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ShopKeep vs SparkPlug Comparison

Last updated:

ShopKeep

3.0(187 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Medium Business
  • Small Business

ShopKeep is an easy-to-use, cloud-based iPad POS software. It's powerful enough for big businesses and light enough for small ones. There's rich reporting, customer analytics and integration with all the products you use…

SparkPlug

4.9(43 reviews)

Starting at $199 /Month

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

SparkPlug is an innovative incentive management platform created to empower frontline salespeople and team influence. It is fully automated, making it easier than ever to reward your sales team with incentives. With acce…

SparkPlug leads on user satisfaction with a 4.9-star rating across 43 reviews.

ShopKeep vs SparkPlug — at a glance

FeatureShopKeepSparkPlug
Rating3.0 / 54.9 / 5
Reviews18743
Starting priceContact for pricing$199 /Month
Free trial Yes No
Free version No No
Best forMedium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryRetail SoftwareRetail Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud
API—Available
Support modes24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, OnlineOnline
Certifications——
Data residencyGlobalUS

Key differences between ShopKeep and SparkPlug

  • Pricing: SparkPlug starts at $199 /Month. ShopKeep pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Free trial: ShopKeep offers a free trial; SparkPlug does not.
  • Target audience: ShopKeep is built for Medium Business and Small Business, while SparkPlug targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
  • User satisfaction: SparkPlug scores higher with a 4.9-star average.
  • Deployment: ShopKeep supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS; SparkPlug supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

ShopKeep vs SparkPlug — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Retail Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

ShopKeep - Retail Software
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SparkPlug - Retail Software
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ShopKeep vs SparkPlug: Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

ShopKeep

Best for small to mid-sized retail and hospitality businesses needing easy iPad POS.

Choose if
  • You want a simple, cloud-based iPad POS that works right out of the box.
  • Your business is a retail shop, restaurant, or salon with up to 200 employees.
  • You need quick setup with reliable performance and useful business analytics.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a large enterprise requiring complex POS customizations and hardware integrations.
  • You need consistently responsive customer service and guaranteed hardware compatibility.

SparkPlug

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

ShopKeep typically suits Medium Business and Small Business. SparkPlug tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

ShopKeep is an easy-to-use, cloud-based iPad POS software. It's powerful enough for big businesses and light enough for small ones. There's rich reporting, customer analytics and ... Read More about ShopKeep

SparkPlug is an innovative incentive management platform created to empower frontline salespeople and team influence. It is fully automated, making it easier than ever to reward your sales ... Read More about SparkPlug

Entry Level Pricing

  • Not Available
  • Starts from $199

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

9.8/10

7.9/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

3.02

(187)

4.87

(43)

Best Company Size

1-50 employees51-200 employees
—
Get pricing help
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Software Demo

Demo

No software demo available

SparkPlug has not given any software demo yet

If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us

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Step 1 of 4

How big is your team?

We tailor recommendations to companies your size.

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How do ShopKeep and SparkPlug Compare on Features?

Total Features

24 Features

3 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare ShopKeep and SparkPlug on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • Not Available
      • $199

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Pricing information not available

      SparkPlug pricing

      ShopKeep vs SparkPlug: Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      ShopKeep vs SparkPlug Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🇺🇸 US

      ShopKeep User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      77

      17

      8

      6

      79

      40

      3

      0

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Users generally appreciate the ease of use and business insights but express frustration with inconsistent support and hardware issues.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Business analytics
      • Customer support availability

      Common complaints

      • Customer service inconsistency
      • Hardware compatibility problems

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is very strong across 43 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

      What buyers like

      • Incentives drive sales and engagement among employees, fostering healthy competition and motivation.
      • User-friendly interface with easy navigation and access to real-time metrics, enhancing performance tracking.
      • Responsive and helpful customer service, offering support and guidance.

      Common complaints

      • Limited flexibility in redeeming incentives, with fewer options beyond gift cards.
      • Some users may find the admin features and reporting slightly lacking or requiring additional customization.
      • Marketplaces might lack variety in additional apps and connectors, limiting expansion of functionalities.

      Pros and Cons

      • User-friendly interface providing valuable business insights

      • Easy setup and integration with online stores

      • Reliable system performance supporting small business growth

      • Inconsistent customer service quality causing delays

      • Hardware compatibility issues with printers and scanners

      • Automation simplifies the incentive management process.

      • Vendor partnerships enhance reward options for sales teams.

      • User-friendly design encourages adoption among sales staff.

      • Customization may be limited for specific needs.

      • Requires vendor partnerships for full functionality.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Negative Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used ShopKeep or SparkPlug? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      screenshots

      5 Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      No videos available.

      Top Alternatives to ShopKeep and SparkPlug in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, ShopKeep or SparkPlug?
      SparkPlug edges out the other on user ratings (4.9 vs 3.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case, so use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do ShopKeep and SparkPlug offer a free trial?
      ShopKeep offers a free trial. SparkPlug does not.
      What is the starting price of ShopKeep vs SparkPlug?
      ShopKeep starts at Contact for pricing. SparkPlug starts at $199 /Month.
      What are the top alternatives to ShopKeep?
      Top alternatives to ShopKeep include Ari Retail POS, Snappii Mobile Apps, GoFrugal POS Software, LivePOS, iVend Retail.
      What are the top alternatives to SparkPlug?
      Top alternatives to SparkPlug include Placer, SetSight, POSExpress, Passport Business Solutions, SkuIQ.