Compare > Lightspeed vS KORONA POS
Choosing Between Lightspeed and KORONA POS
Both KORONA POS and Lightspeed offer robust retail management, but they cater to different business needs. Compare the solutions – including inventory, pricing, hardware, processing, and scalability – to find your ideal fit.
Why Choose KORONA POS
Developed by COMBASE, KORONA POS was designed as one of the first cloud point of sale solutions in the industry. Users often choose the system for its robust features tailored to multi-location and franchise businesses, its strong emphasis on customization and detailed reporting, and its flexible pricing model with add-on modules.
The native support for dual pricing (cash discounting) and comprehensive CRM with a point-based loyalty program are also significant advantages for retailers looking to optimize pricing strategies and customer engagement. KORONA POS has a highly customizable interface, checkout experience, and strong inventory management features make it a compelling option for businesses seeking operational efficiency and control.
Why Choose Lightspeed
Businesses frequently select Lightspeed for its seamless and well-integrated eCommerce capabilities, making it an excellent choice for companies with a strong online presence or those looking to expand into online sales. Its user-friendly interface and compatibility with a wide range of hardware on various operating systems provide flexibility.
Lightspeed’s strong matrix inventory system is particularly beneficial for retailers with numerous product variations. While it integrates with multiple payment processors, its own Lightspeed Payments offers a streamlined experience. Its growing ecosystem of integrations and focus on providing industry-specific solutions make it attractive to diverse businesses.
KORONA POS vs. Lightspeed – A Side- by-Side Look
See how these platforms compare for retail operations.
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POS Hardware
KORONA works with a wide range of hardware. Merchants can choose a desktop terminal for counter use or a mobile tablet for on-the-go transactions. It integrates with all standard peripherals (receipt printers, barcode scanners, cash drawers, ID scanners, etc.).
For small shops that want budget-friendly options, KORONA POS offers hardware bundles or leasing options, so merchants don’t have to buy equipment upfront. As your business grows, it’s simple to add more terminals or scanners – KORONA’s open platform makes scaling easy.
Lightspeed is optimized for Apple hardware but is not limited to it. The core Lightspeed POS app runs on an iPad and can also be accessed in a web browser on Mac or PC. Lightspeed itself does not lease hardware; instead, users must purchase approved cash drawers, receipt printers, scanners, and payment terminals through Lightspeed’s hardware partners.
Most retailers use Star Micronics or Epson printers and MagTek/BBPOS card readers certified by Lightspeed. Lightspeed Payments customers in the US get a complimentary EMV chip reader to start. Additional accessories – like kitchen printers or customer-facing displays – are available.
Payment Processing
KORONA POS is payment-processor agnostic. Merchants can choose to shop around and negotiate the lowest transaction fees.
The system integrates seamlessly with many EMV (chip) and NFC terminals, securely capturing credit/debit and mobile payments. This means users are not locked into a single gateway or forced to pay inflated rates.
Merchants can keep using their preferred bank or processor even after switching to KORONA POS.
Lightspeed offers Lightspeed Payments as its in-house payment solution. This handles in-person and online transactions on a secure, PCI-compliant platform. Lightspeed Payments includes a free EMV terminal and a flat-rate fee (currently around 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction). For restaurants, it can split checks and add tips, and for retailers, it can store customer cards on file.
If Lightspeed Payments isn’t available or not desired, Lightspeed can connect to various third-party processors through its POS. But it comes with significantly higher fees.
Back Office Features
KORONA Studio offers a feature-rich cloud back office that connects all channels. Store owners get real-time dashboards and reports on sales, inventory, staff performance, and customer data. If you run an online store, KORONA’s WooCommerce integration keeps product catalogs and stock levels aligned, and sales (online or in-person) updates every channel simultaneously.
The system also offers advanced inventory tools (like automated reorders based on par levels and analysis of dead stock). These features mean a smaller retailer can manage multi-location inventory and analyze trends as easily as a big chain.
Lightspeed’s back office is quite comprehensive. It allows unlimited outlets/registers, auto-syncs inventory and sales across them, and connects to an online Lightspeed eCom store.
Its reporting suite breaks down data by location, item, category, or team member, and visualizes trends over time. Lightspeed also includes built-in CRM and marketing modules to run loyalty programs, email campaigns, or gift-card promotions without a separate system.
For restaurants, Lightspeed’s back end supports table/floor management, menu updates, and kitchen ticketing.
Customer Support
KORONA POS subscriptions come with 24/7 emergency support and regular support from 6AM to 6PM PT at no extra cost. In other words, you can call or email their help desk anytime and reach a live support agent. KORONA POS is known for being very responsive, and many customers report that issues are resolved quickly and that the support staff are knowledgeable.
This around-the-clock service is a big plus for small business owners needing help outside regular hours. Plus KORONA POS offers unlimited trainings and demos, a full online support manual, and dozens of video tutorials.
Lightspeed provides extensive onboarding and support resources. Every new Lightspeed client gets a free one-on-one training to set up their system. After that, phone support is available 24/7 in English (with email/chat support and limited Dutch/French phone support as well).
Lightspeed also maintains an extensive online knowledge base and user community forum. Users generally find the Lightspeed support team helpful and appreciate the educational resources, though as a larger company, response times can sometimes be slower than those of niche providers.
Want to Learn More About Lightspeed?
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