POS Nation for Retail vs. Lightspeed
If you're a mega-chain restaurant, or in search of a cloud-only POS system, then Lightspeed will likely be the solution for you.
But if you're looking for a hybrid, retail point of sale system that knows small businesses and comes with best-in-class, 24/7 support, then join the over 10,000 retailers who trust POS Nation.
How is POS Nation different from Lightspeed?
Industry Focus
Lightspeed: Services both retail and restaurant businesses, with no specialization in one industry.
POS Nation: Was built exclusively to support retail small businesses and has a team equipped with years of industry expertise.
Winner: POS Nation
Payment Options
LightSpeed: The only option is a required monthly payment for a POS system, plus extra monthly costs for each additional register.
POS Nation: Flexible payment options including a one-time upfront payment option with no required ongoing fees.
Winner: POS Nation
Reliability
Lightspeed: This is a 100% cloud-based POS system, so having a strong and stable internet connection is needed to use the software.
POS Nation: This hybrid software offers internet-enabled cloud capabilities for accessing business-critical data, as well as a local database that does not require internet.
Winner: POS Nation
Remote Access
Lightspeed: Built to be completely mobile so their entire system can be taken to markets, pop-up shops, and other remote events.
POS Nation: Offers remote reporting, inventory management, and other back office features, but not cashier features.
Winner: Lightspeed
Required Add-Ons
Lightspeed: For anything other than their basic pricing plan, expect monthly costs in the triple digits to access the features your business needs.
POS Nation: Standard level comes with customer loyalty, reporting, and other advanced features at no extra cost.
Winner: POS Nation
Hardware
Lightspeed: Their hardware kit costs $1,000 and does not include an iPad to run POS software.
POS Nation: Offers a hardware bundle starting at $999 including software, touchscreen computer, cash drawer, receipt printer, and barcode scanner.
Winner: POS Nation
Tablet Usage
Lightspeed: Is a good option for businesses that want to be completely mobile and run their business on a tablet.
POS Nation: Offers a tablet integration, however, their software performs best on a touch PC.
Winner: Lightspeed
Processing Rate
Lightspeed: Effective rate is between 2.8% and 3% depending on average transaction size.
POS Nation: Effective rate is between 2% and 2.5% depending on average transaction size.
Winner: POS Nation
Reviews
Lightspeed: An alarming number of below-average reviews, including 14% of their Trustpilot customer reviews.
POS Nation: Stellar 3rd-party customer reviews, including less than 3% of Trustpilot customer review that are below average.
Winner: POS Nation
Transparent Pricing to Better Manage Cash Flow
Lightspeed's basic plan or upfront hardware pricing may seem simple but add-on fees for features quickly add up and the total cost of ownership is often accompanied by sticker shock.
POS Nation's solution comes with everything you need out of the box including hardware, software, support, and processing with a fixed monthly cost, or the option for an upfront payment.
