PAYS vs SkyTab: What Business Owners Need to Know Before Choosing a POS
What would you do if your busiest night of the month came to a halt because your POS froze, right when customers were lining up and tickets were piling up?
It’s a nightmare, isn’t it?
But what if we tell you, it can happen in real life if you don’t have a reliable Point of Sale system for your restaurant?
Moments like these are why it is essential to compare all the available POS systems on the market. The right POS keeps your operations running smoothly, your team confident, and your customers satisfied.
The wrong one? It can cost you time, money, and reputation before you even realize it’s happening.
Before you commit to a system that will run your business every single day, here’s what you really need to know. Let’s take a quick look at the PAYS vs SkyTab comparison.
PAYS vs SkyTab at a Glance
Before we go deeper, here’s a quick snapshot of both systems:
- PAYS focuses on zero-fee processing, free hardware, and multi-location scalability.
- SkyTab offers solid restaurant tools but often includes long-term contracts and hardware fees.
- If your priority is lower cost, higher reliability, and flexibility, PAYS stands out.
- If you want a standard restaurant POS with common features, SkyTab does the job, but at a higher ongoing cost.
Also Read: How is AI Revolutionizing the Dining Experience in Top Restaurant POS Systems?
Here’s how they compare across the areas that matter most.
What’s the True Cost Difference Between PAYS and SkyTab?
When it comes to choosing a POS, pricing is where most business owners either save big or lose thousands without realizing it. Here’s how the two systems stack up.
PAYS is designed to keep your operating costs low from day one. With 0% processing fees through Cash Discount Pro, businesses immediately save on every transaction.
There are no long-term contracts, and pricing stays transparent with no hidden surcharges or unexpected monthly increases. Altogether, these factors contribute to PAYS having one of the lowest total costs of ownership in the POS industry.
SkyTab follows a more traditional pricing model. Businesses must purchase their hardware, which increases upfront costs. Monthly POS subscription fees are required, and every sale includes standard processing charges, which can add up over time.
Let’s take a quick comparison.
Pricing Component | PAYS | SkyTab |
Monthly POS Fee | $0–$99 | $29–$69 |
Processing Fees | 0% | 2.6%–3.5% |
Install/Setup | Included | Extra possible |
Contract | Month-to-month | Long-term |
Add-ons | Mostly included | Extra costs |
When comparing PAYS and SkyTab, the differences go well beyond just pricing. Their feature sets reflect fundamentally different philosophies: PAYS is built for long-term savings and operational control, while SkyTab is built to be a comprehensive, restaurant-first system with advanced front- and back-office tools.
Here’s a quick comparison of their key features.
Feature Category | PAYS | SkyTab |
Menu & Order Management | Fast, customizable menus; instant modifier updates; multi-location syncing | Strong restaurant tools, but slower customization; modifiers are less flexible |
Tableside Ordering | Included handheld POS devices for faster service | Available, but hardware must be purchased |
Inventory Management | Real-time tracking, automated alerts, multi-location visibility | Basic tracking; limited automation |
Employee Management | Roles, permissions, scheduling tools, payout options | Roles and permissions only; fewer labor tools |
Reporting & Analytics | Live analytics, deep insights, multi-location reporting | Good reporting, but less comprehensive |
Online Ordering | Built-in, fully integrated at no extra cost | Available but often an add-on |
Loyalty & Marketing | Integrated loyalty, customer data tools | Loyalty usually requires additional fees |
Multi-Location Support | Native support; easy syncing & centralized control | Limited scalability for multiple sites |
KDS (Kitchen Display) | Included in many setups; seamless with POS | Available but often paid separately |
Integrations | Wide product suite, handhelds, terminals, KDS, cash discounting | Integrations are available, but more limited |
Offline Mode | Full offline capability | Offline available |
Hardware Replacement | Lifetime replacement for qualifying merchants | Not included |
Also Read: PAYS or Square: Which POS System Should You Choose for your QSR in 2025?
Real Problems Business Owners Face With POS Systems
Here are the headaches most business owners report when choosing the wrong POS:
- Hidden processing fees
- Long-term contracts
- Expensive hardware replacements
- Inconsistent support
- Software updates that break workflows
- System crashes during peak hours.
- Limited access to real-time data
- Add-ons that dramatically increase the monthly cost
These issues are exactly what triggered the meltdown in the story from the introduction.
So the question becomes…
How PAYS Solves These Everyday Challenges
PAYS is purpose-built to eliminate the operational headaches that most business owners face on a daily basis. Instead of layering on more fees or complicated workflows, it focuses on giving you a system that is faster, more affordable, and easier to run than traditional POS platforms like SkyTab.
1. Zero-Fee Processing That Instantly Boosts Margins
With Cash Discount Pro, you eliminate processing fees on every transaction. This means more revenue stays in your business, rather than being lost to card fees; a significant savings, especially for high-volume restaurants and retail stores, which can amount to thousands of dollars per year.
2. Transparent Pricing With No Surprises
Unlike systems that bury charges in fine print, PAYS keeps pricing simple. You get a flat, predictable rate with no hidden fees, no forced add-ons, and no sudden price hikes. This makes it easier to budget and maintain consistent monthly expenses.
3. Fast, Reliable Performance During Peak Hours
PAYS is designed for speed and stability. It doesn’t matter if you’re running a lunch rush or a weekend dinner rush; the system remains responsive and reliable. No freezing, no crashing, just uninterrupted service when you need it most.
4. Better Multi-Location Control for Scaling Businesses
If you run more than one location or plan to, PAYS gives you centralized control over menus, pricing, inventory, and reporting. Updating one site updates them all, making it ideal for franchises, expansions, or seasonal operations.
5. Back-Office Intelligence That Drives Smarter Decisions
PAYS turns your data into actionable insights. With real-time sales, labor, inventory, and performance analytics, you always know what’s working, what’s not, and where you can improve profitability. It’s like having a built-in business advisor.
6. 24/7 U.S.-Based Support That Actually Picks Up
No overseas call centers. No long wait times. With round-the-clock U.S.-based support, you get real humans who understand your system and fix problems fast, because downtime is not an option when you’re running a business.
Also Read: PAYS vs Toast: Which POS System Is Better for Quick Service Restaurants in 2025?
Which POS Truly Delivers More Value?
When you step back and look at the full picture, the difference becomes clear. PAYS gives business owners more control, more savings, and more reliability. That too, without locking you into expensive contracts or forcing you to pay for every little upgrade.
SkyTab still offers a solid POS platform, but the combined cost of processing fees, hardware purchases, and add-ons can quickly add up.
If you’re a business owner who wants transparent pricing, zero processing fees, free hardware, stronger multi-location tools, and a support team that actually answers the phone, PAYS delivers a better experience from day one. And the long-term savings can be game-changing.
Choosing the right POS isn’t just a technology decision; it’s a profitability decision. And the numbers make the story simple: PAYS wins where it matters most.
Schedule your personalized demo today and discover firsthand how PAYS POS can transform your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
PAYS is typically cheaper thanks to 0% processing fees, while SkyTab charges standard fees and requires hardware purchases.
Yes. With Cash Discount Pro, PAYS removes processing costs, helping businesses save significantly.
PAYS is ideal for restaurants, retail, and multi-location businesses needing affordable, scalable tools.
SkyTab has strong restaurant tools, but many features, like loyalty or online ordering, often cost extra.
Yes. PAYS offers guided onboarding and 24/7 U.S.-based support to make switching fast and smooth.
Disclaimer: This article is an unbiased and informative comparison between PAYS POS and SkyTab. It is not intended to criticize, defame, or harm the reputation of SkyTab or any other brand mentioned.
