Lightspeed Retail vs Epos Now

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Our analysts compared Lightspeed Retail vs Epos Now based on data from our 400+ point analysis of POS Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

Lightspeed Retail, formerly Vend, is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system suited for small and medium-sized businesses in retail, hospitality, and service industries. It offers core features like sales management, inventory tracking, customer profiles, and reporting, with additional options for ecommerce integration, marketing tools, and employee management. While praised for its user-friendly interface and omnichannel capabilities, some find its pricing complex and miss advanced features like offline functionality compared to competitors. Starting prices range from $69/month (billed annually) for a basic plan, with per-transaction fees and additional costs for advanced features and multiple registers.

Pros
  • User-friendly interface
  • Omnichannel capabilities
  • Robust features
  • Integrations with popular software
  • Scalable for growing businesses
Cons
  • Complex pricing structure
  • Limited offline functionality
  • Lacks some advanced features
  • Steeper learning curve for less tech-savvy users
  • Customer support wait times can be long
read more...
Epos Now is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed for retail and hospitality businesses. It streamlines operations with features like inventory management, multi-channel sales, and customizable dashboards. Its strengths lie in flexibility and affordability, making it ideal for startups and growing businesses. Users praise its ease of use, wide range of integrations, and reliable customer support. Compared to similar products, Epos Now shines in its app store, offering numerous add-ons to tailor the system to specific needs. However, some users report limitations in advanced reporting and scalability for larger businesses. Pricing starts at a low monthly fee per device, with additional costs for advanced features and integrations.

    Pros:
  • Easy for staff
  • Inventory control
  • Sales insights
  • App integrations
  • Flexible plans
    Cons:
  • Limited trial
  • Add-on costs
  • Support inconsistency
  • Limited customization
  • Hardware concerns
read more...
$69 Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$39 Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Improved Efficiency: Streamline operations with centralized inventory management, quick checkout processes, and automated tasks, freeing up time for other priorities.
  • Enhanced Customer Experience: Offer personalized interactions, loyalty programs, and omnichannel support (online and in-store) to build customer loyalty and satisfaction.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: Gain valuable insights from comprehensive sales reports, inventory analytics, and customer data to make informed business decisions.
  • Scalability for Growth: Adapt the system to your evolving needs with flexible plans and seamless integration of additional features as your business expands.
  • Simplified Inventory Management: Track stock levels across locations, automate purchase orders, and minimize stockouts with real-time inventory visibility and control.
  • Mobile Accessibility: Manage your business on the go with mobile apps for sales, inventory, and employee management, offering flexibility and convenience.
  • Integrated Marketing Tools: Launch targeted email campaigns, manage social media presence, and track marketing performance directly within the POS system.
  • Employee Empowerment: Equip staff with user-friendly tools for efficient tasks, improved communication, and enhanced productivity.
  • Payment Processing Flexibility: Accept various payment methods, including credit cards, contactless payments, and gift cards, with integrated payment processing options.
  • Reduced Costs: Potentially minimize operational expenses through improved efficiency, reduced manual tasks, and data-driven decision-making.
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  • Simplified Operations: Streamline your workflow with intuitive sales processing, inventory management, and reporting tools, freeing up time and resources for what matters most.
  • Enhanced Insights: Gain valuable data-driven insights into your business performance. Track sales trends, identify top-selling items, and analyze customer behavior to make informed decisions.
  • Customer-Centric Focus: Delight your customers with faster service, flexible payment options, and loyalty programs. Build stronger relationships and keep them coming back for more.
  • Scalable Growth: Easily adapt your POS system to your evolving needs. Add new locations, integrate with online platforms, and manage multiple sales channels seamlessly.
  • Cost-Effective Solution: Choose from flexible pricing plans that fit your budget and scale with your business. Enjoy a low monthly fee with no hidden costs or long-term contracts.
  • Empowered Team: Equip your staff with user-friendly tools that boost efficiency and productivity. Improve accuracy, reduce errors, and ensure everyone is on the same page.
  • Mobile Accessibility: Access your POS system and key business data from anywhere, anytime. Manage your business on the go and stay connected even when you're not on site.
  • Secure and Reliable: Enjoy peace of mind knowing your data is safe with cloud-based storage and industry-leading security measures. Count on reliable performance and minimal downtime.
  • Adaptable and Customizable: Tailor Epos Now to your specific needs with a wide range of add-on apps and integrations. Create a POS system that works for you, not the other way around.
  • Ongoing Support: Benefit from helpful and responsive customer support. Get your questions answered, access training resources, and ensure you're getting the most out of your POS system.
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  • Omnichannel Sales: Sell seamlessly across physical stores, online platforms, and marketplaces.
  • Inventory Management: Track stock levels, automate reordering, manage multiple locations, and receive low-stock alerts.
  • Point of Sale: Process transactions quickly, accept various payment methods, and apply discounts and loyalty programs.
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Track customer data, purchase history, preferences, and create personalized marketing campaigns.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Gain insights into sales trends, inventory levels, customer behavior, and employee performance.
  • Employee Management: Track time and attendance, assign tasks, manage schedules, and control permissions.
  • Integrations: Connect with accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero), ecommerce platforms (Shopify), marketing tools (Mailchimp), and payment processors.
  • Mobile Apps: Access POS, inventory, and reporting features on mobile devices.
  • Hardware Options: Choose from compatible terminals, barcode scanners, receipt printers, and cash drawers.
  • Cloud-Based: Access from anywhere with internet connectivity, automatic updates, and secure data storage.
  • Security: Protects customer data with PCI compliance and industry-standard security measures.
  • Customer Support: Offers phone, email, and online resources for assistance.
read more...
  • Contactless Dining: Facilitate a coherent ordering and dining experience with an online, ticket-based system. Access the menu, make customizations, add notes, place orders and make payments using QR codes or a URL. Use error-free business management tools to reduce wait times and boost operational efficiency. 
  • Inventory Management: Track business functions and optimize the supply chain using efficient inventory management tools. Centrally manage merchandise, fulfill orders, process payments, scan barcodes, set stock alerts and streamline operations for a time-saving, effortless experience. 
  • Reporting and Analytics: Get full visibility into transactional data, analyze individual product performance, understand business operations, access sales reports, track profits, view data forecasts and monitor employee performance to make informed decisions. 
  • Customer Relationship Management: Boost website engagement and drive customer loyalty by staying in the loop with customer information. Build marketing campaigns based on purchase history, buying patterns, total spending and website visits. Offer promos and discounts, send gift cards, create rewards and improve communication. 
  • Integrations: Leverage robust integrations with major platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce to improve business efficiency. Sync in-store and online inventory, automate recurring functionalities, process faster checkouts, consolidate services and more. Integrate loyalty programs, store promotions and reward schemes to deliver consistent customer service. 
read more...

Product Ranking

#23

among all
POS Software

#59

among all
POS Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

72
76
92
50
35
67
60
80
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Sales and Marketing Management
Inventory Management
Compliance and Security
Payment Transactions and Cash Management
Reporting and Insights
Integration and Extensibility
Items and Service Management
Inventory Management
Reporting and Insights

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Lightspeed Retail
Epos Now
+ Add Product + Add Product
Compliance And Security Customer And Loyalty Management Employee Management Inventory Management Items And Service Management Payment Transactions And Cash Management POS Hardware Reporting And Insights Sales And Marketing Management Store Management Types Of POS 92 35 60 98 71 89 59 88 100 73 33 50 67 80 93 100 63 78 88 68 63 74 0 25 50 75 100
83%
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17%
50%
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70%
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80%
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100%
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89%
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11%
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89%
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11%
56%
11%
33%
57%
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43%
80%
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88%
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44%
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67%
75%
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25%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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100%
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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 518 reviews
Good User Sentiment 596 reviews
85%
of users recommend this product

Lightspeed Retail has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 85% when considering 518 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

74%
of users recommend this product

Epos Now has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 74% when considering 596 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

4.7 (31)
n/a
4.1 (57)
3.9 (9)
4.22 (217)
3.57 (309)
4.3 (213)
3.8 (278)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Lightspeed Retail and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Sales and Marketing Management.

Sales and Marketing Management Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Epos Now and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Items and Service Management.

Items and Service Management Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive Interface: Users consistently praise Lightspeed Retail's user-friendly design, making it easy to navigate and perform tasks efficiently, even for those with limited technical experience.
Omnichannel Capabilities: Seamlessly manage online and physical stores, providing a unified customer experience and streamlining inventory and order management.
Robust Feature Set: Offers a wide range of features addressing diverse business needs, including inventory management, sales reporting, customer relationship management, and employee tools.
Integrations with popular software: Streamlines operations and data exchange by connecting with accounting, marketing, and e-commerce platforms like QuickBooks, Shopify, and Mailchimp.
Mobile Accessibility: Manage your business on the go with mobile apps for sales, inventory, and employee management, offering flexibility and convenience.
Show more
Easy for Staff: The intuitive interface and minimal training requirements are praised by users, including small businesses with staff of varying tech skills.
Inventory Control: Real-time stock tracking and low-stock alerts are cited as game-changers, preventing stockouts and improving order accuracy.
Sales Insights: Users highlight valuable reporting tools that provide actionable insights into sales trends, employee performance, and customer behavior.
App Integrations: Connecting seamlessly with popular accounting, loyalty, and delivery apps is appreciated for streamlining workflows and reducing manual data entry.
Flexible Plans: Users love the range of plan options with competitive pricing, allowing them to scale the software with their business needs.
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Complex Pricing Structure: Tiered plans and additional fees for features like offline functionality can be confusing and lead to higher-than-expected costs.
Limited Offline Functionality: Reliance on internet connectivity can be problematic for businesses with unreliable internet or operating in remote areas.
Missing Advanced Features: Some users report limitations in specific areas like advanced inventory management, requiring workarounds or third-party integrations.
Steeper Learning Curve for Complex Needs: While user-friendly overall, the extensive feature set can be overwhelming for those needing in-depth customization or specific functionalities.
Customer Support Wait Times: While generally helpful, customer support can experience longer wait times during peak periods, potentially delaying issue resolution.
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Limited Free Trial: Some users find the 30-day trial period insufficient to fully explore the features and compatibility with their specific needs.
Add-on Costs: Essential features like advanced reporting or certain app integrations require additional monthly fees, potentially pushing up the overall cost beyond initial expectations.
Customer Support: While generally praised, occasional user reviews mention inconsistencies in the responsiveness and helpfulness of customer support, particularly through email inquiries.
Limited Customization: Some users, especially in niche industries, express a desire for deeper customization options for the interface and functionalities to perfectly fit their specific workflow.
Hardware Concerns: While offering hardware bundles, occasional reports mention issues with specific hardware options in terms of durability or compatibility, requiring replacements or alternative sourcing.
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Lightspeed Retail garners mixed reviews from users, highlighting both its strengths and potential drawbacks. On the positive side, users consistently praise its intuitive interface, making it easy for both tech-savvy and less-experienced individuals to navigate. The extensive feature set, encompassing inventory management, reporting, customer management, and omnichannel capabilities, caters to diverse business needs. Integrations with popular software like QuickBooks and Shopify streamline operations and data exchange. Notably, Lightspeed excels in omnichannel management, allowing businesses to seamlessly manage online and physical stores, a crucial strength in today's retail landscape. However, some find the pricing structure complex, with tiered plans and additional fees for features like offline functionality. The lack of true offline functionality can be a dealbreaker for businesses with unreliable internet or operating in remote areas. While the feature set is comprehensive, some users report limitations in specific areas like advanced inventory management, which might necessitate workarounds or third-party integrations. Compared to competitors like Square POS and Shopify POS, Lightspeed offers a wider range of features and caters to more complex business needs. However, these strengths come at a higher price point. Ultimately, the choice between Lightspeed and its competitors boils down to individual business requirements and budget constraints. If you prioritize omnichannel capabilities, extensive integrations, and a robust feature set, Lightspeed is worth considering. However, carefully evaluate your needs and budget against potential limitations before making a decision.

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Recent user reviews of Epos Now reveal a spectrum of experiences. Praise centers around its user-friendly interface, robust inventory management, and actionable sales insights. These strengths, particularly the intuitive design, benefit smaller businesses with diverse staff skillsets, giving Epos Now an edge over tech-heavy competitors like Square or Shopify. Affordability adds to its appeal. However, limitations emerge for complex operations. Users call for more granular customization and highlight occasional gaps in customer support responsiveness, especially via email. Furthermore, optional fees for vital features like advanced reporting or select app integrations can inflate the initial cost, potentially swaying users towards competitors with more comprehensive plans. In conclusion, Epos Now excels in simplicity, affordability, and real-time data, making it a strong contender for businesses prioritizing ease of use and core POS functionalities. However, businesses with niche requirements or intricate workflows may find greater value in exploring competitors for enhanced feature fit and potentially lower long-term costs.

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