeed Restaurant POS is good for large restaurants. It comes with a dashboard with insights to help you look at your sales with real-time analytics. It also comes with CRM tools and API access for customization.

Lightspeed is a good alternative for restaurant owners who want control over data, guest engagement, and expansion strategy.

  • Strengths: Inventory management, reporting, and guest relationship tools.
  • Best for: Restaurants with complex operations or those looking for customizable features.
  • Notable Edge: A range of integrations with third-party apps

5. Square 

Square is a great fit for new restaurants that just want something that works. They offer fast setup, payment processing, and secure payment options. Square is a good option for anyone who wants to simplify transactions and save time without spending a lot of money.

  • Strengths: Easy setup and no monthly fees for the basic plan
  • Best for: Small to medium-sized restaurants, quick-service spots, and startups looking for a budget-friendly POS system.
  • Notable Edge: Transparent pricing with no hidden fees and a range of business tools.

Peppr: The Best SkyTab Alternative for Modern Restaurants

Peppr gives you everything you need to manage your restaurant with fast setup, built-in payments, and reporting designed for the industry.

Seamless Table-Side Ordering and Real-Time Staff Coordination

Peppr’s handheld POS device lets your team take orders, send them to the kitchen, and collect payments, right at the table. No more running back and forth or mixing up tickets. It helps reduce wait times, ensures orders are accurate, and allows your staff to focus on your guests.

Flexible Menu Management and Easy Modifiers

Changing your menu shouldn’t require a tech degree. Easily customize items, add modifiers, and update availability in real time. Set up Taco Tuesdays or let the system know you have a sold-out dish all from one screen.

Built-In Payments, Tips, and Guest Checkout on One Screen

Everything your staff needs is built into Peppr’s POS. No extra devices needed. Guests can pay, tip, and get a receipt in seconds. It’s fast, easy, and supports multiple payment methods, including contactless payments.

Streamline Table Service, Orders, and Payments with Peppr

Peppr helps you move faster, serve smarter, and cut down on chaos with tools that fit the way your team works. 

With Peppr, you get to enjoy:

  • Fast setup and smooth onboarding for quick deployment
  • Simple, intuitive tools that minimize training time for new staff
  • Seamless integration with kitchen systems and front-of-house tools
  • Scalable platform that grows with your restaurant’s needs

Peppr is your go-to SkyTab alternative for restaurants that want to boost efficiency without complicating operations.

Request a free demo today

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What features should I look for in a SkyTab alternative?

Look for a POS that’s easy to use, has integrated payments, supports fast ordering, provides real-time reporting, and can scale as your restaurant grows.

Q: Can I migrate my data from SkyTab to Peppr or another POS?

Yes. You can import your menu, guest data, and settings. Peppr has an onboarding team that does all the heavy lifting and migrates any necessary information. They also have an experienced support team to guide you through the transition.

Q: Do all these SkyTab alternatives support integrated payments and tipping?

All of these SkyTab alternatives support integrated payments, but not all of them offer tipping functionality as a core feature. SkyTab alternatives that have tipping features include Peppr, Toast, TouchBistro, and Lightspeed. Square includes tipping, but configuration and visibility vary by plan.

Q: Which POS system offers loyalty, CRM, or guest engagement tools?

Lightspeed offers built-in or optional tools for guest loyalty, CRM, and engagement. Peppr’s loyalty and CRM features are being added later in 2025.

Q: What’s the learning curve for switching from SkyTab to Peppr?

Switching from SkyTab to Peppr is easy. Peppr’s support team will provide training on how to use them, and most restaurant staff can learn to take orders in just one shift.

Q: Are hardware bundles available from these alternative POS systems, or can I use existing terminals?

Yes. Most providers offer hardware bundles and require you to use them. Peppr requires Peppr hardware, Toast requires Toast hardware, and so on. However, some POS systems let you use your own devices.

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