Key Takeaways:
- Lightspeed is better suited for retail and hospitality businesses that need advanced inventory management, detailed analytics, and industry-specific tools.
- Square is a strong pick for small and midsize businesses because of its simple setup, affordable pricing, and easy-to-use interface.
- The right choice between the two depends on your industry, your growth plans, and which features matter most to your day-to-day operations.
Lightspeed and Square are two of the most popular POS systems available today. Both handle transactions, inventory, and reporting well, but they serve different types of businesses. Lightspeed leans toward feature-rich tools for retail and hospitality, while Square keeps things simple and affordable for smaller operations.
Below, we break down pricing, features, integrations, and support so you can decide which option best fits your business.
Lightspeed vs. Square POS: Quick Facts
Lightspeed and Square are two of the most popular POS systems on the market. And both serve certain types of businesses quite well. They facilitate transactions, enable inventory management and sales reporting, and offer a range of employee management and CRM features for all types of businesses.
Lightspeed offers a more feature-rich solution tailored to the retail and restaurant industries. On the other hand, Square provides a user-friendly interface suitable for small businesses and features like payment processing, inventory tracking, and sales analytics. While Lightspeed excels in versatility and industry-specific tools, Square stands out for its simplicity and accessibility. Read on as we explore their pricing, integrations, and customer support to help you decide on your next POS solution.
Lightspeed vs. Square POS: Pricing, Fees, Features, Setup, and More
Below is a side-by-side comparison of pricing, payment processing, key features, hardware, and support for two of the most popular POS systems. Lightspeed targets established multi-location retailers and restaurants, while Square is built for startups and small businesses seeking simplicity.
| Compare | Lightspeed Retail · Restaurant · Golf |
Square Retail · Restaurant · Appointments |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $89/moNo free plan | $0/moPermanent free plan |
| Retail plans | $89 · $149 · $289Basic · Core · Plus | $0 · $49 · $149Free · Plus · Premium |
| Restaurant plans | $69 · $189 · $399Starter · Essential · Premium | $0 · $49 · $149Free · Plus · Premium |
| Free trial / Contract | 14-day trial · No lock-in | Free plan (permanent) · No contract |
| Payment Processing | ||
| In-person / Online | 2.6% + $0.10 · 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.6% + $0.10 · 2.9% + $0.30 |
| Keyed-in rate | 2.9% + $0.30 | 3.5% + $0.15Higher risk rate |
| 3rd-party processors | Allowed (extra fee) | Not allowed — Square only |
| Key Features | ||
| Inventory | Advanced8M+ catalog, multi-loc, forecasting | Basic – ModerateItem library, alerts, variants |
| Reporting | Robust — custom reports | Standard (advanced on Premium) |
| eCommerce | Via Shopify / WooCommerce | Built-in Square Online |
| Loyalty & CRM | Included on Core+ plans | Paid add-on from $45/mo |
| Multi-location | Native & centralized | Available, less robust |
| Integrations | 250+ (API access on Plus) | Square App Marketplace |
| Hardware | ||
| Reader / Stand | iPad stand from $89 · reader from $49 | Free magstripe · chip reader $59 |
| Terminal / Register | Terminal $329 · w/ printer $399 | Terminal $299 · Register $799 |
| Support & Setup | ||
| Support | 24/7 chat all plans + account manager | 24/7 phone on Premium only |
| Onboarding / Setup | Free 1-on-1 session · Moderate curve | Self-serve · Live in minutes |
| Best suited for | Multi-location retailers & restaurants needing advanced tools | Startups, cafés & pop-ups wanting fast, low-cost setup |
| Bottom Line | Lightspeed POSPowerful for established retailers & restaurants. Deep inventory, 250+ integrations and multi-location tools justify the higher cost. | Square POSBest-in-class simplicity and low cost. Free plan works well; processing lock-in becomes a constraint at higher volumes. |
Lightspeed vs. Square: A Detailed Comparison
Lightspeed and Square take different approaches to helping businesses engage with customers and run daily operations. Lightspeed offers deeper tools for retailers and restaurants focused on scaling, while Square keeps things simple for businesses prioritizing an easy in-store experience. The sections below cover what each system actually delivers.
Lightspeed POS: Our Assessment
- Speed Up Sales: Lightspeed POS boasts a user-friendly interface that lets you process transactions quickly and efficiently. Ring up items, apply discounts, and accept payments in seconds, keeping your lines moving.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Generate insightful reports on sales trends, customer behavior, and employee performance. Use this data to make informed decisions for growth and optimize your business strategy.
- Cloud-Based Convenience: Access Lightspeed POS from any device with an internet connection. Manage your business on the go and eliminate the need for expensive, dated, on-premise software with their cloud-based POS.
- Inventory Management Made Easy: Track your stock levels in real-time to prevent costly stockouts and overstocking. Lightspeed automatically generates purchase orders to maintain optimal inventory levels.
- An Array of Verticals: Lightspeed has acquired several companies to help boost its reach among various business verticals. These include Chronogolf for golf course management and Vend for brick-and-mortar retail. Such acquisitions have helped Lightspeed provide a more curated solution for niche businesses.
Square POS: Our Assessment
- Simple & Affordable: Square POS is easy to set up and use, perfect for smaller businesses. Free basic plans exist, with paid options offering advanced features at competitive prices.
- Sell Smarter: Square integrates with powerful tools for managing inventory, customer loyalty programs, and marketing campaigns, helping you grow your business.
- Mobile Ready: Run your business from anywhere with Square’s free POS app. Take payments, manage inventory, and track sales on your smartphone or tablet.
- Fast & Secure Payments: Accept all major credit cards, contactless payments, and even send invoices with Square. Their secure system protects your business and customer data.
- Customize Your Solution: While the add-on features will increase Square’s monthly price, the solution offers businesses many options to create customized software that fits their needs.
Payment processors
giving you trouble?
We won’t. KORONA POS is not a payment processor. That means we’ll always find the best payment provider for your business’s needs.
Lightspeed vs. Square: Pros & Cons
Lightspeed and Square each fit certain businesses better than others. Below, we get into what each one does well and where it falls short.
Lightspeed Pros & Cons
| Factor | What it means for your business |
|---|---|
| Pros of Lightspeed POS | |
| Strong support | Support is available 24/7 by phone, chat, and Twitter. Dedicated account managers guide you through setup, training, and any snags, so you get the most out of your POS and checkout flow. |
| Inventory management | Reviewers highlight Lightspeed’s strong inventory management. The tools help retailers track stock levels, automate reordering, and use sales data to avoid stockouts and optimize inventory. |
| Flexibility and scalability | Lightspeed offers a variety of plans, features, and compatible hardware, so you can customize your setup to fit your budget and your store’s layout. It works for businesses of all sizes, from startups to established chains. |
| Cons of Lightspeed POS | |
| eCommerce needs improvement | Reviewers on Reddit say Lightspeed is robust for brick-and-mortar vendors, but its eCommerce platform is underwhelming. Lightspeed eCommerce gets 3.7 stars on Software Advice. It integrates with WooCommerce and Shopify, but customers have complained about the functionality of those integrations. |
| No free subscriptions | Lightspeed’s cheapest plan is $89 per month. That may not suit businesses that want a pay-as-you-go option with no monthly fee. |
| Extra charge for third-party processing | Lightspeed allows third-party payment processing, but it charges an undisclosed fee that seems to vary by business. If you plan to keep your own processor, get a quote and a guarantee before you commit. |
Square Pros & Cons
| Factor | What it means for your business |
|---|---|
| Pros of Square POS | |
| Minimal setup demand | Square has a streamlined installation and a user-friendly interface, so even if you’re not tech-savvy, you can get running quickly. That helps startups with little time to learn a complex system, or those who rely on Square’s customer service. |
| Cost-effective | Square’s free tier includes the basics you need to process payments and track sales. Paid plans add features at generally reasonable prices, especially for small businesses. |
| Flexible and mobile | Square works on smartphones, tablets, and computers. Its mobile card reader lets you accept payments on the go, which suits businesses with multiple locations or those that sell at events. |
| Cons of Square POS | |
| No processing flexibility | Square clients must use its built-in payment processing. That streamlines operations and won’t be an issue for many small businesses, but high-volume retailers may find the processing fees too expensive. |
| Marketing add-ons not included | Loyalty and rewards, email, and marketing tools aren’t included in Square’s packages. These CRM and promotional tools have tiered pricing levels based on email, text, and customer volumes. |
Do you have trouble getting your POS customer service on the phone?
KORONA POS offers 24/7 phone, chat, and email support. Call us now at 833.200.0213 to see for yourself.
Should I Choose Lightspeed or Square?
Trying to make a decision on which POS system to choose — Lightspeed or Square? Check out the table below to learn more:
| Who should choose Lightspeed? | Who should choose Square? |
|---|---|
| Established retailersWith large product catalogs across multiple locations | New or small retailersThat need a straightforward, affordable setup |
| Full-service restaurants and hotelsThat need table management, ordering, and detailed reporting | Food trucks and quick-service restaurantsThat want fast, mobile payment processing |
| Golf coursesThat want an industry-specific management solution | Service-based businessesSuch as salons or studios, using Square Appointments |
| Growing businessesThat plan to expand and need a system built to scale | Pop-ups and market vendorsThat need a portable, contract-free solution |
An Alternative to Lightspeed and Square POS Systems: KORONA POS
Neither Lightspeed nor Square works well for every business. If you’re looking at Square POS alternatives, KORONA POS is one of the strongest options available.
Why KORONA POS stands out:
- Processing-agnostic: works with any payment processor, so you’re never locked in. It also supports dual pricing to help reduce processing costs.
- Built for high-risk retail: liquor stores, smoke shops, tobacco retailers, dispensaries, and cannabis businesses can operate without the risk of getting shut down. KORONA helps match each business with the right processor.
- Retailer and QSR-ready: serves both retail stores and quick-service restaurants. Its inventory management tools are built to handle the complexity of high-SKU or regulated product catalogs.
- Multi-location and franchise support: manage multiple stores or franchise operations from a single back office.
If Lightspeed feels too expensive or Square keeps rejecting your business type, KORONA POS is worth a serious look.
Speak with a product specialist and learn how KORONA POS can power your business.
Lightspeed vs. Square POS Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Lightspeed or Square?
Choosing between Lightspeed and Square depends on your business needs. If you require robust industry-specific features and advanced inventory management, Lightspeed may be the better option. However, if you prioritize simplicity, ease of use, and affordability, Square could be the preferred choice, especially for small businesses.
Does Square work with Lightspeed?
Square and Lightspeed are separate POS systems that do not directly integrate. While they don’t have native integration, some third-party solutions or workarounds might facilitate data transfer or synchronization between the two platforms.
Why is Lightspeed better than Shopify?
Lightspeed offers more advanced features explicitly tailored for the retail and restaurant industries, including robust inventory management and customizable reporting tools. With its industry-specific focus and comprehensive functionality, Lightspeed is often preferred by companies seeking a more tailored solution than Shopify’s broader appeal. Shopify is typically a better fit for eCommerce businesses.
How much does Lightspeed charge per transaction?
Lightspeed typically charges a flat-rate transaction fee per payment, ranging from 2.6% + 10¢ to 2.9% + 30¢. Lightspeed also offers custom pricing for high-volume businesses or those with specific needs.
